Black Cat Weekly #232

This issue, we have a pair of Valentine’s Day mysteries from John M. Floyd (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) and Hal Charles to set you in the murderous…er, romantic?…mood. In fact, we have a lot of mysteries, including new tales from Steve Liskow (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), Amritendu Mukherjee, and Nick Guthrie, plus classics from one of our favorites, Anonymous (with another Sheerluck Bones tale), and Ray Cummings. Arthur T. Harris’s story is both mystery and weird fiction. For pure science fiction and fantasy, check out the contributions from Joe Pitkin and Philip E. High. Plus we have a rare Victorian ghost story from Lurana W. Sheldon. Our novelet is a historical adventure with mystery elements by W.C. Tuttle. (Okay, you caught me—it’s a western! But Tuttle is always a fun writer. You’ll like it.)

   Here’s the complete lineup—

Cover Art: Steve Hickman

NOVELET

“The Curse of the Painted Cliffs,” by W.C. Tuttle

   In the Mojave heat, trust breaks fast—and payback rides in silence.

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY

“A Violent Valentine,” by Hal Charles

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

SHORT STORIES

“See That My Grave Is Kept Clean,” by Steve Liskow [Michael Bracken Presents short story]

   A hero’s burial turns ugly, and a sergeant digs for the truth.

“Vanity Case,” by John M. Floyd [Barb Goffman Presents short story]

   A Valentine’s Day burglary sparks a smart, small-town chase.

“In the Subway,” by Anonymous [Sheerluck Bones series]

   Who’s the shouting man—and why is he shouting?

“The Hidden Hand,” by Dr. Amritendu Mukherjee

   A clinic visit turns deadly—and logic must untangle the truth.

“Wrong Notes,” by Nick Guthrie

   A retired cop is killed; his missing girlfriend becomes the puzzle.

“Oh, Gargie!” by Ray Cummings

   Monkeys and mayhem always seem to go hand-in-paw…

“Dryad,” by Joe Pitkin

   In the Great Barbary Wood, magic answers with dread and hard choices.

“Time Bomb,” by Philip E. High

   Martian threats, human fear—one countdown could crack a dictator.

“Eau de Morgue,” by Arthur T. Harris

   A vial of bath salts and a vanishing Duchess: logic goes down the drain!

“The Ghost and the Jewels,” by Lurana W. Sheldon

   A phantom bride dances in a house that shouldn’t exist…