Black Cat Weekly #254

Issue #254 falls solidly into the “great read” category: New tales by Tom Milani (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), Paula Messina, Viviana De Cecco, Kevin R. Tipple, R.L. Farr, and of course Ron Miller (with a new Velda, P.I. story), plus an original solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles are the core. But we also have classic shorts from Lester del Rey, Joseph J. Millard, and Evelyn Goldstein—plus a rare Golden Age mystery from British master J.S. Fletcher.

Here’s the complete lineup—

Cover Art: Ron Miller

NOVEL

Cobweb Castle, by J.S. Fletcher

A classic Golden Age mystery novel from a master!

NOVELETS

“Margarine of Error”, by Ron Miller [Velda, P.I. series]

Can Velda crack a kidnapping before the butter bill comes up for a vote?

“The Seat of Judgment”, by Lester del Rey

A dying empire meets a miracle it cannot afford to believe in...

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY

“Foul or Fair?” by Hal Charles

Can you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there!

SHORT STORIES

“Andrea Gutiérrez”, by Tom Milani [Michael Bracken Presents]

A camera, a guilty teenager, and a favor that may cost far too much…

“A Little Help”, by Paula Messina

Batting practice can wait when trouble follows a crying child home.

“For No Apparent Reason”, by Viviana De Cecco

A dead surfer, a silent beach, and a clue written on bare skin…

“A Plan Comes Together”, by Kevin R. Tipple

Two detectives want answers. One old widower has questions.

“The Portland Musicians”, by R.L. Farr

Three obsolete machines set out for Portland, sirens at the ready.

“Mister John Doe, Earthman”, by Joseph J. Millard

An amnesiac from the stars holds Earth’s fate in his lost memory.

“Man’s Castle”, by Evelyn Goldstein

His home was his castle—until mankind offered him a crown…