Black Cat Weekly #93

Black Cat Weekly #93
Author: Adrian Cole
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 676
Release: 2023-06-11
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

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]

Black Cat Weekly #37

Black Cat Weekly #37
Author: Naomi Kritzer
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 619
Release: 2022
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1667639870

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #37. Another hefty issue is in hand, featuring novels and novellas by some of the greats of the mystery and science fiction fields. And, as expected, our acquiring editors have found some true gems. Michael Bracken has selected an original suspense tale from from N. M. Cedeño, Barb Goffman has a mystery from the always-superb Janice Law, and Cynthia Ward has Naomi Kritzer’s “Evil Opposite”—a great alternate-universe tale (and our featured story this issue). Of course, there’s lots more—including a tale of the Mounties by Hulbert Footner, a historical adventure from Otis Adelbert Kline, a detective novel featuring Nick Carter, and science fiction and fantasy from George R. Smith (his classic novel The Fourth “R”), Malcolm Jameson, and A.R. Morlan. Plus a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles! Here’s the lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Serenity, Courage, Wisdom,” by N. M. Cedeño [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Ring of Truth,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “Good Girl,” by Janice Law [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Case of Adam Tasker, by Hulbert Footner [novel] An Unsolved Mystery, by Nicholas Carter [novel] “The Dragoman’s Confession,” by Otis Adelbert Kline [novella] “Murder in the Time World,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Evil Opposite,” by Naomi Kritzer [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “A Little Pinch Is All You Need,” by A.R. Morlan [short story] “Murder in the Time World,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] The Fourth “R”, by George O. Smith [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #68

Black Cat Weekly #68
Author: N.M. Cedeño
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 194
Release: 2022-12-16
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1667660837

Our 68th weekly issue has several holiday tales to spice up the season, including an original (“Merry Library Murder,” by N.M. Cedeño, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and some modern classics by Heather Critchlow (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) and one of my own favorite authors, Nina Kiriki Hoffman (she’s amazing!) Cynthia Ward has selected an exciting fantasy from Milton J. Davis, plus we have great tales by Ray Bradbury, Lester del Rey, and James Holding, a Sexton Blake tale by Hal Meredith, and of course a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. It’s a fun issue. Here’s this issue’s lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Merry Library Murder,” by N.M. Cedeño [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Where There’s a Will,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Heavenly Peace,” by Heather Critchlow [short story] “The Inquisitive Butcher of Nice,” by James Holding [short story] “The Barton Tunnel Mystery,” by Hal Meredith [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Wishmas,” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman [short story] “The Gate,” by Milton J. Davis [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “The Irritated People,” by Ray Bradbury [short story] “Solstice Cakes,” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman [short story] “Unto Him that Hath,” by Lester del Rey [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #133

Black Cat Weekly #133
Author: Robert Jeschonek
Publisher: Black Cat Weekly
Total Pages: 574
Release: 2024-03-17
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

Another great selection of mysteries and science fiction by great modern and classic authors. Here are 8 short stories and 2 novels -- more than 500 pages of great reading! Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Ear Worm,” by Robert Jeschonek [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Who Slew the Valkyrie,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Pot o’ Gold,” by Shannon Taft [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Trouble in Paradise,” by Veronica Leigh [short story] The Scarlet Imperial, by Dorothy B. Hughes [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “A Time To Die,” by Harold Calin [short story] “Out of Nowhere,” by E.A. Grosser [short story] “Star Chamber,” by H.B. Fyfe [short story] “Pogo Planet,” by Donald A. Wollheim [short story] The Kid from Mars, by Oscar J. Friend [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #109

Black Cat Weekly #109
Author: Donna Andrews
Publisher: Black Cat Weekly
Total Pages: 531
Release: 2023-10-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

