This is a collection of crime stories to keep you thinking. Each one is different in tone and content. Stories of revenge; a killer with a conscience; monologues in the killer’s voice, women as killers; weird and interesting tales with one thing in common – they all feature a crime of some sort. There is an exception, but it would be spoiling the enjoyment to give any hints. Suffice to say these are all stories that have twists and turns and leave the reader wondering.

The settings range from America to Belfast, London to the north of England these stories are all sinister and chilling. The characters are credible, featuring the seemingly innocent and those who are unashamedly guilty, their backstories alluded to with just enough information for the reader to be able to fill the gaps. As with many short stories it is what is left unsaid that is as important as the written words. Each one of the stories is this collection is crafted to deliver enough to keep the reader guessing and some of the endings are startling. Justice is not always served but there is always change of some sort throughout the telling of the stories. An entertaining read.

Crime after Crime a collection of crime stories edited by Debz Hobbs-Wyatt and Stephen Puleston is published by Bridge House Publishing.