Themed anthologies of any genre can be a hit-or-miss affair for any number of reasons. Happily, this is never the case with those commissioned by Mystery Writers of America (MWA). Each editor selecting the stories brings their A game to the task, and each contributing author does as well, whether they be world-famous or in the process of building an audience.

Even with MWA’s stellar reputation, WHEN A STRANGER COMES TO TOWN is special. Michael Koryta, the editor of this volume, notes in his introduction that all great literature comes from one of two points of origin: either a character starts on a journey, or a stranger comes to town. Koryta takes the latter point of departure, and the result is 19 original and highly rewarding tales.

"Even with [Mystery Writers of America’s] stellar reputation, WHEN A STRANGER COMES TO TOWN is special.... Each author provides a twist or two not only in the plot, but also in what constitutes a 'stranger.'"

Let’s begin with two familiar names whose stories have an element in common other than the book’s overarching theme. “Seat 2C” by Alafair Burke begins within the somewhat pedestrian confines of a storage facility but travels far beyond it and back again as a woman of mature age becomes an amateur detective out of necessity. Michael Connelly introduces a new character in “Avalon,” in which a law enforcement officer on Santa Catalina Island believes himself to be the target of a visiting assassin and gets a surprise. Each of these stories could be “grown” into a much larger work if the authors so desire and their characters cooperate. Paul A. Barra’s “Assignment: Sheepshead Bay” also falls into this category. The story is superb, but Percy Fletcher, a hitman who himself becomes a target, could launch an anthology of his own. There are a couple of twists at the end, and you might see one of them coming.

Renowned writer Joe R. Lansdale is also included here with “Room for One More,” which features an opportunistic, hitchhiking thief who is not above killing when necessary. If you have a penchant for picking up road travelers, you will end that practice after reading this story. “Solomon Wept” by S. A. Cosby opens the collection and is just as impressive as BLACKTOP WASTELAND, his debut novel. It takes readers into the deep end of human depravity while ending the tale on a haunting note of redemption and sacrifice. Koryta, who is best known for his longer fiction in unusual settings, contributes “P.F.A.,” which is a bit of a departure for him. Here he presents a battle of wills --- and more --- when the head of a neighborhood association meets her match as she takes on a new neighbor over a land grab attempt with unexpected results.

My favorite story (and it was hard to pick just one) comes at the end: Joe Hill’s “Last Fare,” which is set in New Mexico on the night of the 1960 Presidential election. A woman is in a cab reluctantly headed to an alcohol rehabilitation clinic on the back end of the state. The driver gives her an unexpected sightseeing tour that will be impossible for anyone to forget. I will be amazed if it isn’t at least shortlisted across multiple genres for “Best Short Story.” It is worth the price of admission all by itself.

You get all of this and more in one volume, with no reading speed bumps, from the first page to the last. Each author provides a twist or two not only in the plot, but also in what constitutes a “stranger.”