Our mystery selections kick off with “A Matter of Trust,” N.M. Cedeño’s tale of a genetic genealogy detective trying to prove an illegitimate child’s claim to a family trust. Thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken for this one. And Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has a Halloween-appropriate tale in “Grimalkin,” by Mark Thielman, in which a cat may be more than it seems. We also have fantasist Phyllis Ann Karr’s first sale—which turns out to be a mystery!—and a novel by British master J.S. Fletcher. And, of course, no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. Continueing our seasonal celebration of all things Halloween, we have a pair of dark delights—tales by Adrian Cole and me. Have some ghoulish shivers on us! For lovers of science fiction, we have a terrific recent tale by Norman Spinrad, plus classics by Charles V. De Vet and Lester del Rey. Great stuff. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “A Matter of Trust,” by N.M. Cedeño [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Case of the Munificent Musketeer,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Grimalkin,” by Mark Thielman [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “An Economical Means of Murder,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] The Herapath Property, by J.S. Fletcher [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “In the Court of the Pumpkin King,” by Adrian Cole [short story, Nick Nightmare series] “Sand,” by John Gregory Betancourt [short story, SCP series] “Quarantine,” by Norman Spinrad [short story] “Survival Factor,” by Charles V. De Vet [short story] “The Band Played On,” by Lester del Rey [novelet]

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #17—another fun issue, with great mystery and science fiction short stories, classic novels, and more! The lineup this time: Mysteries / Suspense: “Smart Cookie,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Shanks Gets Mugged,” by Robert Lopresti [short story] “Thubway Tham Reforms,” by Johnston McCulley [short story] “The Man in the Dick Tracy Hat” by Elizabeth Zelvin [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Seal of Gijon, by Nicholas Carter [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy:  “The Hour of Their Need,” by Amy Wolf [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Dragonet,” by Esther Friesner [Darrell Schweitzer Presents short story] “Vengeance in Her Bones,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] “Taste Taste,” by Larry Tritten [short story] Secret of the Martians, by Paul W. Fairman [novel]

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…

This issue, we begin a 6-week experiment, as we serialize all three volumes of an epic fantasy trilogy by Edmund Glasby. This week, we have the first half of Book 1, The Pale Galilean. As soon as this novel finishes, we’ll start the sequel. Let me know what you think of the idea. Of course, we also have our usual gourmet assortment of stories long and stories short. Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has an original Shanks tale from modern master Robert Lopresti, and Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken has an original ghostly mystery about Edgar Allan Poe from new author Jay Kinney. More mysteries from Tom Andes, Gary Earl Ross, and Kris Neville (best known as a science fiction writer) complete the sleuthing. On the more fantastic side of things, Holly Schofield has an assassin (posing as a midwife) rethinking her profession as she goes up against an alien and her newborn baby. Chad Gayle proves that monsters can give up their taste for eating humans. (Or can they?) And we have another Nelson Bond classic—a crossover story with space-opera hero Lancelot Biggs and 20th century genius, Horse-Sense Hank (both of whom have been featured in BCW in recent issues). Here’s the complete lineup— NOVEL SERIAL The Pale Galilean, by Edmund Glasby [Part 1 of 2] Brother Santiago finds himself in a strange fantasy world plagued by demonic creatures. SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY “The Case of the Purloined Pavilion,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] In the quiet town of Great Falls, a newly built pavilion vanishes overnight, sparking mystery and suspicion. Can you solve it before the detective? All the clues are there! SHORT STORIES “The Ghost of Poe,” by Jay Kinney [Michael Bracken Presents short story] On the eve of his graduation, Caleb Johnson discovers he’s the last student to reside in a room rumored to be haunted by Edgar Allan Poe’s ghost… “Shanks Has Reservations,” by Robert Lopresti [Barb Goffman Presents short story] A canceled conference registration and a stolen credit card tip Shanks off to a hidden crime—but can he stop it? “Didn’t Want To Say I Told You So,” by Tom Andes Marla learns her estranged daughter and her baby may be in danger. She tries a rescue—only to uncover dark secrets… “Split Wit,” by Gary Earl Ross Detective Maxine Travis investigates the brutal murder of a woman with a complex private life. Does her developmentally delayed brother hold the key? “Big Talk,” by Kris Neville Reporter Alf Sweeney navigates a tense night shift with photographer Gil Bratcher, whose bravado and bigotry clash with the grim realities they encounter. “A Better Question,” by Holly Schofield On an assignment to kill a Skrite leader, a top assassin for Queen Napir finds herself questioning her loyalties. “The Hidden Hunger of Grylock the Grotesque,” by Chad Gayle In a world where ancient appetites clash with new treaties, Bakshurr tries to save his old friend Grylock from his now-forbidden craving for human flesh… “The Scientific Pioneer Returns,” by Nelson S. Bond Spaceman Lancelot Biggs meets eccentric genius Horse-Sense Hank in this crossover story linking two vastly different series! Until next time, happy reading!

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]

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #52. This week, our acquiring editors have outdone themselves—Michael Bracken has an original story by William Burton McCormick, “House of Tigers,” which was a Black Orchid Novella Award finalist. Though it didn’t win, it’s a great story. (Competition is fierce for this particular award, since it judged by Linda Landrigan, editor of Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. I won the first Black Orchid for my story “Horse Pit,” and I haven’t dared enter since—I try to read all the winners, and they keep getting better and better. These days I probably wouldn’t stand a chance!) Barb Goffman also has an original, “It’s Not Tennis” by Shannon Taft, another good one. And Cynthia Ward has selected the modern classic “Whiter Teeth, Fresher Breath” by Tom Marcinko, which proves aliens do have it all. Even better oral hygiene! Plus we have a mystery novel by David Goodis (author of Dark Passage and Shoot the Piano Player), a space opera by E.E. “Doc” Smith, and science fiction from Arthur Leo Zagat and Stephen Marlowe! Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “House of Tigers,” by William Burton McCormick [Michael Bracken Presents, Novella] “Mailed It,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “It’s Not Tennis,” by Shannon Taft [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Cassidy’s Girl, by David Goodis [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Whiter Teeth, Fresher Breath,” by Tom Marcinko [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Picnic,” by Stephen Marlowe [short story] “The Cavern of the Shining Pool,” by Arthur Leo Zagat [novella] Galactic Patrol, by E.E. “Doc” Smith [novel]

Our 99th issue is another great one, with stellar contributions from some of the best in modern and classic mysteries, science fiction, and fantasy. 8 short stories and 2 novelets round on this issue--dig in! ​​​​ Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Plan,” by Chuck Brownman [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Humbling Homecoming,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Hot Sugar Blues,” by Steve Liskow [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Swan Song,” by donalee Moulton [short story] “Finish the Job,” by Frank Kane [short story, Johnny Liddell series] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Door Into Envy,” by Adrian Cole [short story] “The Vampire Bat,” by Joseph Payne Brennan [short story] “The Marrying Monster,” by Claus Stamm [short story] “Survival of the Fittest,” by Gene L. Henderson [novelet] “Wind Between the Worlds,” by Lester del Rey [novelet]