Murder-a-Go-Go's | Lori Rader-Day, Diane Vallere, Susanna Calkins, Lisa Brackmann, Nadine Nettmann, Eric Beetner, Hilary Davidson, Patricia Abbott, Thomas Pluck
The Go-Gos made music on their own terms and gave voice to a generation caught between the bra-burning irreverence of the seventies and the me-first decadence of the eighties. Anthems like We Got the Beat, Our Lips Are Sealed, and Vacation are an indelible part of our collective soundtrack, but more than that, they speak to the power and possibility of youth. Inspired by punk but not yoked to it, the Go-Gos broke important musical ground by combining cheeky lyrics, clever hooks, and catchy melodies, perfectly capturing what it feels like to be young and female in the process. But beyond the Go-Gos effervescent sound and cheerful pop stylings, a darkness underlies many of their lyrics and melodies, hinting at the heartache and frustration inherent in growing up. In other words, plenty to inspire murder and mayhem. Net proceeds from Murder-a-Go-Gos benefit Planned Parenthood, a crucial provider of womens affordable reproductive healthcare. With a foreword by Go-Gos co-founder Jane Wiedlin and original stories by twenty-five kick-ass authors, editor Holly West has put together an all-star crime fiction anthology inspired by one of the most iconic bands of the eighties and beyond. Praise for MURDER-A-GO-GOS: I always suspected that twinkle in the Go-Gos eyes was a coded invitation to a darker world. In the hands of these 25 stellar crime fiction writers, We Got the Beat and Our Lips Are Sealed become evil little gems. A totally rad read. Alan Hunter, Original MTV VJ, SiriusXM Host Shock and awe, that sums up my reaction to Murder-A-Go-Gos. Shock to live in times when The Whole World Lost Its Head and awe at the response of these gifted writers. Buckle up for a ride that will leave Skidmarks on Your Heart. Sara Paretsky, bestselling author of the V.I. Warshawski crime series Who knew those happy songs by one of all-time favorite bands, the Go-Gos could inspire such dark, noir, spine-tingling stories?!! Its a collection of tales of distinctly female ragethe murderous kind and otherwiseto keep you up at night! Alison Arngrim, TVs Nellie Oleson and author of Confessions of a Prairie Bitch This is the music-driven anthology you didnt know you needed, but after you read it, youll realize your bookshelf was lacking without it. This is a killer line-up of writers, and under Hollys steady hand, they dont play a single false note. Murder-A-Go-Gos has got the beat. Rob Hart, author of The Warehouse Like the songs these writers used for muses, each story contains the energy of a pop group and the rawness of a punk band, with some of the darkness and vulnerability that underscores the Go-Gos themselves thrown in for good measure. Steph Post, author of Miraculum The Go-Gos spun some of the brightest, catchiest all-girl pop back in the day. But they always carried more weight than your average pop band: the burden of trailblazing and pioneering; the bad kids in the back of the class breaking all the rules and looking damn cool doing it. This collection commandingly captures that sweet subversion. Joe Clifford, author of The One That Got Away Beneath the pop stylings and sensibilities of the Go-Gos pulsed the heart of a punk band. In this eye-opening anthology, some of the sharpest voices of contemporary short crime fiction tease out the aches and anxieties echoing through the groundbreaking groups music: the dark sides of desire, the missed opportunities, the tangled regrets. These storiesthey got the beat. Art Taylor, award-winning author of On the Road with Del & Louise: A Novel in Stories Holly West (editor)s Murder-A-Go-Gos is murderous fun from the first story to the last. Each masterful tale is distinctive, but this collection is so much more than the sum of its parts, infused with all the talent and skill of some of the best short story writers working in crime fiction today. Jennifer Hillier, author of Creep and Jar of Hearts
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