This issue, we have original mysteries by Christina Hoag and Greg Herren (both courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), plus a crime tale by Greg Herren (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman). Our mystery novel is Annihilation by classic American mystery novelist Isabel Ostrander, whose detective fiction was influential in the early 20th century. Of course, there’s a solve-it-yourself puzzler by Hal Charles, too!On the science fiction and fantasy front, we have ...

In "The Boy Who Bought Old Earth," Cordwainer Smith weaves a tapestry of intricate narratives set within his celebrated Instrumentality universe. The novella explores the themes of destiny, identity, and social hierarchy, revealing a future where humanity has diverged into various forms. Smith's elegant prose juxtaposes the highly sophisticated structures of his world with the raw emotion of the characters, providing a literary style that is both poetic and profound. Through the eyes of a ...

"No one ever wrote like Smith, with his special blend of intense myth-making and rich invention!"—Publishers WeeklyCordwainer Smith was one of the original visionaries to think of humanity in terms of thousands of years in the future, spread out across the universe. This brilliant collection, often cited as the first of its kind, explores fundamental questions about ourselves and our treatment of the universe (and other beings) around us and ultimately what it means to be ...

With an introduction by J. J. Pierce, this volume features the twelve most important stories by Cordwainer Smith, a unique writer who has fused wonder and poetry into imaginative tales that transcend both science and fiction.Scanners Live in VainAdam Stone has found a way for men to cross deep space alive—a discovery that might kill him.The Lady Who Sailed the SoulHelen America voyages to the stars—and into a timeless legend of romance.Alpha Ra...

"Scanners Live in Vain" is a compelling novella that delves into a dystopian future where human emotions are suppressed through technology in the name of societal stability. Cordwainer Smith employs a rich and imaginative prose style that blends science fiction with elements of myth and philosophical inquiry. The narrative is set within his broader literary universe known as the Instrumentality, where the interplay between human values and technological advancements raises profound questio...

Welcome to Old North Australia, or Norstrilia, the only planet that has "stroon," a substance that indefinitely delays aging in humans. Stroon is cultivated from huge, deformed sheep farmed by the wealthiest estate owners to ever exist in all of humanity's existence.Rod McBan is the last of one of the oldest and most honorable families on Norstrilia. But he himself has shortcomings that would normally have led to his death under the strict laws governing population control on a pla...

Cats distract us. Cats make us think of things outside of ourselves. And cats love to involve themselves in human affairs.In this omnibus volume of WMG Publishing's notable series, The Year of the Cat, felines of all stripes pounce and play and stalk through 100 cat stories in genres ranging from light romance to dark crime and everything in between.Entertaining cats, loving cats, even super-talented and time-traveling cats grace the pages of these twelve volumes edited by ...

In "On the Sand Planet," Cordwainer Smith crafts a mesmerizing tale set in the expansive universe of his Instrumentality series, immersing readers in a landscape where human existence intertwines with the enigmatic forces of the cosmos. Employing a distinctive lyrical style, Smith's narrative is rich in symbolism and philosophical inquiry, reflecting the genre's intersection of science fiction and myth. The novel explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the cyclical nature of life amid ...

In Cordwainer Smith's thought-provoking novella, "Think Blue, Count Two," readers are drawn into a richly imagined universe that explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the complexities of human-machine relationships. Written with Smith's signature lyrical style, the narrative blends speculative fiction with existential inquiry, examining how individuals might navigate a future where reality and illusion intermingle. Set within the broader context of Smith's own unique work in the ...

A must-read for any science fiction fan, The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume Two (published in two volumes, A & B) is a compilation of twenty-two of the best novellas published between 1895 and 1962.The two volumes were originally published in 1973 (Two-A) and 1974 (Two-B) after the stories were selected by a vote of the membership of the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA, now known as the Science Fiction and ...

In 'Three To A Given Star,' Cordwainer Smith explores the intricate interplay of fate, free will, and human emotion within a richly constructed universe that transcends conventional science fiction. The narrative intertwines a love story with themes of sacrifice and the profound moral dilemmas faced by its protagonists. Smith's unique literary style, characterized by poetic language and a deep philosophical undertone, creates a dreamlike atmosphere that invites readers to ponder the nature...

Cordwainer Smith was one pseudonym of Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger, a U.S. Army officer, scholar on East Asian matters, classmate of L. Ron Hubbard, advisor and godson of Sun Yat-Sen, and an expert in psychological warfare. His identity remained a secret until shortly before his death.Though his writing was cut short by his relatively early death, his stories, mostly concerning a far future involving a millennia-spanning "Instrumentality of Mankind," were nominated for two Hugo aw...