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Level Best Books has published a superb anthology of short stories every November since 2003. You can buy the books here.

Bookstores and Libraries: To see our price sheet and order from us or Ingrams information, click here

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Blood Moon–2012

Best New England Crime Stories 2013: Blood Moon

Edited by Mark Ammons,
Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross and Leslie Wheeler
Published by Level Best Books
ISBN: 9780983878025
Pub. Date: November 2012
Category: Fiction/Mystery
Binding: Trade Paperback, 5.5 X 8.5
Pages: 257 Price: $15.95

Contains the Anthony and Agatha-nominated Best Short Story, “Kept in the Dark” by Sheila Connolly and the Derringer-nominated Best Long Stories, “Double Wedding” by Mo Walsh and “A Regular Story” by Peggy McFarland

Level Best Books’ tenth anthology presents thirty-one tales from New England’s dark side, representing every kind of crime story–mysteries, thrillers, capers and cons, or a creepy walk down the paranormal garden path–the stories are as varied as the authors.

With stories by Mark Ammons, VR Barkowski, Judith Boss, John Bubar, Stuart Cohen, Sheila Connolly, Frank Cook, Ray Daniel, Randy DeWitt, Stef Donati, Christine Eskilson, Katherine Fast, Kate, Flora, Judith Green, Woody Hanstein, J. A. Hennrikus, Daniel Moses Luft, Cheryl Marceau, Peter Martin, Ruth M. mcCarty, Peggy McFarland, B.B. Oak, Pamela A. Oberg, Adam Renn Olenn, Stephen D. Rogers, Annette Sweeney, Mo Walsh, Leslie Wheeler, Nancy Means Wright, Virginia Young.

Dead Calm–2011

Best New England Crime Stories 2012: Dead Calm
Edited by Mark Ammons,
Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross and Leslie Wheeler
Published by Level Best Books
ISBN: 9780983878001
Pub. Date: November 2011
Category: Fiction/Mystery
Binding: Trade Paperback, 5.5 X 8.5
Pages: 302 Price: $15.95

Contains the Derringer nominated Best Short Stories, “Coronation” by Adam Renn Olenn and “Sisters in Black” by Mary E. Stibal, and the Distinguished American Mystery Story, “Endgame” by Woody Hanstein

New England’s most acclaimed, award-winning crime and mystery writers, along with several new voices, weave twenty-seven original tales from the region’s dark side.

With stories from Mark Ammons, John Bubar, Louisa Clerici, Dashiell Crowe, Sharon Daynard, Katherine Fast, Kate Flora, Nancy Gardner, Judy Green, Woody Hanstein, J.A. Hennrikus, C. A. Johman, Janice Law, Steve Liskow, Daniel Moses Luft, Cheryl Marceau, Ruth M. McCarty, Peggy McFarland, Michael Nethercott, Adam Renn Olenn, Pat Remick, Joe Ricker, Lee Robertson, Barbara Ross, Mary E. Stibal, Tom Sweeney, Leslie Wheeler.

THIN ICE–2010

Thin Ice: Crime Stories by New England  Writers

Edited by Mark Ammons, Kat Fast, Barbara Ross and Leslie Wheeler
Published by Level Best Books
ISBN: 9780970098481
Pub. Date: November 2010
Category: Fiction/Mystery
Binding: Trade Paperback, 5.5 X 8.5
Pages: 276 Price: $15.00

Contains the Edgar® nominated Best Short Story “A Good, Safe Place” by Judith Green, the Agatha nominated Best Short Story “Size Matters” by Sheila Connolly and the Derringer winning Best Flash Story “The Book Signing” by Kathy Chencharik

Whether it’s hardboiled hilarity or gritty noir, suspense or sibling subterfuge, capers or cons, or even an especially abnormal pair of paranormal shoes, anything can happen when you venture onto Thin Ice.

With stories from Mark Ammons, Kathy Chencharik, John R. Clark, Sheila Connolly, Ray Daniel, S. A. Daynard, Kat Fast, Kate Flora, Judith Green, Ben Hanstein, J. A. Hennrikus, Steve Liskow, Cheryl Marceau, Edith M. Maxwell, Ruth M. McCarty, Alan D. McWhirter, Michael Nethercott, Susan Oleksiw, Joe Ricker, Barbara Ross, Mary E. Stibal, Bev Vincent, Mo Walsh, Leslie Wheeler, Virginia Young

Quarry–2009

Quarry: Crime Stories by New England Writers

Edited by Kate Flora, Ruth M. McCarty and Susan Oleksiw
Published by Level Best Books
ISBN: 978-0-9700984-7-4
Pub. Date: November 2009
Category: Fiction/Mystery
Binding: Trade Paperback, 5.5 X 8.5
Pages: 273 Price: $15.00

Contains the Agatha, Anthony and Macavity Award winning short story “On the House”

Quarry is New England with ice storms, ice out, superettes and gun shows. Quarry is gritty streets and rutted roads, criminal ingenuity and personal integrity, madness and motherhood.

With stories by Glenda Baker, Norma Burrows, John Clark, Nancy Brewka Clark, Frank Cook, Judy Copek, Kate Flora, Nancy Gardner, Judith Green, Woody Hanstein, Steve Liskow , Ruth McCarty, Alan D. McWhirter, Susan Oleksiw, Vincent O’Neil, Stephen D. Rogers, Hank Phillippi Ryan, J. E. Seymour, Joseph Souza, Mike Wiecek Nancy Means Wright

Deadfall–2008

Deadfall: Crime Stories by New England Writers

Edited by Kate Flora, Ruth M. McCarty and Susan Olesksiw
Published by Level Best Books
ISBN: 978-0-9700984-5-0
Pub. Date: November 2008
Category: Fiction/Mystery
Binding: Trade Paperback, 5.5 X 8.5
Pages: xi + 273 Price: $15.00

Contains the Derringer Award winning story for Best Flash Fiction “No Flowers for Stacey”

From a weary dad facing failure in his rusted trailer in rural Maine to the chilling whisperings of the pets in an elegant Boston townhouse, good guys and bad guys and gals struggle for love, honor, money, and truth.

