Short Stories/Novellas

Chesapeake Crimes II is an eclectic mix of mystery and murder. No sooner do the stories start than the bodies begin to fall. Fifteen mysteries written by fifteen different authors―all members of Chesapeake Sisters in Crime and some of the hottest authors in mystery today―are a must-read for anyone serious about murder mysteries. In these pages you will find Edgar, Anthony, and Agatha Award winners. Authors include Goodie Cantwell, Nora Charles, Leone Ciporin, Carla Coupe, Elizabeth Foxwell, Chris Freeburn, Barb Goffman, Peggy Hanson, G. M. Malliet, Sherriel Mattingly, Valerie O. Patterson, Judy Pomeranz, Harriette I. Sackler, Marcia Talley, and Sandi Wilson.

In case you didn't know, Wolfmont Press has, for the last three years, published anthologies of short crime fiction, with the theme of crimes around the winter holiday season. By the sale of those books, Wolfmont Press has been able to donate a total of over $6,600 to the Toys for Tots Foundation--not bad for a small press publisher with one full-time employee. This fourth book will be our largest thus far to help Toys for Tots, with 278 pages of great stories. The 2009 anthology contains nineteen fantastic stories of winter holiday crime from some very talented and generous authors. And all the publisher's profits from this book go to Toys for Tots. Our goal in 2008 was to raise at least $3,000 more for these kids, and we made it, overtopping our goal to reach $3,300. Our goal with THE GIFT OF MURDER is to be able to push our total for the four years up to over $10,000 for Toys for Tots! We have stories not only of Christmas crime, but Chanukah and Kwanzaa, and some stories that combine all three! Treat yourself to a gift of holiday crime fiction, and treat someone else, too! In the process you'll help us to meet our goal and make a lot of kids happier this holiday season. What's not to like?

"Not many of us would admit, even to ourselves, that we had actually wished for something awful to befall anybody we knew. On the other hand, if we've ever felt exploited by an acquaintance, or undervalued in a job that we felt trapped in-if we've experienced an unappreciative boss, a backstabbing co-worker, a jealous rival, a manipulative friend, a faithless lover, an intrusive neighbor, or even a controlling homeowners' association board . . . well, you get the picture. "Each of us has doubtless gone a round or two with someone whom we secretly felt deserved more than a small dose of Divine Justice. This probably explains why most of us can't help but smile upon hearing that somebody who "done us wrong" has, at long last, gotten his "just desserts." In extreme cases (that is, if you're anything like me) you might even have gone so far, in the past, as to uncork a small split of champagne! "I suspect there'll be plenty of bubbly flowing as you relish reading about twenty of literature's most deserving villains, who get their comeuppance in Chesapeake Crimes: They Had It Comin'." --Katharine Neville, from the Foreword

Chosen from over 200 submissions, these ten mystery short stories come from new and established authors alike. Never before published, they are gathered together in our First Annual Mystery Times Ten YA collection. Each story was read and rated by three panels of judges, which included book bloggers, teen readers aged 12 to 19, and YA buyers and marketing mavens from the largest book wholesalers in the United States. Each author was given the same set of parameters to use; each brought his or her own unique talents and tastes to the task at hand. There is something here for every YA mystery fan, from hardboiled to paranormal. Each story is a small bite of mystery that will satisfy and delight even the most discerning of readers. So sit down and dip in. We guarantee you won't stop at just one!

The latest installment in the Chesapeake Crimes mystery series focuses on working stiffs—literally! Included in this collection are new tales by: Shari Randall, C. Ellett Logan, Karen Cantwell, E. B. Davis, Jill Breslau, David Autry, Harriette Sackler, Barb Goffman, Ellen Herbert, Smita Harish Jain, Leone Ciporin, Cathy Wiley, Donna Andrews, Art Taylor. Foreword by Elaine Viets.

