When we think of mystery magazines, and I’m not sure we think of them enough, we tend to focus on Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine; they have the largest circulation, the longest history, and the cachet that comes with attracting fiction by today’s finest mystery writers. Fair enough. But if you are a mystery fan you might want to know about some smaller magazines devoted to the literature of crime, mainly published by fans. For fiction, the best is probably the Strand Magazine, which in its most recent issue (no. 23) had stories by John Mortimer, Jonathan Gash, and Peter Lovesey. Previous issues had stories by Colin Dexter, Edward D. Hoch, H.R.F. Keating, and Alexander McCall Smith.

The slickly produced magazine usually features interviews (in the current issue, Robert B. Parker and Mr. Smith), articles (an ongoing series is the Great Detectives), reviews, and at least one Sherlock Holmes story or article in every issue, honoring its namesake.

The original Strand, published from 1891–1950, was the most important magazine in the history of mystery fiction, publishing all 56 Sherlock Holmes stories between July 1891 and 1927, as well as tales by G.K. Chesterton, E.W. Hornung, and Agatha Christie.

The current incarnation began publication in 1998. It is a quarterly in the capable hands of Andrew Gulli. Single issues are $6.95; a one-year subscription is $24.95 ($19.95 online); two years is $39.95 ($34.95 online). The mailing address is P.O. Box 1418, Birmingham, MI 48012-1418; for those with computer skills, check out www.strandmag.com.

Another nicely produced magazine is Crimespree, whose 22nd issue is on sale now. It has some fiction but is mainly devoted to reviews, articles, and interviews. Regular contributors are Edgar-winner Reed Farrel Coleman, Julia Spencer-Fleming, and Robert J. Randisi.

The editors and publishers are Ruth and Jon Jordan, who met at the 1999 Bouchercon, proving there’s more excitement going on at that convention than panel discussions — not to say anything negative about five scholars arguing the merits of Margery Allingham, Nicholas Blake, and Ngaio Marsh, and the … z-z-z-z-z.

Sorry. Where was I? Oh, yes. Crimespree is $5.95 per issue; a six-issue, one-year subscription is $32. Address: 536 S. 5th St., Suite 1A, Milwaukee, WI 53204. The Web site is www.crimespreemag.com.

Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine is entirely devoted to articles and reviews, and is invaluable for the dedicated scholarship and fandom of its delightful founder, George Easter, and regular contributors Larry Gandle, Marv Lachman, Mary Mason, Ali Karim, Ted Hertel, and many others. In 1997, it began to present the Barry Award (named for Barry Gardner, a highly respected reviewer, then recently deceased) for excellence in crime fiction; several categories are voted upon by subscribers and Web visitors. Single copies of the quarterly are $4.50; a one-year subscription is $18; two-year subscriptions are $35. Address: P.O. Box 969, Bountiful, UT 84011; Web site: www.deadlypleasures.com.

Beginning last year, Deadly Pleasures added Mystery News as a cosponsor of the Barry. This 36-page tabloid-style periodical generally features 70 to 80 reviews, three to five interviews, and two to four columns. It is published six times a year by Lynn Kaczmarek and Chris Aldrich at Black Raven Press. Single issues are $4.50; a one-year subscription, $25; two years $46. Address: Black Raven Press, 7645 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209; Web site: www.blackravenpress.com.

The longest-running mystery fan magazine is Mystery Scene, which just had its 102nd issue published. Started in the fall of 1985 by Robert J. Randisi and Ed Gorman, it was later taken on by Kate Stine and Brian Skupin.

There is no fiction here, but many articles and interviews, along with reviews. There are also quizzes, lists, etc. Single issues are $7.50, and are published five times a year. A subscription is $32; a two-year subscription is $60.

The Mystery Scene Web site (www.mysteryscenemag.com) informs readers that it is for sale at Borders, Barnes & Noble, and other chains, an unusual position for an independent magazine to take, rather than sending potential buyers to the mystery specialty stores around the country that would appear its more natural supporters. Address: 331 W. 57th St., Suite 148, New York, NY 10019.

Mr. Penzler is the proprietor of the Mysterious Bookshop in Manhattan and the series editor of the annual “Best American Mystery Stories.” He can be reached at ottopenzler@mysteriousbookshop.com.