First published 1977
This anthology brings together sixteen mystery and crime stories from established and emerging writers. The collection opens with Ross Macdonald's "Gone Girl" and includes works by Stanley Ellin, Joe Gores, Michael Gilbert, and Edward D. Hoch among others. The stories span different approaches to crime fiction, from psychological studies to procedural mysteries. Henry Slesar contributes "The girl who found things," while Dorothy Salisbury Davis offers "Born killer." The anthology showcases the range of mystery writing in the mid-1970s, featuring both veteran authors like Vincent Starrett with "The blue door" and newer voices exploring themes of disappearance, murder, and detection. Each story presents its own puzzle for readers to solve alongside the characters.
Genres: short-stories, mystery
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: ensemble-cast, puzzle
Period: 1970s
337 pages · Hardcover · Harper & Row