Here is Black Cat Weekly #61, wrapping up our Halloween celebrations with a delectable assortment of mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural...10 great novels and short stories sure to delight! In this issue are: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “A New Evil,” by H.K. Slade [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Stamp of Approval,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Vicar of Sexton's Deep,” by Mike Adamson [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Butcher,” by Richard S. Prather Broken Waters, by Frank L. Packard [novel] Science Fiction / Fantasy / Supernatural: “Madam Damnable’s Sewing Circle,” by Elizabeth Bear [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Evensong,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “The Mage Snatch,” by Sydney J. Bounds [short story] Troubled Star, by George O. Smith [novel] “The House by the Headland,” by “Sapper” [short story]
Our 81st issue is among our best so far, if I do say so myself. We have an original mystery by H.K. Slade (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), a great modern tale by Ann Aptaker (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), and a pair of mystery novels—Bruce Campbell’s The Mystery of the Iron Box, featuring Ken Holt (by special request of one of our readers), and The Girl Who Had to Die, by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding. And no issue would be complete without a solve-it-yourself mystery by Hal Charles. On the science fiction and fantasy side, we have a classic novel by Fritz Leiber: Conjure Wife, originally published in 1943. Don’t miss the introduction, which puts it into historical context. If that’s not enough, we also have an entry in Phyllis Ann Karr’s “Frostflower & Thorn” series and classic science fiction stories by George O. Smith, Kendell Foster Crossen, and Lu Kella. Fun! Here’s this issue’s complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “House in the Snow” by H.K. Slade [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Death Visits Campus” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Red Nocturne,” by Ann Aptaker [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Mystery of the Iron Box, by Bruce Campbell [novel] The Girl Who Had to Die, by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Dragon, the Unicorn, and the Teddy Bear,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [Frostflower & Thorn short story] “The Dreamers,” by Lu Kella [short story] “Booby Prize,” by George O. Smith [novelet] “The Agile Algolian,” by Kendell Foster Crossen [novelet] Conjure Wife, by Fritz Leiber [novel]
Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #29—another fine issue. We have a historical interview with Poul Anderson (originally published in 1976). As Darrell says, his old interviews fall “somewhere between oral history and paleontology.” They are always fascinating. I’ve always said Darrell is one of the best interviewers in the field. For this issue’s mysteries, we have an original tale by Robert Lopresti—Michael Bracken, between his writing and editing our quarterly mystery journal, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, always manages for find something interesting for BCW. Barb Goffman has selected a harder-edged crime story, “Pickup and Delivery,” by Eric Beckstrom. And we have a classic suspense novel from John P. Marquand, creator of Mr. Moto. And no issue is complete without a brain-tickling solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Sweet and Charlie Blythe). Editor Cynthia Ward has selected a cyberpunk story by M. Christian, “Jigō Jitoku,” which is mind-bending fun. plus we have classics by Ray Cummings (Robots!), Malcolm Jameson (a deal-with-the-Devil!), Richard Wilson (classic SF!), and a personal favorite author, Clark Ashton Smith (historical fantasy!). Great reading. Here’s the complete lineup: Non-Fiction: “Speaking with Poul Anderson,” conducted by Darrell Schweitzer [interview] Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Man in the Quarry, by Robert Lopresti [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Surprising Treat,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “Cop Killer,” by James Holding [short story] “Pickup and Delivery,” by Eric Beckstrom [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Black Cargo, by John P. Marquand [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Jigō Jitoku,” by M. Christian [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “The Robot God,” by Ray Cummings [short story] “The Enchantress of Sylaire,” by Clark Ashton Smith [short story] “Blind Alley,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] “The Big Fix!” by Richard Wilson [short story]
Black Cat Weekly presents a mix of mystery, science fiction, fantasy, and adventure stories every issue. #53 includes: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Art of the Deal,” by Neil S. Plakcy [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Mickey Mantle Is Missing,” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Vaudeville Detective,” by Garnett Elliott [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Half a Million Ransom, by Nicholas Carter [novel] Deep Lake Mystery, by Carolyn Wells [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Sweetheart,” by Kathleen Alcalá [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Out of the Sea,” by Leigh Brackett [novelet] “And We Sailed the Mighty Dark,” by Frank Belknap Long [novelet] “The Wings of Night,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “Flight of the Silver Eagle,” by Arthur Leo Zagat [novella]
