Vintage Crime is an anthology of twenty-two short stories from the Crime Writers’ Association. They vary in age, length and content, a bit like the authors. The earliest published is from 1940; the most recent, 2008. The earlier stories are, understandably, more deductive in nature, relying less on trace evidence that later stories.

A variety of plots and formats are featured, including: a condolence letter to the surviving brother of a murdered woman; a PI who discovers treason; a Bombay detective lumbered with an irritating, inquisitive British novelist; a man, picked out of a line-up, who has too many alibis; and roadworks uncovering a thirty-year-old murder.

Especially clever or well plotted are: Simon Brett’s The Nuggy Bar, in which a widower’s plans to acquire his step-daughter’s fortune using a cleaning product development and launch manual; The Hand That Feeds Me by Michael Z. Lewin, in which a dog ensures three murderers will be held responsible; The Woman Who Loved Elizabeth David by Andrew Taylor, in which a new widow takes action when she discovers signs of marital infidelity.

Other excellent offerings are: Interior with Corpse by Peter Lovesey, where a Scene-of-Crime painting points to a fifty-year-old murder; Top Deck by Kate Ellis, whose young man aspiring to police work will be forced to face up; in All She Wrote, Mick Herron gives the report of a novice spy on a first assignment, with a nasty final twist.

Overall, the collection is a mixed bag: most stories are quite good; some are exceptional; as would be expected with a crime collection, there are plenty of twists and red herrings, and some outstanding detective work. Twenty-two little doses of crime fiction bound to appeal to fans of the genre.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Flame Tree Press.