THE YEAR'S BEST MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE STORIES 1991

Long-time anthologist Hoch this time includes all five Edgar- nominated stories in his ``Best'' compilation, and Lynne Barrett's ``Elvis Lives,'' the ultimate Edgar winner—a dark, garish look at the Presley-impersonator industry—is reason enough to own the book. Clever but more predictable are Lawrence Block's twist on the sentimental assassin; Sue Grafton's mother-daughter love-hate case for Kinsey Millhone; Ed Gorman's frame-up of a family fiend; and Clark Howard's drowning by surfboard confrontation. Also on hand: a funny, I'm-not-a-crook Dortmunder tale from Westlake; an emotional haunting from Joyce Harrington; a child-in-need from Ruth Rendell; and a ruthless pair of discontented wives from Julian Symons. More prosaic are Pronzini's ``Nameless'' street stakeout; Stanley Cohen's what'll-we-do-with-the-body caper; and Hoch's own overlooked clue to an unhappy marriage. Includes awards' lists; necrology; short-story bibliography.