Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine September/October 2023, p. 111–117
In 1970, San Francisco police inspector Johnny O'Rorke is on leave recuperating from a gunshot wound. Paralyzed real estate tycoon David Lambert hires O'Rorke to tail his wife Katie, whose behavior has recently changed. Lamenting his physical predicament, the result of a fall mountain-climbing with Katie, David has no ill will toward his wife. He simply wants to know if "she's okay."
Following her for two days, O'Rorke takes a brief chance to speak with Katie, not betraying David's concern, yet finding himself unable to sway her from her own perilous plans.
"The Final Final" very finely focuses on the Lamberts' feelings of futility and what they do in response, then compounds their feelings with O'Rorke's and readers' by extension. Powerful and haunting.
Showing posts with label EQMM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EQMM. Show all posts
Thursday, September 07, 2023
Monday, February 10, 2020
"Active Shooter" by Jack Bunker
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2020, p. 86–88
Despite a bullet costing him the power of speech, the narrator conveys by internal monologue he's been mistaken for the active shooter of the title. An unarmed former assistant football coach, he's innocently returned to the school that fired him to pick up his daughter for the weekend. He continues casting himself as the central victim of a compelling noir, but we can't buy his narrative as the whole truth. A few clues show the story isn't all about him.
Despite a bullet costing him the power of speech, the narrator conveys by internal monologue he's been mistaken for the active shooter of the title. An unarmed former assistant football coach, he's innocently returned to the school that fired him to pick up his daughter for the weekend. He continues casting himself as the central victim of a compelling noir, but we can't buy his narrative as the whole truth. A few clues show the story isn't all about him.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
"None of This Is on the Map" by Richie Narvaez
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, November/December 2019, p. 59-69
Weightlifter Eulogio Vega, computer tech for an international PI firm, is grieving the deaths of his parents when he takes on a freelance case from Brooklyn congresswoman Camilla Santiago to find her husband. Vega easily traces a flight the husband booked to Puerto Rico. Further locating and bringing him back prove more difficult with Hurricane Maria's devastation and Vega's reluctance to send off his parents' ashes.
I've known Richie Narvaez since 2006, when I submitted to his website Asinine Poetry. We share many interests including crime fiction, comic books, and Star Trek. As fiction editor of The Thrilling Detective Web Site, I helped published a 2007 Vega story, "El Bohemio", which is now available in the ebook collection Roachkiller and Other Stories.
I'm glad to spread the word about Richie's EQMM debut. I particularly appreciate its depiction of the hurricane's aftermath and Vega's personal stake in traveling to Puerto Rico.
Weightlifter Eulogio Vega, computer tech for an international PI firm, is grieving the deaths of his parents when he takes on a freelance case from Brooklyn congresswoman Camilla Santiago to find her husband. Vega easily traces a flight the husband booked to Puerto Rico. Further locating and bringing him back prove more difficult with Hurricane Maria's devastation and Vega's reluctance to send off his parents' ashes.
I've known Richie Narvaez since 2006, when I submitted to his website Asinine Poetry. We share many interests including crime fiction, comic books, and Star Trek. As fiction editor of The Thrilling Detective Web Site, I helped published a 2007 Vega story, "El Bohemio", which is now available in the ebook collection Roachkiller and Other Stories.
I'm glad to spread the word about Richie's EQMM debut. I particularly appreciate its depiction of the hurricane's aftermath and Vega's personal stake in traveling to Puerto Rico.
Sunday, September 08, 2019
"Left for Dead" by S.J. Rozan
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July/August 2019, p. 31–33
This deceptively short story offers a full picture of nine-year-old dyslexic Joey, who's lived with his loving Aunt Amy and abusive Uncle Ted for three years, since his mother's death. Enhancing the picture, Rozan describes strategies Joey has been taught to cope with dyslexia, strategies kept secret from Uncle Ted.
Perhaps the twist, this isn't a story of Joey getting revenge on Ted. Ted causes his own demise through lack of knowlege, yet there's no cosmic justice, either. Never learning how wrong he is, Ted's last, fatal act is in spite of Joey. Short but by no means simple.
Also this summer, Rozan returned to her Lydia Chin and Bill Smith P.I. series with Paper Son from Pegasus Books.
