Black Cat Weekly #252

This issue is tons of fun (we weighed it), and we’re delighted to have both Acquiring Editors Barb Goffman and Michael Bracken back with new stories (from short story masters John M. Floyd and Mark Thielman). Plus, we have originals from Ron Miller (a new Velda story!), Tim Wright, Stephanie Bedwell-Grime, Peter Darbyshire, and Stephen W. Chappell. Even better, we have rare tales by fantasy & science fiction greats Harry Harrison, Madeleine L’Engle, and Howard Fast. And, of course, we have another solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. Who could want more?

Here’s the complete lineup—

Cover Art: Ron Miller

NOVEL

Marivosa, by Baroness Orczy

An inheritance lost, a jungle cult, and a love worth risking all!

NOVELLA

“Poor Little Saturday”, by Madeleine L’Engle

A boy’s secret visits awaken old magic in a haunted Southern house.

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY

“The Feint on the Fourth Mystery”, by Hal Charles

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

SHORT STORIES

“Ship Island”, by John M. Floyd [Michael Bracken Presents]

Can two friends outwit the thieves chasing forgotten Civil War gold?

“An Alien Idea”, by Mark Thielman [Barb Goffman Presents]

A hustler’s fake alien encounter turns into a Roswell payday.

“Firebug”, by Tim Wright

A garage fire, a broke owner, and a clue that burns far too hot…

“Murder First Draft”, by Stephanie Bedwell-Grime

At her first mystery con, Sammy finds a corpse—and very real trouble.

“Velda on the Air”, by Ron Miller [Velda, P.I. series]

Who killed the actress playing Velda during a live radio broadcast?

“The Secret Library of Hell”, by Peter Darbyshire

A forbidden mystery in Heaven leads Molox into Hell’s secret library…

“Ambush on the Holloway”, by Stephen W. Chappell

A false ambush turns old loyalties and darker magic against Fair Haven.

“The Robots Strike”, by Harry Harrison

More than mere machines, they could reason. And plan…

“The Large Ant”, by Howard Fast

A strange visitor tests the oldest violent habit of the human race.