Our mystery selections kick off with 'A Matter of Trust,' N.M. Cedeño's tale of a genetic genealogy detective trying to prove an illegitimate child's claim to a family trust. Thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken for this one. And Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has a Halloween-appropriate tale in 'Grimalkin,' by Mark Thielman, in which a cat may be more than it seems. We also have fantasist Phyllis Ann Karr's first sale-which turns out to be a mystery!-and a novel by British master J.S. Fletcher. And, of course, no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles.

Continuing our seasonal celebration of all things Halloween, we have a pair of dark delights-tales by Adrian Cole and me. Have some ghoulish shivers on us!

For lovers of science fiction, we have a great tale by Norman Spinrad, plus classics by Charles V. De Vet and Lester del Rey. Great stuff.

Here's the complete lineup:

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:
'A Matter of Trust,' by N.M. Cedeño [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
'The Case of the Munificent Musketeer,' by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]
'Grimalkin,' by Mark Thielman [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
'An Economical Means of Murder,' by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story]
The Herapath Property, by J.S. Fletcher [novel]

Science Fiction& Fantasy:
'In the Court of the Pumpkin King,' by Adrian Cole [short story, Nick Nightmare series]
'Sand,' by John Gregory Betancourt [short story, SCP series]
'Quarantine,' by Norman Spinrad [short story]
'Survival Factor,' by Charles V. De Vet [short story]
'The Band Played On,' by Lester del Rey [novelet]