Prepare for intrigue, suspense, and unforgettable twists in this groundbreaking anthology of queer crime fiction. In 2023, crime fiction anthologies featured 517 stories across 30 titles—but shockingly, fewer than 1 percent were penned by LGBTQ+ writers. Crime Ink: Iconic (An Anthology of Crime Fiction Inspired by Famous Queer Icons) is a resounding response to this glaring disparity, offering a vibrant collection of stories by and about queer authors and characters. Drawing inspiration from queer icons—James Baldwin, Oscar Wilde, Candy Darling, Radclyffe Hall, Babadook, Megan Rapinoe, Laverne Cox, Dolly Parton, Vita Sackville-West, and many more—these tales span the rich spectrum of crime fiction, from cozy mysteries and whodunits to noir, psychological thrillers, and police procedurals. Each story is a testament to the depth, ingenuity, and thrilling originality of queer voices in the genre. This anthology showcases an incredible array of talent, including New York Times Best Crime Novels of 2024 honorees Margot Douaihy, Robyn Gigl, John Copenhaver, and Katrina Carrasco; Lambda Literary winners Ann Aptaker, Greg Herren, Ann McMan, and J.M. Redmann; and other celebrated writers like Cheryl Head, Penny Mickelbury, Christa Faust, Jeffrey Marks, and Kelly J. Ford. But that’s not all—this collection also includes many more decorated and emerging voices, ensuring a dynamic reading experience that is as inclusive as it is entertaining. With a foreword by Ellen Hart and an afterword by Katherine V. Forrest, two luminaries of queer crime fiction, this anthology is more than a collection of stories—it’s a movement. Bursting with intrigue, twists, and unforgettable characters, Crime Ink: Iconic is essential reading for fans of crime fiction and anyone who craves representation in the stories they love. "Readers will find a wealth of well-written stories in this stellar, much-needed collection." -- Booklist "To not read this anthology . . . well, it would be criminal." -- BookTrib " Crime Ink: Iconic is a thrilling, wide-ranging anthology of crime stories about queerness, fame, obsession, and morality." -- Foreword Reviews “Readers will find a wealth of well-written stories in this stellar, much-needed collection.” — Booklist “To not read this anthology . . . well, it would be criminal.” — BookTrib “ Crime Ink: Iconic is a thrilling, wide-ranging anthology of crime stories about queerness, fame, obsession, and morality.” — Foreword Reviews “What a welcome book this is, uniting old friends like Katherine V. Forrest with new voices like Margot Douaihy's, whose crisp, insightful prose helps make this anthology stand out from run-of-the-mill collections.” —Sara Paretsky “Crime Ink: Iconic isn't just a thrilling collection of crime fiction from some of the best writers working today; it's a necessary work of art that brings us closer to a world that still believes in hope.” —S.A. Cosby, bestselling author of King of Ashes “The mystery genre has attracted queer writers for decades because its protagonists are outsiders, reviled by the respectable world, but embodying all the virtues that world pretends to value but seldom demonstrates, a situation that precisely describes the LGBTQ+ community. This landmark anthology presents some of the best contemporary queer crime fiction writers. It shows the tradition is still going strong and is in better hands than ever.” —Michael Nava, seven-time Lambda Literary Award-winning author of the Henry Rios Mysteries “ Crime Ink: Iconic is a dazzling showcase of what happens when marginalized voices take center stage. Inspired by queer icons and spanning every corner of the genre, these emotionally rich, razor-sharp stories prove that LGBTQIA+ writers don’t just belong in crime fiction—they’re redefining it. A must-read for anyone hungry for fresh voices and fearless storytelling.” —Jess Lourey, Edgar-nominated author of The Taken Ones “The marvelous thing about an anthology is the variety of stories that promise to satisfy an equally diverse readership. And with a quality of stories this high, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting tribute to the queer icons honored across the collection.” —Rob Osler, USA Today Bestselling author of The Case of the Missing Maid “ Crime Ink: Iconic is a who’s who of crime fiction and a snapshot of this moment, where LGBTQ+ crime fiction writers are receiving some (not nearly enough!) of their hard-fought due. An inspiring project and thrilling read.” —Lori Rader-Day, award-winning author of Wreck Your Heart “An anthology filled with standouts both cutting and camp, Crime Ink: Iconic helps to populate the world of crime fiction not just with more great stories, but more great stories about us.” —Lev AC Rosen, acclaimed author of the Evander Mills series "Vivid, wildly entertaining and pulsating with feeling, Crime Ink is a treasure chest of stories by some of the brightest lights in the genre, including Greg Herren, Christa Faust, Jo