Old detective magazines -- like Master Detective and Amazing Detective and Crime Confessions and Mobster Times -- were launched in the mid-1920s and '30s as earnest examinations of crime, criminals, and officers of the law. Through the Depression years, they often featured stories on infamous outlaws like John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd, and all those colorfully monikered tommy-gun toters that hold such fascination for so many. 
Now it seems a resurgence in interest has catapulted the prices for these old rags into the stratosphere. My favorite true crime bookseller, Patterson Smith, advises that the collectors have run up prices to $45 - $75 per issue for some of the oldest editions.
Some 1940 editions of the ultra-rare Super Detective magazine recently sold on ebay for upwards of $163.50 per issue. The market is hot for gangster literature right now; Patterson explains the allure.
It's not safe to assume that these magazines always gave their subjects the tabloid treatment. Some of the fiction journals featured stories by the best "popular fiction" writers of the century: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Dashiell Hammett, Mickey Spillane, and Raymond Chandler.
Some of the non-fiction journals -- my favorite is True Detective -- featured articles by lawmen, prosecutors, and famous attorneys like Melvin Belli as well as columns by the Greatest True Crime Writer Who Ever Lived, namely Edmund L. Pearson. And from the few I've been able to afford, I can tell you that both the reporting and the writing featured in these magazines can be first-rate stuff. (Though, to be honest, the magazines went to pot in the '80s.)
If you can't afford to get your bad guy fix with the vintage rags, then there are some places on the internet you can find some old gangster stories for free.
R.D. Morgan, author of such collections as Desperadoes: The Rise and Fall Of The Poe-Hart Gang and The Bandit Kings of The Cookson Hills, maintains a website that features stories from the '20s and '30s about outlaws and lawmen, dandies and dolls.
A word of warning: the internet may only whet your appetite for the old pulps. If you get addicted, or if you're looking for something specific, you'll have to shell out the big bucks, Daddy-O.
Laura,
There are other true crime bloggers and personages that seem to be more 'popular' with those interested in the current high profile drama-trauma' cases involving the serial killer and murder mysteries; along with playing the political games that lead to more 'kudos' and attention with the news media personalities.
However, in my humble opinion, you are the ABSOLUTE BEST at finding the most interesting and in-depth true crime cases including the most excellent, incredible and intellectual links to back them up as well as the ability to 'flesh out' each case in such a way as to truly educate and enlighten your readers.
I simply felt compelled to tell you so. I'm no stranger to the Internet (having been a 12-year veteran personally and professionally to its use), its research and valuable resources; or being able to read a diverse amount of authors and information via the same - and you are the 'top shelf' of the bunch, my dear. I never cease to be amazed at your ability to bring forth not only interesting historical cases with a fresh approach, but to add new information and resources as no one else I've ever seen or heard of as well as you do. You are amazing!
I appreciate your hard work, persistence and diligence in spite of the fact that you have two children and a husband to take care of as well as the other components of your law and writing careers. Bravo!!!
I wish you all the best for your continued success personally and professionally.
Best regards and may God richly bless you and yours,
Brooke Lee aka JstAnthrTrvlr
Posted by: Brooke | March 18, 2006 at 04:01 AM