BEST DETECTIVE STORIES OF THE YEAR: 18th Annual Collection

This is the first of the Best to be edited by Anthony Boucher-- a natural for the post previously held by Cooke and Halliday. His introductions to each selection are light, pointed, informative and thankfully bear no resemblance to the playful ponderosity Alfred Hitchcock. It is a variegated group of stories. As far as ""best"" goes, each story is at least an outstanding example of its genre. The bibliography provides a useful checklist; the year's awards are listed and provide another. There is a necrology of authors who died during the year, with attention to their best books-- especially in fiction.