Introduction by Jess Walter, Steph Char, Series Editor
Well-crafted short story anthologies deliver hidden gems covering a range of styles, topics and voices.
From the traditional victims turning the tables on their tormentor tales, to possible time travel, a daughter’s search for her father’s approval, an antiquarian bookseller in search of a rejection letter, a jukebox caper, etc., The Best American Mystery & Suspense 2022 is no exception.
Each short story offered interesting perspectives. The protagonists of these 20 works of short fiction include an African-American fix-it man, a barkeep, a Native American, a Latina, members of the LBGTQ community, a middle America mom, a predator, a real estate king, a serial killer, a woman from Turkey, a veteran and a victim of domestic violence.
Hands down, the favorite of this girl detective wannabe since she first read The Secret of the Old Clock at the age of 11, has to be Long Live the Girl Detective by Megan Pillow. Even though she’s dead, the titian-haired girl detective with the blue roadster shoos away those brother detectives and solves her own murder.
Don’t skim over the Introduction, Honorable Mentions and Contributor Notes, which add to the volume.
Also please note: While I really enjoyed reading Return to Sender, I was more than a little shocked to see racial slurs included.
I received a free egalley courtesy of Mariner Books, through NetGalley. This review is fair and impartial.
From the traditional victims turning the tables on their tormentor tales, to possible time travel, a daughter’s search for her father’s approval, an antiquarian bookseller in search of a rejection letter, a jukebox caper, etc., The Best American Mystery & Suspense 2022 is no exception.
Each short story offered interesting perspectives. The protagonists of these 20 works of short fiction include an African-American fix-it man, a barkeep, a Native American, a Latina, members of the LBGTQ community, a middle America mom, a predator, a real estate king, a serial killer, a woman from Turkey, a veteran and a victim of domestic violence.
Hands down, the favorite of this girl detective wannabe since she first read The Secret of the Old Clock at the age of 11, has to be Long Live the Girl Detective by Megan Pillow. Even though she’s dead, the titian-haired girl detective with the blue roadster shoos away those brother detectives and solves her own murder.
Don’t skim over the Introduction, Honorable Mentions and Contributor Notes, which add to the volume.
Also please note: While I really enjoyed reading Return to Sender, I was more than a little shocked to see racial slurs included.
I received a free egalley courtesy of Mariner Books, through NetGalley. This review is fair and impartial.
Order online or buy now at your favorite independent bookstore. Mine is Sellers Books and Art in Jim Thorpe, PA.