Our 57th issue opens with an original tale by Mark Thielman, courtesy of acquiring editor Michael Bracken. It does triple-duty as a crime story, a science fiction story, and a dystopian story. All with a great punch. As for our other acquiring editors—Barb Goffman has selected a great tale by Dee Long, and (not to be outdone) Cynthia Ward has a real winner from Chris Willrich. We will have a contribution from Darrell Schweitzer next issue.

As if that’s not enough (when is it ever for the Black Cat?), we have gone back to the pulp era for historical mystery novels by Harold Bindloss and Nicholas Carter, and uncovered some classic short science fiction by Damon Knight, Frederik Pohl, and Jerry Shelton. Rounding things out is a rare historical Lost Race fantasy by Crittenden Marriott set in the always-spooky Sargasso Sea.

In coming weeks, expect to see more fun, with ghosts & goblins & things that go bump in the night — climaxing with a Halloween Spooktacular issue. Don’t miss it!

Here’s the complete lineup:

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

“Future Tense,” by Mark Thielman [Michael Bracken Presents short story]

“Mystery Map,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]

“Fool’s Gold,” by Dee Long [Barb Goffman Presents short story]

“The Man Who Measured the Wind,” by Harold Lamb [novella]

The Intriguers, by Harold Bindloss [novel]

Nick Carter Rescues a Daughter, by Nicholas Carter [novel]

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

“Future Tense,” by Mark Thielman [Michael Bracken Presents short story]

“A Wizard of the Old School,” by Chris Willrich [Cynthia Ward Presents short story]

“Definition,” by Damon Knight [short story]

“A Hitch In Time,” by Frederik Pohl [short story]

“You Are Forbidden!” by Jerry Shelton [short story]

The Isle of Dead Ships, by Crittenden Marriott [novel]