“Stunts” by Ace Atkins. First published in Austin Noir, edited by Hopeton Hay, Scott Montgomery, and Molly Odintz (Akashic Books). Copyright © 2023 by Ace Atkins.

“Beat the Clock” by Michael Bracken. First published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, March/April. Copyright © 2023 by Michael Bracken.

“How to Teach Yourself to Swim” by Fleur Bradley. First published in Dark Yonder, Summer. Copyright © 2023 by Fleur Bradley.

“The Knife Sharpener” by Shelley Costa. First published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, July/August. Copyright © 2023 by Shelley Costa.

“Down the Fire Road” by Doug Crandell. First published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May/June. Copyright © 2023 by Doug Crandell.

“The Lady in My Life” by Jeffery Deaver. First published in Thriller, edited by Don Bruns (Blackstone). Copyright © 2023 by Gunner Publications, LLC

“Last Day at the Jackrabbit” by John M. Floyd. First published in The Strand Magazine, Vol. 69. Copyright © 2023 by John Floyd.

“Lovely and Useless Things” by Nils Gilbertson. First published in Prohibition Peepers, edited by Michael Bracken. Copyright © 2023 by Nils Gilbertson.

“El Paso Heat” by Peter W. J. Hayes. First published in Black Cat Mystery Magazine, No. 14. Copyright © 2023 by Peter Hayes.

“The Backwoods” by Shells Legoullon. First published in Thrill Rides: The Magazine, edited by M. L. Buckman (Unlikely Partners). Copyright © 2023 by Shells Legoullon.

“Kill Night” by Victor Methos. First published in Amazon Original Stories. Copyright © 2023 by Victor Methos.

“A Family Matter” by Leonardo Padura; translated by Frances Riddle. First published in Southwest Review, Vol. 109, No. 3. Copyright © 2023 by Leonardo Padura.

“Snow over Hartford” by Dan Pope. First published in Bellevue Literary Review, No. 44. Copyright © 2023 by Dan Pope.

“Dead Names” by Annie Reed. First published by WMG Publishing, Holiday Spectacular 2023 Calendar of Stories (December 17). Copyright © 2023 by Annie Reed.

“Billowing Down the Bayou” by Cameron Sanders. First published in The Greensboro Review, Spring. Copyright © 2023 by Cameron Sanders.

“It’s Not Even Past” by Anna Scotti. First published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October. Copyright © 2023 by Anna Scotti.

“Good Harvest” by Archer Sullivan. First published in Rock and a Hard Place, Issue 9. Copyright © 2023 Archer Sullivan.

“Wonder Falls” by Andrew Welsh-Huggins. First published in Mystery Tribune, July/August. Copyright © 2023 by Andrew Welsh-Huggins.

“One Night in 1965” by Stacy Woodson. First published in More Groovy Gumshoes, edited by Michael Bracken (Down & Out). Copyright © 2023 by Stacy Woodson.