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...

The Serapis Classics edition of The Science Fiction Omnibus #1! A smashing, kick-butt collection of some of the best sci-fi ever written: GENESIS, by H. Beam Piper FARMER, by Mack Reynolds EARTHSMITH, by Milton Lesser WHERE THE WORLD IS QUIET, by C.H. Liddell WARNING FROM THE STARS, by Ron Cocking THY NAME IS WOMAN, by Kenneth O'Hara THE SWORD, by Frank Quattrocchi THE YILLIAN WAY, by Keith Laumer OPERATION EARTHWORM, by Joe Archibald THE LAST LETTER, by Fritz Leiber THE BACK OF OUR HEADS,...

Edited by the mysterious Rey Bertran, the Science Fiction Archive #1 features some of the greatest science fiction writing of all time. Featuring: The Sentimentalists, by Murray Leinster The Girls from Earth, by Frank Robinson The Death Traps of FX-31, by Sewell Wright Song in a minor key, by C.L. Moore Sentry of the Sky, by Evelyn E. Smith Meeting of the Minds, by Robert Sheckley Junior, by Robert Abernathy Death Wish, by Ned Lang Dead World, by Jack Douglas Cost of Living, by Robert Shec...

"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 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 ...

"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 ...

"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 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 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...

"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...

This issue, we have original mysteries from Eve Fisher (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), Tony Rothman, and Michael Mallory (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), plus a classic novel from Arthur B. Reeve (one of his Craig Kennedy scientific detective series). And, of course, we have a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles.On the science fiction side, we 6 tales instead of our usual 5—largely because Robert F. Young’s is a short-short. Classic stories come f...