It’s Not Always a Mystery…Even When It Is by Judy Penz Sheluk
You’d think a multi-author anthology titled Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense would only include stories of mystery and suspense. And it does. Kind of. By that I mean, just like Debra’s “It’s Not Always a Mystery” tagline for her website (where it kind of is, but isn’t), several of the stories in the collection are what I’d consider to be non-traditional mysteries.
As the publisher and editor, culling 80 submissions down to 21 (plus 1 by yours truly) was up to me. Of course, I’ve included a locked room mystery—because who doesn’t like to try and solve a clever locked room mystery? There’s even a Sherlockian-type entry, a couple of ex-cons—one at a casino, one in the hospital—and a tattoo artist drowning in ‘Red Ink.’ An old family Bible and a priceless viola. A scheming boyfriend and a cheating ex-spouse. A robbery gone wrong, and a robbery gone right.
But there are 22 stories, folks. That leaves 11 that I’d consider, if not non-traditional, bordering on it. A kid with a bag he wants to toss into the water on the Staten Island Ferry. A kleptomaniac who can’t control her urge to steal. A teenager who’ll risk everything to retrieve a thrift shop donation, and another who’d like to stop shoplifting, but desperately wants to keep a promise made to her sister. A messy child custody battle. A jilted lover in the Florida Keys. A hit-and-run accident. A python. A parrot. A charismatic uncle.
Revenge.
Larceny and last chances. Every author in the collection interpreted the theme in their own unique way. Which begs the question: Just how far would you go if you were faced with your last chance?
About the book: Sometimes it’s about doing the right thing. Sometimes it’s about getting even. Sometimes it’s about taking what you think you deserve. And sometimes, it’s your last, best, chance. Edited by Judy Penz Sheluk and featuring stories by Christina Boufis, John Bukowski, Brenda Chapman, Susan Daly, Wil A. Emerson, Tracy Falenwolfe, Kate Fellowes, Molly Wills Fraser, Gina X. Grant, Karen Grose, Wendy Harrison, Julie Hastrup, Larry M. Keeton, Charlie Kondek, Edward Lodi, Bethany Maines, Gregory Meece, Cate Moyle, Judy Penz Sheluk, KM Rockwood, Kevin R. Tipple, and Robert Weibezahl.
Buy Link: www.books2read.com/larceny
About the editor: Judy Penz Sheluk is a former journalist and magazine editor and the bestselling author of two mystery series, several short stories, and two books on publishing. She is also the publisher and editor of four Superior Shores Anthologies. Find out more at www.judypenzsheluk.com.
The post It’s Not Always a Mystery…Even When It Is by Judy Penz Sheluk first appeared on Debra H. Goldstein.
The post It’s Not Always a Mystery…Even When It Is by Judy Penz Sheluk appeared first on Debra H. Goldstein.
