Our 79th issue features a pair of original mysteries by N.M. Cedeño (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Bryon Quertermous (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman). Cedeño is no stranger to BCW readers, having already appeared in our pages twice before. Hopefully Bryon Quertermous will match that hat trick, too.

Rounding out the mystery section are a pair of novels: Francis Beeding’s The House of Doctor Edwardes (filmed by Alfred Hitchcock as Spellbound) and The House on the Cliff, by Franklin W. Dixon, which you may recognize as the very first Hardy Boys book. If you grew up reading the modern revisions of the original Hardy Boys series (which began in 1927), you’re in for a shock: these brothers are tougher, edgier, and face real peril. They were definitely watered down beginning in the 1950s. And often the titles were the only things that remained from the original stories.

And, of course, no issue would be complete without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet).

In the science fiction & fantasy section, Phyllis Ann Karr continues the adventures of her legendary fantasy duo, Frostflower and Thorn, in “Night of the Short Knives.” Don’t skip her Afterword about the story; it’s fascinating. Plus we have tales by Philip José Farmer, a rare science fiction foray by mystery author Wenzell Brown, and tales by Oliver Saari and George O. Smith. Great stuff.

Here’s the lineup:

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

“Disappearance of a Serial Spouse,” by N.M. Cedeño [Michael Bracken Presents short story]

“An Impossible Theft,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]

“Visiting Artist,” by Bryon Quertermous [Barb Goffman Presents short story]

The House of Doctor Edwardes, by Francis Beeding [novel]

The House on the Cliff, by Franklin W. Dixon [novel, Hardy Boys #1]

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

“Night of the Short Knives,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story, Frostflower & Thorn]

Daughter,” by Philip José Farmer [short story]

“Murderer’s Chain,” by Wenzell Brown [short story]

“Moon Dust,” by Oliver Saari [short story]

“Bombs Awry,” by George O. Smith [novella]

Hardy Boys 39: The Mystery of the Chinese Junk

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