Daggers Drawn

by Ian Rankin, Maxim Jakubowski (Editor), Jeffery Deaver, John Connolly, John Harvey

Overview

Edgy, twisted and disturbing, the first Crime Writers’ Association Daggers Award retrospective anthology featuring 19 visceral and thrilling stories.

Featuring bestselling authors Ian Rankin, Jeffery Deaver, John Connolly, Denise Mina, John Harvey and more.

NINETEEN CWA DAGGER AWARD-WINNING SHORT STORIES FROM THE BEST OF THE BEST IN CRIME FICTION

The first retrospective of the CWA’s Dagger Award winners, brings together some of the greatest names in crime fiction to deliver a cutthroat collection of serial killers, grizzled detectives, drug dealers and master forgers.

Observe as a Senior Curator at the Tate Gallery constructs the perfect crime in Ian Rankin’s “Herbert in Motion”. Watch an unlikely romance sour into a deadly obsession in Stella Duffy’s “Martha Grace”. Face parents who discover their child has committed the unthinkable in Denise Mina’s “Nemo Me Impune Lacessit”. And in Jeffery Deaver’s “The Weekender” an intense hostage situation hits its peak in the most unlikely conclusion.

Keep your secrets close, and your daggers drawn.

Featuring: Peter O' Donnell (writing as Madeleine Brent), Julian Rathbone, Larry Beinhart, Ian Rankin, Jerry Sykes, Stella Duffy, Jeffery Deaver, Peter Lovesey, Cath Staincliffe, Margaret Murphy, John Harvey, Richard Lange, L. C. Tyler, Denise Mina, Danutah Reah and Lauren Henderson.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781789097986
Publisher:	Titan
Publication date:	09/21/2021
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	527,924
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Maxim Jakubowski is a noted anthology editor with over 70 volumes to his credit, including Invisible Blood, the 13 annual volumes of The Mammoth Book of Best British Mysteries, and titles on Professor Moriarty, Jack the Ripper, Future Crime and Vintage whodunits. A publisher for over 20 years, he was also the co-owner of London's Murder One bookstore and the crime columnist for Time Out and then The Guardian for 22 years. Stories from his anthologies have won most of the awards in the field on numerous occasions. He is currently the Vice Chair of the Crime Writers' Association and a Sunday Times bestselling novelist in another genre.

Hometown:

Edinburgh, London and France

Date of Birth:

April 28, 1960

Place of Birth:

Cardenden, Scotland

Education:

Edinburgh University

Website:

http://www.ianrankin.net

Editorial Reviews

09/20/2021

Jakubowski (Venice Noir) has gathered some of the most notable winners of the Crime Writers’ Association Short Story Dagger Award for this strong anthology. The best of the 19 selections come with a sting in the tail that undermines readers’ expectations, as in Danuta Reah’s “The Dummies’ Guide to Serial Killing,” which features a would-be murderer’s step-by-step plan, including his search for a memorable nickname, to launch a career as a serial killer. Phil Lovesey’s “Homework” presents the unexpected impact on a high school student of learning Shakespeare through viewing Mel Gibson’s movie version of Hamlet, which spawns a devious plan for revenge. His father, Peter Lovesey, also impresses, with “Needle Match,” focused on a baffling murder committed before thousands of witnesses during a 1981 tennis match at Wimbledon that claims the life of a participant. Martin Edwards, himself a prolific anthologist, weighs in with the memorable “The Bookbinder’s Apprentice,” in which a British tourist who comes to Venice is offered the opportunity to learn a real trade, instead of desperately scratching out a living doing puppet shows and posing as a living statue of Charlie Chaplin. Fans of literate crime fiction will hope for a follow-up volume. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"A well written sharp, incisive crime story (much like a dagger thrust should be) is a thing of beauty. There are many in this anthology. Read and enjoy."
– Frost Magazine

"Quality and variety... are guaranteed."
– Morning Star

"Chilling and crafty, and full of devious characters. Not all of the victims are innocent, and the effects of each story will linger long after you close the volume."
– The Girl Who Reads

"It’s good to see earlier contributions from such luminaries as Peter O’Donnell, Julian Rathbone and Larry Beinhart among the star-studded cast which features Ian Rankin, Jeffrey Deaver, Denise Mina and John Harvey."
– Shots Mag

"The daggers are drawn, business ends out. An absolute must read for all crime fiction fans."
– Advance the Plot

"Edgy, twisted and disturbing, Daggers Drawn is a visceral and thrilling collection showcasing the very best modern crime fiction has to offer."
– Book Lover's Boudoir

"[A]n overall entertaining tale of short stories with quite a few enjoyable tales to entice the reader."
– Run Along the Shelves

"I'd definitely recommend this great collection for anyone who is a crime fiction fan."
– Snazzy Books

"[A]n engrossing and entertaining read."
– Annarellix Review

From the Publisher

Nineteen prize-winning crime and mystery short stories are narrated by nine highly experienced voice actors. The stories dating from 1985 to 2020 were compiled by Maxim Jakubowski; the gravelly voiced Stefan Rudnicki narrates Jakubowski's detailed introduction about The Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Award for crime short stories. The stories begin with two Sherlock Holmes spin-offs, followed by 17 other thrilling, spine-tingling mysteries. While the deep tones of Stefan Rudnicki and John Lee may be the most familiar to listeners, all the narrators vocally embrace these stories filled with tantalizing twists and surprising conclusions. The short story format provides ample opportunity to cogitate on endings, contemplate ironic turns, and revel in the mastery of short stories by outstanding writers of mysteries and thrillers. M.B.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2021 - AudioFile