Black Cat Weekly #120

Black Cat Weekly #120
Author: Janice Law
Publisher: Black Cat Weekly
Total Pages: 166
Release: 2023-12-17
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

This issue, we have four original tales to entertain you—mysteries by Eve Fisher (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Joseph S. Walker (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman)—and science fiction by Janice Law and Alan J. Wahnefried. Three stories are Christmas-themed, and the holiday comes up in passing in a few other stories as well. Plus we have classics by Robert Silverberg, Ron Goulart, Evelyn E. Smith, ,and Sir Anthony Quiller-Couch, plus a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. Great fun! Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Four Directions,” by Eve Fisher [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Christmas Surprise,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “A Right Jolly Old Elf,” by Joseph S. Walker [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “My Christmas Burglary,” by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch [novelet] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Argo,” by Janice Law [short story] “Garrison Is Dead,” by Alan J. Wahnefried [short story] “The Yes Men of Venus,” by Ron Goulart [short story] “Mr. Replogle’s Dream,” by Evelyn E. Smith [short story] “There Was an Old Woman—,” by Robert Silverberg [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #6

Black Cat Weekly #6
Author: Barb Goffman
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 601
Release: 2021
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1479463124

Black Cat Weekly features an eclectic mix of original, classic, and rare stories and novels—science fiction, mysteries, fantasy (light and dark), and the uncategorizable. The latest issue is no exception. Here are 2 novels and 10 shorter works: MR. BIG NOSE, by Martin Suto [mystery short] THE PASSING OF BIG MAMA MAYHALL, by Bobbi A. Chukran [mystery short] ONE HOUR, by Dashiell Hammett [mystery short] IT’S A DATE, by Hal Charles [mystery short] KEEBAN, by Edwin Balmer [mystery novel] WISHFUL THINKING, by Barb Goffman [suspense/fantasy short] MYSTERY OF THE SILVER SKULL, by Frank Lovell Nelson [mystery short] JEMIMA, by A. R. Morlan [science fiction short] MAN-SIZE IN MARBLE, by E. Nesbit [fantasy short] SYMPATHY FOR ZOMBIES, by John Gregory Betancourt [science fiction short] HOLY CITY OF MARS, by Ralph Milne Farley [science fiction short] PLANET OF DREAD, by Dwight V. Swain [science novel]

Black Cat Weekly #51

Black Cat Weekly #51
Author: Michael Bracken
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 1246
Release: 2022
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1667640119

Our 51st issue is another strong one one, with four of our acquiring editors finding tales for us. Michael Bracken has an original Bev Vincent mystery, and Barb Goffman has a winner from R.T. Lawton. Cynthia Ward turns the tables on fellow editor Michael Bracken and selects a haunted house story by him! And too-long-absent editor Paul Di Filippo has picked a powerful story by Sheree R. Thomas. Good stuff. As if that’s not enough (which it never is for the Black Cat!), we have gone back to the pulps for some historical mystery-adventure tales by Harold Lamb and Philip M. Fisher, and dived even deeper for a collection of mysteries by Dick Donovan called The Chronicles of Michael Danevitch of the Russian Secret Service. On the science fiction front, we have novellas by Arthur Leo Zagat and George O. Smith, plus Skylark Three, by E.E. “Doc” Smith. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Death Sentence,” by Bev Vincent [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Letter Perfect,” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Tightening of the Bond,” by R.T. Lawton [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Man Who Measured the Wind,” by Harold Lamb [novella] “The Yangtze Horde,” by Philip M. Fisher [short story] The Chronicles of Michael Danevitch of the Russian Secret Service, by Dick Donovan [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Little Spring,” by Michael Bracken [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Thirteen Year Long Song,” by Sheree R. Thomas [Paul Di Filippo Presents short story] “The Faceless Men,” by Arthur Leo Zagat [novella] The Kingdom of the Blind, by George O. Smith [novella] Skylark Three, by E.E. “Doc” Smith [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #84

