Best Selling Books by Philip Jose FARMER

This issue features three original short stories (mysteries by M.A. Monnin [thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken], and Edd Vick & Manny Frishberg, plus a fantasy story by D J Tyrer), and an original science fiction novel by Thomas A. Easton. Furthering the mystery section, we also have a great tale by John M. Floyd (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) a classic novel by William J. Burns & Isabel Ostrander, and a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. Rounding out the science fiction and fantasy selections are a dark fantasy by British master John S. Glasby and a classic by Philip Jose Farmer. Lots of fun. Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Tick Tock,” by M.A. Monnin [Michael Bracken Presents original short story] “Who Stole the Monopoly Money?” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Molly’s Plan,” by John M. Floyd [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Time and Tide,” by Edd Vick and Manny Frishberg [original short story] The Crevice, by William J. Burns and Isabel Ostrander [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Ring of Tsimblier,” by D J Tyrer [original short story] “In the Midst of Night,” John S. Glasby [short story] “Lancelot Biggs: Master Navigator,” by Nelson S. Bond [short story, Lancelot Biggs series] “The Wounded,” by Philip José Farmer [short story] Configuration Hacks, by Thomas A. Easton [original novel]

The epic, adventure-filled sequel to Hadon of Ancient Opar Published for the first time anywhere, the Restored Edition of Philip JosE Farmer''s Flight to Opar features nearly 4,000 words that were cut from Farmer''s original manuscript when the novel was published in 1976. This new Meteor House edition is the first and only publication of the novel ever to include the excised material, which encompasses long passages of narrative, dialogue, and rich world-building details on Ancient Opar and the civilization of Khokarsa that readers have never previously been able to enjoy until now. The Restored Edition of Flight to Opar also features rare and previously unpublished bonus material, including: * A Preface to the Restored Edition by Christopher Paul Carey (coauthor with Philip JosE Farmer of The Song of Kwasin, the third novel in the Khokarsa series) * A brand-new introduction by S. M. Stirling (New York Times bestselling author of the Change series) * The Khokarsan Language by Philip JosE Farmer * Khokarsan Glossary by Philip JosE Farmer and Christopher Paul Carey * A Guide to Khokarsa by Christopher Paul Carey * Early Notes on the Khokarsa Series by Philip JosE Farmer * Original Outline to Flight to Opar by Philip JosE Farmer * Cross-section Map of Opar by Philip JosE Farmer Hadon of Opar was the winner of the Great Games and the rightful claimant to the throne of Khokarsa, a mighty empire that stretched along the shores of ancient Africa''s great inland seas. But the old king has refused to surrender his power, and Hadon finds himself caught in the middle of a bloody civil war between the zealous priests of the sun god and the beneficent priestesses of the great mother goddess. Now a divination of the oracle hurls Hadon on his most dangerous adventure yet. With a tyrant''s armies and warships hot on their heels, Hadon and his companions must set out on a journey through perilous jungles and across storm-racked seas to reach the city of his birth for only in far-flung golden Opar can he fulfill the oracle''s prophecy and save the land from utter doom. "

In a dystopian future, brilliant but arrogant scientist Dr. James Carroad conducts a shocking experiment on his unborn son to impress the Secretary of Science. Using a powerful mind-reading machine, Carroad taps into his child''s thoughts - with disturbing results that call into question the nature of free will. As secrets from the past resurface, his wife Jane starts to realize the horrific implications of her husband''s hubris.

Behind the walls of Terra lay a secret no man could be allowed to learn. But Kickaha - the Earth-born adventurer of the tiered worlds - had to uncover that secret, or watch his home world destroyed. Kickaha was returning to Earth from the World of Tiers, the many-levelled universe of the god-like Lords, that he had entered many years ago as Paul Janus Finnegan. Now he had returned to a world he no longer knew, to find it ruled by Red Orc, a Lord jealous of his personal domain and hostile to intruders. Yet Kickaha had to stay alive in order to defeat the deadly enemy that threatened Earth and the other worlds of tiers - the ''Beller'', the malignant creature that was the mind-essence of a rebel Lord.

