Our mystery selections kick off with “A Matter of Trust,” N.M. Cedeño’s tale of a genetic genealogy detective trying to prove an illegitimate child’s 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 “Grimalkin,” by Mark Thielman, in which a cat may be more than it seems. We also have fantasist Phyllis Ann Karr’s first sale—which turns out to be a mystery!—and 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 delights—tales 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.

Here’s the complete lineup:

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:
“A Matter of Trust,” by N.M. Cedeño [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
“The Case of the Munificent Musketeer,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]
“Grimalkin,” by Mark Thielman [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
“An Economical Means of Murder,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story]
The Herapath Property, by J.S. Fletcher [novel]

Science Fiction & Fantasy:
“In the Court of the Pumpkin King,” by Adrian Cole [short story, Nick Nightmare series]
“Sand,” by John Gregory Betancourt [short story, SCP series]
“Quarantine,” by Norman Spinrad [short story]
“Survival Factor,” by Charles V. De Vet [short story]
“The Band Played On,” by Lester del Rey [novelet]

Vital Ingredient

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