After
recently reviewing Blood
on the Bayou: Bouchercon Anthology 2016 Larry Chavis is back today with his review of FIFTY
MYSTERIES: The Angela Files by
John M. Floyd.
Never Underestimate Your Teacher...
John M. Floyd is a master of short
stories, having published more than a thousand in such venues as ALFRED
HITCHCOCK MYSTERY MAGAZINE, ELLERY QUEEN MYSTERY MAGAZINE, THE STRAND, THE
SATURDAY EVENING POST, and many more. The magazine WOMAN'S WORLD has a weekly
mini-mystery feature, and Mr. Floyd's name will be familiar to its readers, as
he is a regular contributor. Many of his WW stories feature Sheriff Charles
Taylor "Chunky" Jones, and his former fifth grade teacher, Ms. Angela
Potts. Reliable (but less than brilliant) Sheriff Jones is the dubious
beneficiary of Angela's sharp-eyed observations and assistance as they solve
the remarkable number of crimes in their small Mississippi town.
The WOMAN'S WORLD format for these
little stories is seven hundred words, with a cliff-hanger that allows the
reader to solve the puzzle, before reading the author-supplied solution.
Light-hearted, with humorous repartee between former teacher and mediocre
student, this collection of little gems is an enjoyable and relaxing way to
while away a few minutes or hours.
(Note: My copy of FIFTY MYSTERIES: The Angela
Files was purchased at the
2016 Mississippi Book Festival, Jackson, MS.)
Larry W. Chavis ©2016
Deciding at the advanced age of 44 to
earn a physics degree to complement his theological degree, Larry enrolled in
the University of Southern Mississippi, where he spent three exciting, if
exacting, years, accomplishing his goal with honors. Upon graduation, he
entered the public education system, teaching physics, trigonometry, and
calculus. Semi-retired now (although still teaching two classes), he has a bit
more time to work on writing. Larry has had stories published in "Crime and Suspense Ezine,"
"Kings River Life Magazine," and the anthology, Ten for Ten,
edited by Tony Burton. Larry lives in south-central Mississippi with his wife
of 38 years and a severely spoiled Shih-tsu named Sammie.
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