’Tis the season for tricks and treats, and boy do we have a lot of treats this time—including three firsts for us. For our first first, this issue, we have a Featured Author…British horror writer Edmund Glasby. Of course, longtime BCW readers are already familiar with his work, but this issue, we have three original horror novelettes (more than 20,000 words of terror), plus—our second first—a new interview with Ed in which he talks about his work and inspiration. Yes, we’ve run interviews before, but they have always been reprints. Special thanks to Philip Harbottle for helping pull it all together for us.

And that third first? We have 10 original stories and features, making this issue the biggest and best Black Cat yet. The second part of Phyllis Ann Karr’s new science fiction novel, Eight Fluffy Gnomes. New mysteries from Bern Sy Moss and Anna Scotti. And new fantastic tales from Albert N. Katz and John B. Rosenman. Plus another brand new solve-it-yourself puzzler from the devious minds of Hal Charles. (“Hal” is the writing team of Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet, so definitely plural.)

Of course, we’ve also gone deep into the vault for some classic reprints, too—with the first Alan Ford mystery from Carolyn Wells, a Sexton Blake mystery from Hal Meredith, a murder mystery from J.K. Leys, and a weird sea tale from Frank Aubrey.

Whatever you love to read, you’re bound to find it in these pages.

Here’s the complete lineup—

Cover Art: Ron Miller

NOVELS

The Bride of a Moment, by Carolyn Wells [Alan Ford #1]

When a bride is murdered at the altar, Alan Ford investigates.

Eight Fluffy Gnomes, by Phyllis Ann Karr [Part 2 of 2]

The conclusion of our story from last issue.

FEATURED AUTHOR EDMUND GLASBY

BCW Interview Edmund Glasby [Interview]

Meet British horror author Edmund Glasby.

“A Freight of Forgotten Flesh,” by Edmund Glasby [Horror Novelette]

A cursed funhouse hides a deadly secret tied to thirteen lost souls.

“Bloodsuckers,” by Edmund Glasby [Horror Novelette]

Shackled in darkness, a man learns revenge is fed with blood.

“The Hagborn Horror,” by Edmund Glasby [Horror Novelette]

When greed uncovers a grave sealed for the ages, horror walks free!

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY

“The Mother Goose Mystery,” by Hal Charles

Can you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there!

SHORT STORIES

“It’s What She Does,” by Bern Sy Moss

Can C.J. resist helping the one woman who’s already ruined his life?

“When the Monster Came,” by Anna Scotti

The night was quiet—until the sound of breaking glass changed everything.

“The Betrayal of Dr. Ironside,” by J.K. Leys

An empty house. An open door. And inside, a body no one expected to find.

“The Amateur Burglary,” by Hal Meredith [Sexton Blake series]

When blackmail leads to burglary, Sexton Blake follows the bloody trail.

“The Contract,” by Albert N. Katz

An ancient ring, a deadly rival, and a pact no one dares to break…

“Painting Nails,” by John B. Rosenman

Grief paints its own colors—until love from beyond reaches through…

“A Newfoundland Terror,” by Frank Aubrey

Off Newfoundland, legends stir—and something vast rises from the depths.