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The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2025: An Anthology of Premier Short Fiction Selected by Don Winslow
A collection of the year’s best mystery and suspense short fiction selected by the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of City in Ruins, Don Winslow, and series editor Steph Cha.
The Best American series, launched in 1915, is the premier annual showcase for the country’s finest short fiction and nonfiction, and it is the most respected—and most popular—of its kind.
Don Winslow, the Raymond Chandler Award-winning author of City in Ruins, picks the best twenty mystery and suspense stories from the previous year.
The Best American series, launched in 1915, is the premier annual showcase for the country’s finest short fiction and nonfiction, and it is the most respected—and most popular—of its kind.
Don Winslow, the Raymond Chandler Award-winning author of City in Ruins, picks the best twenty mystery and suspense stories from the previous year.
384 pages, Paperback
Published October 21, 2025
73 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Don Winslow
101 books7,691 followersDon Winslow is the author of twenty-one acclaimed, award-winning international bestsellers, including the New York Times bestsellers The Force and The Border, the #1 international bestseller The Cartel, The Power of the Dog, Savages, and The Winter of Frankie Machine. Savages was made into a feature film by three-time Oscar-winning writer-director Oliver Stone. The Power of the Dog, The Cartel and The Border sold to FX in a major multimillion-dollar deal to air as a weekly television series beginning in 2020.
A former investigator, antiterrorist trainer and trial consultant, Winslow lives in California and Rhode Island.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
A former investigator, antiterrorist trainer and trial consultant, Winslow lives in California and Rhode Island.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 13, 2025
Best?
October 22, 2025
There are some interesting tales in here. Some, however, I’m not sure I would classify them as mystery or suspense. “The Bad Friend” is one example—it’s a whole lot of inner monologue by an unlikeable narrator, about her pretty boring life. I finished it and thought, “That’s it??”
If you pick this up, do so to read “Eat My Moose”. That’s the true gem in this anthology.
As for me, I’m done with the mystery anthologies, at least for awhile. There seems to be a lot of gumshoe, which I don’t care for, and the stories often don’t have that je ne sais quoi. It could just be me. I’ll think I’ll stick with the fantasy anthologies, instead.
3.5 stars for “Eat My Moose” and “Grendel”, because throwing Beowulf into a shakedown is kind of brilliant.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the eARC. I’m writing this review voluntarily.
If you pick this up, do so to read “Eat My Moose”. That’s the true gem in this anthology.
As for me, I’m done with the mystery anthologies, at least for awhile. There seems to be a lot of gumshoe, which I don’t care for, and the stories often don’t have that je ne sais quoi. It could just be me. I’ll think I’ll stick with the fantasy anthologies, instead.
3.5 stars for “Eat My Moose” and “Grendel”, because throwing Beowulf into a shakedown is kind of brilliant.
Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for the eARC. I’m writing this review voluntarily.
August 4, 2025
“The short story is among the most difficult of literary forms to write. Perhaps that makes short stories among the most rewarding to read.“*—excerpt from Don Winslow’s introduction.
I continue to be impressed with the direction of this series with Steph Cha as Series Editor.
My favorite stories are as follows:
“Neon Women” by Ann Aptaker: The ex-wife of a dead junkie hires a female private investigator to look into the man’s death. The cast of colorful characters and suburb seventies setting details make for a groovy gumshoe read.
“A Bad Place to Die” by John Bosworth: Corporate greed, environmental concerns, antisocial tendencies, a Seattle setting, and a grieving orca create a cool texture to a story about a hitman and his intended victim.
“In Kind” by Susan Love Brown: This stunning story, rich in family history, can be summed up with the following line of dialogue. “In the end people get what they give.”
“Grendel” by Craig Francis Coates: A college exam on BEOWULF serves as a ticking clock during the search for a man who fractured a stripper’s skull. The outstanding dialogue, characterization, and pacing make for a memorable read.
“Bad Man Down” by Victor De Anda: A hilarious tale of body disposal in the Salton Sea.
“The Bad Friend” by Caroline Kepnes: An encounter with an old friend provides poisonous perspective. The toxic friendship and the protagonist’s worldview make for an engrossing read. Kepnes deftly manages time in the story which spans decades.
“Eat My Moose” by Erika Krouse: An Air Force veteran with stage IV pancreatic cancer helps other terminally ill people die. This story is a beautifully written gut punch. Krouse is a master at characterization and showcasing the Alaskan setting.
“Jackrabbit Skin” by Ivy Pochoda: A tattoo artist who moves into an isolated desert community becomes wary of her neighbor. The world building, both the setting and the artistry of tattooing, and suspense elements are top notch.
“A Box Full of Soul” by Rob D. Smith: The story revolves around the robbery of a box of rare records. The characterization of Vera, Kevin, and former wrestler Cosmo makes the story a standout.
“Casadastraphobia” by Mary Thorson: A small town takes a fancy to a school girl, who is powerless to resist. Trena’s character arc is beautifully developed.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Mariner Books, an imprint HarperCollins Publishers, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*Please note that my review is based on uncorrected text, and the quoted material might be altered or removed from the final version of the book.
I continue to be impressed with the direction of this series with Steph Cha as Series Editor.
My favorite stories are as follows:
“Neon Women” by Ann Aptaker: The ex-wife of a dead junkie hires a female private investigator to look into the man’s death. The cast of colorful characters and suburb seventies setting details make for a groovy gumshoe read.
“A Bad Place to Die” by John Bosworth: Corporate greed, environmental concerns, antisocial tendencies, a Seattle setting, and a grieving orca create a cool texture to a story about a hitman and his intended victim.
“In Kind” by Susan Love Brown: This stunning story, rich in family history, can be summed up with the following line of dialogue. “In the end people get what they give.”
“Grendel” by Craig Francis Coates: A college exam on BEOWULF serves as a ticking clock during the search for a man who fractured a stripper’s skull. The outstanding dialogue, characterization, and pacing make for a memorable read.
“Bad Man Down” by Victor De Anda: A hilarious tale of body disposal in the Salton Sea.
“The Bad Friend” by Caroline Kepnes: An encounter with an old friend provides poisonous perspective. The toxic friendship and the protagonist’s worldview make for an engrossing read. Kepnes deftly manages time in the story which spans decades.
“Eat My Moose” by Erika Krouse: An Air Force veteran with stage IV pancreatic cancer helps other terminally ill people die. This story is a beautifully written gut punch. Krouse is a master at characterization and showcasing the Alaskan setting.
“Jackrabbit Skin” by Ivy Pochoda: A tattoo artist who moves into an isolated desert community becomes wary of her neighbor. The world building, both the setting and the artistry of tattooing, and suspense elements are top notch.
“A Box Full of Soul” by Rob D. Smith: The story revolves around the robbery of a box of rare records. The characterization of Vera, Kevin, and former wrestler Cosmo makes the story a standout.
“Casadastraphobia” by Mary Thorson: A small town takes a fancy to a school girl, who is powerless to resist. Trena’s character arc is beautifully developed.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Mariner Books, an imprint HarperCollins Publishers, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*Please note that my review is based on uncorrected text, and the quoted material might be altered or removed from the final version of the book.