Finally, it’s October! Home to our favorite holiday—Halloween. The origins of Halloween trace back to ancient Celtic harvest festivals, linking it to themes of change and transition that often elements of the fantastic. Darkness falls, boundaries dissolve, and our imaginations open to infinite possibilities. For authors of fantasy and horror, the imagery and symbolism of Halloween fuels imagination and storytelling around our deepest fears and fascinations. The holiday has cemented itself as a staple in the literary tradition of the fantastic. Here be ghosts, monsters, witches, and everything dark and diabolical. It provides the perfect setting for classic stories. What would the season be without Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Rats in the Walls,” Ray Bradbury’s “The October Game,” and and so many others? Not to mention Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and practically everything Stephen King has ever written. You’ll find more than a few seasonally appropraite tricks and treats in this month’s pages. Here’s the lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Behind Blue Eyes,” by Robby Robinson [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Case of the Fit Felon,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “A Rat’s Tale,” by Donna Andrews [short story] “On His Majesty’s Service,” by Hal Meredith [short story, Sexton Blake series] The Clue of the New Pin, by Edgar Wallace [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Mad Evren’s Dreams,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] “No Other God But Me,” by Adrian Cole [short story] “In the Very Stones,” by Joseph Payne Brennan [short story] “You Can’t Scare Me!” by Charles F. Myers [short story, Pillsworth & Toffee series] “To Make a Hero,” by Randall Garrett [novella]

Black Cat Weekly #63

Black Cat Weekly #63
Author: Sharyn Kolberg
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 446
Release: 2022-11-12
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1667660470

It’s our 63rd issue, and we’re just getting into the Thanksgiving holiday spirit. Our cover this time features a cat-and-turkey dance, but we can guarantee no turkeys among the stories! This time, Michael Bracken has an original crime story by Sharyn Kolberg on tap, and Barb Goffman has acquired a great Joseph S. Walker mystery. We also have classics by “Sapper” (British author H.C. McNeile), a Johnny Liddell detective tale by Frank Kane, and as always, a solve-it-yourself mystery by Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet). On the science fiction and fantasy side, we have another original story by Sydney J. Bounds featuring his wizard-detective, in “Royal Mage,” plus stories by Frank Belknap Long, Clifford D. Simak, and Joseph Gilbert. Rounding out the issue is a novel by Murray Leinster, Men Into Space, based on the classic television series. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Gone By Greyhound,” by Sharyn Kolberg [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Locked Gymnasium Mystery,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Last Man in Lafarge,” by Joseph S. Walker [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Green Death,” by “Sapper” [short story] “The Icepick Artists,” by Frank Kane [novella] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Atomic Station,”by Frank Belknap Long [short story] “Royal Mage,” by Sydney J. Bounds [short story] “The Call from Beyond,” by Clifford D. Simak [short story] “The Eternal Quest,” by Joseph Gilbert [short story] Men Into Space, by Murray Leinster [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #20

Black Cat Weekly #20
Author: Josh Pachter
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 303
Release: 2021-12-16
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 147947147X

Our mysteries this issue include Josh Pachter’s “The Secret Lagoon” (Michael Bracken’s pick), Larry Allen Tyler’s “Just a Little Before Winter’s Set In” (selected by Barb Goffman) and a solve-it-yourself from Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet). A futuristic detective tale by Larry Tritten, and a classic Nick Carter novel from 1903, The Plot That Failed, round things out. On the science fiction & fantasy side, we have a vampire classic by Carl Jacobi, “Revelations in Black” (which was also the title story of one of his Arkham House collection); “Bullard Reflects,” by Malcolm Jameson, which is classic SF from Astounding; “Strike,” by Richard Wilson, about newspaper reporters coming a shipping strike in space; and “Three Bananas,” by Larry Tritten—which is one of his gonzo cross-genre mashups. Fun stuff. Plus the already-mentioned “Extended Family,” by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough. (Did we mention that this is one of those stories you won’t want to miss?) Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense “The Secret Lagoon,” by Josh Pachter [short story] “The Game’s Afoot,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Just a Little Before Winter’s Set In,” by Larry Allen Tyler [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Plot That Failed, by Nicholas Carter [novel] “Three Bananas,” by Larry Tritten [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy “Extended Family,” by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough [Cynthia Ward Presents, short story] “Bullard Reflects,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] “Three Bananas,” by Larry Tritten [short story] “Strike,” by Richard Wilson [short story] “Revelations in Black,” by Carl Jacobi [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #164

