Crime Scene: New Jersey, a new anthology of crime and suspense stories by the members of the Central Jersey Chapter of Sisters in Crime, could be misleading. Maybe New Jersey gets a bad rap, I don't know. It's not all smelly oil refineries, although, Heaven knows, it's recent political history is odoriferous enough. Then, there's the Sopranos, the Lindberg case, many sensational murders. As Evan Marshall indicates in his amusing introduction, the list goes on and on. If the “Garden State” were ever to get a new name, it might have to begin with C (as in C-note State, Crime Country – well, you get the idea).

As a lifelong Jersey resident, transplanted to Arizona, I was a delighted to run across my copy of “Crime Scene”, and revisit the underbelly of my old home grounds in this killer collection, edited by Elaine Togneri. The book is a hoot from beginning to end. These tales are all first-rate. Reading them was like being at a food-tasting party with the ladies. Each story was a savory snack, and there wasn't a bad item on the buffet table.

For example, commuting to work by rail is a commonplace daily ritual in “Joisey”. Mean people bugging you? Ever dream of getting even to the hypnotic click-clack of the train's wheels? Michelle Giles clarifies one such situation for us in “Tracked.” And she does it with an unsuspected and satisfying twist at the end.

“Boardwalk Bandits” by Barbara Nuzzo will have you looking at seaside entrepreneurs “on the boardwalk in Atlantic City” in a whole new way! “There on a rolling chair”, as the old song doesn't say – you'll get rolled! Finding out how is the fun part of the ride!

It was a joy to tour the restaurants and Seafood Festival in Belmar, in “Deadly Deception” by Chelle Martin. Belmar's a place where I raised three daughters and owned a home for 30 years. There's a double – double cross in this yarn that had me guessing right up until the end (turned out to be a nostalgic tour, since many of those places are no longer there).

Life down on the farm in Waterloo Village takes on a deadly twist, in “Water, Water, Everywhere” by Rebecca Russell, as two irritated irrigators (they're antagonistic volunteer workers -- I'm just being cute) try to establish who poisoned who with what. You'll pass on a drink of water after this one, no matter how hot the temperature may be!

“Squashed” by Adele Polomski reminds us that there is still a garden or two in the Garden State. It's not your typical Hollywood musical slice of Americana, but rather a tale of competitive spirit run wild – a 4H Club disaster at the Warren County Farm Fair. We watch a very unsavory character get his comeuppance in a way to be savored. Welcome to the Fair!

“Who knows what evil lurks in the heart” of – Smithville? Well, Michelle Giles apparently does, and, in her second outing in the collection, "The Locket", she tells us, in her pointed style. Fans of creepy chronicles will love this one!

             As a ten-year retired bridge operator on the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge, I lived every detail of “The Lady In Blue" by Pat Marinelli, an engaging investigative procedural by an outstanding writer. If you're flipping through the collection, don't flip past this one. Can Morgan Taylor make it back in a series? Time will tell – as it does here.

"Mayhem At Buckelew House” by NL Quatrano is an intriguing mystery that takes a ghostly turn. This compelling writer, with whimsical, irresistible charm, puts you smack in the picture at that historical site in Jamesburg. You'll be transported right along to see how this hair-raiser plays out. I read it through a mist. Thanks for that one, NL!

"The Dancing Child” by Alicia Butcher Erhardt acquaints us with the chaos that can sometimes ensue in the life of a museum director. Against a backdrop of the hallowed halls of Princeton University, she spins a captivating tale of Ivy League politics and an art theft that almost goes undetected.

Editor Elaine Togneri steps in with a clever perfect crime plot that goes terribly wrong in "Over The Edge.” To the perpetrator at least, it has a very imperfect outcome in this surprise-filled outing.

We get to tour the Governor's Mansion in "The Secret of Drumthwacket” by Peggy Jaegly. This is a perfect puzzle piece that asks the reader, not only who dunnit, but why. And what was the treasure in that box? All the answers will astound you.

PI meets femme fatale in a most unusual way, in “Jersey City Baggage” by J.J. Dumont (hint: she doesn 't come slinking into his office!). This smooth story is told against a backdrop of Jersey City, a town I became quite familiar with via connection with a lifelong resident. We are plunk in the middle of the action right away, with good one-liners (Inspector #14?), and the proceedings come to a surprising end. And what's in that dragging garbage bag, anyway? It would be great to learn more about insurance investigator Don Meyers and his interesting history. Can we look forward to added adventures with him, Gretchen – and even Serena – in the future?

Then it's down south to the big peninsula in “Cape May Caper,” Chelle Martin's second comic caper. It's an adroit adventure that takes us from a Manhattan encounter to a posh Cape May hotel, with a denouement firmly rooted in the southernmost dunes of the Garden State. There where salt water air reigns, jewel thieves seek to lighten the gem-laden burden of a successful mystery writer, her male companion, and her poodles. But those sparklers ain't what they seem! Lots of fun!

“The Lambertville Witch” is another outstanding tale by Pat Marinelli. This time we follow the trail to a vanished child, through the intuition of the title charmer. Bewitching byplay in a fascinating fable.

So there you have it; New Jersey, the small state that produces big caliber writers, many of whom are stalking these pages. You owe it to yourself to read this book and meet them. Some future literary big guns are lurking in here, I'm sure. The tales in this anthology run the course from suspense, through procedurals to ghosts and history's mysteries. My sentimental journey covered the state from the Water Gap to the north, to Lambertville and Princeton in the west, to the eastern seashore, Belmar and Atlantic City right on down to Cape May. I thoroughly enjoyed the go round. You will too.