November 11, 2025
Short stories are a genre I’m always trying to read more of, and mystery and suspense is a genre I will eagerly devour on a daily basis, so I always make sure to check out the annual Best American Mystery and Suspense collection. Occasionally I become convinced that the short story format cannot accommodate mystery and suspense with success, and a few stories in this collection did unfortunately make me feel this way. However, the majority succeeded and overall I felt this was a stronger collection than usual with grittier, darker elements and tinges of classic noir and pulpy detective stories. These stories are filled with characters who start out truly innocent or ignorant and by the end turn violent or become victims themselves. There were a lot of moments that felt unexpectedly tender and several stories I had to skim through because they were a little too dark (particularly the final story in the collection).
Some highlights from this collection: “Eat My Moose,” a heartbreakingly original and darkly funny story of two cancer survivors who help desperate individuals commit assisted suicide. “The Bad Friend,” which felt like a novel’s worth of story I find myself thinking about a lot since reading, which is rare for me to do with short stories. “Road to Nowhere,” a violent, frenetic, concise story about several teens in a band who make some very bad decisions.
I definitely recommend this collection as a great way to expose yourself to new authors in the genre. Dan Winslow did a fantastic job of selecting the stories for this year’s edition and there are some real gems here.
Thank you to netgalley and Mariner Books for the opportunity to be an early reader of this title!
Some highlights from this collection: “Eat My Moose,” a heartbreakingly original and darkly funny story of two cancer survivors who help desperate individuals commit assisted suicide. “The Bad Friend,” which felt like a novel’s worth of story I find myself thinking about a lot since reading, which is rare for me to do with short stories. “Road to Nowhere,” a violent, frenetic, concise story about several teens in a band who make some very bad decisions.
I definitely recommend this collection as a great way to expose yourself to new authors in the genre. Dan Winslow did a fantastic job of selecting the stories for this year’s edition and there are some real gems here.
Thank you to netgalley and Mariner Books for the opportunity to be an early reader of this title!
October 11, 2025
This anthology, selected by Don Winslow, highlights twenty short stories of mystery and suspense. I requested this collection on NetGalley without knowing its contents: zero reviews and no story synopses. Winslow’s foreword explains why no premises are given.
After finishing all twenty stories, I couldn’t agree more. While it is a mixed bag (mostly hits, some misses), even the ones that didn’t resonate with me proved entertaining in their originality and unexpectedness. Additionally, I don’t think every story clearly fits the theme, but they do all reflect Winslow’s distinct taste in crime.
So if you want to follow Winslow’s advice, stop here. The rest of my review will be short one-sentence blurbs (no spoilers) and my impressions of each story. I am including these for those who require a bit more information to justify picking up this collection, and for those who have read this anthology and are looking to compare thoughts!
“Never Mind in Two Thousand” by Tom Andes: As he faces the collapse of his marriage, a racist ex-San Francisco cop finds himself in mounting conflict with the new family next door.
[Good: very contemporary, dark, tense]
“Neon Women” by Ann Aptaker: In 1970s New York, a female PI takes on a case to find a stripper’s missing junkie ex-husband, only to find out he’s died under suspicious circumstances.
[Okay: pulp noir, fast-paced action, straightforward]
“A Bad Place to Die” by John Bosworth: In Seattle, a hitman begins to wrestle with his conscience when his latest mark turns out to be a whistleblower exposing workplace exploitation.
[Meh: reflective, short plot and slow pace]
“In Kind” by Susan Love Brown: A woman begins to investigate her family’s connection to a mysterious hit-and-run killing that took place in Dunbarton, North Carolina.
[Okay: retrospective story, lacking in action]
“Grendel” by Craig Francis Coates: A driver for a gentlemen’s club juggles two urgent tasks: cramming for a final exam on Beowulf and confirming that he’s kidnapped the right man for his boss.
[Good: entertaining problem-solving, creative, a bit humorous]
“Bad Man Down” by Victor De Anda: Two criminal lackeys struggle to dispose of a body that refuses to sink to the bottom of a lake.
[Good: slapstick humor, sardonic, dialogue-driven]
“Cruel to be Kind” by Jacqueline Freimor: As your romantic relationship goes awry, you begin to fear that you’re also growing apart from your best friend.
[Okay: second-person POV, psychological thriller, tense and unsettling]
“A Dog's Year” by Tod Goldberg: Desperate for the necessary funds to start his life over, a man agrees to carry out a shady job from his ex-cousin-in-law, but nothing goes according to plan.
[Meh: plot wasn't engaging for me]
“Road to Nowhere” by James D.F. Hannah: A struggling band decides to rob a pawn shop to reclaim their instruments, leaving one member to confront his growing similarities to his cop father.
[Good: desperate, dark, frantic energy, psychological suspense]
“The Bad Friend” by Caroline Kepnes: In a time-skipping narrative, a woman considers how her romantic relationships have been influenced by an admiration and rivalry with her childhood best friend.
[Okay: second-person POV, quite lengthy, psychological suspense]
“Eat My Moose” by Erika Krouse: In Alaska, two elderly veterans with terminal cancer decide to help others die on their own terms.
[Good: depressing, reflective]
“Not a Dinner Party Person” by Stefanie Leder: A sociopathic employee of a pharmaceutical drug company needs to make it through a dinner party at her mother’s house without killing anyone.
[Good: tense, confrontational, humorous]
“They Light Themselves on Fire” by Meagan Lucas: A wife becomes increasingly paranoid after discovering her husband’s unfaithfulness, while something no longer feels right in their home.
[Good: suspense, stressful, genuinely surprising]
“Outlaw Country” by JD O'Brien: Two Nashville cops pursue a country music singer who is trying to gain fame and credibility as a true Southern outlaw.
[Okay: fun, humorous, old-fashioned cop vs outlaw story]
“Good Shoes” by Twist Phelan: After their latest heist in Mexico, a materialistic con artist realizes that both she and her partner are keeping secrets from each other.
[Meh: sassy, narrative style not to my taste]
“The Darklight Gizmo Matter” by Gary Phillips: A 1970s black female private eye investigates the death of an alcoholic who leaves her a final voicemail during his murder.
[Okay: noir, solid detective mystery plot, diverse representation]
“Jackrabbit Skin” by Ivy Pochoda: After moving into a remote community in the Californian desert, a tattoo artist begins to learn that her new neighbors' hostility toward outsiders hides something darker.
[Good: mysterious, creeping doubts, small town secrets]
“A Box Full of Soul” by Rob D. Smith: Two employees devise a plan to save their music store from closing down by robbing an old man of his rare vinyl records.
[Good: stressful, yet a bit humorous]
“Dark Thread, Loose Strands” by Art Taylor: A man who is picked on at work witnesses a young boy standing up to his bully in the schoolyard.
[Good: atmospheric dread, suspenseful, genuinely surprising]
“Casadastraphobia” by Mary Thorson: A young girl becomes the victim of an older, predatory man.
[Meh: violent, disturbing, misery literature]
**Thank you to HarperAudio Adult for the ALC!
"There isn’t space in this introduction to synopsize each of the stories, and I wouldn’t if I could. Stories deserve the space to stand on their own, and you deserve the fun of discovering them freshly without prior commentary. I want you to have the delight and surprise that I did when first reading these stories. Their authors don’t need my explication or help. They are plenty good on their own."
