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Private Eye Writers Of America

This page lists crime fiction anthologies published by, or in association with, the Private Eye Writers Of America.

The Private Eye Writers Of America is an organisation that was formed in 1981 by Rober J. Randisi with the goal of elevating "the P.I. story from a sub-genre of the mystery field to a genre of its own." The organisation presents the annual Shamus Award for the best novel in the genre.

 

Private Eye Writers Of America: anthologies

The Eyes Have It: The First Private Eye Writers Of America Anthology

Editor: Robert J. Randisi

Mysterious Press

1984

The contents are:

  • By The Dawn's Early Light (Lawrence Block)
  • The Strawberry Teardrop (Max Allan Collins)
  • Eight Million Dead (Michael Collins)
  • The Prettiest Dead Girl In Detroit (Loren D. Estleman)
  • Iris (Stephen Greenleaf)
  • The Rented Scar (Edward D. Hoch)
  • Private Investigations (Richard Hoyt)
  • The Man Who Shot Lewis Vance (Stuart M. Kaminsky)
  • The Rat Line (Rob Kantner)
  • The Reluctant Detective (Michael Z. Lewin)
  • Typographical Error (John Lutz)
  • Wild Mustard (Marcia Muller)
  • A Long Time Dying (William F. Nolan)
  • Three-Dot Po (Sara Paretsky)
  • Skeleton Rattle Your Mouldy Leg (Bill Pronzini)
  • Deathlist (Robert J. Randisi)
  • Hallam (L.J. Washburn)
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Mean Streets: The Second Private Eye Writers Of America Anthology

Editor: Robert J. Randisi

Mysterious Press

1986

The contents are:

  • Introduction (Robert J. Randisi)
  • House Call (Max Allan Collins)
  • Body Count (Wayne D. Dundee)
  • I'm In The Book (Loren D. Estleman)
  • April In Peril (William Campbell Gault)
  • The Parker Shotgun (Sue Grafton)
  • Busted Blossoms (Stuart M. Kaminsky)
  • Fly Away Home (Rob Kantner)
  • The Thunder Of Guilt (John Lutz)
  • Missing In Miami (Arthur Lyons)
  • At The Old Swimming Hole (Sara Paretsky)
  • Ace In The Hole (Bill Pronzini)
  • Wrongful Death (Dick Stodghill)
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An Eye For Justice: The Third Private Eye Writers Of America Anthology

Editor: Robert J. Randisi

Mysterious Press

1988

The contents are:

  • Introduction (Richard S. Prather)
  • Candala (George C. Chesbro)
  • Marble Mildred (Max Allan Collins)
  • Black In The Snow (Michael Collins)
  • The Judas Target (Wayne D. Dundee)
  • State Of Grace (Loren D. Estleman)
  • Non Sung Smoke (Sue Grafton)
  • Left For Dead (Rob Kantner)
  • Dds 10752 Libra (John Lutz And Josh Pachter)
  • Dead Copy (Arthur Lyons)
  • Incident In A Neighborhood Tavern (Bill Pronzini)
  • The Vanishing Virgin (Robert J. Randisi)
  • The Safest Place In The World (James M. Reasoner)
  • Hollywood Guns (L.J. Washburn)
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Justice For Hire: The Fourth Private Eye Writers Of America Anthology

Editor: Robert J. Randisi

Mysterious Press

1990

The contents are:

  • Bookie's Daughter (Michael Allegretto)
  • Batman's Helpers (Lawrence Block)
  • Private Consultation (Max Allan Collins)
  • Chair (Michael Collins)
  • Naughty Naughty (Wayne D. Dundee)
  • Torch Number (James Ellroy)
  • Death Of A Fatcat (Paul Engleman)
  • Cigarette Stop (Loren D. Estleman)
  • Someone To Turn Out The Lights (Jeremiah Healy)
  • Someone Else (John Lutz)
  • Final Resting Place (Marcia Muller)
  • Bad To The Bone (W.R. Philbrick)
  • Stakeout (Bill Pronzini)
  • Montezuma's Other Revenge (Julie Smith)
  • Bypass For Murder (Dick Stodghill)
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Deadly Allies: Private Eye Writers of America/Sisters in Crime Collaborative Anthology

