"A must-read for anyone who cares about crime stories."--Booklist
The award-winning author and Emmy-nominated television writer George Pelecano... read full description
The award-winning author and Emmy-nominated television writer George Pelecano... read full description
reviews
Jan 11, 2009
Michael
rated it: 
The difference between The Best American Mystery Stories and The Best American Short Stories is like the difference between The Real Housewives of Orange County and The Real Housewives of Atlanta; one is only marginally better, but for reasons that, ultimately, have no perceptible affect on the world.
The standout story here is Kyle Minor's "A Day Meant to Do Less." This is one of the best short stories I have read in years, which is saying a lot. It is not a "myste More...
The standout story here is Kyle Minor's "A Day Meant to Do Less." This is one of the best short stories I have read in years, which is saying a lot. It is not a "myste More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Aug 10, 2009
Jeannie
rated it: 
Best American Mystery Stories 2008 is the best of the series since the wonderful 2003 and 2004 editions. There is so much to like here I don't even know where to start.
James Lee Burke's "Mist" is a real highlight, one of the few Hurricane Katrina stories I've ever read that evokes what it felt like to be in New Orleans during that tragic time. I give high marks to everything Burke has ever published, and "Mist" holds up against all of it.
Alice Munro's More...
James Lee Burke's "Mist" is a real highlight, one of the few Hurricane Katrina stories I've ever read that evokes what it felt like to be in New Orleans during that tragic time. I give high marks to everything Burke has ever published, and "Mist" holds up against all of it.
Alice Munro's More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 03, 2009
Julia
rated it: 
I saw this book on the coffee table in the family room sometime in January at my parents' house. My mom likes mysteries. I knew she'd gotten it as a Christmas present. I've never been a big fan of the genre. I looked inside. "Thomas Friedman", was scrawled on the title page. I didn't recognize the handwriting. "Who gave you this book?" I asked.
My mom looked at me quizzically, "You did!"
"No, no I didn't."
"You and Jeff did, for Christ More...
My mom looked at me quizzically, "You did!"
"No, no I didn't."
"You and Jeff did, for Christ More...
May 31, 2009
Jennifer
rated it: 
This book might have been better been titled "Best American Crime Fiction" because none of the stories in it were traditional mysteries.
In all honesty, I found it a bit of a slog, but gave it three stars anyway for some stand-out stories.
Robert Ferrigno's "The Hour When the Ship Comes In" from Los Angeles Noir was spot-on with the hard-boiled voice updated for modern times. I quite enjoyed Peter LaSalle's "Tunis and Time" from The Antioch Re More...
In all honesty, I found it a bit of a slog, but gave it three stars anyway for some stand-out stories.
Robert Ferrigno's "The Hour When the Ship Comes In" from Los Angeles Noir was spot-on with the hard-boiled voice updated for modern times. I quite enjoyed Peter LaSalle's "Tunis and Time" from The Antioch Re More...
Nov 15, 2009
Lotte
rated it:
This collection of mystery stories contains almost no traditional mysteries. If someone had told me it was the 2008 Best American Short Stories collection, I would have believed it. These generally compelling and poignant stories often left me with a strong sense of yearning.
Here are the most unforgettable: Mist (J. L. Burke), Mulholland Drive (M. Connelly), Proof of God (H. G. Jones), A Day Meant to do Less (K. Minor), Child's Play (A. Munro), Car Trouble (J. R. Petrin), The Emerson More...
Here are the most unforgettable: Mist (J. L. Burke), Mulholland Drive (M. Connelly), Proof of God (H. G. Jones), A Day Meant to do Less (K. Minor), Child's Play (A. Munro), Car Trouble (J. R. Petrin), The Emerson More...
May 29, 2009
Cardee
rated it:
Nice to see the definition of a "mystery" expanded. And fun to see that many top tier mags are publishing crime fiction--Tin House, Harper's, The New Yorker, The Southern Review. But now I've sold my soul, went and done something bad like give a nod to all those mags who don't need nods and get them all too often. I will say that I will now subscribe to a few smaller lit-mags based on the quality of their fiction that appeared in this anthology. Check it out. This book, I mean. I
More...
Sep 23, 2009
James
rated it:
Mysteries aren't something I normally read. Much more often it's the Best American Short Stories series. But it's good to try new things once in a while, right? I had hoped to gain a better understanding of the mystery genre by reading this book but alas - not so much. The majority of the stories were crime fiction and the mystery element wasn't as strong as I'd hoped. The stand out story, in my opinion, was "The Invisibles" by Hugh Sheehy. It wasn't the mixture of crime and mystery th
More...
Jan 18, 2011
Tim
rated it:
George Pelecanos did a fine job collecting a variety of strong original voices that range from a more mainstream plot driven crime writing to the more character driven.
The standouts: Holly Goodard Jones, Kyle Minor, Scott Phillips, Scott Wolven, and Thise Nissen. Heavy hitters Michael Connelly, Joyce Carol Oates, Alice Munro, Chuck Hogan, James Lee Burke, and Elizabeth Strout round out the collection.
The standouts: Holly Goodard Jones, Kyle Minor, Scott Phillips, Scott Wolven, and Thise Nissen. Heavy hitters Michael Connelly, Joyce Carol Oates, Alice Munro, Chuck Hogan, James Lee Burke, and Elizabeth Strout round out the collection.
