The ten stories in this collection revolve around secrets, lies-and crime. Kristine Kathryn Rusch, called one of the best short story writers of her generation, has compiled ten of her best mystery stories into one volume. Here you'll find cats who watch corpses decompose, a woman juror who has secrets of her own, a futuristic detective who lies for a living, and half a dozen others whose lives get touched by a mystery. Included are four stories considered among the best in their year of publication, "Patriotic Gestures," "G-Men," "The Perfect Man," and "Jury Duty"; Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Readers Choice winners, "Details," and "The Secret Lives of Cats"; Shamus nominee "Discovery"; Hugo nominee, "The Retrieval Artist"; and Edgar nominees "Cowboy Grace" and "Spinning." "Kristine Kathryn Rusch's crime stories are exceptional, both in plot and in style." -Mystery Scene Magazine "Rusch is a great storyteller." -Romantic Times "[Rusch's] short fiction is golden." -The Kansas City Star