Anthony Boucher was a pivotal figure in both mystery and science fiction, renowned primarily for his editorial acumen and compelling storytelling. He profoundly influenced the literary landscape of science fiction, championing its artistic merit through his anthologies and critical reviews. Boucher's own narrative work, often characterized by intricate plots and psychological depth, cemented his reputation as a master of suspense. His early work translating Jorge Luis Borges also highlights his significant contribution to bringing international literary voices to a wider audience.
The book is a classical work recognized for its significance throughout history. Alpha Editions has undertaken the preservation of this important text by republishing it in a modern format, ensuring it remains accessible to present and future generations. The entire book has been meticulously reformatted, retyped, and designed, offering a clear and readable presentation rather than relying on scanned copies of the original work.
A Golden Age mystery set in the Golden Age of science fiction Legendary science fiction author Fowler Faulkes may be dead, but his creation, the iconic Dr. Derringer, lives on in popular culture. Or, at least, the character would live on if not for Faulkes’s predatory and greedy heir Hilary, who, during his time as the inflexible guardian of the estate, has created countless enemies in the relatively small community of writers of the genre. So when he is stabbed nearly to death in a room with only one door, which nobody was seen entering or exiting, Foulkes suspects a writer. Fearing that the assailant will return, he asks for police protection, and when more potentially-fatal encounters follow, it becomes clear to Detective Terry Marshall and his assistant, the inquisitive nun, Sister Ursula, that death awaits Mr. Foulkes around every corner. Now, they’ll have to work overtime to thwart the would-be murderer—a task that requires a deep dive into the strange, idiosyncratic world of science fiction in its early days. With characters based heavily on Anthony Boucher’s friends at the Manana Literary Society, including Robert Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and Jack Parsons, Rocket to the Morgue is both a classic locked room mystery and an enduring portrait of a real-life writing community. Reprinted for the first time in over thirty years, the book is a must-read for fans of mysteries and science fiction alike.
On the set of a Sherlock Holmes film, a group of experts on the Great Detective gets drawn into a puzzling murder plot For the die-hard Sherlock Holmes fans that comprise the Baker Street Irregulars — some of them famous authors and widely-respected critics — there’s something particularly infuriating about unfaithful adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle’s immortal works. So when they get word that a Hollywood studio has plans to produce a tough, hard-boiled interpretation of the Great Detective, written by an author who has expressed disdain not only the group and its members, but for the source material as well, they immediately express their concern, threatening the picture with a campaign of boycotts and smears. Recognizing the influence wielded by the group, the studio invites a selection of members to visit the set, hoping to placate their complaints. But as soon as they arrive, things start to get strange, first with a series of ominous warnings, each one referencing one of Holmes’s famous cases, and soon thereafter, with murder. A complex yet humorous whodunnit with fairly played clues, which provides the reader with all the information needed to solve the crime, The Case of the Baker Street Irregulars is sure to please Sherlock Holmes fans of all stripes, and anyone who appreciates a challenging puzzle.
"In his chosen field (he) was a Renaissance man, a complete man - writer, critic and historian. He was conscientious and a fine craftsman." Ellery QueenTHE CASE OF THE SEVEN OF CALVARYThe learned Sanskrit expert, Dr. John Ashwin, investigates a weird heretical cult. An intricate and gripping detective novel in the tradition of John Dickson Carr.NINE TIMES NINEHarrigan was murdered in his study, with all the windows sealed and exits blocked. A fascinating locked room mystery.ROCKET TO THE MORGUEDetective Terry Marshall and Sister Ursula return to investigate further mysterious murders which bear the hallmark of the impossible.THE CASE OF THE CRUMPLED KNAVEEnter brash Irish detective Fergus O'Breen and a dead man's puzzling final message.
10 short stories of fantasy and science fiction. For contents, see Author Catalog.
Contents:Re-Birth by John Wyndham (novel).The Shape of Things That Came by Richard Deming.Pillar of Fire by Ray Bradbury.Waldo by Robert A. Heinlein.The Father-Thing by Philip K. Dick.The Children's Hour by Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore.Gomez by C. M. Kornbluth.The [Widget], The [Wadget], and Boff by Theodore Sturgeon.Sandra by George P. Elliott.Beyond Space and Time by Joel Townsley Rogers.The Martian Crown Jewels by Poul Anderson.The Weapon Shops of Isher by A. E. van Vogt (novel).