This deceptively short story offers a full picture of nine-year-old dyslexic Joey, who's lived with his loving Aunt Amy and abusive Uncle Ted for three years, since his mother's death. Enhancing the picture, Rozan describes strategies Joey has been taught to cope with dyslexia, strategies kept secret from Uncle Ted.
Perhaps the twist, this isn't a story of Joey getting revenge on Ted. Ted causes his own demise through lack of knowlege, yet there's no cosmic justice, either. Never learning how wrong he is, Ted's last, fatal act is in spite of Joey. Short but by no means simple.
Also this summer, Rozan returned to her Lydia Chin and Bill Smith P.I. series with Paper Son from Pegasus Books.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
"Boys Will Be Boys" by Marilyn Todd
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, May/June 2019, p. 191-92
You may have noticed I'm a fan of very short stories. The shorter the story, the more punch each word packs. I'm also a fan of dialogue, and Marilyn Todd's "Boys Will Be Boys" is all dialogue without attribution, presenting David Andrew Tyler and his domineering mum in slices of life, a macabre Mother's Day tale, if you will.
You may have noticed I'm a fan of very short stories. The shorter the story, the more punch each word packs. I'm also a fan of dialogue, and Marilyn Todd's "Boys Will Be Boys" is all dialogue without attribution, presenting David Andrew Tyler and his domineering mum in slices of life, a macabre Mother's Day tale, if you will.
Friday, August 24, 2018
"Maui: The Road to Hana" by G.M. Malliet
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| G.M. Malliet photo by Joe Henson |
Thinking of Hawaii as Hurricane Lane approaches the islands, I read G.M. Malliet's latest EQMM story having ridden along the titular, twisty road.
The protagonist and her husband, retiring executive Geoff, book the trip partly to relieve Geoff's stress and partly to relive the last time they drove the road, on their honeymoon.
Readers get an early hint that Geoff's wife may intend to kill him, but she must keep the vacation pace—not appear in a rush—allowing Malliet to evoke the atmosphere and local color of Maui and the Road to Hana.
Friday, July 27, 2018
"The Last Man I Killed" by Margaret Maron
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2018, p. 101-103
Reading the narrator's history of murder in her disarming, evasive tone, it's easy to picture her dodging suspicion, making each kill seem either an accident or suicide. Even the story's title deceives. Well done by Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster Maron.
Reading the narrator's history of murder in her disarming, evasive tone, it's easy to picture her dodging suspicion, making each kill seem either an accident or suicide. Even the story's title deceives. Well done by Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster Maron.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
"Post No Bulls" by Marvin Kaye
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July/August 2018, p. 73–84
In this new Rex Stout pastiche by Wolfe Pack charter member Marvin Kaye, the corpse of widely-despised police lieutenant George Rowcliff is FedExed to Nero Wolfe's New York brownstone, addressed to his legman, Archie Goodwin. Offended, gourmand genius detective Wolfe vows to identify who sent the body as well as who killed Rowcliff.
Stout's stories of Wolfe, Archie, and friends spanned from 1934 to 1975. Though the world changed around them, the company of characters didn't age, making them adaptable to generation after generation of fans. For example, nods to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan set "Post No Bills" in the late 1990s.
In this new Rex Stout pastiche by Wolfe Pack charter member Marvin Kaye, the corpse of widely-despised police lieutenant George Rowcliff is FedExed to Nero Wolfe's New York brownstone, addressed to his legman, Archie Goodwin. Offended, gourmand genius detective Wolfe vows to identify who sent the body as well as who killed Rowcliff.
Stout's stories of Wolfe, Archie, and friends spanned from 1934 to 1975. Though the world changed around them, the company of characters didn't age, making them adaptable to generation after generation of fans. For example, nods to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan set "Post No Bills" in the late 1990s.
Monday, June 25, 2018
"Hotel Story" by Sigrid Nunez
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July/August 2018, p. 46
The narrator of Sigrid Nunez's one-page story piques readers' curiosity about the guests staying in rooms above, below, and to either side of them at hotels. Though almost every paragraph recounts an experience at a different hotel, the story as a whole works to unsettling effect, culminating with the narrator seeing a murder victim wheeled past her.
Food for thought if you're on or planning a vacation, this one's good for a chill.
