Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #17—another fun issue, with great mystery and science fiction short stories, classic novels, and more! The lineup this time: Mysteries / Suspense: “Smart Cookie,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Shanks Gets Mugged,” by Robert Lopresti [short story] “Thubway Tham Reforms,” by Johnston McCulley [short story] “The Man in the Dick Tracy Hat” by Elizabeth Zelvin [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Seal of Gijon, by Nicholas Carter [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Hour of Their Need,” by Amy Wolf [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Dragonet,” by Esther Friesner [Darrell Schweitzer Presents short story] “Vengeance in Her Bones,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] “Taste Taste,” by Larry Tritten [short story] Secret of the Martians, by Paul W. Fairman [novel]
Black Cat Weekly presents another selection of not-to-be-missed mystery and science fiction novels and short stories. With a great lineup of modern and classic fiction, here are— NOT DONE WITH THE NIGHT by Jay Brandon [mystery short, Barb Goffman Presents] ROAD TO SAMARRA by Jane Roth [mystery short] HEIRS AND HOUNDS, by Hal Charles [solve it yourself mystery] THE SQUARED TRIANGLE, by Frank Lovell Nelson [mystery short] ONE HOUR LATE, by William O’Farrell [short mystery novel] TRANSIENTS, by Darrell Schweitzer [science fiction short] FROM THE WALLS OF IREZUMI by A.R. Morlan [science fiction short] THE MAN WHO MADE THE WORLD by Richard Matheson [science fiction short] SLAVES TO THE METAL HORDE, by Stephen Marlowe [short science fiction novel]
Edgar G. Ulmer: Detour on Poverty Row examines the full scope of the career of this often overlooked film auteur, with essays exploring individual films, groups of films (such as his important work in film noir), repetitive themes appearing across the spectrum of his work, and a case study of three essays analyzing The Black Cat (1934).
This issue has been fun to put together. As a Maryland resident, I’ve always been partial to stories set in my home state, and Golden Age mystery author Zenith Brown is here this time with Murder in Maryland, a classic mystery originally published under her “David Frome” pseudonym. (She also wrote as Leslie Ford.) Add to that more mysteries by Hal Charles (another Solve-It-Yourself mystery challenge), Lester Dent (author of the famous Shadow pulp novels), Murray Leinster (whose name most science fiction readers should recognize), plus a great tale by Carolina Garcia-Aguilera (selected by Barb Goffman), and you have a terrific lineup. Alas, I wasn’t able to get to another Frank Lovell Nelson story, but his telepathic detective will be back next week. In the words of TV hucksters, But wait, there’s more! Remember, we also include great science fiction and fantasy in every issue, and here we have a bunch of classics by Lester del Rey (a rare fantasy from John W. Campbell’s Unknown first published in 1940), a devilish fantasy tale by Jerome Bixby, and a science fiction story by Robert Silverberg & Randall Garrett in collaboration. Plus I’m sneaking in one of my own Zelloque fantasies, written when I was reading the Richard Burton translation of The Thousand and One Nights. The influence shows. Our science fiction novel this issue is Get Off My World, by Eando Binder. —John Betancourt, Editor Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries “This Will Slay You,” by Dale Clark [novelet] “Playing by the Rules,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Pipeline Juggernaut,” by Lester Dent [short story] “Pink Ears,” by Murray Leinster [short story] “The Right Profile,” by Carolina Garcia-Aguilera [Barb Goffman Presents Mystery] Murder in Maryland, by Zenith Brown [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy “The Pipes of Pan,” by Lester del Rey [fantasy short story] “The Incomplete Theft,” by Robert Silverberg & Randall Garrett [science fiction short story] “The Last Guardian of Ru Ishtl,” by John Gregory Betancourt [fantasy short story] “The Battle of the Bells,” by Jerome Bixby [fantasy short story] Get Off My World, by Eando Binder [novel]
