The Best American Mystery Stories 2016 (The Best American Series)

As with most collections and anthologies, there is a preface and an introduction or something similar. Here you'll find the editor's definition of a "mystery", which may differ somewhat from your definition or mine. But it explains why some of the stories in this volume may not be quite what you expect. If you adhere to a strict diet of Agatha Christie-style mysteries, for example, then you may not like all the stories on offer here. Some are quite dark, verging on horror. But all the stories DO present a mystery of some kind or another, and if you read carefully, you may find hints and clues, maybe enough to find the killer, if it's a who-dunnit type mystery. Some of the stories may hint at a paranormal solution, or maybe it's an unreliable narrator. Or a red herring. Read carefully!As with any anthology, not everyone will enjoy every story. Overall, I found most of the stories to be very good or excellent, and even my least favorite was a well-written decently good tale. Because I like to read anthologies to discover new (to me) authors, I like to take the time to leave a good review for those that I found to be, on the whole, very good or excellent. This one is one! I hope you enjoy it, too.

Just finished The Best American Mystery Stories 2016, as always with TBAMS series, there were 5 really good stories, 5 really bad stories and 10 perfectly adequate stories. Also as usual the term 'mystery story' is used here quite loosely, the term 'short crime fiction' might be more apt. The best of the bunch were A Death by Stephen King, Safety by Lydia Fitzpatrick, Robert Lopresti's Street of The Dead House, Christmas Eve at The Exit by Kristine Katherine Rusch, and my favorite story, Entwined by Brian Tobin. Entwined is so good, my writing about it could never do it justice. But I found it to be surprising, moving and impossible to forget, along with a great sense of pacing. Of course your mileage may vary, and you may love my 5 least favorite, but that's ok, that's what anthologies are for, something for everybody.

Ok, short reads, not as good as the 2015 mysteries compiled by James Patterson. Will probably buy another great American mystery series.

As with any anthology, some stories are more riveting than others. That said, the selections in the 2016 collection of "Best American Mysteries" are all well worth your time and attention.. Elizabeth George as guest editor, and I think as a woman, chose works that show a true understanding of human nature in addition to being fascinating studies of crime and its consequences. "Border Crossing" is tale of heartbreak with attention to detail that makes the setting and characters come alive. . "Mailman" may cause you to take a second look at your letter carrier as he goes house to house in your neighborhood. This series seldom disappoints and this year is no exception.

I very rarely give “Best American” anthologies five stars because there are usually one or two pieces that I don’t care for. But this compilation was special in that I enjoyed all twenty stories. While some of them I liked better than others, they were all very engaging, well written, as well as encompassed a diverse selection of themes that constitute great writing within the genre. If you’re a short story and mystery/crime lover I highly recommended the 2016 compilation. My favorite entry was “Entwined” by Brian Tobin.

I always enjoy these mysteries stories. Each book in unique. Each story well written. The editor does a great job finding the right mix.

An excellent choice of recent mysteries. Amazing how many stories the editors sifted through and managed to pick some great stories. The editors thoughst are excellent, the stories are well crafted and interesting. A good book in a good series.

The majority of these stories are not mysteries, but more accurately described as short stories in which a crime occurs. Most, although not all, are well-written, but if I had wanted well- written depressing stories about humanity's inhumanity with no actual mystery, I would have bought the best short stories collection.