Many Deadly Returns is a collection of twenty-one short stories celebrating twenty-one years of the Murder Squad, a group of Northern writers, initially mid-list authors, who connect with readers via website, festivals, print and other media, and a newsletter. Seven authors have contributed to this collection, with stories both new and previously published as early as 1992.

Ann Cleeves –Wild Swimming: on the last day of a winter wild-water swimming challenge, four women stumble on the body of a lone swimmer. A small dose of DI Vera Stanhope that will delight fans.

Martin Edwards –Lucky Liam: an avid reader suspects his aspiring-writer wife of having an affair with an author he detests. He feels compelled to take action, but it backfires…

Cath Staincliffe –Scorpion: Nathan’s best friend Cody buys them both flick knives as protection from the notorious Leeson brothers, with tragic consequences.

Chris Simms –Skeleton Crew: a manager at the council tip, Peter tries to convince his ex-cop mate that a certain pair of “open mouth breathers” is disposing of body parts at his tip.

Kate Ellis –The Fox and the Hens: Inspector Jonah Westerman is called in when one of a hen party is murdered at a holiday cottage. Suspicion may fall on the woman’s ex-husband, or on the cottage landlord, but Westerman digs deeper.

John Baker –An Old-Fashioned Poisoning: Isabella’s hatred of her mother’s new lover prompts recall of Grandma Agnus’s knowledge of effective poisons.

Margaret Murphy –Read the Label: a psychopath’s inner musings prove just how unreliable first impressions can be in the face of someone who knows how to present…

Kate Ellis –My Oleander: Detective Superintendent Raphael Inigo Penhalen, now retired, recalls a solved case of poisoning early in his career, and puts the knowledge garnered to use.

Ann Cleeves –The Queen of Mystery: ageing mystery writer Stella Monkhouse attends another Malice Domestic crime convention, vowing that if she again wins the Agatha, there will be a shock for the audience.

Chaz Brenchley –For Kicks: a seventeen-year-old girl lies in a coma after a violent attack, but some of her bruises are not so recent. On investigation, police learn of a background of beatings by those who should have loved her…

Cath Staincliffe –Two Birds: a widower neighbour observes as a young woman braves her father’s religious intolerance to secretly meet with her Fenian young man. When the father is murdered, the suspect is obvious, isn’t he?

Margaret Murphy –Big End Blues: showbiz duo Jemma and Cherise find that a big gorilla of a removalist turns out to be both a problem and a solution for their transport woes.

Martin Edwards –Bad Friday: a young woman’s loud complaints into her mobile phone on a crowded train carriage lead to an unexpected interaction with a fellow passenger.

Chris Simms –The Passenger: a day on the beach turns ironic as a woman openly scornful of boat people needs rescue from wild water.

Kate Ellis –The Confessions of Edward Prime: serial confessor Edward Prime plagues DC Janet Crowley with an insistence that he is guilty of the murder of local woman, Paula Sloane. But a man answering to his description was seen in the area: could he be telling the truth this time?

Stuart Pawson –Ultra Violent: a vain young man decides to commit the perfect murder; anticipating success, he is already planning a career as a serial killer.

Cath Staincliffe –Perfect Storm: in a post-apocalyptic future, impatience to own his old, blind neighbour’s hens and food crops leads a man to murder.

Chris Simms –Gaffed: a man comes to a secluded cabin to share information with a police detective on a criminal organisation run by an elusive character.

Martin Edwards –The Other Life: widow Jean Parkinson is too smart to be the victim of a spiritual medium scam her Bosnian cleaner takes her to. It’s when she returns home to unexpected visitors that the fun really begins.

Ann Cleeves –A Winter’s Tale: Inspector Ramsay and Sergeant Hunter are called out to Blackstoneburn farm on the Saturday before Christmas. Neighbour Joe Helms has found a dead woman in the kitchen. As soon as Ramsay sees who it is, he has it figured out. Hunter, unfamiliar with the players, is not so quick.

Margaret Murphy –Still Life: a young woman crippled in an accident does not hide her repulsion each time she encounters the man with locked-in syndrome in her rehab physio sessions. The man is painfully aware of her compulsive stares. She thinks he should die: surely he wants to? Someone should…. He understands that she wants to die. Over the months, though, something changes.

This is a brilliant collection of short stories from masters of the crime genre. There are many excellent twists, some delicious, some devious, some chilling. Highly recommended!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Canongate Books Severn House.