This author is a celebrated master of the mystery genre, whose works are characterized by intricate plots and a profound insight into human nature. With a keen eye for detail and suspense, they craft narratives that captivate readers and challenge them to consider moral complexities. Their distinctive style, filled with twists and unexpected resolutions, cements their status as a significant voice in contemporary crime fiction.
A collection of twenty-six stories curated by Bill Pronzini showcases his extensive writing career spanning over fifty years. This anthology includes standalone mysteries as well as tales featuring beloved characters like Carpenter & Quincannon and The Nameless Detective, highlighting Pronzini's skill in crafting engaging narratives and complex characters.
Offering a diverse blend of science fiction and fantasy, this collection features stories ranging from somber explorations of space and otherworldly adventures to humorous takes on life among aliens. It delves into potential futures on Earth and reimagines classic fantasy elements like vampires, werewolves, and ghosts. Additionally, it includes experimental narratives that challenge traditional genres, ensuring a unique reading experience that spans various themes and tones.
SMALL FELONIES 2 50 short-short stories told in first-person, third-person, present as well as past tense, and in epistolary format; tales of detection (three feature long-running series character, the "Nameless Detective"), psychological suspense, historical noir, light and dark fantasy, satirical humor, horror, the biter-bitten, the O. Henry twist, a shaggy dog story or two, even a shameless futuristic Hemingway pastiche. The earliest entry, "I Know a Way," was published in 1971; the most recent, "Such Things As Nightmares Are Made Of," appears here for the first time. Fourteen were written in collaboration with Barry Malzberg. More than a score were first printed in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine; others in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Mystery Scene, Cemetery Dance, The Strand Magazine, Analog Science Fiction, Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine; the balance in anthologies. 50 crime stories... each a connoisseur's delight!
Mystery Writers of America's 75th Anniversary Anthology
Recognized as a top pick by Suspense Magazine in 2020, this book offers a gripping narrative filled with tension and unexpected twists. The story delves into complex characters and their intricate relationships, set against a backdrop that enhances the suspense. With a blend of psychological depth and thrilling plot developments, it captivates readers and keeps them on the edge of their seats, making it a standout in contemporary suspense literature.
Set against a captivating historical backdrop, this latest entry in the detective series features a blend of intrigue and charm as it follows a gripping mystery involving stolen gold. Renowned author Bill Pronzini weaves a tale filled with suspense, engaging characters, and clever twists, inviting readers to unravel the secrets alongside the detective. With a masterful touch, the story promises to keep fans of historical mysteries thoroughly entertained.
Set in a seemingly tranquil Peaceful Valley, this western mystery unravels as old-fashioned violence disrupts the calm. Bill Pronzini crafts a gripping narrative that juxtaposes traditional themes with contemporary issues, revealing the darker undercurrents of a community that is anything but peaceful. As tensions rise, the story explores the impact of crime on the lives of the residents, making for a compelling read that challenges the notion of safety in a familiar setting.
The Nameless Detective has taken many cases over the years, and this is one for the books. Or rather, two cases that will test his agency's resources. Love is in the air ... more to the point, love gone awry. One case involves a woman whose husband died accidentally in a remote cabin in the Sierras. The wife isn't buying that her husband was alone, and is determined to find out his secret and get closure, in spite of any potential heartbreak. The other case is a missing person -- but the person missing was agoraphobic and never left the house. The husband swears that while their relationship was strained due to his wife's condition, he was still in love with her. He begs Nameless to clear him and find his wife before the cops come for him. Bill Pronzini's Endgame is a classic Nameless tale -- twisty puzzles featuring one of mystery's best loved detectives
Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Bill Pronzini debuts a thrilling western with expert storytelling and a mysterious hero who will appeal to Pronzini's Nameless fans. Not all the folks who roamed the Old West were cowhands, rustlers, or cardsharps. And they certainly weren't all heroes. Give-a-Damn Jones, a free-spirited itinerant typographer, hates his nickname almost as much as the rumors spread about him. He's a kind soul who keeps finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. That's what happened in Box Elder, a small Montana town. Tensions are running high, and anything (or anyone) could be the fuse to ignite a recently released convict trying to prove his innocence, a prominent cattleman who craves respect at any cost, a wily traveling dentist at odds with a violent local blacksmith, or a firebrand of an editor who is determined to unlock the town's secrets. Jones walks into the middle of it all, and this time, he may be the hero that this town needs.
Set in a captivating historical backdrop, this latest installment in Bill Pronzini's detective series features a blend of charm and intrigue. The story unfolds as the protagonist navigates a web of mystery involving unexpected twists and engaging characters. With Pronzini's signature storytelling, readers are treated to a compelling narrative that intertwines clever detective work with rich historical detail, making it a delightful addition for fans of the genre.
Follow-up to the Edgar Award-nominated Gun in Cheek further celebrates neglected classics of substandard mystery writing, uncovering even more twisted treasures for connoisseurs of hideous prose.