Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #29—another fine issue. We have a historical interview with Poul Anderson (originally published in 1976). As Darrell says, his old interviews fall “somewhere between oral history and paleontology.” They are always fascinating. I’ve always said Darrell is one of the best interviewers in the field.

For this issue’s mysteries, we have an original tale by Robert Lopresti—Michael Bracken, between his writing and editing our quarterly mystery journal, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, always manages for find something interesting for BCW. Barb Goffman has selected a harder-edged crime story, “Pickup and Delivery,” by Eric Beckstrom. And we have a classic suspense novel from John P. Marquand, creator of Mr. Moto. And no issue is complete without a brain-tickling solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Sweet and Charlie Blythe).

Editor Cynthia Ward has selected a cyberpunk story by M. Christian, “Jigō Jitoku,” which is mind-bending fun. plus we have classics by Ray Cummings (Robots!), Malcolm Jameson (a deal-with-the-Devil!), Richard Wilson (classic SF!), and a personal favorite author, Clark Ashton Smith (historical fantasy!). Great reading.

Here’s the complete lineup:

Non-Fiction:

“Speaking with Poul Anderson,” conducted by Darrell Schweitzer [interview]

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

“The Man in the Quarry, by Robert Lopresti [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
“A Surprising Treat,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery]
“Cop Killer,” by James Holding [short story]
“Pickup and Delivery,” by Eric Beckstrom [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
The Black Cargo, by John P. Marquand [novel]

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

“Jigō Jitoku,” by M. Christian [Cynthia Ward Presents short story]
“The Robot God,” by Ray Cummings [short story]
“The Enchantress of Sylaire,” by Clark Ashton Smith [short story]
“Blind Alley,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story]
“The Big Fix!” by Richard Wilson [short story]

Eric Beckstrom

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