Tamara Richardson is a late twenty-first century homicide detective in the twilight of an unimpressive career. When an old friend asks her to investigate the missing tenant families of his rooming house, she finds a darkness lurking in the wretched slums of her city beyond anything she’s encountered before. It is the start of a new path for the detective and with a bit of luck, she might survive the encounter with her sanity intact.

Another week, another great issue—this time featuring terrific originals from H.K. Slade (part of his Friday Hampton/Ambrose Broyhill series, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Ken Foxe (a crime story set at rival coffee shops). And we have modern tales by Susan Dunlap (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), Janet Fox (a sword and sorcery tale featuring her master thief, Jaquerel), and John S. Glasby (dark fantasy from a British master). For our mystery novel, we have Natalie Sumner Lincoln’s classic The Moving Finger. Rounding things out, we have classic science fiction from Nelson S. Bond, Marcia Kamien, and Carl Jacobi. Of course, no issue would be compelte without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. Here's the lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Rough Morning,” by H.K. Slade [Michael Bracken Presents short story, Friday Hampton/Ambrose Broyhill series] “The Three Quarters Clue,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “A Day at the Beach,” by Susan Dunlap [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Muffins and Malice,” by Ken Foxe [short story] The Moving Finger, by Natalie Sumner Lincoln [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “How Jaquerel Fell Prey to Ankarrah,” by Janet Fox [short story, Jaquerel series] “Solitude,” by John S. Glasby [short story] “The Ordeal of Lancelot Biggs,” by Nelson S. Bond [short story, Lancelet Biggs series] “And a Little Child,” by Marcia Kamien [short story] “Strangers to Straba,” by Carl Jacobi [short story]

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #36. We have another great issue featuring not one, but two full-length books—George O. Smith’s classic collection of linked science fiction stories, Venus Equilateral, and Hulbert Footner’s mystery, Officer! As always, our acquiring editors have cooked up some delights. From Michael Bracken comes an original police procedural from H.K. Slade, “A Body at the Dam.” Barb Goffman has unearthed “Run Don’t Run,” by Mary Saums, which I know you’ll enjoy. And Cynthia Ward brings us “Shattering the Spear,” by P. Djèlí Clark, a heroic fantasy story—we need more of these in BCW! Topping things off, we have another solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles, plus classic reprints by Rog Phillips (Vampires!), Lester del Rey (Superstitions in Space!), and Percy James Brebner (Kidnapping! Secret Agents!) All told, lots of terrific reading. Here’s the lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “A Body at the Dam,” by H.K. Slade [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Present from the Past,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “Run Don’t Run,” by Mary Saums [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Missing Signorina,” by Percy James Brebner [short story] Officer! by Hulbert Footner [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Shattering the Spear,” by P. Djèlí Clark [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Superstition,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “A Vial of Immortality,” by Rog Phillips [short story] Venus Equilateral, by George O. Smith [novel]

Our 81st issue is among our best so far, if I do say so myself. We have an original mystery by H.K. Slade (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), a great modern tale by Ann Aptaker (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), and a pair of mystery novels—Bruce Campbell’s The Mystery of the Iron Box, featuring Ken Holt (by special request of one of our readers), and The Girl Who Had to Die, by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding. And no issue would be complete without a solve-it-yourself mystery by Hal Charles. On the science fiction and fantasy side, we have a classic novel by Fritz Leiber: Conjure Wife, originally published in 1943. Don’t miss the introduction, which puts it into historical context. If that’s not enough, we also have an entry in Phyllis Ann Karr’s “Frostflower & Thorn” series and classic science fiction stories by George O. Smith, Kendell Foster Crossen, and Lu Kella. Fun! Here’s this issue’s complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “House in the Snow” by H.K. Slade [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Death Visits Campus” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Red Nocturne,” by Ann Aptaker [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Mystery of the Iron Box, by Bruce Campbell [novel] The Girl Who Had to Die, by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Dragon, the Unicorn, and the Teddy Bear,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [Frostflower & Thorn short story] “The Dreamers,” by Lu Kella [short story] “Booby Prize,” by George O. Smith [novelet] “The Agile Algolian,” by Kendell Foster Crossen [novelet] Conjure Wife, by Fritz Leiber [novel]

