July 1934 issue

July 1934 issue

cover art by J. W. Schlaikjer

better image than previously posted

~ W.T. Ballard, “Whatta Guy”, 7th of 27 stories with ‘Bill Lennox, troubleshooter for Consolidated Films’, reprinted in That’s Hollywood: The Complete Black Mask Cases of Bill Lennox, Vol.1 (2023 Steeger Books), 7th of 43 stories in BM

~ Raymond Chandler, “Smart-Aleck Kill”, 2nd Mallory, first book appearance in the collection The Simple Art of Murder (Houghton Mifflin hardcover, 1950), first paperback appearance Pickup on Noon Street (Pocket, 1/52), various paperback editions,  2nd of 11 stories in BM

~ George Harmon Coxe, “Hot Delivery”, 5th of 27 with Flashgun Casey, 5th of 31 stories in BM

~ Eugene Cunningham, “If Murder Can Be Funny”, 3rd of 5 with undercover Texas Ranger Cleve Corby, 9th of 14 stories in BM

~ John Graham, “Murder Crate”, ‘ambulance crew; NYC setting’, 1st of 2 stories in BM

~ Raymond Jae Moffatt, “Death in the Dark”, ‘Patrolman tries to avenge murdered father’, 1st of 2 stories in BM

©Seattle Mystery Bookshop

January 1935 issue ~ cover art by Fred Craft

January 1935 issue

cover art by Fred Craft

~ Raymond Chandler, “Killer in the Rain”, unnamed LA PI, 1st person, first book appearance in the anthology Killer in the Rain (Hammish Hamilton, UK hardcover, 3/26/64, US edition by Houghton Mifflin, 1964), various paperback editions, reprinted in The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps (Vintage, 2007), 4th of 11 stories in BM [Chandler would “cannibalize” this story for The Big Sleep – note the totem with the camera lens.]

~ George Harmon Coxe, “Murder Picture”, 7th of 27 with Flashgun Casey, reprinted in The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps (Vintage, 2007), 7th of 31 stories in BM

~ George Alden Edson, “Hot Lead”, author’s only appearance in BM

~ Erle Stanley Gardner, “Winged Lead”, ‘Bald Pete’, character’s only appearance in BM, 84th of 99 stories in BM

©Seattle Mystery Bookshop

February 1935 issue ~ cover art by Fred Craft

February 1935 issue

cover art by Fred Craft

better image than previously posted

~ Dwight V. Babcock, “Murder After Midnight”, ‘Al, bodyguard, 2nd story in series’, 4th of 21 stories in BM

~ W.T. Ballard, “Confessions Means Death”, 1st of 2 with radio host/”people’s pal” Jimmy DeHaven, 12th of 43 stories in BM

~ Clue Club, “Clue Club Mystery Story Contest”, ‘short-lived contest sponsored by Warner Bros & BM with prizes, etc.; not indexed beyond this issue’

~ George Harmon Coxe, “Casey – Detective”, 8th of 27 with Flashgun Casey, 8th of 31 stories in BM

~ Raymond Jae Moffatt, “Dunnigan of the Morning Call”, ‘cub reporter & cops’, 2nd of 2 stories in BM

~ Frederick L. Nebel, “It’s a Gag”, 29th of 37 with Captain Steve MacBride and local reporter Kennedy, reprinted in Too Young to Die: Complete Cases of MacBride & Kennedy, v.3 (Altus, 2013), 57 of 67 stories in BM

©Seattle Mystery Bookshop

October 1, 1934 issue ~ cover art by John Newton Howitt

October 1, 1934 issue

cover art by John Newton Howitt

better image than previously posted

Carroll John Daly, “Ticket to Murder” (Clay Holt)

George Harmon Coxe, “The Flaming Shadow” (Det. Carson)

Max Brand, “Wet Money” (Dave Clovelly)

Oscar Schisgall, “Palooka Death Pawn”

Anson Hatch, “Dumb Double” (Det. Jack Farley)

Robert C. Blackmon, “The Body in the Loge”

Richard Hoadley Tingley, “Crossroads of Crime #1”