Black Cat Weekly #21

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]