Black Cat Weekly #254

Issue #254 falls solidly into the “great read” category: New tales by Tom Milani (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), Paula Messina, Viviana De Cecco, Kevin R. Tipple, R.L. Farr, and of course Ron Miller (with a new Velda, P.I. story), plus an original solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles are the core. But we also have classic shorts from Lester del Rey, Joseph J. Millard, and Evelyn Goldstein—plus a rare Golden Age mystery from British master J.S. Fletcher.

Here’s the complete lineup—

Cover Art: Ron Miller

NOVEL

Cobweb Castle****, by J.S. Fletcher

A classic Golden Age mystery novel from a master!

NOVELETS

“Margarine of Error”****, by Ron Miller [Velda, P.I. series]

Can Velda crack a kidnapping before the butter bill comes up for a vote?

“The Seat of Judgment”****, by Lester del Rey

A dying empire meets a miracle it cannot afford to believe in...

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY

“Foul or Fair?” by Hal Charles

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

SHORT STORIES

“Andrea Gutiérrez”****, by Tom Milani [Michael Bracken Presents]

A camera, a guilty teenager, and a favor that may cost far too much…

“A Little Help”****, by Paula Messina

Batting practice can wait when trouble follows a crying child home.

“For No Apparent Reason”****, by Viviana De Cecco

A dead surfer, a silent beach, and a clue written on bare skin…

“A Plan Comes Together”****, by Kevin R. Tipple

Two detectives want answers. One old widower has questions.

“The Portland Musicians”****, by R.L. Farr

Three obsolete machines set out for Portland, sirens at the ready.

“Mister John Doe, Earthman”****, by Joseph J. Millard

An amnesiac from the stars holds Earth’s fate in his lost memory.

“Man’s Castle”****, by Evelyn Goldstein

His home was his castle—until mankind offered him a crown…