CRIME & PROG POP: IN TOO DEEP: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs Of Genesis edited by Adam Meyer

When I first heard about the anthology In Too Deep that featured crime stories inspired by the songs of Genesis, focusing on the Phil Collins years, I couldn't help but wonder.if it would work However as a child of the Eighties, I recalled how their music was used in films like Mona Lisa and played over Crockett and Tubbs adventures in Miami Vice. Editor Adam Meyer rounded up some talented short crime fiction names that find the darkness in Phil, Mike, and Tony's Music.

Stacy Woodson drops the needle first with one of their most famous tunes, "Invisible Touch".. Her take looks at how an artist's talent and obsessions lead to crime. The story uses the details of an artists work life to get us into the world and build dread as well.

Two favorite authors of mine appear. Eric Beetner takes the title of "Blood On The Rooftops" to portray two thugs who need what's in the pockets of a man they mistakenly sent oft the top a building. eric's trademark humor makes it a dark lark. Sam Wiebe uses The Exiles biker gang in his Dave Wakeland PI novels for "Behind The Lines", delivering a well crafted crime procedural.

Alan Orloff proves to be the author who mines the most from their chosen song with "ABACAB". He uses part of the lyrics for his protagonists actions and applies the tune's frenetic rhythm and melody to the prose to capture his building mania. It both pays tribute to the music and puts us in the mind of a jilted lover's paranoia.

The ditor also uses much of the song as he wraps up the anthology with "No Son Of Mine". He takes Genesis' themes about the memories of child abuse and adds a twist with a grown son dealing struggling with his father's dementia and sins on his sister and him. Adam's story shares the somber poignancy of the song.

The book contains seventeen stories. Many of the works share that period of Genesis' phase where they straddled pro and pop, with a serious, intellectual approach, but shooting a wink to reduce the pretension. I wonder if that would be the same if the songs were from the Peter Gabriel years.