Black Cat Weekly #239

This issue, we have another fabulous selection of tales. Highlights on the science fiction side include three Golden Age stories. First, Theodore R. Cogswell’s classic “The Spectre General”—which is one of my favorite stories of all time—turns the Galactic Empire trope on its head. Plus we have more great ’50s science fiction from Michael Shaara (best known for his 1974 novel The Killer Angels about the Battle of Gettysburg, which won a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1975) and Craig Rice (the pseudonym of Georgiana Ann Randolph Craig, who is remembered primarily for her mysteries). And speaking of mysteries, our novel by Sandy Raschke is a mystery-science fiction crossover sure to please fans of both genres. And best-selling author Steve Horton returns to our pages with a touching coming-of-age story.

   Of course, our mystery selection doesn’t slack off, either. We have new tales by Josh Pachter, Michael Bracken (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), and a new case for Velda from Ron Miller. It’s hard to believe, but Ron has written more than 50 Velda short stories—plus a novel—and we’re trying to publish them all!

   Here’s the complete lineup—

Cover Art: Ron Miller

NOVEL

The Maharaja’s Sarpech, by Sandy Raschke

   In 2080, a stolen jewel draws two PIs into danger and buried secrets.

NOVELLA

“The Spectre General,” by Theodore R. Cogswell

   Duty, mystery, and old machines collide on a lost frontier outpost.

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY

“Fatal Strike,” by Hal Charles

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

SHORT STORIES

“Turkish Muscle,” by Josh Pachter

   On a dream tour of Turkey, one traveler becomes too much to bear.

“Death of an April Fool,” by Michael Bracken [Barb Goffman Presents short story]

   A cruel joke at dinner leads to a much darker reckoning by dawn…

“Velda Is Left Holding the Bag,” by Ron Miller [Velda P.I. series]

   A dead wife, a bad alibi, and Velda asking all the wrong questions.

“Forgive the Fortune Teller,” by Larry Hodges

   What if knowing your destiny is the one thing that destroys it?

“The Boy Who Leaped Off the Planet,” by Steve Horton

   A boy in a mask discovers power is stranger than make-believe.

“Four-Billion-Dollar Door,” by Michael Shaara

   Sam devoted his life to being first on the Moon—in one way, he was.

“The Golden Flutterby,” by Craig Rice

   She was magic, meant for love—and strangely marked by fate!