After finishing all twenty stories, I couldn’t agree more. While it is a mixed bag (mostly hits, some misses), even the ones that didn’t resonate with me proved entertaining in their originality and unexpectedness. Additionally, I don’t think every story clearly fits the theme, but they do all reflect Winslow’s distinct taste in crime.
So if you want to follow Winslow’s advice, stop here. The rest of my review will be short one-sentence blurbs (no spoilers) and my impressions of each story. I am including these for those who require a bit more information to justify picking up this collection, and for those who have read this anthology and are looking to compare thoughts!
“Never Mind in Two Thousand” by Tom Andes: As he faces the collapse of his marriage, a racist ex-San Francisco cop finds himself in mounting conflict with the new family next door.
[Good: very contemporary, dark, tense]
“Neon Women” by Ann Aptaker: In 1970s New York, a female PI takes on a case to find a stripper’s missing junkie ex-husband, only to find out he’s died under suspicious circumstances.
[Okay: pulp noir, fast-paced action, straightforward]
“A Bad Place to Die” by John Bosworth: In Seattle, a hitman begins to wrestle with his conscience when his latest mark turns out to be a whistleblower exposing workplace exploitation.
[Meh: reflective, short plot and slow pace]
“In Kind” by Susan Love Brown: A woman begins to investigate her family’s connection to a mysterious hit-and-run killing that took place in Dunbarton, North Carolina.
[Okay: retrospective story, lacking in action]
“Grendel” by Craig Francis Coates: A driver for a gentlemen’s club juggles two urgent tasks: cramming for a final exam on Beowulf and confirming that he’s kidnapped the right man for his boss.
[Good: entertaining problem-solving, creative, a bit humorous]
“Bad Man Down” by Victor De Anda: Two criminal lackeys struggle to dispose of a body that refuses to sink to the bottom of a lake.
[Good: slapstick humor, sardonic, dialogue-driven]
“Cruel to be Kind” by Jacqueline Freimor: As your romantic relationship goes awry, you begin to fear that you’re also growing apart from your best friend.
[Okay: second-person POV, psychological thriller, tense and unsettling]
“A Dog's Year” by Tod Goldberg: Desperate for the necessary funds to start his life over, a man agrees to carry out a shady job from his ex-cousin-in-law, but nothing goes according to plan.
[Meh: plot wasn't engaging for me]
“Road to Nowhere” by James D.F. Hannah: A struggling band decides to rob a pawn shop to reclaim their instruments, leaving one member to confront his growing similarities to his cop father.
[Good: desperate, dark, frantic energy, psychological suspense]
“The Bad Friend” by Caroline Kepnes: In a time-skipping narrative, a woman considers how her romantic relationships have been influenced by an admiration and rivalry with her childhood best friend.
[Okay: second-person POV, quite lengthy, psychological suspense]
“Eat My Moose” by Erika Krouse: In Alaska, two elderly veterans with terminal cancer decide to help others die on their own terms.
[Good: depressing, reflective]
“Not a Dinner Party Person” by Stefanie Leder: A sociopathic employee of a pharmaceutical drug company needs to make it through a dinner party at her mother’s house without killing anyone.
[Good: tense, confrontational, humorous]
“They Light Themselves on Fire” by Meagan Lucas: A wife becomes increasingly paranoid after discovering her husband’s unfaithfulness, while something no longer feels right in their home.
[Good: suspense, stressful, genuinely surprising]
“Outlaw Country” by JD O'Brien: Two Nashville cops pursue a country music singer who is trying to gain fame and credibility as a true Southern outlaw.
[Okay: fun, humorous, old-fashioned cop vs outlaw story]
“Good Shoes” by Twist Phelan: After their latest heist in Mexico, a materialistic con artist realizes that both she and her partner are keeping secrets from each other.
[Meh: sassy, narrative style not to my taste]
“The Darklight Gizmo Matter” by Gary Phillips: A 1970s black female private eye investigates the death of an alcoholic who leaves her a final voicemail during his murder.
[Okay: noir, solid detective mystery plot, diverse representation]
“Jackrabbit Skin” by Ivy Pochoda: After moving into a remote community in the Californian desert, a tattoo artist begins to learn that her new neighbors' hostility toward outsiders hides something darker.
[Good: mysterious, creeping doubts, small town secrets]
“A Box Full of Soul” by Rob D. Smith: Two employees devise a plan to save their music store from closing down by robbing an old man of his rare vinyl records.
[Good: stressful, yet a bit humorous]
“Dark Thread, Loose Strands” by Art Taylor: A man who is picked on at work witnesses a young boy standing up to his bully in the schoolyard.
[Good: atmospheric dread, suspenseful, genuinely surprising]
“Casadastraphobia” by Mary Thorson: A young girl becomes the victim of an older, predatory man.
[Meh: violent, disturbing, misery literature]
**Thank you to HarperAudio Adult for the ALC!
Read
February 12, 2026I like to read one or two short stories every day, if I can. I enjoyed collection of mystery and suspense stories. I liked some of the stories better than others, but, at least in my opinion, there was not a bad story in the anthology.
My favorite story was “Eat My Moose” by Erika Krouse.
The first few sentences give a good idea of what the subject of the story is:
WHO KNOWS WHAT a euthanizer is supposed to look like, but judging from my clients’ expressions when they answer their doors, they don’t expect a sweat-sopped middle-aged guy in overalls, nauseated from a bumpy flight or a long truck drive on a chip-seal highway. Sometimes I’m greeted by a lady with a walker or an entire family dressed in springtime colors to cheer their soon-to-be-departed loved one. Either way, they’re always relieved to see me, even me. It doesn’t matter what death looks like, acts like, smells like. It only matters that I’m there.
I’ve assisted 221 suicides all over Alaska. My job: I get a name and address, go there, help them die, and then travel to the next address. I source the materials, maintain the planes, trucks, and helo, and do most of the jobs.
I recommend this book if you enjoy mystery and suspense stories.
Kindle and Audible audiobook. 384 pgs. 11 February 2026.
My favorite story was “Eat My Moose” by Erika Krouse.
The first few sentences give a good idea of what the subject of the story is:
WHO KNOWS WHAT a euthanizer is supposed to look like, but judging from my clients’ expressions when they answer their doors, they don’t expect a sweat-sopped middle-aged guy in overalls, nauseated from a bumpy flight or a long truck drive on a chip-seal highway. Sometimes I’m greeted by a lady with a walker or an entire family dressed in springtime colors to cheer their soon-to-be-departed loved one. Either way, they’re always relieved to see me, even me. It doesn’t matter what death looks like, acts like, smells like. It only matters that I’m there.
I’ve assisted 221 suicides all over Alaska. My job: I get a name and address, go there, help them die, and then travel to the next address. I source the materials, maintain the planes, trucks, and helo, and do most of the jobs.
I recommend this book if you enjoy mystery and suspense stories.
Kindle and Audible audiobook. 384 pgs. 11 February 2026.
February 17, 2026
There were more stinkers in here than there were winners. I feel like “mystery/suspense” is an applied pretty loosely to a lot of these stories. It was fun to read a story a night before bed, but I wouldn’t really recommend this to anyone who wants something they’ll remember for more than a week after they’ve read it. The most interesting part was the author notes section where they explain their motivations for each story— not a great sign for the overall quality of the book lol
March 7, 2026
I didn’t finish this book. In fact, I never read beyond the editors comments. I couldn’t believe she would rant on about Trump et al. I thought maybe my audiobook had been hacked by CNN. No matter your politics, this was completely irrelevant. Don’t they have editors any more? Oh wait, she IS the editor.
