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]

Collects Marvel's Spider-Man: The Black Cat Strikes (2020) #1-5. Peter Parker, web-slinging star of the hit video game Marvel’s Spider-Man, now finds himself in the middle of a gang war raging through New York City. But as he butts heads with the likes of Hammerhead and the Maggia, the unexpected reappearance of old flame Felicia Hardy — also known as the Black Cat — sets his world on fire! The Cat’s heroic days are long behind her, but what is the secret behind the treasures she’s stealing? And why would Spider-Man ever let her go?! Witness previously untold tales of their relationship as the Black Cat’s return tangles the web for Peter and Mary Jane — and Hammerhead’s explosive war continues making life complicated for everybody! Featuring the triumphant return of Silver Sable! The Black Cat steals the Gamerverse spotlight!

THE CAT’S MEOW Welcome to Black Cat Weekly. This issue, on the mystery side of things, we have original stories from Brendan DuBois (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), E Senteio (crime in the library!), and Cody Goodfellow (has the classic villain Fantomas finally met his match?)…plus Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has unearthed a gem by Eve Fisher. Our novel is Behind the Bronze Door, by William Le Queux, and of course we have a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. As if that weren’t enough, we also have science fiction stories from Lester del Rey, Philip Jose Farmer, and T.D. Hamm. Rounding out the issue is a Jules de Grandin novelette by Seabury Quinn. Our cover is by our art director, Ron Miller. I’ve had to twist his arm (he’s far too humble for self promotion) and next issue, we’re going to have an illustration feature—a portfolio of his best and favorite book covers. Something to look forward to. Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Million-dollar Recovery,” by Brendan DuBois [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “An Historic Heist,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “Wind Power,” by Eve Fisher [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Damned If You Do, and Damned If You Don’t,” by E Senteio [short story] “The Black Hand of Fantomas,” by Cody Goodfellow [short story, Fantomas series] Behind the Bronze Door, by William Le Queux [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Battleground,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “Tongues of the Moon,” by Philip Jose Farmer [short story] “The Survivors,” by T.D. Hamm [short story] “The Jewel of Seven Stones,” by Seabury Quinn [novelette, Jules de Grandin series] Until next time, happy reading!

Our 90th issue is another great one—3 original short stories, 8 modern and classic short story reprints, a novella, and a pair of novels. That’s a lot of reading! Where to start with the highlights? On the mystery side, Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman is back from her hiatus with another mystery selection (“Bad Chemistry” by John G. Wimer), as is Michael Bracken (“The Garden” by Jeffrey James Higgins). And proving Hal Charles isn’t the only one who can write Solve-It-Yourself myseries for Black Cat Weekly, this time we have Bradley Harper’s take on a puzzle story, with “Silent Partner.” Plus classics by Harvey J. O’Higgins and Arthur Stringer. On the fantasy & science fiction side, we have an original by Phyllis Ann Karr, “Sir Mordred and the Green Knight,” which features a new take on the classic legend. Our serial of Darrell Schweitzer’s Sekenre: The Book of the Sorcerer, continues with Part 2 (of 4), featuring three more stories of the immortal boy-sorcerer and his quest to keep his humanity. Plus classic science fiction by Murray Leinster and Louis Charbonneau. Here’s this issue’s complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Garden,” by Jeffrey James Higgins [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Silent Partner,” by Bradley Harper [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Bad Chemistry,” by John G. Wimer [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Stop Thief,” by Harvey J. O’Higgins [short story] The Shadow, by Arthur Stringer [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Sir Mordred and the Green Knight,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] “Be Young Again,” by Murray Leinster [novella] Sekenre: The Book of the Sorcerer (part 2), by Darrell Schweitzer [3 short stories] Corpus Earthling, by Louis Charbonneau [novel]

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]

Our 69th issue is being put together in the chaos of the holiday season. It’s hard, but the team always manages to pull things together at the last minute! So I’ll just say best wishes from everyone at Wildside and Black Cat Weekly…Michael Bracken, Barb Goffman, Sam Hogan, Darrell Schweitzer, Cynthia Ward, Karl Wurf, and me. And I will note that we have two original stories this issue, by Phyllis Ann Karr and James A. Hearn, along with our usual mix of classics and modern tales. And some manage to fit neatly into both mystery and the fantastic categories (see the contents list below.) Here’s this issue’s lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Third Wish,” by James A. Hearn [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Where There’s Fire,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Bertie and the Christmas Tree,” by Peter Lovesey [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The 1961 Twelve,” by James Holding [short story] “For Safe Deposit,” by Hal Meredith [short story] The Rider of the Mohave, by James Fellom [novel] “The Hammering Man,” by Edwin Balmer and William B. MacHarg [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Third Wish,” by James A. Hearn [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Hammering Man,” by Edwin Balmer and William B. MacHarg [short story] “Not-Quite-Living Treasure,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] “Come Home from Earth,” by Edmond Hamilton [short story] “Piety,” by Margaret St. Clair [short story] Planet Explorer, by Murray Leinster [novel]

Our 68th weekly issue has several holiday tales to spice up the season, including an original (“Merry Library Murder,” by N.M. Cedeño, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and some modern classics by Heather Critchlow (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) and one of my own favorite authors, Nina Kiriki Hoffman (she’s amazing!) Cynthia Ward has selected an exciting fantasy from Milton J. Davis, plus we have great tales by Ray Bradbury, Lester del Rey, and James Holding, a Sexton Blake tale by Hal Meredith, and of course a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. It’s a fun issue. Here’s this issue’s lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Merry Library Murder,” by N.M. Cedeño [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Where There’s a Will,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Heavenly Peace,” by Heather Critchlow [short story] “The Inquisitive Butcher of Nice,” by James Holding [short story] “The Barton Tunnel Mystery,” by Hal Meredith [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Wishmas,” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman [short story] “The Gate,” by Milton J. Davis [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “The Irritated People,” by Ray Bradbury [short story] “Solstice Cakes,” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman [short story] “Unto Him that Hath,” by Lester del Rey [short story]