Between the Dark and the Daylight: And 27 More of the Best Crime and Mystery Stories of the Year Book

An anthology of short stories is always something of a mixed bag, and this is no exception, but I enjoyed most of the stories. My personal favorite is "Ms. Grimshanks Regrets" by Nancy Pickard, a tale about a horrible old woman who finally gets her comeuppance. Other good ones include "Father's Day", a Harry Bosch story by Michael Connelly; "I/M-Print" by Jeremiah Healy, a police procedural that is mostly dialogue; "The Quick Brown Fox" by Robert S. Levinson, about an author with writer's block (good twist at the end); and "What Happened to Mary?" by the always excellent Bill Pronzini. I think "The First Husband" by Joyce Carol Oates was overwrought and melodramatic, but also an interesting portrayal of obsession. She has a tendency to go over the top.

All in all, a good choice for an evening's read.