Black Cat
Mystery Magazine #9 opens with a brief word from Editor Michael Bracken
and then moves on to the stories. First up is Stacy Woodson with “Last Rites”
where Colonel Wilson and a few of his unit were lucky enough to survive an
ambush. Several were killed. The survivors have suffered significant physical
and mental injuries. Thanks to Nurse Lucy and Doc Taylor, they all should be on
the mend and headed home soon.
Victor Connelly
has a plan in “The Jericho Train” by John M. Floyd. He knows the train schedule
having grown up on the massive Connelly ranch. He has built quite an empire. The
arrival of the train is one small cog in a major plan to change his life for
the better. It is going to be a long ten minutes until the train arrives at the
station.
Peter Shirkey
also has a plan in “Coral Cove” by B. A. Paul. Painting the traffic barricades
is just one small part of the plan. Being the handyman and more for the
Bungalows of Briny Breeze gives him skills and opportunity.
“The Alley” by
Ann Aptaker revolves around Howard Vickers and Louie Sharp. For Howard Vickers,
the timing is what is a bit of a surprise. He knew Louie Sharp was going to
come for him sooner or later. Apparently, it is now in a cold, dark, and wet
alley. The man known as the “Angel of Death” is edging his way steadily closer.
It is 1935 and
the town population of Granbury, Texas, has turned out to see “Sonny Goodman
and His Orchestral All-Stars.” The band entertains for twenty-five cent a head
several nights a week as they tour the southwest. They do not make very much
off of ticket sales so they have to supplement that income in other ways as
explained in “Sonny’s Encore” by Editor Michael Bracken.
It is the middle
of March in 1978 as “Switch Bait” by Cynthia Ward begins. Bethany and Chase
Hayes plan to make their displeasure with Billy Bolduc known in a public way.
Boulduc is not getting how things are done in the lobster business and needs
another lesson.
Professor Arnold
Pugmire pulled off the perfect murder in “Becoming Zero” by James. A. Hearn. With
the wealthy Texas oil man dead, now Pugmire can woo the man’s wife, Amanda.
Things are now finally going to be right with Amanda as his. The money is nice,
but having Amanda as far more than a plutonic friend will be far nicer.
“The Mmurder of
Jonathan Greystone” by Barry Fulton follows where the play is the thing. The
play was also the scene of the murder of Jonathan Greystone. That event
resulted in the subsequent incarceration of a fellow actor, Tony Lancaster, for
the murder. There were other ramifications of the murder as well.
Temptation and
desperation are a combined powerful force and such is the case for the postal
clerk in “You Gotta Be In It!” by Elliot Capon. The clerk has the means,
motive, and the opportunity. Getting away with it is doable if things work out
as planned.
“The You-Don’t-Know-The
Half-Of-Dearie-Blues: An Alexander Brass Mystery” by Michael Kurland comes
next. It is early 1936 and anything and everything involving the New York
World Syndicate is off limits to Alexander Brass, Gloria, and the narrator.
An editorial dispute has escalated into the trio being banned from the
newspaper property because Brass thinks Dr. Weld is not guilty of murder.
Banning him means they now have the freedom to chase the story and prove it.
The fighter
Charley Robertson was getting treatment post fight when Mr. John Massey and his
group barged into his dressing room beneath Madison Square Garden. Massey bought
his contract and is now his manage in “A Fighter By His Trade” by Graham Powell.
His new manager is going to change his training schedule and a lot more.
The issue closes
with “Smelling Like A Rose” by Gil Brewer. In this classic reprint, Mr. Vince
Helman is doing everything he can to keep it together. The woman is the next
cottage is certainly no help with that.
Black Cat
Mystery Magazine #9 is another all around solidly good issue. The tales,
past and present, often share a common theme where the plan does not work as
expected. In rare cases, the plan worked out as ultimately intended thus proving
the idea that crime can pay and pay very well. As on expects with this
publication, the tales selected are good ones and are well worth your time to
read.
I bought the
eBook copy of the issue back in January 2021 to read and review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2021
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