Black Cat Weekly #71

Black Cat Weekly #71
Author: Mark Thielman
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 771
Release: 2023-01-08
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1667660896

Black Cat Weekly continues to present a mix of original, modern, and classic science fiction, fantasy, and mystery fiction. #71 includes 6 short stories, 3 novels, and a solve-it-yourself mystery. Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Friday, February 30th,” by Mark Thielman [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “X Marks the Spot” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Secrets in the Snow” by J. M. Taylor [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Ring-a-Ding-Ding, by Frank Kane [novel] The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle [collection] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Giftie Gien,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] “Space-Can,” by Murray Leinster [short story] “The Knowledge Machine,” by Edmond Hamilton [short story] “The Timeless Tomorrow,” by Manly Wade Wellman [novel] Secret of the Earth Star, by Henry Kuttner [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #44

Black Cat Weekly #44
Author: Mary Dutta
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 519
Release: 2022
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1479476870

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #44. This is an amazing issue, with quite the all-star lineup. First off, private detective Frank Wolf and his grandson Joel return to our pages with a new short novel by Saul Golubcow, The Dorm Murder (published simultaneously with Golubcow’s collection, The Cost of Living and Other Mysteries). This is one of my favorite series in recent years, and I highly recommend you start with The Dorm Murder. You won’t be disappointed. Black Cat’s acquiring editors have been busy, too—Michael Bracken, Barb Goffman, Cynthia Ward, and Darrell Schweitzer all have contributions this issue. Michael and Barb found great mysteries by Mary Dutta and Brendan Dubois, Cindy has a neo-classic science fiction tale by David Marusek, and Darrell has unearned a “paleo-interview” from 1988 with fantasist Nancy Springer. It’s fascinating. And we have classics by Fritz Leiber, Robert Silverberg, George O. Smith, Henry Kuttner, and a Nick Carter mystery novel. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet). Here's the lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: The Dorm Murder, by Saul Golubcow [short novel] “The Wonderworker” by Mary Dutta [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “An Eggcellent Equation” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Lake Tenant” by Brendan DuBois [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Blue Veil, by Nicholas Carter [novel] Non-Fiction: “Speaking with Nancy Springer” [Interview with Darrell Schweitzer] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Getting To Know You” by David Marusek [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Friends and Enemies," by Fritz Leiber [short story] “Lair of the Dragonbird," by Robert Silverberg [short story] “Meddler’s Moon,” by George O. Smith [short story] Avengers of Space, by Henry Kuttner [short novel]

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 #157

Black Cat Weekly #157
Author: H.K. Slade
Publisher: Black Cat Weekly
Total Pages: 388
Release: 2024-09-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

Another week, another great issue—this time featuring terrific originals from H.K. Slade (part of his Friday Hampton/Ambrose Broyhill series, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Ken Foxe (a crime story set at rival coffee shops). And we have modern tales by Susan Dunlap (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), Janet Fox (a sword and sorcery tale featuring her master thief, Jaquerel), and John S. Glasby (dark fantasy from a British master). For our mystery novel, we have Natalie Sumner Lincoln’s classic The Moving Finger. Rounding things out, we have classic science fiction from Nelson S. Bond, Marcia Kamien, and Carl Jacobi. Of course, no issue would be compelte without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. Here's the lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Rough Morning,” by H.K. Slade [Michael Bracken Presents short story, Friday Hampton/Ambrose Broyhill series] “The Three Quarters Clue,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “A Day at the Beach,” by Susan Dunlap [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Muffins and Malice,” by Ken Foxe [short story] The Moving Finger, by Natalie Sumner Lincoln [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “How Jaquerel Fell Prey to Ankarrah,” by Janet Fox [short story, Jaquerel series] “Solitude,” by John S. Glasby [short story] “The Ordeal of Lancelot Biggs,” by Nelson S. Bond [short story, Lancelet Biggs series] “And a Little Child,” by Marcia Kamien [short story] “Strangers to Straba,” by Carl Jacobi [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #48

Black Cat Weekly #48
Author: Matthew Hughes
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 717
Release: 2022
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1479478873

For this week's Black Cat Weekly, Michael Bracken has acquired an original mystery by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier, Barb Goffman found a tale by SJ Rozan that will surely satisfy crime fans, and Cynthia Ward tracked down a Matthew Hughes story. Plus, for the sheer silliness of it all, there’s a Mickey Spillane parody from 1954 (which manages to be both a mystery and fantasy…but wasn’t everything of Spillane’s?) and classics from R. Austin Freeman (a Dr Thorndyke story), a Nick Carter novel, and the first Skylark of Space novel by E.E. “Doc” Smith. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Ripen,” by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Death Takes a Swing,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “E-Golem,” by SJ Rozan [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Case Of Oscar Brodski,” by R. Austin Freeman [short story] A Human Counterfeit, by Nicholas Carter [novel] “The Shaky Undertaker,” by Ed Cox [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Shaky Undertaker,” by Ed Cox [short story] “To the Sons of Tomorrow,” by Irving Cox, Jr. [short story] “Mastermindless,” by Matthew Hughes [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Problem In Solid,” by George O. Smith [short story] “Sequel,” by Ben Smith [short story] The Skylark of Space, by E.E. “Doc” Smith [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #67

