Carol Dressler was a dreary man with a dreary life and a wife who could nag off his ears. He didn't think things could get any worse. He was wrong. One night, en route from his girlfriend to his wife, a chance stop at a closed gas station threw Carol into the path of a serial killer. Aptly named The Beast, this psychopath was known for mutilating his victims, all of whom were women. Now, The Beast is on Carol's trail, determined to eliminate the only witness who could possibly ID him. When Carol hits on the idea that he could use The Beast to solve all his problems, he begins a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Can Carol use this brutal killer to his advantage? Will he become the next victim? Will the relentless detective catch up to them both and put a stop to it all? If Carol wants to come out on top, he'll have to be very cunning. And very creative. But most of all, he'll have to be very lucky.

UNSHEATHED FURY, INESCAPABLE TERROR Imprisoned for thousands of years in the hilt of a ceremonial sword, the oni, a hideous Japanese demon, is accidentally released to wreak the havoc of its pent-up fury on an unsuspecting world. All-powerful, immortal, and possessed of an unquenchable lust for human blood, the demon seems invincible, leaving in its wake an increasing number of horribly mutilated bodies. Only one woman has learned the oni’s history and the key to its destruction. But will she be able to pit her puny human strength against the demon’s murderous powers before she becomes yet another victim?

This issue features a pair of novels. The first, The Man in the Queue, by Josephine Tey, kicks off her Inspector Alan Grant series. The second, The Enchantress of World’s End, by Lin Carter, continues the epic far-future, sword-and-sorcery saga begun last issue. As for our mystery shorts, we have a great lineup. Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken has selected an original Ecuadoran-set thriller by Tom Larsen, and Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has uncovered a terrific tale by Janice Law, one of our favorite mystery writers. From Gordon Linzner—whose many claims to fame include purchasing a mock-epic poem the editor of BCW wrote when he was a mere lad of 15 (his first sale!) some 40-odd years ago—comes a murder mystery set in a bookstore. And, of course, we also have a solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles. On the science fiction and fantasy end of things, we have an original reverse-causality tale by Sam W. Pisciotta, a demon-story by the ever-amazing Nina Kiriki Hoffman, a Weird Tales classic by Henry S. Whitehead, and a classic science fiction story by Philip E. High. Truly, something for every taste! Here’s the complete lineup— Cover Art: Ron Miller NOVELS The Man in the Queue, by Josephine Tey Murder in a theater queue! Inspector Alan Grant investigates. The Enchantress of World’s End, by Lin Carter The Gondwane Epic continues with the second (of five) volumes. SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY “Death Climbs the Charts,” by Hal Charles Can you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there! SHORT STORIES “El Coronel y El Capitán,” by Tom Larsen [Michael Bracken Presents short story] A retired colonel and resolute captain clash, exposing Ecuador’s dark secrets. “The Front Man,” by Janice Law [Barb Goffman Presents short story] A ghostwriting deal stirs ambition, deception, and dire consequences. “Ill Met at Bartleby’s,” by Gordon Linzner Murder most foul at a small-town bookshop! “Adventures in Causality,” by Sam W. Pisciotta A cosmic sphere disrupts Delores’s life, sending her through bizarre timelines. “The Devil You Know,” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman When Dominic is adopted by a demon, lessons are learned at a terrible cost. “The Thin Match,” by Henry S. Whitehead A battered match may prove its worth as a man struggles against the cold. “Mumbo-Jumbo Man,” by Philip E. High A stolen artifact ignites hidden powers, testing loyalty, fierce courage, and destiny.

They fan out across the city, perfectly disguised—as a mime, a toy vendor, a con artist. Rabid with hunger, they bore into their victims, gorging on fear and desire, killing them in silence: a fat woman hiding raw sexuality under layers of flesh … a gifted executive trapped in a dead-end job … a frenzied salesman late for his next appointment … a young woman battling childhood terrors … her brother, a strung-out junkie … But when a strange woman saves the junkie's life, their real nightmare begins. In the streets and the alleys, they stalk The Troupe, searching for his sister's killers. He knows their secret. Now he can destroy them. If he escapes their dreadful, fiendish eyes …

Code name: Blood Status: Literally kept on ice until a job arises that’s beyond the scope of ordinary agents. Qualifications: Ruthless, adaptable, and uniquely expendable … because he’s already dead! Assignment: Track down the terrorist group known as the Free Thought Alliance and rescue the reporter they kidnapped … or avenge her! A simple, straightforward task, almost unworthy of Blood’s special talents … but neither he nor the terrorists could anticipate the role to be played by the mysterious, shambling form that haunted the wildest regions of the Florida Everglades, eventually threatening the existence of all!

Haunted from the other side, these stories roam from modern cities to the shadowed moors to feudal Japan to the jungles of Central America, each providing a spine-chilling glimpse into the shadows not even death can restrain.

Can Evelyn Slade tame an inter-dimensional demon and save the world? In summer 1985, New York occultist Evelyn Slade is busy negotiating with an Earth Spirit across the river. She turns a new investigation into a missing ancient statue over to her capable male assistant. The case seems straightforward enough-until he winds up in a supernaturally-induced coma. Determined to save her friend and associate, Slade swings into action. But she didn't expect interference from a top secret government agency, intrusions by a religious fanatic, or the terrifying plot of a interdimensional being to thwart her efforts. Are her supernatural powers enough to save her friend, the city-and possibly the world-from the seemingly malevolent intentions of a misplaced demon? Highway of Hell is the first full-length novel featuring occult detective Evelyn Slade, who appears in numerous published short stories. If you like sassy women, gritty settings and twisty plots told with a dash of humor; you'll love this deep dive into this underworld of urban fantasy.

When Pulp Worlds Collide! The Moon Man and Doctor Satan, hero and villain of their own pulp magazines, meet here for the first time ever in the cross-over that will leave you spellbound and begging for more. Written by Ron Fortier ("The Green Hornet", "Rambo", "The Terminator", etc.) and Gordon Linzner. Illustrated by Rob Davis ("Star Trek: The Next Generation", "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine", Marvel, DC and Malibu comics.) and Bradley Walton, with an eye-popping wrap-around cover by Tom Floyd. This edition also includes the short story "Fury in Vermont" by Ron Fortier. This is an updated/reworked edition of the very first New Pulp book from Airship 27!

Action! Adventure! Excitement! True adventure awaits you within these collected stories of daring-do in far-off places. From tales of impossible feats in foreign lands to sinister portals to other worlds. Ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges to survive or find their fortune. These stories are steeped in the tradition of the adventure tales found in old comic books or pulp magazines. Sit back, relax and allow fast-paced extreme action to take you away as adventure calls your name. With stories by: Charlotte Langtree, Gordon Linzner, Chisto Healy, Alanna Robertson- Webb, Declan Fletcher, David Bowmore, Tim Mendees, Neen Cohen, Donovan "Monster" Smith and C. Marry Hultman

A haunted father who discovers a place where incomplete things--and people--are made whole. A mischievous satyr who hatches a plan to set loose chaos on a global scale. A workaholic witch in search of her kitty companion. Invasive technology to rewrite the human brain. Dragon slayers. Zombies. Time travelers. Ice skaters. These twenty short stories stretch across multiple universes and beyond death--and yet, they remain intimate, personal, emotional. They demonstrate the strength of the human spirit to find hope and seek a better tomorrow in even the darkest times. A selection of the best speculative fiction from DreamForge and Space & Time literary magazines, these are the stories we need today as we struggle through a pandemic, divisive politics, rampant misinformation, a belligerent defiance of facts and science, and new technologies that are already spiraling beyond our control. Read, my friends... and take hope.