This issue, we are happy to reprint Earl Derr Biggers’ third entry in the classic Charlie Chan detective series, Behind That Curtain. But the highlights don’t stop there! We have an original mystery by Travis Richardson (thanks to acquiring editor Michael Bracken), a great modern mystery by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier (thanks to acquiring editor Barb Goffman), an original science fiction story from Robert Lopresti (best known as a mystery writer), and Diana Deverell’s “Payback is a Bitch,” which was named a Distinguished Mystery Story of 2018 by Otto Penzler. And, of course, we have our usual assortment of classic science fiction, as well as a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. Good stuff! Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Last Stop, Cozyville!” by Travis Richardson [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Poker Chips Clue” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Rise” by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Payback Is a Bitch” by Diana Deverell [short story] Behind That Curtain, by Earl Derr Biggers [novel, Charlie Chan series] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “When the Aliens Left,” by Robert Lopresti [short story] “Nightmare Tower,” by Sam Merwin [short story] “Travelogue,” by Roger Dee [short story] “Requiem,” by Edmond Hamilton [short story] Mating Center, by Frank Belknap Long [novel]
This time, we have a pair of original mysteries—tales by Steve Liskow (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and M.A. Blume, plus a terrific tale by Steve Hockensmith (which typography nuts like me will enjoy, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman). The mystery novel is by Avery Gaul, and of course we have a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. On the science fiction side, we have a novel by Golden Age author Arthur Leo Zagat, an early—and quite silly—fantasy from Harlan Ellison, space opera from Edmond Hamilton, and straight-up SF tales from John Victor Peterson and Manly Bannister. Lots of fun. Here’s the lineup: Cover: Ron Miller Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Grifted Age” by Steve Liskow [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Deadly Reunion” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “i” by Steve Hockensmith [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Pretty Is As Pretty Does,” by M.A. Blume [short story] Five Nights at the Five Pines, by Avery Gaul [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Classified Object,” by John Victor Peterson [short story] “The Annals of Aardvark,” by Harlan Ellison [short story] “The Great Illusion,” by Manly Bannister [short story] “The Star-Stealers,” by Edmond Hamilton [short story] The Two Moons of Tranquillia, by Arthur Leo Zagat [novel]
Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #46. This is one of our longest issues to date, thanks to no less than 3 novels! Not only is there a Nick Carter mystery novel, but we also have a classic time-travel novel from Edmond Hamilton, plus We, by Yevgeny Zamyatin—one of the most important dystopian novels of all time, influential on generations of writers, including Ursula K. Le Guin and Kurt Vonnegut. Not to mention George Orwell! Of course, our acquiring editors have also selected great tales by S. Phillip Lenski (an original mystery), Stephanie Jaye Evans (a remarkable crime tale, as a mother plans to commit murder for her son), and a science fiction story by Hugo Award-winner David D. Levine. Great Stuff. Plus we have stories by James Holding, Larry Tritten, and Murray Leinster...and what issue would be complete without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles? Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Four Dead Bodies in a Cornfield,” by S. Phillip Lenski [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Bottled Up,” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Jamie’s Mother,” Stephanie Jaye Evans [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Baby Bit,” by James Holding [short story] The Call of Death, by Nicholas Carter [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Wreck of the Mars Adventure,” David D. Levine [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “A Science Fiction Readers’ and Writers’ Guide to the Universe,” by Larry Tritten [short story] “Trouble,” by George O. Smith [short story] “Skit-Tree Planet,” by Murray Leinster [short story] The Time-Raider, by Edmond Hamilton [novel] We, by Yevgeny Zamyatin [novel]
