Black Cat Weekly #108


Book Description

It seems the Halloween season starts earlier and earlier each year. I first began noticing Halloween candy in stores in July (!), and every time I turned around since then, there were more decorations, party favors, and treats at hand. Is it any wonder I’ve been wandering around the house humming “The Monster Mash” for the last few weeks? Our 108th issue kicks off a truly epic celebration of the season, with a pair of nightmarish treats. You will never look at seagulls the same way after experiencing Adrian Cole’s “The Birds Are Back in Town.” And Lin Carter’s “Keru” is a tale that would have been right at home in Weird Tales in its heyday. “The Power of Evil,” by Alan Orloff, is not a supernatural tale, but futuristic suspense (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), so it’s doing double duty this time. And the grisly-sounding “A Burn That Reaches Bone,” by Karen Odden is not a mad slasher tale, but a tale of a horrible crime that reaches through the generations. (Thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman for this one.) And, of course, there are traditional mysteries, too—I found a rare Victorian-era mystery by Australian writer Ernest Favenc while I was browsing issues of Australian Town and Country Journal looking for mysteries by Mary Fortune (my favorite classic Australian mystery writer) and couldn’t resist adding it to this issue. Plus we have a detective novel featuring Nick Carter and a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. On the science fiction and fantasy side, we have another great Norman Spinrad story, a classic by Robert F. Young, and the first entry in the Pillsworth & Toffee series by Charles F. Myers (we have more coming up). Fun stuff Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Power of Evil,” by Alan Orloff [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Swimming into Troubled Waters,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “A Burn That Reaches Bone,” by Karen Odden [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Mystery of the Death Stroke,” by Ernest Favenc The Forced Crime, by Nicholas Carter [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Power of Evil,” by Alan Orloff [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Entities,” by Norman Spinrad [short story] “The Birds Are Back in Town” is copyright © 2019 by Adrian Cole [short story] “The Courts of Jamshyd,” by Robert F. Young [short story] “Keru,” by Lin Carter “I’ll Dream of You” by Charles F. Myers [short story]




Black Cat Weekly #22


Book Description

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 #143


Book Description

This issue, we have the second of the long-running Dutch series featuring the adventures of Lord Lister (Alias Raffles), as the Robin Hood of England tangles with a jeweler who likes to cheat his customers with fake diamonds and pearls. (This is a new translation and its first appearance in English. We have more coming up.) Plus we have original mysteries by Tom Larsen (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), Joseph S. Walker (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), and K M Rockwood. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. On the science fiction side of things, we have another great lineup, with tales by Stephen Marlow, Henry Slesar, Edmond Hamilton, Frank Belknap Long, and a writer best known for his mysteries, Donald E. Westlake. Enjoy! Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “El Cazador (The Hunter),” by Tom Larsen [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “New Sheriff in Town,” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Sunrise at the Moonshine Palace,” by Joseph S. Walker [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Flippin’ Flapjacks,” by K M Rockwood [short story] “The Punishment of the Jewel Forger,” by Kurt Matull and Theo Blakensee [novelet, Lord Lister (Alias Raffles) #2] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Passionate Pitchman,” by Stephen Marlow [short story] “My Robot,” by Henry Slesar [short story] “The Life-Masters,” by Edmond Hamilton [short story] “The Red Fetish,” by Frank Belknap Long [short story] “Meteor Strike!” by Donald E. Westlake [short story]




Black Cat Weekly #96


Book Description

Our 96th issue introduces some new contributors to the magazine—Smita Harish Jain (with an original mystery, thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Naomi Hirahara (with a riveting reprint mystery, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman). Also on the mystery front, we have a pair of British classics: a Sexton Blake detective story by Hal Meredith and a novel by William Le Queux. When it comes to fantasy and science fiction, we’ve achieved an appealing balance. Adrian Cole and Henry S. Whitehead deliver two distinctly different nautically-themed stories. Also featured is Robert E. Howard’s eerie tale, “The Dream Snake.” (The Whitehead and Howard pieces originated from Weird Tales, and Cole’s work could easily have found a home within its pages.) Complementing the mix are science fiction stories by Arthur Leo Zagat and Russ Winterbotham, both prolific during the Golden Age. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “An Honorable Choice,” by Smita Harish Jain [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Case of the Taken Trophy,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Off the 405,” by Naomi Hirahara [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Empty Tin,” by Hal Meredith [short story, Sexton Blake series] The Gamblers, by William Le Queux [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Running with the Tide,” by Adrian Cole [short story] “Sea Change,” by Henry S. Whitehead [short story] “The Dream Snake,” by Robert E. Howard [short story] “No Escape from Destiny” by Arthur Leo Zagat [novella] The Red Planet, by Russ Winterbotham [novel]




