Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Short Story Wednesday Review: Mystery Magazine: June 2024

 

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 Denise 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.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4cs5c8D

 

 

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

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