In this issue

Close out the year with EQMM’s charmingly chilling holiday issue. In our pages you’ll follow clues through the snow in “Killer Instinct” by Doug Allyn, solve a compelling Christmas Eve puzzle by firelight in Catriona McPherson’s “Mrs. Tilling’s Match,” travel through time to the holidays at a coal mine in Almuth Heuner’s Glauser Award-winning “Black Legacy,” and enjoy a Yuletide visit with Ellery Queen and the Puzzle Club in “The Adventure of the Black-and-Blue Carbuncle” by Josh Pachter.

The holidays are known as a family time, and characters navigate those ties in “My People” by Liza Cody, featuring an undercover police officer, “Good Decisions” by Edwin Hill, in which two couples navigate their desires, “The Cards You’re Dealt” by Michael Z. Lewin, featuring Sergeant LeRoy Powder, and “The Man at the Window,” a Slater and Lomond case by Pat Black. Much like unwrapping a gift, characters sometimes give more than you’d expect, such as those in “The Man From Scotland Yard Dances Salsa” by John Lantigua, a Willie Cuesta mystery, “Crumble” by Christine Poulson, set in a small English town, and “The Other Imelda” by R.T. Raichev, featuring always reluctant sleuth Antonia Darcy and her husband Major Payne.

Two entires from our Black Mask department shine like coal in a stocking: “Duel of the Aces” by Travis Kennedy and “Boomerang Dice,” a classic reprint by Stewart Stirling. Meanwhile, power dynamics shift uneasily in “The Winner” by LaToya Jovena, “Maps” by Kim Harbridge, and “The Tuesday Curse” by Bill Pronzini and Barry N. Malzberg.

As you read “The Line” by Cath Staincliffe, “Words Don’t Kill” by Jehane Sharah, and “A Voice From the Dark” by Maurissa Guibord, you might find yourself reflecting on your year’s deeds (or misdeeds). Finally, we invite you to consider the stories published in EQMM this year and fill out our Readers Award ballot!

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Description:

Enter the captivating world of mystery fiction with Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. We're excited to introduce you to this legendary publication, your premier destination for classic and contemporary mystery stories, detective tales, and crime fiction.

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, published by Penny Publications LLC, is not just a magazine; it's a timeless institution that has been a beacon for mystery enthusiasts for decades.

As you explore the pages of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, you'll find a world of content that caters to mystery aficionados and lovers of crime fiction:

* Classic Mysteries: Enjoy timeless classics and iconic mysteries that have stood the test of time.

* Contemporary Crime Fiction: Dive into the latest works of contemporary authors, exploring new twists and turns in the world of crime.

* Detective Stories: Experience the thrill of detective stories, featuring brilliant investigators, cunning criminals, and perplexing puzzles.

* Short Story Collections: Access a curated selection of short stories that deliver suspense, intrigue, and surprise in every page.

* Author Interviews: Gain insights into the minds of mystery authors with exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes glimpses into their creative process.


Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine is your key to unlocking a world of mystery, suspense, and intellectual challenge. Subscribe now and immerse yourself in the timeless art of deduction.