Mystery magazine Crimestalker Casebook was founded in 1997, by Edgar winner John McAleer and best selling mystery author Andrew McAleer. The magazine features original short-short mysteries, articles, interviews, and mystery poetry honoring classic crime fiction figures.
Crimestalker short stories rarely exceed 1,200 words, favor traditional mysteries, and avoid gratuitous sex, gore, and graphic language. In December 2025, Crimestalker released its first issue under its expanded name – Von Stray’s Crimestalker Casebook. Although the magazine hasn’t quite reached its third decade, one could argue it’s been nine decades in the making.
The backstory…
Crimestalker was born at an unusual time. In 1997, few paper mystery magazines existed and on-line mystery magazines were likewise scarce. Crimestalker was created to give established and new mystery authors another home to publish their work. Over the years we’ve published authors like, Gold & Silver Dagger winner Peter Lovesey, Derringer winner Kris Neri, and Edgar winner Gregory Mcdonald. (Historical Note: Kris Neri’s “My Shadow’s Shadow” was the first story accepted by Crimestalker.)
Crimestalker interviews have been equally impressive: Robert B. Parker, William Link, Margaret McLean, and William G. Tapply.
Feature articles honoring mystery icons include: Rumpole of the Bailey (this one actually received written praise from Sir John Mortimer himself!), Nero Wolfe, Thorndyke, and even a wonderful piece on Sam Spade by Murder, She Wrote showrunner Tom Sawyer.
Thanks to the Short Mystery Fiction Society (founded in 1996), Crimestalker has had the honor of being received in the award-winner’s circle taking a Derringer Award and Derringer nomination.
Although irregularly released, Crimestalker published semi-annually. In 2015, I released what I thought would be the last issue. My father had passed away and I was busy knocking in a few boards after an Uncle Sam deployment. Then, the fickle finger of fate struck.
A mystery story written by my father in the 1930s, “The Case of the Illustrious Baker,” was discovered. The story features London-based detective Henry von Stray and appears in A Casebook of Crime (Level Best Books). Since Henry was created during the Golden Age of Detection—by an author I admire very much—I couldn’t resist the temptation to get the Crimestalker presses rolling again. An expanded magazine name honoring the Golden Age of Detection with the name of a classic detective born during the Golden Age, was in order. Hence, Von Stray’s Crimestalker Casebook.
The comeback issue features brilliant “Golden Age” cover artwork by Level Best Designs and, all new stories from some of today’s top mystery writers, like: Barb Goffman, John M. Floyd, Libby Cudmore, Michael Bracken, Gay Toltl Kinman, Stephen D. Rogers, and Shawn Reilly Simmons. Plus, an interview with Mystery Readers International’s very own Janet A. Rudolph, a stirring tribute to a Golden Age author, and an original clerihew by Edgar winner Art Taylor.
For now, Von Stray’s Crimestalker Casebook submissions are by invitation only. December 2025 Kindle version now available at: www.amazon.com
***
Andrew McAleer is the best-selling author of the Detective Henry von Stray classic British crime series created by Edgar winner John McAleer. Von Stray’s adventures appear in A Casebook of Crime Volume One. A second von Stray collection, A Casebook of Crime Volume Two, is scheduled for release in March 2026 (Level Best Books). Mr. McAleer taught classic crime fiction at Boston College and served in Afghanistan as a U.S. Army Historian before returning to public service in the criminal justice system. www.Henryvonstraymysteries.com
