This volume, published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Crime Writers' Association, contains short stories from many authors, including the founder of CWA John Creasey, other authors of yesteryear such as Margery Allingham, alongside some of the biggest names in contemporary crime writing such as Ian Rankin and Val McDermid. The short story presents a particular challenge to the writer, and those represented in this collection rise to it extremely well. There is a real mixture of styles - self-contained mysteries and riddles, recollections, and several that leave you wondering just what has happened when they draw to their sinister conclusion. Well worth reading for any crime fiction devotee.