2024 the best short stories 2023 review

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(as of Nov 29, 2024 17:17:09 UTC - Details)

Amor Towles selects the best mystery short stories of the year, including tales by Andrew Child, Jeffrey Deaver, and T. C. Boyle.

Under the auspices of New York City's legendary mystery fiction specialty bookstore, The Mysterious Bookshop, and aided by Edgar Award-winning anthologist Otto Penzler, New York Times bestseller Amor Towles has selected the twenty most puzzling, most thrilling, and most mysterious short stories from the past year, collected now in one entertaining volume. The volume also contains a "bonus story" selected from the bookshop's rare book room, featuring a look into the history of this illustrious genre.

Reviewer: ChicoChic
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Don't be fooled . . .
Review: If you have enjoyed the mystery anthologies edited by Otto Penzler, be careful in ordering--Penzler's recent annual collections have a new title: "The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year." His guest editors under "The Mysterious Bookshop" imprint include Amor Towles (2023), Sara Paretsky (2022), and Lee Child (2021). His final guest editor under the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt imprint was CJ Box (2020).So what happened to the old series title "The Best American Mystery Stories"? It appears that Penzler's previous publisher decided that the selections by Penzler and his guest editors did not reflect today's attitudes and mores and selected Steph Cha to edit an annual anthology, "The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2023: A Mystery Collection" with guest editors Alafair Burke (2021), Jess Walter (2022), and Lisa Unger (2023).Not realizing that Penzler was still editing his own series and confused by the titling of the Cha/Unger collection, I purchased it (Cha/Unger). Turns out it was not to my taste. There wasn't anything "wrong" about it (I'm using quotes here since I can't get italics). I persevered to the end but for the most part it was a dreary slog.There's always room for a good mystery collection, in my opinion. Cha, Unger, Walter, and Burke are excellent writers whose books I've enjoyed, but I wish they would stick to writing their own fine stories.I will continue to look for and purchase the Penzler editions. The selections are solid, intriguing mysteries, often with a touch of humor or an unexpected twist (well, sometimes predictable, but who cares if it's a good read!).

Reviewer: jack swanzy
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Another good anthology
Review: One good story after another in this series. I am not knowledgeable about this genre so a lot of the writers are new to me but every entry made me want to read more by the author.

Reviewer: Joy R. Belt
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Fabulous collection of short stories!
Review: Loved the book! Have already ordered the two other anthologies.

Reviewer: Gabriela
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Last story added a star!
Review: It will forever remain a mystery for me how an editor can at the same time select great stories and terrible ones. I found the bad stories in this collection truly bad, and some of the “good” ones are too long and quite pretentious. Then there are the (very few) great stories, like the last one, “Glass”.

Reviewer: Sarah Matthews
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Otto Penzler strikes again.
Review: Leave it to Penzler and Mysterious Press to perfectly match literary superstar Amor Towles with the Best Mystery Stories of 2023. Beginning with Towles’s clever-as-hell retrospective of the genre all the way through to the last story - a bonus gem not listed in the table of contents - “the cadaver” is restored to center stage, per Towles’s noble taste, but as this anthology proves, the genre is alive and kicking.

Reviewer: John Kelly
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: The mix of renowned and hidden-gem authors is the perfect recipe for mystery enthusiasts
Review: The short story anthology, 'The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2023,' edited by Amor Towles, offers a diverse and compelling collection that caters to a wide range of readers.Despite not being a regular reader of anthologies, I found this one particularly enjoyable. The anthology covers a broad spectrum of topics, authors, themes, tones, and plot lines, making it accessible and engaging for readers with varied preferences.One notable aspect is the mix of both well-known and lesser-known authors, providing a blend of established voices and emerging talent. Among the standout stories, Jeffery Deaver's "Dodge" is particularly good, depicting a riveting showdown between a US Marshal and a formidable female criminal. Brendan DuBois's "The Landscaper’s Wife" is a traditional story but very well delivered, while Derrick Belanger's unique take on a Sherlock Holmes story and Andrew Child's latest Jack Reacher tale add further depth to the anthology.One minor criticism I have is a few of the stories in the anthology stories seem unfinished or lack a clear conclusion. While this might be inherent to the nature of short stories, some readers, like myself, prefer narratives that tie up loose ends.The audio version, narrated by Keith Sellon-Wright, Christina Delaine, and Terrence Kidd, is very well done. Clocking in at 21 hours, the use of different narrators not only captures the distinct tones of individual stories but also provides a welcome change in voice, effectively breaking up the extended duration of the audiobook. The narrators' excellent performances contribute to the overall success of the anthology, making it a compelling choice for mystery enthusiasts seeking a rich and varied collection.Recommendation'The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2023' stands out as a captivating anthology with a diverse array of stories that cater to a broad audience. Despite a minor issue with a few entries lacking closure, the compelling narratives, varied authorship, and excellent narration in the audio version earn it a solid four-star rating. Recommended for mystery aficionados.Rating4 Corpse Laden Stars

Reviewer: eclectic reader
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Another great Penzler collection
Review: I’ve been reading Penzler’s collection of mysteries for decades now and always find them fun. They have definitely evolved over time just as our literary culture has evolved. I enjoy his opening remarks and find the author info gives leads about more good mystery stories to investigate.

Reviewer: Book Bag Lady
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Third Time Still the Charm
Review: This is the third year Otto Penzler has edited the series and these selections have lost none of their excitement or entertainment value. The anthology is off to a strong start with "Blind Baseball" an imaginative tale that takes the reader on a wild ride to a tough neighborhood in Chicago in an attempt to save a teenage hoodlum. Sherlock Holmes makes an appearance and if you like any mystery set in a pool hall as I do, "Two Sharks Walk into a Bar" won't disappoint. My favorite, though, is the "Landscaper's Wife" with a protagonist who has a questionable past and a questionable life in the Granite state. Last but not least is a bonus story by Edith Wharton, one of my favorite writers. It's a creepy story set in the desert somewhat akin to something Agatha Christie might pen but more atmospheric. There are twenty-two reasons why this series has "Best" in its title. The editors know how to please.