Black Cat Weekly #84
Author: Stacy Woodson
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 552
Release: 2023-04-08
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1667682016

Our 84th issue features a pair of original mysteries from Bev Vincent and Stacy Woodson. Plus we have a Bryce Walton Hollywood crime story and a Frank Kane mystery novel (featuring detecive Johnny Liddell). And, of course, a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. On the science fiction side, we have an anti-war story from Richard Wilson, a UFO story from Paul Torak, a rather silly science fiction/detective story from Noel Loomis, and a time-travel tale from Lester del Rey. Plus a pre-Golden Age science fiction novel from oldtime master Ray Cummings: The Man on the Meteor, which appeared in Science and Invention in 1924, two years before Amazing Stories and the genre of science fiction were launched! Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The River Heights Ripper,” by Bev Vincent [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Jellybean Justice,” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Before the Highwaymen,” by Stacy Woodson [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Actor’s Showcase,” by Bryce Walton [short story] Crime of Their Life, by Frank Kane [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Day They Had a War,” by Richard Wilson [short story] “Flight 18,” by Paul A. Torak [short story] “Remember the 4th!,” by Noel Loomis [short story] “Absolutely No Paradox,” by Lester del Rey [short story] The Man on the Meteor, by Ray Cummings [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #121

Black Cat Weekly #121
Author: John M. Floyd
Publisher: Black Cat Weekly
Total Pages: 187
Release: 2023-12-23
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

This is our final issue of 2023. We have original stories from Robert Jeschonek, John M. Floyd, Anne Swardson, and Phyllis Ann Karr, plus a recent tale by Anna Tambour. Classic reprints from Keith Laumer, Piers Anthony, Raymond F. Jones, and Hal Meredith. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself puzzler. Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Luckiest Man in the World” by Robert Jeschonek [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Garage Sale Mystery” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “A Christmas Movie” by John M. Floyd [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Spice of Death,” by Anne Swardson [short story] “The Ancient Monk,” by Hal Meredith [short story, Sexton Blake series] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Witch of La Jícara” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] “The Tin and the Damask Rose,” by Anna Tambour [short story] “The Walls,” by Keith Laumer [short story] “Quinquepedalian,” by Piers Anthony [short story] “Stay Off The Moon!” by Raymond F. Jones [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #137

Black Cat Weekly #137
Author: Veronica Leigh
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 546
Release: 2024-04-14
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly. On the mystery side of things, we have original tales by Veronica Leigh (one that looks to be the start of a new series) and Richard A. McMahon (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken). Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has selected a great tale by Anna Scotti, and our novel is The Talleyrand Maxim, by Golden Age author J.S. Fletcher. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. On the science fiction and fantasy side, our lead item is a new feature—a portfolio by artist Ron Miller. Ron has joined our staff as art director and will be providing covers from his vast body of work. But I wanted our readers to know how great an artist he is, so here is a collection of some of his best covers. As for the fiction, we have a monster-in-the-mist story by British master John Glasby, plus an all-star lineup of classic authors: Frank Belknap Long, Donald A. Wollheim, Henry Slesar, and Philip Jose Farmer. Great stuff. Here’s the complete lineup— Cover Art: Ron Miller Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Mr. George,” by Richard A. McMahan [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “An Open and Shut Case,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “That Which We Call Patience,” by Anna Scotti [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughters,” by Veronica Leigh [short story] The Talleyrand Maxim, by J.S. Flextcher [novel] Special Feature: “Cover Portfolio,” by Ron Miller Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Thing in the Mist,” by John Glasby [short story] “Mr. Caxton Draws a Martian Bird,” by Frank Belknap Long [short story] “Saknarth,” by Donald A. Wollheim [short story] “Mr. Loneliness,” by Henry Slesar [short story] “The Celestial Blueprint,” by Philip José Farmer [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #26

Black Cat Weekly #26
Author: Stephen Wasylyk
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 715
Release: 1901
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1667600168