This issue, we have 7 original stories (which I believe is our most ever), starting with a science fiction/mystery mashup from H.K. Slade (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), as well as Viviana De Cecco, Kate Bergquist, Maureen Bowden, Ed Teja, and John Gregory Betancourt (me!). Our solve-it-yourself mystery is an original, too. For our reprints, Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has a great modern mystery from William Ade, and a pair of mystery classics by Jeffery Farnol and Sinclair Gluck round things out. Good stuff. Meantime, here’s this issue’s complete lineup— COVER ART Steve Hickman NOVEL The House of the Missing, by Sinclair Gluck A man risks everything to find his vanished sister. SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY “The Julep Cup Caper,” by Hal Charles Can you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there! SHORT STORIES “The Gateway Legacy,” by H.K. Slade [Michael Bracken Presents short story] A cult threat draws out a secretive paranormal team. “Mary Maria,” by William Ade [Barb Goffman Presents short story] A PI’s case takes a turn when a runaway isn’t who she seems. “Murder on the Normandie,” by Viviana De Cecco A transatlantic voyage turns deadly mid-crossing. “The Rook,” by Jeffery Farnol Can a game of chess seal a man’s fate? “The Haze,” by Kate Bergquist A desperate escape leads to a chilling discovery. “The Hind in the Green,” by Maureen Bowden A woman meets a mysterious creature in the forest. “The Smell of Goats,” by Ed Teja Two spacers face a corporate decision with human cost. “The Raven Stone,” by John Gregory Betancourt A father and son outing to the Raven Stone leads to family flight…

Here is Black Cat Weekly #61, wrapping up our Halloween celebrations with a delectable assortment of mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural...10 great novels and short stories sure to delight! In this issue are: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “A New Evil,” by H.K. Slade [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Stamp of Approval,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “The Vicar of Sexton's Deep,” by Mike Adamson [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Butcher,” by Richard S. Prather Broken Waters, by Frank L. Packard [novel] Science Fiction / Fantasy / Supernatural: “Madam Damnable’s Sewing Circle,” by Elizabeth Bear [Cynthia Ward Presents short story] “Evensong,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “The Mage Snatch,” by Sydney J. Bounds [short story] Troubled Star, by George O. Smith [novel] “The House by the Headland,” by “Sapper” [short story]

Welcome to Black Sheep: Unique Tales of Terror and Wonder, an extraordinary anthology magazine that transcends the boundaries of science-fiction, fantasy, and horror. Prepare to embark on a thrilling journey through the darkest corners of the human imagination, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the mundane transforms into a realm of unspeakable terror and awe-inspiring wonder. Within these pages, you'll discover a collection of captivating stories carefully curated to transport you to realms beyond the mundane. Each issue presents an array of unique tales crafted by talented visionaries, both established and emerging, who dare to defy conventions and push the boundaries of speculative fiction. Whether you're a seasoned lover of the fantastic or just curious to explore new frontiers, Black Sheep: Unique Tales of Terror and Wonder will be your guide through the realms of the extraordinary. Prepare to be enthralled, enchanted, haunted. So put on your dark sunglasses ... and unleash your inner Black Sheep. In this issue: HALF-LIVES Freddie Kölsch ACQUIRED THROUGH DEACCESSION Lee Clark Zumpe REAPER H.K. Slade REGENESIS Mike A. Rhodes A PORTRAIT OF THE WITCH-DOCTOR AS A YOUNG MAN Wayne Kyle Spitzer LOVE'S LIFE L. R. McGary STIFF BREEZE Brian J. Smith SURRENDER Paul Cesarini THE BROKEN GRAVE Sarah Das Gupta THE CHRONICLES OF CHOCOLATEMAN Arthur Davis