Yes, it’s our annual Halloween kickoff issue—for the next four Black Cats, extra spooky stories will be creeping and crawling into every issue. This time, we have vampires and scarecrows and werewolves (oh my!) as well as scarecrows and sinister strangers for your reading pleasure. Plus some other tricks and treats. As always, special thanks to our Acquiring Editors for helping round up great stories, and to the volunteer readers who keep discovering great stories for us. If you’re a writer (published or not) we welcome appropriate submissions through our portal at our website. Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Skip Trace,” by Angela Zeman [Michael Bracken Presents short story] Skip Rose swore he’d never return to his childhood home, but a desperate family hires him to find out why their daughter was murdered. His investigation drags him back to dark memories and deadly secrets. “The Treasure Map Intrigue,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] After her uncle’s death, Marcy and her cousins find a cryptic note attached to an old map. As they search for treasure, Marcy discovers a hidden clue. Can you solve it before Marcy uncovers the truth? “Special Delivery,” by Linda Cahill [Barb Goffman Presents short story] When a young girl takes over her friend’s paper route, she encounters strange men, dark stories, and a house feared by all the neighborhood kids. What begins as a simple errand turns into a chilling mystery. “Ol’ Crowbait,” by Bobbi A. Chukran [short story] When pranksters target Minnie Tate’s farm, they uncover more than Halloween mischief—triggering events that unravel a long-buried disappearance. As Sheriff Josie Miller digs deeper, eerie scarecrows and strange whispers lead to a chilling discovery. Scotland Yard Can Wait, by Zenith Brown [novel] Inspector Lord investigates a decades-old bank heist. As bodies pile up, can he unravel the mystery before the cunning mastermind escapes with the loot? Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Howl At the Moon,” by John S. Glasby [short story] A cursed castle, a full moon, and an ancient, terrifying secret. When Robert Temple arrives, determined to unearth the truth, he finds himself face-to-face with a horror beyond his worst nightmares. “He Who Stakes,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] In Prince Vlad’s cruel court, Father Clement’s faith is tested when martyrs rise from their stakes. Can mercy and justice prevail over a ruler blinded by righteous fury. “Waystation,” by Hannah Birss [short story] In a rundown bar on Space Station SOL, a lonely miner share a fleeting, intimate encounter with a mysterious woman on a pilgrimage for a new sun. “The Jackson Killer,” by Philip E. High [short story] Sent to a frontier planet to track down a highly intelligent and dangerous mutant, Lassen must outwit his prey while grappling with the morality of his own role as an Eliminator. “The Scientific Pioneer,” Nelson S. Bond [short story, Horsesense Hank series] A farmer with uncanny “horse-sense” shocks university scholars by solving complex scientific problems with ease. But when offered fame, fortune, and love, his unyielding logic leads him on a different path.

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]

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #33. The astute will notice that this issue is being released early—with the holidays nearly upon us (and relatives set to descend on our household), I thought it prudent to finish it up early, just to make sure there weren’t any unfortunately delays. I think you’ll find this issue particularly interesting. Darrell Schweitzer’s historic interview with C.J. Cherryh from 1978 is fascinating, since she talks about her writing process. (If you aren’t familiar with her work, you’ve missed some of the best science fiction of the last 50 years.). For mystery lovers, we have great tales from Greg Herren (courtesy of editor Barb Goffman) and Patricia Dusenbury (courtesy of editor Michael Bracken), plus a solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles. Our novel, Mission of Revenge, by Edison Marshall mixes many genres—crime, romance, adventure…all set in the frozen north! Science fiction readers have an original from Nancy Jane Moore (courtesy of editor Cynthia Ward), plus classics by Lester del Rey and Larry Tritten. For fantasy, look no further than “The Goddess’ Legacy,” by Malcolm Jameson, and the second part of Mel Gilden’s serialized novel, The Case by Case Casebook of Emily Silverwood. Good stuff! Here’s the lineup: Non-Fiction: “Speaking with C.J. Cherryh,” conducted by Darrell Schweitzer [interview] Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Nor Death Will Us Part,” by Patricia Dusenbury [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “An Eggceptional Solution,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “The Silky Veils of Ardor,” by Greg Herren [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Mission of Revenge, by Edison Marshall [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Art of War,” by Nancy Jane Moore [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Playback,” by Larry Tritten [short story] “The One-eyed Man,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “The Goddess’ Legacy,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] The Case by Case Casebook of Emily Silverwood, by Mel Gilden (Part 2 of 4) [Serial Novel]

Our 77th issue features a pair of original stories, one by Jesse Lee (which does double-duty as mystery and science fiction), and one by Phyllis Ann Karr (another of her weird westerns, again featuring itinerant gambler Bart Maverel). Plus we have a Bruce Arthurs suspense tale, the first Stainless Steel Rat short story from Harry Harrison, and even a long-long essay from Harlan Ellison! And the usual great selection of science fiction, fantasy, crime, and mystery novels and short stories. As always, special thanks to our acquiring editors, Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman, for their help with this issue. Here’s the lineup: Here’s this issue’s lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Dirty Water,” by Jesse Lee [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Shipshape Reunion,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Beks and the Second Note,” by Bruce Arthurs [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Dirge for a Nude,” by Jonathan Craig [short novel] The Powder Dock Mystery, by Reed Fulton [novel] Nonfiction: “It’s No Longer Astounding!” by Harlan Ellison Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Kitty Wampole,” is copyright © 2023 by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] “The Stainless Steel Rat,” by Harry Harrison [short story] “The Eleventh Hour,” by Edwin Balmer & William B. MacHar [short story] “Date Line,” by Noel M. Loomis [short story] “White Spot,” by Murray Leinster [short novel]

The third issue of Black Cat Weekly presents more tales of the mysterious and fantastic—3 mystery shorts, a mystery novel, 2 science fiction stories and a fantasy story, plus a science fiction novella. Here are: THE MAN FROM SCOTLAND YARD, by Leslie Ford [mystery novel] THE CASE OF THE ZINC CASE, by Frank Lovell Nelson [Serial story - 3 of 12] THE CASE OF THE VANISHING PROFESSOR, by Tara Laskowski [Barb Goffman Presents - mystery short] CLEARLY GUILTY, by Hal Charles [Solve it yourself mystery!] HOLMES SHERLOCK, by Eleanor Arneson [Paul Di Filippo Presents - sci-fi short story] WORLD OF THE MAD, by Poul Anderson [sci-fi short story] MYSTERY OF THE MISSING MAGNATE, by Ralph Milne Farley [sci-fi short story] THE COSMIC JUNKMAN, by Rog Phillips [fantasy novella]

Black Cat Weekly #87 features more modern and classic mysteries, fantasies, and science fiction tales. Included this time are: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Weary Are At Rest,” by Veronica Leigh [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Case of the Anonymous Note,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “In a Bavarian Forest,” by Warren Moore [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Kaluki Kings of Queens,” by Cathi Stoler [short story] Bluffer’s Luck, by W.C. Tuttler Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Glyphs,” by Phyllis Ann Karr and Clifton Alfred Hoyt [short story] “Gentlemen: Please Note,” by Randall Garrett [short story] “Two Worlds For One,” by George O. Smith [short story] “No War Tomorrow,” by Wallace West [short novel] The Grandfathers’ War, by Murray Leinster [short 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]