The Best American Mystery Stories 1998 (The Best American Series) Paperback – October 30, 1998

I trusted Sue Grafton to put together a good collection, and I was not disappointed. This collection represents 20 authors, one story each. In this type anthology, there always seems to be a presumption that the best story by one author is better than the second best by another author, but it is a good selection. There is a listing in the back of the book of additional stories that were not included. That is always a judgment call by the editor, i.e., deciding which stories to use if there is a page limit for the collection. The stories are from a wide range of sources ranging from mainstream magazines to regional literary magazines. Short biographical sketches of the authors are included in the back of the book.While stories in a collection can be of mixed quality, I generally liked all the stories and, as usual in anthologies, found some authors I was not previously acquainted with. Anthologies are usually a good way to find references to authors who can be checked on for other work - I often find novels that way.

Great reads

Cover to cover, this is one of the best of the annual Mystery Stories series. Many of the stories were innovative and well-written. There were some simplistic, predictable plotlines but still a really enjoyable read.

I enjoyed this collection of short story suspense fiction. Overall I found the stories interesting and well-written. Highly recommended for fans of short story suspense fiction.

Book arrived on time and in the condition as stated. Will order from them again.

"Best Mysteries" stands out as an excellent collection of short stories mostly because of its inclusion of fresh and creative new authors. One such author is Dave Shaw and Shaw's "Twelve Days Out of Traction" epitomizes the creativity these talented young writers bring to the table."Twelve Days" hilariously, intelligently and entertainingly satirizes what has truly become the national pastime--litigation. Written with a Sahara-like wit, the author leads the reader through the inner-thoughts of a career slip and fall con man during his latest job at a 7-11 in Poughkeepsie. Our hero's purpose at the 7-11 is to fake a fall and collect a quick out-of- court settlement before the insurance company catches on to the con. However, our hero is no slip and fall amateur, he takes pride in his craft and sells his falls by sustaining bona-fide injuries. You could say he is the Michelangelo of slip and fall artists. Although we never learn our flawed hero's name, that is because he keeps changing his name to stay a step ahead of the authorities, we do learn the names of his partners-in-scam-- they are Homer Pierce, attorneys at-law (there is more than one), and Dr. Greg Richardson or Dr. Richard Greggson, the same person but different names depending on the good doctor's ethical mood that day."Twelve Days" is not just some cute story about a man who falls on floors for a living. Instead, we learn a little bit about values in a capitalist society that places accumulation of wealth by any means over accumulation of wealth by just means. For instance, our hero's chosen vocation has helped him define a well-developed sense of right and wrong. Twisted and skewed as his life philosophy may be, he does, at least, see the world in stark terms and has chosen his lifestyle voluntarily and without regret. In fact, our hero, who plays the victim as a job, does not see himself as a victim at all, and is offended by the very notion that we would pity him. No, he pities us, and expresses himself profanely and impolitely on this point. Take the following passages for instance: "The clincher, of course, is that in reality I am no victim and in reality I am sick to death of all the victim talk sweeping the damn county...The way I see it, if you don't have your own scam, that doesn't make you a g--damn victim; it only makes you a g--d--n idiot. Case in point: Newt Gingrich. Genius...I've been thinking that this is at the root of what I think will make retirement a little harder to handle--worrying about eventually feeling like the rest of the average ducks out there, blending in and not giving a damn, whining my a-- away. I'd rather somebody just blow my g--d----d head off if it comes to all that." Kind of makes you want to run out and fake choking on a chicken bone at a fancy French restaurant, or vote Republican. However, before we shed our dreary life clothes for the exciting, fast-pace world of grift, we should once again be reminded of the values implicated by such a choice. Here, Shaw cleverly contrasts the non-violent scams of our profane hero, with the movements of the polite Mexican-French Canadian Bandito, a five and dime store robber who uses a .22 caliber handgun, wears a sombrero, treats his would-be victims courteously and as a result has become something of a media darling. Our hero sees much of himself in the Bandito, save the possible exceptions that the Bandito is much more courteous, but "blatant" in scoring his loot by using a gun. Invariably, at some point their paths will cross and our hero's world will no longer be viewed in colors of black and white. It will be gray. Or will it? Ah, therein lies the mystery and explains why this marvelously written and thought- provoking short story was chosen as one of the Best American Mystery Stories for 1998.

Although I can't say that I enjoyed every story, I can say that I enjoyed nearly all the stories, which is about as good as you can get with short story anthologies. A great collection of great mystery stories! I hope the series continues for quite a long time...I look forward to each new edition!!

as soon as i finished the book, i got online and ordered the 1999 edition.i never was much of a fiction reader, but i'm hooked now