Though highly regarded, Albert Cowdrey's short stories have primarily appeared in digest magazines, with sporadic reprints. This collection features fourteen of his finest tales, showcasing the breadth and appeal of his fiction. The narratives range from historical fantasies set six hundred years ago to science-fiction adventures in the distant future. The characters include sheriffs, soldiers, academics, bookstore owners, government agents, and a ne'er-do-well nephew, with stories varying in tone from comic to creepy and pensive to pulse-pounding. Notable tales include 'Queen for a Day', a World Fantasy Award-winning murder mystery in the Crescent City; 'Twilight States', a dark exploration of brothers, psychologists, and an old pulp magazine; and 'The Tribes of Bela', where Colonel Kohn investigates a death in a mining colony on the planet Bela, only to uncover something much larger. 'The Overseer' brings the glories and hardships of Reconstruction to life amid deep secrets. With ten additional tales spanning from World War battlefronts to academic halls and from Scandinavia to outer space, this collection keeps readers eagerly anticipating what comes next. Cowdrey's unique blend of wit, adventure, philosophy, and supernatural elements is sure to delight existing fans and attract new readers.
