The Mysterious Bookshop Presents: The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2024 Edited with an introduction by Anthony Horowitz

This collection of the best short stories for 2024 is narrated by Kim Niemi and BJ Harrison. The pacing of the story telling is perfect and they are both engaging with appropriate modulation – pausing for affect, speaking with energy while describing movement and so on.

It is difficult to choose the number of stars – rating - for a collection of short stories, but this gets a 5 for the writing and the introductions as well as providing a broad range of stories (something for everyone) and writers (most of them were new to me). As to the stories themselves – there are a range of sub-genres which I’ve individually rated 2 – 5 stars, inclusive, with 5-star ratings being most prevalent. These ratings are based solely on personal interest/preference (historical fiction, for example, is not my cup of tea); they are all well written.

Both introductions were interesting. Otto Penzler shares the process of how the short stories are selected. Anthony Horowitz talks about the questions people ask him - where he gets his ideas from, who their publishers are and how they found them. And he shares his thoughts as to why people like mysteries.

The stories that follow begin with an introduction to the author - describing some of the stories they’ve published and where, and finish with the stories of what inspired their short story. Twenty-one stories - tales of retribution, redemption, empathy; lawyers and policemen, social workers and people who happen to be in the wrong or the right place (depending on perspective) at the wrong time.

Lastly, my top 3 favorites (of my 5-starred stories) were “How to Teach Yourself to Swim” by Fleur Bradley, “The Back Woods” by Shells Legoullon and “Dead Names” by Annie Reed;


Thank you to Otto Penzler, NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for a copy of the audiobook.

Reviews were posted on Amazon (reviewer name "SpringFever" and Goodreads 10/7/24

A fantastic collection of mystery stories curated by the always reliable Otto Penzler and well-narrated by multiple narrators. The stories tend toward the traditional mystery and noir and take place everywhere from small-town diners to secluded snowed-in cabins in the woods. This is one of those books you are genuinely sad to see come to an end, and I wanted about twice as many stories. But the stories here were fantastic and well worth the listen. Can't wait for the next edition.

The Mysterious Bookshop’s latest anthology is a captivating journey through the best in mystery fiction from the past year. With over 3,000 stories considered, the selection curated by Otto Penzler and guest editor Anthony Horowitz showcases a rich tapestry of crime, suspense, and intrigue. Each of the twenty stories highlights a diverse range of voices and styles, from beloved authors to exciting newcomers, ensuring that every reader will find something to enjoy.

What truly sets this collection apart is its blend of contemporary tales and a delightful vintage piece from the early 20th century, drawing on the history of the genre while remaining fresh and engaging. The variety within the anthology reflects the ever-evolving landscape of mystery fiction, making it a must-read for enthusiasts and casual fans alike. This collection is not just a book; it’s a celebration of storytelling that invites readers to lose themselves in the thrill of the unknown. Highly recommended!

The link below is my spoiler free review for this book. If you have any questions feel free to email me at caffent17@gmail.com

https://youtu.be/FIUgIavkeVo

I enjoyed getting to experience so many fantastic mystery writers work. The introduction by Anthony Horowitz was great. This was a great selection of crime fiction, mysteries that really did a good job of diversifying the genre to include more than just detectives.

My favorite story was: "Down the Fire Road" by Doug Crandell (tracks 007 and 008 on the audiobook)
My second favorite was: "Last Day at the Jack Rabbit" by John M. Floyd (track 011 on the audiobook)

It was difficult to find any criticism for this book. Since there are many authors of varying writing styles and mysteries it was a challenge to give the entire collection a single rating. Overall, I think the stories chosen were well written and engaging.

Coming from a cozy mystery fan, I was hoping for more cozy style crime fiction. Most of the short stories were intense, action-packed, and fast pace. This isn't a negative for most mystery readers, just for those who exclusively read cozy mysteries.

My Rating:
4.5 Stars Rounded up to 5
Narration: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short Story Selection: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to #NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for providing this audiobook for an honest review #TheMysteriousBookshopPresentstheBestMysteryStoriesoftheYear2024 #NetGalley

I look forward to this anthology every year, and it never disappoints. I always find some of my favorite authors and new writers I enjoy. The audiobook is a fun way to experience the collection, and the narrators are all on point. There is a wide variety of character and setting, and even some that have lower stakes. Not every story is about murder, and the writers explain what drew them to write these particular fictions. I highly recommend this and the other year's collections. Thanks so much to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook.

This anthology consists of 19 short stories of mystery or crime fiction published in the past year, plus a bonus short story from L. Frank Baum (though it isn't set in his world of Oz).

I used to think I didn't like short stories until I read a collection of short stories from the Queens of Domestic Thrillers and then I realized I just hadn't been reading a genre of short stories that I liked. So when I was offered an audiobook of The Best Mystery Stories of the Year to review, I knew I had to listen to it.