The lavalite world is a world of slow but constant change. Here mountains rise from plains, or sink into rifts; new oceans form as vast hollows collapse and seas rush in. There is only one escape from this world where the very landscape moves. The one gateway to other universes is in the palace of the Lord Urthona. Paul Janus Finnegan - also known as Kickaha - must reach it if he is to survive. And he must do so despite the Lords Urthone and Red Orc, the hired thug McKay, flesh-eating vegetation on the run, beasts of prey and planetary pseudopods.

Operation Timestop: Post-holocaust Paris is a pretty seedy stand-in for the original, but what can you expect when the goverment''s main function is Orgasm Prevention & when the national hero is wandering around in Nowhen. But things are changing! Rumor has it that the Timetraveler is coming back in a few months. At which point, Time itself will come to an end.

THE CAT’S MEOW Welcome to Black Cat Weekly. This issue, on the mystery side of things, we have original stories from Brendan DuBois (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), E Senteio (crime in the library!), and Cody Goodfellow (has the classic villain Fantomas finally met his match?)…plus Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has unearthed a gem by Eve Fisher. Our novel is Behind the Bronze Door, by William Le Queux, and of course we have a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. As if that weren’t enough, we also have science fiction stories from Lester del Rey, Philip Jose Farmer, and T.D. Hamm. Rounding out the issue is a Jules de Grandin novelette by Seabury Quinn. Our cover is by our art director, Ron Miller. I’ve had to twist his arm (he’s far too humble for self promotion) and next issue, we’re going to have an illustration feature—a portfolio of his best and favorite book covers. Something to look forward to. Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “The Million-dollar Recovery,” by Brendan DuBois [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “An Historic Heist,” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery] “Wind Power,” by Eve Fisher [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Damned If You Do, and Damned If You Don’t,” by E Senteio [short story] “The Black Hand of Fantomas,” by Cody Goodfellow [short story, Fantomas series] Behind the Bronze Door, by William Le Queux [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Battleground,” by Lester del Rey [short story] “Tongues of the Moon,” by Philip Jose Farmer [short story] “The Survivors,” by T.D. Hamm [short story] “The Jewel of Seven Stones,” by Seabury Quinn [novelette, Jules de Grandin series] Until next time, happy reading!

Welcome to Black Cat Weekly. On the mystery side of things, we have original tales by Veronica Leigh (one that looks to be the start of a new series) and Richard A. McMahon (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken). Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has selected a great tale by Anna Scotti, and our novel is The Talleyrand Maxim, by Golden Age author J.S. Fletcher. Plus, of course, a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles. On the science fiction and fantasy side, our lead item is a new feature—a portfolio by artist Ron Miller. Ron has joined our staff as art director and will be providing covers from his vast body of work. But I wanted our readers to know how great an artist he is, so here is a collection of some of his best covers. As for the fiction, we have a monster-in-the-mist story by British master John Glasby, plus an all-star lineup of classic authors: Frank Belknap Long, Donald A. Wollheim, Henry Slesar, and Philip Jose Farmer. Great stuff. Here’s the complete lineup— Cover Art: Ron Miller Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Mr. George,” by Richard A. McMahan [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “An Open and Shut Case,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “That Which We Call Patience,” by Anna Scotti [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughters,” by Veronica Leigh [short story] The Talleyrand Maxim, by J.S. Flextcher [novel] Special Feature: “Cover Portfolio,” by Ron Miller Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Thing in the Mist,” by John Glasby [short story] “Mr. Caxton Draws a Martian Bird,” by Frank Belknap Long [short story] “Saknarth,” by Donald A. Wollheim [short story] “Mr. Loneliness,” by Henry Slesar [short story] “The Celestial Blueprint,” by Philip José Farmer [short story]