Editor: Robert J. Randisi & Marilyn Wallace

Perfect Crime / Doubleday

1992

"An anthology of mystery works by the two most influential mystery writers' organizations includes stories by Sue Grafton, Loren Estleman, Susan Dunlap, Sara Paretsky, Ben Schutz, Max Allan Collins, Jeremiah Healy, and others."
The contents are:
  • Easy Go (Lia Matera)
  • Summary Judgment (Jeremiah Healy)
  • A Little Missionary Work (Sue Grafton)
  • A Good Judge of Character (Susan Dunlap)
  • Sex and Violence (Nancy Pickard)
  • Mary, Mary, Shut the Door (Benjamin M. Schutz)
  • Role Model (Michael Collins)
  • Invitation (Sarah Andrews)
  • Nothing Ventured (Carolyn G. Hart)
  • Whatever Has to Be Done (Jan Grape)
  • Louise (Max Allan Collins)
  • Strung Out (Sara Paretsky)
  • Like Father, Like Daughter (Sandra Scoppettone)
  • Turnabout (Robert J. Randisi)
  • Before You Leap (John Lutz)
  • Hangnail (Margaret B. Maron)
  • Silk Strands (Julie Smith)
  • Safe House (Loren D. Estleman)
  • Unfinished Business (Rob Kantner)
  • Reunion (Marilyn Wallace)
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Deadly Allies II: Private Eye Writers of America/Sisters in Crime Collaborative Anthology

Editor: Robert J. Randisi & Marilyn Wallace

Doubleday

1994

"Two leading writers' organizations in suspense fiction collaborate once again on an exciting anthology that powerfully demonstrates why the tradition of the private eye in American fiction has flourished so long . . . and is alive and well today."
The contents are:
  • The Pig Man (Les Roberts)
  • If You've Got The Money, Honey, I've Got The Crime (Barbara D'Amato)
  • Bad News (Maxine O'Callaghan)
  • The Lost Coast (Marcia Muller)
  • Yellow Snow (Jeremiah Healy)
  • The Eighth Wonder Of The World; Or, Golden Opinions (P.M. Carlson)
  • What Did You Expect? (Sarah Shankman)
  • The Romantics (John Lutz)
  • Inconvenience Store (Max Allan Collins)
  • Holy Water (Faye Kellerman)
  • Film At Eleven (S.J. Rozan)
  • Slipstream (Loren D. Estleman)
  • Scarlett Fever (Jan Grape)
  • Uncommon Law (Cathy Pickens)
  • Desdemona's Handkerchief (Marilyn Wallace)
  • What Goes Around (Benjamin Schutz)
  • Gentle Insanities (Christine Matthews)
  • An Almost Perfect Murder (Carolyn G. Hart)
  • Paper Trail (Joan Hess)
  • Angel Eyes (Michael Collins)
  • Laying Down To Die (Robert J. Randisi)
  • Bad Review (Susan Dunlap)
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The Eyes Still Have It: The Shamus Award-Winning Stories

Editor: Robert J. Randisi

Dutton

1996

"An anthology of twelve stories awarded the Shamus Award by the Private Eye Writers of America features the work of the most talented practitioners of contemporary detective fiction, including Lawrence Block, Mickey Spillane, and Nancy Pickard."
The contents are:
  • What You Don't Know Can't Hurt You (John Lutz)
  • Cat's Paw (Bill Pronzini)
  • By The Dawn's Early Light (Lawrence Block)
  • Eight Mile And Dequindre (Loren D. Estleman)
  • Fly Away Home (Rob Kantner)
  • Turn Away (Ed Gorman)
  • The Crooked Way (Loren D. Estleman)
  • The Killing Man (Mickey Spillane)
  • Final Resting Place (Marcia Muller)
  • Dust Devil (Nancy Pickard)
  • Mary, Mary, Shut The Door (Benjamin M. Schutz)
  • The Merciful Angel Of Death (Lawrence Block)
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Lethal Ladies

