Black Cat Weekly 29

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #29—another fine issue. We have a historical interview with Poul Anderson (originally published in 1976). As Darrell says, his old interviews fall “somewhere between oral history and paleontology.” They are always fascinating. I’ve always said Darrell is one of the best interviewers in the field. For this issue’s mysteries, we have an original tale by Robert Lopresti—Michael Bracken, between his writing and editing our quarterly mystery journal, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, always manages for find something interesting for BCW. Barb Goffman has selected a harder-edged crime story, “Pickup and Delivery,” by Eric Beckstrom. And we have a classic suspense novel from John P. Marquand, creator of Mr. Moto. And no issue is complete without a brain-tickling solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Sweet and Charlie Blythe). Editor Cynthia Ward has selected a cyberpunk story by M. Christian, “Jigō Jitoku,” which is mind-bending fun. plus we have classics by Ray Cummings (Robots!), Malcolm Jameson (a deal-with-the-Devil!), Richard Wilson (classic SF!), and a personal favorite author, Clark Ashton Smith (historical fantasy!). Great reading. Here’s the complete lineup: Non-Fiction: “Speaking with Poul Anderson,” conducted by Darrell Schweitzer [interview] Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Man in the Quarry, by Robert Lopresti [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Surprising Treat,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “Cop Killer,” by James Holding [short story] “Pickup and Delivery,” by Eric Beckstrom [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Black Cargo, by John P. Marquand [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Jigō Jitoku,” by M. Christian [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “The Robot God,” by Ray Cummings [short story] “The Enchantress of Sylaire,” by Clark Ashton Smith [short story] “Blind Alley,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] “The Big Fix!” by Richard Wilson [short story]

In our 89th issue, Michael Bracken pulls double duty to bring a pair of original mysteires to readers: great tales by Steve Liskow and Welsh-Huggins. Plus we have a crime novel by Johnston McCulley (who also created Zorro—but he tried his hand at a bunch of other heroes and antiheroes, among them The Scarlet Scourge, The Avenging Twins, and a ton of others). There’s also a novel by Western author B.M. Bower. Plus a solve-it-yourself mystery by Hal Charles. On the science fiction & fantasy side, we have classic tales by Randall Garrett and Murray Leinster, two favorites. Robert E. Howard (much on my mind since returning from our trip to Robert E. Howard Days in Cross Plains, Texas) has a Solomon Kane adventure. And last (but far from least) we begin the serialization of Darrell Schweitzer’s amazing Sekenre: The Book of the Sorcerer, a series of linked short stories that come together to form a novel…though each tale also manages to stand on its own. The first 3 stories are in this issue. Here’s this issue’s complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Nose for News,” by Steve Liskow [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Case of the Burgled Bushels,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Supply Chains,” by Andrew Welsh-Huggins [Michael Bracken Presents short story] The Voice at Johnnywater, by B.M. Bower [novel] The Scarlet Scourge, by Johnston McCulley [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Needler,” by Randall Garrett [novella] “Rattle of Bones,” by Robert E. Howard [short story] “Ribbon in the Sky,” by Murray Leinster [novella] Sekenre: The Book of the Sorcerer, by Darrell Schwetizer [serial book, part 1 of 4]

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly. Our 107th issue has everything you could possibly want: police detectives, spacemen, cats, boy detectives, a man (literally) fighting cancer, an abandonned mill chimney, murder in space…. I could go on and on, but that would take all the fun out of it for you! Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Up In Smoke,” by Gregory Meece [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Point Taken” by Hal Charles [short story] “Method for Murder,” by Michael Mallory [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Blue Line,” by Hal Meredith [short story] The Mystery Hunters at the Haunted Lodge, by Capwell Wyckoff [novel] “Earth Transit,” by Charles L. Fontenay [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Carcinoma Angels,” by Norman Spinrad [short story] “No Heaven Will Not Ever Heaven Be…,” by A.R. Morlan [short story] “Earth Transit,” by Charles L. Fontenay [short story] “Deadline,” by Walter L. Kleine [short story] “Rockabye, Grady,” by David Mason [short story]

