Black Cat Weekly #21

THE CAT’S MEOW

THE CAT’S MEOW

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #21. This is another issue where new changes should be evident. The slugline on the cover has changed slightly (from “Mysteries and Science Fiction in Every Issue” to “Mystery · Science Fiction · Fantasy · Adventure”), which represents a slightly broader shift in content (at least as far as the cover is concerned.) And I’ve finished tinkering with the format of the internal artwork.

As for the content, I licensed a 1950 short novel from Murray Leinster’s agents (his real name: William F. Jenkins) for our readers. 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.

We have a few 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). Plus classic science fiction by Malcolm Jameson and Lester del Rey.

Michael Bracken brings us an original mystery 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 scandal—a great read. Barb Goffman’s mystery choices never fail to please, and “A Photo’s Worth,” by David Hagerty is no exception. Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet) brings us another solve-it-yourself mystery. And we have a classic short novel featuring Madame Storey from Hulbert Footner, plus a rare British suspense novel by Edgar Wallace.

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]

Until next time, happy reading!

—John Betancourt

Editor, Black Cat Weekly