This issue, we have five mystery stories, three of which are originals—tales by Tracy Falenwolfe (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), Veronica Leigh, and Teel James Glenn—these last two names should be familiar to regular readers from previous issues. We also have a great modern tale by Jonathan Santlofer (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) and a classic pulp crime story set in the dark world of Las Vegas casinos by Bryce Walton. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles.
On the science fiction end, the Lancelot Biggs space opera series from Nelson Bond continues with “F-O-B Venus.” F-O-B was a more common term in early to mid 20th century. It stands for “Free on Board”—a term used in international shipping to indicate that the seller delivers the goods to a ship at a specified port, and the buyer assumes responsibility once the goods are on board and is responsible for shipping costs, insurance, and other expenses related to transporting the goods to their final destination. Rounding things out are a pair of novels: pulp action-adventure from Edmond Hamilton, then Lester del Rey’s classic tale of an atomic power plant heading toward meltdown. Great stuff!
Here’s the complete lineup—
Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:
“Jamming at Jollies,” by Tracy Falenwolfe [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
“The Case of the Carried-off Coins,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]
“Lola,” by Jonathan Santlofer [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
“Divine Discontent,” by Veronica Leigh [short story]
“White Face, Blood Red,” by Teel James Glenn [short story]
“Murderers Three,” by Bryce Walton [short story]
Science Fiction & Fantasy:
“F-O-B Venus,” by Nelson S. Bond [short story, Lancelot Biggs series]
Outside the Universe, by Edmond Hamilton [novel]
Nerves, by Lester del Rey [novel]
