‘If there were a Dagger for best editor Martin Edwards would be a shoo-in this year’
Crime Writers’ Association website, 2012
List of anthologies edited by Martin
| Crimson Snow This widely acclaimed collection of winter mysteries earned a starred review in Publishers’ Weekly, and has been praised by Kirkus, The Washington Post and many other reviewers. Authors include Margery Allingham, Julian Symons, and Michael Gilbert, and there is even a Sherlockian play, and a story with a competition element, by Macdonald Hastings. |
| Motives for Murder This unique Detection Club anthology, celebrating the life and work of Peter Lovesey, earned praise from Michael Dirda in The Washington Post: “This tribute anthology — honoring one of our best detective story writers on his 80th birthday — is worth acquiring just for its extras: a foreword by Len Deighton, Lovesey’s own reminiscences of the Detection Club in the 1970s and the anecdotal introductory notes to the 20 new stories, which include Andrew Taylor’s delightful “The False Inspector Lovesey,” a bit of literary homage that neatly mixes double-cross, swindle and an orphaned housemaid’s dreams.” |
| Serpents in Eden Serpents in Eden celebrates the rural British mystery. From a tale of poison-pen letters tearing apart a village community to a macabre mystery by Arthur Conan Doyle, the stories reveal the dark truths hidden in an assortment of rural paradises. Among the writers included here are such major figures as G. K. Chesterton and Margery Allingham, along with a host of lesser-known discoveries whose best stories are among the unsung riches of the golden age of British crime fiction |
| Murder at the Manor The English country house is an iconic setting for classic detective fiction. This book collects diverse examples of country house crime by legendary writers such as Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, and less well-remembered but gifted authors including Ethel Lina White and Nicholas Blake. |
| Silent Nights Already one of the best-selling British crime fiction anthologies of recent decades, this book collects vintage mysteries with a Christmas setting. “Blending lively storylines with atmospheric evocations of the season, Silent Nights introduces readers to some of the finest Christmas detective stories of the past”: Dead Good Books Authors include Edgar Wallace, Nicholas Blake, Leo Bruce, Edmund Crispin, Margery Allingham, and Ethel Lina White. |
| Capital Crimes “An excellent addition to the British Library’s impressive series of crime classics”: Shiny New Books London is the setting for this collection of seventeen vintage mysteries by authors ranging from Arthur Conan Doyle and Hugh Walpole to Margery Allingham and Ethel Lina White. Little-known gems include “They Don’t Wear Labels” by E.M. Delafield. |
| Resorting to Murder “Martin Edwards is an author and editor with a feel for ingenious, elegant crime stories from a bygone era. He’s also unearthed some highly original tales and early examples of psychological crime”: Crime Fiction Lover Fourteen classic mysteries with a holiday setting. Authors include G.K. Chesterton, R. Austin Freeman, Anthony Berkeley, and Phyllis Bentley. |
| Guilty Parties (2014) The CWA’s 2014 anthology contains a foreword by Alison Joseph, and no fewer than 24 brand new stories from renowned writers and relative newcomers. Authors include John Harvey, Peter Lovesey, N. J. Cooper, Laura Wilson, Ragnar Jonasson, Paul Johnston, Christopher Fowler, Kate Rhodes, L. C. Tyler and Aline Templeton. |
| Deadly Pleasures (2013) An anthology celebrating the CWA’s Diamond Jubilee, with an introduction by Peter James and a dazzling selection of brand new stories from authors including Peter Robinson, Liza Cody, Michael Ridpath, Ann Cleeves, David Hewson, Andrew Taylor and Peter Lovesey. There is also a story from the late Margaret Yorke, included as a tribute to a fine writer who was a former CWA chair. |
| Best Eaten Cold (2011) The second Murder Squad anthology, with a foreword by Barry Forshaw. Stories from Ann Cleeves, Martin Edwards, Margaret Murphy, Stuart Pawson and Cath Staincliffe. ‘The Laptop’ and ‘The Message’, stories by Cath Staincliffe and Margaret Murphy respectively, were joint winners of the CWA Short Story Dagger 2012. |
| Guilty Consciences (2011) The 2011 CWA anthology, with an introduction by Peter James, who also contributes a story. Contributions from… Robert Barnard, Ann Cleeves, Bernie Crosthwaite, Judith Cutler, Carol Anne Davis, Martin Edwards, Jane Finnis, Peter James, Alanna Knight, Susan Moody, Sarah Rayne, Claire Seeber, L.C.Tyler, Dan Waddell, Yvonne Walus. ‘The Golden Hour’ and ‘He Did Not Always See Her’, stories by Bernie Crosthwaite and Claire Seeber respectively, were short-listed for the CWA Short Story Dagger 2012. |
| Original Sins (2010) Authors include… Simon Brett, Ann Cleeves, Martin Edwards, Kate Ellis, Chris Ewan, Christopher Fowler, Sophie Hannah, Tim Heald, Reginald Hill, Peter Lovesey, Rick Mofina, Barbara Nadel, Christine Poulson, Zoe Sharp, Chris Simms, Andrew Taylor, Charles Todd and Laura Wilson. |
