The Shamus Game

Rating:
Summary: Mixed Bag Anthology
Review: I've come to the realization after reading several volumes of Robert J. Randisi's private eye collections that as the founder of the Private Eye Writer's of America, he is compelled to invite every author working in the genre to participate in his books, regardless of whether the quality of the stories merit it or not. "The Shamus Game" is another collection of private eye stories in which the best inclusions (Loren Estlemen's Amos Walker, Bill Pronzini's "Nameless" Dectective) make the lesser lights look worse by comparison.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent short story anthology
Review: This engaging anthology includes some of the more popular sleuths of the last decade. The fourteen stories star famous fictional private detectives including Nathan Heller, Amos Walker, Nameless, Tres Navarre, and Milan Jacovich, etc. The contributor list is a who's who of Shamus Award winners such as Collins, Estleman, Pronzini, Riordan, and Roberts, etc.

Every one of the stories are well written ranging in time from the 1920's and 30's, into 60's and to the present. Each one of the tales feels complete as readers follow popular detectives on a case or two. There are no weak stories in what is bound to be considered one of the best short stories collections of the year.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Every story a winner
Review: You don't often find an anthology where every story is great, but SHAMUS GAME is one. If you enjoy private eye fiction, this book is a must read.