Black Cat Weekly #164
Author: John Shepphird
Publisher: Black Cat Weekly
Total Pages: 436
Release: 2024-10-19
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

This is our third Halloween issue of the month, with ghoulishly fun (and seasonally appropriate) tales from John Shepphird (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), father-and-daughter writing team Harding McFadden & Eleanor Hawkins, and British master John S. Glasby. We also feature mysteries by N.M. Cedeño (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Ed Teja, plus a vintage 1908 Holmes short-short by Wex Jones that I recently turned up in my pulp research. Our novel is a classic corporate espionage tale from Francis Lynde. And, of course, we have a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. On the science fiction front, we have great tales from Nelson S. Bond, E.C. Tubb, and Philip E. High. Great stuff! SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY “An Historic Heist,” Hal Charles When a priceless George Washington letter goes missing from Caleb Becton’s curio shop, Detective Dani Harlowe must unravel a web of jealousy and secrets to find the thief. Can you solve it before the detective? NOVEL Scientific Sprague, by Francis Lynde An electrical engineer is thrust into a world of industrial espionage and danger. As mysterious threats close in, he must outsmart enemies—and uncover hidden conspiracies—to protect groundbreaking inventions. STORIES “Galápagos People Watching,” N.M. Cedeño [Michael Bracken Presents short story] On a Galápagos tour, César and his cousin try to make sense of the strange behavior of two fellow passengers… “The Recrudescence of Sherlock Holmes,” by Wex Jones [Sherlock Holmes series] First published in a U.S. newspaper in 1908, this sketch pokes good-natured fun at Holmes and Watson… “Ghost Negligence,” by John Shepphird [Barb Goffman Presents short story] A P.I. investigates a lawsuit in which a woman claims a ghost injured her in a haunted hotel. “Under Hard Rock,” by Ed Teja A P.I. arrives in a remote Colorado mining town hunting a missing man, only to learn he died in a suspicious accident. Hidden secrets could rewrite the town’s past—and future. “Hollow,” by Harding McFadden and Eleanor Hawkins Boys trick-or-treating on Halloween hear the legend of the gluttonous Hollow Fats. As they venture into the woods, what starts as a prank takes a chilling turn. “Dust,” by John Glasby A retired scholar and his uncle investigate a haunted house linked to strange disappearances in a remote village. “Horsesense Hank Does His Bit,” by Nelson S. Bond [Horsesense Hank series] Hank volunteers to help a defense plant during the war and quickly proves his value when Nazis show up. “Life Sentence,” by Philip E. High A ruthless gangster steals the identity of a man selected for a coveted longevity treatment. But a 5,000-year lifespan has unexpected consequences—and punishments. “Way Out,” by E.C. Tubb In robot church, a robot confesses to a terrible sin—envying humans…

Black Cat Weekly #72

Black Cat Weekly #72
Author: Dave Zeltserman
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 539
Release: 2023-01-15
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1667640771

Our 72nd issue is going to please a lot of our mystery readers. Not only do we have an original tale from the greatr Dave Zeltserman, courtesty of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken, but we havca a terrific tale by Vicki Weisfelt, courtsey of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman…plus a classic Sexton Blake mystery and the second Charlie Chan novel! (And, of course, a solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles. Science fiction & fantasy fans won’t be disappointed, either. We have a new Count Czarny story from Phyllis Ann Karr, plus classics by John Barrett, Murray Leinster, Theodore Sturgeon, and George O. Smith. Great stuff. Here’s the lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “When Pigs Fly,” by Dave Zeltserman [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Yard Sale Jitters,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “New Energy,” by Vicki Weisfeld [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “A Back-room Mystery,” by Hal Meredith [Sexton Blake short story] The Chinese Parriot, by Earl Derr Biggers [Charlie Chan novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Morning Star,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] “The Long Way Back,” by John Barrett [short story] “The Devil of East Lupton, Vermont,” by Murray Leinster [short story] “Memory,” by Theodore Sturgeon [short story] “Quarantine,” by George O. Smith [novelet]