In Philip Jose Farmers incredible sequel to The Image of the Beast, Herald Childe continues what started as a murder case - a very gruesome one - but which has now become a struggle against the strange and deadly beings who have taken his wife, who threaten his manhood and threaten mankind itself. His seems a hopeless quest. He is fighting not people but inhuman, unhuman monster from another universe. They take grotesque physical forms, they indulge cruel whims, and they are sex-mad. There is Vivienne, amazingly beautiful, who used to be Joan of Arc. But she has false teeth and she comes literally to pieces. Her lover is a snake-like horror whose needle teeth drip aphrodisiac venom. There is Count Igescu, a real live vampire. And these three are surrounded by a grisly crowd of bizarre aliens, characters in a science fiction nightmare. But for Childe there is to be no waking up: though no one else will believe him, he knows this is for real...

NOVELS The House of the Missing, by Sinclair Gluck When Margaret disappears during a routine shopping trip, her brother sets off on a relentless quest to find her. New Amazonia, by Elizabeth Burgoyne Corbett This pioneering feminist utopian novel transports a Victorian-era woman into a future Ireland governed by women. NOVELET “Horsesense Hank in the Parallel Worlds,” by Nelson S. Bond Hank ventures into parallel worlds where nothing is as it seems. SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY “Murder on the Christmas Train,” by Hal Charles Can you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there! ufeff SHORT STORIES “Hearth and Home,” by Rick McMahan [Michael Bracken Presents short story] A detective’s pursuit of a fugitive reveals haunting truths about a family massacre. “The Queen of Christmas,” by Shari Randall [Barb Goffman Presents short story] A Sugar Plum Fairy, a stolen necklace, and an icy night bring mischief and mayhem… “Two Words,” by Paula Messina A struggling shop owner faces unexpected dangers—and blessings—on a snowy Christmas Eve... “Beginner’s Luck,” by Susan Love Brown A too-clever Christmas plan unravels when past crimes resurface, exposing secrets, irony, and ultimate justice. “The Bleak Mid-Winter Snow,” by Andrew Welsh-Huggins In a post-AI-revolt world, a first date sparks hope—until chilling truths shatter trust and safety! “A Stranger at the Door,” by Nina Kiriki Hoffman A secretive elf gives Chiara a magical gift, transforming her Christmas—and her life—in unexpected ways. “Heel,” by Philip Jose Farmer Achilles fights destiny as gods manipulate his fate in a cosmic war where the scriptwriter reigns supreme… “The Lost Race,” by Robert E. Howard A Briton stumbles upon a hidden Pict civilization—where vengeance, honor, and ancient curses shape his fate…

After the Apocalyptic War, the decimated remnants of the French huddled in the Loire Valley were gradually squeezed between two new and growing nations. The Colossus to the north was unfriendly and obviously intended to absorb the little New France. The Colossus to the south was friendly and offered to take the weak state into its confederation of republics as a full partner...

His journey began with the blast of a shotgun aimed at a gleaming nimbus of light. The tightening of his finger on the trigger was almost accidental; his punishment was almost merciful. But his journey has just begun, and when it is over Paul Eyre will no longer be human....

Twentieth-century scientist Ulysses Singing Bear had no idea his experiments with atomic stasis would result in a twenty-million-year journey to a world peopled by the descendants of present-day mammals. It was the world of Awina, the cat-woman who impossibly loved Ulysses. It was the planet of the mammoth continent-spanning intelligence-The Tree, whose branches touched the heavens and whose roots clasped hell-who knew that Ulysses, the newly-awakened Stone God, could destroy his reign. To enable his species to survive, Ulysses had to find a human mate. To do so, and to fulfill the single condition set by his worshippers, he had to confront The Tree. It would have been an easy task for a god, but he was only a man-and the only man at that... Originally published as an ACE paperback in 1970, The Stone God Awakens has been reprinted numerous times throughout the ''70s and into the ''80s, but is still one of Philip José Farmer''s lesser-known works. And that is a shame because, as Danny Adams (co-author with Philip José Farmer of The City Beyond Play and Dayworld: A Hole in Wednesday) spells out in his introduction, it is "a breathless mix of adventure, intellect, and myth."