Books, videos, and music - all free from your public library!
EBOOK
Pages
337
Year
2026
Language
English

About

Issue #254 falls solidly into the "great read" category: New tales by Tom Milani (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), Paula Messina, Viviana De Cecco, Kevin R. Tipple, R.L. Farr, and of course Ron Miller (with a new Velda, P.I. story), plus an original solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles are the core. But we also have classic shorts from Lester del Rey, Joseph J. Millard, and Evelyn Goldstein-plus a rare Golden Age mystery from British master J.S. Fletcher.


Here's the complete lineup-


Cover Art: Ron Miller


NOVEL


Cobweb Castle, by J.S. Fletcher


A classic Golden Age mystery novel from a master!


NOVELETS


"Margarine of Error", by Ron Miller [Velda, P.I. series]


Can Velda crack a kidnapping before the butter bill comes up for a vote?


"The Seat of Judgment", by Lester del Rey


A dying empire meets a miracle it cannot afford to believe in...


SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY


"Foul or Fair?" by Hal Charles


Can you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there!


SHORT STORIES


"Andrea Gutiérrez", by Tom Milani [Michael Bracken Presents]


A camera, a guilty teenager, and a favor that may cost far too much…


"A Little Help", by Paula Messina


Batting practice can wait when trouble follows a crying child home.


"For No Apparent Reason", by Viviana De Cecco


A dead surfer, a silent beach, and a clue written on bare skin…


"A Plan Comes Together", by Kevin R. Tipple


Two detectives want answers. One old widower has questions.


"The Portland Musicians", by R.L. Farr


Three obsolete machines set out for Portland, sirens at the ready.


"Mister John Doe, Earthman", by Joseph J. Millard


An amnesiac from the stars holds Earth's fate in his lost memory.


"Man's Castle", by Evelyn Goldstein


His home was his castle-until mankind offered him a crown…

Related Subjects

Extended Details