100 Malicious Little Mysteries Read online

  Annotation

  Charmingly insidious, satisfyingly devious 100 Malicious Little Mysteries is the perfect book to fit your most malevolent mood. Each story has its own particular and irresistible appeal — that unexpected twist, a delectable puzzle, a devastating revelation, or perhaps a refreshing display of pernicious spite. These stories by some of the many well-known writers in the field, including Michael Gilbert, Edward Wellen, Edward D. Hack, Bill Pronzini, Lawrence Treat and Francis Nevins.

  * * *

  100 Malicious Little MysteriesAcknowledgments

  Introduction

  Six Words

  The Little Things

  A Matter of Life and Death

  Perfect Pigeon

  The Cop Who Loved Flowers

  Trick or Treat

  Twice Around the Block

  An Easy Score

  The Good Lord Will Provide

  Boomerang

  The Way It’s Supposed To Be

  Thank You, Mr. Thurston

  Funeral Music

  Murder Will Out

  An Insignificant Crime

  The Stray Bullet

  A Night Out with the Boys

  Office Party

  Comes the Dawn

  Acting Job

  The Last Smile

  Grief Counselor

  The Best Place

  Dead End

  Pure Rotten

  Grounds for Divorce

  Inside Out

  The Bell

  The Box

  The Physician and the Opium Fiend

  Over the Borderline

  It Could Happen to You

  Class Reunion

  The Way It Is Now

  The Hot Rock

  A Puff of Orange Smoke

  The Chicken Player

  Nothing But Bad News

  The Quick and the Dead

  An Exercise in Insurance

  The Old Heap

  As the Wheel Turns

  Knit One, Purl Two...

  The Paternal Instinct

  What Kind of Person Are You?

  Shatter Proof

  Out of Order

  The Handy Man

  Nightmare

  Recipe for Revenge

  Sweet Fever

  The Magnum

  Two Postludes

  A Deal in Diamonds

  The Last Day of Shooting

  Blisters in May

  The Collector

  House Call

  The Adventure of the Blind Alley

  The Unfriendly Neighbor

  A Feline Felony

  Don’t I Know You?

  Meet Mr. Murder

  Co-Incidence

  Alma

  Grand Exit

  Hunting Ground

  The Big Trip

  Dutch

  Loaded Quest

  Hand in Glove

  The Slantwise Scales of Justice

  Child on a Journey

  The Witches in the Closet

  Setup

  A Very Rare Disease

  Two Small Vials

  Sweet Remembrance

  A Dip in the Poole

  Doctor’s Orders

  Mrs. Twiller Takes a Trip

  Such a Lovely Day

  Matinee

  Big Mouth

  The Weathered Board

  Lot 721/XY258

  Thirteen

  Operative 375

  He’ll Kill You

  Caveat Emptor

  The Facsimile Shop

  A Corner of the Cellar

  Every Fifth Man

  The Pro

  Nobody, That’s Who

  Pigeon

  The Prisoner

  The Sooey Pill

  Backing Up

  Wide O—

  * * *

  100 Malicious Little Mysteries

  Acknowledgments

  “Six Words” by Lew Gillis. Copyright © 1978 by Lew Gillis. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (March 1978). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Little Things” by Isaac Asimov. Copyright © 1975 by Isaac Asimov. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (May 1975). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “A Matter of Life and Death” by Bill Pronzini and Barry N. Malzberg. Copyright © 1974 by Renown Publications, Inc. First published in Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the authors.

  “Perfect Pigeon” by Carroll Mayers. Copyright © 1978 by Carroll Mayers. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Cop Who Loved Flowers” by Henry Slesar. Copyright © 1966 by Davis Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Trick or Treat” by Judith Garner. Copyright © 1975 by Judith Garner. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Twice Around the Block” by Lawrence Treat. Copyright © 1956 by Renown Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “An Easy Score” by Al Nussbaum. Copyright © 1973 by by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Good Lord Will Provide” by Lawrence Treat and Charles M. Plotz. Copyright © 1973 by Lawrence Treat and Charles M. Plotz. Reprinted by permission of the authors.

