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The Saint Detective Magazine
Saint Detective Magazine (August 1956) This issue features five detective and mystery stories. Leslie Charteris's lead novelet, "The Unescapable Word," involves Simon Templar investigating a murder at a secret government research station in Arizona; the victim is scientist Edward Oakridge, discovered by a guard named Jock Ingram who is dating the marshal's daughter. Theodore Sturgeon contributes "Dead Dames Don't Dial," a murder mystery (his second appearance in the magazine). Arnold Bennett's "The Secret Murderer" offers an ironic double-twist narrative. Sax Rohmer departs from his Fu Manchu formula with "The Owl Hoots Twice," featuring Scotland Yard and a reticent protagonist. Raoul Whitfield provides "Murder in Hollywood," a hard-boiled novelet in the Black Mask tradition. Walt Sheldon's "Johnny Pringle, Detective" features a young protagonist in unfamiliar settings. Additional crime fiction includes Freeman Wills Crofts's "Crime on the Footplate," plus short stories and a chess puzzle.