Anthologies

Killin’ Time in San Diego

2023 Bouchercon Anthology
2024 Anthony Award-Winner

Welcome to San Diego, where the perpetual sunshine blurs the line between good and evil, and sin and redemption are two sides of the same golden coin.

Killin’ Time in San Diego is a gripping anthology edited by Holly West, featuring twenty of today’s best crime and mystery writers. Published in conjunction with Bouchercon 2023, this new anthology peels back the postcard-perfect image of San Diego to expose its darker side.

With contributions from #1 New York Times bestseller C.J. Box and the Edgar® Award-winning author Naomi Hirahara, plus a new story from Ann Cleeves OBE, published for the first time in the U.S., Killin’ Time in San Diego showcases an impressive lineup of writers, including Mary Keenan, C.W. Blackwell, J.R. Sanders, John M. Floyd, Kathy A. Norris, Kathleen L. Asay, L.H. Dillman, Richie Narvaez, Wesley Browne, Désirée Zamorano, James Thorpe, Kim Keeline, Victoria Weisfeld, Anne-Marie Campbell, Jennifer Berg, Tim P. Walker, and Emilya Naymark.

From the haunted hallways of the Hotel del Coronado to the tranquil gardens of Balboa Park, from the opulent estates of La Jolla to the bustling Gaslamp Quarter, Killin’ Time in San Diego is your ticket to the hidden side of “America’s Finest City.”

Buy

Praise for Killin’ Time in San Diego

  • “Killin’ Time in San Diego is a knock-it-out-of-the-park grand slam. A must-have anthology for mystery readers everywhere.”
    REED FARRELL COLEMAN, New York Times bestselling author of Sleepless City
  • “A lively, varied and well-written collection distinguished by sharp characterizations. Revenge and survival, sly cozies and twisty plots all confirm that fabulous weather is no barrier to bad behavior and successful sleuthing in Killin’ Time in San Diego.”
    JANICE LAW, author of the Francis Bacon mysteries
  • “Holly West helms another fine anthology, proving once again that short crime fiction is alive and well…and living in San Diego.”
    JOSH PACHTER, editor of Paranoia Blues
  • “Another worthy addition to the Bouchercon legacy. Top writers on top of their game.”
    COLIN CAMPBELL, author of the Jim Grant thrillers

Murder-A-Go-Go’s: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of the Go-Go’s

2020 Anthony Award-nominee

The Go-Go’s made music on their own terms and gave voice to a generation caught between the bra-burning irreverence of the seventies and the me-first decadence of the eighties. Anthems like “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” and “Vacation” are an indelible part of our collective soundtrack, but more than that, they speak to the power and possibility of youth. Inspired by punk but not yoked to it, the Go-Go’s broke important musical ground by combining cheeky lyrics, clever hooks, and catchy melodies, perfectly capturing what it feels like to be young and female in the process.

But beyond the Go-Go’s effervescent sound and cheerful pop stylings, a darkness underlies many of their lyrics and melodies, hinting at the heartache and frustration inherent in growing up. In other words, plenty to inspire murder and mayhem.

Net proceeds from Murder-a-Go-Go’s benefit Planned Parenthood, a crucial provider of women’s affordable reproductive healthcare.

With a foreword by Go-Go’s co-founder Jane Wiedlin and original stories by 25 kick-ass authors, editor Holly West has put together an all-star crime fiction anthology inspired by one of the most iconic bands of the eighties and beyond.

(Currently out of print)

Praise for Murder-A-Go-Go’s

  • “I always suspected that twinkle in the Go-Gos’ eyes was a coded invitation to a darker world. In the hands of these 25 stellar crime fiction writers, ‘We Got the Beat’ and ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’ become evil little gems. A totally rad read.”
    ALAN HUNTER, Original MTV VJ, SiriusXM Host
  • “This is the music-driven anthology you didn’t know you needed, but after you read it, you’ll realize your bookshelf was lacking without it. This is a killer line-up of writers, and under Holly’s steady hand, they don’t play a single false note. Murder-a-Go-Go’s has got the beat.”
    ROB HART, Author of Assassins Anonymous, The Paradox Hotel, and The Warehouse
  • “Shock and awe, that sums up my reaction to Murder-A-Go-Go’s. Shock to live in times when ‘The Whole World Lost Its Head’ and awe at the response of these gifted writers. Buckle up for a ride that will leave ‘Skidmarks on Your Heart.”
    SARA PARETSKY, bestselling author of the V.I. Warshawski crime series
  • “Who knew those happy songs by one of all-time favorite bands, the Go-Go’s could inspire such dark, noir, spine tingling stories?!! It’s a collection of tales of distinctly female rage—the murderous kind and other wise—to keep you up at night!”
    ALISON ARNGRIM, TV’s Nellie Oleson and NYT bestselling author of Confessions of a Prairie Bitch