Dorothy B. Hughes

Vera Caspary

Helen Eustis

Elisabeth Sanxay Holding

Though women crime and suspense writers dominate today's bestseller lists, the extraordinary work of the mid-century pioneers is largely unknown. Their work, influential in its day and still vibrant and extraordinarily riveting today, is long overdue for rediscovery. This volume, the first of a two-volume collector's set, gathers four classic works that together reveal the vital and unacknowledged lineage that leads to today's leading crime writers. From the 1940s here are Vera Caspary, Helen Eustis and Elizabeth Sanxay Holding.

Four Suspense Novels of the 1940s: Laura / the Horizontal Man / in a Lonely Place / the Blank Wall

Women Crime Writers

A suburban matron, harassed by wartime domestic problems - her husband is overseas - finds herself implicated in the murder of her young daughter's extremely unattractive beau. This novel is about maternal love and about the heroine's relationship with those around her, especially her children and her maid.

The Blank Wall

On a Caribbean cruise with her older husband, Honey is convinced that the man in the next cabin plans to murder his wife. But why wouldn't anyone believe her? And why has her own husband turned against her?

Lady Killer

Elisabeth Sanxay Holding ...

Net of Cobwebs

A Novel of Suspense

"Expert, ingenious suspense story of a cat and mouse chase -- and of murder. How Susan, traveling for Gateways, a Charm School racket, is picked up and trailed by three men. How the husband of her first contact is murdered, of mounting confusion and terror as she is finally stalked. All set in an innocent New England village. Clever trick narration -- and breathless build-up. Non-pareil and quite novelty." -- Kirkus Reviews

Who's Afraid?

Malcolm Jameson

Frank Belknap Long

Lester del Rey

Amy Wolf

Pat H. Broeske

Hal Charles

M.A. Monnin

G.G. Pendarves

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #41. Lots of great reading this time—including a classic mystery novel by Elizabeth Sanxay Holding. Once you finish it, you can cruise through an original blackmail story by M.A. Monnin set in Germany (thanks to acquiring editor Michael Bracken), then Pat H. Broeske has a Hollywood tale of a missing classic Cadillac (thanks to acquiring editor Barb Goffman). Plus, of course, we have our Hal Charles solve-it-yourself tale. For science fiction and fantasy fans, we have a historical fantasy from Amy Wolf (courtesy of acquiring editor Cynthia Ward), plus classic science fiction from Lester del Rey and Malcolm Jameson, and two more fantasies from the legendary pulp magazine Weird Tales, by Frank Belknap Long and G.G. Pendarves. Here’s the lineup: Mystery / Suspense / Adventure: “A Bird In The Hand,” by M.A. Monnin [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “A Sweet Solution,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “The Fast And The Furriest,” by Pat H. Broeske [Barb Goffman Presents short story] Kill Joy, by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Lazarus Chronicle,” by Amy Wolf [Cynthia Ware Presents short story] “A Code for Sam,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “Devil’s Powder,” by Malcolm Jameson [short story] “Werewolf of the Sahara,” by G. G. Pendarves [novella] “The Space-Eaters,” by Frank Belknap Long [novella]

Black Cat Weekly #41.

Kill Joy ; Speak of the Devil

Speak of the Devil [and] Kill Joy

A young lady finds trouble when she follows her employer to a house where death seems to stalk its every visitor; and a young man tries to stay one step ahead of the huntress who tries to uncover his questionable past. Two masterful novels of suspense originally published in 1942 and 1951.

Kill Joy / The Virgin Huntress

Murder is a Kill-joy

Kill Joy

Lady killer

The Girl who Had to Die

The Innocent Mrs. Duff is set in New York City and a Westchester suburb, and centers on an unraveling alcoholic widower newly remarried to a 21-year-old model. The Blank Wall is about a housewife trying to protect her teenage daughter from a sleazy older married man.

The Innocent Mrs. Duff ; The Blank Wall

Elisabeth Sanxay Holding

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