Black Cat Weekly #96

Our 96th issue introduces some new contributors to the magazine-Smita Harish Jain (with an original mystery, thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Naomi Hirahara (with a riveting reprint mystery, courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman). Also on the mystery front, we have a pair of British classics: a Sexton Blake detective story by Hal Meredith and a novel by William Le Queux.When it comes to fantasy and science fiction, we've achieved an appealing balance. Adrian Cole and Henry S. Whitehead deliver two distinctly different nautically-themed stories. Also featured is Robert E. Howard's eerie tale, 'The Dream Snake.' (The Whitehead and Howard pieces originated from Weird Tales, and Cole's work could easily have found a home within its pages.) Complementing the mix are science fiction stories by Arthur Leo Zagat and Russ Winterbotham, both prolific during the Golden Age.Here's the complete lineup:Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:'An Honorable Choice,' by Smita Harish Jain [Michael Bracken Presents short story]'The Case of the Taken Trophy,' by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]'Off the 405,' by Naomi Hirahara [Barb Goffman Presents short story]'The Empty Tin,' by Hal Meredith [short story, Sexton Blake series]The Gamblers, by William Le Queux [novel]Science Fiction & Fantasy:'Running with the Tide,' by Adrian Cole [short story]'Sea Change,' by Henry S. Whitehead [short story]'The Dream Snake,' by Robert E. Howard [short story]'No Escape from Destiny' by Arthur Leo Zagat [novella]The Red Planet, by Russ Winterbotham [novel]