mystery and crime short fiction

Author: Editor

  • A Piece Of String by Ahmed A. Khan

    The greatest detectives have always had their particular methods and tools. Perhaps you, too, have heard of the legendary Arabian trackers and detectives of the past. It was in 1952 that I happened to observe one such detective in action with all the tools of his trade which, by the way, were comprised of instinct,…

  • Man On The Run by Laird Long

    We all dream of escaping sometimes — but there’s more than one way to get away. The big cab was pushing forty when he slammed on the brakes. The car skidded to an icy stop in front of her, its mammoth bumper nodding gently against her knees. He pulled his foot out of the floorboards and cursed.…

  • Grave Designs by Mike O’Reilly

    They say blood is thicker than water, but some friendships are made of thicker stuff still. There is no surer sign of damnation than the need to pay a priest for a eulogy. He whispered the prayers. His hand was trembling and his eyes were black hollows burrowed into his skull. A three-day growth filled…

  • Submission Tips

    Plan B is open to submissions again, which means lots of stories are flooding in to be reviewed. Here are a few tips to help prospective authors make it easier on editors, that I can safely say apply to all markets: Follow the submission guidelines. See tip #1 There is no tip #3. Yes, it…

  • Embers by Michael Haynes

    It doesn’t take much to fan the flames. Sunday afternoon, the end of Dad’s and my weekend together, was fading fast. If he didn’t have me to Mom’s by six there’d be hell to pay. Dad was sitting in a chair, eyes closed. I started gathering up things, throwing them in the trunk of the…