Welcome to Black Cat Weekly #52.

This week, our acquiring editors have outdone themselves—Michael Bracken has an original story by William Burton McCormick, “House of Tigers,” which was a Black Orchid Novella Award finalist. Though it didn’t win, it’s a great story. (Competition is fierce for this particular award, since it judged by Linda Landrigan, editor of Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. I won the first Black Orchid for my story “Horse Pit,” and I haven’t dared enter since—I try to read all the winners, and they keep getting better and better. These days I probably wouldn’t stand a chance!) Barb Goffman also has an original, “It’s Not Tennis” by Shannon Taft, another good one. And Cynthia Ward has selected the modern classic “Whiter Teeth, Fresher Breath” by Tom Marcinko, which proves aliens do have it all. Even better oral hygiene!

Plus we have a mystery novel by David Goodis (author of Dark Passage and Shoot the Piano Player), a space opera by E.E. “Doc” Smith, and science fiction from Arthur Leo Zagat and Stephen Marlowe! Here’s the complete lineup:

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

“House of Tigers,” by William Burton McCormick [Michael Bracken Presents, Novella]
“Mailed It,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]
“It’s Not Tennis,” by Shannon Taft [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
Cassidy’s Girl, by David Goodis [novel]

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

“Whiter Teeth, Fresher Breath,” by Tom Marcinko [Cynthia Ward Presents short story]
“Picnic,” by Stephen Marlowe [short story]
“The Cavern of the Shining Pool,” by Arthur Leo Zagat [novella]
Galactic Patrol, by E.E. “Doc” Smith [novel]

Shannon Taft

Books