Status Updates From The Best American Mystery S...

Poachers: There’s a silent language deep in Louisiana's swamps: a jawline tilted right and slightly up, the downward curve of a closed mouth, the left shoulder standing higher than the right, the placement of feet at an awkward angle, a restless index finger twitching down, and pupils that slide left -- seen through crescent moon lids; this is an optic tongue to a man’s sins.

And Maybe the Horse Will learn How to Sing: I quote, "I don't know about other folks, but I'd rather shove a fondo fork in my eye than read a research proposal." Now replace "research proposal" with "the title of this story" and that's my review. But that's not entirely fair; I'll give it props for having a sense of humor. Today, laughter exceeds motion.

Redneck by Loren D. Estleman: Adultery + jealous husband ÷ mistaken identity = mystery. So far I am not feeling the "best" that the anthology title suggests."

The short story Netmail by Brendan DuBois. This is a World Wide Web time capsule, capturing the internet in its infancy. Owen is being blackmailed via email for $50,000, which threatens to expose his confidential information if the demands aren't met. Suffice to say, Owen isn't happy about it, and how he deals with it far from what you'd expect. The setup felt weak, leaving the climax unsatisfying.

The short story Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Jeffery Deaver. The writing was uninspired and generic. The story followed suit: Bank heist - cop taken hostage by robbers - people are shot, feelings are hurt - cop and criminals hole up in an elderly couple's home - [surprise twist at the end]. The twist doesn't save it from being all action and no substance. Enough said.

Fatherhood by Thomas H. Cook. (Spoiler Alert: Light Plot Summary.) Rage fuels this story. A spiteful father is determined to destroy his son. The title "father" was given by means of deceit. The narrator was tricked into marriage. A woman embraced him beneath a tree; they were quickly wed, and within six months, she gave birth to their son. [...] (Continued in the comments: 9/28/24)

Safe by Gary A. Braunbeck: I can't contain my thoughts to a 420 character count. This is a complex story. My thoughts are in the comments. Excerpt: 'The mood cuts across your forearm and it hits bone. If you take away all emotion from an incident that readily demands it, you're left with nauseating psychological horror.'

Keller's Last Refuge by Mr. Block: I've been away from hardboiled plot driven stories for awhile; I lean into ambiguity. This collection will test my comfort zone; mysteries are notorious for elaborate plots. Students: Shed your comfort zone frequently, good writing demands it. Short stories quickly unlock various styles. Refuge was fun; even if the motives were a common mystery trope: give me the money honey.