This issue brights quite a selection of mysteries and crime stories—8, in fact. (Though two are doing double-duty as science fiction.) Michael Bracken has selected a story by our acquiring editor Cynthia Ward for this issue—“Roadsong,” which (along with Eando Binder’s tale) is also science fiction. Barb Goffman has picked a winner by John Shepphird this issue. Plus we have classics by Stephen Wasylyk, James Holding, Dorothy B. Hughes, and Nicholas Carter. And what issue would be complete without a solve-it-yourself mystery by Hal Charles? On the science fiction side, Cynthia Ward has picked “Memorabilia,” a post holocaust story, by Holly Wade Matter, plus we have a classic fantasy by Lester del Rey (from Unknown), and a classic science fiction story by Jerry Sohl (from Infinity). Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Alligators Don’t Ask for Payment,” by Stephen Wasylyk [short story] “Shima Maru,” by James Holding [short story] “A Ring of Truth,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “Of Dogs & Deceit,” by John Shepphird [short story] The Bamboo Blonde, by Dorothy B. Hughes [novel] Following a Chance Clue, by Nicholas Carter [novel] “The Sign of the Scarlet Cross,” by Eando Binder [short story] “Roadsong,” by Cynthia Ward [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Sign of the Scarlet Cross,” by Eando Binder [short story] “Roadsong,” by Cynthia Ward [short story] “Memorabilia,” by Holly Wade Matter [short story] “Death in Transit,” by Jerry Sohl [short story] “Anything,” by Lester del Rey [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #19

Black Cat Weekly #19
Author: L. Timmel Duchamp
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 498
Release: 1901
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1479470902

Three of our contributing editors brought in amazing tales. Barb Goffman presents Jason’s Half’s “The Last Ferry,” Cynthia Ward brings us “Quinn’s Deal,” by L. Timmel Duchamp, and Michael Bracken offers “A Reasonable Expectation of Privacy,” by N.M. Cedeño. Two are mysteries and two are science fiction. I leave it to you to figure out which is which. (No cheating and checking the list of stories below…unless you absolutely can’t help yourself!) We have three fantasies this time, too—Larry Tritten returns with a story featuring a djinn and a man with a hankering for travel. Everil Worrell has a date with Death. And in Curios, a short story collection by Richard Marsh, we find 7 short stories featuring a pair of rival curio collectors—with some most unusual items! And, of course, there are some classic tales—A Sharper’s Downfall is a mystery novel featuring Nick Carter, Stephen Wasylyk has a vintage mystery short, and we have rip-roaring science fiction tales from Paul W. Fairman and Malcolm Jameson. And of course we couldn’t forget a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. (Yes, it’s a Halloween solve-it-yourself. I should have included it in one of the October issues, but messed up. Doh! You’ll just have to live with it.) Here is the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense: “The Halloween Costume Caper,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Ten Dollar$ a Week,” by Stephen Wasylyk [short story] "A Reasonable Expectation of Privacy," by N.M. Cedeñov [short story] "The Last Ferry," by Jason Half [Barb Goffman Presents short story] A Sharper’s Downfall, by Nicholas Carter [novel] Curios, by Richard Marsh [fantasy and mystery collection] Science Fiction & Fantasy: Curios, by Richard Marsh [fantasy and mystery collection] “Leonora,” by Everil Worrell [fantasy short story] “Travels With Harry,” by Larry Tritten [fantasy short story] "A Reasonable Expectation of Privacy," by N.M. Cedeñov [science fiction short story] “Quinn’s Deal,” by L. Timmel Duchamp [Cynthia Ward Presents science fiction novelet] “Traitor’s Choice,” by Paul W. Fairman [science fiction short story] “Blockade Runner,” by Malcolm Jameson [science fiction short story]

Black Cat Weekly #22

Black Cat Weekly #22
Author: Michael Bracken
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 296
Release: 2022
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1479471364

