The Bartender

by G.M. Malliet

"Rarely have I read descriptions that have left me gasping, in both their hilarity and their painful truth. A wonderful read." ― Louise Penny recommending G.M. Malliet's novel WICKED AUTUMN "Nobody notices a bartender." So thinks the protagonist of this original short story by award-winning author G.M. Malliet.

On overhearing a conversation one evening, the bartender of the title is inspired to try his hand at a copycat crime. He realizes his ordinary appearance and ability to blend in might help him evade detection, and in the days before security cameras were installed on nearly every home and street corner, he may have been right. Sadly, he fails to notice - right under his nose - an old-fashioned obstacle to success in his new career.

19 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2022

About the author

G.M. Malliet is the author of three mystery series; a dozen or more short stories published in The Strand, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine; and WEYCOMBE, a standalone suspense novel.
 
Her Agatha Award-winning Death of a Cozy Writer (2008), the first installment of the DCI St. Just mysteries, was named one of the ten best novels of the year by Kirkus Reviews. Subsequent Max Tudor novels were Agatha finalists.

Reviews

[Holly Zegalia]

Nice quick book. Perfect for a brain cleanser after reading heftier books.

[Riju Ganguly]

This was a short but enjoyable read with snappy dialogues, riveting narrative, and dry wit that made the experience truly smooth and smoky.
Like a really good drink, you know.
Recommended.