Black Cat Weekly #263

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly.

We’ve had several readers write in to say they’d like more stories from one or another writer, and I’m delighted to say a couple of them are going to be happy this issue, as Teel James Glenn is one of the most-mentioned favorites. (And I must admit I’m a fan, too.) In fact, I can safely say I’m a fan of all the authors in this issue, from first-timers in our pages (like Wei Bo) to returning talents like Amritendu Mukherjee, Tom Larsen, Marcelle Dubé, Bud Pharo, and of course Hal Charles (with another solve-it-yourself puzzler).

It’s always fun to pick out reprints, too—I think it’s fair to say I’ve read more short fiction than most people, and there are always short stories I like to share. This time, we have a mystery by short story master James Holding (he published more than 500 in leading mystery magazines!), plus pulp science fiction from Winston K. Marks and Dave Dryfoos. Good stuff. 

Here’s the complete lineup—

Cover Art: Stephen Hickman

NOVELLA

“Death Knocks the Door,” by Amritendu Mukherjee

The murder seems open-and-shut until one small detail changes everything.

NOVELET

“The Universe in a Strand of Cat Hair,” by Wei Bo

When every coin lands on heads, is Chance playing fair?

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY

“Payback,” by Hal Charles

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

SHORT STORIES

“Murder at the Sleazy Eight Motel,” by Tom Larsen

A motel murder tempts an old surveillance hand back into the game.

“The Raven Messenger,” by Teel James Glenn [The Raven series]

When a millionaire’s wife vanishes, the Raven takes the case.

“Mother of Mercy,” by Marcelle Dubé

When a jury says guilty, who decides whether justice means mercy?

“Your Money or Your Life,” by James Holding

Two broke drinkers get an offer that turns their bad night deadly.

“That Which Makes Us Human,” by Bud Pharo

Can a synthetic learn what it truly means to be human on the Moon?

“Fish Talk,” by Winston K. Marks

One invention could change fishing forever—if the fish will cooperate.

“Blunder Enlightening,” by Dave Dryfoos

Why do Altair 3’s strange natives refuse to acknowledge Sam at all?

Until next time, happy reading!

—John Betancourt

Editor, Black Cat Weekly