Editor: Robert J. Randisi & Barbara Collins

Berkley Prime Crime

1996

"From the Private Eye Writers of America comes this exciting new anthology featuring today's hottest mystery authors. Ten of the 16 stories are never-before-published."
The contents are:
  • Identity Crisis (Margaret Lucke)
  • Mission To St. Bride's (D.C. Brod)
  • Love Nest (Barbara Collins)
  • Little Red Corvette (Janet Dawson)
  • The Kid And The Man From Pinkertons (Marele Day)
  • Death And Diamonds (Susan Dunlap)
  • A One-Day Job (Jan Grape)
  • Last Rites (Linda Grant)
  • Check Up (Wendi Lee)
  • Promises Made And Broken (Christine Matthews)
  • Somewhere In The City (Marcia Muller)
  • The Bedford Street Legacy (Annette Meyers)
  • Heels (Donna Huston Murray)
  • Once Burned (S.J. Rozan)
  • At The Old Swimming Hole (Sara Paretsky)
  • Lynching In Mixville (L.J. Washburn)
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Lethal Ladies II

Editor: Chistine Matthews & Robert J. Randisi

Berkley Prime Crime

1998

A Private Eye Writers of America collection.

"A thrilling new collection of stories - most of which are published for the first time in this volume - by the best women writers of detective fiction."
The contents are:
  • Me, Louis, And The Skinhead (Shelley Singer)
  • Publicity Stunts (Sara Paretsky)
  • Dead Cat Bounce (Deborah Whittaker)
  • Dreaming Of Dragons (Margaret Lucke)
  • Where She Went (Phyllis Knight)
  • Prosperity Restaurant (S.J. Rozan)
  • Billy The Goat (Catherine Dain)
  • The Private Life Of A Private Eye (Nancy Pickard)
  • Christmas Rain (Donna Huston Murray)
  • A Matter Of Taste (Ruthe Furie)
  • Eddie Haskell In A Short Skirt (Barbara Collins)
  • Diamonds Are For Never (Maxine O'Callaghan)
  • Freight (Deborah Morgan)
  • Funny How Deceiving Looks Can Be (Jan Grape)
  • If You Can't Take The Heat (Marcia Muller)
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The Shamus Game: 14 New Stories of Detective Fiction

Editor: Robert J. Randisi

Signet Books

2000

"The Private Eye Writers of America present a new anthology of stories by Shamus Award-winning mystery writers, including works by Jeremiah Healy, Loren D. Estleman, Max Allan Collins, Gary Phillips, Les Roberts, S. J. Rozan, and many others."
The contents are:
  • Marking The Boat (S.J. Rozan)
  • Necessary Evil (Loren D. Estleman)
  • Screwball (Max Allan Collins)
  • Reluctant Witness (Jerry Kennealy)
  • Nobody's Ring (Terence Faherty)
  • The Litigants (John Lutz)
  • The Missing Heir (Parnell Hall)
  • The Big Blue (Bill Pronzini)
  • What's In A Name (Jeremiah Healy)
  • It Could Get Worse (Edward D. Hoch)
  • The Sleeping Detective (Gary Phillips)
  • Ticket To Midland (Rick Riordan)
  • The Gathering Of The Klan (Les Roberts)
  • Character Flaw (Christine Matthews)
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Mystery Street: The Private Eye Writers of America Presents

Editor: Robert J. Randisi

Signet

2001

"In honor of the twentieth anniversary of The Private Eye Writers of America, this entertaining anthology of whodunits presents fourteen original stories by Max Allan Collins, Loren D. Estelman, Warren Murphy, Carolina Garcia-Aguilera, S. J. Rozan, and other popular mystery writers."
The contents are:
  • House Party (Robert Crais)
  • New Guy On The Block (Jack Bludis)
  • Shoot-Out On Sunset (Max Allan Collins)
  • Woodward Plan (Loren D. Estleman)
  • Washington Avenue (Carolina Garcia-Aguilera)
  • Carole On Lombard (Jerry Kennealy)
  • Just Missed Blonde (Patricia Mcfall)
  • Peculiar Events On Riverside Drive (Maan Meyers)
  • Beaubien (Deborah Morgan)
  • Highly Irregular On Baker Street (Warren Murphy)
  • Murder Boulevard (Percy Spurlark Parker)
  • Eyes On The Road (By Marcus Pelegrimas)
  • Double-Crossing Delancey (S.J. Rozan)
  • North West 33rd Court (Dan A. Sproul)
  • Last Kiss (Tom Sweeney)
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Most Wanted: A Lineup of Favorite Crime Stories

