Guest Post: First Lines in Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense-- Part 2 by Judy Penz Sheluk

Please welcome Judy Penz Sheluk back to the blog today as she shares some of the first lines from the stories in the new anthology, Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense, releasing Tuesday. Part 1 ran last Sunday on the SMFS blog. The anthology was released last Tuesday and includes my short story, The Hospital Boomerang.

 

 

Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense

First Lines: Part II

 

That’s right. Part II. If you missed Part I, you can find it on the Short Mystery Fiction Society’s blog spot, where it was posted on June 16^th. And now, here’s Part II (or, for those of you not keeping up, the first lines of the final 11 stories in Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense):

 

No Good Deed by Kate Fellowes

 I’ll just say, that Bible should have been mine in the first place.

 

Incidents & Intentions by Wil A. Emerson

Lily unlocked the back door of the thrift shop using a key that didn’t belong to her.

 

A Tight Squeeze by Larry M. Keeton

My wife, Denise, was dead.

 

Not This Time by Mary Wills Fraser

I’m hiding in my ex-husband’s closet when my phone rings.

 

Wheel of Fortune by John Bukowski

Karl slid his last token into the slot and pushed the glowing button.

 

Robbery at The Birdcage by Cate Moyle

Deputy Michelle Simmons received the dispatch call at 05:49 and steered her cruiser toward the village of Dunecrest.

 

The Crimson Salamander by Tracy Falenwolfe

Since her induction into The Modus Operandi Supper Club, Billie Burgess often said Mark Luxor was the devil.

 

The Case of the Pilfered Parka by Gina X. Grant

Five minutes into the interview, Noah was ready to confess.

 

A Promise Kept by Karen Grose

The only reason I’m working at Big Jim’s is because no one else wanted the job, let alone applied.

 

The Pool by Brenda Chapman

Greg opened the gate to his neighbor’s backyard and surveyed the wide expanse of fresh sod, his gaze coming to rest on the newly installed, inground pool that sparkled like a box of gems in the June sunshine.

 

The Last Chance Coalition by Judy Penz Sheluk

I watch Jake McFadden strut into O’Leary’s Bar & Grill with the swagger of a man who’s dabbled with the big time and likes to flaunt it.

Have a favorite? Leave a comment. We really do love comments.

 

About the anthology

Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense

Edited by Judy Penz Sheluk

Publication Date: June 18, 2024

 

Sometimes it’s about doing the right thing. Sometimes it’s about getting even. Sometimes it’s about taking what you think you deserve. And sometimes, it’s your last, best, hope. Edited by Judy Penz Sheluk and featuring stories by Christina Boufis, John Bukowski, Brenda Chapman, Susan Daly, Wil A. Emerson, Tracy Falenwolfe, Kate Fellowes, Molly Wills Fraser, Gina X. Grant, Karen Grose, Wendy Harrison, Julie Hastrup, Larry M. Keeton, Charlie Kondek, Edward Lodi, Bethany Maines, Gregory Meece, Cate Moyle, Judy Penz Sheluk, KM Rockwood, Kevin R. Tipple, and Robert Weibezahl.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4bq7wwo 

 

Judy Penz Sheluk ©2024 

Judy Penz Sheluk is a former journalist and magazine editor and the bestselling author of two mystery series, several short stories, and two books on publishing. She is also the publisher and editor of four Superior Shores Anthologies. Find out more at www.judypenzsheluk.com.