Murder Most Celtic

Murder Most Celtic is the latest installment of the "Murder Most" titles covering a vast array of subjects, from Medieval Times, through the Confederacy, and also dealing with food and romance. Editor Martin H. Greenberg is a veteran of over one thousand anthologies, including Vampire Slayers And American Ghost Stories. Mr. Greenberg is the president of TEKNO Books in Green Bay, Wisconsin.John Helfers writes of Ireland in his Introduction to Murder Most Celtic:"Start with the landscape. Ireland is a land of amazing contrasts. From the rugged, wind-hewn majesty of the Cliffs of Mohr and the savage storms that blow on the coast to the gentle fog-shrouded hillocks and villages of the Midlands, Ireland is a study in both beauty and hostility."Sixteen authors' stories are included in this anthology, and they cover the gambit of what is the essence of Ireland. Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma solves a murder in Droim Sorn as dálaigh, advocate of the law courts, and saves an innocent sixteen year old when he is wrongfully accused in "Scattered Thorns." Brendan DuBois' "The Wearing of the Green" features an Irish-American old man taunted for his love of Ireland until he retaliates in a murderous fashion. Wendy Lee's "Skiv" tells the story of how even in a Catholic School there can be murder and mayhem.Editor Martin Greenberg has done a nice job of compiling stories which each represent a different part of the Irish/Celtic heritage. Not all stories deal with an actual murder, but each story shines a light on an endearing trait of what the Irish culture offers the world. Jeremiah Healy's "A Book of Kells" tells a story of loyalty and virtue in applying the rule of law. Mat Coward's "So Where've You Buried the Missus Then, Paddy?" is a light-hearted look at simple life in a small town.Murder Most Celtic is a collection of small glimpses into Irish life. The stories sometimes cover the passions associated with murder, but temper the act with good old fashioned Irish blarney.Shelley Glodowski, Reviewer