Black Cat Weekly #22 features a change of pace fantasy story from Michael Bracken, who is best known for his mysteries and crime stories—selected by Cynthia Ward. It’s our featured story this issue. But that’s not to say the other science fiction and fantasy stories aren’t great, too! “Alien,” by Lester del Rey, is a different take on the crash-landed alien who wants to eat everyone around him. And I’m sure you’ll get a chuckle from Larry Tritten’s gonzo sendup of generic fantasy and science fiction quest stories, “The Lord of the Land Beyond (Book One).” (Hint: don’t look for a sequel.) Classics from Unknown by Malcolm Jameson and from Weird Tales by Manley Wade Welllman round out the section. Mystery readers, too, have a lot to explore. Charlotte Morganti leads off with “Deadly Drama,” selected by Michael Bracken—it begins with an accordion festival—rejoice if you like polkas!—but I don’t want to say too much. Read it yourself! Barb Goffman brings us “All Prayers Are Answered,” a powerful story by Eric Rutter of a homeless man whose friend is murdered. He is drawn into the investigation out of fear a young woman investigating the crime will come to harm—or unearth a terrible secret from his past. If you like your detectives hardboiled, Frank Kane returns with another Johnny Liddell mystery. Traditional mystery fans will enjoy a Madame Story novel from Hulbert Footner. And western and historical readers will enjoy a great pulp novel by Max Brand. And of course, where would we be without our solve-it-yourself mystery? Pit your wits against Hal Charles (the writing tream of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet) and see if you can solve “The Coin Flip” without reading the solution! Lastly, “The ‘Rexmel,” by Ralph Milne Farley, has an improbable invention, but it’s not really science fiction, even though it’s by a science fiction writer and appeared in a fantasy magazine. Maybe you could call it a pulp sea-story with shaggy dog elements? Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure “Deadly Drama at the Accordion-o-Rama,” by Charlotte Morganti [short story] “A Coin Flip,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “A Package for Mr. Big,” by Frank Kane [short novel] “All Prayers Are Answered,” by Eric Rutter [short story] The Death Notice by Hulbert Footner [novel] A Shower of Silver, by Max Brand [novel] “The ‘Rexmel’,” by Ralph Milne Farley [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy “The Fishmonger’s Wife,” by Michael Bracken [Cynthia Ward Presents, short story] “The Lord of the Land Beyond (Book One),” by Larry Tritten [short story] “Alien,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “Doubled and Redoubled,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] “Old Dhoh,” by Manly Wade Wellman [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #28

Black Cat Weekly #28
Author: Larry Niven
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 462
Release: 2022
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 166761665X

Black Cat Weekly #28 features another interview by acquiring editor Darrell Schweitzer—this time with Larry Niven.. It originally appeared in Thrust, a review and critical essay magazine published by Doug Fratz in the 1970s. As Darrell has observed, these old interviews fall “somewhere between oral history and paleontology.” It’s always interesting to compare where at author was in his career almost 50 years ago to where he is today. For this issue’s mysteries, we have an original story by Bruce Arthurs, thanks to editor Michael Bracken. Barb Goffman has selected “The Chess Room” by Elizabeth Elwood. And we have a second classic novel from Mildred Davis. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself tale by Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Sweet and Charlie Blythe)—no issue would be complete without one. Editor Cynthia Ward has selected “Miles to Go” by Linda D. Addison for this issue. Great stuff, especially if you like music. (Who doesn’t?) Leslie Perri’s “Under the Skin,” Randall Garrett’s “Stroke of Genius,” and Lester del Rey’s “Mine Host, Mine Adversary” round out the classic reprints. Great reading. Here’s the complete lineup: Non-Fiction: “Speaking with Larry Niven,” an interview by Darrell Schweitzer [interview] Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Return of Dodge Tombstone, Outlaw,” by Bruce Arthurs [short story] “A Secret Admirer,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “The Dark Place,” by Mildred Davis [novel] “The Chess Room,” by Elizabeth Elwood [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Milez To Go,” by Linda D. Addison [short story] “Under The Skin,” by Leslie Perri [short story] “Stroke Of Genius,” by Randall Garrett [short story] “Mine Host, Mine Adversary,” by Lester del Rey [short story]