This issue, we have original mysteries from Eve Fisher (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), Tony Rothman, and Michael Mallory (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), plus a classic novel from Arthur B. Reeve (one of his Craig Kennedy scientific detective series). And, of course, we have a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. On the science fiction side, we 6 tales instead of our usual 5—largely because Robert F. Young’s is a short-short. Classic stories come from William Morrison, F.L. Wallace, Evelyn E. Smith, and Bryce Walton & Al Reynolds (a collaboration). A novella from Grand Master Damon Knight rounds things out. Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “At the Dig,” by Eve Fisher [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Death Books a B&B,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “A Well-Kept Secret,” by Michael Mallory [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Calendar Girl,” by Tony Rothman [novella] The Adventuress, by Arthur B. Reeve [novel, Craig Kennedy series] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “No Star’s Land,” by William Morrison [short story] “The Space Roc,” by Robert F. Young [short-short story] “Too Close to the Forest,” by Bryce Walton and Al Reynolds [short story] “The Deadly Ones,” by F.L. Wallace [short story] “Woman’s Touch,” by Evelyn E. Smith [short story] “The Earth Quarter,” by Damon Knight [novella]
This issue, we have 17 short stories and 2 novel serials for you—one of our largest lineups ever! (Of course, quite a few of the stories are short, and hopefully you like awful-pun stories…) On the mystery front, we have original tales from Dave Zeltserman (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Justin M. Kiska (a Christmas fantasy-mystery), plus another fantasy-mystery from C. C. Guthrie (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman). Our serial of Jack Guthrie’s Tiger Island concludes. And, of course, there’s a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. For the science fiction and fantasy lineup—we have the above-mentioned Kiska and Guthrie tales, plus the complete series of 8 Benedict Breadfruit stories by Randall Garrett (written under the pseudonym “Grandall Barretton”) plus 3 more pun-stories from the series Garrett was parodying, The Adventures of Ferdinand Feghoot Through Time and Space, by Reginald Bretnor (written under the pseudonym “Grendel Briarton”) and a Feghoot by Your Editor, John Betancourt (written under the pseudonym “Grendel Briarton, Jr.”). See my intro to this very punny section for more info. On top of all that, we have a delightful fantasy from Anna Tambour, a classic SF piece from Ben Bova, and part 3 of Francis Jarman’s historical fantasy novel, The Eagle’s Wing. Whew, that’s a lot! And just a reminder: if you’d like to contribute to Black Cat Weekly, please see our submission portal at blackcatweekly.com for guidelines. We are always looking for original mystery and science fiction/fantasy stories. Here’s this issue’s complete lineup (in order of appearance): Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Ice Lady,” by Dave Zeltserman [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Coveted Coin Caper,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The December Candle Caper Con,” by C. C. Guthrie [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “North Pole Noir,” by Justin M. Kiska [short story] Tiger Island, by Jack Ritchie [serial novel, part 3 of 3] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The December Candle Caper Con,” by C. C. Guthrie [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “North Pole Noir,” by Justin M. Kiska [short story] “The Godchildren,” by Anna Tambour [short story] “Through Time and Space With Benedict Breadfruit: I to VIII,” by Grandall Barretton [8 short stories] “Through Time and Space With Ferdinand Feghoot: VIII, XIX, and XXXVII,” by Grendel Briarton [3 short stories] “Through Time and Space With Ferdinand Feghoot: Alpha,” by Grendel Briarton, Jr. [short story] “Answer, Please Answer,” by Ben Bova [short story] The Eagle’s Wing, by Francis Jarman [serial novel, part 3 of 4]
Our 93rd issue has a ton (we weighed it!) of great fiction, starting with an original crime story from John M. Floyd. John remains one of our most popular authors, and this one comes courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken. We also have a great mystery tale by Joseph S. Walker, thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman. Plus a Jack the Ripper tale from Adrian Cole. And mystery classics from James Holding and Dick Donovan—in Donovan’s case, a complete short story collection. Of course, we also have a solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles. On the more fantastic side of things, you will also find Adrian Cole’s Jack the Ripper story. Plus a pair of classic novels from Jack Williamson (future war against the robots) and George O. Smith (a time travel classic), plus a scientific zombie (using the old term, “jumbee”) tale from Wallace West. Quite a varied selection this time! Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “High Noon in the Big Country,” by John M. Floyd [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Case of the Patriotic Pilferage,” by Hal Charles “Mercy,” by Joseph S. Walker [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Consultant,” by James Holding [short story] Riddles Read, by Dick Donovan [short story collection] “In the Wake of the Autumn Storm,” by Adrian Cole [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “In the Wake of the Autumn Storm,” by Adrian Cole [short story] “The Belt,” by Wallace West [short story] The World-Mover, by George O. Smith [novel] After World’s End, by Jack Williamson [novel]
