In this issue

Crime and mystery stories regularly turn on fraught and fundamental questions of trust. “Miss Starr’s Good-bye” by Leslie Budewitz features the return of Stagecoach Mary, who finds that she has won the trust of woman accused of murder. A psychology professor is entrusted with babysitting an actress as a movie wraps up production in James L. Ross’s “Last Night in Malibu.” In Janice Law’s “The Stop-In Motel,” an undocumented worker puts himself at risk to aid a stranger who has no one else to trust. And airborne half-siblings are lacking in trust as they squabble over the family beer-brewing business in Deborah Lacy’s locked-room tale, “The Sky’s the Limit.”

A Paris urchin must take care in R. T. Lawton’s “A Loaf of Bread.” In a Boer War field hospital, Dr. John Watson finds his trust in human nature shaken in James Tipton’s “The Candy Box.” A transgendered woman in Chicago is the reluctant trustee of distressing information in S. L. Franklin’s “The Seal of the Confessional.” And a social worker in western Massachusetts trusts her instincts in Susan Oleksiw’s “Just Another Runaway.”

A karate master setting up shop encounters conflict with neighborhood teens in Melissa Yi’s “Dueling Dojos.” A Vietnam vet and his girlfriend find themselves in the wrong bank at the wrong time in Peter Colt’s “The Hippie.” A “friendly” poker game in an RV camp precedes a drowning in John H. Dirckx’s procedural, “Tragedy at Daybreak.” One man’s obsessions are matched when he finds his soul mate in Dave Zeltserman’s wry “Terrible Thoughts.” Two runaways fall afoul of fate in O’Neil De Noux’s “A Meanness in Me.” On the lighter side, a holiday mix-up could have serious consequences for a young probationer in Mark Thielman’s “Thanksgiving Eve.”

Our Case File column features Gary Phillips talking about his career in graphic literature and some mid-century African American comic strips.

Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine Description:

Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine is a captivating publication that embraces the suspenseful and enigmatic world of mystery fiction. Named after the legendary filmmaker and master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock, this magazine continues to be a staple for mystery enthusiasts seeking thrilling and thought-provoking stories.

Since its inception in 1956, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine has been a platform for both established and emerging authors to showcase their talent in the realm of mystery writing. Each issue is filled with a diverse collection of short stories and novellas that encompass a wide range of subgenres, including traditional whodunits, psychological thrillers, and intricate puzzles. From cleverly crafted plots to unforgettable characters, the magazine delivers an immersive reading experience that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

Over the years, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine has remained a beloved publication among fans of mystery fiction, providing a platform for renowned authors like Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Raymond Chandler, while also introducing fresh voices and emerging talent.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore the captivating world of mystery fiction through the pages of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, where every issue promises to immerse you in a labyrinth of suspense and keep you guessing until the very end.