Mystery Writers of America Presents "The Blue Religion": New Stories about Cops, Criminals, and the Chase

by: Mystery Writers of America and Michael Connelly-Contributor

Published by: Little & Brown

Reviewed by Jeff Foster

What can a crime writer possibly do to engage you in a short story?

In the new book, The Blue Religion, T. Jefferson Parker, Greg Rucka, Leslie R. King, Michael Connelly and fifteen of America’s top crime authors give you their best shots.

The stories are all what you would expect from veteran crime writers, and I found that nearly every one was able to keep my attention and satisfy the book’s theme.

What I liked most about the compilation was each story provided a completely different aspect of the lives of those that protect and serve. Included are some humorous moments as in Jon L. Breen’s “Serial Killer,” and hopeless moments as described in Greg Ruck’s “Contact and Cover.” Then to cap it all off, lovers of Michael Connelly are treated to a short experience with Harry Bosch in a snippet story that addresses one of today’s saddest types of accidental death.

Overall, you cannot go wrong with Blue Religion. There is something in here for everyone, and an opportunity to test-read work from authors you may not have tried on previously. I rate this 3-stars because a few in the compilation weren’t actually done that well–and many of the authors included have done a lot better work.

Armchair Interviews says: This book should be in your summer reading bag.

Author’s website: http://www.MichaelConnelly.com