The stories themselves may be good but I can’t get beyond the complete lunacy of her remarks.
The stories themselves may be good but I can’t get beyond the complete lunacy of her remarks.
December 7, 2025
This is a fantastic anthology! I love how varied and different these stories are, but they all have voice and characters that completely sucked me in.
I enjoyed every story in this book with a few of my favorites being --
Grendel by Craig Francis Coates
Eat My Moose by Erika Krouse
Jackrabbit Skin by Ivy Pochoda
Really, really great read!
I enjoyed every story in this book with a few of my favorites being --
Grendel by Craig Francis Coates
Eat My Moose by Erika Krouse
Jackrabbit Skin by Ivy Pochoda
Really, really great read!
July 26, 2025
Welcome to “The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2025”, edited by Don Winslow; series editor Steph Cha. I am a longtime follower of these books, I believe that this is my sixth collection that I’ve read. The stories usually are a reflection of the guest editor’s taste, last year’s entry was a bit depressing, this year the stories tend to be a bit darker.
“Never Mind in Two Thousand”: An older man who’s life is falling apart has to deal with new neighbors. Dark and sad.
“Neon Women”: PI pulp set in the 1970’s, dark and gritty, quite good.
“A Bad Place to Die”: A hitman starts to question if his latest assignment is worth taking out.
“In Kind”: A recollection of how the rich family in town came to their bitter end.
“Grendel”: A driver for some shady folks gets involved in some bad stuff while trying to study for a college test.
“Bad Man Down”: Two gangsters have a hard time trying to dispose of a body. Funny.
“Cruel to be Kind”: When the wrong guy becomes an obsession.
“A Dog's Year”: Doing a small job for your ex-cousin-in-law turns out to be a problem when there’s an unexpected death involved.
“Road to Nowhere”: A dark story about a band trying to make it big, if they can only get some cash and their bass back from a pawn shop.
“The Bad Friend”: An extremely long story about a woman making bad choices in men throughout her entire life, not really sure why it’s in this collection. Does not fit.
“Eat My Moose”: Two people assist others in committing suicide in Alaska. Not really a mystery, just depressing.
“Not a Dinner Party Person”: A sociopath working for a drug company tries to hold it together at her mother’s Hanukkah dinner party with her abusive brother-in-law. Dark, but funny.
“They Light Themselves on Fire”: A wife has issues dealing with her famous husband’s infidelity.
“Outlaw Country”: A self-styled country music singer wants to get an outlaw reputation, but two cops get in the way when things go too far. A fun story.
“Good Shoes”: Betrayal among thieves as the woman regrets her choice of a partner.
“The Darklight Gizmo Matter”: A PI gets a call from a wino who was immediately killed, leading to a bigger coverup.
“Jackrabbit Skin”: A tattoo artist moves out into the desert and learns the community’s view of outsiders
“A Box Full of Soul”: It should be easy to steal some valuable record albums from an old man, right?
“Dark Thread, Loose Strands”: A bully taunting a kid in school takes a very dark turn. Disturbing and not very clear.
“Casadastraphobia”: A very bad man gets away with terrorizing a town until he goes too far. Very disturbing,
As with any collection, some are better than others, some fit the theme more than others, there’s always a couple that make me smile. Another fine outing.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Mariner Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
“Never Mind in Two Thousand”: An older man who’s life is falling apart has to deal with new neighbors. Dark and sad.
“Neon Women”: PI pulp set in the 1970’s, dark and gritty, quite good.
“A Bad Place to Die”: A hitman starts to question if his latest assignment is worth taking out.
“In Kind”: A recollection of how the rich family in town came to their bitter end.
“Grendel”: A driver for some shady folks gets involved in some bad stuff while trying to study for a college test.
“Bad Man Down”: Two gangsters have a hard time trying to dispose of a body. Funny.
“Cruel to be Kind”: When the wrong guy becomes an obsession.
“A Dog's Year”: Doing a small job for your ex-cousin-in-law turns out to be a problem when there’s an unexpected death involved.
“Road to Nowhere”: A dark story about a band trying to make it big, if they can only get some cash and their bass back from a pawn shop.
“The Bad Friend”: An extremely long story about a woman making bad choices in men throughout her entire life, not really sure why it’s in this collection. Does not fit.
“Eat My Moose”: Two people assist others in committing suicide in Alaska. Not really a mystery, just depressing.
“Not a Dinner Party Person”: A sociopath working for a drug company tries to hold it together at her mother’s Hanukkah dinner party with her abusive brother-in-law. Dark, but funny.
“They Light Themselves on Fire”: A wife has issues dealing with her famous husband’s infidelity.
“Outlaw Country”: A self-styled country music singer wants to get an outlaw reputation, but two cops get in the way when things go too far. A fun story.
“Good Shoes”: Betrayal among thieves as the woman regrets her choice of a partner.
“The Darklight Gizmo Matter”: A PI gets a call from a wino who was immediately killed, leading to a bigger coverup.
“Jackrabbit Skin”: A tattoo artist moves out into the desert and learns the community’s view of outsiders
“A Box Full of Soul”: It should be easy to steal some valuable record albums from an old man, right?
“Dark Thread, Loose Strands”: A bully taunting a kid in school takes a very dark turn. Disturbing and not very clear.
“Casadastraphobia”: A very bad man gets away with terrorizing a town until he goes too far. Very disturbing,
As with any collection, some are better than others, some fit the theme more than others, there’s always a couple that make me smile. Another fine outing.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Mariner Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
October 19, 2025
One of the best things about the annual The Best American Mystery and Suspense series, beyond celebrating numerous authors, their works, and the publications they appeared in, is the tremendous variety of the reads selected for inclusion. There is always complexity of stories, themes, and perspectives. Such is the case with the latest read, The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2025, edited by Don Winslow and series editor, Steph Cha.
After introductions by each of the editors, it is on to the twenty reprinted short stories from a variety of sources. Below are some of my personal favorites in order of appearance in the volume as I read the book from front to back.
“Neon Women” by Ann Aptker (Private Dicks and Disco Balls) takes readers to the 70’s and Times Square. The junkie is dead in a puddle at the curb as Homicide Lieutenant Sal Barone and private investigator Gussie Diamon survey the scene under the odd neon lighting of the sex shops. She believes the dead guy is Darryl Wickers. She was hired to find him. The cop and the private investigator aren’t going to be able to work together, but Diamond intends to find out what happened and why.
All she was supposed to do was drive the car. She has a test in a few more hours. Now Mike is bouncing the guy’s head off the hood in “Grendel” by Craig Francis Coates (Rock and a Hard Place). The hunt to find Pete Turner shows no sign of stopping. Pete Turner owes a debt, actually two separate ones, to the Clancy Gentleman’s Club. Driving for the club means that sometimes you drive around the muscle, Mike. Until he finds him and collects what is owed, they both have to keep working, no matter what.