Black Cat Weekly #98


Book Description

Black Cat Weekly #98 features 10 short stories and a novel. This time, we have five mysteries (including a terrific original by Adam Meyer, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), modern tales by Dharma Kelleher (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) and Jack Halliday, plus a classic by Frank Gruber, who was a prolific pulp writer and novelist. Gruber’s story of a dance-hall clip-joint provides a window into a long-gone era. And of course, no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself mystery. On the more science fiction and fantasy side, we have a sword-and-sorcery tale by Phyllis Ann Karr (set in her Frosterflower and Thorn universe), a dark fantasy by horror master Joseph Payne Brennan, a time-travel tale by Robert Abernathy, and classic science fiction by Philip Jose Farmer (“Daughter” is a followup to his classic tale, “Mother”) and John W. Campbell (the tale of grim survival on the moon, The Moon Is Hell.) And for Western fans, we have a classic tale by Alan Le May. Great stuff! Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Stacy’s Mom,” by Adam Meyer [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Games Gang Rides Again,” Hal Charlies [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Kissing Asphalt,” by Dharma Kelleher [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Great Caesar’s Ghost!” by Jack Halliday [short story] “Clip-Joint Adventures,” by Frank Gruber [short story] “The Bells of San Juan,” by Alan Le May [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Sorcery and Sacrilege,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] “The Midnight Bus,” by Joseph Payne Brennan [short story] “Daughter,” by Philip Jose Farmer [short story] “Stopwatch on the World,” by Robert Abernathy [novelet] The Moon Is Hell, by John W. Campbell [novel]




Black Cat Weekly #47


Book Description

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #47. Another fine issue is at hand—with mysteries from Peter Lovesey (thanks to acquiring editor Barb Goffman), Laird Long (thanks to acquiring editor Michael Bracken), and classics from Christopher B. Booth, Edgar Wallace, and Nicholas Carter. (Not to mention a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles!) On the science fiction front, we have Nisi Shawl’s excellent “Lazzrus” (thanks to acquiring editor Cynthia Ward) plus classics from George O. Smith, E.E. “Doc” Smith, and Algis Budrys. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Suicide Sleep,” by Laird Long [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Boxed In,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] Popping Round to the Post,” by Peter Lovesey [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Penny Protection,” by Christopher B. Booth [short story] Chick, by Edgar Wallace [novel] The Sultan’s Pearls, by Nicholas Carter [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Lazzrus,” by Nisi Shawl [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Firegod,” by Algis Budrys [short story] “Robot Nemesis,” by E.E. “Doc” Smith, Ph.D. [novelet] Pattern for Conquest, by George O. Smith [novel]




Black Cat Weekly #9


Book Description

Black Cat Weekly #9presents: Mysteries & Suspense “Tie Score,” by Lee Mayers[short story] “Lunch Is Served,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Lamplighter by the Sea,” by Michael Nethercott [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Judas Journey, by Lee Roberts [mystery novel] Special Detective, by John Thomas McIntyre [novel, Ashton-Kirk series] Science Fiction & Fantasy “The Wolf Woman,”, by H. Bedford-Jones [short story] “The New Pass,” by Amelia B. Edwards [short story] “Sympathy for Mummies,” by John Gregory Betancourt [short story] “No-Risk Planet,” by Stephen Marlowe [short story] Peril of the Starmen, by Kris Neville [novel] The Amulet, by A.R. Morlan [novel]




Black Cat Weekly #165


Book Description

It’s our final Halloween issue of the year—with lots of treats and only a few tricks. Headlining this issue is Bram Stoker’s “lost” horror tale, “Gibbet Hill,” which a researcher recently discovered in an Irish newspaper supplement from 1890. (It wasn’t listed in any of Stoker’s bibliographies, and it created quite a stir among horror aficionados.) I’ve very carefully edited it, correcting typos and a few dropped words, and fully annotated it. I think you’ll enjoy it. We also have original tales from bestselling authors Donna Andrews (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) and Sharyn Kolberg (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), and one from newcomer Christopher Lawrence Froehlich, who makes his Black Cat Weekly debut. Plus a pair of modern classics from British masters John S. Glasby and E.C. Tubb, plus a nautical thriller by Alan B. Le May—who is most famous as the author of the classic Westerns The Searchers (1954) and The Unforgiven (1957). Our novels this issue are Allen Upward’s The Club of Masks—a rare British mystery from the Golden Age—and E.H. Visiak’s pirate fantasy, The Haunted Island. Here’s the complete lineup— NOVELS The Club of Masks, by Allen Upward There’s murder at a scandalous London club where decadent masked aristocrats mingle… The Haunted Island, by E.H. Visiak Being the History of an Adventure to an Island in the Remote South Sea. Of a Wizard there. Of his Pirate Gang; His Treasure; His Combustible… SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY “The Purloined Pumpkin,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] Can you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there! SHORT STORIES “The Gate,” by Sharyn Kolberg [Michael Bracken Presents short story] After years of tension and escalating fights with her husband George, a simple accident turns deadly. “The Grim,” by Donna Andrews [Barb Goffman Presents short story] A rogue cemetery guardian causes chaos, chasing souls and scaring mourners. A paranormal expert intervenes… “Ghost Lanterns,” by Alan B. Le May Sailors begin disappearing as “ghost lanterns” float across the deck. Is the ship cursed? “Gibbet Hill, by Bram Stoker The recently discovered “lost” story from the Dracula author—and it’s a supernatural fantasy! “The Other Seance,” by John S. Glasby When a famous medium (and skilled charlatan is challenged to prove his powers, his tricks work too well… “Death Plays Baseball,” by Christopher Lawrence Froehlich When Death and Nostalgia swap jobs to prove whose job is harder, a cosmic game of baseball leads to unexpected chaos. “Museum Piece,” by E.C. Tubb In a future where war and violence are ancient relics, one man relives fantasies of military conquest…




