LUCY BURDETTE: It's my pleasure to welcome Ang Pompano to the blog. He's a longtime friend and part of my writer's group plus an author and part of the Best New England Crime Stories coop.
ANG POMPANO: Thanks so much, Roberta! I’m thrilled to be back on Jungle Red Writers, this time with a behind-the-scenes peek into the making of Devil’s Snare. As you may know, short stories—especially short crime fiction—have enjoyed an exciting resurgence in recent years.
If you love mysteries and short stories, Best New England Crime Stories is an anthology you won’t want to miss. As one of the three editors, alongside Susan Oleksiw and Leslie Wheeler, I’m excited to share how Devil’s Snare came together. Published annually by Crime Spell Books, this anthology highlights some of the best mystery fiction with New England ties. This year, we have even more reason to celebrate: Crime Spell Books was added to the Mystery Writers of America’s Approved Publisher list, a milestone we’re incredibly proud of.
Bringing Devil’s Snare to life was both a long and rewarding process. Each of us read through more than 125 submissions, with every story offering a unique take on crime fiction. Some were chilling thrillers, others quirky cozies. Narrowing the field to just 24 stories was tough. Some pieces surprised us, others gave us goosebumps, and many lingered long after reading. The stories that made the cut stood out for their strong storytelling, authentic sense of New England, and memorable emotional impact.
Working together as editors, Susan, Leslie, and I each brought different perspectives to the table. While we didn’t always agree, those discussions made the project even better by challenging us to carefully consider each story’s layers and meet readers' high expectations.
One of the things we value most is giving both new and seasoned writers a platform. In this edition, we’re excited to feature fresh voices alongside familiar favorites like Kate Flora, Bruce Robert Coffin, Stephen D. Rogers, and Clea Simon. Striking that balance keeps the anthology dynamic and ensures readers discover something unexpected.
One of the anthology’s highlights is the inclusion of the Al Blanchard Award winner, given annually to an outstanding short story with a New England connection. Featuring the award winner strengthens our bond with the New England Crime Bake conference, a vibrant annual gathering of mystery writers, readers, and fans. Many of our contributors and readers attend Crime Bake, making it a natural extension of the anthology and reinforcing the sense of community we cherish.
Building buzz for Devil’s Snare was another exciting part of the journey. In past years, we kept the cover a secret until Crime Bake, but this time we had an early reveal on Dru Ann Love’s blog, Dru’s Book Musings, a favorite among mystery lovers. It was the perfect way to introduce the book and a major moment for everyone involved.
We couldn’t be prouder of what Devil’s Snare represents. This anthology reflects the depth and variety of New England’s mystery-writing community, capturing the landscapes, quirks, and characters that make this region unique. From a suspenseful murder on a rocky shore to a cleverly plotted heist in a small-town café, there’s something for everyone.
We hope the 24 stories in Devil’s Snare will entertain, surprise, and inspire you, just as they did for us when we first read them. It’s been an honor to be part of this project, and with Crime Spell Books preparing to celebrate its fifth year of publication in 2025, we’re excited for what the future holds. We believe the best of New England crime fiction is still to come.
We hope you enjoy reading Devil’s Snare as much as we enjoyed creating it. Reds, do you enjoy reading and/or writing short mystery fiction? Let me know in the comments below and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a free copy of Devil’s Snare.
Ang Pompano is a mystery author, editor, and publisher. He created the Blue Palmetto Detective Agency and Reluctant Food Columnist series, both published by Level Best Books. His Agatha-finalist novel, When It’s Time for Leaving, will be re-released in January 2025, followed by a new book, Blood Ties and Deadly Lies, in February 2025.
In addition to his writing, he is a co-founder of Crime Spell Books, alongside Susan Oleksiw and Leslie Wheeler. Together they publish the Best New England Crime Stories anthology. The latest installment, Devil’s Snare, featuring stories from both established and emerging New England writers has just been released and is available at this purchase link.
Congratulations to you, Ang, and to your co-editors, Susan and Leslie . . . "Devil's Snare" sounds like an exciting book of mysteries.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy short stories . . . it's always exciting to see how the mystery elements come together in the short story format.
I always have to adjust my mindset when I pick up a short story. It's not going to be as complex as a fully novel. But once I get into the short story space, I enjoy reading them.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new collection.