The narrator of Sigrid Nunez's one-page story piques readers' curiosity about the guests staying in rooms above, below, and to either side of them at hotels. Though almost every paragraph recounts an experience at a different hotel, the story as a whole works to unsettling effect, culminating with the narrator seeing a murder victim wheeled past her.
Food for thought if you're on or planning a vacation, this one's good for a chill.
Friday, April 27, 2018
"A Time of Fury" by Bill Pronzini
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, May/June 2018, p. 149-154
This story opens in the aftermath of estranged father narrator Jordan Cameron finding his recently returned daughter Andrea has slit her wrists in the bath. Cameron pieces together what he can about Andrea's broken marriage and drives across the country determined to kill her controlling ex-husband, whom he blames for Andrea's death.
The man isn't at all as Cameron expected, nor is his account of the marriage. On one hand, I had the same difficulty accepting the ex's account as the truth. On the other, that twist was the only way the story could surprise.
The outcome left me not quite satisfied, wondering what outcome I would've preferred, and why—all buttons Pronzini means to push.
This story opens in the aftermath of estranged father narrator Jordan Cameron finding his recently returned daughter Andrea has slit her wrists in the bath. Cameron pieces together what he can about Andrea's broken marriage and drives across the country determined to kill her controlling ex-husband, whom he blames for Andrea's death.
The man isn't at all as Cameron expected, nor is his account of the marriage. On one hand, I had the same difficulty accepting the ex's account as the truth. On the other, that twist was the only way the story could surprise.
The outcome left me not quite satisfied, wondering what outcome I would've preferred, and why—all buttons Pronzini means to push.
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
"Tigers and Flies" by Cath Staincliffe
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March-April 2018, p. 176-181
Staincliffe gives readers a brief, yet engrossing and suspenseful look at a team of prison medics in China tasked with operating on organ donors on death row.
The suspense is particularly heightened when we learn one of the medics is selling organs on the side. This doctor's situation highlights the cultural differences between East and West. In the West, the doctor would have wealth and status. In China, not so.
Staincliffe gives readers a brief, yet engrossing and suspenseful look at a team of prison medics in China tasked with operating on organ donors on death row.
The suspense is particularly heightened when we learn one of the medics is selling organs on the side. This doctor's situation highlights the cultural differences between East and West. In the West, the doctor would have wealth and status. In China, not so.
Thursday, March 15, 2018
"The Public Hero" by Robert S. Levinson
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January-February 2018, p. 168-177
Linda Landrigan of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and Janet Rudolph of Mystery Readers International spread the word that Los Angeles reporter, public relations executive, producer, and crime fiction writer Robert S. Levinson died March 13 from pneumonia.
Having enjoyed Bob's Neil Gulliver & Stevie Marriner novels, I got to know him as a fellow member of the Short Mystery Fiction Society, where his stories received three Derringer Award nominations and one win.
His most recent EQMM story follows 1979 Hollywood P.I. Rufus Reed, his quick shooting having foiled a bank robbery. Notoriety gets him hired as security for Sky Diver and the Sky Dwellers. He's with the band when an armed intruder gets to them, charging plagiarism. Though that incident lands Rufus in the hospital, he's approached by a man who offers to make him the subject of a movie.
Like much of Bob's fiction, "The Public Hero" is steeped in Hollywood lore. Its outcome particularly shows that even the savviest person can be taken with such glamorous promise.
Linda Landrigan of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and Janet Rudolph of Mystery Readers International spread the word that Los Angeles reporter, public relations executive, producer, and crime fiction writer Robert S. Levinson died March 13 from pneumonia.
Having enjoyed Bob's Neil Gulliver & Stevie Marriner novels, I got to know him as a fellow member of the Short Mystery Fiction Society, where his stories received three Derringer Award nominations and one win.
His most recent EQMM story follows 1979 Hollywood P.I. Rufus Reed, his quick shooting having foiled a bank robbery. Notoriety gets him hired as security for Sky Diver and the Sky Dwellers. He's with the band when an armed intruder gets to them, charging plagiarism. Though that incident lands Rufus in the hospital, he's approached by a man who offers to make him the subject of a movie.
Like much of Bob's fiction, "The Public Hero" is steeped in Hollywood lore. Its outcome particularly shows that even the savviest person can be taken with such glamorous promise.