Back in 2001, our narrator wound up in Klamath Falls, Oregon, working for his ex-cousin-in-law. Dale ran the night shift at the Purple Flamingo Casino. He gave him a job, a place to bed down, and more when he showed up in a world of trouble. He very well knows he owes Dale so, of course, he agrees to the small favor Dale requested. In “A Dog’s Year” by Tod Goldberg (The Killing Rain), Dale wants him to drive a certain car sitting in the parking lot to Seattle, give the keys to one specific person, take what is given, spend the night there, and ride the bus back tomorrow. Sounds simple enough.
She is well aware that she is not normal. She works very hard to fit in and act like a normal person and it is exhausting and hard. She needs to be at home with her feet up. Instead, she is doing what she has to in “Not A Dinner Party Person” by Stefanie Leder (Eight Very Bad Nights). Despite what she made very clear at work had to happen, folks are not listening. Neither are members of her family who are picking the wrong night to get on her last nerve. Rachel is a sociopath and proud to be one. She is only attending the party for her sister and clearly her sister needs help.
Field Training Officer Ladd and his rookie partner, Esteves, are dispatched to the George Jones Museum & Gift Shop. A legendary suit has been stolen in “Outlaw Country” by J. d. O’Brien (Starlight Pulp—unspecified issue). Readers soon learn that Billy Dee stole it as part of a bid for recognition in Nashville. He was trying to distinguish himself as a true outlaw star and not one of the many pretenders that populate the country music scene these days. It is no surprise he didn’t think things through and it is all going wrong in a bad way.
Passalong Pete was on the run in Los Angeles and on the streets. Until he wasn’t. The cops think it was a simple hit and run that took him out. It wasn’t in “The Darklight Gizmo Matter” by Gary Phillips (Private Dicks and Disco Balls). That event has also put a target on the back of private investigator Nefra Adams.
In the aftermath of her collapsed marriage, Swan is headed to a shipping container at Miracle Wash, twenty miles from Twentynine Palms. Robbie and Karen have a small homestead out there and plan on working on the place at some point. In the meantime, they put a shipping container that is set up to be lived in out on the land. Swan is broke and needed the escape hatch. She has tattoo artist skills and she should be in demand because of the troops at the base as well as the local residents. Things in the high desert are a bit weird from the weird from the start in “Jackrabbit Skin” by Ivy Pochoda (Amazon Originals).
Lyman sticks to his routines as routine is important. He is a janitor. He believes that nobody sees him until they want something done. Even that interaction is just a surface one and not with any depth to it in “Dark Thread, Loose Strands” by Art Taylor (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine—unspecified issue). He believes that everyone has invisible strands pulling them this way or that. A puppet master, of sorts. Which makes the reader wonder if he is responsible for his actions or did somebody/something pulls his strings and cause everything to happen?
While those eight were my personal favorites, no doubt yours would vary. I tend to go for a darker grittier tale, but there are plenty in the read that are not nearly as dark.
Contributors’ notes follow with the brief bios for the twenty authors reprinted here as well as short explanations of the background of their tales. Those additional details regarding aspects of the stories are a nice touch.
The book closes with the alphabetical listing of authors, their story titles, for the 30 works selected for the “Other Distinguished Mystery and Suspense of 2024.
While it is great to see credit for the prior publication, it is unfortunate that the editors did not include specific issue information when citing magazines and magazine like anthologies that have multiple issues using the same title. While it is helpful to refer to Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine or Starlight Pulp, to use two examples, it would have been far more helpful to additionally specify the month or number of the issue.
That criticism aside, overall, the read is highly entertaining and paints a broad picture of the industry. As always in this series, variety is important. That is very well expressed. There is a lot of good reading reprinted here as well as ideas for other reads.
Strongly recommended.
My digital ARC reading copy came from the publisher, Mariner Books, by way of NetGalley with no expectation of a positive review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2025
After introductions by each of the editors, it is on to the twenty reprinted short stories from a variety of sources. Below are some of my personal favorites in order of appearance in the volume as I read the book from front to back.
“Neon Women” by Ann Aptker (Private Dicks and Disco Balls) takes readers to the 70’s and Times Square. The junkie is dead in a puddle at the curb as Homicide Lieutenant Sal Barone and private investigator Gussie Diamon survey the scene under the odd neon lighting of the sex shops. She believes the dead guy is Darryl Wickers. She was hired to find him. The cop and the private investigator aren’t going to be able to work together, but Diamond intends to find out what happened and why.
All she was supposed to do was drive the car. She has a test in a few more hours. Now Mike is bouncing the guy’s head off the hood in “Grendel” by Craig Francis Coates (Rock and a Hard Place). The hunt to find Pete Turner shows no sign of stopping. Pete Turner owes a debt, actually two separate ones, to the Clancy Gentleman’s Club. Driving for the club means that sometimes you drive around the muscle, Mike. Until he finds him and collects what is owed, they both have to keep working, no matter what.
Back in 2001, our narrator wound up in Klamath Falls, Oregon, working for his ex-cousin-in-law. Dale ran the night shift at the Purple Flamingo Casino. He gave him a job, a place to bed down, and more when he showed up in a world of trouble. He very well knows he owes Dale so, of course, he agrees to the small favor Dale requested. In “A Dog’s Year” by Tod Goldberg (The Killing Rain), Dale wants him to drive a certain car sitting in the parking lot to Seattle, give the keys to one specific person, take what is given, spend the night there, and ride the bus back tomorrow. Sounds simple enough.
She is well aware that she is not normal. She works very hard to fit in and act like a normal person and it is exhausting and hard. She needs to be at home with her feet up. Instead, she is doing what she has to in “Not A Dinner Party Person” by Stefanie Leder (Eight Very Bad Nights). Despite what she made very clear at work had to happen, folks are not listening. Neither are members of her family who are picking the wrong night to get on her last nerve. Rachel is a sociopath and proud to be one. She is only attending the party for her sister and clearly her sister needs help.
Field Training Officer Ladd and his rookie partner, Esteves, are dispatched to the George Jones Museum & Gift Shop. A legendary suit has been stolen in “Outlaw Country” by J. d. O’Brien (Starlight Pulp—unspecified issue). Readers soon learn that Billy Dee stole it as part of a bid for recognition in Nashville. He was trying to distinguish himself as a true outlaw star and not one of the many pretenders that populate the country music scene these days. It is no surprise he didn’t think things through and it is all going wrong in a bad way.
Passalong Pete was on the run in Los Angeles and on the streets. Until he wasn’t. The cops think it was a simple hit and run that took him out. It wasn’t in “The Darklight Gizmo Matter” by Gary Phillips (Private Dicks and Disco Balls). That event has also put a target on the back of private investigator Nefra Adams.
In the aftermath of her collapsed marriage, Swan is headed to a shipping container at Miracle Wash, twenty miles from Twentynine Palms. Robbie and Karen have a small homestead out there and plan on working on the place at some point. In the meantime, they put a shipping container that is set up to be lived in out on the land. Swan is broke and needed the escape hatch. She has tattoo artist skills and she should be in demand because of the troops at the base as well as the local residents. Things in the high desert are a bit weird from the weird from the start in “Jackrabbit Skin” by Ivy Pochoda (Amazon Originals).
