Hi, Maine Crime Writers Blog readers. Barb here. Last weekend was the New England Crime Bake and with it comes the launch of the latest Level Best Books anthology of crime stories by New England authors.

The latest entry in the series is Best New England Crime Stories 2015: Rogue Wave. You can buy it from Level Best here, or from Amazon (paperback or Kindle) here, or order it from your favorite independent bookstore.

As we have here on the blog for the last five years, we’re looking at the Maine connections. As always there are some familiar faces and some exciting new voices. I will say that when all the submissions are counted, Maine acquits itself very well. Only Massachusetts, with 5 times the population, sends in more stories. So from amongst that crowded field, here are the Maine authors included.

Vicki Doudera: One of the familiar faces is MCW’s own Vicki Doudera. Vicki is the author of the Darby Farr Mysteries (Midnight Ink) featuring a crime-solving, deal-making real estate agent. The latest (and fifth) is Deal Killer. A top-producing realtor in Camden, Maine, Vicki wrote the best-selling guide, Moving to Maine: The Essential Guide to Get You There and What You Need to Know to Stay, and is researching Death on Katahdin, a non-fiction account of fatal mishaps on Maine’s tallest mountain. “Bebe Bamboozles the Missus,” her story in Rogue Wave, features a modern day domestic servant who must figure out how to handle a difficult mistress following the sudden demise of the master.

Kathy Lynn Emerson: As readers of this blog know, Kathy Lynn is the author of the Face Down series, set in sixteenth century England, the Diana Spaulding 1888 Quartet, the Liss MacCrimmon series (w/a Kaitlyn Dunnett), the forthcoming Mistress Jaffrey Mysteries, and How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries, winner of the Agatha Award for non-fiction. Her story in Rogue Wave, “The Blessing Witch” takes place in sixteen century England and is about a woman who may or may not be a witch, but who solves a mysterious death using other abilities.

Judith Green: Readers of the Level Best series will know Judy Green. I believe she is the only person to have a story in all twelve anthologies. As a former Adult Education Director for an eleven town school district in western rural Maine, Judy has written twenty-five high-interest/low-level books for adult readers. “A Good, Safe Place” published in the 2010 Level Best anthology Thin Ice, was nominated for an Edgar® Award. Judy’s story in Rogue Wave, “The First Thing That Comes Back,” gives us another chapter in the long and interesting life of Margery Easton, wife and mother in rural Maine. (Note from Barb: I am still waiting for a major publisher to collect these. They are that good.)

Maurissa Guibord: Maurissa Guibord is new to Level Best. She lives on the beautiful coast of Maine. She is the author of two fantasy books for young adults (Warped, 2011 and Revel, 2013, Delacorte) as well as numerous stories for both adults and children. She has been a finalist for both the Rita award as well as the Agatha Award. In her story, “Stroke of Genius,” an artist creates a novel mode of expression.

Dale T. Phillips: Dale Phillips studied writing with Stephen King at the University of Maine, and has published over thirty short stories and four novels, three in the Zack Taylor series. He’s appeared on stage, television and in an independent feature film. He competed on two nationally televised quiz shows, Jeopardy and Think Twice, and lost spectacularly both times. His story in Rogue Wave, “Automat” tells us what happened before, during and after the moment evoked in Edward Hopper’s iconic painting of the same name.

Karla M. Whitney: Karla Whitney’s publications include textbooks, non-fiction articles and illustrations. Her second mystery novel and a slew of single-paned comics are in the works. She’s a member of SinC, MWA and the Portland Museum of Art. In her first published fiction story, “More to the Point,” a tormented neighbor sets her sights on revenge.

Gregory William Allen: Gregory William Allen/Bill Carito is a lifelong resident of Greater Boston who became a Red Sox fan in 1961, the year after Ted Williams retired. Before he started writing, Bill Carito spent his professional life working in politics, consulting on campaigns, lobbying, and operating a political technology company. He’s a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and lives in Somerville and Boothbay Harbor, Maine with his wife. They are the proud parents of Kate Carito, and her brother Rob.

If all that sounds a little familiar, it is because Bill is my husband. He submitted his story, “Ted Williams’ Dreams” anonymously and didn’t reveal his identity until after his story was chosen. Though after reading the story and hearing the reveal, my fellow editors response was, “Aren’t you afraid to sleep with that guy?” I found the story delightfully creepy.

Kate Carito: And we’re keeping it all in the family, because Rogue Wave also marks my daughter’s first publication. Kate is an MFA candidate in fiction at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She is the former Editor of the Breakwater Review and Assistant Editor at Novella-T. In 2012, she received an MA with Distinction in Creative Writing from London Metropolitan University. Prior to her studies, she worked at O, The Oprah Magazine. In her story “Baptized at the Casino,” a thirty-something slacker and her wheelchair-bound grandmother attempt to rob a casino, until it all goes hilariously awry.

I hope you enjoy these stories–and all the other stories in Best New England Crime Stories 2015: Rogue Wave–as much as I did.