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smusie's review against another edition
4.0
I have read several of these over the years, and they always have a lot of great stories. In this volume, quite a few are not really mysteries in that there is no question who has committed the crime--some are not even crime stories, e.g. Joyce Carol Oates' story (Damn her! Is there anything she can't write?). Usually that would annoy me, because I love real mysteries, but the quality of the writing here is high enough that it doesn't really matter. Only a few misfires. Just started reading my first Pelecanos book--it's also the first book I'm reading on my Kindle, so I feel like I'm cheating somehow.
lelandbuck's review against another edition
3.0
There are a few good stories in the collection, but as usual, I am left wondering if the producers of this series don't somehow have a different definition of the word "best" from the rest of us.
In my opinion, they should call it "Some Good American Mystery Stories".
Oh, well. What are you going to do? It's admittedly difficult to get good short suspense fiction, and this volume is a solution to reading 8 to 10 different monthlies and quarterlies looking for good stories. Who cares if not all of them leave you gobsmacked?
In my opinion, they should call it "Some Good American Mystery Stories".
Oh, well. What are you going to do? It's admittedly difficult to get good short suspense fiction, and this volume is a solution to reading 8 to 10 different monthlies and quarterlies looking for good stories. Who cares if not all of them leave you gobsmacked?
certafied's review against another edition
Clearly comes from a time when being gay was a dark gritty twist to a short story instead of like, a real thing that real people are. 2 stars because The Monks of the Abbey Victoria was excellent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Murder, Sexual assault, and Drug abuse
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