The Crime Writers’ Association is releasing a new collection of crime stories written by it’s members. Stories in the new anthology, Music of the Night, edited by Martin Edwards are supplied by an array of authors including award winners Abi Silver, Andrew Taylor, Cath Staincliffe, Chris Simms, L.C. Tyler, Ragnar Jónasson, Vaseem Khan and Maxim Jakubowski. 

Published by Flame Tree Press tomorrow, the 22nd February, Music of the Night is the latest anthology that the CWA has published of its members’ works, something the association has been doing for more than 50 years, with Martin Edwards editing them for almost half of that time. This collection of 25 stories includes four by authors who have received the highest accolade in UK crime writing, the CWA Diamond Gagger award. Music of the Night will also be the first CWA anthology for nine of the authors, helping to bring together established and award winning authors as well as new, exciting, original voices.

The CWA was first established by crime writer John Creasey in 1953 and it’s CWA Dagger Awards are the longest established literary awards in the UK. The association supports, promotes and celebrates the crime writing genre and it’s members includes authors at all stages of their career.The CWA Daggers are recognised internationally as a mark of excellence and achievement.

The author and editor Martin Edwards is former chair of the CWA and is a consultant to the British Library’s Crime Classics and the current President of the Detection Club. of this latest CWA anthology, Edwards said:

“The stories are an eclectic mix, which reflects the wide range of tastes in music, and within the crime genre itself. The hope is this collection will entice readers with familiar and established authors while giving readers the chance to sample works by writers they may not have yet discovered.”

Martin Edwards says that within the crime genre, there are many that have had a long fascination with music:

“Sherlock Holmes was fiction’s most famous violinist, Agatha Christie dreamed of a musical career as a child, and music features in any number of classic detective novels, as well as contemporary stories; Ian Rankin’s love of music is apparent in many of his novels.”

This fascination is reflected in the contributors, which include Paul Chales, who worked in the music business with acts such as Van Morrison and Elvis Costello for many years. 

LoveReading Very Short Story Award Judge, Maxim Jakubowski is the Chair of the CWA and his work will feature in the anthology. Maxim said: "As an anthologist myself, I've always admired Martin Edwards' work in this very particular field, and I was delighted he was able to include a story of my own in Music of the Night, thus combining our mutual admiration for the work the CWA has done since its inception, and our own personal love of music. A winning combination for all involved, and a fascinating snapshot of some of the most exciting authors in the genre at work today.”

For the publisher, this will be their first CWA anthology consisting of brand new writing. Music of the Night is to be published with Flame Tree Press, an imprint of Flame Tree Publishing after the success of Flame Tree’s Vintage Crime anthology, which traced the development of the genre across half a century and celebrated work from CWA members from the mid 1950s onwards. 

Music of the Night is available to buy in bookshops or online from the 22nd February and you can find out more about the book by clicking here and heading to the publisher's website.