COVER ARTSteve HickmanNOVELSThe Purple Sickle Murders, by Freeman Wills CroftsInspector French investigates a deadly scheme—and a girl too scared to stay silent.The Daughter of the Dawn, by William Reginald HodderA lost race. A cursed secret. Who dares awaken the mysteries of Hinauri?SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTER...

When Megan decided to go on a camping trip with her two college roommates, she had no idea that she would find herself involved in an alien plot to conquer Earth.And she certainly had no idea that a handsome extraterrestrial would find her "enchanting."Can a girl with low self-esteem and no experience with romance save her world and navigate the pitfalls of love with a dashing, but enigmatic alien whose true motivations are impossible to know?

Each issue of The Society of Misfit Stories Presents… is a celebration of long-form fiction. These novelettes and novellas will entertain and surprise fans of the form. In this issue: William Suboski, Sarina Dorie, Daniel Foy, Anne Sherman, Gary Battershell, and David Gilman Frederick.A sampling of the stories in this issue:A ghost seeks to convince a scientist to believe in the existence of ghosts in Psychology for the Living Impaired.

We’ve assembled an amazing selection of stories for readers who love variety. First up, five mystery stories: an original set in the glamorous world of film by Elizabeth Elwood (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), a gripping pulp thriller by Richard Deming, a moonshine-drenched tale from David Heska Wanbli Weiden (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), and a dark crime story by Donald A. Ranard. And, of course, no issue would be complete without a new solve-it-yourself puzzler ...

When it rains, it pours. And right now, it’s a freaking monsoon.Bjorn:After my parents' deaths, I devoted myself to raising my younger siblings. It meant growing up fast, but I had to keep the family together. Romantic relationships weren’t a priority. My siblings had to come first.It takes my near-death experience for me to reprioritize yet again. I need to stop meddling in my siblings’ lives and focus on me. Only, I’m not...

A mind-opening collection of short science fiction from one of the genre's most revered Grand Masters.Legendary author Robert A. Heinlein proclaimed, "To read science fiction is to read Simak. A reader who does not like Simak stories does not like science fiction at all." The remarkably talented Clifford D. Simak was able to ground his vast imagination in reality, and then introduce readers to fantastical worlds and concepts they could instantly and completely dig ...

A warrior and her dark sister join forces to dismantle and remake their embattled world in this epic fantasy saga from a Nebula Award–winning author.One of fantasy fiction's preeminent practitioners, Jane Yolen creates a world and mythology that are richly enthralling and vibrantly alive in this acclaimed trilogy.Sister Light, Sister Dark: Three-times orphaned and raised secretly by the acolytes of the goddess Alta, the child Jenna studies the ways ...

An outrageous trio of novellas that twist the Victorian era out of shape, by a master of alternate history: "Spooky, haunting, hilarious" (William Gibson).Welcome to the world of steampunk, a nineteenth century outrageously reconfigured through weird science. With his magnificent trilogy, acclaimed author Paul Di Filippo demonstrates how this unique subgenre of science fiction is done to perfection—reinventing a mannered age of corsets and industrial revolution with...

A warrior woman and her dark twin are destined to remake the world in this "powerful" tale, the first in a trilogy by a World Fantasy Award winner ( Newsweek).Legend foretold the child named Jenna, who was three-times orphaned before she could crawl, a fate that would leave her in the hands of women who worshipped the benevolent goddess Great Alta. In this world without men, Jenna comes of age, learning quickly the skills of close combat. But her most power...

A young man must fight—literally—to journey to the stars in this thrilling coming-of-age tale from the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author and his brother.A towering young giant growing up on a high-gravity world of perilous plants and savage creatures, Carl Bok is thrilled when he's offered a one-year scholarship to Starschool. As a new student aboard the space-traveling institution, Carl will get the opportunity to visit and learn from sixteen colonized worlds. ...

Tales of science fiction and adventure from the Hugo Award–winning author of Way Station and City .The long and prolific career of Clifford D. Simak cemented him as one of the formative voices of the science fiction and fantasy genre. His literary legacy stands alongside those of Robert A. Heinlein and Ray Bradbury. This striking collection of nine tales showcases Simak's abili...

Fourteen stories and a rare screenplay from the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author deliver a "solid introduction to the oeuvre of a classic writer" ( The New York Times Book Review ).Greg Bear—author of Queen of Angels, Eon, and Hull Zero Three, among many other hugely popular novels—has an ability to transform challenging scientific concepts into gripping fiction that has won him numerous awar...