For MSMM, he wrote “Run For Your Life” (October 1984). In the 1980s, Hugh had a second (or was it third or fourth) career as a Horror novelist with books like The Nebulon Horror (1980). His best work has been about the island of Haiti. He was one of that hysterical brand of horror writers who filled the Shudder Pulps with titles like “Inn of the Shadow-Creatures” ( Dime Mystery, December 1934). Later he appeared in Weird Tales, and wrote many Mystery tales as Justin Case. Cave (1910-2004) began writing back in the Great Depression, first appearance was “The Corpse on the Grating”, a horror piece for Harry Bates’ Astounding Stories of Super Science, February 1930. MSMM published stories by some real Pulp old-timers. I have roughly divided them here though I am sure they never thought of themselves by these demarcations. The magazine was home to weird writers of many generations. The majority of stories have a Horror angle including the lead Mike Shayne tale. One issue in particular stands out: October 1981, what I call “The Halloween issue”. Scattered throughout the regular Mystery and detective stories were Horror-tinted tales. But Chuck’s fantasy/SF/horror background definitely changed the tone of the magazine slightly. I don’t know if Chuck Fritch actively encouraged them to submit horror stories, or if they just submitted to him because he was in one of their circle of friends. Laymon and Nolan, yes, and I noticed Mort Castle and Dennis Etchison had stories in MSMM, too. I don’t recall Avallone doing any horror stories. All the stories Joe Lansdale sold to Merwin were straight private eye stuff. And it took a while to become noticeable because he probably had an inventory of stories that Sam Merwin Jr. Fritch taking over as editor in late 1979. I think the use of horror stories was tied directly to Charles E. James Reasoner, who wrote for Mike Shayne between August 1977 and December 1984, and has written many excellent Western novels since, remembers the end era of the magazine:

Bill Nolan and Chuck Fritch invent the selfie in 1975 Fritch wrote Science Fiction for the late Pulps like Startling Stories and went on to edit the 1960s SF magazine, Gamma. Fritch (1927-2012) took over editing the magazine from Sam Merwin Jr. 1979-1985 are the key years here when Charles E. These are writers who love the Gothic in all its forms. Some are big Mystery writers, some Horror, and all are of that wonderful mixed breed that is descended from writers like John Dickson Carr, Fredric Brown and August Derleth. The Horror-Mystery writers of Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine are names that we all recognize.

Horror Mansion by J.N. Williamson