Mystery Writers of America presents When a Stranger Comes to Town – Anthology Review

Posted 10 May, 2021 by Heather in Audiobook, Blog, Blog Tour, Book Review, Heather, Heather Book Review / 0 Comments

I haven’t read a collection of short stories in a really long time. When the chance to read the nineteen-story anthology from Mystery Writers of America authors, When a Stranger Comes to Town, popped up, I eagerly downloaded the book from Netgalley. With many authors–both well-known and newer to the mystery genre–each contributing a story with their take on a stranger showing up in someone’s life, I then downloaded the anthology from Audible. I was just in the mood for an audiobook while I worked, and this set of stories did not disappoint. There’s a bit of everything in here: crime fiction, science fiction, mysteries, a little bit of thrillers and suspense, and a lot of creepiness in some of them.

Stand out stories for me were “Avalon” by Michael Connelly, “Here’s To New Friends” by Jacqueline Freimor, “Room for One More” by Joe Lansdale, “P.F.A” by Michael Kortya, “A Six Letter Word for Neighbor” by Lisa Unger, “Last Fare” by Joe Hill, and “Howard’s Heart” by Bryon Quertermous.

I give When a Stranger Comes to Town a 4.5 out of 5. The audiobook production was fantastic, and each voice actor did an excellent job with their stories. Editor/author Michael Koryta has assembled a fantastic collection of short stories with the theme of a stranger popping up. All nineteen stories were well-written, twisty-turny, and full of surprises. There was only one story that didn’t resonate for me, but overall, this is a solid, above-average anthology.

Find WHEN A STRANGER COMES TO TOWN

Amazon | Audible | Goodreads

Connect with the Authors

Paul A. Barra
Alafair Burke
Michael Connelly
S.A. Cosby
Tina deBellegarde
Jacqueline Freimor
Steve Hamilton
Joe Hill
Tilia Klebenov Jacobs
Smita Harish Jain
Michael Koryta
Joe R. Lansdale
Emilya Naymark
Bryon Quertermous
Lori Roy
Jonathan Stone
Elaine Togneri
Lisa Unger
Amanda Witt

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Heather

I'm a PhD chemist who loves sarcasm, music, and books-paranormal, mystery, thriller, suspense, horror, and romance. Most of my free time is spent at the martial arts studio these days--whether practicing Combat Hapkido or reading books while watching my son's Taekwondo classes, or even working up a sweat with Kickboxing for fun. Goodreads