A thrilling tome of the best crime and mystery tales of the year, selected by bestselling author Amor Towles. Includes sensational short stories by Jeffery Deaver, Andrew Child and Brendan Du Bois. International bestseller Amor Towles, the critically acclaimed author of A Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility, together with award-winning editor and founder of the Mysterious Bookshop, Otto Penzler, has selected the creme de la creme of the year's crime and mystery stories, and presented them here in one entertaining volume perfect for crime fiction lovers. The classic mystery tale will be familiar to aficionados and casual readers alike: it was invented by Edgar Allan Poe, popularised by Arthur Conan Doyle, and perfected by Agatha Christie. WIthin a few pages, a clue can be discovered, divulged, and its significance determined: all else is mere embellishment. Featuring stories by: Doug Allyn, Derrick Belanger, T. Coraghessan Boyle, Joslyn Chase, Andrew Child, Aaron Philip Clark, Jeffery Deaver, Brendan DuBois, Kerry Hammond, Victor Kreuiter, David Krugler, Tom Larsen, Avram Lavinsky, Jesse Lewis, Ashley Lister, Michael Mallory, Lou Manfredo, Sean McCluskey, Annie Reed, Anna Round, Joseph S. Walker, and a special bonus story: a vintage mystery tale from the fabled literary chronicler of the American Gilded Age, Edith Wharton.