This issue features three original short stories (mysteries by M.A. Monnin [thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken], and Edd Vick & Manny Frishberg, plus a fantasy story by D J Tyrer), and an original science fiction novel by Thomas A. Easton. Furthering the mystery section, we also have a great tale by John M. Floyd (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) a classic novel by William J. Burns & Isabel Ostrander, and a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. Rounding out the science fiction and fantasy selections are a dark fantasy by British master John S. Glasby and a classic by Philip Jose Farmer. Lots of fun. Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Tick Tock,” by M.A. Monnin [Michael Bracken Presents original short story] “Who Stole the Monopoly Money?” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Molly’s Plan,” by John M. Floyd [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Time and Tide,” by Edd Vick and Manny Frishberg [original short story] The Crevice, by William J. Burns and Isabel Ostrander [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Ring of Tsimblier,” by D J Tyrer [original short story] “In the Midst of Night,” John S. Glasby [short story] “Lancelot Biggs: Master Navigator,” by Nelson S. Bond [short story, Lancelot Biggs series] “The Wounded,” by Philip José Farmer [short story] Configuration Hacks, by Thomas A. Easton [original novel]
Our 73rd issue is another great one. It features an original mystery story by Laird Long (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken). Great modern tales from Diana Deverell (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), Nicole Givens Kurtz (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Cynthia Ward), and Richard Wilson (a rare short story that only appeared in a limited edition chapbook). Plus classics from Ray Bradbury, Murray Leinster, Carolyn Wells, George O. Smith, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Quite a list of contributors! Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Murder On My Mind,” by Laird Long [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Play’s the Thing,” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “In Plain Sight,” by Diana Deverell [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Case of Oscar Slater, by Arthur Conan Doyle [novel] Where’s Emily, by Carolyn Wells [Fleming Stone series, novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Pluviophile,” by Nicole Givens Kurtz [Cynthia Ward Presents novelet] “A Rat for a Friend,” by Richard Wilson [short story] “Referent,” by Ray Bradbury [short story] “The Seven Temporary Moons,” by Murray Leinster [novelet] Hellflower, by George O. Smith [novel]
This time, we have original mysteries from Wil A. Emerson (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Billie Livingston, plus a great tale by Art Taylor (thanks to Acquiring editor Barb Goffman). Our mystery novel is by Golden Age British author G.D.H. Cole. Plus, of course, there’s a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. On the science fiction and fantasy end, we have tales by Grand Master Robert Silverberg, plus classics by Stephen Marlowe, William P. Salton, and a novelet by P.F. Costello. A historical fantasy from Weird Tales by Otis Adelbert Kline and E. Hoffmann Price rounds things out.
Black Cat Weekly #30 is a fabulous issue. This time, Darrell Schweitzer has unearthed his 1980 interview with Tom Disch, which is fascinating. Disch talks about writing his classic fantasy novel, The Businessman, among other things. As Darrell always notes, these old interviews fall “somewhere between oral history and paleontology.” Lots of mysteries this time, too—including originals by Elizabeth Elwood (thanks to editor Michael Bracken) and Jack Halliday (a flash fiction portrait of a serial killer). Barb Goffman has selected “Take the Hit,” by Nikki Dolson. And we have a short story by James Holding and a classic novel by Hulbert Footner. And no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Sweet and Charlie Blythe). On the fantastic side of things, Cynthia Ward has selected a great science fiction tale by Matthew Hughes. I’ve seen his name for years, but never managed to read anything of his until now—but I’m definitely sold. I'm going to have to check out more of his work. Great stuff. Plus we have stories by Larry Tritten, Richard Wilson, and a vintage ghost story—or is it?—by one of my favorite authors, Anonymous! Here’s the complete lineup: Non-Fiction: “Speaking with Thomas M. Disch,” conducted by Darrell Schweitzer [interview] Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “One for the Road,” by James Holding “MeToo Too,” by Elizabeth Elwood [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Take the Hit,” by Nikki Dolson. [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “A Touch of Magic,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] A Self-Made Thief, by Hulbert Footner [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “An Odd Ghost Story,” by Anonymous [short story] “To Tell the Phoenecians,” by Matthew Hughes [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Turning Off,” by Larry Tritten [short story] “If a Man Answers,” by Richard Wilson [short story]