| M.O.: crimes of practice (2008) Authors include… Robert Barnard, Martyn Bedford, Ann Cleeves, Bernie Crosthwaite, Carol Anne Davis, Martin Edwards, Jürgen Ehlers, Kate Ellis, Liz Evans, Paul A Freeman, Jim Gregson, Mick Herron, Sarah Hilary, Andre Marois, Amy Myers, Christine Poulson, Karline Smith, Douglas Stewart, and Yvonne Eve Walus. |
| The Trinity Cat and other mysteries (with Sue Feder) (2006) A treasure trove of newly discovered stories that show the criminal versatility of the legendary creator of Brother Cadfael, collected and introduced by Martin Edwards with editorial input by Peters expert, the late Sue Feder. |
| I.D.: crimes of identity (2006) The new anthology from the Crime Writers Association brings together 17 of the finest crime writers working today, celebrating the ‘who’ in the whodunnit, the psyche in the psychological profile, the id behind the ID. Featuring exclusive stories from Dagger winners, Robert Barnard and Peter Lovesey, and a Grand Master of Crime winner, Edward D Hoch, an exclusive translation from French legend Tonino Benacquista, and much more. ‘Sins of Scarlet’ by Robert Barnard won the CWA Award for Best Short Story of 2006 and ‘Les’s Story’ by Stuart Pawson was short-listed for the same award. A review of ID |
| Crime on the Move (2005) Authors include… John Harvey, Reginald Hill and Kate Ellis Martin Edwards’ ‘Test Drive’ and Kate Ellis’ ‘Top Deck’ were both shortlisted for a CWA Dagger. |
| Crime in the City (2004) Authors include Andrew Taylor, John Harvey, Val McDermid and Reginald Hill. ‘Closer to the Flame’ by Jerry Sykes and ‘Les Inconnus’ by Kate Ellis were short-listed for the CWA Dagger. ‘A feast of delights.’ From the Foreword by Lindsey Davis |
| Mysterious Pleasures (2003) Authors include… Colin Dexter, Lindsey Davis and Dick Francis This collection celebrates the Golden Jubilee of the Crime Writers’ Association. All the contributors have won the CWA’s prestigious Diamond or Gold Daggers, served as chairman, or, in many cases, all three. |
| Green for Danger (2003) Authors include… Robert Barnard, Michael Jecks and Ruth Rendell ‘A marvellous collection…with a rural theme…something of a master class.’ Edward D. Hoch won a Barry award for ‘The War in Wonderland.’ |
| Murder Squad (2001) Stories by each of the Murder Squad ‘Martin Edwards demonstrates that he has a ventriloquist’s gift for other people’s voices….Murder Squad is a genuine attempt to demonstrate the diversity and quality of what is being produced by authors who are shelved under crime…This book is a celebration. So sit yourself down with a glass or a steaming mug of what you fancy, and indulge yourself. Or else.’ From the Foreword by Val McDermid Ann Cleeves’ ‘The Plater’ was short-listed for a CWA Dagger |
| Scenes of Crime (2000) Authors include… Ian Rankin, Peter Lovesey and Lesley Grant-Adamson ‘There is much humour to be had here, much cleverness, insight, drama and some piercing insight. It is a fine introduction to the art of the crime writer.’ From the Foreword by Natasha Cooper |
| Missing Persons (1999) Authors include Ruth Rendell, June Thomson and Edward D. Hoch ‘These stories will, I hope, stimulate and entertain you. They’re by some of the greatest names on the current crime scene.’ From the Foreword by Ian Rankin |
| Northern Blood 3 (1998) Authors include… Val McDermid, Reginald Hill and Robert Barnard The third collection of Northern Chapter crime writing |
| Past Crimes (1998) Authors include… Ruth Rendell, Anne Perry and Andrew Taylor In this gathering of historical mysteries, Anne Perry’s story ‘Heroes’ won an Edgar for best short story. |
| Whydunit? (1997) Authors include… Ian Rankin, HRF Keating, Peter Lovesey and Val McDermid The theme of this collection is ‘whydunit?’ rather than ‘whodunit?’ Reginald Hill’s ‘On the Psychiatrist’s Couch’ won the CWA Dagger for best short story and in the USA, Lawrence Block’s story ‘Looking for David’ won an Edgar |
| Perfectly Criminal (1996) Authors include… Ruth Rendell, Reginald Hill and Maragaret Yorke The first CWA annual anthology edited by Martin has the theme of ‘the perfect crime’ and includes ‘Herbert in Motion’ which earned a CWA Dagger for Ian Rankin |
| Anglian Blood (with Robert Church) (1995) Authors include… PD James, Judith Saxton and John Harman The East Anglian Chapter of the Crime Writers’ Association was encouraged by the popularity of the Northern collections to ask Martin to co-edit, with Robert Church, a selection of their own stories |
| Northern Blood 2 (1995) Authors include… Val McDermid, Reginald Hill and Robert Barnard The success of the first Northern Blood anthology prompted a further collection three years later, this time published by Flambard Press, itself run by CWA members Peter and Margaret Lewis |
| Northern Blood (1992) Authors include… Robert Barnard, Ann Cleeves and Reginald Hill The first collection of stories by members of the Northern Chapter of the Crime Writers Association |