Welcome to Black Cat Weekly.

On the mystery side of things, we have original tales by Veronica Leigh (one that looks to be the start of a new series) and Richard A. McMahon (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken). Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has selected a great tale by Anna Scotti, and our novel is The Talleyrand Maxim, by Golden Age author J.S. Fletcher. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles.

On the science fiction and fantasy side, our lead item is a new feature—a portfolio by artist Ron Miller. Ron has joined our staff as art director and will be providing covers from his vast body of work. But I wanted our readers to know how great an artist he is, so here is a collection of some of his best covers. As for the fiction, we have a monster-in-the-mist story by British master John Glasby, plus an all-star lineup of classic authors: Frank Belknap Long, Donald A. Wollheim, Henry Slesar, and Philip José Farmer. Great stuff.

Here’s the complete lineup—

Cover Art:
Ron Miller

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:
“Mr. George,” by Richard A. McMahan [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
“An Open and Shut Case,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]
“That Which We Call Patience,” by Anna Scotti [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
“The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughters,” by Veronica Leigh [short story]
The Talleyrand Maxim, by J.S. Fletcher [novel]

Special Feature:
“Cover Portfolio,” by Ron Miller

Science Fiction & Fantasy:
“The Thing in the Mist,” by John Glasby [short story]
“Mr. Caxton Draws a Martian Bird,” by Frank Belknap Long [short story]
“Saknarth,” by Donald A. Wollheim [short story]
“Mr. Loneliness,” by Henry Slesar [short story]
“The Celestial Blueprint,” by Philip José Farmer [short story]