With stories by  Stephen Allan, Norma Burrows, Kathleen Chencharik, John Clark, C. M. Falcone,  Kat Fast, Kate Flora, Judith Green, Woody Hanstein, Vaughn Hardacker, Janice Law, Steve Liskow, Ruth M. McCarty, Libby Mussman, Susan Oleksiw, A. J. Pompano, Margaret Press, Pat Remick, Joe Ricker, Stephen D. Rodgers, J. E. Seymour,  Clea Simon, John Urban, Mo Walsh,  Leslie Wheeler, Mike Wiecek

Still Waters–2007

Still Waters : Crime Stories by New England Writers

Edited by Kate Flora, Ruth M. McCarty and Susan Oleksiw
Published by Level Best Books
ISBN: 0-978-0-9700984-4-3
Pub. Date: November 2007
Category: Fiction/Mystery
Binding: Trade Paperback, 5.5 X 8.5
Pages: xi + 273 Price: $15.00

Contains the Robert L. Fish Award, (Edgar® Award for Best First) winning story “The Catch”

From Provincetown to rural Maine to the sewers of Boston, this intriguing collection explores the widest range of crimes and criminals imagination can create.

With stories by Mark Ammons, Glenda Baker, Kevin Carey, Louy Castonguay,   S. A.  Daynard, Kate Flora, Judith Green, Woody Hanstein, Rosemary Harris, Stephen Liskow, Leslie S. Lambino, Ruth M. McCarty, Susan Oleksiw, Angelo Pampano, Margaret Press, Pat Remick, Stephen D. Rodgers, James T. Shannon, Janice Law Trecker, Maureen A. Walsh, Leslie Wheeler, Mike Wiecek, Leslie Woods

Seasmoke–2006

Seasmoke: Crime Stories by New England Writers

Edited by Kate Flora, Ruth M. McCarty and Susan Oleksiw
Published by Level Best Books
ISBN: 0-9700984-3-X
Pub. Date: November 2006
Category: Fiction/Mystery
Binding: Trade Paperback
Pages: 263 Price: $15.00

This intriguing collection includes comic misadventures, suspense-filled dramas, psychological thrillers, tales of danger and rescue, gritty detective stories, and stories of revenge and redemption.

With stories by Norma Burrows, Catherine Cairns, John Clark, Frank Cook, Sharon Daynard, Kate Flora, Judith Green, Janet Halpin, Woody Hanstein, Marilis Hornidge, Roberta Isleib, Ruth M. McCarty, Paula Mello, Susan Oleksiw, Carol Perry, Stephen. D. Rodgers, Barbara Ross, John Russo, Jim Shannon, Mary E. Stibal, John Urban, Kathleen Valentine, Leslie Wheeler

Windchill–2005

Windchill: Crime Stories by New England Writers

Edited by Skye Alexander, Kate Flora and Susan Oleksiw
Published by Level Best Books
ISBN: 0-9700984-2-1
Pub. Date: October 2005
Category: Fiction/Mystery
Binding: Trade Paperback
Pages: 256 Price: $15.00

Mysteries, thrillers, capers, tales of suspense and intrigue, even a touch of the supernatural

With stories by Skye Alexander, John R. Clark, David Compton, Sharon Daynard Kate Flora, Judith Green, Woody Hanstein, Scott Hill, Ruth McCarty, Susan Oleksiw, Nita Penfold, Margaret Press, Stephen D. Rogers, John Russo, J.E. Seymour, Kathleen Valentine, Maureen Walsh, Leslie Wheeler, Mark S. Williams, Leslie Woods, Nancy Means Wright

Riptide–2004–Sold Out

Riptide : Crime Stories by New England Writers

Edited by Skye Alexander, Kate Flora and Susan Oleksiw
Published by Level Best Books
ISBN: 0-978-0-9700984-12
Pub. Date: November 2004
Category: Fiction/Mystery
Binding: Trade Paperback, 5.5 X 8.5
Pages: xi + 246 Price: $15.00

Riptide treats readers to an array of deliciously deadly tales — hard-boiled detective stories, suspense, noir, revenge, mistaken identity and intrigue.

With stories by Skye Alexander, Elizabeth Armstrong, Catherine Cairns, Kevin Carey, S.A. Daynard, Clayton Emery, Kate Flora, Judith Green, Roberta Isleib, Toni L. P. Kelner, Janice Law, Edith Maxwell, Ruth McCarty, Michael Milliken, Susan Oleksiw, Carol Perry, Barbara Ross, Kathleen Valentine

Undertow–2003  sold out

Undertow : Crime Stories by New England Writers

Edited by Skye Alexander, Kate Flora and Susan Oleksiw
Published by Level Best Books
ISBN: 0-978-0-9700984-05
Pub. Date: November 2003
Category: Fiction/Mystery
Binding: Trade Paperback, 5.5 X 8.5
Pages: 186 Price: $15.00

Suspense-filled dramas, psychological thrillers, tales with supernatural overtones, gritty detective stories, and darkly humorous whodunits

With stories by Skye Alexander, Sharon Daynard, Clayton Emery, Hallie Ephron, Kate Flora, Judith Andrews Green, Stephen P. Kelner, Jr., Toni L. P. Kelner, Ruth McCarty, Susan Oleksiw, Lila Waltch