Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine

AHMM always seemed like a poor cousin to its sister publication Ellery Queen (EQMM). The stories don't have individual lead-in blurbs; instead, a brief editorial mentions any particularly interesting stories, introduces new writers, or calls attention to new departments in the magazine.

The stories, while not as polished or literary as in EQMM, are usually enjoyable. Some authors return to the same characters and I often look forward to their pieces, such as John H Dirckx's Detective Auburn, or D.A. McGuire, who had an excellent series with a preteen detective. Many new writers try the waters of AHMM first and then move "up" to EQMM.

In addition to the expected book review column, AHMM features a reader's contest called "Mysterious Photograph" where you can send in a short-short based on a photo they supply; there is a crossword or acrostic puzzle, and a new feature includes interviews with well-known mystery authors.

If you love mysteries, especially the short-story form, you should be getting both AHMM and EQMM.

Note: Starting with the 2004 issues, AHMM now publishes 10 issues a year; 2 are "double issues" with almost twice as many pages.

Though mystery novels have never been more popular, we seem to have forgotten the pleasures of the short story. Every month, AHMM offers a satisfying range of stories from noirs to cozies, from contemporaries to historicals, by both established writers and newcomers. This is a great place to spot talent on the way up or to sample the work of writers you don't know (without committing to a novel). Plus, short stories are perfect for the bus or the subway. Once, a wide range of magazines published short fiction in a variety of genres; AHMM is one of the few still upholding that proud tradition.

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I have subscribed to both Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen for years. EQMM is usually a notch better in quality, but AHMM is the avenue for new writers to use more often. As such, the quality of writing is more erratic, but the stories are often more adventurous and the voice a little fresher. Not only that, but AHMM has a monthly contest which is fun and challenging for writers at any level, and a monthly logic puzzle which is always entertaining.

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These books fit nicely on the cardio machines I use at the gym. As for me, I'd leave an iPad or Kindle on the machine and be halfway home before I miss it. If I do that with one of these books, so what? There'll be another in the mailbox in a couple of weeks.

I go there, get up on the elliptical trainer or treadmill, bury my nose in a well written mystery and 40 minutes later I'm done. I lost 100 pounds in 12 months by doing this. Make AHMM and EQMM part of your healthy lifestyle change today.

PS, I think the writing is great. It's clean, clever, witty and most of the authors have a really enjoyable writing style and voice. This review is for AHMM but I'm going to paste it into a review for EQMM as well.

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When it comes the the unusual, the more literary and the suspenseful, it's Hitchcock for me! The magazine allows for stories with the supernatural and that tends to keep the reader guessing until the end, as opposed to the typical cop/detective/sleuth tales in EQ. I love the often-moody atmosphere and the scene-building in Hitchcock.

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Instructor Magazine (1-year auto-renewal)

I have been reading this magazine for a year now and have reaped so many good ideas that I can't count them. I watch diligently for Instructor Magazine to hit my mailbox. It's the best!

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Mountain Living (1-year auto-renewal)

and not enough 'real' content. I did not find that it had any technical content at all, just more of a pretty and lets go shopping kind of magazine. Does not showcase any new innovation. Just decorating. :/ Maybe that is all this magazine is going for, but I feel like it could, and should, be so much more. Sorry.....thumbs down.

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Idea : International Advertising Art

Don't purchase subscriptions from Amazon or Magazine Express.

The following are my experiences with a subscription to Hiragana Times from Amazon.

What this page doesn't tell you is that the Japanese magazines subscribed to on Amazon are filled by a company called Magazine Express and are shipped SEAMAIL from Japan which mean you'll recieve every issue 8 to 10 after it's released.

I placed my order in January and, to date, have not recieved a single issue. After several phone calls, the Magazine Express people (who fill the Amazon subscriptions) said they had to restart my subscription for the May issues which will take 8-10 weeks due to shipping issues. So after ordering in January, I will not receive a single issue of this uncancelable magazine until possibly in late July. Very poor service.

This is unacceptable for a magazine that most US Japanese bookstores (fujisan is one) can get within a week or that you can order directly from the publisher for only a few dollars more. If I had known the shipping policy I would not have ordered and the magazine supplier, Magazine Express will not cancel the subscrition.

I advise avoiding ALL Amazon magazine subsriptions due to their poorly stated policies.

**Update, I wrote this review in June. It is now July 8th and I've just been informed I must wait until August 15th to see if an issue arrives. I ordered the magazine on January 9th and I have had no resolution from either Magazine Express or Amazon who provides no way to contact anyone within Amazon about magazine orders. I reiterate, buying magazines from Amazon if a poor idea.

This is by far the best design magazine anywhere. The price might be daunting but, beyond being on the bleeding edge content-wise, issues are typically loaded with custom papers, finishes, a fold out poster, postcards, and other generally inspiring material. If you are tired of yuppie design rags and are looking for great work that spans an incredible range (every month), this is it. Not for "8 ways to better drop shadows" types. This is the real deal.

