Murder by the Book by Martin Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1. A Lesson in Crime by G.D.H. Cole and M. Cole (1953
Crime writer Joseph Newton is killed while travelling on the Cornish Riviera express. Who and why was this simple murder committed.
2. Trent and the Ministering Angel by E.C. Bentley (1938)
A client of solicitor Arthur Selby has died. But he states his suspicions about the will to Philip Trent.
3. A Slice of Bad Luck by Nicolas Blake (1939)
A group of people called the Assassins - Crime writers, judges, etc attend a dinner party when one of them is murdered.
4. The Strange Case of the Megatherium Thefts by S.C. Roberts (1945)
Who is stealing the books from the Club and why.
5. Malice Domestic by Philip MacDonald (1946)
Is someone trying to kill Crime writer Carl Borden.
6. A Savage Game by A.A. Milne (1950)
Chief Constable Saxe gives writer Mr Colby details about the latest murder to see if he can solve the case.
7. The Clue in the Book by Julian Symons (1952)
Who dies kill invalid Silas Brinn. This was just too obvious.
8. The Manuscript by Gladys Mitchell (1953)
Why was a manuscript burnt and a female convict killed. Not that interesting.
9. A Man and his Mother-in-law by Roy Vickers (1953)
How did Arthur Penfold end up as a murderer
10. Grey's Ghost by Michael Innes (1956)
A conversation overheard - Grey's ghost was black - is finally explained
11. Dear Mr. Editor by Christianna Brand (1958)
In response to a request for a story the author sends a document to an editor - Detailing attempts at killing Helen
12. Murder in Advance by Marjorie Bremner (1958)
Why was likeable playwright Lewis Maynard murdered wonders Inspector Dacre to his friend Dr Allerton
13. A Question of Character by Victor canning (1960)
Geoffrey Gilroy has decided to murder his wife, a more successful and famous novalist.
14. The Book of Honour by John Creasy (1965)
Why does Barurao's son hate him.
15. We Know You're Busy Writing.... by Edmund Crispin (1969)
What is a stay at home writer to do when he keeps getting interrupted while writing.
16. Chapter and Verse by Ngaio Marsh (1973).
Book man Timothy Bates has a mystery for Superintendent Alleyn concerning entries in an old bible he has discovered.

A collection of short stories all with a connection to books, for example crime writers.
There were only a couple of stories that I was not impressed with as far as they were not that entertaining. But overall the collection is an enjoyable set of mystery short stories, well-written and in the confines of shortness, well-plotted, with its collection of interesting and somewhat likeable characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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