Three favorite series highlight this issue: First, Sherlock Holmes—or rather, several Sherlock Holmeses—feature in A.L. Sirois’s “The Matter of Time” (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken). Then burlesque queen turned private eye Velda returns in Ron Miller’s original tale, “Big Top Velda.” (You will recall several other Velda stories in recent months—and we have more upcoming!). And on the science fiction front, space opera misfit Lancelot Biggs stars in “The Downfall of Lancelot Biggs,” by Nelson Bond. Fun stuff!

More highlights: Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has found a real winner in Debra H. Goldstein’s “Harvey and the Redhead.” (I’m a sucker for bar stories.) And our mystery novel is by Harold MacGrath.

On the science fiction front, we have dark fantasies from British master John S. Glasby (who’s in his 90s and still writing) and Frank Belknap Long, plus space opera from Edmond Hamilton and classic SF from Lester del Rey.

Here’s the complete lineup—

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

“The Matter of Time” by A.L. Sirois [Michael Bracken Presents short story, Sherlock Holmes series]

“The Case of the Lost Library” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]

“Harvey and the Redhead” by Debra H. Goldstein [Barb Goffman Presents short story]

“Big Top Velda” by Ron Miller [short story, Velda series]

The Blue Rajah Murder, by Harold MacGrath [novel]

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

“The Matter of Time” by A.L. Sirois [Michael Bracken Presents short story, Sherlock Holmes series]

“A Place of Shadows” John S. Glasby [short story]

“Evans of the Earth-guard,” by Edmond Hamilton [short story]

“The Downfall of Lancelot Biggs,” by Nelson S. Bond [short story, Lancelot Biggs series]

“The Cottage” by Frank Belknap Long [short story]

“The Life Watch” by Lester del Rey [novella]

Black Cat Weekly #152