Mar 06, 2009
Leland
rated it:
There are a few good stories in the collection, but as usual, I am left wondering if the producers of this series don't somehow have a different definition of the word "best" from the rest of us.
In my opinion, they should call it "Some Good American Mystery Stories".
Oh, well. What are you going to do? It's admittedly difficult to get good short suspense fiction, and this volume is a solution to reading 8 to 10 different monthlies and quarterlies looki More...
In my opinion, they should call it "Some Good American Mystery Stories".
Oh, well. What are you going to do? It's admittedly difficult to get good short suspense fiction, and this volume is a solution to reading 8 to 10 different monthlies and quarterlies looki More...
Sep 29, 2009
Leslie
rated it: 
okay I don't know about you but for me a mystery involves some level of "mystery"! A lot of these stories are just a horrible event remembered or unfolding and many of them seem to involve very old people and nursing homes and nurses, very odd. I've read collections of the best science writing and short stories and they were really great but this was just wallowing in the dregs, very disappointing.
Jul 23, 2009
Margie
rated it:
I have absolutely no idea why these are considered mystery stories. At most they're crime fiction, but in many cases that's at best a loose tie. These stories strike me more as short stories that didn't get in to the Best American Short Stories 2008 collection. The stories are fine, and some are quite good - my two-star rating primarily reflects my disappointment in the lack of mystery writing.
Jun 04, 2009
Margie
rated it:
The best of the series every year is best american mystery. 2008 is especially a good number. I liked Hugh Sheehy's The Invisibles and also ALice Munro's Child's Play. But the real standout number here is A Day Meant to Do Less by Kyle Minor. This story made my heart hurt. I loved that old lady by time it was done. I loved her son too. Beautiful.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 02, 2009
Kemper
rated it:
Pelecanos's choice of stories reflect his own writing in that a lot of them aren't what I'd consider traditional mystery/crime stories. Most of them are stories where the crime is often just a memory or an odd occurance that makes the characters reflect on thier lives and choices. Those looking for just some straight up crime/mystery stories will probably be disappointed, but fans of writers like Pelecanos or Richard Price will enjoy this collection.
Feb 23, 2009
Nora
rated it:
Some of these stories were terrific, but overall I was disappointed. I understand why non-traditional mystery stories from literary magazines should be included, but many of them were slight, overwritten, and boring. It felt like a swizz.
Nov 24, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
All in all a good collection. Personally some of the stories didn't work for me but the good thing about collections like this is that another world is just a few pages away and some of the stories here were excellent.
Jan 09, 2009
Melissa
rated it:
Julia Keller, cultural critic for the Trib, selected this as the best of the 2008 "Best American" series. On her advice, I picked it up and was not disappointed. Some terrific stories, with great twists.
Aug 06, 2011
SmarterLilac
rated it:
Good, although some of the pieces in here ('Given Her History') are creepy.
Nice to know there's one Best American series that's still collecting quality material.
Nice to know there's one Best American series that's still collecting quality material.
Aug 06, 2011
Allison
rated it:
Standouts for me were: The Monks of the Abbey Victoria, Proof of God, A Day Meant to Do Less, At the Top of His Game, The Invisibles, Given Her History.
Dec 04, 2008
Kristi
rated it:
So far, this has been a great book to have for those times when I have a few minutes to read, and just want to have some entertainment.
Jul 25, 2011
Not only is this a great collection of stories, it is great leads on new (to me!) authors with whole series of books I can eat this summer.
May 25, 2009
Susie
rated it:
I have read several of these over the years, and they always have a lot of great stories. In this volume, quite a few are not really mysteries in that there is no question who has committed the crime--some are not even crime stories, e.g. Joyce Carol Oates' story (Damn her! Is there anything she can't write?). Usually that would annoy me, because I love real mysteries, but the quality of the writing here is high enough that it doesn't really matter. Only a few misfires. Just started reading
More...
Jul 30, 2011
Some good, some bad, some I didn't want to read. But I enjoyed the stories I read though.
Nov 08, 2008
Carly
rated it:
There are two things I love: Mysteries and The Best American Stories series. The Best American Mystery Stories is the literary equivalent of the Oreo cookie.
I just finished this and my feelings towards it are the same as any other Best American Short Stories series book: Some stories are fantastic, others I disliked. There has only been one short story collection in which I liked all the stories (This is Not Chick Lit.) More...
I just finished this and my feelings towards it are the same as any other Best American Short Stories series book: Some stories are fantastic, others I disliked. There has only been one short story collection in which I liked all the stories (This is Not Chick Lit.) More...
Sep 21, 2010
Lori
rated it:
Some of the stories were a bit off. Getting afraid to read on so will set it aside for a bit.
Jun 01, 2009
Nov 28, 2008
Karleen
rated it:
so far it is ok. yet again, goddamn joyce carol oates has the best story. I really hate her. so much. yet...for the past few years, her stories have been the best in the collection. oates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan 06, 2009
Amelia
rated it:
I'm a great fan of mystery, even crime novels, but this litany of depravity, cruelty and insanity was positively dismal!
Jan 07, 2011
Kerri
rated it:
Great collection of "short stories"...not really considered mysteries to me. Moreso a recollection of tragic events. Great writing, easy to pick up but hard to put down! I can't even narrow down my favorites because most all of them kept my attention and interest the entire time!
