For mystery readers, Michael Bracken brings us an original tale by Eve Fisher—“The Ghost of Eros” features art crime of a most creative sort. Barb Goffman’s presents an action-packed tale by David Hagerty. “A Photo’s Worth” features an actress, a paparazzo, San Francisco, and scancal—a great read. Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet) brings us another solve-it-yourself mystery. And we have a classic mystery featuring Madame Storey from Hulbert Footner, and a British suspense novel by Edgar Wallace. Science fiction and fantasy fans will enjoy a 1950 short novel from Murray Leinster, a classic space opera. Leinster was one of the greats of the science fiction field. He published more than a thousand stories over a distinguished six-decade career. “Planet of the Small Men” is pulp adventure in grand space opera tradition—and one I wish had been expanded to novel length. It’s from Thrilling Wonder Stories, and I don’t believe it’s ever been reprinted. Plus we have dark fantasy stories by Tom Marcinko (Cynthia Ward’s selection this issue) and Larry Tritten (whose work we’ve been running regularly—a real change of pace for him). Plus classics by Malcolm Jameson and Lester del Rey. Here’s the complete lineup: Mystery / Suspense“The Ghost Of Eros,” by Eve Fisher [short story]“The Pilfered Pictogram,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]“A Photo’s Worth,” by David Hagerty [Barb Goffman Presents short story]The Almost Perfect Murder, by Hulbert Footner [short novel]The Strange Countess, by Edgar Wallace [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy“Temperance,” by Tom Marcinko [short story]“Africa Screams, ” by Larry Tritten [short story]“Brimstone Bill,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story]“Dark Mission,” by Lester del Rey [short story]“Planet of the Small Men,” by Murray Leinster [short novel]

On the mystery side this issue, we have a novel by Elizabeth Sanxay Holding, plus shorts by pulp master Paul Chadwick, rare mysteries from science fiction authors James MacCreigh and Kris Neville, and a Thanksgiving-themed solve-it-yourself puzzle from Hal Charles. Plus Barb Goffman has selected a masterful story by Shelly Dickson Carr to round things out.On the science fiction and fantasy side, we have a pair of novels from Frank M. Robinson and Lester del Rey, a fantasy bar story from John Gregory Betancourt, and a dark fantasy by British author John Glasby. Here’s the lineup— Mysteries:“A Thanksgiving Mystery,” by Hal Charles [A Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]“The Beacon Hill Suicide,” by Shelly Dickson Carr [Barb Goffman Presents short story]“Model for Manslaughter,” by Paul Chadwick [short story]“Big Talk,” by Kris Neville [short story]“The Good Old Summer Crime,” by James MacCreigh [short story]Speak of the Devil, by Elizabeth Sanxay Holding [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy:“Where Dead Men Dream,” by John Glasby [short story]“On the Rocks at Slab’s,” by John Gregory Betancourt [short story]Cosmic Saboteur, by Frank M. Robinson [novel]The Scheme of Things, by Lester del Rey [novel]

Go backward through space-time into prehistory? It seemed fantastic, but the machine—invented by Bob's father in connection with his research on the interrelation of time and gravity—actually exists. Bob and his friend Pete are anxious to be the first to visit the era of the dinosaurs. Overruled, they watch Pete's father, a famous paleontologist, step into the shimmering ring—and disappear into the past. But when he does not return on schedule because the machine jams, they decide to follow him on a rescue mission... A thrilling time-travel adventure!