This time, we have a pair of novels. First up is Ellery Queen’s The Roman Hat Mystery, originally published in 1929. It made quite an impact upon publication and launched the career of an iconic sleuth. While not quite on par with Sherlock Holmes, Ellery is certainly one of the great American fictional detectives, up there with Nero Wolfe, Nick Carter, and Philo Vance (and arguable at the head of the crowd). Our second novel is the first volume of Lin Carter’s epic Gondwane saga, The Warrior of World’s End. It’s a far-future science-fantasy sword-and-sorcery novel. (Try saying that three times fast!) If you like action-adventure fantasy in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs, you can’t go wrong. And we’ll have the rest of the series in future volumes.

As for the short stories, we have lots of returning favorite authors this issue, including Ron Miller (with a new Velda P.I. story), Andrew Welsh-Huggins (with an original mystery, thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), Shannon Taft (another original, thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), and Veronica Leigh (with a new Smith Sisters story). New to BCW are Zary Fekete and Phil Giunta (though we hope to see more from them in the future).

And, of course, we have a new solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles and a classic sci-fi tale from Robert F. Young. Lots of good stuff, as always.

Here’s the complete lineup—

NOVELS

The Roman Hat Mystery, by Ellery Queen

In a Broadway theater, a prominent lawyer is found dead, and his missing hat may be key to unraveling a baffling murder mystery.

The Warrior of World’s End, by Lin Carter

A warrior awakens in a distant future, embarking on a surreal journey across a world shaped by ancient technologies, strange beasts, and forgotten sorcery.

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY

“Tree of Paradise,” by Hal Charles

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

SHORT STORIES

“The Hunt,” by Andrew Welsh-Huggins [Michael Bracken Presents short story]

On a deserted trail, a shadowy figure stalks human prey—until the tables turn.

“Missing,” Shannon Taft [Barb Goffman Presents short story]

A tourist’s mother vanishes from a luxury Bed and Breakfast…

“Velda Gets Framed,” by Ron Miller [Velda series]

Velda’s meeting in a rundown office leads to a locked-room murder, a setup—and sizzling intrigue.

“Red Summer,” by Veronica Leigh [Smith Sisters series]

In 1919 Indiana, the Smith sisters uncover dark truths while seeking justice for a murder.

“The World Beneath the Page,” by Zary Fekete

Elaine escapes her mundane life by stepping into the world of her book, only to uncover unsettling secrets…

“In the Span of a Heartbeat,” by Phil Giunta

A team’s mission on a desolate planetoid unravels into danger, discovery, and personal reckoning.

“Plane Jane,” by Robert F. Young

A man questions reality, identity, and truth as he unravels the mysteries of two worlds.