This is a special issue—our 50th, as you may have noticed from our cover. To celebrate, all past and present editors were to contribute a story. (It helps that they are also amazingly talented writers.) So we have stories from Michael Bracken, Barb Goffman, Paul Di Filippo, Darrell Schweitzer, and Cynthia Ward in addition to our other fare. But wait! There’s more! This issue features four original tales—Elizabeth Zelvin has a fantasy/mystery stories, Phyllis Ann Karr has a weird western, and Cynthia Ward has a gonzo science fiction crowd-funding story. And I have completed a story by the late H.B. Fyfe, who was best known for his science fiction stories, though this one is a revenge tale that most closely fits the mystery genre. And the good stuff doesn’t stop there. We also have a superhero story from Darrell Schweitzer. Space Opera from Algis Budrys and E.E. “Doc” Smith. A historical mystery novel by western author B.M. Bower. A historical investigation from Charles Todd. A Mallworld story from Somtow Sucharitkul (who also writes as S.P. Somtow). And no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself mystery by Hal Charles. All in all, this is an probably our best Black Cat Weekly yet. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Ladies of Wednesday Tea” by Michael Bracken [short story] “Hidden in Plain Sight” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Ice Ice Baby” by Barb Goffman [short story] “Flayed” by H.B. Fyfe and John Gregory Betancourt [short story] “Blood Money” by Charles Todd [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The House of Marble” by Elizabeth Zelvin [Michael Bracken Presents short story] The Eagle’s Wing, by B.M. Bower [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The House of Marble” by Elizabeth Zelvin [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Rise and Fall of Whistle-Pig City” by Paul Di Filippo [short story] “Rabid in Mallworld” by Somtow Sucharitkul [short story] “Fighting the Zeppelin Gang” by Darrell Schweitzer [short story] “Winona of Bleeding Kansas” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] “The Campaign Is Now Officially Complete” by Cynthia Ward [short story] “Blood on my Jets” by Algis Budrys [short story] The Skylark of Valeron, by Edward E. Smith, Ph.D. [novel]

For our 106th issue, we seem to have developed a television theme, with a pair of great speculative fiction stories about TV: Norman Spinrad’s “Prime Time” and Henry Slesar’s “The Show Must Go On.” Spinrad’s tale is a look at a future where people can retire to relive television. And Slesar’s is a darkly cynical look behind the curtain of television production. Jack Vance, H.B. Fyfe, and Joseph Payne Brennan round out our SF and fantasy contributors this issue. “Prime Time,” incidentally, is Norman Spinrad’s fiction debut in Black Cat Weekly, and it won’t be his last story for us. He kindly went through his short fiction and selected 10 favorite stories for us to reprint in coming issues, so you’re in for a real treat. And speaking of treats, our editors are already working on some special Halloween surprises for October. I know you’ll be thoroughly spooked by some of them. Something to look forward to, as we approach my favorite holiday season. (There’s a reason we have a black cat for a mascot.) Our novel this issue is a mystery: Scarhaven Keep, by Golden Age British author J.S. Fletcher. Also in mysteries, we have an original from Nikki Knight (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) and a terrific crime story by Brendan DuBois, who remains a mainstay of short mystery fiction. Of course, no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself short from Hal Charles. Great stuff indeed. Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The New York Goodbye,” by Nikki Knight [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Last Shot,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Road’s End,” by Brendan DuBois [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Scarhaven Keep, by J.S. Fletcher [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Prime Time,” by Norman Spinrad [short story] “The Show Must Go On,” by Henry Slesar [short story] “The Visitor in the Vault,” by Joseph Payne Brennan [short story] “The Night of No Moon,” by H.B. Fyfe [short story] “The Men Return,” by Jack Vance [short story]

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Crow’s Nest,” by John M. Floyd [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Whom Do You Trust?” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “Winter’s Journey,” by R.J. Koreto [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Smoke of the .45, by Harry Sinclair Drago [novel] A Certain Dr. Thorndyke, by R. Austin Freeman [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “All in the Golden Afternoon,” by Marilyn “Mattie” Brahen [short story] “Doubled in Brass,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “The Admiral’s Walk,” by Sam Merwin [short story] “Simple Psiman,” by F.L. Wallace [short story] “Siren Satellite,” by Arthur K. Barnes [novella]

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 mystery selections kick off with “A Matter of Trust,” N.M. Cedeño’s tale of a genetic genealogy detective trying to prove an illegitimate child’s claim to a family trust. Thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken for this one. And Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has a Halloween-appropriate tale in “Grimalkin,” by Mark Thielman, in which a cat may be more than it seems. We also have fantasist Phyllis Ann Karr’s first sale—which turns out to be a mystery!—and a novel by British master J.S. Fletcher. And, of course, no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. Continueing our seasonal celebration of all things Halloween, we have a pair of dark delights—tales by Adrian Cole and me. Have some ghoulish shivers on us! For lovers of science fiction, we have a terrific recent tale by Norman Spinrad, plus classics by Charles V. De Vet and Lester del Rey. Great stuff. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “A Matter of Trust,” by N.M. Cedeño [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “The Case of the Munificent Musketeer,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Grimalkin,” by Mark Thielman [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “An Economical Means of Murder,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] The Herapath Property, by J.S. Fletcher [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “In the Court of the Pumpkin King,” by Adrian Cole [short story, Nick Nightmare series] “Sand,” by John Gregory Betancourt [short story, SCP series] “Quarantine,” by Norman Spinrad [short story] “Survival Factor,” by Charles V. De Vet [short story] “The Band Played On,” by Lester del Rey [novelet]