Black Cat Weekly #1


Book Description

The Black Cat web site has been around for almost four years now, serving up a weekly buffet of new and classic mysteries—and more recently science fiction—to thousands of readers each week. Rather than continue to release all these novels and stories as individual ebooks, we have decided to bundle them up into a convenient weekly magazine…which is a lot more fun to work on! So here is Black Cat Weekly #1, for your enjoyment pleasure. To make the first issue memorable, we are including a lot more content than usual—double the usual word count, in fact. This time we have no less than three complete novels and 7 short stories—and even a “true crime” feature by Erle Stanley Gardner, creator of Perry Mason! There’s something here for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re a fan of traditional mysteries, psychic detectives (in the case of Frank Lovell Nelson’s story, a telepathic detective, the first of 12 stories featuring Carlton Clarke from 1908, all of which will run in the Black Cat’s pages). Looking for modern detection? We have that, too. And if your taste runs to the fantastic, we also have adventures across parallel worlds and well into the future. (And monsters. Did I mention monsters?) Included are: REMISSION, by Michael Bracken A KEY FOR REBECCA, by Hal Charles AUROVIA’S FAMOUS LODGE CASE, by Frank Lowell Nelson THE CASE OF THE KNOCKOUT BULLET, by Erle Stanley Gardner HAND IN GLOVE, by James Holding THE SKULL OF THE WALZING CLOWN, by Harry Stephen Keeler HAVER, by Brian Evenson A ZLOOR FOR YOUR TROUBLE, by Mack Reynolds VALLISNERIA MADNESS, by Ralph Milne Farley LAST CALL FOR DOOMSDAY! by S. M. Tenneshaw WORLDS OF THE IMPERIUM, by Keith Laumer




Black Cat Weekly #50


Book Description

This is a special issue—our 50th, as you may have noticed from our cover. To celebrate, all past and present editors were to contribute a story. (It helps that they are also amazingly talented writers.) So we have stories from Michael Bracken, Barb Goffman, Paul Di Filippo, Darrell Schweitzer, and Cynthia Ward in addition to our other fare. But wait! There’s more! This issue features four original tales—Elizabeth Zelvin has a fantasy/mystery stories, Phyllis Ann Karr has a weird western, and Cynthia Ward has a gonzo science fiction crowd-funding story. And I have completed a story by the late H.B. Fyfe, who was best known for his science fiction stories, though this one is a revenge tale that most closely fits the mystery genre. And the good stuff doesn’t stop there. We also have a superhero story from Darrell Schweitzer. Space Opera from Algis Budrys and E.E. “Doc” Smith. A historical mystery novel by western author B.M. Bower. A historical investigation from Charles Todd. A Mallworld story from Somtow Sucharitkul (who also writes as S.P. Somtow). And no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself mystery by Hal Charles. All in all, this is an probably our best Black Cat Weekly yet. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Ladies of Wednesday Tea” by Michael Bracken [short story] “Hidden in Plain Sight” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Ice Ice Baby” by Barb Goffman [short story] “Flayed” by H.B. Fyfe and John Gregory Betancourt [short story] “Blood Money” by Charles Todd [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The House of Marble” by Elizabeth Zelvin [Michael Bracken Presents short story] The Eagle’s Wing, by B.M. Bower [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The House of Marble” by Elizabeth Zelvin [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Rise and Fall of Whistle-Pig City” by Paul Di Filippo [short story] “Rabid in Mallworld” by Somtow Sucharitkul [short story] “Fighting the Zeppelin Gang” by Darrell Schweitzer [short story] “Winona of Bleeding Kansas” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] “The Campaign Is Now Officially Complete” by Cynthia Ward [short story] “Blood on my Jets” by Algis Budrys [short story] The Skylark of Valeron, by Edward E. Smith, Ph.D. [novel]