Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Gods for Vengeance Cry | 2010 | Richard Helms | N/A |
| 2 | Busting Red Heads | 2014 | Richard Helms | N/A |
| 3 | Sweeps Week (in Ellery Queen) | 2021 | Richard Helms | Buy |
Richard Helms has written short fiction throughout his career alongside his novels, with stories published in major mystery magazines and collected in small-press volumes. His short work has been recognized with nominations from the Derringer Awards and a win at the Thriller Awards for Best Short Story in 2011.
The three titles listed here span from 2010 to 2021. The Gods for Vengeance Cry (2010) and Busting Red Heads (2014) are collections, while Sweeps Week appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine in 2021, one of the genre’s most prestigious short fiction venues. Helms has used short fiction to explore characters and situations outside his regular series.
Short stories remain an important part of the American mystery tradition, and Helms is among the contemporary writers who have maintained a presence in both the novel and short form markets.