Lyman sticks to his routines as routine is important. He is a janitor. He believes that nobody sees him until they want something done. Even that interaction is just a surface one and not with any depth to it in “Dark Thread, Loose Strands” by Art Taylor (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine—unspecified issue). He believes that everyone has invisible strands pulling them this way or that. A puppet master, of sorts. Which makes the reader wonder if he is responsible for his actions or did somebody/something pulls his strings and cause everything to happen?
While those eight were my personal favorites, no doubt yours would vary. I tend to go for a darker grittier tale, but there are plenty in the read that are not nearly as dark.
Contributors’ notes follow with the brief bios for the twenty authors reprinted here as well as short explanations of the background of their tales. Those additional details regarding aspects of the stories are a nice touch.
The book closes with the alphabetical listing of authors, their story titles, for the 30 works selected for the “Other Distinguished Mystery and Suspense of 2024.
While it is great to see credit for the prior publication, it is unfortunate that the editors did not include specific issue information when citing magazines and magazine like anthologies that have multiple issues using the same title. While it is helpful to refer to Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine or Starlight Pulp, to use two examples, it would have been far more helpful to additionally specify the month or number of the issue.
That criticism aside, overall, the read is highly entertaining and paints a broad picture of the industry. As always in this series, variety is important. That is very well expressed. There is a lot of good reading reprinted here as well as ideas for other reads.
Strongly recommended.
My digital ARC reading copy came from the publisher, Mariner Books, by way of NetGalley with no expectation of a positive review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2025
December 30, 2025
This series has gone downhill since the change of editors. Why start off the book that is supposed to entertain with a TDS diatribe that will alienate about half of the country? Many of the stories belie the title and have no mystery or suspense. They just take the opportunity to condemn men, who are usually described in the book as rapists or unfaithful or just plain brutish. I have read most of the books in this series and I may not continue.
March 8, 2026
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2025 is a well curated anthology curated and edited by Don Winslow. Released 21st Oct 2025 by HarperCollins on their Mariner imprint, it's 384 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.
There are 20 stories by my count and they're from authors both familiar and new. The stories are varied, there were (as always) some which didn't grab me personally, but all were well written and competently plotted. They were mostly in the 3.5-4 star range. This is a well done anthology, though the selection criteria are obscured enough that not all of the choices could really be properly called mystery or suspense.
One reason I like collections and anthologies is that short fiction is really challenging. It's spare and the author doesn't have a wealth of wordage to develop characters or the plotting. Well written short fiction is a delight. I also love collections because if one story doesn't really grab me, there's another story just a few pages away. The guest editor for this volume provides a well written intro and commentary and, as always, the background comments are interesting and informative. I enjoyed and used the honorable mention lists included in the volume for even more good recommendations for further reading. The honorable mentions list at the back of the book is a worthwhile resource.
Four stars on average. It's a diverting and worthwhile read to be savored like a box of chocolates. This would make a good selection for public library acquisition as well as for home readers looking for a solid anthology of stories which will also likely serve as an introduction to lots of new authors to search out.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2025 is a well curated anthology curated and edited by Don Winslow. Released 21st Oct 2025 by HarperCollins on their Mariner imprint, it's 384 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.
There are 20 stories by my count and they're from authors both familiar and new. The stories are varied, there were (as always) some which didn't grab me personally, but all were well written and competently plotted. They were mostly in the 3.5-4 star range. This is a well done anthology, though the selection criteria are obscured enough that not all of the choices could really be properly called mystery or suspense.
One reason I like collections and anthologies is that short fiction is really challenging. It's spare and the author doesn't have a wealth of wordage to develop characters or the plotting. Well written short fiction is a delight. I also love collections because if one story doesn't really grab me, there's another story just a few pages away. The guest editor for this volume provides a well written intro and commentary and, as always, the background comments are interesting and informative. I enjoyed and used the honorable mention lists included in the volume for even more good recommendations for further reading. The honorable mentions list at the back of the book is a worthwhile resource.
Four stars on average. It's a diverting and worthwhile read to be savored like a box of chocolates. This would make a good selection for public library acquisition as well as for home readers looking for a solid anthology of stories which will also likely serve as an introduction to lots of new authors to search out.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
October 30, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 for Goodreads
I came into this anthology with high expectations after enjoying The Mysterious Bookshop Presents… edited by John Grisham. While I found one story (Erika Krouse’s “Eat My Moose”) truly incredible and lingering in my mind, the overall collection didn’t quite reach that same next-level engagement. Stories felt quick, and instead of pulling me deep into their worlds, they skimmed the surface, lacking the emotional hooks that make mystery shorts unforgettable.
But the rest? Oof, it was like flipping through a mystery buffet where most plates felt under-seasoned. These quick hits zipped by in the 15-hour audiobook, narrated with solid Harper Audio flair, but nothing else stuck. The pacing was snappy, great for commutes, but too many tales blurred into "fine" territory, leaving me checking my playlist instead of pondering clues. And trigger warnings? A few stories could've used 'em for the heavier emotional barbs; I appreciate the rawness, but a heads-up goes a long way in cozy suspense circles.
As an audiobook, the narration by Harper Audio was professional, helping to sustain attention across 15 hours, but it couldn’t fully compensate for stories that didn’t grab me on a deeper emotional level. I kept hoping for more stories that would stick with me as "Eat My Moose" did, but that one standout highlighted the gap between the anthology’s potential and its overall delivery.
Would I Recommend It?
This one earns a ⭐⭐½ – ⭐⭐⭐. If you’re looking for one incredible story to savor, “Eat My Moose” is worth it. Beyond that, it’s a quick listen with few memorable moments.
Anthology Aftertaste: What's Your Hidden Gem?
Spill it in the comments: What's the one short story that wrecked you from an unexpected collection? Did "Eat My Moose" hit different for you, or am I solo in the meh parade? Let's swap recs and build that ultimate mystery TBR!
I came into this anthology with high expectations after enjoying The Mysterious Bookshop Presents… edited by John Grisham. While I found one story (Erika Krouse’s “Eat My Moose”) truly incredible and lingering in my mind, the overall collection didn’t quite reach that same next-level engagement. Stories felt quick, and instead of pulling me deep into their worlds, they skimmed the surface, lacking the emotional hooks that make mystery shorts unforgettable.
But the rest? Oof, it was like flipping through a mystery buffet where most plates felt under-seasoned. These quick hits zipped by in the 15-hour audiobook, narrated with solid Harper Audio flair, but nothing else stuck. The pacing was snappy, great for commutes, but too many tales blurred into "fine" territory, leaving me checking my playlist instead of pondering clues. And trigger warnings? A few stories could've used 'em for the heavier emotional barbs; I appreciate the rawness, but a heads-up goes a long way in cozy suspense circles.
As an audiobook, the narration by Harper Audio was professional, helping to sustain attention across 15 hours, but it couldn’t fully compensate for stories that didn’t grab me on a deeper emotional level. I kept hoping for more stories that would stick with me as "Eat My Moose" did, but that one standout highlighted the gap between the anthology’s potential and its overall delivery.
Would I Recommend It?
This one earns a ⭐⭐½ – ⭐⭐⭐. If you’re looking for one incredible story to savor, “Eat My Moose” is worth it. Beyond that, it’s a quick listen with few memorable moments.
Anthology Aftertaste: What's Your Hidden Gem?
