<b>The best in Short Mystery Fiction</b><br> <i>In this issue...</i><br> The January issue of Mystery Weekly Magazine kicks off the new year with another mixed bag of compelling crime, mystery and suspense stories.<br> "Merrill's Run" introduces us to an unlucky gambler who is trying to outrun his past. John Floyd takes us on a road trip where we learn just how far Merrill's bad luck extends beyond the gaming tables.<br> For reader's who prefer a slower pace and cozier settings, we have "Father's Favorite" by Alan Orloff, centered around a small town bakery cafe. A derelict has been found dead across the street, and when Detective Calhoun arives to question the waitresses he detects something more sinister in the air than freshly brewed coffee. Perceptive readers can follow the trail of clues right along with him as he gets dangerously close to the truth.<br> Those who enjoy something different will appreciate "Ambergris" by Matthew Bennardo, where we are transported back in time to a whaling ship as three widows sneak abord by cover of darkness to steal from a miserly ship owner. Written with an authentic voice, it is sure to delight readers of historical fiction.<br> Faith Allington's "The Death at Knightshayes Court" is a more traditional offering in the style of Agatha Christie. Set in an english estate in the twenties, this domestic mystery is about a rare book dealer who must clear his own name in the poisoning death of a young heiress. All of the incredients for an old fashioned parlour mystery are here: an inheritance, servants, suspicious guests, and a classical deneument where the killer and his motives are revealed.<br> In "The Spy Who Read Too Much" by Michael Turner, a mildmannagered man goes missing after his wife "kind-sorta" lets it slip to at least seventeen people that her husband is a CIA operative. A softboiled detective story with laugh out loud moments.<br> In his story "Can you make lunch," Bob Tippee gives us an original character in Clinton