I mentioned to BCW's acquiring editor Michael Bracken that I was enjoying the mystery/science fiction crossover stories he had been selecting for BCW, many of them originals, and he confessed to challenging writers to come up with stories that mixed the two genres. I thought, Aha! So that’s where they have all been coming from! It’s a Good Thing in my opinion. And this issue we have another one—“For Blood,” by Eve Fisher, which works well as both science fiction and mystery. Another of our acquiring editors, Barb Goffman, was nominated for not one, but two Agatha Awards at the Malice Domestic mystery convention last weekend. It’s hard to win when you have two stories up at the same time in the same category, as she did. I kept my fingers crossed for a tie, so she’d have two Agatha Awards this year, but it wasn’t to be. Next year! The good news is, she affirmed her enthusiasm for editing for BCW, and this issue she has yet another great mystery story: “Death of a Bible Salesman,” by Sarah R. Shaber (who I suspect of watching Paper Moon in part for her inspiration. I have a fondness for stories about grifters and conmen.) And speaking of conmen, we have another rare tale by Christopher B. Booth featuring conman deluxe Mr. Amos Clackworthy. Plus mysteries by Hulbert Footner and Hal Charles (a solve-it-yourself puzzler). Plus a historical adventure by western author W.C. Tuttle. On the science fiction front, we have Darrell Schweitzer’s 1979 interview with Fred Saberhagen. If you’re a fan of his Berserker series, there’s a lot here about it. Michael Swanwick returns to our pages with “The House of Dreams,” a fantasy tale selected by Cynthia Ward. Plus we have classics by Malcolm Jameson and Lester del Rey (both from the Golden Age of Astounding Science Fiction) plus a dark science fiction tale by Henry Kuttner from Weird Tales. This issue also has the final 3 episodes of Mel Gilden’s novel, The Case by Case Casebook of Emily Silverwood. Great Fun. Here’s the lineup: Non-Fiction: Speaking with Fred Saberhagen, an Interview by Darrell Schweitzer [interview] Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: For Blood, by Eve Fisher [Michael Bracken Presents short story] Booked For Murder, by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] Death of a Bible Salesman, by Sarah R. Shaber [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Case of Luke Darrow, by Hulbert Footner [novel] When Mr. Clackworthy Needed a Bracer, by Christopher B. Booth [novelette] Cinders, by W.C. Tuttle [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: For Blood, by Eve Fisher [Michael Bracken Presents short story] The House of Dreams, by Michael Swanwick [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] Tricky Tonnage, by Malcolm Jameson [short story] Raider of the Spaceways, by Henry Kuttner [novelette] The Renegade, by Lester del Rey [short story] The Case by Case Casebook of Emily Silverwood, by Mel Gilden (Part 4 of 4) [Serial Novel]

Finally, it’s October! Home to our favorite holiday—Halloween. The origins of Halloween trace back to ancient Celtic harvest festivals, linking it to themes of change and transition that often elements of the fantastic. Darkness falls, boundaries dissolve, and our imaginations open to infinite possibilities. For authors of fantasy and horror, the imagery and symbolism of Halloween fuels imagination and storytelling around our deepest fears and fascinations. The holiday has cemented itself as a staple in the literary tradition of the fantastic. Here be ghosts, monsters, witches, and everything dark and diabolical. It provides the perfect setting for classic stories. What would the season be without Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Rats in the Walls,” Ray Bradbury’s “The October Game,” and and so many others? Not to mention Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and practically everything Stephen King has ever written. You’ll find more than a few seasonally appropraite tricks and treats in this month’s pages. Here’s the lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Behind Blue Eyes,” by Robby Robinson [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Case of the Fit Felon,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “A Rat’s Tale,” by Donna Andrews [short story] “On His Majesty’s Service,” by Hal Meredith [short story, Sexton Blake series] The Clue of the New Pin, by Edgar Wallace [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Mad Evren’s Dreams,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] “No Other God But Me,” by Adrian Cole [short story] “In the Very Stones,” by Joseph Payne Brennan [short story] “You Can’t Scare Me!” by Charles F. Myers [short story, Pillsworth & Toffee series] “To Make a Hero,” by Randall Garrett [novella]

