Help me find this short story

October 17, 2014 7:09 AM

It is from the point of view of a man who comes home from war after such a long time that he was believed dead. After an awkward welcome, he finds out that his wife has been sleeping with his neighbor, a young man who was like a son to him before he left to fight. He eventually kills the young man and his wife and dies from a gunshot wound after being chased by the sheriff on a mountain or mesa. What is this short story?
posted by domo to Media & Arts (6 answers total)

I know just the story you're thinking of. I don't remember the title, but I DO know that it is in this anthology. Let me try to find a review that lists all the stories.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:14 AM on October 17, 2014

Yes! It's called "The Stars Are Falling", and it is by Joe R. Lansdale Smith.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:16 AM on October 17, 2014 [5 favorites]

It's also in the anthology "The Best American Mystery Stories 2011".
posted by DanSachs at 1:35 PM on October 17, 2014

(Also it's just Joe. R. Lansdale, no Smith)
posted by Gygesringtone at 2:55 PM on October 17, 2014

That's the approximate plot of The Return of Martin Guerre, is it not?
posted by lizifer at 3:29 PM on October 17, 2014

It's quiiiiiite different from Martin Guerre. And how.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:30 PM on October 17, 2014