Black Cat Weekly #140

This time, we have a pair of original mysteries—tales by Steve Liskow (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and M.A. Blume, plus a terrific tale by Steve Hockensmith (which typography nuts like me will enjoy, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman). The mystery novel is by Avery Gaul, and of course we have a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles.

   On the science fiction side, we have a novel by Golden Age author Arthur Leo Zagat, an early—and quite silly—fantasy from Harlan Ellison, space opera from Edmond Hamilton, and straight-up SF tales from John Victor Peterson and Manly Bannister. Lots of fun.

   Here’s the lineup:

Cover: Ron Miller

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

• “The Grifted Age” by Steve Liskow [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
• “Deadly Reunion” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]
• “i” by Steve Hockensmith [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
• “Pretty Is As Pretty Does,” by M.A. Blume [short story]
• Five Nights at the Five Pines, by Avery Gaul [novel]

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

• “Classified Object,” by John Victor Peterson [short story]
• “The Annals of Aardvark,” by Harlan Ellison [short story]
• “The Great Illusion,” by Manly Bannister [short story]
• “The Star-Stealers,” by Edmond Hamilton [short story]
• The Two Moons of Tranquillia, by Arthur Leo Zagat [novel]