This book is an easy read. Very informative about past crimes throughout history. Once you pick it up, you will not want to put it down. The only down side is they should have came out with a series of books!

This was an entertaining bunch of short stories about Camelot. Eachstory is different, with a different take on the legend.

Cat Crimes I, II, III is an excellent read. Whether you love or hate cats, you will probably not be let down by this compilation of short stories. My favorite section of this book was section I. My favorite stories were "A Weekend at Lookout Lodge", "Scat", and, by far, "Last Kiss". That one is spooky. Section II has some very good stories, but leaves something to be desired in several of them. Finally, section III contains many great stories, and is almost as good as Section I. Overall, I give it 5 stars, despite section II. An excellent read! :-)

I'll be honest; John Jakes is the draw for me here. I found that this book introduced me to other authors that have a style I can get used to! the easy-read stories show a different view from top authors' typical writing, but without loosing their ability to draw from history. History comes alive, especially from these sad stories of lost souls. It has created a further interest on a subject that I have often overlooked.

A solid collection of extremely well-written and accesible tales about the oldest villain in the game: Satan. The takes some people have on him are numerous and colorful, and there's almost not a single stinker in the book. Not inundated with stories that require degrees in theology, either. Great fantasy with a social edge, and good for people who don't even dig fantasy.

These stories show the reality of the old west. Elizabeth Fackler's story, Double-Cross, was by far the best, the most intriguing and dealing with the ambiguous morality of what it really meant to be an outlaw. She is a "sleeper" in western fiction.

Though most were about time travel,I liked the FogHorn and Our lady of the saurapods.Though Strata,didn't have anything to do with dinosaurs.But still a great book!

This is the introductin into a unique view of the universe. Isaac Asimov created a universe with six star faring races, humans being the latest addition. The big blow to these races is that there is evidence of a much greater race that left the galaxy long before any of the other races had even achieved consciousness. This is a collection of stories written by various science fiction writers based on the initial guidelines set down by Isaac Asimov. A must read!

One sword. The true sword, EXCALIBUR. Forged from magic and courage, it bears the power of heroes and kings. Its nature is unique, but its forms are legion. It can appear... has appeared... will appear, anywhere, at any time, in a thousand hands in a thousand guises. For Excalibur is the force that protects the souls of Good's guardians, and changes the course of destinies...

Tales of the history and manifestations of Excalibur throughout time, gathered by three of the most experienced anthologists in the field and featuring: Esther M. Friesner, Owl Goingback, Jody Lynn Nye, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Judith Tarr, Susan Shwartz, and many more.

Featuring

"CONTROLLING THE SWORD" by Kristine Kathryn Rusch: The ancestral sword drew generations of children to their destiny but forever cursed all who were unworthy of its touch.

"LASSORIO" by Eric Lustbader: The sullen warlord Lassorio ruled a dark, diminished Camelot until the night a snow fox led him to a place of magic, horror. . . and love.

"THE GOD-SWORD" by Diana L. Paxson: Centuries before the time of Arthur, a Swordbearer and his Druid lover must join the battle for the soul of ancient Britannia.

"SILVER, STONE, AND STEEL" by Judith Tarr: Joseph of Arimathea carried a Mystery to the world's end and discovered his place in an eternal dream of wizards, gods, goddesses, and blood.

"SWORD PRACTICE by Jody Lynn Nye: The young boy-king must discover: Does Arthur rule the sword or does Excalibur rule the king?

"GOLDIE LOX, AND THE THREE EXCALIBEARERS" by Esther M. Friesner: What're you starin' at? Even Merlin's verklempt when the destined Swordbearer for the age turns out to be Brooklyn's Lady of the Lox teen deli waitress Goldie Berman! Who knew?

This book is a one-volume look at mystery fiction in almost all of its forms. It is a compilation of interviews, essays, articles, and lists as presented by writers, editors, critics, and booksellers. There are ample photos, many taken from movies which were made from mystery stories. Remember the lurid and exotic book covers from the 50's? Well, there's photos of some of the more popular covers. Each chapter is begun with reproductions of archaic depictions of mayhem. There are articles about apparently well-known and well-regarded authors that I have never heard of, and I consider myself, not an authority, but at least well-read and as such, familiar with many of the less popular ones. I know I was very pleased to learn of several new authors that I plan to add to my ever-growing list. This is a fact-filled book and is a welcome addition to any mystery reader's library. It can provide hours of satisfying browsing. The articles and essays are excellent and informative, well written, and offer opinions on various aspects of mystery stories, writers, and the genre in general. For instance, the well-known mystery writer, Lawrence Block, offers a superlative dissertation on the definition of hard-boiled and cozy mystery stories. The introduction by Jon Breen is a veritable history of mystery stories. As you probably know, the origins of the modern detective story is usually traced back to Poe's "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" (1840's). Did you also know that the detective in that story, C. Auguste Dupin, appeared in another two tales by Poe? The school of romantic suspense owes its beginnings to gothic novelists like Ann Radcliffe with her "The Mysteries of Udolpho" (1794), Horace Walpole with "The Castle of Otranto" (1765), and Matthew Gregory Lewis with "The Monk" (1796). The chapter headings include American Mysteries which has Mysteries of New York, Mysteries of Los Angeles, Mysteries of Chicago, .......Small Towns, New England. Chapter 2 is entitled Traditional Mysteries and includes cozies, cat and dog stories, and an excellent essay on John Dickson Carr and the locked room mystery. Chapter 3 is about the Black detective, and Chapter 4 covers Religious Mysteries. In Chapter 5 the Private Eye Mysteries are discussed and Chapter 6 is about Gay Mysteries. Chapter 7 talks about British Mysteries and offers up the information that Jonathan Gash (Lovejoy series) and Mike Ripley (Angel series) just happen to live in the same small village in England. Chapter 8 is about Dark Suspense and Chapter 9 discusses Women's Suspense stories. Chapter 10 describes Police Procedurals while Chapter 11 outlines the Hard-Boiled Mysteries. Chapter 12 discusses Thrillers and other chapters cover Young Adult Mysteries, True Crime, Television Mysteries, Comic Books, Nostalgia, Organizations, and Mystery Bookstores Throughout the book are "Best of" lists compiled by various writers, editors, critics. I have visited a couple of these bookstores and if both are indicative of the others then any are worth a visit. I found comfortable, stuffed armchairs strategically located in small nooks, with a small table and lamp nearby, inviting the browser to sit awhile and skim a few lines. The pervading atmosphere was one of hominess and a warm hearth. Definitely inviting. So "The Fine Art of Murder" is heartily recommended as an addition to the reader's library, whether a mystery fan or not. It is entertaining as well as informative.