“Shelley and Harvey” by Caroline Bock

Shelley was the one who married Harvey right out of college, whose parents went into debt for the wedding, saying it was worth it—that he was worth it, they should have said . . .

FREE E-BOOK: Download Cape Cod Noir for free through Sunday, June 7!

Download a copy of Cape Cod Noir, edited by David L. Ulin, for absolutely free until Sunday, June 7!

“Death Leaves the Seat Up” by Bill Landauer

“I want to let you both know, Mr. and Mrs. Evighet, that what happens in this office remains here, okay? You can say anything. Think of this as a sanctuary. Mrs. Evighet—may I call you Rebecca?”

“Becky.”

“And Mr. Evighet, I’m a little unclear on your first—”

“THE YAWNING INFINITE IS MY PLAYGROUND, THE SEAS BUT A DROP IN THE FOREVER THAT IS—”

“Bob, you promised! . . .”

“Taking the Cyclone” by Howard Gimple

Kelleher ran towards Nathan’s, Coney Island’s legendary wiener wonderland. The Ukrainian’s final fetid breath was still stinging his nostrils . . .

“Bowling” by John Jeremiah

In 1965 we were just short of driving age. Our mode of locomotion was hitchhiking . . .

“The Resurrection Love Song” by Seamus Scanlon

Dusk was falling on a high summer day in Galway City, a place that claimed me but never loved me . . .

“Colorful Characters” by Bruce Harris

“I busted whores here years ago. Now? Minnie Mouse . . .”

“Harp in the Key of B” by George Masters

Thirty-five minutes before kickoff, my brother Pat got a phone call at the Superdome from his wife Trudy.

Trudy was alone in the back of her antique store on Magazine. Pat walked in, and the bell on the door tinkled.

“What’s the problem?” . . .