Short Story Review - Overview

There are many short mystery fiction options out there, from e-zines, to physical magazines, to anthologies. I've been so busy, I haven't strayed from the current issue of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. It hardly seems fair to review every story in AHMM, so I'll mention a few more I've read, then list other short story venues.

AHMM is my favorite. Not just because I have had several stories published in the magazine.  I enjoy the variety. You might read a short detective story, a thoughtful literary-style story, humor, historical, a chilling spooky tale, and now graphic fiction. Most present clues, giving the reader the option of attempting to solve the mystery before the protagonist. Others have no obvious solution, and leave you wondering.

The March/April issue is about character, as explained on the magazine's blog, Trace Evidence. 

I enjoyed the short tale Magpie Man, by Tony Richards. A detective tracks down a prison escapee. He is seeking not just the prisoner, but the reason why the seemingly meek man would choose to escape just weeks before his release. I'll admit, his motivation was not what I expected.

Susan Oleksiw's How Do You Know What You Want actually made me uncomfortable. The story follows a woman's attempt to connect with a teen in foster care. If you have ever dealt with a truly troubled teen, you might agree with me that Oleksiw creates a disturbingly realistic story.

I'm still reading my way through the March/April issue of AHMM, and expect to finish it cover to cover before the next issue arrives. Yes, Old School, in my snail mail box. You can also subscribe to the e-version of AHMM.

Other magazines publishing mystery short stories:
Mystery Weekly
Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
The Strand
King's River Life - mystery section - novel reviews and short stories
Women's World - a short mystery in each issue

I know I'm missing someone important. Do you have a favorite source of mystery short stories?

---