Wildside Press

When summer homes on a large New Hampshire lake are being robbed during the off-season, one homeowner decides to take matters into his own hands. But the would-be burglar, armed with a sharp knife, has his own plans. So, whose plan will emerge victorious?

The Barb Goffman Presents series showcases the best in modern mystery and crime stories, personally selected by one of the most acclaimed short stories authors and editors in the mystery field.

Cassius Q. Aardvark, a most peculiar creature, stumbles upon an icy crypt in the Swiss Alps. Driven by curiosity, Cassius frees two Valkyries and a mustachioed elephant named Rubin, and the four quickly form an unlikely friendship. Together, they journey to America, navigating the glitz of New York's high society and the gritty underbelly of the city's nightlife in a hilarious and unforgettable journey.

Twelve-year-old Biddy, a spirited girl braving the Arizona heat with her trusty burro Buck, spends her days exploring the desert. Despite her polio and leg brace, Biddy and Buck embark on imaginary adventures until they stumble upon a mysterious cave. Inside, she discovers a peculiar machine and meets Joe, a man claiming to be from the "sky bloc."

Joe's miraculous healing powers restore Biddy's leg, igniting wonder and fear in the small town of Sage Bend. As tensions rise, the town's suspicion and prejudice lead to a dramatic confrontation, testing Biddy's courage and the power of hope.

The Black Cat Mystery Magazine returns with issue #7 - a special Private Eye edition, with great new tales (and one classic reprint) by masters of the genre. Included this time are: THE CHARITY CASE, by Robert Lopresti THE WHOLE STORY, by Andrew Welsh-Huggins THE STOPWATCH OF DEATH, by Josh Pachter THE FUGITIVE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, by Bev Vincent LOVE PIRATE, by O'Neil De Noux PICTURES OF LILY, by Graham Powell SHOW AND ZELLER, by Gordon Linzner MUSTANG SALLY, by John M. Floyd FUNERAL POTATOES, by E.E. King THE MAKINGS OF A KILLER, by Robert Jeschonek LOOSE ENDS, by Fletcher Flora (classic reprint)

Women have been disappearing, snatched off the streets in the early morning hours. One body has been found. The pressure is on to find the perpetrator and put a stop to this. It's bad enough that Jesse Damon is paroled on a murder conviction, and the police take a serious look at him whenever there's trouble in the neighborhood. But when two girls report an attempted carjacking at three in the morning, and Jesse is picked up walking on the street a few blocks away, things go downhill fast. One of the girls identifies him as the person responsible. The detective in charge of the case is sure he has it wrapped up. No one checks into Jesse's alibis for most of the abductions, or looks for the true culprit. Jesse has one advantage over the cops-he knows he didn't do it. And if the real abductor isn't found soon, that positive ID is going to land him back in prison.