Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #45. This is an fun issue, and I’ve selected Tobias S. Buckell’s fantasy “The Fisher Dragon” as the cover story. (I must admit to having a fondness for dragons. The very first story I sold professionally, way back at the dawn of time when I was 16 years old, was about a dragon. And they appear in several of my novels, most notably Master of Dragons.) Thanks to acquiring editor Cynthia Ward for selecting it. Black Cat’s other acquiring editors are represented in this issue, too—Michael Bracken selected an original mystery from John M. Floyd, and Barb Goffman has a tale about a retired detective by Steve Hockensmith (whose “Holmes on the Range” series of historical mystery stories are must-reads, as far as I’m concerned. Check then out if you get a chance.) And last (but not least), Darrell Schweitzer unearthed one of his paleo-interviews for us—this time with Craig Shaw Gardner. It's from the 1990s, when Gardner had just become a best-selling author, thanks to his Batman movie novelization. And we have classics by George O. Smith, Henry Kuttner, and many others, including a 1915 Nick Carter mystery novel. And, of course, a modern solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet). Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “From Ten to Two” by John M. Floyd [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “An Eggceptional Solution” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Frank” by Steve Hockensmith [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Bush-Rancher, by Harold Bindloss [novel] The Suicide, by Nicholas Carter [novel] Non-Fiction: “Speaking with Craig Shaw Gardner” [Interview with Darrell Schweitzer] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Fisher Dragon”by Tobias S. Buckell [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Catspaw,” by George O. Smith [short story] “The Half-Haunted,” by Manly Wade Wellman [short story] “The Sea-Witch,” by Nictzin Dyalhis [short story] “Chameleon Man,” by Henry Kuttner [short story]

It’s our 63rd issue, and we’re just getting into the Thanksgiving holiday spirit. Our cover this time features a cat-and-turkey dance, but we can guarantee no turkeys among the stories! This time, Michael Bracken has an original crime story by Sharyn Kolberg on tap, and Barb Goffman has acquired a great Joseph S. Walker mystery. We also have classics by “Sapper” (British author H.C. McNeile), a Johnny Liddell detective tale by Frank Kane, and as always, a solve-it-yourself mystery by Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet). On the science fiction and fantasy side, we have another original story by Sydney J. Bounds featuring his wizard-detective, in “Royal Mage,” plus stories by Frank Belknap Long, Clifford D. Simak, and Joseph Gilbert. Rounding out the issue is a novel by Murray Leinster, Men Into Space, based on the classic television series. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Gone By Greyhound,” by Sharyn Kolberg [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Locked Gymnasium Mystery,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Last Man in Lafarge,” by Joseph S. Walker [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Green Death,” by “Sapper” [short story] “The Icepick Artists,” by Frank Kane [novella] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Atomic Station,”by Frank Belknap Long [short story] “Royal Mage,” by Sydney J. Bounds [short story] “The Call from Beyond,” by Clifford D. Simak [short story] “The Eternal Quest,” by Joseph Gilbert [short story] Men Into Space, by Murray Leinster [novel]

Our 59th issue puts us firmly into one of the happiest seasons of the year, Halloween! So fun and frights abound, with extra spooky content—starting with “Ghost Writers in the Sky,” an original tale by Steve Liskow, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken. (It does double-duty as mystery and fantasy, as does Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman’s pick, “Deal Breaker,” by Justin Gustainis.) Alas, we have no selection from Cynthia Ward this time, but hopefully she will be back in short order. I picked up one of my favorite dark fantasies by another Acquiring Editor to fill the hole: “Peeling It Off,” by Darrell Schweitzer. Plus an uncanny tale by A.R. Morlan that would have been at home in Weird Tales, then a Victorian-era occult novel by Marie Corelli round things out. For fans of traditional mysteries, we have a pair of great private detective novels: About Face, by Frank Kane, and a vintage Nick Carter novel from 1903. On the science fiction side, we have contributions by Murray Leinster and a novel by George O. Smith. Overall, this is one of our most eclectic issues, but there is bound to be more than a few tales to suit everyone’s taste. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Ghost Writers in the Sky,” by Steve Liskow [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Point, Set, Match,” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Deal Breaker,” by Justin Gustainis [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Toying with Fate, by Nicholas Carter About Face, by Frank Kane [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Ghost Writers in the Sky,” by Steve Liskow [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Deal Breaker,” by Justin Gustainis [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Peeling It Off,” by Darrell Schweitzer [novelet] “The Cat Tracker Lady of Asad Alley,” by A.R. Morlan [short story] “The Nameless Something,” by Murray Leinster [novelet] The Hellflower, by George O. Smith [novel] The Sorrows of Satan, by Marie Corelli [novel]

