The Consolation Blonde by Val McDermid

'Show me a man or woman who cannot stand mysteries and I will show you a fool. A clever fool -- perhaps -- but a fool just the same'
RAYMOND CHANDLER

Ever since its creation in 1953, the Crime Writers' Association has celebrated and championed the very best in the field of murder and mystery. Now, on the fiftieth anniversary of this esteemed organisation, MYSTERIOUS PLEASURES offers a unique collection of short stories from its most illustrious members.

All of the contributors to this anthology have won the CWA's prestigious Diamond or Gold Dagger Awards, served as chairman, or, in many cases, all three. From Eric Ambler to Ian Rankin, Dick Francis to Ruth Rendell, John Creasey to Sara Paretsky, here are tales that alternately tantalise, intrigue, shock, surprise and thrill -- a myriad of styles united only by subject matter and the sheer quality of the writing.

A box of delights, some hard-centred, some soft, some sprinkled with a smidgen of poison, MYSTERIOUS PLEASURES is a must-read for fans of crime fiction everywhere.

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