Black Cat Weekly #195

   This is our first issue without a Barb Goffman Presents story, but Barb will be back in a few weeks, as she focuses on holiday-themed stories going forward. The first of these will be in our Independence Day issue. We still have a Michael Bracken Presents story this issue, though, with a fine original mystery by Chris Dreith.

   Speaking of original stories, we have 7 this issue—plus 3 reprints and a classic novel, Traitor or Patriot—a fictionalized retelling of the Rye House Plot. For those unfamiliar with it, the Rye House Plot was a 1683 conspiracy by English Whigs to assassinate King Charles II and his brother James (the future James II) as they returned from horse races at Newmarket. Details of the plot are deliberately vague in official records of the time, so there has always been speculation about it (and lots of room for authors to spin great yarns).

   Here’s the complete lineup—

Cover Art: Ron Miller

NOVEL

Traitor or Patriot, by Mary C. Rowsell

   A tale of the famous Rye-House Plot of 1683!

NOVELLA

“The Mark of the Monster,” by Jack Williamson

   A strange brand appears. Can a man outrun the curse beneath his skin?

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY

“A Death in the Family,” by Hal Charles

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

SHORT STORIES

“Size Matters, by Chris Dreith” [Michael Bracken Presents short story]

   Pumpkin rivalry turns deadly. Can justice beat a shotgun and a secret?

“Homicide Hotel,” by Ron Miller [P.I. Velda series]

   A dead girl, no purse, and a fake name. Can Velda beat the police to truth?

“The Girl In The Net,” by Albert N. Katz

   When a maid is murdered, a doctor tries to uncover a dark village lie.

“Home to Roost,” by Holly Schofield

   A heatwave… Forest smoke… A dead body in the brush… And no witnesses!

“Penhaligus and the Sleeping Curse,” by P.L. Sundeson

   A traveling mage finds a cursed town. Can he break the spell in time?

“Abhartach,” by Keira Reynolds

   An undead chieftain rises. Will folklore be enough to stop him?

“Grit,” by E.C. Tubb

   Sealed in a space suit and dumped—Harry’s last breath begins now!

“The Shambler from the Stars,” by Robert Bloch [Cthulhu Mythos series]

   A forbidden tome… A writer obsessed… And something hungry wakes…