Our 96th issue introduces some new contributors to the magazine—Smita Harish Jain (with an original mystery, thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Naomi Hirahara (with a riveting reprint mystery, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman). Also on the mystery front, we have a pair of British classics: a Sexton Blake detective story by Hal Meredith and a novel by William Le Queux.

When it comes to fantasy and science fiction, we’ve achieved an appealing balance. Adrian Cole and Henry S. Whitehead deliver two distinctly different nautically-themed stories. Also featured is Robert E. Howard’s eerie tale, “The Dream Snake.” (The Whitehead and Howard pieces originated from Weird Tales, and Cole’s work could easily have found a home within its pages.) Complementing the mix are science fiction stories by Arthur Leo Zagat and Russ Winterbotham, both prolific during the Golden Age.

Here’s the complete lineup:

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

“An Honorable Choice,” by Smita Harish Jain [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
“The Case of the Taken Trophy,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]
“Off the 405,” by Naomi Hirahara [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
“The Empty Tin,” by Hal Meredith [short story, Sexton Blake series]
The Gamblers, by William Le Queux [novel]

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

“Running with the Tide,” by Adrian Cole [short story]
“Sea Change,” by Henry S. Whitehead [short story]
“The Dream Snake,” by Robert E. Howard [short story]
“No Escape from Destiny” by Arthur Leo Zagat [novella]
The Red Planet, by Russ Winterbotham [novel]

The Darker Mask