Black Cat Weekly #96

William Le Queux, Henry S. Whitehead, Robert E. Howard, Adrian Cole, Hal Charles, Arthur Leo Zagat, Russ Winterbotham, Hirahara Naomi

Summary

Our 96th issue introduces some new contributors to the magazine—Smita Harish Jain (with an original mystery, thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Naomi Hirahara (with a riveting reprint mystery, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman). Also on the mystery front, we have a pair of British classics: a Sexton Blake detective story by Hal Meredith and a novel by William Le Queux.
 
When it comes to fantasy and science fiction, we’ve achieved an appealing balance. Adrian Cole and Henry S. Whitehead deliver two distinctly different nautically-themed stories. Also featured is Robert E. Howard’s eerie tale, “The Dream Snake.” (The Whitehead and Howard pieces originated from Weird Tales, and Cole’s work could easily have found a home within its pages.) Complementing the mix are science fiction stories by Arthur Leo Zagat and Russ Winterbotham, both prolific during the Golden Age.
 
Here’s the complete lineup:
 
Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:
 
“An Honorable Choice,” by Smita Harish Jain [Michael Bracken Presents short story]“The Case of the Taken Trophy,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]“Off the 405,” by Naomi Hirahara [Barb Goffman Presents short story]“The Empty Tin,” by Hal Meredith [short story, Sexton Blake series]The Gamblers, by William Le Queux [novel]
 
Science Fiction & Fantasy:
 
“Running with the Tide,” by Adrian Cole [short story]“Sea Change,” by Henry S. Whitehead [short story]“The Dream Snake,” by Robert E. Howard [short story]“No Escape from Destiny” by Arthur Leo Zagat [novella]The Red Planet, by Russ Winterbotham [novel]

Available since: 07/02/2023.

Print length: 662 pages.

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