I’m not going to wait until this book comes out in early June to discuss it. Mary Higgins Clark edited a collection of stories written to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Mystery Writers of America. And, the stories, set all over Manhattan, are intriguing and interesting. But, it’s the book itself that is impressive. If you love the part of the city that we tourists think of as New York City, you should pick up a copy of Manhattan Mayhem.

The publishers, Quirk Books, have put together a beautiful book physically. Because each author set their story in a different neighborhood, the covers are maps showing the author’s name, and where their story takes place. There’s even a legend for this street and transportation map of Manhattan and the Bronx. And, the inside of the book is eye-catching. Each story is labeled with the street map showing where it’s set, and set off by the appropriate black-and-white photo. Those photos illustrate the stories perfectly. They’re amazing. And, the pages and print match the overall format.

Oh, yes. The stories themselves. Julie Hyzy’s “White Rabbit” is set in Central Park, and it’s introduced with a photo of the Alice in Wonderland statue. In fact, that’s exactly where this story is set, at that statue. It’s a story with an unforeseen ending. Jack Reacher faces a surprising Manhattan when he reaches his subway stop at the iconic Flatiron Building in Lee Child’s “The Picture of the Lonely Diner.” Clark introduces the stories, the background, and the book itself, but she also kicks off the book with a new story set in Union Square.

Some of the biggest names in the mystery field contributed stories; Jeffery Deaver, Margaret Maron, S.J. Rozan. It’s an entertaining collection, an excellent tribute to the mystery field, and the organization of writers that started in 1945. And, it’s a beautiful tribute to an ever-changing city. Readers will pick up Manhattan Mayhem because of the authors. But, I showed it to a friend who normally doesn’t read mysteries. And, I predict some readers, like my friend, will pick it up because Quirk Books did such an amazing job compiling this beautiful book.

Mystery Writers of America Presents Manhattan Mayhem. Quirk Books. 2015. ISBN 9781594747618 (hardcover), 321p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of the book, hoping I would review it.