Black Cat Weekly #224

We have another top-notch issue this time, with stories from returning reader favorites John M. Floyd, Hal Charles, and Michael Bracken, plus more new Christmas tales from Anne Swardson and Shari Held, and a fun original mystery from Lois Metzger. Our novel is by the British master William Le Queux, and we have classic reprints from Philip E. High and Thomas Barclay Thomson.

   Here’s the complete lineup—

Cover Art: Ron Miller

NOVEL

  Fatal Fingers, by William Le Queux

   A mysterious death, a baffling clue, and a killer with fatal fingers.

NOVELLA

  “Assassin in Hiding,” by Philip E. High

   They hunted him for a secret he didn’t know he had. Then he remembered…

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY

  “Saving Christmas Eve,” by Hal Charles

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

SHORT STORIES

  “Eight in the Corner,” by John M. Floyd [Michael Bracken Presents short story]

   One shot to win it all…if Billy has the nerve to take the cue!

  “Blow Dry,” by Lois Metzger

   A blow dry, a little gossip, and a dark murder mystery unfold…

  “A Watch for Christmas,” by Anne Swardson

   Coffee grounds, eggshells…and a severed hand with a luxury watch.

  “Field of Bodies,” by Michael Bracken

   Finding the bodies was bad enough. Finding the witness changed it all.

  “The Fall of Athena,” by Hal Charles

   Eight dead in a barbershop. Who—or what—is the Mountain Mafia?

  “Mountain Killers,” by Thomas Barclay Thomson

   Lying in wait for his brother’s murderer, Olaf Swensen plans justice.

  “The Last Noel,” by Shari Held

   Santa’s elves want to unionize. Can Santa save Christmas?

  “The God You Save May Be Your Own,” by Michael Thomas Ford

   The city has a deal with an Old God. With the mayor dead, is the deal off?