Alberta Clipper

John Salter tells us that he didnt even know he was writing a mystery whenBig Ranch won a spot in Best American Mystery Stories 2001. That may be buthes written... » 

John Salter tells us that he didnt even know he was writing a mystery whenBig Ranch won a spot in Best American Mystery Stories 2001. That may be buthes written not only some compelling mysteries for this collection butcompelling characters situations and plots. Alberta Clippers grit echoeswork by writers such as Cormac McCarthy and William Gay and by moving thecollections locale into the Great Plains Salter has added the chill of winterto reify that tone and theme. But just as William Gay tosses a sardonic humorinto the mix so does Salter to leave us shaking our heads at the ridiculoustragedy presented in say three characters so twisted in their own worldviewsthat they cant decipher and obvious plea for help Three Drum Theories.These are biting stories though and the humor alleviates but never masksthat single fact. «