What do a bullied girl, a Christmas Town elf, a sheriff, and the biblical Job have in common? They're a few of the characters who take center stage in these stories of revenge, comeuppance, and the search for justice. Author Barb Goffman has been shortlisted seven times for national mystery awards (the Anthony, the Macavity, and the Agatha). This collection of fifteen short stories gathers all of her nominated tales, plus five new ones. Be prepared for stories ranging from dark to humorous, and crimes including adultery, theft, and, of course, murder. "In short: terrific. Barb Goffman is the master of the twist—she fools me every time! This collection is like a fabulous box of chocolates—each one different, each one special, each one a wonderful treat." --Hank Phillippi Ryan, Award-winning author

What do a bullied girl, a Christmas Town elf, a sheriff, and the biblical Job have in common? They're a few of the characters who take center stage in these stories of revenge, comeuppance, and the search for justice. Author Barb Goffman has been shortlisted seven times for national mystery awards (the Anthony, the Macavity, and the Agatha). This collection of fifteen short stories gathers all of her nominated tales, plus five new ones. Be prepared for stories ranging from dark to humorous, and crimes including adultery, theft, and, of course, murder. "In short: terrific. Barb Goffman is the master of the twist—she fools me every time! This collection is like a fabulous box of chocolates—each one different, each one special, each one a wonderful treat." --Hank Phillippi Ryan, Award-winning author

The sixth volume in the Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, and Macavity award-winning "Chesapeake Crimes" series includes stories by: Barb Goffman, Rosemary and Larry Mild, E. B. Davis, Shaun Taylor Bevins, Cathy Wiley, Art Taylor, Shari Randall, Meg Opperman, Carla Coupe, Timothy Bentler-Jungr, Linda Lombardi, Debbi Mack, Clyde Linsley, and Donna Andrews. "One thing I’ve learned during a long career as a writer is that a good short story is one of the hardest things to write. To capture mood, character, tension, and a satisfying climax in a few pages requires more skill than having the luxury of a novel to get things right. That’s why I’m so impressed that the writers of Chesapeake Crimes seem to deliver quality work in anthology after anthology. This one is especially fun as the theme is holidays. And who hasn’t wanted to commit a murder at a family holiday celebration?" -- Rhys Bowen

The Malice Domestic cozy anthology series returns with a new take on "cozy" mysteries in the Agatha Christie tradition. Here are 22 original stories (and one modern classic reprint) set at conventions, conferences, and gatherings of all kinds! Included are: Conventional Wisdom, by Marcia Talley Djinn and Tonic, by Neil Plakcy The Vanishing Wife, by Victoria Thompson The Right to Bare Arms, by John Gregory Betancourt Message in a Bottle, by Su Kopil Anonymous, by Kate Flora What Goes Around, by B.K. Stevens The Hair of the Dog, by Charles Todd The Best-Laid Plans, by Barb Goffman A Dark and Stormy Light, by Gigi Pandian The Clue in the Blue Booth, by Hank Phillippi Ryan Wicked Writers, by Frances McNamara Coverture, by KB Inglee Dark Secrets, by Kathryn Leigh Scott Tarnished Hope, by KM Rockwood Not Forgotten, by L.C. Tyler Boston Bouillabaisse, by Nancy Brewka-Clark Killing Kippers, by Eleanor Cawood Jones Elemental Chaos, by M Evonne Dobsonv Outside the Box, by Ruth Moose The Perfect Pitch, by Marie Hannan-Mandel Two Birds with One Stone, by Rhys Bowen A Gathering of Great Detectives, by Shawn Reilly Simmons

CRIME TRAVEL features time-travel mysteries by a terrific lineup of authors. Included are: James Blakey Melissa H. Blaine Michael Bracken Anna Castle Brendan DuBois David Dean John M. Floyd Barb Goffman Heidi Hunter Eleanor Cawood Jones Adam Meyer Barbara Monajem Korina Moss Art Taylor Cathy Wiley

This original collection of sports-themed mystery stories features felonies and foul play across a range of athletics. Readers will find riveting stories involving baseball, biathlon, boxing, cycling, figure skating, swimming, tennis, and more. These clever tales—some penned by award-winning authors—offer something for everyone. From traditional whodunits to historical mysteries from noir tales to cozies, Three Strikes, You’re Dead! is the collection both mystery and sports fans have been waiting for! Included is work by: Alan Orloff, F. J. Talley, Kathryn Prater Bomey, Adam Meyer, Rosalie Spielman, William Ade, Maddi Davidson, Shannon Taft, Sherry Harris, Robin Templeton, Lynne Ewing, Barb Goffman, Joseph S. Walker, and Smita Harish Jain.