Black Cat Weekly #67
Author: Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 765
Release: 2022-12-11
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1667660780

Here’s this issue’s lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf?” by Christine Poulson [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Loser Takes All,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Home for Christmas,” by Frank Zafiro [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Thubway Tham Reformth,” by Johnston McCulley [short story] The Diamond Coterie, by Lawrence L. Lynch [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Power of the Cocoon,” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman [short story] “Passed Down,” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman [short story] “Planet of Doom,” by Stephen Marlowe [short story] “The Manless Worlds,” by Murray Leinster [short story] Rememory, by John Gregory Betancourt [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #65

Black Cat Weekly #65
Author: Phyllis Ann Karr
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 387
Release: 2022-11-27
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1667660667

Our 65th issue features original stories, by Tammy Euliano (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Phyllis Ann Karr (continuing her Bart Maverel weird western series). Plus we have “The Victorian Frock Coat,” by Clare Empson (thanks to Barb Goffman), and a great lineup of classics and modern mysteries and science fiction. Good stuff! Here’s this issue’s lineup: Mystery / Suspense: “The Intern,” by Tammy Euliano “Time After Time,” by Hal Charles “The Victorian Frock Coat,” by Clare Empson “The Mystery of the Private Dining Room,” by Johnston McCulley Black Nick, the Hermit of the Hills, by Frederick Whittaker Science Fiction / Fantasy: “Waiting for Old Smoky,” by Phyllis Ann Karr “Clutch of Morpheus,” by Larry Sternig “Remember Me, Kama!” by Walter Kubilius “Nothing,” by Donald A. Wollheim Forgotten World, by Edmond Hamilton

Black Cat Weekly #8

Black Cat Weekly #8
Author: Edith Dorian
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 707
Release: 2021
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1479464589

Black Cat Weekly #8 is now available!

Mysteries & Suspense Mystery on Graveyard Head, by Edith Dorian "Kismet and the Baby Orchid," by Frank Lovell Nelson [short story, Carlton Clarke #8] "Awake To Fear," by Robert Camp [short story] "Look It Up," by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] "The Devil's Dooryard," by W.C. Tuttle [historical novella] Straight to the Goal, by Nicholas Carter [mystery novel] "The Moon and Marcie Wade," by John M. Floyd [Barb Goffman Presents Mystery] Science Fiction & Fantasy "Marsyas in Flanders," by Vernon Lee [fantasy story] "Sympathy for Wolves," by John Gregory Betancourt [fantasy story] "The Blackwood Oak," by Stephen Gallagher [science fiction story] "Perfectly Adjusted," by Gordon R. Dickson [science fiction novella] The White Isle, Darrell Schweitzer [fantasy 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 #106

Black Cat Weekly #106
Author: Brendan DuBois
Publisher: Black Cat Weekly
Total Pages: 440
Release: 2023-09-10
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

For our 106th issue, we seem to have developed a television theme, with a pair of great speculative fiction stories about TV: Norman Spinrad’s “Prime Time” and Henry Slesar’s “The Show Must Go On.” Spinrad’s tale is a look at a future where people can retire to relive television. And Slesar’s is a darkly cynical look behind the curtain of television production. Jack Vance, H.B. Fyfe, and Joseph Payne Brennan round out our SF and fantasy contributors this issue. “Prime Time,” incidentally, is Norman Spinrad’s fiction debut in Black Cat Weekly, and it won’t be his last story for us. He kindly went through his short fiction and selected 10 favorite stories for us to reprint in coming issues, so you’re in for a real treat. And speaking of treats, our editors are already working on some special Halloween surprises for October. I know you’ll be thoroughly spooked by some of them. Something to look forward to, as we approach my favorite holiday season. (There’s a reason we have a black cat for a mascot.) Our novel this issue is a mystery: Scarhaven Keep, by Golden Age British author J.S. Fletcher. Also in mysteries, we have an original from Nikki Knight (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) and a terrific crime story by Brendan DuBois, who remains a mainstay of short mystery fiction. Of course, no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself short from Hal Charles. Great stuff indeed. Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The New York Goodbye,” by Nikki Knight [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Last Shot,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Road’s End,” by Brendan DuBois [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Scarhaven Keep, by J.S. Fletcher [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Prime Time,” by Norman Spinrad [short story] “The Show Must Go On,” by Henry Slesar [short story] “The Visitor in the Vault,” by Joseph Payne Brennan [short story] “The Night of No Moon,” by H.B. Fyfe [short story] “The Men Return,” by Jack Vance [short story]