A WWII history told from US and Japanese perspectives—"an impressively researched chronicle of the months leading up to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima" ( Publishers Weekly).During the closing months of World War II, two military giants locked in a death embrace of cultural differences and diplomatic intransigence. While developing history's deadliest weapon and weighing an invasion that would have dwarfed D-Day, the US called for the "unconditional surren...

Police Chief Nick Catesby has been haunted for seven years by the unsolved disappearance of a young boy from his peaceful New Jersey town. When Megan Guthrie goes missing from her school playground, followed quickly by two teenage boys, Nick’s nightmare begins anew. He has only one suspect, disgraced professor and town drunk Preston Howard, whose arrogance has left him with nothing more than his pride, a sea of whiskey, and his exasperated daughter, Fanny, with whom Nick is falling in love...

A doctor's powerful meditation on what his patients taught him, and what they can teach us about listening, healing, and public health.For over three decades, Dr. Dean-David Schillinger has served in one of the country’s busiest and most important public hospitals. A public health leader and primary care physician for underserved patients, Schillinger learned that high-tech tests and novel medications are often not enough to save lives. Rather, accurate diagnosis, ...

Every organization has two versions of itself. There's the documented one — the processes, the org charts, the goals and values that make up the official story. Then there's the way things actually work. The workarounds people build because the real process doesn't fit. The spreadsheets no one asked for but everyone depends on. The conversations where someone finally says what they actually need.That second version has always been there. It's how businesses actually run. And AI is ...

NOVELThe Black Camel**, by Earl** Derr Biggers [Charlie Chan series]A Hollywood star, a Hawaiian beach, and Charlie Chan on the case—secrets will out!SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY“Called Out,” by Hal CharlesCan you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there!SHORT STORIES

You’re in for a mystery treat this time, with the first Honey West novel. (If you’re not familiar with Honey, she debuted in 1957—and created quite a stir as the first woman detective in a field dominated by hardboiled males. See my long intro directly before the book for a complete dossier on Honey.) Plus this issue we have an original tale from Nikki Knight (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), a great tale by David Dean (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), and the firs...

Nine-year-old Blaise finds solace in a forest near his troubled home, where he bonds with Sophie, a mysterious seven-year-old girl. Their friendship begins under tragic circumstances and grows as they share stolen moments and small gifts. When Sophie suddenly disappears, Blaise, suspecting foul play from her abusive family, risks everything to uncover the truth.

We have another great issue this week, with original mysteries from N.M. Cedeño (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and Brian Rieselman, plus a terrific tale by David Dean (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman). Our classic mystery novel is The Winning Clue, by James Hay, Jr. (A note to the sensitive: it has some dialog in racial dialect, which was common in novels of the era.) And, of course, we have a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles.On the science ficti...

“The Duelist” is a story about deception and truth, vengeance and justice, bravery and cowardice, love and loss. It’s also about bullying. David Dean doesn’t like bullies. You probably don’t either. If that’s the case, this story is for you.The Barb Goffman Presents series showcases the best in modern mystery and crime stories, personally selected by one of the most acclaimed short story authors and editors in the mystery field.

From the editor:Welcome to *Black Cat Weekly #*10. Carlton Clarke, the famed Chicago telepathic detective, returns to our pages with “The Broken Marconigram.” First published in 1915, this tale takes Clarke and Sexton, his “Watson,” to New Orleans in search of a friend who’s been kidnapped by a Satanic cult. These chronicles of the first “telepathic detective” originally appeared in newspaper syndication across the United States in 1908, and I continue to be impressed by them. Ther...

120 mealtime blessings from around the world, featuring a variety of sentiments, from the amusing to the heartfelt to the sacred.Offering thanks for our daily bread is just about universal. A Chinese proverb gives us this reminder, "When eating bamboo shoots, remember the man who planted them." The Irish lyrically ask that "the sweet light within you guide you on your way." And for those who like to cut to the chase, there's "Good bread, good meat, good God, let's ...

Ross Danger Ross: A mere child ruled over by a treacherous curse. He must seek vengeance and find his true destiny, but when he discovers that his life hangs in the balance, he assembles an army of Earth Realm's finest and tries to conquer evil forever!