The 1989 film, Sea of Love, a noir thriller, is full of suspense, misdirection, and has the added benefit of playing ‘Sea of Love’ on the record player at every murder scene—and there are a lot of murders. Late night ideas are the best and the one that came to me as I watched the movie for the sixth time was, why not combine crime with favorite songs? Music of the ‘60s became the theme.
I put out a call for submissions, letting writers choose their music, and advised them to delve deeper, be unique. I expected to see a mix of folk music, protest songs, and the British Invasion. Seventy-five authors responded. Twenty-two were selected and what a varied group of songs and crimes they used. While the British were invading America, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Roy Orbison, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash still ruled the airwaves.
John Floyd chose a robbery and Elvis’ song ‘Suspicious Minds’ as the basis for his tale of two down and out friends, barely getting by, who are offered a tidy sum of money, just to do a little favor. They’re suspicious enough to not trust a seemingly good thing that falls into their laps. In spite of their careful planning, failure to check the details could be their undoing.
‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ is a favorite Sinatra tune for Andrew Hearn whose story features Jimmy Valentine, a bar singer who croons ‘in the style’ of Old Blue Eyes. Each New Year’s Eve, a woman arrives alone, stays until closing, and disappears until the next year. Jimmy feels that over the years, they’ve come to know each other well enough, it’s time to make his interest known. Two goons have another agenda though. Which will win out?
Roy Orbison is famous for ‘Pretty Woman’. Joseph S. Walker used the song as the backdrop for his story of star-crossed lovers, titled ‘Mercy’. Readers will remember Walker’s story and Orbison’s guttural ‘mercy’ for hours after.
‘Wooden Ships’ is a war protest song from Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Jean DuBois used it as the basis for her story about aging hippies, a step-granddaughter, and the longing to hold a newborn grandson. Never underestimate those who survived the ‘60s!
The British bands were a huge influence on American music and the theme of several stories of revenge. The Moody Blues’ ‘Nights in White Satin’ was used as the song played at an ill-fated reception in Wendy Harrison’s tale of matrimonial revenge. ‘Can’t Find My Way Home’ sung by Blind Faith, captures the bitterness of a Vietnam vet who finds revenge isn’t as satisfying as he’d hoped in Paul D. Marks’ tale. The Zombies’ ‘She’s Not There’ by C. A. Fehmel, proves sometimes it’s better to leave a murder unsolved.
The era wouldn’t be the ‘60s without the Beatles. Karen Keeley, drove her detective to distraction with ‘Fool on the Hill’ in ‘Bloody, Just Bloody Lovely’. Two old-style police detectives investigate the death of a college student who formerly lived in a commune and who was known to indulge in drugs. Complicating matters, the police chief’s kids are on the scene but not to be considered suspects.
A mix of mystery stories wouldn’t be complete without a couple that leave readers looking over their shoulders, jumping at odd noises, and casting distrusting glances at new friends. Josh Pachter wrote ‘Won’t You Come Out Tonight’ based on the song ‘Sherry Baby’, sung by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons back in ’62. It’s the story of a man who just won’t take no for an answer. It will leave a lingering creepiness with readers.
A last minute dropout caused a gap in the continuity of the book but it only took an email request for Maxim Jakubowski to come to the rescue. He offered to write a story based on the Beatles song, ‘Eleanor Rigby’. A seemingly innocent remembrance of a trip taken by a young man quickly shows things are not always as they appear. It’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for and a story that will stay with readers long after the last word is read.
Ranging from 1,600 to 6,000 words, with songs and crimes to lure readers in, to want to read ‘just one more’, and come away satisfied with the result, anthologies are perfect for time-challenged readers. Listening to all the old songs again is an added bonus. Like Harold says in ‘The Big Chill’ “there is no other music, not in my house.”
Peace, Love, and Crime is published by Untreed
