Please welcome Judy Penz Sheluk back to the blog today as
she shares some of the first lines from the stories in the new anthology, Larceny
& Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense, releasing
Tuesday.
Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery &
Suspense
First Lines: Part I
I thought it would be fun to share the first line of each
story in Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense.
But…that’s a very long post and let’s face it, these days most of us have the
attention span of gnats (which actually bodes well for the short story format,
though I digress).
Anyway, I ran the idea by Kevin Tipple, and we agreed to
post the first 11 stories as Part I on the Short Mystery Fiction Society blog,
and the second 11 stories on Part II on Kevin Tipple’s Kevin’s Corner (coming
June 23). How’s that for a teaser?
Here goes:
Hail Mary Blues by Susan Daly
I stood in the spacious upper gallery of the Victoria
Conservatory of Music’s new wing and tried not to weep.
Artifact by Robert Weibezahl
Frustrated and tired, Sebastian has just settled on a bench
on the otherwise deserted outer deck of the ferry when his phone rings.
The Constellation Necklace by KM Rockwood
“Shrimp cocktail for the lady,” Roger told the waiter.
Uncle Randy’s Money by Charlie Kondek
Probably they were just men and women like you or I, but in
my imagination and memory the desperadoes and sunflower maidens of the late
’70s and early ’80s strode denim-clad, slender and calibrated as dancers
through the sidewalks and driveways of my childhood.
The Rage Cage by Bethany Maines
I got married so I wouldn’t have to date anymore.
Skeeter’s Bar & Grill by Julie Hastrup
Rounding the bend in the road, Jim—Sarah liked to call him
James—caught sight of the enormous slate-gray shelf cloud barreling toward him
like an alien ship going into battle.
Once a Thief by Gregory Meece
Gemma sat quietly as the prosecutor presented the jury with
the mountain of evidence against her.
Hit-and-Run by Christina Boufis
Marcy told no one.
The Purloined Parchment by Edward Lodi
Dr. Arnold shook his head: “I’m sorry you
traveled all the way from Central Asia on a wild goose chase, Professor Chana.”
Red Ink by Wendy Harrison
Tattooing is an intimate art.
The Hospital Boomerang by Kevin R. Tipple
It was the damn beeping that woke me up.
Have a favorite? Leave a comment. We really do love
comments.
About the anthology
Larceny
& Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense
Edited by
Judy Penz Sheluk
Publication
Date: June 18, 2024
Sometimes
it’s about doing the right thing. Sometimes it’s about getting even. Sometimes
it’s about taking what you think you deserve. And sometimes, it’s your last,
best, hope. Edited by Judy Penz Sheluk and featuring stories by Christina Boufis,
John Bukowski, Brenda Chapman, Susan Daly, Wil A. Emerson, Tracy Falenwolfe, Kate
Fellowes, Molly Wills Fraser, Gina X. Grant, Karen Grose, Wendy Harrison, Julie
Hastrup, Larry M. Keeton, Charlie Kondek, Edward Lodi, Bethany Maines, Gregory Meece,
Cate Moyle, Judy Penz Sheluk, KM Rockwood, Kevin R. Tipple, and Robert Weibezahl.
Pre-order at
your favorite e-tailer: www.books2read.com/larceny
Judy Penz
Sheluk ©2024
Judy Penz Sheluk is a former journalist and magazine editor
and the bestselling author of two mystery series, several short stories, and
two books on publishing. She is also the publisher and editor of four Superior
Shores Anthologies. Find out more at www.judypenzsheluk.com.
