The Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime‘s seventh anthology is a jewel of short stories.  The editorial panel who selected the stories include: David Dean, Sujata Massey and B.K. Stevens. The coordinating editors are: Donna Andrews, Barb Goffman and Marcia Talley.

This edition of Chesapeake Crimes focuses on the weather. Hank Phillippi Ryan in the introduction quotes the first of Elmore Leonard’s Ten Rules of Writing, “never open a book with weather.” So the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime challenged themselves to feature weather in every story. This compendium of short stories is full of award winning authors. In addition to the best-selling author Donna Andrews, there are Agatha, Anthony, Derringer and Macavity award winners. Many of the stories in their previous anthologies have been nominated and won short story awards. I wouldn’t be surprised to see many from this anthology be nominated in the future.

Timothy Bentler-Jungr – “Cabin Fever” is the story of a woman in northern Minnesota snowed in with her “stained, smelly boyfriend”.

Robin Templeton – “The Knitter” takes us on a bus trip with an unappreciated Grandmother who babysits her grandchildren.

Maddi Davidson – “Whiteout” investigates the death of Sun Valley Ski Resort’s pretty boy spokesman.

Lauren R. Silberman – “The Hiss of Death” teaches us that “not every monster is what they seem”.

KM Rockwood – “Frozen Assets” gives voice to people living on the fringes of society.

Linda Ensign – “The Storm in the Teacup” features a murderously insane genie living in a teapot.

Alan Orloff – “Stormy with a Chance of Murder” questions whether a megastorm is the right time to commit murder.

Donna Andrews – “The Last Caving Trip” offers a frightful journey underground.

Carla Coupe – “Inner Weather” is a psychological thriller about a hit woman having a streak of bad luck.

Shaun Taylor Bevins – “Shelter from the Storm” is about a woman needing to break free from a jealous husband.

Marianne Wilski Strong – “The Second Storm” sandbagging a house along the Susquehanna River brings back memories and more from a previous storm.

Adam Meyer – “The House of Shiloh Street” offers a chilling tale about survivor guilt.

Barb Goffman – “The Stepmonster” is a tale of revenge served cold.

Kim Kash – “The “Gardener” poses the question, would you kill for a gorgeous garden?

Art Taylor – “Parallel Play” reminds us how difficult and lonely being the parent of a toddler can be.

This is a great book for lovers of literature. I was blown away by the descriptive writing, the ability to create tension and the character studies. I also recommend it for book clubs due to the wealth of issues to be discussed.

Five stars out of five.

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In accordance with FTC guidelines for reviewers, I would like to clarify that this book was provided to me by the author free of charge.  I am not compensated by the author or publisher for my review. All they expect is an honest review of the work.