Black Cat Weekly #30 by Hulbert Footner

Black Cat Weekly #30 is a fabulous issue. This time, Darrell Schweitzer has unearthed his 1980 interview with Tom Disch, which is fascinating. Disch talks about writing his classic fantasy novel, The Businessman, among other things. As Darrell always notes, these old interviews fall “somewhere between oral history and paleontology.”

Lots of mysteries this time, too—including an originals by Elizabeth Elwood (thanks to editor Michael Bracken) and Jack Halliday (a flash fiction portrait of a serial killer). Barb Goffman has selected “Take the Hit,” by Nikki Dolson. And we have a short story by James Holding and a classic novel by Hulbert Footner. And no issue is complete without a solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles (the writing team of Hal Sweet and Charlie Blythe).

On the fantastic side of things, Cynthia Ward has selected a great science fiction tale by Matthew Hughes. I’ve seen his name for years, but never managed to read anything of his until now—but I’m definitely sold. I'm going to have to check out more of his work. Great stuff. Plus we have stories by Larry Tritten, Richard Wilson, and a vintage ghost story—or is it?—by one of my favorite authors, Anonymous!

Here’s the complete lineup:

Non-Fiction:

“Speaking with Thomas M. Disch,” conducted by Darrell Schweitzer [interview]

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

“One for the Road,” by James Holding

“MeToo Too,” by Elizabeth Elwood [Michael Bracken Presents short story]

“Take the Hit,” by Nikki Dolson. [Barb Goffman Presents short story]

“A Touch of Magic,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery]

A Self-Made Thief, by Hulbert Footner [novel]

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

“An Odd Ghost Story,” by Anonymous [short story]

“To Tell the Phoenecians,” by Matthew Hughes [Cynthia Ward Presents short story]

“Turning Off,” by Larry Tritten [short story]

“If a Man Answers,” by Richard Wilson [short story]