Introduction / Linda Landrigan -- The frightening frammis / Jim Thompson -- The day of the execution / Henry Slesar -- #8 / Jack Ritchie -- Not a laughing matter / Evan Hunter -- A genuine alectryomancer / Charles Willeford -- Good night! Good night! / Donald E. Westlake -- The cost of Kent Castwell / Avram Davidson -- The long way down / Edward D. Hoch -- The "method" sheriff / Ed Lacy -- Death of a nobody / Bill Pronzini -- Recipe for a murder / James Holding -- New neighbor / Talmage Powell -- Historical errors / William Brittain -- A candle for the bag lady / Lawrence Block -- Making a killing with Mama Cass / William Bankier -- The Takamoku Joseki / Sara Paretsky -- My brother's wife / Rob Kantner -- Final rites / Doug Allyn -- The search for Olga Bateau / Stephen Wasylyk -- Hawks / Connie Holt -- Unbearable temptations / Jeffry Scott -- Priests / George C. Chesbro -- Pusan nights / Martin Limón -- Body English / S.J. Rozan -- The muse / Jan Burke -- Sinkhole / Carol Cail -- Saturday night at the Mikado Massage / Loren D. Estleman -- Lord of obstacles / Gregory S. Fallis -- Black Spartacus / James Lincoln Warren -- Erie's last day / Steve Hockensmith -- Tabloid press / Janice Law -- The o-bon cat / I.J. Parker -- Leaving Nairobi / Ed McBain -- Voodoo / Rhys Bowen.