"A collection of stories from crime fiction's top authors."--Cover.

Solomon wept / S.A. Cosby -- Relative stranger / Amanda Witt -- Seat 2C / Alafair Burke -- Kohinoor / Smita Harish Jain -- Avalon / Michael Connelly -- Here's to new friends / Jacqueline Freimor -- Room for one more / Joe R. Lansdale -- Exit now / Emilya Naymark -- A six letter word for neighbor / Lisa Unger -- Howard's heart / Bryon Quertermous -- Perfect strangers / Tilia Klebenov Jacobs -- Do you remember / Lori Roy -- Assignment : Sheepshead Bay / Paul A. Barra -- P.F.A. / Michael Koryta -- Genius / Elaine Togneri -- Russkies / Jonathan Stone -- A different kind of healing / Steve Hamilton -- Tokyo stranger / Tina deBellegrade -- Last fare / Joe Hill.

It's been said that all great literature boils down to one of two stories--a man takes a journey, or a stranger comes to town. While mystery writers have been successfully using both approaches for generations, there's something undeniably alluring in the nature of a stranger: the uninvited guest, the unacquainted neighbor, the fish out of water. No matter how or where they appear, strangers are walking mysteries, complete unknowns in once-familiar territories who disrupt our lives with unease and wonder. In the newest collection of stories by the Mystery Writers of America, each author weaves a fresh tale surrounding the eerie feeling that comes when a stranger enters our midst, featuring stories by prolific mystery writers such as Michael Connelly, Dean Koontz and Joe Hill.