annarella's review
4.0
It was an interesting anthology, it made me discover some new to me interesting authors and kept me hooked.
Not all the stories are at the same level, there's a variety of voices and it gives you a good idea of what is the current mystery/suspense scene in USA.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Not all the stories are at the same level, there's a variety of voices and it gives you a good idea of what is the current mystery/suspense scene in USA.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
hpuphd's review
Has a great story (“Swaj”) that builds on Peter Benchley’s novel Jaws. The people who want to keep open the beach on the holiday weekend in spite of the shark attacks use arguments similar to anti-vaxxers. Also another great subtext to the story.
smatthew459's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
tri_lo_bite's review
dark
slow-paced
3.0
Read for the Read Harder 2022 prompt: 26. Read a “Best _ Writing of the year” book for a topic and year of your choice. Could also fill the prompt: Read an anthology featuring diverse voices, but I have another book picked for that one.
I guess that this was a fine anthology. There were stories that were great and stories that were not. But my main gripe with this is that very few of them were actually mysteries. Sure, it’s mystery and suspense, but the suspense stories weren’t all that suspenseful either. A lot of them read just as contemporary fiction. So pretty disappointed.
I guess that this was a fine anthology. There were stories that were great and stories that were not. But my main gripe with this is that very few of them were actually mysteries. Sure, it’s mystery and suspense, but the suspense stories weren’t all that suspenseful either. A lot of them read just as contemporary fiction. So pretty disappointed.
beeloquacious's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
verumsolum's review
4.0
Before reading this year’s edition, I was not a fan of this series. After either my first or second year reading it, I gave up on it. I felt like the definition that the series editor was using didn’t fit what I look for from mysteries: I think his definition would work better for an anthology with “crime fiction” in its title. I don’t know why he has moved on and the series has a revised title this year, but the stories really clicked with me! I don’t know how much is the tweaked definition and how much is this year’s guest editor, but I expect I’ll be giving this one a try again in 2022 to find out!
theretiredlibrarian's review
5.0
This is a collection of short stories published in various outlets last year. This annual anthology began publishing in 1997. This year’s volume has a new series editor in Steph Cha and has expanded to add suspense to it’s title. Best selling author Alafair Burke is this year’s guest editor.
The collection offers a wide range of stories from best selling veteran authors such as Lisa Unger, Laura Lippman, and Gar Anthony Haywood to bright new voices in crime fiction including Gabino Iglesias, Alex Segura, and Jenny Bhatt. The stories offer something for every crime fiction fan. Christopher Bollen’s story SWAJ was inspired by reading the book Jaws during the pandemic. Nikki Dolosn’s story looks at a picture perfect neighborhood torn apart after a new couple moves in. Aya de León’s contribution examines the risks a mother takes to get her child into a better school and at what cost.
The stories are timely, diverse, and thought-provoking. They run the gambit of crime fiction from jealousy, revenge, and murder for hire, to blackmail, and desperate choices that have to be made. There’s something here for every mystery and suspense fan to enjoy. This anthology is a great way to discover new to you authors and short fiction from old favorites.
Thank you NetGalley and Mariner Books for the digital ARC.
The collection offers a wide range of stories from best selling veteran authors such as Lisa Unger, Laura Lippman, and Gar Anthony Haywood to bright new voices in crime fiction including Gabino Iglesias, Alex Segura, and Jenny Bhatt. The stories offer something for every crime fiction fan. Christopher Bollen’s story SWAJ was inspired by reading the book Jaws during the pandemic. Nikki Dolosn’s story looks at a picture perfect neighborhood torn apart after a new couple moves in. Aya de León’s contribution examines the risks a mother takes to get her child into a better school and at what cost.
The stories are timely, diverse, and thought-provoking. They run the gambit of crime fiction from jealousy, revenge, and murder for hire, to blackmail, and desperate choices that have to be made. There’s something here for every mystery and suspense fan to enjoy. This anthology is a great way to discover new to you authors and short fiction from old favorites.
Thank you NetGalley and Mariner Books for the digital ARC.
sadiereadthat's review
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25