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A Modern Treasury of Great Detective and Murder Mysteries
Gathers stories by Margaret Millar, Loren D. Estleman, Sara Paretsky, Tony Hillerman, Robert Bloch, Faye Kellerman, Ed McBain, Lawrence Block, F. Paul Wilson, Bill Pronzini, and Nancy Pickard
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
117 people want to read
About the author
Ed Gorman
468 books122 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Edward Joseph Gorman Jr. was a prolific American author and anthologist, widely recognized for his contributions to crime, mystery, western, and horror fiction. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gorman spent much of his life in the Midwest, drawing on that experience to set many of his novels in small towns. After working over two decades in advertising, political speechwriting, and industrial filmmaking, he published his first novel, Rough Cut, in 1984 and soon transitioned to full-time writing. His fiction is often praised for its emotional depth, suspenseful storytelling, and nuanced characters. Gorman wrote under the pseudonyms Daniel Ransom and Robert David Chase, and contributed to publications such as Mystery Scene, Cemetery Dance, and Black Lizard. He co-founded Mystery Scene magazine and served as its editor and publisher until 2002, continuing his “Gormania” column thereafter. His works have been adapted for film and graphic novels, including The Poker Club and Cage of Night. In comics, he wrote for DC and Dark Horse. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2002, he continued writing despite his illness until his passing in 2016. Critics lauded him as one of the most original crime writers of his generation and a “poet of dark suspense.”
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Edward Joseph Gorman Jr. was a prolific American author and anthologist, widely recognized for his contributions to crime, mystery, western, and horror fiction. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gorman spent much of his life in the Midwest, drawing on that experience to set many of his novels in small towns. After working over two decades in advertising, political speechwriting, and industrial filmmaking, he published his first novel, Rough Cut, in 1984 and soon transitioned to full-time writing. His fiction is often praised for its emotional depth, suspenseful storytelling, and nuanced characters. Gorman wrote under the pseudonyms Daniel Ransom and Robert David Chase, and contributed to publications such as Mystery Scene, Cemetery Dance, and Black Lizard. He co-founded Mystery Scene magazine and served as its editor and publisher until 2002, continuing his “Gormania” column thereafter. His works have been adapted for film and graphic novels, including The Poker Club and Cage of Night. In comics, he wrote for DC and Dark Horse. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2002, he continued writing despite his illness until his passing in 2016. Critics lauded him as one of the most original crime writers of his generation and a “poet of dark suspense.”
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 2, 2012
Read it if only for two stories- they're all great, btw, Gorman did a great job of picking out crime stories-
The Second Coming by Joe Gores and While She Was Out by Edward Bryant. The first is by a master writer (Hammett and the DKA Files series)writing about faux hipsters getting themselves in to an execution as witnesses and how it changes them. The second was adapted as a decent Kim Basinger vehicle, but you should really read the story. Tightly plotted, with one of the best endings I have ever read- the last sentence could've been written by Spillane, which is high praise from me.
Long out of print (I first read it in the nineties and have recently found a copy to read again), it is well-worth a search for 2nd hand copies.
The Second Coming by Joe Gores and While She Was Out by Edward Bryant. The first is by a master writer (Hammett and the DKA Files series)writing about faux hipsters getting themselves in to an execution as witnesses and how it changes them. The second was adapted as a decent Kim Basinger vehicle, but you should really read the story. Tightly plotted, with one of the best endings I have ever read- the last sentence could've been written by Spillane, which is high praise from me.
Long out of print (I first read it in the nineties and have recently found a copy to read again), it is well-worth a search for 2nd hand copies.
September 19, 2023
Very poorly dated by two godawful stories: "Second Chance" by the always-terrible Edward D. Hoch, and "Ghost Station" by Carolyn Wheat. The first story has a rape victim finding out she actually likes being raped; the second is quite racist.
Besides these two terrible inclusions, the remainder is either mediocre or over-familiar. "While She Was Out" by Edward Bryant, "Afraid All The Time" by Nancy Pickard, and "Chee's Witch" are all good stories, but I'd read them before; they're anthologized constantly.
The only stories I enjoyed that were new to me were the neat "Incident in a Neighborhood Tavern" by the reliable Bill Pronzini and the excellent "A Blow for Freedom" by Lawrence Block, the latter the best story in this volume, a compelling portrait of how gun ownership can escalate into violence.
Overall, a poor anthology with a handful of good stories. Will not be keeping this one.
Besides these two terrible inclusions, the remainder is either mediocre or over-familiar. "While She Was Out" by Edward Bryant, "Afraid All The Time" by Nancy Pickard, and "Chee's Witch" are all good stories, but I'd read them before; they're anthologized constantly.
The only stories I enjoyed that were new to me were the neat "Incident in a Neighborhood Tavern" by the reliable Bill Pronzini and the excellent "A Blow for Freedom" by Lawrence Block, the latter the best story in this volume, a compelling portrait of how gun ownership can escalate into violence.
Overall, a poor anthology with a handful of good stories. Will not be keeping this one.
October 21, 2019
This collection consists of 25 mystery stories by a "storied" group of outstanding writers. All 25 were first published in the second half of the 20th century (1954-1991) with most in the 1990s.
A fine collection that I have "dipped into" over the years. Editor's notes add commentary and context.
A fine collection that I have "dipped into" over the years. Editor's notes add commentary and context.
October 12, 2020
A great collection of mysteries. Some I had read before but they were all good. Worth the read! Perfect when you need something different than a continuous series.
September 30, 2021
Good anthology, excellent writing and no filler. The stories range from hardboiled to noir to horror.
January 16, 2016
This was an enjoyable collection. The short stories included exhibit quite a variety of styles. Original publication dates range from 1954 up to 1991, so more than one or two are noticeably dated.
Most of the shorts are 5 or so pages long although there are a couple that pass the 10-page mark, so be prepared for very quick plot action and resolution.
In the larger picture, I am beginning to enjoy this genre less than I once did. Not because of this collection, mind you, but because of the limited set of tools many writers seem to employ. One can only take the improbable contrived plot twists and inexplicable and impossible mistaken identities for so long...
Having said that, I have to admit that there are a few notable exceptions included in this assemblage, enough to make it a collection that I can recommend.
October 27, 2007
The stories are range from fine to excellent, but the table of contents lists incorrect page numbers for every story. This is incredibly frustrating in such a large anthology.
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October 9, 2009A Modern Treasury of Great Detective and Murder Mysteries by Ed Gorman (1996)
May 15, 2013
A great collection from the best writers, coziness to dark...it's all here.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews