October 13, 2024

Mystery, Fantasy & Halloween Crime Reading List

Some great reads, so make room on your bookshelves and e-reader! 

** Don't forget to check out the Spooky-Horror-Zombie-Halloween Reading List & the October Frights Blog Hop - Oct. 10-15. ** See participants list & my first post and schedule here.  


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                       Anthologies/Collections:  Crime/Mystery

 



Crimeucopia: Say it Again - Sixteen stories of crime and deja vu... Crimes worth a second look...

* These music-inspired anthologies are such fun! I'll have to ask the library to order them!

Friend of the Devil: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the Grateful Dead, Josh Pachter, Editor - Fifteen tales inspired by lyrics from the Dead’s thirteen studio albums and two of their many live recordings. The contributors include some of the finest contemporary authors of short crime fiction, such as award winners Bruce Robert Coffin, James D.F. Hannah, Vinnie Hansen, James L’Etoile, G.M. Malliet, Twist Phelan, Faye Snowden, and Joseph S. Walker. Also on board are Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazineeditor Linda Landrigan (with her first published story!), married couple Kathryn O’Sullivan and Paul Awad, Flemish writer Dominique Biebau, David Avallone (son of the legendary crime writer Michael Avallone), and more.

Harrigan's Price and Other Stories: Tales of Mystery, Intrigue and Horror - Christian Bauer - Reprints and new tales of pilots on a fateful flight, machines with a love for pranks, and more. 

(I Just) Died in Your Arms: Crime Fiction Inspired by One-Hit Wonders - Fun anthology featuring 12 crime stories based on familiar, and maybe not so familiar songs. Includes my story, "Wildfire." (** Now get free shipping anywhere for paperbacks at the publisher site above.) 

Janie's Got A Gun: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Aerosmith, Michael Bracken,editor - Sixteen crime authors celebrate the legendary band with fiction inspired by a career spanning over 50 years. Stories by Ed Ridgley, Bill Baber, Eve Fisher. Avram Lavinsky, John C. Bruening, Jeffrey Marks, Mary Dutta, Tom Mead, Steve Liskow, Joseph S. Walker, Adam Meyer, John M. Floyd, Leone Ciporin, M.E. Proctor, Tom Milani and Jim Winter. (* Releases Nov. 8. Get free shipping anywhere for the paperback at White City Press. Download ebooks at site, Nov. 1.)


Murder, Neat: A Sleuthsayers Anthology, Michael Bracken, Barb Goffman, editors - Twenty-four crime stories set in bars, taverns, and other drinking establishments where crimes can easily occur. From members of the crime writers' Sleuthsayers blog.

Smoking Guns, A Sisters in Crime Anthology - Kaye George, editor - Twelve original crime and mystery tales of revenge, deception, and justice served cold by various authors. (Paperback).

The Skeleton Rides a Horse and Other Stories,  Toni L.P .Kelner -  Sid the skeleton makes an appearance in the title story, plus there are some decent short mysteries to enjoy in this new collection. Includes the Agatha-award winning story, "Sleeping with the Plush." (See publisher site.) Curious about Sid? Meet and learn more about him here.

Twisted Voices: Stories from Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine - Award-winning authors including Doug Allyn, Ed Gorman, Barb Goffman, Joyce Carol Oates and others offer stories of crooks and kids, private eyes, struggling artists and more in crimes that often push the boundaries.

Fantasy




IMP: A Political Fantasia, Steven Paul Leiva - Thomas P. Powell thinks his unusual political climb from traffic cop to vice president is because of his own innate moral authority. Then on the cusp of his reaching the pinnacle of success, an impetuous imp climbs from his ear, taking him on a wild, dreadful, nuclear journey. Described as West Wing meets the Twilight Zone.

Kickstarter Ending Soon! Darkworld Anthology - Darkworld is a magical place of dragons and heroes, dwarves and elves, myths and legends. Half of the world is scorched in sunlight and the other half is shrouded in darkness. The dark and the light, good and evil, which will endure? ** Five stories by renowned authors Jean Rabe, Richard A. Knaak, Donald Bingle, Richard Lee Byers and introducing Patrick E. Pullen.

The Dragon's Hoard 3 - Assorted authors including noted mystery and fantasy author Jean Rabe spin tales of all kinds of dragons.

Halloween 

Something Scary for Halloween Reading: Ends. Nov. 1

Behind the Shadows II - In my story "Blink!", Tommy wakes to a new world and wonders why no one else "sees" what is going on but him.  A little weird and even funny at times! * Get the ebook: various outlets - * Paperback, e-book - Barnes & Noble -* Paperback  - Amazon US

October Screams: A Halloween Anthology - Assorted horror from various noted authors.

 Witches of Halloween: A Collection of Cozy Mystery Short Stories, Amorette Anderson - Four specials featuring witches from her magical worlds: 

The Case of the Cursed Hat: A Hillcrest Witch Special - Witchy PI Penny Banks is looking forward to celebrating Halloween in style. 

Bohemian to the Bone: A Marley the Witch Special -  It’s Halloween in Hillcrest, and Marley and her witch sisters are planning a party!

Gone with the Grimoire: A Marley the Witch Special - When Marley the witch learns about a break-in at a nearby chocolate factory, she vows to help. 

A Moon for Manifesting: A Midlife Medicine Special - New witch Grace Littleton doesn’t know much about the lunar magic, but it’s high time to learn! A local is missing, and it’s up to Grace to follow the celestial clues…


Horror Readers Sale! Through Oct. 30


Halloween Horror Giveaways: Ends Oct. 31


-- C.A. Verstraete - www.cverstraete.com