Seems like a good time to share some great mystery anthologies. I love to read and these are a Treat!
There are lots of new offerings in the mystery fiction field! I love short stories (reading and writing!), so here are some great choices. (A few more below that aren't in the collage - and I have a new story coming!)
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New! The Short Mystery Fiction Society (of which I'm a member) now has a new magazine!
SMFS, The Short Mystery Fiction Society Magazine, Vol. 1 will be a collector's item. Good to see another short mystery entry in the field. The first issue offers collected reprints from members. 172 pages.
HOT SHOTS: Celebrating Thirty Years of The Short Mystery Fiction Society, is another recent anthology offering reprints of Derringer Award winning stories. 336 pages.
Holiday Reading:
Yeah, bah Humbug! It's too early to mention the holiday that's after Halloween, but...! I have a new story, "Nick's Secrets," coming out in the Santa Rage II anthology. Yes, beware. Santa is not himself. heh-heh. It might come out next month... Details to come! (Free art: pixabay.com)
Music-Inspired Anthologies:
I get a kick out of these anthologies of stories based on music! And they keep coming out!
Daydream Believer: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the Monkees, Lawrence Allan, Michelle Kubitz, editors - Oh, fun! Still treasure when I saw them in person before Davey died! * Stories by 14 authors, with net proceeds to benefit the American Library Assn. fight against book bans.
Happiness is a Warm Gun: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the Beatles, Josh Pacter, editor - features 17 original short mysteries inspired by Beatles songs like "Can't Buy Me Love" to "Eleanor Rigby" and more.
Wish Upon a Crime: Crime Fiction Inspired by Fairy Tales, Michael Bracken, Stacy Woodson, editors - This one sounds fun to read! Dreams don't always come true and there are no happily-ever-afters... Stories from 14 authors.
A couple other fun, previously released anthologies: I have stories in both:
(I Just) Died in Your Arms: Crime Fiction Inspired by One-Hit Wonders, which includes my story, "Wildfire," based on the song of the same name.
Other Short Fiction Anthologies:
Crimeucopiea: The Not-So-Frail Detective Agency - Latest in the crime fiction series features stories by 15 authors with female detectives.
Hooked on Urban Legends - and Murder! - Seventeen noted crime authors focus on urban legends and see where they lead - to darkness and murder! The house with all the iights on, the shape at the edge of the woods, only stories... right?
Prohibition Peepers: Crime Fiction During the Noble Experiment, Michael Bracken, editor - (Pre-order reissue, releases Oct. 19) Hard-boiled and fast-paced stories set during and after the end of Prohibition, with private eyes serving clients of all social statuses. (Paperback - Amazon)
The Best American Mystery & Suspense 2026 - Megan Abott, editor - From wacky to weird and eccentric characters, 20 stories including a dental hygienist who collects corpses for a funeral for extrra money(!), to a girl who uses her rope-jumping skills to protect herself from danger, and more..
The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2026, The Mysterious Bookshop, Tess Gerritsen, editor - Stories from Joyce Carol Oates to lesser-known authors and others, including a rare-book entry from Agatha Christie.
** Happy Reading! **
* Thanks again for visiting! Come back soon for more minis (and books)! *
