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.

This book is a collection of nine short stories written by some of the finest science-fiction authors ever. The stories are: Chalice of Death by Robert Silverberg, Orphan of the Void by Lloyd Biggle, Jr., Down to the Worlds of Men by Alexei Panshin, Ministry of Disturbance by H. Beam Piper, Blind Alley by Isaac Asimov, A Planet Named Shayol by Cordwainer Smith, Diabologic by Eric Frank Russell, Fighting Philosopher by E. B. Cole, and Honorable Enemies by Poul Anderson.

All of the stories are excellent read, which I say with no exaggeration. In Particular, Ministry of Disturbance and Blind Alley are among of the best short stories I have ever read. However, the gem in the crown is Diabologic. This story is outrageously funny, and a fascinating read. This is an excellent anthology!

3 terrific short stories - Asimov Style! Anyone who apprecites Asimov, 20th century short stories, Star Trek, Star Wars, Star Gate, etc., will definately appreciate stories #2 & #3 on this audio book. My favorite was #3 - "The Last Monster" - a parady of modern culture set in the future and on a different planet!

I began reading Ms. Bradley's work probably around the time this book was published, but I never saw this in a store until 1998. I was very familiar with her writing style and had grown attached to all the Darkover, Avalon and Atlantis characters but I never knew of her short stories. Some of these are from her writing "beginnings" and I must say, they are the best I've ever read. Each is complete. That is not to say they all leave you satisfied. Some I don't believe are meant to do that, but instead seem to have an urgency in the telling that doesn't go away when you finish the last paragraph. I can still feel the family in "Jamie" and I can still feel my revulsion for the stress relieving mechanism is another of the stories. This is a wonderful collection with a depth that I don't think was always able to be realized in Ms. Bradley's popular novels. It's well worth the ordering wait.

Every one of these mysteries is very good, which is sometimes unusual in an anthology. If you are a fan of Diane Mott Davidson, Sharon McCrumb, Joan Hess, Charlotte MacLeod, or Carolyn G. Hart, you will love this book. There's not a clinker in the bunch

It was great! It had the perfecct balance of the two most important things: mystery, and suspence. You may like this book, or you may LOVE it, I happen to be one that loves it, it was cunning, and abouve all, smartly written. As a college student, I was scared to receive sleep that nite! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) HI dad!

Though it's out of stock, I recommend trying to find a copy. For those of you who are just starting to read science fiction or even die hard fans, this book is a great one. It doesn't have a single bad story.

Murder Most Celtic is the latest installment of the "Murder Most" titles covering a vast array of subjects, from Medieval Times, through the Confederacy, and also dealing with food and romance. Editor Martin H. Greenberg is a veteran of over one thousand anthologies, including Vampire Slayers And American Ghost Stories. Mr. Greenberg is the president of TEKNO Books in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

John Helfers writes of Ireland in his Introduction to Murder Most Celtic:

"Start with the landscape. Ireland is a land of amazing contrasts. From the rugged, wind-hewn majesty of the Cliffs of Mohr and the savage storms that blow on the coast to the gentle fog-shrouded hillocks and villages of the Midlands, Ireland is a study in both beauty and hostility."

Sixteen authors' stories are included in this anthology, and they cover the gambit of what is the essence of Ireland. Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma solves a murder in Droim Sorn as dálaigh, advocate of the law courts, and saves an innocent sixteen year old when he is wrongfully accused in "Scattered Thorns." Brendan DuBois' "The Wearing of the Green" features an Irish-American old man taunted for his love of Ireland until he retaliates in a murderous fashion. Wendy Lee's "Skiv" tells the story of how even in a Catholic School there can be murder and mayhem.

Editor Martin Greenberg has done a nice job of compiling stories which each represent a different part of the Irish/Celtic heritage. Not all stories deal with an actual murder, but each story shines a light on an endearing trait of what the Irish culture offers the world. Jeremiah Healy's "A Book of Kells" tells a story of loyalty and virtue in applying the rule of law.

Mat Coward's "So Where've You Buried the Missus Then, Paddy?" is a light-hearted look at simple life in a small town.

Murder Most Celtic is a collection of small glimpses into Irish life. The stories sometimes cover the passions associated with murder, but temper the act with good old fashioned Irish blarney.

Shelley Glodowski, Reviewer

This short collection of 'mutant' stories is a book I did not expect to have a fond memory of, but it happened nonetheless.

Within its pages is a short story ©1938 by Edmond Hamilton, entitled "He That Hath Wings." It remains to this day one of my favorite short stories.

In it, a boy named David Rand is born with wings. He is raised on a private island owned by doctor Harriman, also his legal guardian. The years of growth are eloquently described in a few pages and you learn from David's perspective what it must be like to grow up with wings, and wonder why nobody else does.

As the story evolves, he escapes to the mainland and falls in love with a woman. He makes a huge sacrifice in order to keep his life normal, but the story ends with a twist; you shall have to read.

It's short and wonderful, highly emotional. If you can find a copy of this book and you're like me, you will love it for this one story alone.

Some information about the book: * Paperback ISBN 0-06-020156-8 or ISBN 0-694-05629-4 * ©1984 by Nightfall, Inc., Martin Greenberg, and Charles Waugh

A list of the short stories: * Introduction - Isaac Asimov * Hail and Farewell - Ray Bradbury * Keep Out - Fredric Brown * What Friends Are For - John Brunner * The Wonder Horse - George Byram * He That Hath Wings - Edmond Hamilton * Second Sight - Alan E. Nourse * I Can't Help Saying Goodbye - Ann Mackenzie * The Listening Child - Idris Seabright * The Children's Room - Raymond F. Jones * The Lost Language - David H. Keller, M.D. * Prone - Mack Reynolds * Come On, Wagon! - Zenna Henderson

And finally, a list of the themes of some of the stories, to pique your interest: * What would it be like if childhood lasted forever? * A horse that can fly - without leaving the ground. * A young girl with overwhelming psychic powers. * Predicting the future. * Telekinesis * Evolution sped up through science.

This collection of short christmas stories is wonderful. This is a great book to start a Christmas family tradition. Some stories teach a lesson, some warm your heart and soul and others just make you feel good. I take it with me when I babysit in December, and often read favorite stories over and over. This is the kind of book you share with friends and family!