Mystery Writers of America Presents the Rich and the Dead

The truly wealthy live in another world. From their multi-national businesses to their palatial mansions to their exotic vacations at glamorous places all around the world, they do everything in a big way. And sometimes, that even includes crime. In this anthology, you'll read about a wealthy writer who plots murder his hopeless agent, an aging actress who clings to her past of wealth and fame, and a spoiled rich boy who steps into dangerous territory with his mean antics, among others. THE RICH AND THE DEAD features mystery and crime stories set among the upper crust of society, going behind the scenes of the lifestyles of the two percent of the world that controls sixty percent of its riches--and just how far they'll go to stay on top.

A collection of the best mystery writing published in 2012 culled from a variety of sources.

A best-selling novelist and Edgar Award winner, Lisa Scottoline brings her mastery of the thriller genre as well as her wit and heart to this collection of the must-reads in mysteries. 

OTTO PENZLER is a renowned mystery editor, publisher, columnist, and owner of New York's The Mysterious Bookshop, the oldest and largest bookstores solely dedicated to mystery fiction. He  has edited more than fifty crime-fiction anthologies.

LISA SCOTTOLINE is the New York Times best-selling author and Edgar award-winning author of nineteen novels, including her latest, Come Home, and she is President of Mystery Writers of America.

Foreword • ix

Introduction • xiii

TOM BARLOW

   Smothered and Covered • 1

MICHAEL CONNELLY

   A Fine Mist of Blood • 14

ONEIL DE NOUX

   Misprision of Felony • 29

EILEEN DREYER

   The Sailor in the Picture • 46

DAVID EDGERLEY GATES

   The Devil to Pay • 61

CLARK HOWARD

   The Street Ends at the Cemetery • 91

ANDRE KOCSIS

   Crossing • 126

KEVIN LEAHY

   Remora, IL • 158

NICK MAMATAS

   Thy Shiny Car in the Night • 172

EMILY ST. JOHN MANDEL

   Drifter • 180

DENNIS MCFADDEN

   The Ring of Kerry • 194

MICAH NATHAN

   Quarry • 211

JOYCE CAROL OATES

   So Near Any Time Always • 225

NANCY PICKARD

   Light Bulb • 263

BILL PRONZINI

   Gunpowder Alley • 277

PATRICIA SMITH

   When They Are Done with Us • 300

RANDALL SILVIS

   The Indian • 316

BEN STROUD

   The Dons Cinnamon • 366

HANNAH TINTI

   Bullet Number Two • 381

MAURINE DALLAS WATKINS

   Bound • 392

Contributors Notes • 406

Other Distinguished Mystery Stories of 2012 • 418