After a forward by Series Editor Otto
Penzler and an introduction by Guest Editor Tess Gerritsen it is on to the nineteen
short stories in the Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best mystery
stories of the Year 2026. Each of the stories selected begins with a
short bio of the author, the tale itself, followed by a short background
explanation from the author as to how the story came to be, a point they were
hoping to accomplish, the context of the tale, etc. With nineteen short stories
included, I am highlighting several that really struck a chord with this
reader. But to be clear, there is not a bad one in the bunch. I just liked some
more than others.
In order of appearance as I read straight
through from front to back…
Doug Allyn’s “Dead Man’s Mail” revolves
around escape, the legacy of what came before you in the place you now reside
in, and how isolationism can have severe consequences when others want what you
have right now.
Eli is on a mission in “The Lord God Bird”
by Andy Boyle. He’s doing it for Belle. Secrecy is important. The first thing
to do is to get Greg to actually honor their deal.
Amanda and Madeline are on their best
behavior at the elegant restaurant. They are in public and therefore, on stage,
as both are aware. Deceit, double cross, and revenge are all on the menu in
“The Luncheon” by Christopher Fowler.
Arthur Stancil is sure that Dougal
Canterbury must die. The question as “The Twenty-Fourth Canterbury” by Richard
Helms begins is how, exactly, to kill him. The fact that the potential murder
victim is the most decorated detective in Yorkshire presents a complication,
though not unsurmountable.
A murder case is at work in “Juror
Number Three” by Joel Nedecki. Told from the perspective of the juror who has a
lot going on, we follow a case that has plenty of twists and turns.
He just wanted a quiet walk in the woods
with his dog. That is not at all what he
got in “Murder by the Creek” by H.K. Slade. Now he is on the wrong side of the
cuffs and disrespected. Not cool at all.
After the reprinted short stories, there
is a listing of “The Best Mystery Stories 2026 Honor Roll.” This year, eleven
stories and their authors are featured. Each listing includes the publication
so that one can hunt down these good reads.
It should be noted that my digital ARC
review copy from NetGalley did not contain the bonus short story by Agatha
Christie. I have no idea if that was deliberate for the review copy or just an
accidental oversight.
The latest book in the series, The
Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2026,
is chockful of good reading. It is well
worth your time and recommended.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3TeDnfN
My digital ARC came from the publisher,
The Mysterious Press, through the NetGalley platform with no expectation of a
positive review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
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