The World's Finest Mystery and Crime Stories 2: Second Annual Collection

The World's Finest Mystery and Crime Stories #2

by Ed Gorman (Editor)

It’s not easy to collect, in a single volume, the finest mystery and suspense fiction the world has to offer, but The World’s Finest Mystery and Crime Second Annual Collection rises to that challenge, inviting you to discover what Kirkus Reviews dubs “ . . . the year’s anthology of choice.”

In his Second Annual collection, Ed Gorman once again brings together the year’s most powerful fiction by such outstanding authors as Lawrence Block, Stuart M. Kaminsky, Ed McBain, Joyce Carol Oates, Ian Rankin, and Donald E. Westlake. The volume also abounds with fresh new stories by newer authors, from U. S. publications, and also from sources on other shores, including England, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Ed Gorman set benchmark for great mystery and suspense fiction with the First Annual Collection . Overflowing with award-winning authors and terrific stories, The World’s Finest Mystery and Crime Second Annual Collection also promises to be a treasure for anyone who loves a mystery.

More than 200,000 words of superlative mystery and suspense fiction from around the world, with stories

Lawrence Block
Jan Burke
Dorothy Cannell
Clark Howard
Peter Lovesey
Joyce Carol Oates
Nancy Pickard
Bill Pronzini
Ian Rankin
And many others

A Banquet of Mystery and Crime Fiction

For those who love outstanding mystery and crime reading, award-winning author and editor, Ed Gorman, has once again collected the best stories of the year from around the world. Immerse yourself in stories that baffle, tantalize, and delight, by the following

Miguel Agustí
Doug Allyn
Noreen Ayres
Robert Barnard
Lawrence Block
Jan Burke
Dorothy Cannell
Stanley Cohen
Mat Coward
Peter Crowther
Brendan DuBois
Jurgen Ehlers
Pete Hamill
Joseph Hansen
Edward D. Hoch
Clark Howard
Stuart M. Kaminsky
Richard Laymon
Gillian Linscott
Peter Lovesey
John Lutz
Christine Matthews
Ed McBain
Bob Mendes
Denise Mina
Joyce Carol Oates
Gary Phillips
Nancy Pickard
Bill Pronzini
Robert J. Randisi
Ian Rankin
Les Roberts
Peter Robinson
S. J. Rozan
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Donald E. Westlake

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller

640 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2000

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Edward Joseph Gorman Jr. was a prolific American author and anthologist, widely recognized for his contributions to crime, mystery, western, and horror fiction. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gorman spent much of his life in the Midwest, drawing on that experience to set many of his novels in small towns. After working over two decades in advertising, political speechwriting, and industrial filmmaking, he published his first novel, Rough Cut, in 1984 and soon transitioned to full-time writing. His fiction is often praised for its emotional depth, suspenseful storytelling, and nuanced characters. Gorman wrote under the pseudonyms Daniel Ransom and Robert David Chase, and contributed to publications such as Mystery Scene, Cemetery Dance, and Black Lizard. He co-founded Mystery Scene magazine and served as its editor and publisher until 2002, continuing his “Gormania” column thereafter. His works have been adapted for film and graphic novels, including The Poker Club and Cage of Night. In comics, he wrote for DC and Dark Horse. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2002, he continued writing despite his illness until his passing in 2016. Critics lauded him as one of the most original crime writers of his generation and a “poet of dark suspense.”

Reviews

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Well worth the effort. The only story I couldn’t finish was the shortest in this weighty tome. I particularly enjoyed Country of the Bling by Doug Allen and Helena and the Babies by Denise Mina.

[Jolene Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a book that has different short stories of murder mysteries & crime novels all built into one. It's like Incase you find one that doesn't tweak your interest, well then you've got more to choose from. That's what I found with this book, good old murder & crime mysteries. Some you might be interested in reading others you won't. Whatever the case may be your gonna find yourself a Good read!!!!!

[Boweavil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent collection of high quality crime stories from all over the world. Well edited and contains a wide variety of story types. Enjoy!

[Casey West · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm only luke warm on Mystery stories, Crime shorts I like a little better. It's what you'd expect. The major writer's stories were great, the newer writers had a few gems. The translated stories weren't very good at all, I think they lost something in the translation.

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection. Something for everyone and anyone who likes mysteries or suspense. By the time I finished, I felt like I could go back and read from the begining again because of enjoyment of the stories.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hit or miss like any collections this size.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book with excellent stories. This format of short stories lets the reader experience different authors and then seek them out individually. Excellent book.

[Mine · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved "the perfectionist" and "the allotment."