"The Mystery Box" (The Mystery Writers of America Presents)~ Edited by Brad Meltzer

SUMMARY :

There's nothing more mysterious than a locked box. Whether it's a literal strongbox, an empty coffin, the inner workings of a scientist's mind, or an underground prison cell, there are those who will use any means necessary to unlock the secrets of...THE MYSTERY BOX.
 

With this anthology, bestselling author Brad Meltzer introduces twenty-one original stories from today's most prominent mystery writers. In Laura Lippman's "Waco 1982," a young reporter stuck with a seemingly mundane assignment on lost-and-found boxes unwittingly discovers a dark crime. In Joseph Finder's "Heirloom," a scheming neighbor frightens the new couple on the block with an unnerving tale of buried treasure. In R.L. Stine's "High Stakes," a man on his honeymoon gets drawn into a bizarre bet involving a coffin--a bet he may pay for with his life.

From the foothills of Mount Fuji to Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, from a physics laboratory in wartime Leipzig to an unusual fitness club in Boca Raton, these sometimes terrifying, sometimes funny, and always suspenseful tales will keep you riveted to the page.

PARTICULARS OF THIS BOOK :
Published by:  Grand Central Publishers/Hachette Publishing
Pages:  364
Genre:  Short Stories/Suspense/Mystery
Authors:  Multiple
Purchase:  Amazon
Edited by Brad Meltzer:  Find him on Twitter:  @BradMeltzer  or at http://www.BradMeltzer.com

SOME OF THE AUTHORS INVOLVED :

Brad Meltzer:  Brad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Inner Circle, as well as the bestsellers The Tenth Justice, Dead Even, The First Counsel, The Millionaires, The Zero Game, The Book of Fate and The Book of Lies.


Karin Slaughter : 

Karin Slaughter is the #1 internationally bestselling author of several novels, including the Grant County series. A long-time resident of Atlanta, she splits her time between the kitchen and the living room.


Tom Rob Smith :  "I grew up in Norbury, South London. My parents were antique dealers: my dad bought antiques in auctions, house sales and then restored them. My mum sold them in their shop, called Woodstock. It was a business they started without any financial help or formal training. Twenty-five or so years later, when I set out to become a professional writer, they understood far better than me that the early years were going to be difficult. They'd gone through that process of being self-employed, carving out a reputation and finding your fight. When I was feeling despondent, after one of many setbacks, and toying with the idea of finding a less erratic profession, I remember them counseling me to hold my nerve. They'd been in the exact same position. Their advice was, and still is, much appreciated."  Mr. Smith is the award-winning author of "Child 44."


Laura Lippman : 

Laura Lippman was a reporter for twenty years, including twelve years at The (Baltimore) Sun. She began writing novels while working fulltime and published seven books about “accidental PI” Tess Monaghan before leaving daily journalism in 2001. Her work has been awarded the Edgar ®, the Anthony, the Agatha, the Shamus, the Nero Wolfe, Gumshoe and Barry awards. She also has been nominated for other prizes in the crime fiction field, including the Hammett and the Macavity. She was the first-ever recipient of the Mayor’s Prize for Literary Excellence and the first genre writer recognized as Author of the Year by the Maryland Library Association.  She is best known for her "Tess Monaghan" series of books!


Charles Todd : 

Charles Todd Biography

Charles and Caroline Todd are a mother and son writing team who live on the east coast of the United States. Caroline has a BA in English Literature and History, and a Masters in International Relations. Charles has a BA in Communication Studies with an emphasis on Business Management, and a culinary arts degree that means he can boil more than water. Caroline has been married (to the same man) for umpteen years, and Charles is divorced.

Charles and Caroline have a rich storytelling heritage. Both spent many evenings on the porch listening to their fathers and grandfathers reminisce. And a maternal grandmother told marvelous ghost stories. This tradition allows them to write with passion about events before their own time. And an uncle/great uncle who served as a flyer in WWI aroused an early interest in the Great War.

 
THE BOOKISH DAME REVIEWS :

Ordinarily, I'm not a fond reader of short story collections.  But, when Grand Central sent me a copy of Brad Meltzer's edited book, and I saw the authors who had written for it, I was pretty excited to find out what they had written.  This was a treat to read!  It in no way disappointed.

Each of the authors wrote stories you'd love to hear around a fireplace after a wonderful dinner party with friends.  Entertaining and thoroughly attention-grabbing.  I loved the slam-dunks at the endings in particular, and the surprises that these capable authors were able to deliver.

Characters were so well drawn in each of the cases, and in such bare-bones formats.  This is the sign of perfection in writing.  These authors are seasoned.  The stories are rich in detail.  Captivating!  I particularly liked Laura Lippman's tale of the young journalist from New England who finds herself in Waco, Texas...a fish out of water.

This is a collection of suspense/mystery stories from the most worthy of writers.  The best of authors putting pen to some bright and brilliant twisters offers stories that will rattle through your mind days after they're read.  You'll thoroughly enjoy an evening or two of them.  I recommend this book hands down!

5 stars                  Deborah/TheBookishDame