We’re thrilled to announce that “Death Will Tank Your Fish” by Elizabeth Zelvin has been nominated among 4 other stories in the category of Best Short Story (1,001-4,000 words).

On the heels of some wonderful reviews we’ve gotten across various sites, this nomination is a thrill, and not just because it recognizes a talented contributor–great job and great story, Liz! But we’re also excited to get additional recognition of the overall quality of our collection, and we hope even more readers will agree.

The Derringer winners will be announced at the end of March, and our fingers are crossed!

It’s not just because Mysterical-E is a terrific publication (it is!) and not just because we hoped they’d enjoy the collection (of course, we did!), but because in their current issue, they gave us absolutely the greatest compliment a short story collection can hope to get:

“This is not a hit or miss anthology. Every entry is top notch.”

Read the whole review here, and check out the rest of the online issue, because they always have great offerings for readers of short crime fiction!

We’re over the moon, and hope to see you there!

…From the first story to the last, this book is a shining example of solid writing style, where characters are larger than life, and the city becomes an integral personality to the telling. This collection, written by New York’s Sisters in Crime chapter members, fairly sings with down-to-earth vignettes of life, no high-tech toys or globe-trotting, crime-solving millionaires needed. Indeed, that is the glory of the writing here. Each of the characters populating these short stories is a fully formed individual, someone who might live next door to or one might come across in daily life.

 From lovers’ secrets to sisters’ shared truth, the tales of MURDER NEW YORK STYLE: FRESH SLICES should not be missed. Whether one is familiar with the city or not, the tales told here are universal and can be enjoyed by everyone.

Wow! Please go read it all, and small bites of each story are posted here if you want a taste yourself.  Thanks so much to Christine Zibas and RTE for taking the time to read and review the collection, and know that you’re seriously upping the cheeriness quotient at our signing this Thursday!

“…My favorites were a study in contrasts, Tear Down by Anita Page and Susan Chalfin’s Remember You Will Die. In Page’s story, an octogenerian in a lower middle class neighborhood,relives the crisis of her youth and a horrific secret. I loved the cranky character and her irony-laced wisdom, a bit like Flannery O’Connor. In a similar way, I was surprised how the voice of Susan Chalfin’s moneyed mogul had a touch of Roald Dahl. The dying Mogul gathers family and friends in the Rubin Museum, among the Buddhist art depicting levels of enlightenment, charnel houses and saints, for a champagne toast honoring an existence with a surprising exit. These stories are extraordinary in their quality and variety, a passport to a New York City of the unexpected no tourist–and few natives–has seen.”

Go read it all, and thanks again, NABR blog for the very kind and thoughtful words!

If you’d like a taste of any of the stories mentioned, check out our Small Bites page, and don’t forget our NYC signing and launch party at Partners & Crime is coming up on Thursday night, December 15th!

Don’t be fooled by the squeaky clean pedestrian malls and the national chain stores — our city has managed to retain a good amount of its notorious Gotham grit. Murder and intrigue abound. You just have to know where to look for it. A good place to start: in the pages of “Murder New York Style: Fresh Slices.” This anthology of 22 mysteries showcases work from the Sisters in Crime New York/Tri-State chapter (which promotes the professional development and advancement of women crime writers). Taken as a whole, they represent “that special combination of adaptability and assertiveness dished out more often than any pizza or street meat.” That’s a nice way of saying you’d better watch your back when you veer off the beaten path. Stories set in Downtown locations include “Taking the High Line” (an S&M encounter goes too far), “The Doorman Building” (a mother’s eye-opening visit to her son’s apartment near NYU) and “Remember You Will Die” (a dying mogul’s goodbye party at the Rubin Museum of Art). Meet many of the authors at the book launch party — which will feature readings and signings.

Thurs., Dec. 15, at 7pm. At Partners & Crime Mystery Booksellers (44 Greenwich Ave., near Charles St.). For more information about the anthology and its authors, visit murdernystyle.com. For info on the venue, crimepays.com.

We’re having a signing party and brief reading at Partners & Crime Mystery Booksellers on Thursday, December 15th at 7pm.  Stop by for festivities and cheer, and as a bonus, you’ll get all your shopping done for the crime fans on your list!

If you’re on goodreads and want to win your own copy, enter today!

Risky and Sexy, just like the Big Apple

Sure, we’ve been talking about the Fresh Slices stories and book here, but let’s not limit ourselves.  Did you know there’s actually accompanying merchandise with all those adorable little pizzas?  In addition to getting trucker hats, beer steins, infant wear, water bottles, hoodies, teddy bears, dog shirts, PJs, and every size and shape of tote-able, you can also get thong underwear to hold your 22 slices of New York attitude.  You’re welcome!

Ed Gorman image via interview on Harry Shannon's blog

There’s a great piece about the anthology just up on Ed Gorman’s blog.  As you may know, Ed is a crime writer of renown, so that he let our editor Terrie toot our anthology’s horn on his site is a thrill and an honor.  Thanks!