Monday, March 12, 2018
"The Lighthouse and the Lamp" by William Dylan Powell
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January-February 2018, p. 31–42
Unlicensed Corpus Christi, Texas P.I. Billy is intrigued when his elderly friend Clarabelle Mayhew claims to have a true-to-legend, wish-granting magic lamp. Despite Clarabelle's certainty her wishes came true by magic—including $1 million cash on her doorstep—Billy remains skeptical. He talks Clarabelle into letting him observe covertly when she makes her next wish.
Though, as Billy suspects, there's no magic involved, "The Lighthouse and the Lamp" stands out to me because there's no crime, either, but quite a mystery.
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| William Dylan Powell |
Though, as Billy suspects, there's no magic involved, "The Lighthouse and the Lamp" stands out to me because there's no crime, either, but quite a mystery.
Tuesday, March 06, 2018
"The Avenging Angel" by John Lantigua
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March-April 2018, p. 91–100
Remembering journalist Lantigua's Willie Cuesta P.I. novels, I'm pleased to see Willie in the pages of EQMM. In this case, he's hired by Carlos Miranda, a former El Salvadoran gang member who has fled to Miami's Little Havana to reform, but who is paranoid the gang has sent an "avenging angel" to kill him.
Finding that Carlos's suspect also claims he only wants to reform, Willie brokers a meeting between them, but remains wary of trusting either, as must readers.
Remembering journalist Lantigua's Willie Cuesta P.I. novels, I'm pleased to see Willie in the pages of EQMM. In this case, he's hired by Carlos Miranda, a former El Salvadoran gang member who has fled to Miami's Little Havana to reform, but who is paranoid the gang has sent an "avenging angel" to kill him.
Finding that Carlos's suspect also claims he only wants to reform, Willie brokers a meeting between them, but remains wary of trusting either, as must readers.
Sunday, March 04, 2018
"Victory Garden" by G.M. Malliet
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| G.M. Malliet photo by Joe Henson |
The current issue of EQMM includes a number of very short stories that pack surprising punch.
For much of this one, set in the middle of World War II, protagonist Carol presents herself the type of woman who would never divorce overweight, overbearing Silas, despite years of mistreatment.
Her veil of concern for the societal norms of the time obscures Carol's feelings and plans from other characters and readers alike until the very last word.
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
"Cleopatran Cocktails" by William Burton McCormick
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March-April 2018, p. 88-91
In two-and-a-quarter pages of first-person present tense narration, author McCormick gets into the mind of a woman obsessed with world records as she works up the nerve to break a museum display case and steal a pearl necklace worth $30 million.
Her goal, though, isn't to keep the prize but to dissolve the pearls in vinegar and drink them—surpassing Cleopatra VII of Egypt's drinking a single $15 million pearl, which the narrator calls "the world's most expensive breakfast."
In two-and-a-quarter pages of first-person present tense narration, author McCormick gets into the mind of a woman obsessed with world records as she works up the nerve to break a museum display case and steal a pearl necklace worth $30 million.
Her goal, though, isn't to keep the prize but to dissolve the pearls in vinegar and drink them—surpassing Cleopatra VII of Egypt's drinking a single $15 million pearl, which the narrator calls "the world's most expensive breakfast."
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
"Half-Life" by Kate Ellis
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January-February 2018, p. 95–105
An "incident" at a nuclear power station brings PC George Jenkins to Primrose Cottage to evacuate elderly Rosa Cage. Jenkins has a personal reason to visit, too: the chance to gain insight into his father, who disappeared before George was born.
From Jenkins' viewpoint, we read letters his father wrote his mother while staying at the cottage in 1965, helping to build the power station, and we follow the present questioning of potential witnesses to his father's stay. Ellis also lets us into Rosa Cage's patchy mental state, which effectively deepens the mystery, and a third and final viewpoint, PC Karen Dawson, who arrives to back up Jenkins when Cage proves a challenge.
An "incident" at a nuclear power station brings PC George Jenkins to Primrose Cottage to evacuate elderly Rosa Cage. Jenkins has a personal reason to visit, too: the chance to gain insight into his father, who disappeared before George was born.
