More Twisted

More Twisted presents sixteen crime and suspense short stories from bestselling author Jeffery Deaver, including fifteen previously published works and one new Lincoln Rhyme mystery. The collection features Deaver's signature plot twists and surprising endings across a variety of criminal scenarios and investigative premises. Each story stands as a complete narrative, ranging from psychological thrillers to procedural mysteries to tales of revenge. The anthology includes "Locard's Principle," an original story featuring forensic detective Lincoln Rhyme, Deaver's well-known series character. The stories explore themes of justice, deception, and human nature through characters who find themselves in dangerous or morally complex situations. Both criminals and investigators take center stage throughout the collection, with scenarios unfolding in diverse settings from suburban neighborhoods to urban landscapes. This collection demonstrates Deaver's ability to create tension and surprise within the confined space of short fiction, while examining the psychological dimensions of crime and its consequences.

Readers highlight the clever plot twists and surprise endings across these 16 short stories, though many note they aren't as strong as Deaver's full-length novels. Multiple reviewers point out "The Christmas Present" and "Born Bad" as standout tales. Liked: - Quick reads with satisfying endings - Variety of crime scenarios and characters - Dark humor throughout stories - Fast pacing Disliked: - Predictable twists in some stories - Character development feels rushed - Some stories end too abruptly - Collection quality varies significantly Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (90+ ratings) "The endings pack a punch but getting there isn't always worth it," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review states: "About half the stories are excellent, the rest feel like rushed first drafts." Several readers mention preferring Deaver's novel-length works like The Bone Collector.

The Best American Mystery Stories by Otto Penzler This collection presents twenty short stories with unexpected plot twists and crime-focused narratives that match Deaver's style of misdirection and surprise endings.

Nightmare in Pink by John D. MacDonald A complex murder mystery follows detective Travis McGee through multiple layers of deception and false leads that unravel with precise timing.

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly This police procedural weaves intricate plot threads through a murder investigation that connects to a past bank robbery with revelations that emerge piece by piece.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides A psychological thriller builds its narrative through carefully constructed misdirections that lead to a final twist revelation.

Nothing to Lose by Lee Child The investigation unfolds through meticulous detail and strategic revelation of clues that keep readers guessing until the final pages.

🔍 Lincoln Rhyme, the quadriplegic detective featured in one of the stories, was also portrayed by Denzel Washington in the 1999 film "The Bone Collector" 📚 Several stories from this collection were previously published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, one of the most prestigious outlets for mystery short fiction ✍️ Jeffery Deaver wrote his first book at age 11, and before becoming a full-time writer, he worked as a journalist and corporate attorney 🎯 The book's title "More Twisted" is a follow-up to his earlier collection "Twisted," continuing his tradition of crafting stories with unexpected endings 🏆 Deaver has won the Steel Dagger and Short Story Dagger from the Crime Writers' Association, and his works have been translated into 25 languages