J.S. Fletcher

The Collected Mysteries of J.S. Fletcher

Henry Slesar

Ron Miller 

John Glasby

Frank Belknap

Veronica Leigh 

Anna Scotti 

Richard A. McMahan

Philip Jose Farmer 

Donald A. Wollheim 

Long Henry Slesar

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly. On the mystery side of things, we have original tales by Veronica Leigh (one that looks to be the start of a new series) and Richard A. McMahon (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken). Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has selected a great tale by Anna Scotti, and our novel is The Talleyrand Maxim, by Golden Age author J.S. Fletcher. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. On the science fiction and fantasy side, our lead item is a new feature—a portfolio by artist Ron Miller. Ron has joined our staff as art director and will be providing covers from his vast body of work. But I wanted our readers to know how great an artist he is, so here is a collection of some of his best covers. As for the fiction, we have a monster-in-the-mist story by British master John Glasby, plus an all-star lineup of classic authors: Frank Belknap Long, Donald A. Wollheim, Henry Slesar, and Philip Jose Farmer. Great stuff. Here’s the complete lineup— Cover Art: Ron Miller Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Mr. George,” by Richard A. McMahan [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “An Open and Shut Case,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “That Which We Call Patience,” by Anna Scotti [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughters,” by Veronica Leigh [short story] The Talleyrand Maxim, by J.S. Flextcher [novel] Special Feature: “Cover Portfolio,” by Ron Miller Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Thing in the Mist,” by John Glasby [short story] “Mr. Caxton Draws a Martian Bird,” by Frank Belknap Long [short story] “Saknarth,” by Donald A. Wollheim [short story] “Mr. Loneliness,” by Henry Slesar [short story] “The Celestial Blueprint,” by Philip José Farmer [short story]

Black Cat Weekly #137

A special 100th anniversary edition of J.S. Fletcher’s best detective novel, recognised as one of the Golden Age’s earliest and most successful classic stories. An unidentified elderly gentleman is found bludgeoned to death in London’s Middle Temple, that enclave of justice between Fleet Street and the Thames. ...

THE MIDDLE TEMPLE MURDER

Mr. Rivington is tall, slender and willowy; Mr. Wells is stoutly built and looks as if nothing could break him. Mr. Rivington is a dreamer who loves art and can pursue his cultured interests thanks to the inheritance his uncle has left him; Mr. Wells is philosophic in a dry-humoured fashion and works in Foreign Service. But despite their differences these two young gentlemen are great friends. When they meet on a spring day in 1906, after Mr. Wells's three years absence from the country, they have no reason to suspect that their leisurely evening will soon entangle them in a series of mysterious events. But one enigmatic letter and the sudden disappearance of a young and beautiful lady, Yvette de St. Evreux, for whom Mr Rivington has secret feelings, changes everything. Paradise Court, first published in 1930, is a classic mystery novel full of entertaining characters, humour and adventures that happen between London and Paris.

Paradise Court

J.S. Fletcher

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