Hoch's stories about Captain Jules Leopold are probably the longest sustained short story series in the police procedural sub-genre and one of the few in that sub-genre appearing exclusively in the short story medium. That being the case, I was quite disappointed when Hoch decided to retire him from the police department. He's had a hard time coming up with excuses for getting Leopold involved in police investigations since then. I think he should figure out a way to "un-retire" him, and I've got a suggestion. Have the local district attorney hire Leopold as an investigator. DA's investigators are often retired cops and usually have full police power. This would allow Leopold to keep his hard-earned city pension and still be actively involved in professional law enforcement.

I agree-Edward Hoch is one of the best short story writers of our time. I look forward to his stories in EQMM and am disappointed in the rare edition that doesn't have one. Making Leopold a DA's investigator is a great idea. Having him fill in as a substitute chief of police in one story didn't make any sense. My favorite sleuth is Dr. Sam Hawthorne. But what impresses me is that Hoch has many sleuths in many different places under many different circumstances-in other words he is never boring.

I really enjoyed these mysteries, although I only solved one corectly out of many! Yes, Edward Hoch is a great short mystery writer! I enjoy reading his short stories! This is proabaly what everyone thinks! Is it? Please answer

For what it's worth, I met Ed Hoch at the last Bouchercon in Monterey, CA. I was there as part of a panel on Florida crime fiction, but met Ed after a panel on the locked room mystery at which, as contributors to this discussion know, he excells. Delightful man. A little reserved, but very generous of time and and opinion. He always seems a little distracted, but that's probably the price one pays for having such an inventive mind. He never really stops working.

E Hoch is the best at it now, I am searching for an anthology; does one exist?

I know that Hoch has authored several "Best Of" Anthologies, featuring various authors.