Our 85th issue is quite the treat—three original tales by three top authors, a time-travel story, a fantasy bar story, two novels, and more! I leave it to you to explore this issue and find out what’s what, which is whose, and whodunit. (Or did they?) It’s a fun issue and one of our best. Here’s this issue’s complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Of Average Intelligence” O’Neil De Noux [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Steering Clear of Trouble” is copyright © 2022 by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Cottonmouths” M.E. Proctor [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Contagious Killer” by Bryce Walton [short story] Nick Carter at the Track, by Nicholas Carter [novel, Nick Carter series] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Pannin’ Pete,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story, Bart Maverel series] “Moon of Memory,” by Bryce Walton [short story] “Turn Backward, O Time!,” by Walter Kubilius [short story] “The Perverse Erse,” by Adrien Coblentz [short story] Second Stage Lensmen, by E. E. “Doc” Smith, Ph.D. [novel, Lensman series]

Black Cat Weekly #28 features another interview by acquiring editor Darrell Schweitzer—this time with Larry Niven.. It originally appeared in Thrust, a review and critical essay magazine published by Doug Fratz in the 1970s. As Darrell has observed, these old interviews fall “somewhere between oral history and paleontology.” It’s always interesting to compare where at author was in his career almost 50 years ago to where he is today. For this issue’s mysteries, we have an original story by Bruce Arthurs, thanks to editor Michael Bracken. Barb Goffman has selected “The Chess Room” by Elizabeth Elwood. And we have a second classic novel from Mildred Davis. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself tale by Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Sweet and Charlie Blythe)—no issue would be complete without one. Editor Cynthia Ward has selected “Miles to Go” by Linda D. Addison for this issue. Great stuff, especially if you like music. (Who doesn’t?) Leslie Perri’s “Under the Skin,” Randall Garrett’s “Stroke of Genius,” and Lester del Rey’s “Mine Host, Mine Adversary” round out the classic reprints. Great reading. Here’s the complete lineup: Non-Fiction: “Speaking with Larry Niven,” an interview by Darrell Schweitzer [interview] Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Return of Dodge Tombstone, Outlaw,” by Bruce Arthurs [short story] “A Secret Admirer,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “The Dark Place,” by Mildred Davis [novel] “The Chess Room,” by Elizabeth Elwood [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Milez To Go,” by Linda D. Addison [short story] “Under The Skin,” by Leslie Perri [short story] “Stroke Of Genius,” by Randall Garrett [short story] “Mine Host, Mine Adversary,” by Lester del Rey [short story]

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #58. This issue kicks off our Halloween celebrations with a holiday-inspired tale. An incomplete draft of “Had a Wife...” was found in Janet Fox’s papers following her death, and I completed it. I hope you enjoy it. Keeping up the fantasy theme, we have a powerful tale by Craig Laurance Gidney inspired by the music of Joni Mitchell (selected by our acquiring editor Cynthia Ward). Our other acquiring editors have been busy, too—Michael Bracken presents an original mystery by the talented Kaye George (in which an ancient cave painting holds a clue to a murder), and Barb Goffman presents a tale by Sherry Harris, in which Stew Davis finds himself walking a dusty road in Who Knows Where, Wyoming after his car is stolen.. On the mystery front, we have our ever-puzzle solve-it-yourself story from Hal Charles, plus a pair of historical novels—one by Frank C. Robertson (it’s a mystery-western) and one by John T. McIntyre (set near the turn of the 20th century in New York City).. For our fantasy and science fiction readers, we have the first Darby O’Gill story (most famously filmed by Walt Disney), plus a pair of vintage pulp novellas by Fletcher Pratt and Murray Leinster. Fun stuff!. Here’s the complete lineup:. Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Discovery,” by Kaye George [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Nothing to Sneeze At,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Last Chance Lost,” by Sherry Harris [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Boss of the Double E, by Frank C. Robertson [novel] In the Dead of Night, by John T. McIntyre [novel]. Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Maeve’s Quilt” by Craig Laurance Gidney [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Had a Wife…” by Janet Fox and John Gregory Betancourt [short story] “Darby O’Gill and the Good People,” by Herminie Templeton Kavanagh [short story] “Potemkin Village,” by Fletcher Pratt [short novel] “The Boomerang Circuit,” by Murray Leinster [short novel]

An exciting game is afoot, thanks to acquiring editor Michael Bracken! Yes—we are delighted to present an original Sherlock Holmes story by A.L. Sirois this issue. It’s one that only Sirois could write, as Holmes meets no less a person than Bram Stoker! Then the mysteries keep coming with “The Echoes,” by Charles John Harper [courtesy of acquiring editor Barb Goffman], plus a mystery novel by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding. And, of course, we have a solve-it-yourself mystery by Hal Charles. On the fantastic side of things, editor Cynthia Ward has found a steampunk triumph in “Pimp My Airship,” by Maurice Broaddus. plus we have science fiction tales by Lester del Rey and George O. Smith, as well as fantasies by Weird Tales alums Manly Wade Wellman, Clifford Ball, and Dorothy Quick. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Lady Corwynne’s Legacy,” by A.L. Sirois [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Present from the Past” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Echoes” by Charles John Harper [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Who’s Afraid, by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding [novel] Science fiction and fantasy: “Pimp My Airship,” by Maurice Broaddus [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Rescue Team,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “Vocation,” by George O. Smith [short story] “The Liers in Wait,” by Manly Wade Wellman [short story] “The Werewolf Howls,” by Clifford Ball [short story] “The Lost Door,” by Dorothy Quick [short story]

Our mysteries this issue include Josh Pachter’s “The Secret Lagoon” (Michael Bracken’s pick), Larry Allen Tyler’s “Just a Little Before Winter’s Set In” (selected by Barb Goffman) and a solve-it-yourself from Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet). A futuristic detective tale by Larry Tritten, and a classic Nick Carter novel from 1903, The Plot That Failed, round things out. On the science fiction & fantasy side, we have a vampire classic by Carl Jacobi, “Revelations in Black” (which was also the title story of one of his Arkham House collection); “Bullard Reflects,” by Malcolm Jameson, which is classic SF from Astounding; “Strike,” by Richard Wilson, about newspaper reporters coming a shipping strike in space; and “Three Bananas,” by Larry Tritten—which is one of his gonzo cross-genre mashups. Fun stuff. Plus the already-mentioned “Extended Family,” by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough. (Did we mention that this is one of those stories you won’t want to miss?) Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense “The Secret Lagoon,” by Josh Pachter [short story] “The Game’s Afoot,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Just a Little Before Winter’s Set In,” by Larry Allen Tyler [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Plot That Failed, by Nicholas Carter [novel] “Three Bananas,” by Larry Tritten [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy “Extended Family,” by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough [Cynthia Ward Presents, short story] “Bullard Reflects,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] “Three Bananas,” by Larry Tritten [short story] “Strike,” by Richard Wilson [short story] “Revelations in Black,” by Carl Jacobi [short story]

Here is Black Cat Weekly #61, wrapping up our Halloween celebrations with a delectable assortment of mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural...10 great novels and short stories sure to delight! In this issue are: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “A New Evil,” by H.K. Slade [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Stamp of Approval,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Vicar of Sexton's Deep,” by Mike Adamson [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Butcher,” by Richard S. Prather Broken Waters, by Frank L. Packard [novel] Science Fiction / Fantasy / Supernatural: “Madam Damnable’s Sewing Circle,” by Elizabeth Bear [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Evensong,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “The Mage Snatch,” by Sydney J. Bounds [short story] Troubled Star, by George O. Smith [novel] “The House by the Headland,” by “Sapper” [short story]

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!