Birds, Strangers and Psychos

New Stories Inspired by Alfred Hitchcock

Birds, Strangers and Psychos is a thrilling anthology that brings together the biggest names in mystery and crime fiction to pay homage to Alfred Hitchcock, the legendary filmmaker whose name is synonymous with suspense. Acclaimed editor Maxim Jakubowski curates 24 original short stories, each inspired by the mood, tension, and style that defined Hitchcock’s groundbreaking work. This anthology invites both emerging and established voices to reimagine the chilling atmospheres, twisted plots, and unforgettable characters of Hitchcock's films, from Psycho and Vertigo to North by Northwest and The Birds.

Each author takes on the challenge of evoking the quintessentially 'Hitchcockian' elements that have captivated audiences for decades: ordinary lives interrupted by peril, psychological duels, and unexpected encounters that spiral into nightmares. The volume showcases an extraordinary blend of talent, including Lee Child, Denise Mina, Sophie Hannah, Vaseem Khan, MW Craven, Jeff Noon and S. A. Cosby and many more!

Just as Hitchcock adapted stories from literary giants like Daphne du Maurier, Patricia Highsmith, and Roald Dahl, Birds, Strangers and Psychos unites today's literary stars to craft new suspenseful tales that are destined to thrill, haunt, and unsettle. This volume is not just a collection of stories–it’s an invitation to rediscover the artistry of suspense.

All authors: Peter Swanson, Vaseem Khan, Sophie Hannah, S A Cosby, Guy Adams, Ana Teresa Pereira, David Thomson, Lee Child, Denise Mina, Xan Brooks, Lily Samson, Keith Lansdale, Joe R Lansdale, Peter Lovesey, Anne Billson, Kim Newman, Jeff Noon, M W Craven, Donna Moore, James Grady, A K Benedict, Jerome Charyn, Ragnar Jónasson, Nadine Matheson, William Boyle, and Maxim Jakubowski.

©2025 Maxim Jakubowski (P)2025 W. F. Howes Ltd