Set in the early 1960s, The Mystery of the Caribbean Pearls follows young Biff Brewster as he visits his Uncle Charlie to discover priceless pearls in Martinique. Even worse, his uncle's friend has gone missing, leaving behind an anxious yet determined son. It is up to Biff Brewster and his new friend Derek to adventure through the Caribbean, dodging nefarious looters and kidnappers to find the hidden treasure and rescue Derek's father.

This issue features original mysteries by O’Neil De Noux and Shannon Taft (thanks to our Acquiring Editors, Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman), a Gil Brewer crime classic, and another entry in the Biff Brewer mystery series by Andy Adams. And what issue would be complete without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles? On the more fantastic side of things, you might say things have gone to the birds…we have a pair of classic avian-themed stories by Cordwainer Smith and Richard McKenna. But we also have a terrific Norman Spinrad short, about the effects of virtual entertainment on actors, and Darrell Schweitzer contributes a poignant tale of a man whose father has delusional battles against the dreaded Zeppelin Gang. Or are they delusions? And a few issues ago, I promised more of the humorous Toffee tales from Charles F. Myers. Well, in my research through the pulps, I only looked at titles…imagine my surprise when The Shades of Toffee turned out to be a novel, instead of a short story! Here it is. More Toffee shorts (I assume they’re short) will follow in future issues. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The James Mason Effect,” by O’Neil De Noux [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Clue in the Conservatory,” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “A Tail of Justice,” by Shannon Taft [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Gesture,” by Gil Brewer [classic short story] The Mystery of the Caribbean Pearls, by Andy Adams [novel, Biff Brewer series] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “A Man of the Theater,” by Norman Spinrad “Fighting the Zeppelin Gang,” by Darrell Schweitzer “The Night of Hoggy Darn,” by Richard McKenna [classic short story] “From Gustible’s Planet,” by Cordwainer Smith [classic short story] The Shades of Toffee, by Charles F. Myers [novel, Toffee series]

Includes Part 1, Number 2: Books and Pamphlets, Including Serials and Contributions to Periodicals July - December)

This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of the pink pearl of the Caribbean. The pink pearl is produced by a very beautiful shellfish, the queen conch, and is unrivaled anywhere in the world. On average, one in every 10,000 queen conch shells contains a pearl. Sue Hendrickson, a professional diver and a female Indiana Jones, has spent much of her life collecting pink pearls most of which have been discovered by Caribbean people who fish for conch for its flesh. Hendricks

Get ready for a bumpy ride! The Blue Gypsy is a spectacular Caribbean pearl that has been in the Williams family for over four hundred years. For thirteen generations, the Blue Gypsy travels with Buccaneer Thomas Williamss descendants, who revere and treasure the pigeon eggsized pearl, believing it to have protective powers. However, the bloody history in which it was acquired follows it. In 1974, the past finally catches up with Thomas Williamss heirs, and it falls to Jack Colquhoun, eleventh great-grandson of the buccaneer, his mother and pearl custodian, Lala Colquhoun, and longtime ally Spencer Duffy to cross swords with dangerous adversaries. What ensues is a fight not only for possession of the pearl but for the very wealth and continuance of their family, for possession of the pearl has never been solely about its monetary value but the Williams familys history and legacy. As storms brew on St. Croix, in the US Virgin Islands, Lala, Jack, and Spencer are lashed by more than violent winds when they come face-to-face with the long-lost scions of the Williams family, Antonia Toset and her crazed daughter Dolores. Unforgettable characters are brought to life as they journey through often-turbulent American and Caribbean historycharacters so dynamic the reader will not soon forget.