For mystery readers, Michael Bracken brings us an original tale by Eve Fisher—“The Ghost of Eros” features art crime of a most creative sort. Barb Goffman’s presents an action-packed tale by David Hagerty. “A Photo’s Worth” features an actress, a paparazzo, San Francisco, and scancal—a great read. Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet) brings us another solve-it-yourself mystery. And we have a classic mystery featuring Madame Storey from Hulbert Footner, and a British suspense novel by Edgar Wallace. Science fiction and fantasy fans will enjoy a 1950 short novel from Murray Leinster, a classic space opera. Leinster was one of the greats of the science fiction field. He published more than a thousand stories over a distinguished six-decade career. “Planet of the Small Men” is pulp adventure in grand space opera tradition—and one I wish had been expanded to novel length. It’s from Thrilling Wonder Stories, and I don’t believe it’s ever been reprinted. Plus we have dark fantasy stories by Tom Marcinko (Cynthia Ward’s selection this issue) and Larry Tritten (whose work we’ve been running regularly—a real change of pace for him). Plus classics by Malcolm Jameson and Lester del Rey. Here’s the complete lineup: Mystery / Suspense: “The Ghost Of Eros,” by Eve Fisher [short story] “The Pilfered Pictogram,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “A Photo’s Worth,” by David Hagerty [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Almost Perfect Murder, by Hulbert Footner [short novel] The Strange Countess, by Edgar Wallace [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Temperance,” by Tom Marcinko [short story] “Africa Screams, ” by Larry Tritten [short story] “Brimstone Bill,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] “Dark Mission,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “Planet of the Small Men,” by Murray Leinster [short novel]

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #49. This is another strong issue, and we lead off with an original tale by celebrated mystery author Brendan Dubois (courtesy of acquiring editor Michael Bracken). We also have a powerful crime story by Y.S. Lee (courtsey of acquiring editor Barb Goffman), and a pair of novels by Edgar Wallace and Nicholas Carter. And, of course, no issue would be complete without a solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles. On the science fiction side, acquiring editor Cynthia Ward has selected a great story by Linda D. Addison—plus we have more from George O. Smith, Poul Anderson, C. Shook, and Robert Moore Williams. Good stuff! Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Obsession” by Brendan DuBois “Ghost of a Chance” by Hal Charles “In Plain Sight” by Y. S. Lee The Fellowship of the Frog, by Edgar Wallace Driven from Cover, by Nicholas Carter Science Fiction / Fantasy: “The Power” by Linda D. Addison “Rat Race,” by George O. Smith “The Temple of Earth, ” by Poul Anderson “The Band Played On,” by C. Shook “The Impossible Invention” by Robert Moore Williams

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]

Black Cat Weekly #4 presents more tales of the mysterious and fantastic—4 mystery short stories (including a Derringer Award-winner), a mystery novel, 2 science fiction short stories, a fantasy story, plus a science fiction novel. Here are: THE HAMMERING MAN by Edwin Balmer and William MacHarg [mystery short] [Luther Trant series] FLOORED, by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery short] TWILIGHT LADIES, by Meg Opperman [mystery short] [Derringer Award Winner] WEST OF QUARANTINE, by Todhunter Ballard [western/mystery novel] THE BROTHERS OF THE LEFT HAND PATH, by Frank Lovell Nelson [mystery short] [Carlton Clarke series] THE HERPLE IS A HAPPY BEAST, by Paul Di Filippo [science fiction short] THE POWER OF WAKING, by Nina Kiriki Hoffman [fantasy short] THE KEEPERS OF THE HOUSE, by Lester del Rey [science fiction short] ANDROMEDA GUN, by John Boyd [science fiction novel]