This time, we have a rare mystery from Hulbert Footner (whose Madame Storey mysteries I greatly enjoy). His novel Queen of Clubs in this issue is a jazz-age mystery that—well, I don’t want to spoil the surprises. Read it and see for yourself!

Also on the mystery front, we have original tales by Andrew Welsh-Huggins and Robert Lopresti (thanks to our Acquiring Editors, Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman), a classic crime story by David Goodis, and, of course, a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles.

On the science fiction & fantasy side, we have a recent tale by Edward M. Lerner, classic shorts from William C. Gault, Randall Garrett, and T.D. Hamm, and a rare short novel from Ward Moore—most famous for his classics Greener Than You Think and Bring the Jubilee. Moore’s Transient originally appeared in Amazing Stories magazine in 1960 and languished undiscovered for decades before a small press reprinted it in an anthology a decade ago. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. (Keep an eye out for unicorns.)

Here’s the complete lineup—

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

“The Cumberland Gap,” by Andrew Welsh-Huggins [Michael Bracken Presents short story]

“The Porch Pirate and the Pillow,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]

“Late Bus,” by Robert Lopresti [Barb Goffman Presents short story]

“The Blue Sweetheart,” by David Goodis [short story]

Queen of Clubs, by Hulbert Footner [novel]

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

“I’ve Got the World on a String” by Edward M. Lerner [short story]

“Burden the Hand,” by Randall Garrett [short story]

“Title Fight,” by William C. Gault [short story]

“Floor of Heaven,” by T.D. Hamm [short story]

Transient, by Ward Moore [short novel]

The Deaves Affair