Good breeding simply doesn't pay the rent anymore.And while Miss Melville has bucketloads of breeding, she finds herself somewhat...lacking, shall we say, when it comes to finances. Distinctly lacking. Her rich friends are no help; they think "broke" means having to buy a smaller yacht. What is an impoverished gentlewoman to do?Become a killer for hire, of course. But Miss Melville (who prefers the term "hitwoman") doesn't take just any job, no matter how w...

"My Fair Planet" is set in a future society where Earth is visited by aliens known as the Cynthians. These aliens are humanoid in appearance but possess advanced technology and a highly evolved sense of aesthetics. The Cynthians are intrigued by Earth's natural beauty but are appalled by the ugliness and disorderliness of human civilization.To remedy this, the Cynthians propose a radical solution: they will use their technology to beautify Earth and impose their own sense of order and aest...

"The Ignoble Savages" is a science fiction novel that explores themes of cultural clash and the nature of civilization through a speculative lens. The story is set in a future where humanity encounters an alien species with a radically different way of life.The plot centers around the interactions between humans and these alien beings, who are perceived as "savages" by the human characters. As the story unfolds, it challenges preconceived notions of savagery and civilization, highlighting ...

"The Man Outside" is a science fiction novel that revolves around a mysterious figure who appears to have a significant impact on the lives of the people he encounters. The story often explores themes of alienation, identity, and the nature of humanity.The central plot usually involves the protagonist or a group of characters trying to understand the intentions and origins of the enigmatic "man outside." The novel delves into the psychological and philosophical implications of his presence...

"Once a Greech" is set on the planet Kish, where the Greeches, a race of highly intelligent and technologically advanced beings, reside. The Greeches have a strict caste system that determines each individual's role and occupation in society. The protagonist of the story is a young Greech named Zog, who is dissatisfied with his assigned role as a technician and dreams of becoming an artist.Despite his lack of formal training, Zog possesses a natural talent for painting and sculpture. He sp...

"The Venus Trap" is set in a future where humans have colonized Venus. The story follows the protagonist, Dr. Myra Walden, a botanist stationed on Venus, who discovers a mysterious and deadly plant species. The plant, dubbed the "Venus Trap," has evolved to mimic harmless vegetation, but it is actually carnivorous and capable of ensnaring and consuming living creatures.As Dr. Walden investigates the Venus Trap, she becomes increasingly fascinated by its unique properties and evolutionary a...

"The Princess and the Physicist" is a science fiction novel that combines elements of romance and speculative fiction. The story features a unique blend of fantasy and science fiction, where a physicist and a princess find themselves entangled in an adventure that bridges their worlds.The plot often involves a physicist who is drawn into a fantastical situation involving a princess. This could include travel to other dimensions or worlds, encounters with strange technologies or magic, and ...

"Helpfully Yours" is set in a future society where automation has become so advanced that robots fulfill nearly every role in society, including household chores, caregiving, and even companionship. The story follows Mr. and Mrs. Langley, an elderly couple who live in a world where human interaction has become increasingly rare.When Mrs. Langley falls ill, Mr. Langley decides to purchase a highly advanced domestic robot named Emily to help care for her. Emily is programmed to be the perfec...

The story is set in a future where Earth is protected from alien threats by an advanced defense system. The protagonist is a member of the team responsible for maintaining this system, which is crucial for safeguarding humanity from potential extraterrestrial attacks.As the narrative unfolds, the protagonist encounters a series of challenges related to the operation and maintenance of the defense system. The story explores themes of duty, vigilance, and the pressure of responsibility in a ...

Manhattan's art scene in the 1980s is full of backstabbers, but Miss Melville regards this as needlessly messy. She prefers to use a gun—and she uses it well, in this darkly funny series perfect for fans of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club.Life is full of surprises. Susan Melville, for example, was raised to marry well, but when the Melville millions went South, she turned to...let's call it freelance problem-solving in order to pay the rent. Bluntly? She becam...

During the 1950s, Evelyn E. Smith regularly published science fiction in magazines like Galaxy and Fantastic Universe. Her stories ranged from post-apocalyptic satires to adventure to humor. She also wrote four science fiction novels, which chiefly deal with questions of gender identity. Like all of her work, they are characterized by their sharp wit. At her best, she was the equal of anyone -- male or female -- writing for the pulp magazines.This volume collects 12 of her short st...

Once these irritating farewells were over with, he could begin to live as he wished and as he’d dreamed.