In this issue

The characters of mystery fiction are often described as ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. That’s true of the characters in the March/April 2022 issue of EQMM, and readers will be able to sympathize with them better than ever after the two years of extreme conditions we’ve all just endured.

National Book Award winner Joyce Carol Oates portrays a woman’s reaction to her sister’s disappearance in the novella “33 Clues Into the Disappearance of my Sister.” The past catches up to characters in intriguingly different ways in “Justice” by Cath Staincliffe, “Tomorrow” by David Dean, and the Department of First Stories entry “Strangler Fig” by Ralph Hornbeck. We see what desperate people do when put to a sudden test in “Rising Sun” (also from the Department of First Stories) by Jameson Trahearne and “The Rendezvous” by Tim Baker—and how this can lead to extreme behavior, as in Wendy Hornsby’s post-pandemic-era “Cardigans,” Anna Scotti’s mind-bending “Schrödinger, Cat,” and Edith Maxwell’s angry-neighbor piece “Bye-Bye, Jojo.”

Technological and social change feature in Peter Tremayne’s Shakespearean-era “Now Go We in Content,” Lou Manfredo’s 1970s police procedural “Sundown,” “Once Again” by Dave Zeltserman, set in the early days of the pandemic, and “Morbid Phenomena of the Most Varied Kind” by Mat Coward, which follows two witless youths attempting to use a politician to their advantage.

And what does it look like to experience a situation as an outsider? Find out in Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier’s “Rise,” “Russian for Beginners” by Dominique Biebau (from the Passport to Crime Department), “Another Saturday Night” by Michael Caleb Tasker, “The Footless Phantom” by Tom Mead, and “Send in the Clowns” by Paul Charles, a DCI Christy Kennedy mystery set in an exclusive historical home.

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.