Variety Detective Magazine

Variety Detective Magazine, August 1938 This inaugural issue contains eleven detective and mystery stories. The lead novella, "Death Hogs the Spotlight" by Ralph Powers, involves reporter Kirk becoming entangled with a platinum chorine, a racketeer, and a swingster Romeo in a murder case. Other stories include Arthur Flint's "Homicide on High," concerning a man whose frustrations might be erased by his boss's death; Cliff Howe's "The Pipeline Juggernaut," featuring mutiny and mystery aboard an oil operation; and Ronald Flagg's "Phantom Applause," about an actor's misguided ambitions. The issue also includes "The Miniature Coffin" by Jack Archer, "Model for Manslaughter" by Paul Chadwick, "Scientific Suicide" by Franklin Trant, "The Haunting Clue" by William A. Langford, "Treachery Island" by Leon Dupont, "The Grim Reaper's Bait" by James Francis Bonnell, "Vengeance of the Phoenix" by Chester Brant, and "A Gentleman at Large" by Erie Lennox. Subjects range from murder and blackmail to marooning and double-dealing.