The Best American Mystery Stories 2017 (The Best American Series)

It must be hard to meet the mark when your audience is looking for you, not others.

Best American Mysteries is a misnomer. These are crime stories and this years editor, John Sanford, hasmade stellar choices Many are dark, creepy and "Psycho" scary. It's hard to pick a favorite but, since I'm a sucker for any story that deals with horses and a race track, I'll have to go with "The Smell of Warm Earth." I wish though, that one year an editor will find a way to include stories dealing with white collar crime, political shenanigans, environmental terrorists or murder and mayhem among with well-to-do It would be a welcome change after so many lowlifes who have populated recent collections

This is the most authoritative compilation of short writings, in my opinion. Every edition is a surprise box and unfortunately this 2017 edition selected old fashioned stories with a new dress. No subjects or characters involving the internet and the state of the art technology. One of the stories start with: "In the summer of 1961". The three star reflects well-crafted stories such as Power Wagon. Sorry Joyce Oates, I am sure you can do much better than you did in The Woman in The Window.

If you like mysteries, this is a great book with short ones that you'll really enjoy. I had to read it for my LIT class in college, but I would read it again regardless. The stories are really good and you'll find yourself laughing at some of them. Definitely recommend this book!

This was an unusual but interesting selection. Since these come out yearly with different writers making the choices, it was unique.

That's about it....this was, maybe okay.Not many of the authors here made an impression on me.I'm sure they have something going for themselves...I did skip a few, only because they didn't grab me right away as outlined on how short mysteries are written as per John Sanford as an introduction as a forward of sorts.

Not really mysteries in terms of whodunits. Most are allegorical or have endings with twists.

A mixed bag of stories, some solidly written with interesting characters in strong plots that merited a 2 star verdict (Well, maybe 2 1/2, but certainly not 3). This reader was left scratching his head why certain stories were considered solid, let alone among the best. Perhaps its the same old story - politics. For example, what was Joyce Carol Oates' "The Woman in the Window" doing in this collection? Or the one by Peter Straub? Ah, the names Oates and Straub, I get it. Dubois' story was probably the best. Disappointed overall in the selections this year.

Every story in this collection is enjoyable. The best overall and most memorable is C. J. Box's "Power Wagon" and of course "Dot Rat" by K. McGee (biased? but true). Great editing and choices. I found some new-to-me magazines/books I will have to try!