Nine Sons: Collected Mysteries [Paperback]

Wendy Hornsby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 22, 2002

GREAT STORIES BY AN EDGAR WINNER

Wendy Hornsby does not write cozies, or tales about cat sleuths, or sanitized murder. Her tales explore the depths of the human psyche, and her family-crimes are decidedly uncozy. In the title story, which won the Mystery Writers of America Edgar for Best Short Story, a heart-wrenching mystery surrounds a family living on the Northern Plains during the Depression. "Ghost Caper" is probably the purest example of noir fiction by a modern mystery writer – and it is not for those of delicate constitution. "High Heels in the Headliner" is about a police groupie whose adoration turns deadly.

Wendy Hornsby's collected mysteries contains ten stories and one essay. Two of the stories, including one about former LAPD officer Mike Flint, are written especially for this volume. Two of the other tales are co-written with Hornsby's daughter, Alyson.

The book includes a new introduction by the author, and a checklist of Wendy Hornsby's mystery novels and stories. Cover painting by Native American artist, Barbara Mitchell.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Edgar-winner (for best short story) Wendy Hornsby gathers 10 stories and one essay into her Nine Sons: Collected Mysteries, which offers readers both whodunit thrills and thoughtful explorations into the darker regions of the human heart. Former LAPD officer Mike Flint sometime boyfriend of Hornsby's heroine in her Maggie McGowan series makes an appearance here, as he reflects on his career, his new home and how some cases including a mysterious car accident he's called to examine never get solved.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Crippen & Landru Pub; 1ST edition (February 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885941668
• ISBN-13: 978-1885941664
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,127,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Wendy Hornsby (1947 - ) is a native of Southern California, the setting for her nine mystery novels. Among the awards she has received for her work are the Edgar Allan Poe Award (the "Edgar") and its French equivalent le Grand Prix de litterature policiere, as well as nominations for the Anthony Award and the Prix Du Roman D'Adventures. While a NPR interviewer described the author as a "soft-spoken college professor," critics have described her work as "refreshing [and] real" (NY Times), "unusually poignant" (LA Times), and "powerful writing and... equally thought-provoking story" (Publisher's Weekly). The Cleveland Plain Dealer declared, "No mystery novelist since Raymond Chandler may have captured downtown Los Angeles as Hornsby does."

Hornsby lives in Long Beach CA, where she teaches history at a local college.