  “Boomerang” by Harold Q. Masur. Copyright © 1964 by Harold Q. Masur. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Way It’s Supposed To Be” by Elsin Ann Graffam. Copyright © 1976 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine (February 1977). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Thank You, Mr. Thurston” by Ed Dumonte. Copyright © 1963 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. Originally published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “Funeral Music” by Francis M. Nevins, Jr. Copyright © 1975 by Francis M. Nevins, Jr. Originally published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (February 1976). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Murder Will Out” by Edward Wellen. Copyright © 1971 by Edward Wellen. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (August 1971). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “An Insignificant Crime” by Maxine O’Callaghan. Copyright © 1976 by Maxine O’Callaghan. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (February 1977). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Stray Bullet” by Gary Brandner. Copyright © 1971 by Gary Brandner. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “A Night Out With the Boys” by Elsin Ann Graffam. Copyright © 1974 by Elsin Ann Graffam. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (February 1974). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Office Party” by Mary Bradford. Copyright © 1976 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine (July 1976). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Comes the Dawn” by Michael Kurland. Copyright © 1966 by Michael Kurland. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Acting Job” by Richard Deming. Copyright © 1960 by Renown Publications, Inc. First published in Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine (January 1961). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Last Smile” by Henry Slesar. Copyright © 1961 by HMH Publishing Co., Inc. First published in Playboy Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Grief Counselor” by Julie Smith. Copyright © 1978 by Renown Publications, Inc. First published in Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Best Place” by A. F. Oreshnik. Copyright © 1974 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Al Nussbaum.

  “Dead End” by Alvin S. Fick. Copyright © 1977 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Alfre
d Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Pure Rotten” by John Lutz. Copyright © 1977 by Renown Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Grounds for Divorce” by James Holding. Copyright © 1973 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the author and the author’s agents, Scott Meredith Literary Agency, Inc., 845 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

  “Inside Out” by Barry N. Malzberg. Copyright © 1978 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine (May 1978). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Bell” by Isak Romun. Copyright © 1978 by Isak Romun. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Box” by Isak Romun. Copyright © 1976 by Isak Romun. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Physician and the Opium Fiend” by R. L. Stevens (Edward D. Hoch). Copyright © 1971 by R. L. Stevens. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “Over the Borderline” by Jeff Sweet. Copyright © 1973 by Jeff Sweet. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “It Could Happen to You” by John Lutz. Copyright © 1975 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Class Reunion” by Charles Boeckman. Copyright © 1973 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Way It Is Now” by Elaine Slater. Copyright © 1967 by Elaine Slater. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Hot Rock” by James McKimmey. Copyright © 1971 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “A Puff of Orange Smoke” by Lael J. Littke. Copyright © 1972 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (December 1972). Reprinted by permission of the author and Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “The Chicken Player” by Joe L. Hensley. Copyright © 1967 by Magnum-Royal Publications, Inc. First published in Swank Magazine (June 1967). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Nothing But Bad News” by Henry Slesar. Copyright © 1974 by PLAYBOY. First published in Playboy Magazine (February 1974). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Quick and the Dead” by Helen McCloy. Copyright © 1964 by Helen McCloy. First published as “Murder Ad Lib” in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “An Exercise in Insurance” by James Holding. Copyright © 1964 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author and the author’s agents, Scott Meredith Literary Agency, Inc., 845 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

  “The Old Heap” by Alvin S. Fick. Copyright © 1976 by Renown Publications, Inc. First published in Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “As the Wheel Turns” by Jane Speed. Copyright © 1966 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (April 1966). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Knit One, Purl Two...” by Thomasina Weber. Copyright © 1970 by W/W Twentyfirst Corp. First published in Weight Watchers Magazine (October 1970). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Paternal Instinct” by Al Nussbaum. Copyright © 1968 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine (May 1968). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “What Kind of Person Are You?” by Bill Pronzini and Barry N. Malzberg. Copyright © 1977 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the authors.

