Tampa Bay Noir, edited by Colette Bancroft, has a contributor list that includes a handful of bestselling crime novelists, but more importantly, the stories are pretty excellent, too. Michael Connelly contributes a Hieronymus Bosch story, “The Guardian,” that brings Harry from the west coast to Tampa’s suburbs. Harry is lured east when a former lover asks him to find a stolen painting. The tale starts slowly, but it burns swift and true into the climax.

Tim Dorsey’s humor and storytelling savvy are on display in “Triggerfish Lane.” A story of immigration—from Indiana to Florida—that features oddball neighbors, crime, and a view of how wacky and appealing Florida is as a fictional setting. “Only You,” by Lisa Unger, is a bleak and atmospheric story about belonging, desire, and loss. There are also stories by Ace Atkins, Lori Roy, Sarah Gerard, and Gale Massey.