Unusual Suspects: Stories of Mystery & Fantasy

by Dana Stabenow

Book Overview

All-new from the top names in mystery and fantasy-- including a never-beforepublished Sookie Stackhouse story from Charlaine Harris This follow-up to Powers of Detection showcases bestselling and award-winning names from Simon Green to Laurie King to Sharon Shinn--with original stories featuring otherworldly investigators trailing uncanny criminals across fantastical realms. From video game characters seeking civil rights and a cave dragon loan shark...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441016375
• ISBN13: 9780441016372
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Ace Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.2" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A keeper

Unusual Suspects, edited by Dana Stabenow, contains a dozen short stories of murder, mystery, fantasy, and the paranormal, including a few by highly recognizable name authors. There were no stories in this volume that I truly disliked, and frankly, when you read an anthology like this, you usually expect to find at least one. There might have been one so-so story, but plenty of them were absolutely fascinating, and the mysteries were a lot of fun. If you enjoy mysteries and a wide range of fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal settings, then I think you'll enjoy Unusual Suspects!

Delightful

The stories are each a combination of mystery and fantasy. They read well and I enjoyed every one of these stories. I read some of them twice simply to watch how they worked out the plot.

Nice Read

As always with these anthologies, there was a very nice sampling of what each author had to offer. And though I was an old fan of some of them (Charlaine Harris, etc.), some of the newer authors were nice to get to know as well!

Great book to read at night

/Unusual Suspects/ is another anthology of short stories edited by Dana Stabenow. There are an even dozen of mystery and fantasy tales that are pure escapist literature. Fantasy fans will recognize the names of authors like Simon R. Green and Carole Nelson Douglas. The stories cover the gamut of fancy with tales about ghosts, Vampires, witches, and dragons. These supernatural beings interact with normal folks like you and me to such diverse celebrities as Sam Spade and Santa Clause. This is a great work for reading in bed at night. The stories are just about the right length to keep your interest long enough to get sleepy. By that time, the end of the story is at hand. These twelve stories are enough to keep you busy for almost two weeks. Enjoy! Reviewed by Michael Huff

the convergence of mystery and suspense inside a fantasy realm

These superb twelve new tales focus on the convergence of mystery and suspense inside a fantasy realm. The stories are all well written, holding up nicely to its predecessor collection (see POWERS OF DETECTION). Charlaine Harris provides a Sookie entry while Simon R. Green returns to the Nightside and the editor Ms. Stabenow takes her fans back to Mnemosynea for what she describes as a "Seer and Sword" thriller. The other entries are strong with deep characters such as Laura Anne Gilman's loan shark dragon star of "Illumination". Carole Nelson Douglas' "Bogieman" answers one of the deepest fundamental questions of the universe: who wants Sam Spade dead (than again who does not might be easier to answer)? Likewise John Straley responds to another question of the ages: what does Santa do during his off season? Whether it is Donna Andrews's Gwynn the apprentice returning to cast a "spellbound" on her fans to read her story or Mike Doogan a "Glamour" satirizing the sub-genre, readers will enjoy this compilation. The remaining four are excellent contributions by top tier authors (Michael A. Stackpole, Sharon Sinn, Michael Armstrong and Laurie R. King). Harriet Klausner