Edward D. Hoch

Edward D. Hoch (1930-2008) was a prolific American mystery writer who published over 950 short stories during his five-decade career. He became one of the most significant contributors to the mystery short story format, with his work appearing regularly in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and other publications. Hoch created multiple series characters including Nick Velvet, a thief who specialized in stealing worthless objects, and Dr. Sam Hawthorne, a New England country doctor who solved impossible crimes. His mastery of the "impossible crime" or "locked room mystery" subgenre earned him particular recognition in the detective fiction community. In 1968, Hoch was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America, and in 2001 he received the Anthony Award for Lifetime Achievement. His dedication to the short story form was exemplified by his unprecedented streak of publishing at least one story in every issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine for 35 years. Rather than focusing on novels like many of his contemporaries, Hoch remained committed to short-form detective fiction throughout his career. He was among the rare American writers of his generation who sustained themselves financially through short story writing alone.

Readers consistently praise Hoch's ingenuity in crafting intricate puzzle plots and "impossible crime" scenarios within the short story format. Many reviews highlight his economy of storytelling and ability to pack complete mysteries into limited space. What readers liked: - Clear, straightforward writing style - Clever solutions that play fair with readers - Variety across his numerous series characters - Quick, satisfying reads that work as standalone stories What readers disliked: - Character development sometimes feels thin - Solutions occasionally strain credibility - Writing can be mechanical rather than stylish - Some stories follow predictable patterns Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: Most collections average 3.8-4.2 out of 5 - Amazon: Collections typically rate 4+ out of 5 - Mystery Scene Magazine reader reviews praise his consistency Notable reader comment from Goodreads: "Hoch doesn't waste words. Every detail matters to the solution, which makes his stories perfect for mystery lovers who enjoy matching wits with the author." Common criticism on Amazon: "Characters serve the plot rather than feeling like real people, but the puzzles make up for it."

The Problem of the Covered Bridge A Dr. Sam Hawthorne mystery where the country physician investigates a seemingly impossible murder that occurs on a covered bridge when a man is found dead inside despite witnesses watching both ends.

The Problem of the Old Gristmill Another Dr. Sam Hawthorne case involving a puzzling death at an abandoned gristmill where the victim appears to have been crushed by millstones that hadn't turned in years.

The Spy Who Didn't Exist A Nick Velvet tale where the professional thief is hired to steal evidence of a fictional spy, leading to complications with real espionage.

City of Brass A collection of Simon Ark stories featuring the 2000-year-old investigator solving supernatural-seeming crimes in modern settings.

The Shattered Raven A Leopold mystery following the retired police captain as he unravels the connection between a series of murders and Edgar Allan Poe's works.

The Fellowship of the Hand A thriller centered around a secret organization that uses mind control to influence world events.

The Transvection Machine A science fiction mystery about a device that can transfer consciousness between bodies and the crimes committed using this technology.

John Dickson Carr specialized in impossible crime mysteries and locked-room puzzles, writing over 70 novels and numerous short stories during his career. His intricate plotting and focus on seemingly supernatural crimes that have rational explanations align closely with Hoch's approach.

Clayton Rawson created the Great Merlini series featuring a magician-detective who solves impossible crimes and locked room mysteries. His work combines stage magic knowledge with detective fiction in ways similar to some of Hoch's most technical puzzle plots.

Fredric Brown wrote hundreds of mystery short stories characterized by tight plotting and surprise endings. His economic writing style and ability to craft complete mysteries in short form demonstrates the same mastery of brevity that Hoch exhibited.

Jacques Futrelle created the "Thinking Machine" series about a logic-driven detective who solves seemingly impossible cases. His stories feature the same kind of meticulous cluing and rational solutions that characterize Hoch's work.

Arthur Porges wrote numerous short mystery stories focused on seemingly impossible crimes with scientific solutions. His work for Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine contained the same attention to fair-play plotting and clever resolutions found in Hoch's stories.