Spill it in the comments: What's the one short story that wrecked you from an unexpected collection? Did "Eat My Moose" hit different for you, or am I solo in the meh parade? Let's swap recs and build that ultimate mystery TBR!
December 22, 2025
Two of my favorites I this collection both deal with female friendships (or frenemies?): "Cruel to be Kind" by Jacqueline Freimor and "The Bad Friend" by Caroline Kepnes. AND both employ second person. Freimor's college student protagonist becomes unmoored by the end of a relationship with a cad, who then takes up with her supposed best friend. Kepnes shows snapshots of a woman's life through several meals: meeting her best friend's new guy in a sports bar, where she wavers in her commitment to her nice but dull fiance and attempts a telepathic flirtation with the other man; asking her nice husband for a divorce; being fixed up with her daughter's best friend's widowed father, who turns out to be the ex of that former best friend; bumping into that long lost friend in a bar and at last learning that she was raped by the ex boyfriend who is now married to the protagonist; and stopping for fast food with her husband, now 70 and ailing, still asking herself what she believes and what was real and what she should do or should have done.
"In Kind" by Susan Love Brown: "It wasn't until I was an adult that I solved the mysteries of Dunbarton...."
"You can't kill beauty, or injustice, or a stalwart people"
"Eat My Moose" by Erika Krouse
Assisted suicide in Alaska
"In Kind" by Susan Love Brown: "It wasn't until I was an adult that I solved the mysteries of Dunbarton...."
"You can't kill beauty, or injustice, or a stalwart people"
"Eat My Moose" by Erika Krouse
Assisted suicide in Alaska
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2026
I haven’t traditionally been a big consumer of crime fiction, but after reading this collection, that may have to change. With stories set from the 70’s to the present day, and in every corner of the country, the book offers an eye-popping range of characters, themes, and literary styles.
And I mean that word, literary. The plots are necessarily often simple, given the strictures of a short story, but again and again the twenty authors manage to dig deep into the characters’ thoughts and feelings. “Cruel to Be Kind,” by Jacqueline Freimor, gives us a front row seat as a college student gradually unravels over losing her boyfriend to her best friend. Art Taylor’s “Dark Thread, Loose Strands” gets inside the heads of a dangerous man, his young victim, and another, similar victim, all within a few pages. In the particularly strong “Grendel” by Craig Francis Coates, a young man is torn between his life as an enforcer for a local thug, and his ambition to better himself through learning literature.
Some of these stories are bleakly comic, and others simply bleak. But every one introduces you to people you’re absolutely sure can exist, and shows you something about why they do what they do, even if their logic is twisted. Try it and see if it converts you!
And I mean that word, literary. The plots are necessarily often simple, given the strictures of a short story, but again and again the twenty authors manage to dig deep into the characters’ thoughts and feelings. “Cruel to Be Kind,” by Jacqueline Freimor, gives us a front row seat as a college student gradually unravels over losing her boyfriend to her best friend. Art Taylor’s “Dark Thread, Loose Strands” gets inside the heads of a dangerous man, his young victim, and another, similar victim, all within a few pages. In the particularly strong “Grendel” by Craig Francis Coates, a young man is torn between his life as an enforcer for a local thug, and his ambition to better himself through learning literature.
Some of these stories are bleakly comic, and others simply bleak. But every one introduces you to people you’re absolutely sure can exist, and shows you something about why they do what they do, even if their logic is twisted. Try it and see if it converts you!
November 8, 2025
This anthology offers a broad and refreshing mix of mystery and suspense short stories, with something for almost every type of crime fiction fan. As with most collections, some entries landed better than others — a few left me wanting more depth or sharper conclusions — but the overall curation was strong.
The best stories were clever, unsettling, or darkly humorous, and a couple were so effective I immediately wished they were full-length novels. Others felt more like sketches, enjoyable but fleeting. Still, the sheer range of tones and styles kept things engaging throughout.
I also appreciated the audiobook production: multiple narrators brought distinct voices to each piece, helping keep the stories immersive and easy to follow. For short story lovers or mystery fans looking to sample a wide range of voices, this is a worthwhile listen. Four stars. Would definitely check out the 2026 installment, if there is one next year.
The best stories were clever, unsettling, or darkly humorous, and a couple were so effective I immediately wished they were full-length novels. Others felt more like sketches, enjoyable but fleeting. Still, the sheer range of tones and styles kept things engaging throughout.
I also appreciated the audiobook production: multiple narrators brought distinct voices to each piece, helping keep the stories immersive and easy to follow. For short story lovers or mystery fans looking to sample a wide range of voices, this is a worthwhile listen. Four stars. Would definitely check out the 2026 installment, if there is one next year.
July 24, 2025
This collection was a mixed bag of short stories. A few of the short stories stand out as well-crafted, suspenseful & full of twists, emotionally resonant, and truly memorable. For me these included “Jackrabbit Skin,” “Not a Dinner Party Person,” and “The Bad Friend.”
Unfortunately, most of the collection doesn’t have that same impact. Many stories feel flat, meandering, or just underdeveloped. Others were straight up boring or forgettable (which is especially disappointing given how strong the best stories are).
In short, this collection is a hit-or-miss experience. If you’re patient or willing to dig for the worthwhile stories, you’ll find a few worth your time. But if you're looking for consistent quality across the board, I’m afraid this collection isn’t it.
Thank you to Mariner Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.
Unfortunately, most of the collection doesn’t have that same impact. Many stories feel flat, meandering, or just underdeveloped. Others were straight up boring or forgettable (which is especially disappointing given how strong the best stories are).
In short, this collection is a hit-or-miss experience. If you’re patient or willing to dig for the worthwhile stories, you’ll find a few worth your time. But if you're looking for consistent quality across the board, I’m afraid this collection isn’t it.
Thank you to Mariner Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.
August 11, 2025
** Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review **
This year’s collection brings together a sharp, gripping set of crime and suspense stories that keep you guessing from start to finish. Each story is distinct in voice and style, ranging from gritty procedurals to atmospheric psychological tales. The opening chapters pull you in with fast-moving action, while the later ones lean into nuanced character work. I appreciated how the editors balanced well-known authors with fresh voices. Even the shortest pieces packed a punch, proving how much can be done in a few pages. It’s a strong, varied anthology that mystery fans will happily devour.
This year’s collection brings together a sharp, gripping set of crime and suspense stories that keep you guessing from start to finish. Each story is distinct in voice and style, ranging from gritty procedurals to atmospheric psychological tales. The opening chapters pull you in with fast-moving action, while the later ones lean into nuanced character work. I appreciated how the editors balanced well-known authors with fresh voices. Even the shortest pieces packed a punch, proving how much can be done in a few pages. It’s a strong, varied anthology that mystery fans will happily devour.
February 20, 2026
4.5 stars - Sometimes big anthologies can feel like work. There are usually a few stories you push through, telling yourself the next one will be better. That wasn’t my experience here. Every story was engaging and genuinely suspenseful. I wanted to know how each one ended, and I was invested in all of the characters, even in the shorter pieces.
The voices are distinct, the tension is steady in each story, and nothing feels like filler. It’s a strong, tightly curated collection.
I listened on audiobook, and each story had its own narrator, which helped differentiate them. Not that it was necessary - the writing itself was clear and distinct, but it added to the experience. I really devoured this collection.
I received this book as an ALC.
