Merry Band of Murderers, A: An Original Mystery Anthology of Songs and Stories

A Merry Band of Murderers is more than a compilation of short mystery stories from some of the genres finest writers. It is also an exploration of music. Conceived by Claudia Bishop and Don Bruns, the collection is staged in two acts: first, a non-fiction discussion of short stories, mysteries, and music; and second, a compilation of musical short mysteries. The first act opens with an essay by Bishop explaining the role of the short story in mystery writing and another essay by Bruns discussing writers who play, sing, and compose. The second act is more whimsical. There are thirteen music-centered stories from authors Mary Anna Evans, Jim Fusilli, Bill Moody, Rupert Holmes, Rhys Bowen, John Lescroart, Nathan Walpow, Peter Robinson, Jeffery Deaver, Tom Corcoran, Val McDermid, and, of course, the editors themselves. Each story is accompanied by a short introduction, song lyrics, and an interview with the writer. The book is packaged with a music CD with recordings by the authors. A one-of-a-kind collection. [this] Collection Is Presented In Two Acts: The First Is A Non-fiction Discussion Of Short Stories, Mysteries, And Music, And The Second Is A Compilation Of Musical Short Mysteries ... Each Story Is Accompanied By A Short Introduction, Song Lyrics, And An Interview With The Writer. -- Act I. Your Ticket, Please / Claudia Bishop ; Liner Notes / Don Bruns ; A Word From The Producer / Robert Rosenwald -- Act Ii. File Under Jazz / Bill Moody ; Shuffle Off This Mortal Coil / Rupert Holmes ; If I Had Wings / Rhys Bowen ; Something Out There / John Lescroart ; It's Too Late To Cry / Jim Fusilli ; Land Of The Flowers / Mary Anna Evans ; Bad For His Image / Nathan Walpow ; The Ferryman's Beautiful Daughter / Peter Robinson ; The Fan / Jeffery Deaver ; The Melancholy Danish / Claudia Bishop ; Cayo Hueso Combo / Tom Corcoran ; Long Black Veil / Val Mcdermid ; Courage / Don Bruns -- Curtain Call. Edited By Claudia Bishop And Don Bruns. Cd Features Performances By The Authors. [this] Collection Is Presented In Two Acts: The First Is A Non-fiction Discussion Of Short Stories, Mysteries, And Music, And The Second Is A Compilation Of Musical Short Mysteries--jacket Flyleaf. "Thirteen mystery writers, all professional musicians, singers, or composers, have contributed both an original short story and an original musical composition themed around the story. The short stories cover a range of genres: suspense, thriller, noir, and even cozy."--Page 4 of cover