I still don't read a lot of short fiction so the only author on the list for this anthology I recognize is Jeffrey Deavers. Though listening to the biographies before each story gives the impressive accolades for many of the authors.

As I was listening to an advance copy, the tracks aren't labeled with the titles of the stories so I won't try to provide theses as I'm sure to mess up the titles or give the wrong author.

The collection of stories runs the gambit of the crime fiction genre. There are the typical detective stories but there are also plenty of what I would call "nontraditional" mysteries - they don't always involve a murder sometimes the mystery is very subtle. Most of the stories are set roughly in the present day, but there are a few historical stories.

A while back, I was talking with the librarian who leads my mystery book club that there doesn't seem to be many mysteries set during the American Revolution. Well, in this collection there is one and while I'm not too fond of the time period, I enjoyed the story.

Another was set during the Vietnam War and involved a Korean Vet who now works as a PI. His case involves hunting down the son of a Senator who the Senator suspects is trying to dodge the draft.

I particularly liked the story that involved a woman in witness protection and was happy to learn that there is a series that features this character (now I just have to figure out which author wrote that story).

My favorite short story was the one about a detective interviewing a suspect in the hospital. I liked the simplicity of the story (in some way it made me think of the play Our Town in its minimalism).

I'm pretty sure there is a story for everyone in this collection.

I don't often listen to mysteries as I sometimes find them hard to follow. As these are short stories it was a little easier. There are two narrators for this anthology: Kim Niemi and BJ Harrison. They do a wonderful job. The only real issue I had was at the end of each story the author gave their inspiration for the short story and sometimes it was difficult to distinguish between the end of the story and the start of the author's note as the narrator's voice didn't change. More than once I found myself going "what?!?" and then realizing the story ended and the author's note had begun.

If you enjoy mysteries or crime fiction in general and want to discover new (or at least new to you) authors, then this is a great anthology to pick up.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Wednesday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/09/the-mysterious-bookshop-presents-best.html

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Curated by: Anthony Horowitz, Otto Penzler
Narrated by: Kim Niemi, BJ Harrison

In The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year: 2024, Anthony Horowitz and Otto Penzler have masterfully curated a collection that is nothing short of a symphony of suspense and intrigue. This anthology, narrated with finesse by Kim Niemi and BJ Harrison, is a testament to the enduring allure of the mystery genre.

Kim Niemi and BJ Harrison bring a dynamic range to the narration, each voice adding a unique texture to the stories. Niemi’s nuanced delivery captures the subtleties of character emotions, while Harrison’s deep, resonant voice lends a gravitas that enhances the tension and drama. Together, they create an immersive auditory experience that is sure to captivate.

This collection spans a dizzying array of subgenres, from classic whodunits to psychological thrillers and noir. Each story is a gem, meticulously chosen for its quality and originality. The editors have succeeded in presenting a diverse tapestry of tales that cater to every mystery aficionado’s taste. Whether it’s a chilling tale of revenge or a cerebral puzzle, there’s something here for everyone.

Each story is accompanied by insightful notes from the authors, providing a deeper understanding of their creative process and thematic intentions.

This audiobook is a feast for the ears and mind. The seamless blend of Horowitz’s and Penzler’s editorial prowess with Niemi’s and Harrison’s captivating narration makes for an unforgettable listening experience. The anthology is a celebration of the mystery genre, showcasing its versatility and enduring appeal.

The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year: 2024 is a must-listen for any mystery lover. It’s a collection that entertains, provokes thought, and keeps you guessing. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the genre or a newcomer, this anthology is sure to leave a lasting impression.

I truly enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator was clear, had an engaging tone. The beginning of the audiobook began with describing the process on how these stories are collected and a little backstory on each author. It was easy to know when the story ended and a new one began. The narrator did good on the transitions. A few stories didn’t grasp me but not enough to stop listening. By the end of the book, I was able to embrace each story for its uniqueness, style and outcome. If you like mystery, psychological thrillers, you may find this book enjoyable.

The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories: 2024 presents 20 short stories selected and introduced by Anthony Horowitz. This year’s crop of tales covers a large variety of subgenres including noir and historical mysteries and, as in any collection of short stories, I liked some more than others but, in this case, I can honestly say that my favourites are based more on my taste than the quality of the tales which are seriously all deserving of being deemed best of the year.

The authors include a few well known names like Jeffery Deavers but most are writers unknown previously at least to me but I wouldn’t hesitate to read more by any one of them and will definitely be keeping my eye out for any future works by them. The collection ends with a rare story from the beginning of the last century by a very well-known writer but, trust me, it is definitely not like any of his other works.

