Edward Dentinger Hoch, a prolific mystery writer, died on Jan. 17 of a heart attack. He was 77. Hoch published more than 900 short stories, and had a story placed in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine every month for 33 years. He also wrote several novels and edited the "Best Detective Stories of the Year" and "The Year's Best Mystery & Suspense Stories." In 2001, he received the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America.