During a walk home through the woods, adventurer Saran finds an unexpected connection with Clarity, a wizard's former maid. Their magical encounter leads to days of enchanted bliss in her cottage, but when financial pressures arise, they answer an unusual advertisement from a researcher studying extraordinary phenomena. The decision sets in motion events that will test their understanding of love, freedom, and the true nature of relationships.

This issue, we have an original mystery by dbschlosser (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), a recent tale by Bruce Robert Coffin (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), and a slightly older tale by James Holding. Our mystery novel is As a Thief in the Night, by R. Austin Freeman—part of his Dr. Thorndyke series. And, of course, a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles.On the science fiction side, we have an original story by Larry Tritten, plus classics...

An infernal bartender with a gift for magic serves dead—and undead—customers in a hellish venue. A bar story only Larry Tritten could tell!

Explorers, they found a new Earth-like planet and made planetfall. But why couldn't Jack remember what happened to his wife there?

Harry always wanted to travel, but never found the time. He had the money. He had the will (or so he thought). And he had the longing deep inside. So when he found a djinn, maybe his chance had finally come...

Saran, travelling through a burnt and desolate woods, makes the mistake of drinking with a pair of brothers he finds there—brothers who have a sinister agenda and a twisted view of righteousness. Outnumbered, with only a knife to defend himself, can Saran save himself with wits alone?

Feeling unfulfilled in his small town life, Courtland takes a drive seeking relief from his malaise. But his journey soon takes an unbelievable turn after a startling encounter with the town's doctor unravels the nature of reality. Courtland is left questioning everything he knows as a tantalizing new world opens up, promising adventure beyond his imagination...if he dares believe the incredible truth.

He picked up the radio for a bargain price at a pawn shop. But it only played death and destruction! A classic fantasy in the Twilight Zone style by the King of Gonzo!

Demons often grow bored. But when it comes down to tests against humanity, the game isn't always the fiddle. And in Fantocinni's case, he found himself playing Monopoly against the demon who had cost him everything and everyone he loved. And the stakes? If he won, he'd get it all back. But that was a big if...

Learning of rumors to the effect that Vulgare Hokum had undertaken certain mercantile enterprises among the highland folk to the east of the city of Astropolis, on Tristan, Garth Curson chartered a star vessel and hurried to the planet. His errand: observance of his vow to enact vengeance upon each of the five Demon Pranksters who had ventured the temerity to address him in colloquial terms—one of whom was Vulgare Hokum...So begins Larry Tritten's sendup of the works of Jack Vance....

Yes, the king of gonzo science fiction humor is back with a complete Book of Lists (in only 10 pages!) that is guaranteed to make you laugh! Consumer content warning: Not an actual book. Not actual sciece fiction (or is it?!). Contains not less than 56 parts humor per capita. For best results, do not expose to direct sunlight.

They had been friends for years. Hollywood friends, in the biz. He was incredibly rich. She had a boyfriend. They were from different worlds. When he finally asked her out on a date, it was out a cosmic experience. Quite literally. A vintage science fiction story by Larry Tritten.