Black Cat Weekly #234

We have another jam-packed issue, with a special focus on the work of Ron Miller. We have not one, but three of his tales of Velda Bellinghausen, burlesque queen turned Private Eye. Velda is a personal favorite of mind, and judging from fan feedback, a highlight of every issue for many readers. A pair of novelets and a short story await. And yes, we have more Velda stories in inventory and coming up soon!

We also have an original tales from Adam Meyer (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Grigory Lukin. And I couldn’t help but squeeze in a modern classic by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (nominated for multiple awards when it first appeared in 1994), plus tales by Larry Tritten and British master Philip E. High. And, of course, there’s a new solve-it-yourself puzzler from the fiendishly clever minds of Hal Charles. (Yes, Hal gets two minds—the “Hal Charles” stories are penned by the longtime writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet.)

Here’s the complete lineup—

Cover Art: Ron Miller

NOVEL
The Hidden Staircase, by Carolyn Keene [Nancy Drew series]
The second entry in the classic Nancy Drew mystery series.

NOVELLA
“Haunted Humans,” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
A killer’s escaped—now he’s stalking her, closer than ever…

NOVELETS
“Blind Justice,” by Ron Miller [Velda P.I. series]
Velda follows the money from a grocery heist to a fashion show.

“Velda Makes Horse Sense,” by Ron Miller [Velda P.I. series]
A day at the track turns sour when Velda spots a dirty trick.

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY
“Watching the Submarine Races,” by Hal Charles
Can you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there!

SHORT STORIES
“Delilah Solves A Puzzle,” by Adam Meyer [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
P.I. Delilah must unmask a stalker before a cubing prodigy is silenced.

“Delilah’s Deadly Date,” by Ron Miller [Velda P.I. series]
Velda uncovers a husband’s deadly secret after his wife is murdered.

“When All You Have Is a Time Portal…,” by Grigory Lukin
A one-way trip to a better world. But the future is already full.

“Necessity Is the Mother of Invention…,” by Larry Tritten
…Bastard progeny notwithstanding!

“A Schoolroom for the Teacher,” by Philip E. High
A routine survey turns strange on a world that doesn’t add up.