Marilyn Wallace (1941–2006)

The crime fiction/ mystery/ detective genre traditionally was a male pursuit among both writers and readers. Such may be hard to recall, given the large number of highly successful female writers in the field over the past few decades. The growing popularity of the genre, supported by legions of readers, led in the 1980s to an increase in writer’s organizations beyond the traditional MWA (Mystery Writers of America). Among them was the PWA (Private Eye Writers of America) and the Sisters in Crime (SinC). The latter organization, which was founded by Sara Paretsky, sought to gain more respect for women’s writing.

“Deadly Allies” brings together writers from the PWA and SinC in a collaborative volume of 20 short stories. The stories are presented in pairs – one from a PWA member and one from a SinC member – with each pair organized around a common theme. Each pair of stories is preceded by a brief introduction that explains the common thread that binds them. Likewise, each story is accompanied with an introduction that summarizes aspects of the writer’s life and career. In each pair of stories, reader’s are not told which author represents which organization, and gender turns out not to be a useful criterion (features that work against the collection’s stated rationale). Likewise, the prior publication history (if any) of the stories is not indicated (leaving one to wonder whether they were written specifically for this collection).

The result is an interesting juxtaposition of stories, that if anything, shows similarities rather than any differences that might be attributed to gender. The stories include contributions by major figures along with others known chiefly to those who follow the genre closely. Below is a list of the stories included, along with my personal ratings (on a scale of 1 to 5*). Stories that especially stood out, in my judgement, are Lia Matera’s “Easy Go,” Robert Randisi’s “Turnabout”, and Marilyn Wallace’s Reunion”.

Easy Go by Lia Matera – 4.5*
Summary Judgment by Jeremiah Healy –3*
A Little Missionary Work by Sue Grafton –2*
A Good Judge of Character by Susan Dunlap –2*
Sex and Violence by Nancy Pickard –2*
Mary, Mary, Shut the Door by Benjamin M. Schutz –3.5*
Role Model by Michael Collins –2*
Invitation by Sarah Andrews –1.5*
Nothing Ventured by Carolyn G. Hart –1*
Whatever Has to Be Done by Jan Grape –2.5*
Louise by Max Allan Collins – 3*
Strung Out by Sara Paretsky –2.5 *
Like Father, Like Daughter by Sandra Scoppettone – 3.5*
Turnabout by Robert J. Randisi – 4*
Before You Leap by John Lutz –2*
Hangnail by Margaret B. Maron –1*
Silk Strands by Julie Smith – 3*
Safe House by Loren D. Estleman – 3.5 *
Unfinished Business by Rob Kantner – 3*
Reunion by Marilyn Wallace – 4*… (altro)