Crack Detective Stories was a magazine that underwent multiple name changes... eight of them! During the middle of its run, it was known as Crack Detective Stories, but it didn't start out that way. Detective Yarns, as it was first known, made its debut with the June 1938 issue, coming from Columbia Publications. It switched to a character pulp, featuring The Black Hood as of September 1941, and its name changed to Black Hood Detective. Then it became Hooded Detective for two issues until Crack Detective was born in May of 1942. After ten issues a single word was added to the name, and it became Crack Detective Stories. With the November 1949 issue the title was changed to Famous Detective, and then after three issues it became Famous Detective Stories. The final incarnation began in December 1956 with the name Crack Detective and Mystery Stories. This title lasted for four issues. The final issue was July 1957, outlasting most of the other pulp magazines on the market. There were 97 issues published in all. Crack Detective Stories returns in these vintage pulp tales, reissued for today’s readers in electronic format.
Table of Contents:
Powerful Mystery Novel
Orchids For Madame
By Greta Bardet
Art and I would have laughed had you told us that Orchids for Madame would lead us into an amazing web of murder and intrigue, with a choice between hot lead at the hands of the swastika-boys and the hot seat, courtesy of the police!
The Lady In The Case — Suspenseful Novelet
By Lee E. Wells
Suicide or murder, Lt. Dink wanted The Lady In The Case because it looked as if an epidemic of dry-dives from top floors was on, unless he could find the answer!
The Case Of The Timid Commando — Suspenseful Novelet
By Arthur Leo Zagat
In the midst of the war, B. & B. Detectives found that The Case Of The Timid Commando was one upon whose solution rested the morale of an entire company of US trainees!
Mr. Bingler’s Murder Maze — Suspenseful Novelet
By Wilbur S. Peacock
Listening to voices in a nearby booth led the little man to Mr. Bingler’s Murder Maze which made him very happy until he learned that he was supposed to be one of the corpses!
Nice Corpses Like Flowers — Short Story
By Dorothy Les Tina
If you ever decide to get bumped off, remember, Nice Corpses Like Flowers and a gilt “U” can point the way to the killer’s frail!
The Stoolpigeon Plot — Short Story
By Fred J. Ford
Sheriff Sam Spaulding didn’t realize he was in The Stoolpigeon Plot until the trap was sprung and he was helpless!
Beau Brummel Murder — Short Story
By Ray Cummings
I don’t mind the villagers’ laughter, because Beau Brummel Murder is something they won’t expect of a sissy-looking guy like me!
On The Beat — Special Department
Facts and fun about the people who make Crack Detective!
