Book 43 of my 2018 Reading Challenge
The Best American Mystery Stories 2003
Summary (via the book jacket)
This seventh installment of the premier mystery anthology boasts pulse-quickening stories from all reaches of the genre, selected by the world-renowned mystery writer Michael Connelly. His choices include a Prohibition-era tale of a scorned lover's revenge, a Sherlock Holmesinspired mystery solved by an actor playing the famous detective onstage, stories of a woman's near-fatal search for self-discovery, a bar owner's gutsy attempt to outwit the mob, and a showdown between double-crossing detectives, and a tale of murder by psychology. This year's edition features mystery favorites as well as talented up-and-comers, for a diverse colleciton sure to thrill all readers.
My Opinion
I have a few words about each story but overall, I enjoyed this book.
The Jukebox King: I didn't completely understand this but it could be user error since I read it in spurts while working.
Aardvark to Aztec: Meh. I'm not off to a great start here, is it me?
The Pickpocket: Not really a mystery per se but still a good story.
After You've Gone: It made me super uncomfortable which I guess meant it was a good story.
Hostages: good.
Death on Denial: fine.
The Jeweler: lots of details but no full-fledged story.
Thug: Signification and the (De) Construction of Self: the idea was good but the execution wasn't. The footnotes were longer than the actual story.
War Can Be Murder: too many people for a short story and heavy-handed on homosexuality.
Richard's Children: good proper mystery with a twist end. I wondered if this group really exists?
When the Women Come Out to Dance: be careful what you wish for.
The Confession: I glossed right over the clue. Good but unrealistic story.
Lavender: it felt long but I didn't mind.
The Skull: open-ended so I can't say for sure but I did think he was shady.
The Dead Their Eyes Implore Us: fine.
Sockdolager: entertaining.
The Adventure of the Agitated Actress: it had a whole lot of bluster for nothing.
Home Sweet Home: really vivid and good.
Controlled Burn: didn't understand ending.
That One Autumn: not really a mystery but good just as a story.
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