Best of "The Strand Magazine": 25 Years of Twists, Turns, and Tales from the Modern Masters of Mystery and Fiction

by Andrew Gulli, Lamia Gulli

Best of "The Strand Magazine": 25 Years of Twists, Turns, and Tales from the Modern Masters of Mystery and Fiction

This star-studded anniversary collection features over twenty-five unforgettable stories from internationally bestselling authors and literary legends. From the Nordic noir of Jo Nesbø and the lyricism of Tennessee Williams to the timeless imagination of Ray Bradbury and the courtroom wit of John Mortimer, these vivid tales reflect the range and tone that have defined The Strand Magazine for a quarter century.

Alongside lost works by icons like Shirley Jackson are stories by contemporary bestsellers including Ruth Ware, Joyce Carol Oates, Jeffery Deaver, James Lee Burke, Michael Connelly, and R. L. Stine. With a foreword by Alexander McCall Smith, this collection offers a rare blend of depth, wit, and atmospheric storytelling.

Genres: Mystery, Short Stories, Anthologies, Fiction

466 pages, Hardcover

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

the editor-in-chief of The Strand Magazine, one of the most established and popular journals of mystery fiction active today.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published November 4, 2025.

4 stars

I am not familiar with “The Strand Magazine” but it seems to have been in existence for quite some time (with one very long hiatus if I’m reading the Introduction correctly) and it publishes crime fiction. The brother and sister editors (I love my brother but could never, ever work with him, so kudos to them) have collected some of the best stories from the magazine, some from such luminaries as Tennessee Williams, Shirley Jackson, Michael Connelly and Alexander McCall Smith.

Anthologies are often a disappointment to me as they are so often uneven, but this was quality throughout. I enjoyed nearly every story. Standouts for me were “Carnival” by Laura Benedict, “The Property Ladder” by Ruth Ware, “Due Diligence” by the late Catherine Aird, James S. Dorr’s “The Great Man” and the cheery “Rumpole and the Old Familiar Faces” by John Mortimer.

A thoroughly great collection. Crime fans, and admirers of short stories will like it.

Oh, and did I know Jo Nesbo was a man? No, I did not.

[Pattie Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Strand Magazine is iconic! It, after all, gave the world Sherlock Holmes, starting with “A Scandal in Bohemia” in the summer of 1891. The modern revival carries that same torch, and this anthology, Best of "The Strand Magazine": 25 Years of Twists, Turns, and Tales from the Modern Masters of Mystery and Fiction, gathers a quarter-century of its finest short fiction. How could I possibly resist?

Alexander McCall Smith, whose voice I’ve long admired, opens with a foreword that feels like a fireside chat—wry, affectionate, perfectly pitched. Then the stories begin: a generous sprawl of voices, some familiar, some new, moving between classic locked-room riddles and contemporary sleights of hand. Most are exquisitely crafted—lean, surprising, the sort that leave you nodding at the page with quiet satisfaction. It’s the ideal volume for an idle afternoon, one you can open at random and trust to deliver.

Not every piece struck the same chord. I’ve never warmed to the supernatural, and a few tales leaned heavily on spectral machinery; for me, they drifted off-key. Others may savor them. I also wished the contents had listed authors beside titles—knowing who’s waiting inside a book this size would have guided the hand more surely.

Those are small cavils. The collection’s breadth and depth more than compensate, mapping the mystery genre’s living tradition with grace and vigor. If you relish fiction that rewards attention in compact, brilliant doses, this belongs on your shelf. It’s a book you’ll return to, again and again, for the pleasure of a well-turned puzzle.

I received an advanced digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Wena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short stories by some of the world's best-known authors - full of surprises!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great collection of stories. Thank you Goodreads Giveaways for the opportunity to review this book, now I've discovered new authors to read!

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been a fan of short stories, particularly those brimming with mystery, unexpected twists, and memorable characters. The Strand Magazine is known for publishing engaging stories by acclaimed writers, as well as insightful reviews, articles, and other literary gems. Although the magazine has a rich history, I only recently discovered it when the publisher reached out to me for a review. I thoroughly enjoyed the diverse collection of stories in this book—especially those by authors who were new to me. If you love mysteries and suspense, this collection is a must-read. I give it a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars.

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Strand is a British mystery magazine known best for publishing the first Sherlock Holmes story well over a century ago. The Best of "The Strand Magazine" anthology collects 29 tales published within the last twenty-five years. Their authors are as diverse as Michael Connelly, Shirley Jackson and H.G. Wells. There is truly something for every mystery reader here. 5 stars and highly recommended to mystery fans!

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an advanced review copy.

[Barondestructo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag. For a "Best of" collection, there are quite a few duds from some established authors.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice bedside book for the mystery fan. A well thought out anniversary anthology.

[Gil Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories by big well-known authors.

[Tiana Jazmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️
The stories were written rather well, but a good portion of them were so dull. For a collection of the best the magazine had to offer, they weren't well picked.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection... some I really loved...others not so much but overall very good and discovered a couple of authors I never knew before