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I have read this mag thru and thru, and for some 20 + years now it has continued to be at the top of the crop. It is the most superbly laid out and designed magazine with excellant content,that I have ever seen. To be totally honest, I would much rather read and browse this any day over "Print" magazine. This is almost like a graphic design book, that just gets published every 2 months where the best designers in the world are given each about 30 pages to just go nuts on. I found it deep in the stacks of the university library one day and have been hooked ever since...also for those of you who can read/write japanese, german, and english you can have your pick while reading...

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Midwest Living (2-year)

Being a resident of the midwest region of our country is not a necessary criteria for enjoying this magazine. While my family originates from the midwest, and we visit occasionally, I enjoy living on the east coast.

This magazine offers more than just the regional perspective. It shares information in a friendly, warm and upbeat manner that is useful and often fun. It's a pleasant read with good information presented in an enjoyable, attractive format.

Every time I finish an issue, I'm reminded of why the people and places of the midwest make me smile.

We've subscribed to Midwest Living for at least a decade, but after moving to Texas, I wanted to remain in the loop on attractions, events, restaurants and recipes in the Midwest.

Midwest Living features articles on uniquely Midwestern flavors (a recent issue featured Midwestern-inspired soups such as Great Lakes salmon chowder from Michigan, Kansas City steak soup, and wild rice and turkey soup from Minnesota), mouthwatering recipes, tips on home and garden (choosing paint, furniture shopping, what plants and flowers will thrive in your zone), travel (including restaurants, suggested hotels, and sightseeing), Lake Michigan getaways, and detailed state-by-state calendars that track events in various Midwestern states. There's a fairly hefty emphasis on fine arts galleries, antiques, and restaurants, so if this sounds like you, you'd do well to check out an issue.

There's something to appeal to everyone, whether you're a Midwesterner or are simply interested in the region. The beautiful photography does justice to the many natural attractions and small-town charm, and the recipes, particularly those featured in well-known restaurants, are keepers. I especially liked the January/February 2008 issue that featured an in-depth article on maple syrup production (although Vermont and Quebec are best known for sugaring, Michigan and Indiana farms also produce maple syrup) and delicious uses for maple syrup, including maple date-nut bread, four-grain pancakes, and maple oatmeal muffins.

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When I subscribed to Midwest Living, I had never seen an issue. I grew up in Iowa, have lived in NJ for 40 years, but plan to retire back to Iowa, so I thought I'd get in touch with the Midwest again. I was amazed at what a treasure this magazine is. It is excellently written, beautifully photographed, continually provides interesting articles and ideas, and I look forward to every issue. I've started a list of things I want to do and places I want to go in the Midwest when I retire, and most of the items are ideas I've found in this magazine. I've already put in an automatic reorder with Amazon so my subscription won't lapse.

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I am originally from Chicago, and moved to SE Wisconsin within the last year. I had already been subscribing to Midwest Living, but once I moved, I found the articles & information more relevant. Yes, there is a section devoted to Chicago each month that is quite good, but the smaller towns really shine in this magazine. Places to go, things to do, just what I'd want in a regional magazine. The content is a good read and informative with out being overly flashy and over the top. My Hubby and I have planned weekend get-aways around stories/articles I have read in here, and I keep ALL issues in a binder for reference. I devour each issue and highlight the contents page with ideas that I want to revisit again.

In closing, I just really like this magazine. It truly puts the Midwest in the palm of your hand. (And, when you get a great deal on Amazon, JUMP on it. It is truly worth it !)

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For Midwesterners, this gives us the feeling that we are more than fly over and gives us tips about great places to go, good places to shop, great places to eat, it's just a fun magazine about our area. Folks who have left the Midwest might enjoy reading it too.

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Sports Collectors Digest (1-year auto-renewal)

Here it is. The best magazine for keeping up on what's hot and what's not, in sports memorabilia. While most dealers and collectors look to Beckett for values, the same look to Sports Collectors Digest (SCD for short), for deals on cards and other memorabilia, and to find out what the current trends are. No matter the sport, if there's memorabilia for it, SCD has probably covered it and one time or another. It's very informative in the history and production of baseball and other sportscards. It's also informative and entertaining. The one thing I really love about SCD is their Customer Service Award program. If you go to SCD, and you see a dealer with the Krause Publications Award emblem, you can count on that dealer for service. This is a publication that anyone can enjoy and benefit from.

In the old days SCD was a reliable source for prices of all kinds of memorabilia. Now it is just a trade magazine full of ads (@90%). Tuff Stuff not available online at least for now which would eventually be a much better source for getting price guides. Becketts are too expensive and only deal with one sport at a time.

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I bet all of you out there can find in your basement or addict old sports memorabilla from when you were a kid, or from some day when you went out with your friends or family.

How much is it worth ? Is it worth money, or is it a personal memory that is yours to cherish no matter what someone else is willing to pay for it ?

This magazine will help you find out, and the people writing it seem like a nice group of people, check this one out, its pretty good !

Best Regards to All, MC TheStickRules.Com

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What a disappointment; don't waste your money, as it's 90% ads. A shadow of the 1980's/90's publication. Two thumbs down :(

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The content of this magazine is impressive. I was disappointed with the pamphlet-size of the mag. I was used to the 12"x15" editions of the 90s. As my eyesight has gotten worse, the print size has decreased. Or, as the print size has gotten smaller, my eyesight has deteriorated.

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