This issue features original mysteries by O’Neil De Noux and Shannon Taft (thanks to our Acquiring Editors, Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman), a Gil Brewer crime classic, and another entry in the Biff Brewer mystery series by Andy Adams. And what issue would be complete without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles?

On the more fantastic side of things, you might say things have gone to the birds…we have a pair of classic avian-themed stories by Cordwainer Smith and Richard McKenna. But we also have a terrific Norman Spinrad short, about the effects of virtual entertainment on actors, and Darrell Schweitzer contributes a poignant tale of a man whose father has delusional battles against the dreaded Zeppelin Gang. Or are they delusions?

And a few issues ago, I promised more of the humorous Toffee tales from Charles F. Myers. Well, in my research through the pulps, I only looked at titles…imagine my surprise when The Shades of Toffee turned out to be a novel, instead of a short story! Here it is. More Toffee shorts (I assume they’re short) will follow in future issues.

Here’s the complete lineup:

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

“The James Mason Effect,” by O’Neil De Noux [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
“The Clue in the Conservatory,” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]
“A Tail of Justice,” by Shannon Taft [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
“The Gesture,” by Gil Brewer [classic short story]
The Mystery of the Caribbean Pearls, by Andy Adams [novel, Biff Brewer series]

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

“A Man of the Theater,” by Norman Spinrad [short story]
“Fighting the Zeppelin Gang,” by Darrell Schweitzer [short story]
“The Night of Hoggy Darn,” by Richard McKenna [classic short story]
“From Gustible’s Planet,” by Cordwainer Smith [classic short story]
The Shades of Toffee, by Charles F. Myers [novel, Toffee series]

The Axe is Ready

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