The voices are distinct, the tension is steady in each story, and nothing feels like filler. It’s a strong, tightly curated collection.
I listened on audiobook, and each story had its own narrator, which helped differentiate them. Not that it was necessary - the writing itself was clear and distinct, but it added to the experience. I really devoured this collection.
I received this book as an ALC.
July 19, 2025
1. Never Mind in Two Thousand-- 5/5
2. Neon Women--skipped it, don't like the genre
3. A Bad Place to Die--2/5
4. In Kind--3/5
5. Grendel--3/5
6. Bad Man Down--2/5
7. Cruel to be Kind--5/5
8. A Dog's Year--3/5
9. Road to Nowhere--4/5
10. The Bad Friend--2/5 (previously read on KU)
11. Eat My Moose--3/5
12. Not a Dinner Party Person--5/5
13. They Light Themselves on Fire--4/5
14. Outlaw Country--1/5
15. Good Shoes--2/5
16. The Darklight Gizmo Matter--skipped it, don't like the genre
17. Jackrabbit Skin--4/5
18. A Box Full of Soul--2/5
19. Dark Thread, Loose Strands--4/5
20. Casadastraphobia--3/5
2. Neon Women--skipped it, don't like the genre
3. A Bad Place to Die--2/5
4. In Kind--3/5
5. Grendel--3/5
6. Bad Man Down--2/5
7. Cruel to be Kind--5/5
8. A Dog's Year--3/5
9. Road to Nowhere--4/5
10. The Bad Friend--2/5 (previously read on KU)
11. Eat My Moose--3/5
12. Not a Dinner Party Person--5/5
13. They Light Themselves on Fire--4/5
14. Outlaw Country--1/5
15. Good Shoes--2/5
16. The Darklight Gizmo Matter--skipped it, don't like the genre
17. Jackrabbit Skin--4/5
18. A Box Full of Soul--2/5
19. Dark Thread, Loose Strands--4/5
20. Casadastraphobia--3/5
August 25, 2025
Collections of short stories are one of my most recommended books to family and friends. When asked for author recommendations, I always offer up the numerous collections in my personal library, as this is where I find so many wonderful authors that I would never have chosen. Short stories require an author to flex their writing skills, capturing readers in fewer pages than many chapters in a novel. They must immediately immerse readers into a story in progress and bring the characters to life so quickly, all the "meat" of the mystery is revealed in just a few pages. This collection includes the best of the best and will be appreciated by my reading circle as we choose new books to share.
September 24, 2025
* thanks to Harper Audio for the NetGalley review copy (pub date: October 21, 2025)
I always look forward to the Best American series releases, especially this one! Like most short story collections there were some I liked, some I tolerated, and some I fast-forwarded through, but overall this was a solid collection, if a little heavy on the gangster/seamy underbelly side of mystery and suspense (but what else would you expect with Don Winslow as the editor)? Really enjoyed this as an audiobook -- loved the use of multiple voice actors!
I always look forward to the Best American series releases, especially this one! Like most short story collections there were some I liked, some I tolerated, and some I fast-forwarded through, but overall this was a solid collection, if a little heavy on the gangster/seamy underbelly side of mystery and suspense (but what else would you expect with Don Winslow as the editor)? Really enjoyed this as an audiobook -- loved the use of multiple voice actors!
October 7, 2025
I really was hoping I would enjoy this thoroughly. I have read anthologies in romance, science fiction, fantasy, and thrillers. these mysteries were not very mysterious. fairly tame. there was nothing inherently wrong. Short stories are always a little and complete and maybe with mystery. I was expecting more buildup to a climax and some of these never really even had that. I appreciated getting to listen and I listened to all of them. and they all fell along the same lines or caliber of writers.
November 14, 2025
This anthology of twenty short stories in the mystery and suspense genre proves to be a decidedly mixed collection. While several pieces deliver genuine intrigue and satisfying tension, others fall short, and a few seem only loosely connected to the volume’s stated theme. Marketed as a showcase of the genre’s finest work of 2025, the collection sets a high bar for itself, and one it does not consistently meet. Though not without its standout moments, the anthology ultimately fails to fulfill its promise and earns a measured rating of three out of five stars.
July 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
This was a good book of short stories, but even with that there were better and worse ones. I guess some of them were also just not my style since this is supposed to be the best of the best.
My favorite ones were Neon Women and In Kind.
Some of the stories did feel a bit more noir than mystery and suspense, but I guess it's close enough.
Overall it's an enjoyable collection if you want to catch up on some good recent short stories.
This was a good book of short stories, but even with that there were better and worse ones. I guess some of them were also just not my style since this is supposed to be the best of the best.
My favorite ones were Neon Women and In Kind.
Some of the stories did feel a bit more noir than mystery and suspense, but I guess it's close enough.
Overall it's an enjoyable collection if you want to catch up on some good recent short stories.
October 20, 2025
Thank you to the authors, narrators, publisher and Net Galley for providing an ALC.
I've come to really enjoy these short story collections. IT is a great way to find new authors, and to have a break from bestsellers.
These collections are always a mixed bag for ratings. Some were really enjoyable, some less so.
Narration for the audio was well done and enjoyable to listen to. Give it a shot - you're sure to find something you enjoy. :)
3 stars.
I've come to really enjoy these short story collections. IT is a great way to find new authors, and to have a break from bestsellers.
These collections are always a mixed bag for ratings. Some were really enjoyable, some less so.
Narration for the audio was well done and enjoyable to listen to. Give it a shot - you're sure to find something you enjoy. :)
3 stars.
October 26, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
I LOVE short stories and I was so excited to see this collection available on NetGalley.
I can't say I loved ALL of the stories but I would say at least 5 were either creepy or twisted or cleverly plotted to the point that I was bummed when the stories were over.
Narration was all excellent as well.
*with thanks to NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for this honest review.
I LOVE short stories and I was so excited to see this collection available on NetGalley.
I can't say I loved ALL of the stories but I would say at least 5 were either creepy or twisted or cleverly plotted to the point that I was bummed when the stories were over.
Narration was all excellent as well.
*with thanks to NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for this honest review.
December 25, 2025
The stories that feature characters with a passion for their pursuits is most appealing for me." Eat My Moose" is my favorite story. This story is about two cancer patients who perform assisted suicides. I think anyone who performs assisted suicides has a respect for human life, and this theme really comes out in these two main characters as they perform their work. "Jackrabbit Skin" is my other favorite story. I admire the passion that Swan has for her job as a tattoo artist. There is a visual quality in this story that really shows tattooing has a true artistic pursuit. "Road To Nowhere" is about three friends with a passion for making music as a rock band. I love characters who have the motivation to succeed. "Neon Women" is about a police officer who is driven to find out who killed a man. The main character has a relentless pursuit for justice makes this story appealing to me. The characters in these stories are realistic and relentless in their pursuits.
March 12, 2026
a perennially enjoyable collection
a perennially enjoyable collection. While each volume has its own character thanks to the editor’s tastes and the muse inspiring the genre, all the stories are well written. I look forward to the volume each year. The provide a concentrated insight into human nature.
a perennially enjoyable collection. While each volume has its own character thanks to the editor’s tastes and the muse inspiring the genre, all the stories are well written. I look forward to the volume each year. The provide a concentrated insight into human nature.
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