The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2021 (Best Mystery Stories, 1)

I really like the stories (short and to the point), no time for beating around the bush. When I don't feel like getting too deep into a novel, I like reading short stories.

The 20 stories (plus one reprint by Ambrose Bierce from 1888) in this anthology were all published in 2020; each is preceded by a short introduction to the author and is followed by a brief note by the author concerning the genesis of the story. As with any such anthology, one reader’s favourites will be another’s most-hated; that said, my favourite stories in this collection include Michael Bracken’s “Blest Be the Tie That Binds,” about a Mob attempt to launder money through church tithings; “The Locked Cabin” by Martin Edwards, which takes place in the 1930s aboard the Queen Mary; Sue Grafton’s “If You Want Something Done Right…” which slyly illustrates that saying; the poignant “The Truth About Lucy,” by Dennis McFadden, showing how the past affects future generations; Joyce Carol Oates’ lovely imaging of how a member of the Manson Family might prepare for a “Parole Hearing, California Institution for Women, Chino, California”; Stephen King’s take on one of the famous steps of AA, “The Fifth Step”; and Andrew Welsh-Huggins’ “The Path I Took,” in which a student of languages travels to Gaelic Ireland in 1983, where his studies are disrupted by The Troubles. There is also a list of honorable mentions at the end of the book, for the reader who wants to find more stories in this genre. My one quibble with this anthology (which I believe is the first in a projected series overseen by Otto Penzler of the Mysterious Bookshop) is the choice to present the stories alphabetically by the author’s last name; that just seems like a rather daft way to go about it. In any event, a good compilation of recent mystery short stories; recommended.

Ashamed and foolish, I stumbled onto this treasure as I was tracking for more Lee Child books. What I found was a rediscovery of my love for short mystery stories - something I unknowingly left behind over fifty years ago. And I am now simply overwhelmed at the rich vein that has been mined over these decades, just ready for my exploration and pleasure during my remaining time. There is more problem of "running out!" My choice of five stars is both personal and universal. Joy! And such delight packed into so few words. I am salivating for more!

Excellent collection of mystery stories by the great variety of writers. There isn’t a particular story that sticks out in my mind but every time I read one of these collections I’m always introduced to new authors that I can now read more of.

My reading group took my suggestion and is reading this anthology. It helps that one of the editors, readers, is a good friend, Michele Slung, who calls herself a professional reader. True to what I would expect of her and Otto Penzler, add in Lee Child, this anthology is great fun. The appearances of Joyce Carol Oates's chillingly brilliant story, Parole Hearing, California, Stephen King's shocking story, The Fifth Step, and Andrew Walsh-Huggins fantastic Irish story The Path I Took, makes this a brilliant anthology. And then there is the newly found story by Sue Grafton, one of the all time great mystery writers of the century. The rest of the stories do not disappoint. I'm looking forward to savoring the bonus story which is sure to be a great "topper-offer."

A mixed bag of stories. Not all seem like true mysteries where something bad happens and you try to figure out who or what. Many are just stories of everyday events with no real closure.

Really enjoyed reading all these stories. It's interesting to experience different literary styles over the course of one book. Great bedtime reading.....one story per night.

The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2021 is a collection of 20 short stories edited by Lee Child with Otto Penzler, the series editor. This book did not disappoint. Not only were there stories written by authors I had previously read, but quite a few by authors new to me. A brief summary of each author's work and awards appears before their short story.Every one of the stories was well written and uniquely satisfying. It was easy to read a few stories when I had a little free time, such as waiting for an appointment or when traveling. Reading a couple of the stories was the perfect transition between novels. I am already ordering a few mytery collections from previous years.