The Short Mystery Fiction Society Blog: December 2025

With the holidays coming, it's a great time to pick up some of the exciting new publications from the multi-talented authors of the Short Mystery Fiction Society for the readers in your life--and for yourself! We've got another sterling selection of anthologies, collections, and stories to feature, and there's something for every taste to be found here. And while you're in a festive mood, why not subscribe to your favorite mystery mag, and pick up a few gift subscriptions as well? It's a terrific way to support the continuing health of the field we all love.

With no further ado, let's take a look at some of the fantastic new work from SMFS!

Any fan of mystery stories--or of short stories in general--should know and honor the name of John M. Floyd, author of more than a thousand published stories and the recipient of countless awards and honors, including the Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement from SMFS. It's almost unfair that John isn't just among the most prolific writers working today--he's also among the very best. That status is only confirmed with the release of his latest collection from Crippen & Landru, River Road and Other Mystery Stories. This collection of 17 stories will have a place of honor on your shelves for years. And don't overlook the signed edition!
And be sure to make room alongside it for Death and the Final Cut, the latest entry in G. M. Malliet's award-winning series starring Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just. Devotees of Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers will find perfect fireside reading in this story of the mysterious murder of a fading star of the silver screen!
Turning to anthologies, it's never too late for some tasty Thanksgiving leftovers! In The Perp Wore Pumpkin II, eleven short story writers spin humorous mysteries around your favorite holiday dishes. SMFS is proud to be represented here by Kevin R. Tipple, Sandra Murphy, Stephen M. Pierce, donalee Moulton, Sally Millikin and Wendy Harrison. All the proceeds from this collection go to Feeding America to benefit local food banks, so you can get a fun read and help out all at once!
Sticking with the culinary theme, editor and SMFS member Lyn Worthen brings us Cooking Up Death, a menu of sixteen cozy mysteries featuring toxic treats and lethal luncheons--plus some bonus recipes to savor. SMFS members at the table include Alan Orloff, Annie Reed, Sally Millikin and John M. Floyd (there's that name again!).
The latest sizzling anthology from Cimeucopia, You Ain't Read Nothin' Yet, spans the spectrum of crime fiction, from cozy through to hard-edged noir and grindhouse. Along the way you'll find stellar contributions from SMFS's own Peter W. J. Hayes and Merrilee Robson, so don't miss out!
Looking for a little bit of everything in one great package? Check out Four Corners Voices, a collection of stories, essays and poetry from the Four Corners writing community of Cortez, Colorado. Among the highlights is SMFS member donalee Moulton's unforgettable "Mannequin."
Heading west, we find LAXtras: Los Angeles-style Crime Stories, with a host of crime-writing superstars, including the shining talent of M. E. Proctor. This is another charity anthology, benefitting the California Community Foundation's Wildlike Recovery Fund, so you're doing some good while treating yourself to great stories!
Not every mystery involves death--as we see in Anything But Murder: Heists and Hooligans. This companion volume to the highly regarded Mysteries to Die For podcast brings us proves there are endless ways to create mayhem, and SMFS members Debra H. Goldstein and Robert J. Binney are among your fiendishly clever hosts.
Taking a quick jaunt down under, Scarlet Stiletto: The 17th Cut is the latest entry in the long-running series featuring award-winning crime stories culled from thousands of entries to the Scarlet Stiletto Awards, presented by Sisters in Crime Australia. SMFS is delighted to see Liz Filleul's "A Time for Crime" on that list!
The Strand has ben one of the leading mystery magazines for years, brining us contemporary masters and classic names alike. The cream of the crop can be found in Best of The Strand: 25 Years of Twists, Turns and Tales from the Modern Masters of Mystery and Fiction. You'll find superstars ranging from Tennessee Williams to James Lee Burke in these pages--and you'll also find SMFS powerhouse John M. Floyd, taking his well-deserved place among them. Way to go, John!
Of course, SMFS's writers don't limit themselves to crime fiction. David H. Hendrickson turns his pen to matters of love in Romance for All Seasons: Winder Warmth.
And Debra Bliss Saenger shows she has science fiction skills to spare in her contribution to Beyond The Stars: Starbase Indy Anthology 2025.
Turning to periodicals, the eleventh issue of Dark Yonder highlights the very best in neo-noir, including contributions from Joseph S. Walker, Michael Bracken and Billie Livingston.
Michael Bracken, master of all genres, can also be found in the first issue of Kissmet Quarterly, The Greatest Holiday Romance Stories Ever Written, where he's joined by SMFS's Karen McCullough.
Once again showing that SMFS isn't limited to mystery, don't miss Terena Elizabeth Bell's poetic contribution to the Winter 2025 issue of Exacting Clam.
SMFS members David H. Hendrickson and Diana Deverell are featured in the latest edition of Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem, 24 Spies.
Karen McCullough sets loose the latest entry in her Market Center Mysteries series with Unleashed for Murder.
Over at Gumshoe Review, don't miss James Patrick Focarile's "It All Comes Out in the Wash," one of the many great free online reads SMFS members give us all year long.
And here's another--"You Can't Be Killed Twice," at the House of Long Shadows site, is the latest from SMFS first-stringer Gregory Meece.
And one more: Literary Garage hosts M. E. Proctor's cold-case narrative, "Ramona."
Crime blog The Yard is quickly establishing itself as one of the most exciting new sources for contemporary crime flash fiction, thanks to outstanding tales like Jessica Slee's "Word of Mouth" and Bern Sy Moss's "Cold Turkey on Black Friday."
Finally, as always, Black Cat Weekly continues to offer fans of pulp fiction of all varieties the most value for their dollar with hundreds of pages of new and classic fiction every week. SMFS members recently on its pages include donalee Moulton, Terena Elizabeth Bell, and--stop me if you've heard this one before--the wildly inventive John M. Floyd. A BCW subscription is a great gift for any fan of exciting reading!