On the mystery side, Black Cat Weekly #25 has an original mystery by Joseph S. Walker, thanks to editor Michael Bracken, and Barb Goffman has tracked down an Edgar Award nominee by Judith Green. Plus we have a solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles (the writing team of Charlie Sweet and Hal Blythe), and novels by Lange Lewis and Nicholas Carter. On the fantastic side, Cynthia Ward has selected “Cabbages and Kale” by David Marusek for this issue. Plus we have modern and classic tales by Larry Tritten, Lester dey Rey, Fletcher Pratt, and Richard Wilson. Good stuff! Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Here on Seventeen,” by Joseph S. Walker [short story] “A Present from the Past,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “A Good, Safe Place,” by Judith Green [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Meat for Murder, by Lange Lewis [novel] The Pressing Peril, by Nicholas Carter [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Cabbages and Kale,” by David Marusek [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Play It Again, Sam,” by Larry Tritten [short story] “Done Without Eagles,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “Danger,” by Irvin Lester and Fletcher Pratt [short story] “Course of Empire,” by Richard Wilson [short story]
Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #10. Carlton Clarke, the famed Chicago telepathic detective, returns to our pages with “The Broken Marconigram.” First published in 1915, this tale takes Clarke and Sexton, his “Watson,” to New Orleans in search of a friend who’s been kidnapped by a Satanic cult. These chronicles of the first “telepathic detective” originally appeared in newspaper syndication across the United States in 1908, and I continue to be impressed by them. There is much here for Sherlock Holmes fans to appreciate. Our roving mystery editor, Barb Goffman, has tracked down by gem by David Dean, “The Duelist.” Plus Hal Charles—the byline of writing team Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet—contributes another solve-it-yourself mystery. Prolific pulp author Dale Clark—whose copyrights I purchased some years ago—makes his Weekly debut with a terrific World War II-era tale about an undercover F.B.I agent. I don’t think it’s ever been reprinted. And science fiction writer Murray Leinster (real name Will Jenkins) contributes one of his rare mysteries, “One Corpse, Guaranteed!” They don’t make titles like that any more! This issue’s mystery novel is a Bull-Dog Drummond tale by “Sapper.” See my introduction to for more info on this series and author. And that’s just the mysteries! For science fiction fans, we have “The Dangerous Scarecrow,” by Carl Jacobi—he was a member of the Lovecraft Circle, whose talents extended far beyond weird fantasy into science fiction. Plus I’ve snuck in another of my own tales, “Tap Dancing,” a gentle ghost story. I never truly understood it when other writers said some stories were “gifts” that just came to them—until this story came to me. George Scithers placed it in the 300th issue of Weird Tales. It was the best thing I had written at that point in my career, and I wrote it almost word for word in its final form in one sitting. Truly it was a gift. We have not one, but two science fiction novels—Eando Binder’s 1971 classic, The Secret of the Red Spot, and Stephen Marlowe’s Revolt of the Outworlders. Good stuff. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries “One Corpse, Guaranteed!” by Murray Leinster [short story] “Thieves’ Blueprint,” by Dale Clark [short story] “Only Time Will Tell,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself short-short] “The Duelist,” by David Dean [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Bull-Dog Drummond’s Third Round, by Sapper [novel, Bulldog Drummond series] “The Broken Marconigram,” by Frank Lovell Nelson [short story, Carlton Clarke #9]] Science Fiction & Fantasy “Tap Dancing,” by John Gregory Betancourt[short story] “The Dangerous Scarecrow,” by Carl Jacobi [short story] Revolt of the Outworlds, by Stephen Marlowe [novel] The Secret of the Red Spot, by Eando Binder [novel]
