David Dean has called Joseph S. Walker "arguably the best short crime fiction writer on the scene today," and in Crime Scenes, the first collection of his stories, you'll find ample evidence of why. In the Edgar-nominated "Etta at the End of the World," a woman on the run after killing her abusive husband discovers an unexpected chance for redemption on a Florida beach. She's just the first of many remarkable characters in these twenty stories-stories which have also been finalists for Thriller, Derringer, and Shamus awards, won two Al Blanchard Awards, and been featured in multiple editions of The Best Mystery Stories of the Year. There's the therapist who takes a desperate step to resolve the conflict her client can't get past. The retired pitcher coping with a bizarre ransom demand when his wife is abducted. The young pickpocket struggling to protect her aging mentor. The mob boss whose niece just might make the Olympics, if he can stay out of her way. The assassin whose latest assignment makes him a little too curious for his own good. All of them will keep you turning the pages, eager to see what's coming next. As Janet Hutchings, longtime editor of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, writes, "The styles of this author's stories vary; when he's in classic noir mode, he could rival Chandler for similes that hit the mark and stay in the brain. Every fan of short crime fiction will find something to enjoy in this volume!" "I have been reviewing mystery short stories for sixteen years.  Joe Walker has made my Best of the Week list AND my Best of the Year list more than any other writer. The selfish jerk should leave some talent for the rest of us.  If you don't love this book you don't love crime fiction."-Robert Lopresti "Crime Scenes is the finest crime fiction collection I've read in quite a long time. Thirteen of the eighteen stories in this remarkable collection have won or been shortlisted for major industry accolades. Every story seamless, every story memorable, every story riveting, these are absolute gems that have earned Joseph S. Walker a place on the Mount Rushmore of living short crime fiction authors."-Avram Lavinsky "If you've not read Joseph S. Walker's short fiction before, you're in for a treat. These twenty stories of crime and deception-they range from bars to ballparks to back alleys to movie sets-will grab you right away and hold you until the end, with no wasted words and no dull moments. Walker's style is both fast-paced and easy to read, and is only one of the reasons he's among the best crime/suspense writers working today. I truly enjoyed this book!"-John M. Floyd, Edgar nominee and Shamus Award winner "One of the most striking things about Joseph S. Walker's work as a short story writer is how refreshingly original his ideas are. Whether the germ of the story is a trivia contest, a lost chance in a baseball game, qualifying for the Olympics, a solar eclipse, a horror movie, urban exploration, the scene of the Kennedy assassination, or reality TV, he never fails to develop it in an unexpected way. The styles of this author's stories vary; when he's in classic noir mode he could rival Chandler for similes that hit the mark and stay in the brain. Every fan of short crime fiction will find something to enjoy in this volume!"-Janet Hutchings "Joseph S. Walker is arguably the best short crime fiction writer on the scene today, and I expect his stories to be read, studied, and enjoyed for many years to come. His collection, Crime Scenes, showcases a breadth and depth of talent that places him in the pantheon of Stanly Ellin, Doug Allyn, and Peter Lovesy. There is no scene or locale here that he is not intimately familiar with and cannot present to you as your own land. There are no situations, however mundane or exotic, that he does not turn into an unforgettable tale. You have only to read, and he's even made that so easy that all have to do is begin. You'll forget everything else once you do."-David Dean "One of the heavyweight champions of short story writing today."-Alec Cizak "Although I kept seeing Joseph Walker's name associated with various "Best of" story collections and other honors, I had only read his excellent Sherlock Holmes pastiches. Now, with this new collection, I further understand why he is so well regarded, and all the writing skills that he displayed as a Holmes pasticheur are also demonstrated on the wider stage of Crime Scenes."-David Marcum "First published in 2011, Joseph S. Walker soon became one of the 21st Century's best writers of short crime fiction. His multiple awards, award nominations, and appearances in annual best-of-year collections attest to the overwhelming quality of his work. Crime Scenes gathers together many of his best short stories, and you'll find it difficult to stop reading once you've opened the book. Highly recommended."-Michael Bracken, Anthony, Edgar, and Shamus nominee  "Crime Scenes is a killer collection from on