Mystery Scene
Encyclopedia
Mystery Scene Magazine, based in the US and first published in 1985, covers the crime and mystery genre with a mix of articles, profiles, criticism, and extensive reviews of books, films, TV, short stories, audiobooks, and reference works.
Each issue contains commentary, several articles, author profiles, appreciations of particular subgenres or writers, letters to the editor and 150+ reviews of new novels, audiobooks, reference works, kid’s mysteries, short stories, TV shows, films, paperback originals and websites. News items, cartoons, jokes, quotes and anecdotes round out its front-of-the book “Hints & Allegations” pages.
The first issue, four pages long, was mailed with the October 1985 issue of Mystery & Detective Monthly, a letterzine published by active mystery fan Robert “Cap’n Bob” Napier of Tacoma, Washington.
By the 52-page third issue in 1986, the magazine was no longer distributed with the fanzine, and the now-standard mix of interviews, profiles, news notes, obituaries, reviews, letters columns, and opinion pieces was established. A feature in which first novelists introduced their works would eventually be extended to veteran writers who discussed their latest novels.
The first 75 issues of the magazine form a documentary record of developments, concerns, and controversies in the field over this 17-year period. Short stories appeared occasionally as early as “On Guard” by John Lutz in #5 (September 1986), but they were never a regular feature.
In 1990 Gorman’s business partner, anthologist Martin H. Greenberg, became a co-publisher, and by April 1991, Randisi, whose participation had gradually decreased, sold his stake in the magazine to Greenberg.
In 2002, owners Ed Gorman and Martin H. Greenberg turned over the reins to Kate Stine, a veteran book and magazine editor in the crime and mystery field, and her husband, Brian Skupin, a long-time mystery fan. Stine became editor-in-chief and handles day-to-day operations while Skupin oversees the website and contributes a regular interview feature. Their first issue, Fall #76 in September 2002, featured a lengthy tribute to outgoing editor and publisher Ed Gorman, "Ed Gorman: Writer, Editor, Mentor," from his many friends in the mystery community.
2006 Ellery Queen Award for significant contributions to mystery publishing given by the Mystery Writers of America.
2009 Poirot Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Mystery at Malice Domestic XXI in Arlington, Va.
2011 Bouchercon Fan Guests of HonorMystery Scene publishers Kate Stine and Brian Skupin will be honored at the 2011 Bouchercon to be held in St. Louis.
Winter Issue (mid-February)
Spring Issue (mid-April)
Summer Issue (mid-June)
Fall Issue (mid-September)
Holiday Issue (mid-November)
Format
Full color, 65-70 pages.
Back Issues & Bibliography
Back issues from Spring 2004 #84 onward are available from the publisher.
The Modern Language Association (MLA) has indexed Mystery Scene since 1997 and has also included back issues to 1993 in the MLA International Bibliography.
Mailing Address
Mystery Scene,
331 W. 57th St. Suite 148,
New York City, NY 10019-3101
Website
www.mysteryscenemag.com
At The Scene E-Newsletter Schedule
Monthly news from Mystery Scene Magazine sent via email.
Editorial Focus & Contents
Mystery Scene's focus is firmly on mystery readers and fans, as opposed to writers or other industry professionals.Each issue contains commentary, several articles, author profiles, appreciations of particular subgenres or writers, letters to the editor and 150+ reviews of new novels, audiobooks, reference works, kid’s mysteries, short stories, TV shows, films, paperback originals and websites. News items, cartoons, jokes, quotes and anecdotes round out its front-of-the book “Hints & Allegations” pages.
Features
- Profiles range from best-selling authors, including Michael ConnellyMichael ConnellyMichael Connelly is an American author of detective novels and other crime fiction, notably those featuring LAPD Detective Hieronymus "Harry" Bosch and criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller. His books, which have been translated into 36 languages, have garnered him many awards...
, Sara ParetskySara ParetskySara Paretsky is a modern American author of detective fiction.-Life and career:Paretsky was born in Ames, Iowa and raised in Kansas, graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in political science. She did community service work on the south side of Chicago in 1966 and returned in...
, Dennis LehaneDennis LehaneDennis Lehane is an American author. He has written several award-winning novels, including A Drink Before the War and the New York Times bestseller Mystic River, which was later made into an Academy Award-winning film. Another novel, Gone, Baby, Gone, was also adapted into an Academy...
, Laurie R. KingLaurie R. KingLaurie R. King is an American author best known for her detective fiction. Among her books are the Mary Russell series of historical mysteries, featuring Sherlock Holmes as her mentor and later partner, and a series featuring Kate Martinelli, a fictional lesbian San Francisco, California, police...
, Ian RankinIan RankinIan Rankin, OBE, DL , is a Scottish crime writer. His best known books are the Inspector Rebus novels. He has also written several pieces of literary criticism.-Background:He attended Beath High School, Cowdenbeath...
, Charlaine HarrisCharlaine HarrisCharlaine Harris is a New York Times bestselling author who has been writing mysteries for over twenty years. She was born and raised in the Mississippi River Delta area of the United States. She now lives in southern Arkansas with her husband and three children...
, and Lee ChildLee ChildJim Grant , better known by his pen name Lee Child, is a British thriller writer. His wife Jane is a New Yorker, and they currently live in New York state. His first novel, Killing Floor, won the Anthony Award for Best First Novel....
, to the up-and-coming such as Lisa Lutz, Michael Koryta, Stefanie Pintoff, James R. Benn, and G.M. Malliet.
- Articles focus on writers (Stuart Neville, Edgar Allan Poe, Daphne du Maurier), characters (Trixie BeldenTrixie BeldenTrixie Belden is the title character in a series of 'girl detective' mysteries written between 1948 and 1986. The first six books were written by Julie Campbell Tatham, who also wrote the Ginny Gordon series, then continued by various in-house writers from Western Publishing under the pseudonym...
, Jack ReacherJack ReacherJack Reacher is a fictional character created by British author Jim Grant who writes under the pen name of Lee Child.-Biographical information:...
), films and TV shows (“The Three Maltese Falcons”, Rockford Files, David Simon, humorous mystery movies), and subgenres (legal thrillers, romantic suspense, crime novels of the Civil Rights era), among other topics.
Regular Columns
- Building Your Book Collection Tips from antiquarian expert Nate Pedersen.
- Eye Witness Critic Kevin Burton Smith (The Thrilling Detective Websit e) commentary on topics relevant to private-eye fiction.
- Gormania Novelist (and Mystery Scene's former editor) Edward GormanEdward GormanEd Gorman is an award-winning American author best known for his crime and mystery fiction. He wrote The Poker Club which is currently in post production for a film of the same name directed by Tim McCann....
comments on the writing life and discusses films, books and TV shows. - Mystery Miscellany Louis Phillips tackles trivia, humor, and tongue-in-cheek teasers.
- The Murders in Memory Lane Lawrence BlockLawrence BlockLawrence Block is an acclaimed contemporary American crime writer best known for two long-running New York–set series, about the recovering alcoholic P.I. Matthew Scudder and gentleman burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr, respectively...
offers recollections of interesting crime writers he has met over the years. - New Books Essays Authors of upcoming books reveal real-life inspirations, unusual adventures in the name of research, or take a closer look at a story's locale or time period.
- What's Happening With... Reader-requested interviews of writers who haven't published recently by Brian Skupin.
Review Columns
- What About Murder? Critic Jon L. Breen reviews mystery nonfiction & reference works.
- TV Views Broadcast, cable and DVD television reviews by various critics including Dick Lochte, Oline Cogdill, and Wm. F. Hirschman.
- Small Press Reviews Betty Webb assesses releases from small independent publishers.
- Sounds of Suspense Dick Lochte’s audio-book reviews.
- Very Original Paperback original novels assessed by Lynne F. Maxwell.
- Short & Sweet A look at the latest in short stories by Bill Crider.
- Mystery Scene Reviews Each issue offers 30-40 reviews of novels from large publishers. Reviews from 2002 onward are available in the searchable online Mystery Scene Book Review Database.
History
Mystery Scene Magazine was conceived in a phone call between Ed Gorman, a writer and editor of mystery novels, short stories and anthologies, and Robert Randisi, the author of several mystery series, and later the founder and executive director of The Private Eye Writers of America. Both men felt the need for a magazine that would be to the mystery field what Locus was to the science fiction genre—news and views on the genre’s writers and the publishing business. (Over the years, Mystery Scene has evolved into a reader-centered consumer publication although crime writers still have a strong presence at the magazine.)The first issue, four pages long, was mailed with the October 1985 issue of Mystery & Detective Monthly, a letterzine published by active mystery fan Robert “Cap’n Bob” Napier of Tacoma, Washington.
By the 52-page third issue in 1986, the magazine was no longer distributed with the fanzine, and the now-standard mix of interviews, profiles, news notes, obituaries, reviews, letters columns, and opinion pieces was established. A feature in which first novelists introduced their works would eventually be extended to veteran writers who discussed their latest novels.
The first 75 issues of the magazine form a documentary record of developments, concerns, and controversies in the field over this 17-year period. Short stories appeared occasionally as early as “On Guard” by John Lutz in #5 (September 1986), but they were never a regular feature.
In 1990 Gorman’s business partner, anthologist Martin H. Greenberg, became a co-publisher, and by April 1991, Randisi, whose participation had gradually decreased, sold his stake in the magazine to Greenberg.
In 2002, owners Ed Gorman and Martin H. Greenberg turned over the reins to Kate Stine, a veteran book and magazine editor in the crime and mystery field, and her husband, Brian Skupin, a long-time mystery fan. Stine became editor-in-chief and handles day-to-day operations while Skupin oversees the website and contributes a regular interview feature. Their first issue, Fall #76 in September 2002, featured a lengthy tribute to outgoing editor and publisher Ed Gorman, "Ed Gorman: Writer, Editor, Mentor," from his many friends in the mystery community.
Awards
2004 Anthony Award for Best Fan Publication presented at the 2004 Bouchercon World Mystery Convention.2006 Ellery Queen Award for significant contributions to mystery publishing given by the Mystery Writers of America.
2009 Poirot Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Mystery at Malice Domestic XXI in Arlington, Va.
2011 Bouchercon Fan Guests of HonorMystery Scene publishers Kate Stine and Brian Skupin will be honored at the 2011 Bouchercon to be held in St. Louis.
Critical reception
Review of Mystery Scene by Clayton A. Couch, Library Journal, 11/01/2006Publishing Information
Print Magazine ScheduleWinter Issue (mid-February)
Spring Issue (mid-April)
Summer Issue (mid-June)
Fall Issue (mid-September)
Holiday Issue (mid-November)
Format
Full color, 65-70 pages.
Back Issues & Bibliography
Back issues from Spring 2004 #84 onward are available from the publisher.
The Modern Language Association (MLA) has indexed Mystery Scene since 1997 and has also included back issues to 1993 in the MLA International Bibliography.
Mailing Address
Mystery Scene,
331 W. 57th St. Suite 148,
New York City, NY 10019-3101
Website
www.mysteryscenemag.com
At The Scene E-Newsletter Schedule
Monthly news from Mystery Scene Magazine sent via email.