Our mystery selections kick off with âA Matter of Trust,â N.M. Cedeñoâs tale of a genetic genealogy detective trying to prove an illegitimate childâs claim to a family trust. Thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken for this one. And Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has a Halloween-appropriate tale in âGrimalkin,â by Mark Thielman, in which a cat may be more than it seems. We also have fantasist Phyllis Ann Karrâs first saleâwhich turns out to be a mystery!âand a novel by British master J.S. Fletcher. And, of course, no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles.
Continuing our seasonal celebration of all things Halloween, we have a pair of dark delightsâtales by Adrian Cole and me. Have some ghoulish shivers on us!
For lovers of science fiction, we have a great tale by Norman Spinrad, plus classics by Charles V. De Vet and Lester del Rey. Great stuff.
Hereâs the complete lineup:
Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:
âA Matter of Trust,â by N.M. Cedeño [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
âThe Case of the Munificent Musketeer,â by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]
âGrimalkin,â by Mark Thielman [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
âAn Economical Means of Murder,â by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story]
The Herapath Property, by J.S. Fletcher [novel]
Science Fiction & Fantasy:
âIn the Court of the Pumpkin King,â by Adrian Cole [short story, Nick Nightmare series]
âSand,â by John Gregory Betancourt [short story, SCP series]
âQuarantine,â by Norman Spinrad [short story]
âSurvival Factor,â by Charles V. De Vet [short story]
âThe Band Played On,â by Lester del Rey [novelet]