Black Cat Weekly #98 features 10 short stories and a novel. This time, we have five mysteries (including a terrific original by Adam Meyer, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), modern tales by Dharma Kelleher (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) and Jack Halliday, plus a classic by Frank Gruber, who was a prolific pulp writer and novelist. Gruber's story of a dance-hall clip-joint provides a window into a long-gone era. And of course, no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself mystery.
On the more science fiction and fantasy side, we have a sword-and-sorcery tale by Phyllis Ann Karr (set in her Frosterflower and Thorn universe), a dark fantasy by horror master Joseph Payne Brennan, a time-travel tale by Robert Abernathy, and classic science fiction by Philip Jose Farmer ('Daughter' is a followup to his classic tale, 'Mother') and John W. Campbell (the tale of grim survival on the moon, The Moon Is Hell.)
And for Western fans, we have a classic tale by Alan Le May. Great stuff!
Here's the complete lineup:
Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:
'Stacy's Mom,' by Adam Meyer [Michael Bracken Presents short story] 'The Games Gang Rides Again,' Hal Charlies [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] 'Kissing Asphalt,' by Dharma Kelleher [Barb Goffman Presents short story] 'Great Caesar's Ghost!' by Jack Halliday [short story] 'Clip-Joint Adventures,' by Frank Gruber [short story] 'The Bells of San Juan,' by Alan Le May [short story]
Science Fiction& Fantasy:
'Sorcery and Sacrilege,' by Phyllis Ann Karr [short story] 'The Midnight Bus,' by Joseph Payne Brennan [short story] 'Daughter,' by Philip Jose Farmer [short story] 'Stopwatch on the World,' by Robert Abernathy [novelet] The Moon Is Hell, by John W. Campbell [novel] |