“Live Free or Die, Die, Die!: Twisted Tales from the Criminal Minds of the Granite State,” released by Plaidswede Publishing of Concord, is available now in area bookstores. It consists of 20 short mystery stories authored by New Hampshire writers, including at least a few from the Seacoast.

The first story, for example, takes place mainly on the grounds of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. “Ballast Tank Blues,” by Portsmouth resident Tom Sweeney, involves a private detective who investigates a series of rapes at the Shipyard, culminating in a suspenseful showdown within a dry-docked submarine.

“The Body under Seabrook Station,” by lifelong Seacoast resident John Hirtle, tells the mysterious story of a cadaver discovered at our local nuclear plant, complete with references to the Clamshell Alliance and its anti-nuke protests.

New Hampshire Magazine editor Rick Broussard collected 124 submissions for the anthology and edited the final 20 selections. Dover-based artist Marc Sutherland provided illustrations. Some of the tales come from first-time writers, while others are by established and widely published authors.

It’s the second volume of Broussard’s pulp fiction series, following 2010’s “Live Free or Undead,” a collection of zombie tales and other horror stories. The next installment of the series will consist of science fiction stories, titled “Live Free or Never Die: Speculative Fiction from the Granite State to the Stars.”

The submission deadline for the third volume of the series is Jan. 31. For more information, visit www.nhpulpfiction.com.