This week I read three short stories in Crime Time 2.3, published in February 1999. I have had this magazine for years and I don't remember how and why I bought it. I have read some of the articles and reviews, but none of the short stories, until now.
"The Dark Path" by Jason Starr
I think this is the first work of fiction I have read by Jason Starr. He has written novels (including some co-written with Ken Bruen), short stories, comics and graphic novels.
Summary:
This was more a character study than a crime investigation, and I enjoyed it very much. There definitely was a crime, but the focus is on the discovery of the crime by a couple and how it affects their relationship.
I like that it kept me guessing about where the story was going.
"Murder at Suicide Oak" by O'Neil De Noux
I have heard of O'Neil De Noux. He posts at SleuthSayers, he worked as a policeman for many years, and I have read one of his stories in New Orleans Noir. I enjoyed that story and I hope to read more that he has written.
Summary:
In this story, two police officers, Detective Dino LaStanza and his rookie partner Detective Jodie Kintyre, investigate the death of two women in New Orleans' City Park. The bodies were both found near Suicide Oak. The younger woman, about 20 years old, was positioned under the tree; the other one, about 40, was in an automobile nearby. Murder, or murder–suicide?
Reading this got me interested in trying a novel by De Noux.
"Two Dead Detectives" by Simon Clark
Simon Clark is new to me, but he has published a lot of novels and short stories. I think most of his work is in the horror genre.
Summary:
This story is not exactly a mystery; it is mostly a supernatural story. Two detectives are investigating a death; both detectives are dead. In other words, they are ghosts. One has been dead for many years, one is newer to the situation.
I don't read ghost stories and not much supernatural fiction, so the idea of ghosts knowing that they are dead and philosophizing about it was new to me. I thought the story was clever but not compelling.
I would love to hear any information you have about these authors, or any experience you have with reading their work.