If you like some of the series we’ve been publishing, you’re in for a treat this time. We have a new Smith Sisters story by Veronica Leigh, a Sexton Blake story by Hal Meredith, a Johnny Liddell novel by Frank Kane, and a Jules de Grandin story by Seabury Quinn. I don’t want to slight our non-series contents—it’s quite an all-star lineup, with tales such modern masters as Aeryn Rudell and Vinnie Hansen (courtesy of Acquiring Editors Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman), plus classics by Robert Silverberg & Randall Garrett, Lester del Rey, and Gore Vidal. And, of course, a solve-it-yourself mystery by Hal Charles. Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “A Slice of Life,” by Veronica Leigh [short story, the Smith Sisters series] “Every Trick in the Book,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend,” by Vinnie Hansen [short story] “The Clue of the Ash,” by Hal Meredith [short story, Sexton Blake series] Green Light for Death, by Frank Kane [novel, Johnny Liddell series] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Time On My Hands,” by Aeryn Rudel [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Girl from Bodies, Inc.,” by Robert Silverberg and Randall Garrett [short story] “Whom the Gods Love,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “Body and Soul,” by Seabury Quinn [short story, Jules de Grandin series] Messiah, by Gore Vidal [novel] COVER: Ron Miller

Our 76th issue is a mammoth one, with 4 novels and 6 short stories (including a new Sherlock Holmes adventure, courtesy of A.L. Sirois and Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken). Take a look at the contents below...I know you’ll be impressed by the quality and diversity of the material. Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Adventure of the Accelerationist,” by A. L. Sirois [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Death in the Department,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Sodium Arrow,” by Camille Minichino [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Red Signal, by Grace Livingston Hill [novel] Dead Weight, by Frank Kane [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Adventure of the Accelerationist,” by A. L. Sirois [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Garnet and the Glory,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story, Frostflower & Thorn series] “The Foxholes of Mars,” by Fritz Leiber [short story] “Hsilgne Esrever (Reverse English),” by John S. Carroll [short story] The Stars Look Down, by Lester del Rey [short novel] The Eternal Savage, by Edgar Rice Burroughs [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]

Everyone is getting into the Halloween spirit this month! Our Acquiring Editors, Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman, have found supernatural detective stories by Dave Zeltserman and Joseph D’Agnese to kick things off. And we have haunts and horrors (not to mention voodoo) from regular contributors Phyllis Ann Karr and Ron Miller (whose burlesque queen-turned-private eye, Velda, returns this issue). And C.S. Dines takes us to McNeil Station in Antarctica for some unexpected chills. I’ve even dug into my own trove of old stories for a supernatural slasher story. (If you don’t like knives and blood, you might want to skip this one.) Of course, we have traditional tales, too, like a crime novel from G. Sidney Paternoster and the science fiction story by E.C. Tubb (who remains most famous for his long-running Dumarest of Terra space opera series). Lots of good stuff. Here’s the complete lineup— SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY “The Treasure of Hanging Cross Ranch,” by Hal Charles A hidden treasure awaits, but only the sharpest mind can decipher the clues. Can you solve the mystery before Detective Hayes? NOVEL The Master Criminal, by G. Sidney Paternoster Guy Hora, raised as a master thief, finds his criminal philosophy shattered when he falls for Meriel Challys. As he struggles to break free from his past, dark secrets threaten to destroy everything he holds dear. STORIES “The Hanging Judge,” by Dave Zeltserman [Michael Bracken Presents] P.I. Mike Stone solves cases in a twisted version of 1998 Brooklyn—his personal hell. As zombies leap from rooftops and demons lurk, Stone revisits a deadly mystery involving a corrupt judge and mobsters. “The Sweatergeist,” by Joseph D’Agnese [Barb Goffman Presents] Detective Bleecker investigates an eccentric millionaire’s claim that his deceased wife returns every Wednesday to haunt her favorite sweater… “Who Purged the Thaumaturge?” by Ron Miller [P.I. Velda series] Velda dives into a world of sorcery and voodoo when an occult shop owner is murdered. She is quickly entangled in a dangerous mix of hoodoo, hexes, beatniks, witches, and one incredibly strong woman. “The Pearly Gates Motel,” by Phyllis Ann Karr Count Czernikowski checks into a decaying motel only to encounter Saxo Gates, the eccentric manager with deadly intentions. Secrets and supernatural forces collide in this chilling thriller. “The Man Who Collected Knives,” by John Gregory Betancourt Jason’s obsession with collecting blades becomes something far darker when an insidious, otherworldly creature begins to whisper in his ear. “McNeil Station,” by C.S. Dines Five tourists on an Antarctic cruise sneak off to explore an abandoned research station, where they discover the local wildlife isn’t as cute and cuddly as it seems. “Umbrella in the Sky,” by E.C. Tubb Mike Levine is tasked with saving the world by fixing a massive solar shield. But in the vastness of space, corruption, sabotage, and death loom as the real threats to humanity’s survival.