  “Shatter Proof” by Jack Ritchie. Copyright © 1960 by Flying Eagle Publications. First published in Manhunt Magazine. Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “Out of Order” by Cari Henry Rathjen. Copyright © 1963 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine (November 1963). Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “The Handy Man” by Marion M, Markham. Copyright © 1976 by Renown Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Nightmare” by Elaine Slater. Copyright © 1963 by Elaine Slater. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Recipe for Revenge” by Jane Speed. Copyright © 1974 by Jane Speed. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (October 1974). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Sweet Fever” by Bill Pronzini. Copyright © 1976 by Bill Pronzini. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Magnum” by Jack Ritchie. Copyright © 1973 by E. Go Publications, Inc. First published in Debonair Magazine. Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “Two Postludes” by Isak Romun. Copyright © 1976 by Looking Glass Publications, Inc. First published in Mystery Monthly. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “A Deal in Diamonds” by Edward D. Hoch (R. L. Stevens). Copyright © 1975 by R. L. Stevens. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “The Last Day of Shooting” by Dion Henderson. Copyright © 1967 by Diner’s Club. First published in Signature Magazine. Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “Blisters in May” by Jack Ritchie. Copyright © 1965 by Diner’s Club. First published in Diner’s Club Magazine. Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “The Collector” by Patricia A. Matthews. Copyright © 1975 by Top Flight Magazines, Inc. First published in Topper (August 1975). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “House Call” by Elsin Ann Graffam. Copyright © 1970 by Elsin Ann Graffam. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (December 1970). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Adventure of the Blind Alley” by Edward Wellen. Copyright © 1978 by Edward Wellen. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Unfriendly Neighbor” by Al Nussbaum. Copyright © 1972 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine (August 1972). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “A Feline Felony” by Jael J. Littke. Copyright © 1967 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (January 1968). Reprinted by permission of the author and Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “Don’t I Know You?” by Henry Slesar. Copyright © 1968 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (September 1968). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Meet Mr. Murder” by Morris Hershman. Copyright © 1968 by Renown Publications, Inc. First published in Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “Co-Incidence” by Edward D. Hoch. Copyright © 1956 by Columbia Publications, Inc. First published in Original Science Fiction Stories. Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “Alma” by Al Nussbaum. Copyright © 1972 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine (October 1972). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Grand Exit” by Leo R. Ellis. Copyright © 1969 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine (February 1969). Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “Hunting Ground” by A. F. Oreshnik. Copyright © 1975 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Al Nussbaum.

  “The Big Trip” by Elsin Ann Graffam. Copyright © 1971 by Elsin Ann Graffam. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery
Magazine (October 1971). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Dutch” by William F. Nolan. Copyright © 1958 by King-Size Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Loaded Quest” by Thomasina Weber. Copyright © 1973 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Hand in Glove” by James Holding. Copyright © 1965 by Davis Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the author and the author’s agents, Scott Meredith Literary Agency, Inc., 845 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

  “The Slantwise Scales of Justice” by Phyllis Ann Karr. Copyright © 1974 by Phyllis Ann Karr. First published as “Blood Money” in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (February 1975). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Child on a Journey” by Fred S. Tobey. Copyright © 1973 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine (December 1973). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Witches in the Closet” by Anne Chamberlain. Copyright © 1944 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Setup” by Jack Ritchie. Copyright © 1972 by The Elks. First published in Elks Magazine (June 1972). Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “A Very Rare Disease” by Henry Slesar. Copyright © 1958 by HMH Publishing Co., Inc. First published in Playboy Magazine (August 1958). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Two Small Vials” by Elsin Ann Graffam. Copyright © 1977 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine (August 1977). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Sweet Remembrance” by Betty Ren Wright. Copyright © 1968 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of Larry Sternig Literary Agency.

  “A Dip in the Poole” by Bill Pronzini. Copyright © 1970 by H.S.D. Publications, Inc. First published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Doctor’s Orders” by John F. Suter. Copyright © 1959 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Mrs. Twiller Takes a Trip” by Lael J. Littke. Copyright © 1970 by Davis Publications, Inc. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (May 1970). Reprinted by permission of the author and Larry Sternig Literary Agency.