The National Ski Patrol Book

I actually didn't know a thing about the author prior to reading this book. Didn't know she was nominated for Edgar 8 times, didn't know she served as a president and grand master of Mystery Writers of America. I think I might have had her confused with Dorothy Sayers, another well known mystery writer. (I realized the difference while reading the foreword, which in fact was so well written, it completely engaged my interest.) Anyway, 'twas a dark and stormy night (it rained, actually, but close enough), so I thought I'd give this one a try. In fact, having read this collection both during an inclement weather and a relatively decent sunless morning, not sure weather makes the difference, but the mood of the stories is somewhat dark. At least for its time, the collection spans 3 decades from early 1950s. These aren't necessarily detective type murder mysteries, they are as the title states crime stories, stories featuring crimes and those who commit them, through plotting or circumstance, and thus aren't necessarily criminals, merely individuals driven to extremes by whims and vagaries of life. I appreciate that perspective and appreciated most of the stories, although really liked only a few, one of them featuring Mrs. Norris (Davis' serialized sleuth), one about a woman and her favorite work of art. There's even something of a scary story. Though as with mysteries it's mostly in the atmosphere. I don't know if I'd go as far as calling these cozy, but they are certainly mild enough for a modern readers, though one can imagine them being much more radical back in their day. I was thinking maybe this can be something like Rendell lite, but that wouldn't be fair, Davis has a style all of her own and it works. Her writing is lovely, with some really terrific turns of phrase and descriptions. Not sure it had the Wow factor and maybe not particularly memorable, but perfectly enjoyable reading to pass the time. For fans of quieter times and quieter crimes. Recommended.