I should have a review for tomorrow, but I’m a little behind due to the Toronto trip. I never read when I’m on vacation, although I always take several books, in paper and on my iPad/Kindle. Fortunately, Kevin Tipple sent a review of the June edition of Mystery Magazine. Thank you, Kevin.

Mystery Magazine: June 2024 opens with the featured cover story, “Sky Pirate Of The
Golden Age” by Eric Cline. In 1972, there were a lot of skyjackings. Braniff Flight #1225
from Kanas City, Missouri, to Los Angeles, is going to be one of those flights interrupted
by a skyjacking. For a ten-year-old boy, what he knows, will be impactful for everyone
on that plane for decades to come.

The ladies gather to drink and evaluate others in “Friends” by David Bart. Two guys they
all know are now widowers. That makes them fair game to talk about. But the ladies
don’t know as much, as they think they do.

Andrew Welsh-Huggins short story, “They Always Took Longer,” is up next. Carter
transports people long distance for a fee. He is moving people on the run or otherwise
who can’t use planes, buses, etc. They need to get from one place to another without
being tracked. His latest client, Heiser, is more than a bit difficult, he will be glad to be
done with him once they make Denver.

“Death And Deception At The Codwall Inn” by Dennis Johnson proves that booking a
stay based on the write up in a bridal magazine may not have been the best idea. They
came to attend a wedding. Ellie isn’t about to leave early even if they can’t lock the door
to their room. Being unable to lock their room door is the first of many oddities.

“The Gate Of Hades” by Robert Lopresti takes readers to Greece and tourists on
holiday. Our narrator and his wife, Melissa, are part of an American tourist group seeing
the sights and learning the history around Cape Matapan in the southernmost point of
main land Greece. Specifically, the Mani Peninsula which has a notorious reputation. It
is also where Hades is thought to have dragged Cerberus and other things in Greek
Mythology occurred. No wonder things begin to turn for various members of the tour
group.

Gordon Stack is looking around for a new wife in “Swimming With Sharks” by Bond
Elam. The current wife, Gwen, is now into her mid-30s, and Gordon, 15 years older, is
ready for a replacement. But, she has not violated her prenuptial agreement. He isn’t
about to give up any of his millions in order to move on. So, something else must be
done.

The “You-Solve-It” short story this month is from John M. Floyd and titled, “A Shock To
The System.” Frances Valentine is on a ride along with deputy Earl Malone on patrol.
They respond to call to Zeke Mooney’s house where Zeke is soon on his way to the
hospital. Something went wrong during a poker game and Malone and Valentine have a
case to work.

The issue concludes with the solution to the May 2024 “You-Solve-It” short story, “A
Failure To Communicate,” by John H. Dromey.

As always, the short stories here are diverse in terms of writing style and other factors.
This is not a niche publication, but one that prides itself on diversity under the mystery
umbrella. As always, the situations are interesting and the tales are good ones. Mystery
Magazine: June 2024 is another issue well worthy of your attention.

For quite some time now I have been gifted a subscription by the publisher with no
expectation at all of a review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2024