I’d also add that one of my favourite parts of this collection was the introduction in which Horowitz explains why we readers love mysteries and why they are needed now more than ever. A great collection of tales with something to satisfy even the pickiest mystery reader or, for that matter, any fan of well-written short stories. I received an audiobook of this novel from Netgalley and HighBridge Audio narrated by Kim Niemi and BJ Harrison, both of whom do an amazing job of matching their narration to the style and diverse nature of the stories and characters.

Excellent collection of stories. I look forward to these every year, and this one wasn't a disappointment!

This was a good anthology of mystery stories - from quite a wide range of authors.

Most of them were crime novels, and quite a few of them were quite dark or violent. I hadn't heard of many of the authors, but I thought most of the stories were well done. There was a selection of established authors and newer writers. As with all short story collections, some were better than others, but there were none that I really didn't like. There was a really good selection of styles and also time periods represented. Some involved police officers and others followed the criminals. Some had sympathetic characters, and others followed thoroughly bad guys!

I loved the introduction by Anthony Horowitz, such a great author himself.

I listened to these, and both narrators, Kim Niemi and BJ Harrison, did an excellent job.

This collection of stories is more gritty/realistic than my usual favorite type: cozy British person solving a mystery. But it’s still a very good collection of mystery stories that I would recommend any fan of the genre to read.

I was super excited that one of the narrators is BJ Harrison, who narrates the Classic Tales podccast and many audiobooks. His voice is so pleasant to listen to. I hadn’t heard the female narrator (Kim Niemi) before, but she was also very easy to listen to and I’d be happy to listen to her narrate anything in the future.

The story that will stick with me the most is the one where a grandfather teaches his grandson how to swim, but I really enjoyed all of the stories in the collection.

Of the authors on the list. I had only ever heard of/read books by Jeffery Deaver. But that’s what’s great about collections like this, you get to discover new authors and go and read their backlist if you like them. Here is the list of authors and their story titles. Please excuse any typos on the titles as I was listening to the audiobook and might have misheard.

- Ace Atkins - Stunts
- Michael Bracken - Beat the Clock
- Fleur Bradley - How to Teach Yourself to Swim
- Shelley Costa - The Knife Sharpener
- Doug Crandell - Down the Fire Road
- Jeffery Deaver - The Lady in my Life
- Brendan Dubois - Snow Bound
- John Floyd - Last Day at the Jackrabbit
- Nils Gilbertson - Lovely and Useful Things
- Peter Hayes - El Paso Heat
- Shells Legoullon - The Back Woods
- Victor Methos - Kill Night
- Leonardo Padura - A Family Matter
- Dan Pope - Snow Over Harvard
- Annie Reed - Dead Names
- Cameron Sanders - Billowing Down The Bayou
- Anna Scotti - Its Not Even Passed
- Archer Sullivan - Good Harvest
- Andrew Welsh-Huggins - Wonder Falls
- Stacy Woodson - One Night in 1965
- Frank L Baum - The Suicide of Kiaros

Special thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Just not my vibe. I couldn’t get into these stories. I wanted it to feel like a podcast, which is my preferred audio listening, but it was drawn out a bit.

Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the arc audio in exchange for my review.

This is a collection of mystery stories drawn from work published in the previous year. When I think of mysteries, I typically think of crime and police procedurals. Yet not all of these would fall under that category. There are slice-of-life tales from the city and from out on the range; contemporary and historical settings. Some stories are by well-known authors and some by up-and-coming writers. I found it a great compilation for expanding my reading list as well as expanding my conception of the genre. In this regard, I appreciate the introduction by one of my favorite mystery writers, Anthony Horowitz.
My thanks to #TheMysteriousBookshop press, the producer, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes.

As to Horowitz’s introduction about Crime Fiction, for me it is not about justice or closure, it’s about the puzzle and the twists. All these stories have them in spades. Set in different time periods, from Prohibition to today (and one during the horrible pandemic that shall not be named), these characters are police officers, private detectives, criminals and amateurs. Some belong to larger books and series, while others are wholly original. There are established authors (Jeffery Deaver, Leonardo Padura) and newer writers. Some of the characters are trying to do their best, while others are amoral monsters and, mostly, just flawed men and women trapped in extreme circumstances. The quality is fantastic across the book, and it would be very hard to pick my favorite. I especially enjoyed Peter WJ Hayes’ El Paso Heat ; The Backwoods, by Shells Legoullon and It’s Not Even Past by Anna Scotti but, as I went over the different titles, I kept thinking “wow, that was good” every time. The audiobook narrators had a very hard job, since they had to portray many, many characters of a diverse group of ages and even with different accents. BJ Harrison is a favorite of mine, as I read his rendition of Sleepy Hollow every year for Halloween. He didn’t disappoint here. I don’t believe I’d listened to Kim Niemi before, but she is equally good with her distinctive voices for all the characters. The problem with these collections is that what the editors consider “the best” could be very different from mine. In this case, I wholeheartedly agree with Messrs. Horowitz and Penzler’s opinion.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/HighBridge Audio.