Book excerpt: Everyone is getting into the Halloween spirit this month! Our Acquiring Editors, Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman, have found supernatural detective stories by Dave Zeltserman and Joseph D’Agnese to kick things off. And we have haunts and horrors (not to mention voodoo) from regular contributors Phyllis Ann Karr and Ron Miller (whose burlesque queen-turned-private eye, Velda, returns this issue). And C.S. Dines takes us to McNeil Station in Antarctica for some unexpected chills. I’ve even dug into my own trove of old stories for a supernatural slasher story. (If you don’t like knives and blood, you might want to skip this one.) Of course, we have traditional tales, too, like a crime novel from G. Sidney Paternoster and the science fiction story by E.C. Tubb (who remains most famous for his long-running Dumarest of Terra space opera series). Lots of good stuff. Here’s the complete lineup— SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY “The Treasure of Hanging Cross Ranch,” by Hal Charles A hidden treasure awaits, but only the sharpest mind can decipher the clues. Can you solve the mystery before Detective Hayes? NOVEL The Master Criminal, by G. Sidney Paternoster Guy Hora, raised as a master thief, finds his criminal philosophy shattered when he falls for Meriel Challys. As he struggles to break free from his past, dark secrets threaten to destroy everything he holds dear. STORIES “The Hanging Judge,” by Dave Zeltserman [Michael Bracken Presents] P.I. Mike Stone solves cases in a twisted version of 1998 Brooklyn—his personal hell. As zombies leap from rooftops and demons lurk, Stone revisits a deadly mystery involving a corrupt judge and mobsters. “The Sweatergeist,” by Joseph D’Agnese [Barb Goffman Presents] Detective Bleecker investigates an eccentric millionaire’s claim that his deceased wife returns every Wednesday to haunt her favorite sweater… “Who Purged the Thaumaturge?” by Ron Miller [P.I. Velda series] Velda dives into a world of sorcery and voodoo when an occult shop owner is murdered. She is quickly entangled in a dangerous mix of hoodoo, hexes, beatniks, witches, and one incredibly strong woman. “The Pearly Gates Motel,” by Phyllis Ann Karr Count Czernikowski checks into a decaying motel only to encounter Saxo Gates, the eccentric manager with deadly intentions. Secrets and supernatural forces collide in this chilling thriller. “The Man Who Collected Knives,” by John Gregory Betancourt Jason’s obsession with collecting blades becomes something far darker when an insidious, otherworldly creature begins to whisper in his ear. “McNeil Station,” by C.S. Dines Five tourists on an Antarctic cruise sneak off to explore an abandoned research station, where they discover the local wildlife isn’t as cute and cuddly as it seems. “Umbrella in the Sky,” by E.C. Tubb Mike Levine is tasked with saving the world by fixing a massive solar shield. But in the vastness of space, corruption, sabotage, and death loom as the real threats to humanity’s survival.