The Best American Mystery Stories 2005

Twenty-one mysteries, almost all of them perfectly pitched. Perfect for one a night bedtime reading. Most of the stories are from familiar names like Ed McBain, Joyce Carol Oates, Elmore Leonard. A few names I wasn't familiar with, but will look for in the future. Describing the merits of each of the stories or even a sampling would be both unfair and a waste. Each story has a different style and each is rewarding. There are a couple that move more slowly than the others, but that's a matter of style and nothing more. Each of the mystery stories in this delightful volume is a keeper. Jerry

This is the tenth book in this series and I have loved every one of them. Unlike many anthologies, where some stories are good and others are weak, this hefty book is a treat because every story is first-rate. It is clear that the series editor, Otto Penzler, and the guest editor, Scott Turow, like literary fiction, much of which is somewhat noir. Good examples are "Karma" by Walter Mosley, "So Help Me God" by Joyce Carol Oates" and "Improvisation" by Ed McBain, which begins with a great opening line: "`Why don't we kill somebody?'" she suggested." I'd never heard of some of these authors before, like Karen Bender, Wendy Hornsby and R.T. Smith, but their stories are just as beautifully written as those by such famous writers as James Lee Burke, Jeffrey Deaver, Elmore Leonard and Laura Lippman. I wanted to stretch out the book and make it last a while, but I found the stories so enjoyable that I finished it in three nights. If you like great writing in your mystery stories, you'll love this book. *****FIVE STARS

Another great collection this year guest edited by Scott Turow along with the always great series editor Otto Penzler. Highlights include Joyce Carol Oates' "So Help Me God" and R.T. Smith's "Ina Grove" but all the stories are consistantly great. Easily the best mystery anthology of the year.

This collection edited by Joyce Carol Oates is a very good collection of dark mysteries in the tradition of Dennis Lehane, George Pelecanos, Michael Connelly, and Elmore Leonard(more in line with 'Killshot' and his older works). If you are looking for more traditional mystery stories in the tradition of Agatha Christie then these stories may not be for you.

This book is not for sissies! It's a collection of fantastic, dark & edgy crime stories of fine quality for those who love this type of thing. Who better than Joyce Carol Oates and Otto Penzler to deliver the most unique and provocative yarns for your consumption. If you're a fan of real writing that pushes the edge, then you should read this book. Highly recommended.