MURDER FOR LOVE

If it's history you're looking for, here is God's plenty: James Crumley's first short story in 23 years, Elmore Leonard's first in over 30, and the first crime short stories ever from William J. Caunitz, Carol Higgins Clark, and children's author Shel Silverstein. Whether the level of achievement is equally high is another matter. Most of the historic firsts—as well as Mary Higgins Clark's whodunit debuting a perfect ex-President and his perfect bride, and Sara Paretsky's tale of a romance publisher who'll do anything to keep his lead novelist productively neurotic—are anemically plotted; Faye Kellerman's stalker and Bobbie Ann Mason's Nancy Drew parody offer little more in the way of twists and turns; Donna Tartt's contribution turns out to be a 12-line poem. Meanwhile, John Gardner, Ed McBain, Michael Malone, Joyce Carol Oates, and Anne Perry all offer stories stronger on milieu than plot; only Jonathan Kellerman's tale of a young mother, her daughter, and a bunch of tough guys delivers anything more. Worth a run-through for its all-star roster; but make sure you send your Valentine flowers and candy too.