Editor: Robert J. Randisi

Signet Books

2002

"Each author is a mystery fan favorite and a past president of the Private Eye Writers of America. And each crime fiction selection is the writer's personal favorite."
The contents are:
  • Wrong Place, Wrong Time (Bill Prozini)
  • The Merciful Angel Of Death (Lawrence Block)
  • Eighty Million Dead (Michael Collins)
  • Deadly Beloved (William Campbell Gault)
  • Second Story Sunlight (John Lutz)
  • A Poison That Leaves No Trace (Sue Grafton)
  • Aftermath (Jeremiah Healy)
  • Pig Man (Les Roberts)
  • Faking It (Parnell Hall)
  • Laying Down To Die (Raobert J. Randisi)
  • The Maltese Cat (Sara Paretsky)
  • Natural Death (Max Allen Collins)
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The Shamus Winners: America's Best Private Eye Stories: Volume I 1982-1995

Editor: Robert J. Randisi

Perfect Crime Books

2010

"Fast-paced gumshoe tales that have won the coveted Shamus award from the Private Eye Writers of America."
The contents are:
  • What You Don't Know Can Hurt You (John Lutz)
  • Cat's-Paw (Bill Pronzini)
  • By The Dawn's Early Light (Lawrence Block)
  • Eight Mile And Dequindre (Loren D. Estleman)
  • Turn Away (Ed Gorman)
  • The Crooked Way (Loren D. Estleman)
  • The Killing Man (Mickey Spillane)
  • Final Resting Place (Marcia Muller)
  • Dust Devil (Nancy Pickard)
  • Mary, Mary, Shut The Door (Benjamin M. Schutz)
  • The Merciful Angel Of Death (Lawrence Block)
  • The Necessary Brother (Brendan Dubois)
  • Lucky Penny (Linda Barnes)
  • Dying In The Post-War World (Max Allan Collins)
  • A Little Missionary Work (Sue Grafton)
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The Shamus Winners: America's Best Private Eye Stories: Volume II 1996-2009

Editor: Robert J. Randisi

Perfect Crime Books

2010

"Sixteen topflight mysteries by authors judged by their peers as best in the business. This volume includes Shamus-winning short stories from 1996 through 2009. Well-known private eyes Amos Walker, Aaron Gunner, Scott Elliott and Alo Nudger tackle their toughest cases, joined by newer talent that proves crime-fighting is a fresh 21st century game."
The contents are:
  • And Pray Nobody Sees You (Gar Anthony Haywood)
  • Dead Drunk (Lia Matera)
  • Love Me For My Yellow Hair Alone (Carolyn Wheat)
  • Another Day, Another Dollar (Warren Murphy)
  • Akitada's First Case (I.J. Parker)
  • Road's End (Brendan Dubois)
  • Rough Justice (Ceri Jordan)
  • Second Coming (Terence Faherty)
  • Lady On Ice (Loren D. Estleman)
  • Hasidic Noir (Pearl Abraham)
  • Death In Ueno (Michael Wiecek)
  • Heart Has Reasons (O'Neil De Noux)
  • Hungry Enough (Cornelia Read)
  • Family Values (Mitch Alderman)
  • Second Story Sunlight (John Lutz)
  • Aftermath (Jeremiah Healy)
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Fifty Shades of Grey Fedora: The Private Eye Writers of America Presents

Editor: Robert J. Randisi

Riverdale Avenue Books

2015

"Heat has always sizzled between private investigators and the femme fatales who walk through their doors. But in this startling, original anthology, these 17 authors—many of them winners of the prestigious Shamus Award—from sizzle to steamy, illustrating that sex and crime not only go hand in hand, but reaches far deeper into the stirrings of the heart."
The contents are:
  • Quarreyville (Michael Bracken)
  • Natural Death (Max Allan Collins)
  • I Wish I Had Your Job (Ted Fitzgerald)
  • The Policy (Carolina Garcia-Aguilera)
  • The Naked and the Dead (Parnell Hall)
  • Emily’s Tears (David Housewright)
  • Love for Bail (Jerry Keannealy)
  • The Fedora (Terrill Lee Lankford)
  • On The Job (Dick Lochte)
  • Professor Oryfys and the Case for Climax Change (John Lutz)
  • Just Tell Me What You Want (Christine Matthews)
  • Digger Redux (Warren Murphy)
  • A Concrete Garterbelt (M. Ruth Myers)
  • Family Affair (Sara Paretsky)
  • Bulletville (Gary Phillips)
  • Last Tango in Flatbush (Robert J. Randisi)
  • Take Off You Clothes (Justin Scott)
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Last updated April 2018