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A review by carrie562
The Best American Mystery Stories of the Century by Otto Penzler, Tony Hillerman
4.0
Four stars for the collection because it includes such a variety of excellent stories, not all of which were written by "mystery authors," and many of which seem to stretch the definition of "mystery story." Yes, here you will of course find your Philip Marlowe, your Ellery Queen, your Kinsey Millhone; but you will also run across gems from Willa Cather, James Thurber, Pearl Buck, and other surprises.
Obviously in any story collection, there will be variation in appeal among the entries. I'd award five stars to:
"A Jury of Her Peers," Susan Glaspell 1917
"Red Wind," Raymond Chandler 1938
"Rear Window," Cornell Woolrich 1942
"The Moment of Decision," Stanley Ellin 1955
"The Day of the Execution," Henry Slesar 1957
"Quitters, Inc.," Stephen King 1978
"The Absence of Emily," Jack Ritchie 1981
"Too Many Crooks," Donald Westlake 1989
Obviously in any story collection, there will be variation in appeal among the entries. I'd award five stars to:
"A Jury of Her Peers," Susan Glaspell 1917
"Red Wind," Raymond Chandler 1938
"Rear Window," Cornell Woolrich 1942
"The Moment of Decision," Stanley Ellin 1955
"The Day of the Execution," Henry Slesar 1957
"Quitters, Inc.," Stephen King 1978
"The Absence of Emily," Jack Ritchie 1981
"Too Many Crooks," Donald Westlake 1989