From Library Journal
Penzler suggests that these tales of murder instigated by passion might suit Valentine's Day or wedding anniversaries. Whether that's true or not, these stories, all written for this collection, should appeal to most readers. Authors include Bobbie Ann Mason, Anne Perry, Ed McBain, and William Caunitz.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
Eight exquisitely narrated stories feature love and murder with varying degrees of hard-boiled machismo. Each story showcases the unique style of its author, and each is performed by a carefully chosen reader. Otto Penzler, the reigning guru of crime fiction, provides insightful introductions to the stories, including anecdotes that personalize each one. Everything in this production is topflight, from the selection of authors to the sound quality, the presentation of the stories and even the incidental music. D.T.H. An AUDIOFILE Earphones Award winner (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
Penzler, a mystery superbuff himself (he owns the world's largest mystery bookstore and founded Mysterious Press), offers up a panoply of short stories from some of today's most popular and most talented mystery writers, including Jonathan Kellerman, Sara Paretsky, and Elmore Leonard. The 16 selections possess all the usual ingredients--from page-turning suspense to off-the-wall humor to 90 mph action--but in addition, as the title implies, they all have something to do with love, usually the misguided kind. There isn't a weak story among the group, but especially noteworthy are Kellerman's portrait of a working mom with an unusual career, Leonard's humorously bittersweet portrait of a doomed romance between a U.S. marshal and a bank robber, and Carol Higgins Clark's hilarious yet disturbing account of an out-of-work actress and her answering machine. Expect mystery readers to be clamoring for this fine collection, which has already been made a selection of the Mystery Guild, the Doubleday Book Club, and the Literary Guild. Buy multiple copies. Emily Melton

From the Publisher
Eight men and eight women--the best writers in and out of the mystery field--render their very own, original take on love gone wrong in this fresh collection of stories. Animosity and affection intermingle dangerously in these delightfully deadly works by: William J. Caunitz, Carol Higgins Clark, Mary Higgins Clark, James Crumley, John Gardner, Faye Kellerman, Jonathan Kellerman, Elmore Leonard, Ed McBain, Michael Malone, Bobbie Ann Mason, Joyce Carol Oates, Sara Paretsky, Anne Perry, Shel Silverstein, and Donna Tartt.An innovative anthology about men, women, and crimes of passion, Murder For Love brings to light the dark side of love.

ANNOTATION

Right on time for Valentine's Day, this anthology is as deliciously dangerous as a heart-shaped box of poisoned chocolates, and just as sweet. Authors include Mary Higgins Clark, James Crumley, John Gardner, Jonathan Kellerman, Elmore Leonard, Bobbie Ann Mason, Ed McBain, Joyce Carol Oates, Sara Paretsky, Anne Perry, Shel Silverstein, Donna Tartt, and others.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From hearts and flowers to erotic obsession, from crimes of passion to the savage gentility of the Victorian gentry, here is love and death in infinite variety, a unique and unprecedented collection of original, never-before-published short mysteries by some of America's bestselling authors. It's the ultimate recipe for love gone wrong, sixteen acclaimed writers - eight men and eight women - offering vastly different perspectives on love, murder, and the opposite sex, in short fiction that proves all great passion lasts a lifetime...however brief that may be.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal