(Give Me That) OLD-TIME DETECTION. Spring 2026. Issue #71. Editor: Arthur Vidro. Old-Time Detection Special Interest Group of American Mensa, Ltd. 34 pages (including covers).

   Interest in classic detective fiction seems to be as high as ever, and we can’t think of a better gateway into it for the neophyte reader than Arthur Vidro’s Old-Time Detection [OTD].

   Experienced detecfic fans have not been neglected, however, and there’s much here to interest them as well.

   The issue starts well with a reprinting of Martin Edwards’s introduction to the 2022 British Library reissue of Christianna Brand’s 1949 novel, DEATH OF JEZEBEL. “The plot,” he says, “is fiendishly complex.”

   “The Paperback Revolution” of the mid-’70s continues as Charles Shibuk focuses on some new titles by Eric Ambler, John Dickson Carr, Agatha Christie, Bruno Fischer, Thomas Gifford, Joe Gores, John D. MacDonald, Patricia Moyes, Robert B. Parker, and Rex Stout.

   Our editor has kindly reproduced Tom Mead’s introduction to one of Crippen & Landru’s recent releases, Edward D. Hoch’s THE WILL ‘O THE WISP MYSTERY (2024). “The stories,” writes Mead, “showcase his boundless imagination in fresh, exciting ways.”

   Next we have a fine collection of thoughtful reviews: Les Blatt takes on EQ’s formidable THE GREEK COFFIN MYSTERY (1932); Arthur Vidro peruses Gigi Pandian’s recent THE LIBRARY GAME (2025); Trudi Harrov examines Amanda Chapman’s equally recent MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY (2025); Kathleen Riley revives Lawrence Treat’s classic V AS IN VICTIM (1945); and Jon L. Breen highlights Edward D. Hoch’s collection THE THEFTS OF NICK VELVET (1978).

   Speaking of Hoch: “The Non-Fiction World of Ed Hoch” reproduces the introduction that Hoch wrote for that selfsame collection of his Nick Velvet stories. “As originally conceived,” Hoch admits, “Nick Velvet was to have been my answer to James Bond . . . but the character quickly developed into something else.”

   Arthur’s “From Print to Screen” provides a satisfying compare-and-contrast of Erle Stanley Gardner’s 1939 novel THE CASE OF THE ROLLING BONES with a 1958 TV production of the same. “To my disappointment, he eliminated the clue of the baked potato.”

   Next is a 1979 interview from EQMM with Frederic Dannay, the surviving member of the team that comprised “Ellery Queen” for so long. Dannay’s assessment: “In the end, the character of Ellery and the character of his father were so different from the beginning that it was hard to think that the same writers wrote the books.”

   The “Fiction” selection is EQ’s rarely reprinted “Miracles Do Happen” (1957), a “First” for OTD in that, as Arthur says, it’s “the first time we’re reprinting a true piece of Queen fiction.”

   Arthur’s “Comic Books” page discusses the checkered career of Ellery Queen (the detective) in four-color periodicals. “Occasionally the adaptations were fairly faithful . . . Other times there were unwelcome alterations . . .”

   In his “Collecting” column Arthur assembles advice from book collectors on how to sell their literary aggregations. It’s not as straightforward as you might think.

   Next we have “The Readers Write,” a lively collection of reactions to the previous issue of OTD, proving in itself that interest in classic detective fiction is still high.

   And finally, “The Puzzle Page” brings us back around to the Caped Crusader and his surprising connection with Ellery Queen.

   All in all, another fine issue of OLD-TIME DETECTION.

Subscription information:

– Published three times a year: Spring, summer, and autumn. – NOTE: RATE CHANGES (as of January 1, 2026). Sample copy: $6.00 in U.S.; $10.00 anywhere else. – One-year U.S, subscription rate increase starting with the next issue: $20.00. – One-year overseas: $45.00. – Payment: Checks payable to Arthur Vidro, or cash from any nation, or U.S. postage stamps or PayPal. Mailing address:

Arthur Vidro, editor
Old-Time Detection
2 Ellery Street
Claremont, New Hampshire 03743

Web address: vidro@myfairpoint.net