Black Cat Weekly 132

You’re in for a mystery treat this time, with the first Honey West novel. (If you’re not familiar with Honey, she debuted in 1957—and created quite a stir as the first woman detective in a field dominated by hardboiled males. See my long intro directly before the book for a complete dossier on Honey.) Plus this issue we have an original tale from Nikki Knight (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), a great tale by David Dean (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), and the first Gabriel Gale mystery by G.K. Chesterton. And, of course, a solve-it-yourself puzzler from the always-clever brains of Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet). On the science fiction and fantasy side, we have a whopper of a fish tale from Carl Jacobi, military sci-fi from J.F. Bone, a fiendish alien plot from H.B. Fyfe, a tale of telepresence space exploration gone wrong from Daniel F. Galouye, and a short pulp novel from Milton Lesser (Stephen Marlowe). Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Never Know What You’ll Hear,” by Nikki Knight [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Who Spoiledapple Cider Days,” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Mariel,” by David Dean [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Fantastic Friends,” by G.K. Chesterton [short story, Gabriel Gale series] This Girl for Hire, by G.G. Fickling [novel, Honey West series] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Carnaby’s Fish,” by Carl Jacobi [short story] “Weapon,” by J.F. Bone [short story] “The Klygha,” by H.B. Fyfe [short story] “Reign of the Telepuppets,” by Daniel F. Galouye [short novel] Son of the Black Chalice, by Milton Lesser [short 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 84th issue features a pair of original mysteries from Bev Vincent and Stacy Woodson. Plus we have a Bryce Walton Hollywood crime story and a Frank Kane mystery novel (featuring detecive Johnny Liddell). And, of course, a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. On the science fiction side, we have an anti-war story from Richard Wilson, a UFO story from Paul Torak, a rather silly science fiction/detective story from Noel Loomis, and a time-travel tale from Lester del Rey. Plus a pre-Golden Age science fiction novel from oldtime master Ray Cummings: The Man on the Meteor, which appeared in Science and Invention in 1924, two years before Amazing Stories and the genre of science fiction were launched! Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The River Heights Ripper,” by Bev Vincent [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Jellybean Justice,” Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Before the Highwaymen,” by Stacy Woodson [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Actor’s Showcase,” by Bryce Walton [short story] Crime of Their Life, by Frank Kane [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Day They Had a War,” by Richard Wilson [short story] “Flight 18,” by Paul A. Torak [short story] “Remember the 4th!,” by Noel Loomis [short story] “Absolutely No Paradox,” by Lester del Rey [short story] The Man on the Meteor, by Ray Cummings [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #83 has something for everyone -- modern and classic mysteries? Check! Science fiction? Check! Fantasy? Check! Even a crime tale set in the Old West! Novels, short stories, series tales featuring such great characters as master detective Nick Carter, western hero Hashknife Hartley, and sword & sorcery team Frostflower and Thorn are ien this issue. One of our best! Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Lucky Day” by Bruce D. Arthurs [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Grand Larceny at the Grand Prix” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “How Does He Die This Time?,” by Nancy Novick [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Blood Will Tell, by Nicholas Carter [Nick Carter series, novel] Hidden Blood, by W.C. Tuttle [Hashknife Hartley series, novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Truth About the Lady of the Lake,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [Frostflower & Thorn series, short story] “Time for Survival,” by George O. Smith [short story] “Nobody Saw the Ship” by Murray Leinster [short story] “Momentum,” by Charles Dye [short story] Convoy to Atlantis, by William P. McGivern [novel]

Black Cat Weekly #82 has another great set of new and classic mysteries & science fiction. Here's the lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Mobster Serendipity,” by Dave Zeltserman [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Disappearing Gem Caper,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Bygones,” by Wayne J. Gardiner [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Clue of the Dead Hand,” by Dick Donovan [novelet] The Texican, by Dane Coolidge [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Robber Girl, the Strangers, and Ole Lukoie,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [Frostflower & Thorn series short story] “Chameleon Man,” by Henry Kuttner [short story] “Sibling,” by Leslie Waltham [short story] “Imitation of Death,” by Lester del Rey [short story] The Starmen, by Leigh Brackett [novel]

Joe Kubert is one of the great comic book artists. His career literally traverses the history of comics, beginning in 1938 when he became a professional at age 12, to today as one of the greatest draftsmen working in the field. Kubert is known and respected as much for his sinewy, passionate drawing as he is for his consummate storytelling skills. Over his 70-year career in comics, he has worked as an artist, an editor, a publisher, an entrepreneur, and a cartooning auteur. The Art of Joe Kubert is a deluxe, full-color book that honors this legendary creator with beautifully reproduced artwork from every phase of his career as well as critical commentary by the book’s editor, comics historian and Kubert biographer Bill Schelly.

Black Cat Weekly #86 features 3 original stories: a sequel to Edgar Allen Poe's "The Casque of Amontillado" by Phyllis Ann Karr, and mysteries by K.L. Abrahamson and Andrew Welsh-Huggins. Plus series stories from Robert E. Howard (Solomon Kane) and Hal Meredith (Sexton Blake). Plus novels from Zenith Brown (writing as David Frome) and Edgar Rice Burroughs (a "Lost World" tale).. Plus tales by Bryce Walton and George O. Smith. Plus a solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles. Hours of great reading! Here’s this issue’s complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Girls of Soi Eleven,” by K.L. Abrahamson [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Steering Clear of Trouble” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Habits” by Andrew Welsh-Huggins [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Poker-Work” by Hal Meredith [short story, Sexton Blake series] In At the Death by Zenith Brown [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Revenge of Fortunato” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] "Earth Needs a Killer," by Bryce Walton [short novel] “Dark Recess” by George O. Smith [short novel] “Red Shadows” by Robert E. Howard [short novel, Solomon Kane series] The Land of Hidden Men, by Edgar Rice Burroughs [novel]

Area 51's most important military aviation developments are profiled in an illustrated format. When most of us think of Area 51, we think of aliens, UFOs, and controversial government cover-ups. It's easy to forget that, since the mid-1950s, the United States' famed extension of Edwards Air Force Base has served as a top-secret CIA testing ground for many of the most groundbreaking advancements in American military aviation technology. In Area 51 - Black Jets, author and military historian Bill Yenne offers the first fully illustrated chronology of Area 51's most famous aircraft projects, including Lockheed's U-2 "Dragon Lady" and SR-71 "Blackbird" reconnaissance planes, drones ranging from the early Lockheed D-21 to the modern-day General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, and the famous F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter produced by the Have Blue program during the 1970s. Each project is given its own fascinating chapter illuminating the aircraft's development at this famed location. But beyond the aircraft themselves, Area 51 - Black Jets also covers a handful of the many classified experimental programs carried out at Area 51 over the years, such as Have Doughnut, Have Ferry, and Have Drill - secret undertakings that successfully reverse-engineered such enemy aircraft as the Russian MiG during the Cold War. Presented in beautiful hardcover format and illustrated with historic color and black-and-white photographs, diagrams, and maps, this book reveals Area 51 for what it truly is: a clandestine area for the United States' most cutting-edge technological innovators in military aviation.