The mark of a good regional anthology is to make readers yearn to see the area. Stories, written from a local point of view, tell more than travel brochures.  CRIME SCENE NEW JERSEY puts forth a good case for visiting the Garden State. That is, if you don’t have a problem with murder and a few interesting ghosts.

Two of the 11 authors whose stories appear in the book are familiar to members of Crime and Suspense: Chelle Martin and Peggy Jaegly. In “Deadly Deception,” Chelle shows that a penchant for deadly Japanese delicacies and the bond of female friendship help one woman solve the problem of an abusive husband. Chelle also takes us to the Jersey shore in “Cape May Caper.” A mystery writer proves it pays to read when she uses her own plot device to foul up two doggedly determined jewel thieves. “The Secret of Drumthwacket” leads readers to Wonderland as Peggy pens a servant’s diary telling of a locked box and the secret within. Literally.

There’s “Mayhem at Buckelew House” in NL Quatrano’s story. When a coach that once carried Lincoln goes missing, a police officer solves the case with some ghoulish help while finding a way to continue life without his wife. A piece of antique jewelry holds a ghostly secret in “The Locket.” Michelle Giles also tours us through the historical Smithville Inn. And it’s “The Lambertville Witch” who psychically seeks the whereabouts of a child in a tale by Pat Martinelli.

History and archeology are factors in Pat’s second story, “The Lady in Blue.” The Woodbridge Cloverleaf was the first roadway of that type in the country. But the crumbling structure reveals the story of a headstrong woman ahead of her time in the Roaring ‘20’s.

Traveling through this state seems fraught with danger. An ordinary train ride becomes deadly when a woman aims a gun at a fellow passenger in “Tracked,” by Michelle Giles. It’s not a hit-and-run when a driver and a pedestrian “bump” into each other in “Jersey City Baggage.” The “baggage” is lingerie, sex toys—and a dead husband. Very naughty, J.J. Dumont!    

Adele Polomski tells us why N.J. is the Garden State with a tale featuring an 800-lb pumpkin. She writes of pumpkin obsession, the threat of organic gardening, a disability claim and the job of radio host on a garden show in “Squashed.” Vegetation also comes into play in “Water, Water, Everywhere,” by Rebecca Russell. Going too far into character at the recreation of historical Waterloo Village and nearly cause a young man’s death.

Two women, one man, and a hike on the Appalachian Trail gives a new meaning to falling in love in Elaine Togneri’s “Over the Edge.” Princeton is the setting for “The Dancing Child.” Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt puts us in the shoes of a museum director who has to stay on her toes to deal with a film crew and a forged Degas painting.

The most famous Jersey tourist attraction was not left out. “Boardwalk Bandits” are at large as Barbara Nuzzo describes the rise and fall—and rise again—of the world-renowned landmark. 

Tony Soprano, step aside. The Jersey authors are out to kill!