Stories by James Lee Burke, Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Charlaine Harris, and other masters of crime fiction, selected by Louise Penny: “Essential.” —Booklist

In this collection of the standout short stories of the year, mystery fans can enjoy the work of a wide variety of top talents chosen by the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novels, Louise Penny.

In her introduction, Penny notes that writing short stories requires knowledge of the form while not being formulaic. These twenty clever, creative selections showcase that blend of expertise and originality—including tales of a Nigerian confidence game, a drug made of dinosaur bones, a bombing at an oil company, a reluctant gunfighter in the Old West, and various other scams, dangers, and thrills. Featured authors include:

Louis Bayard * Andrew Bourelle * T. C. Boyle * Michael Bracken * James Lee Burke * Lee Child * Michael Connelly * John M. Floyd * David Edgerley Gates * Charlaine Harris * Rob Hart * David H. Hendrickson * Andrew Klavan * Martin Limón * Paul D. Marks * Joyce Carol Oates * Alan Orloff * William Dylan Powell * Scott Loring Sanders * Brian Silverman

“This essential mystery anthology benefits greatly from an enlightening foreword by Otto Penzler and an elegant introduction by editor Louise Penny.” —Booklist

“Crime aficionados will be entertained.” —Publishers Weekly