The Perfect Crime is subtitled “22 Crime Stories from Diverse Cultures Around the World”. The book features writers of color and various ethnic backgrounds. “Gathered together for the first time are authors from a variety of culture and ethnic backgrounds…” Crime fiction readers who have been paying attention in the last couple years will recognize authors S.A. Cosby, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Sulari Gentill, Abir Mukherjee, Rachel Howzell Hall, and David Heska Wanbli Weiden, among others. The book wraps up with a story by Walter Mosley.
While I found all of the stories interesting, often because I was unfamiliar with the backgrounds, my favorites were stories that were more traditional mysteries. Vaseem Khan’s “Death in Darjeeling” features Persis Wadia, India’s first female detective. Although her cases are usually set in 1950s Bombay, in this one she travels by train to investigate a death at the Cathedral Girls School that she attended.
“A Murder of Brides” by Sulari Gentill takes readers to Australia where Harriet Johns, a photographer, travels the country taking pictures of brides and grooms. But, in one town, her pictures become evidence in a murder case.
I had never read anything by Thomas King before “Chinook”. His character, Thumps DreadfulWater appears in five books. He’s a Cherokee ex-cop in Chinook, a prairie town. Although Thumps just wants to make a living as a photographer, the sheriff drags him into adventures, just as he does in this story. (I ordered King’s first book featuring DreadfulWater.)
“Gnome Man’s Land” by Felicia Yap adds a touch of humor to the anthology. Twelve days before a royal visit to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, the deputy commandant finds a gnome on his desk, with a note. “Please help me find my 277 brothers.” Just what he needs before the royal visit.
If you’re looking for an anthology featuring culturally diverse authors and characters, The Perfect Crime is an excellent choice.
The Perfect Crime: Around the World in 22 Murders, ed. by Vaseem Khan and Maxim Jakubowski. HarperCollins, 2022. ISBN 9780008462321 (hardcover), 448p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley to review for a journal.
I loved Thomas Kings writing. I was really lucky to have heard the first book read by
Graham Greene on Canadian radio. His dry humour was emphasized by the vocal delivery, so that I have imagined every sequel as read by him.
I really enjoyed the first book by King, Christine, and now I have a couple of his otehr ones.
I have read one of King’s stories before. Obviously, this is an anthology that appeals to me. I’ve liked what I’ve read by Gentill, Cosby, Khan, and Mukherjee.
I think of you, Jeff, anytime I read an anthology.