Over the last few years, the crime fiction community has seen a trend of short story anthologies inspired by the works of various musicians. The collections allow for a cross-pollination of fans that help to keep the genre vibrant and timely. What makes these anthologies so special is that each of them maintains the ethos of the musical artist being used as inspiration, while also allowing writers to explore and hone their craft unfettered.

Over time, I have reviewed some of my favorites of these anthologies here at BOLO Books: Trouble in the Heartland (inspired by Bruce Springsteen), Murder-A-Go-Gos (inspired by The Go-Go’s), and The Beat of Black Wings (inspired by Joni Mitchell).

That last collection was edited by Josh Pachter. Needless to say, when Josh once again asked me to host the cover reveal for his latest anthology, I couldn’t resist. So today, I present you the beautiful and evocative cover for The Great Filling Station Holdup: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Jimmy Buffett.

Jacket Copy:

Jimmy Buffett is one of the great contemporary singer/songwriters, and it’s hard to imagine a citizen of Planet Earth unfamiliar with such classic hits as “Margaritaville.” Jimmy has also written novels, children’s books, memoirs, and a stage musical based on Herman Wouk’s Don’t Stop the Carnival, and his family-friendly concerts almost always sell out to audiences comprised of a mix of dedicated Parrotheads, casual fans, and newbies. In The Great Filling Station Holdup, editor Josh Pachter presents sixteen short crime stories by sixteen popular and up-and-coming crime writers, each story based on a song from one of the twenty-eight studio albums Jimmy has released over the last half century, from Leigh Lundin’s take on “Truckstop Salvation” (which appeared on Jimmy’s first LP, 1970’s Down to Earth) to M.E. Browning’s interpretation of “Einstein Was a Surfer” (from Jimmy’s most recent recording, 2013’s Songs from St. Somewhere). If you love Jimmy’s music or crime fiction or both, you’ll love The Great Filling Station Holdup. Mix yourself a boat drink, ask Alexa to put on a buffet of Buffett tunes, kick back, and enjoy!

Contributors: Michael Bracken, Micki Browning, Don Bruns, Bruce Robert Coffin, John M. Floyd, Jeffrey Hess, Leigh Lundin, Isabella Maldonado, Alison McMahan, Laura Oles, Rick Ollerman, Josh Pachter, Neil Plakcy, Robert Randisi, Lissa Marie Redmond, Elaine Viets.

Pre-Order Link: The Great Filling Station Holdup: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Jimmy Buffett