Mystery Magazine: July 2024

At the cutting edge of crime fiction, Mystery Magazine presents original short stories by the world’s best-known and emerging mystery writers. The stories we feature in our monthly issues span every imaginable subgenre, including cozy, police procedural, noir, whodunit, supernatural, hardboiled, humor, and historical mysteries. Evocative writing and a compelling story are the only certainty. Get ready to be surprised, challenged, and entertained--whether you enjoy the style of the Golden Age of mystery (e.g., Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle), the glorious pulp digests of the early twentieth century (e.g., Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler), or contemporary masters of mystery. ★ In this issue ★ In our cover feature, “Cocaine Cowboy” by Michael Bracken, a down-on-his-luck country singer is robbed after a gig, rescued by a bartender, and then finds himself involved with robbery, murder, and more.“I’m Not Roger Whitley Simmons” by Arthur How does one get into contract killing, even if it is State and Federally sanctioned, and indeed initiated?“The Dead Girl And The Rock” by Arwyn A detective tries to solve the murder of a fae, despite her being considered a second class citizen. He pursues the investigation even when his coworkers encourage him to let it go.“Lactose Intolerance” by Gerard J The office break room becomes a murder scene.when Dot Barrows refuses to stop stealing a co-worker's food.“The Black Scarf” by Cay A busy highway in Southern France, an empty rest area to wait out a menacing thunderstorm, a mysterious woman—though only for a few moments before the deluge starts.“The Adventure Of Cecil Scumbleby” by Aggie Great Aunt Edna has been stabbed to death, leaving behind a tremendous fortune. A nefarious plot is clearly afoot, and Cecil Scumbleby intends to get to the bottom of it.“A Preference For Shadows” by Ed A corrupt FBI analyst blackmails an assassin into doing a job for him.“Bridge To Nowhere” by William Greenizan stands on a bridge in the pouring rain, contemplating the river below, and wonders what the hell Murphy is doing with his car.Custom Cover Art By Robin Grenville Evans