From Jenkins' viewpoint, we read letters his father wrote his mother while staying at the cottage in 1965, helping to build the power station, and we follow the present questioning of potential witnesses to his father's stay. Ellis also lets us into Rosa Cage's patchy mental state, which effectively deepens the mystery, and a third and final viewpoint, PC Karen Dawson, who arrives to back up Jenkins when Cage proves a challenge.
Friday, January 19, 2018
"Murder on Rue Royal" by Angela Crider Neary
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January-February 2018, p. 67–75
The staff of New Orleans' Cafe Alcide is eager to impress important—and self-important—food critic Niles Breaux and make up for his previous negative review. They do impress Breaux, only to see him gasp to death minutes after complimenting chef-owner Jean-Claude Alcide.
Our own Bill Crider's daughter makes her EQMM debut with a twist on the multi-culprit "perfect" crime. Neary goes into many characters' viewpoints, showing three had grudges against Alcide. NOPD Det. Charles Rousseau arrests these three, citing evidence they conspired to frame Alcide for Breaux's murder, but—I'll just say Rousseau is no Poirot.
The staff of New Orleans' Cafe Alcide is eager to impress important—and self-important—food critic Niles Breaux and make up for his previous negative review. They do impress Breaux, only to see him gasp to death minutes after complimenting chef-owner Jean-Claude Alcide.
Our own Bill Crider's daughter makes her EQMM debut with a twist on the multi-culprit "perfect" crime. Neary goes into many characters' viewpoints, showing three had grudges against Alcide. NOPD Det. Charles Rousseau arrests these three, citing evidence they conspired to frame Alcide for Breaux's murder, but—I'll just say Rousseau is no Poirot.
Tuesday, January 02, 2018
"Dysperception" by Larry Light
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January-February 2018, p. 85–94
I admit up front this story caught my eye for its protagonist, Gerald, father of college-aged daughter, Ashley, to whom he breaks the news her mother, Jenna, wants a divorce. To Ashley's protests, Gerald pleads Jenna's habit of "dysperception," seeing things incorrectly to bad ends.
The coined term fits the story overall in that Gerald—a popular athlete back in school who's taken to living off Jenna's money—has a rather inflated image of himself. That overconfidence compels him to manipulate not only Ashley but also neighbors Tim and Mindy Heston in an elaborate plot to kill Jenna, a plot largely foiled by the same overconfidence.
A well-conceived, well-told EQMM debut for Larry Light.
I admit up front this story caught my eye for its protagonist, Gerald, father of college-aged daughter, Ashley, to whom he breaks the news her mother, Jenna, wants a divorce. To Ashley's protests, Gerald pleads Jenna's habit of "dysperception," seeing things incorrectly to bad ends.
The coined term fits the story overall in that Gerald—a popular athlete back in school who's taken to living off Jenna's money—has a rather inflated image of himself. That overconfidence compels him to manipulate not only Ashley but also neighbors Tim and Mindy Heston in an elaborate plot to kill Jenna, a plot largely foiled by the same overconfidence.
A well-conceived, well-told EQMM debut for Larry Light.
Friday, December 29, 2017
"Farewell Cruise" by Martin Edwards
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January-February 2018, p. 43–49
This is an atmospheric tale from the viewpoint of a pianist observing three Caribbean cruise guests. Visiting the ship's lounge each night, new divorcée Wanda Thomson appears to be seducing her lawyer, Justin Lemaitre, as Justin's wife Millie looks on, increasingly humiliated.
The pianist comes to sympathize with Millie, and she tells him she's given Justin an ultimatum: her or Wanda. Justin appears to choose Millie, and Wanda appears to commit suicide, but Edwards reminds us throughout that the pianist is not a professional detective and we must keep asking how close his perspective is to the truth.
This is an atmospheric tale from the viewpoint of a pianist observing three Caribbean cruise guests. Visiting the ship's lounge each night, new divorcée Wanda Thomson appears to be seducing her lawyer, Justin Lemaitre, as Justin's wife Millie looks on, increasingly humiliated.
The pianist comes to sympathize with Millie, and she tells him she's given Justin an ultimatum: her or Wanda. Justin appears to choose Millie, and Wanda appears to commit suicide, but Edwards reminds us throughout that the pianist is not a professional detective and we must keep asking how close his perspective is to the truth.
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