Unusual Suspects: A New Anthology of Crime Stories from Black Lizard

If you still think of short stories as the ugly little stepchildren of the mystery genre (forgetting that the likes of Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammet, and Jim Thompson learned their craft in this form), here's a handsome collection from Black Lizard that should change your mind. Skillfully edited and introduced by James (Six Days of the Condor) Grady, who also contributes a fine little gem, the book offers tempting appetizers from the likes of James Lee Burke, George Pelecanos, and Julie Smith which--at the very least--should make you hungry for their longer works.