This issue, we have a locked-room mystery novel, a far-future science-fantasy sword-and-sorcery novel, and 8 shorts featuring everything from dogs to cats to buried skeletons to time travel—and more! Truly, something for everyone.

As always, special thanks to our Acquiring Editors, Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman, for picking a pair of terrific original tales. And our editorial board—Tom Easton, Ryan Hines, Vicki Erwin, Paula Messina, and Richard Prosch—who patiently read submissions. (We get a lot of submissions. But then, Black Cat Weekly is the largest magazine market in the world for genre fiction.)

Here’s the complete lineup—

Cover Art: Ron Miller

NOVELS

The Draycott Murder Mystery, by Molly Thynne
A country house, a locked room—and a killer who vanishes without a trace!

The Barbarian of World’s End, by Lin Carter [World’s End #4]
A giant warrior journeys through a dying Earth, where magic and science collide.

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY

“Murder Takes a Dip,” by Hal Charles
Can you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there!

SHORT STORIES

“Hips Don’t Lie,” by Nikki Knight [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
A long-buried secret surfaces at a Vermont restaurant, pulling a radio DJ into a chilling mystery.

“The Dog Who Smiled,” by Michael Mallory [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
A loyal dog waits for his owner, but some promises are never truly broken…

“A Dime a Dame,” by Michael Bracken
A taxi dancer crosses the wrong man and learns survival has its own price.

“The Warden’s Game,” by John M. Floyd
A mysterious stranger arrives in an Alaskan town ruled by fear. Is change coming?

“Valiant,” by Alexis Ames
A stranded rock band faces a deadly threat in deep space—and music may be their only weapon!

“Itsy, Bitsy, and Beezle,” by Nikki Blakely
A lonely bank teller adopts three kittens—one of whom might be the Prince of Darkness!

“Lost Property,” by E.C. Tubb
A stolen briefcase holds more than money—but some things aren’t meant to be found…

Alexis Ames

Livros