In Agatha and Derringer Get Cozy , thirteen of today’s cleverest mystery and suspense authors get cozy with mystery fans in thirteen original mysteries written exclusively by Agatha and Derringer Award-winning authors. In some of their most creative and cunning cozy stories yet, these modern masters of suspense—John Floyd, Barb Goffman, Tara Laskowski, BV Lawson, Robert Lopresti, Kris Neri, Alan Orloff, Josh Pachter, Stephen D. Rogers, Shawn Reilly Simmons, Marcia Talley, Art Taylor, and Stacy Woodson—have meticulously planned for mystery enthusiasts a full docket of murder, mischief, and mayhem. The list of quaint homicidal hometowns and unlikely cloak-and-cozy amateur detective heroes is as inexhaustible as the imaginations of their ingenious creators. Keep the lights on and your head on a swivel, Mystery Fans, because with these poisoned-pen masters on the prowl, your safe little nook just might be the next cozy crime scene! Critical Acclaim for Kinman and McAleer’s Award-Winning Mystery Series: “Settle in and get comfy, the Agatha and Derringer Get Cozy anthology is a delightful assortment of crime stories penned by short story masters that will keep you up long past a decent bedtime. These tales of deceit, mistaken identity, stalking, revenge, bad advice, murder and rivalries gone wrong are chock full of quirky characters, nosy neighbors, amateur sleuths, meddling senior citizens and unique settings that cozy mystery fans adore. A collection not to be missed!” —Lori Armstrong, Shamus Award winning author of the Julie Collins and Mercy Gunderson mystery series “The stars align in this impressive line-up of Agatha and Derringer Award-winning authors—thrills and chills wrapped snuggly in this security blanket of small towns and warm cocoa. Memorable characters make up this thirteen-tale cozy collection of murder and intrigue. Agatha and Derringer Get Cozy is a fun read.” —John Shepphird, Shamus Award-winning author of Deception Specialist “Twists and turns abound in this clever collection of cozy short stories from today’s best crime writers—no magnifying glass needed to spot the talent on these pages.” —Libby Cudmore, Shamus Award-winning author of Negative Girl “ Edgar & Shamus Go Golden is a 24-carat collection of stories by the best in the business, proving that we are in a new Golden Age ourselves, and lucky to be here.” —S.J. Rozan, Edgar Award winner and bestselling author of Family Business “ Edgar & Shamus Go Golden is a must-read. Editors Gay Toltl Kinman and Andrew McAleer assembled a collection of stories that fit together like the songs on a Beatles album, with one story setting up the next. Each piece captures the Golden Age glow the editors promised. I highly recommend it.” —Tom MacDonald, Shamus Award nominated author of the Dermot Sparhawk P.I. series “As if picking up where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dame Agatha Christie, and Dorothy Sayers left off, the who-dun-it, why-dun-it, how-dun-it, and unshakable alibi, are all afoot in Edgar & Shamus . Travel back in time with an all-star cast of some today’s leading experts in the art of crime fiction.” — The Big Thrill “The Golden Age of Mystery will continue for as long as writers produce stories that challenge us to find solutions alongside the detectives. These stories in Edgar & Shamus Go Golden —some of the best of the best—offer definitive proof.” —Stephen D. Rogers, Derringer Award-winning author of Shot to Death “John McAleer’s “Case of the Illustrious Banker” [featuring London detective Henry von Stray]…is just one of the treasures unearthed…in Edgar & Shamus Go Golden .” — Midwest Book Review