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]