A highly entertaining series of short stories. The stories in this book are very original and are not reprinted in many other collections of Alternate History, with the exception of two. If you love alternate history, I encourage you to read, if not buy this book.

Everyone has wondered "What if..." at some point, whether the question involved his or her own life or some pivotal event in history. History as we know it is jolted and questioned at every turn in this emotional collection of engaging and imaginative fiction. Many "what if..." questions are addressed in this volume that allow authors and readers alike to rewrite history, correcting perceived wrongs or tragedies ("Suppose They Gave a Peace..."), creating heroes where none existed before ("The Lucky Strike"), and exploring horrors best left to imaginations and late night readings ("We Could Do Worse"). Any fan of science fiction will enjoy these well-selected, well-ordered stories.

There are times when short story collections may be disappointing but this is one of the best mystery anthologies out there. The stories are all top notch and it stays with you after having finished them. Some of the best stories are THE CASE OF THE PIETRO ANDROMACHE by Sara Paretsky where she departs from writing a story in the first person and tries something new with one of V. I. Warshawski supporting characters; Loren Estleman's I'M IN THE BOOK which is a good starting point for readers not familiar with his character, Amos Walker; and Barbara Collins's SEEING RED about a woman who has a very bad day.

My favorite story out of this whole collection is Ed Gorman's THE REASON WHY. It is a story of a twenty-year class reunion in which a couple of students have been keeping a secret since high school graduation. They receive a threatening letter saying that they must confess to their crime. It is a very powerful and moving story. If you do not care for the authors involved in the project at least try Gorman's short story.

14 short stories by some of my favorite authors. I like the short stories because I can pick them up and set them down again and can get my mystery reading in along with my busy lifestyle. I carry this book to the dentist, doctor, and sometimes even read while I sit in traffic. Sure makes the time go faster. These are all stories of suspense that would satisfy any mystery readers taste.

i enjoyed this compilation of many good sci-fi authors, i recommend it to anyone who likes sci-fi.

This one is captivating! These short stories are wonderful, well written with a turn at the end of each page. I highly recommend to any reader looking for a good set of short stories with mystery and murder included!!

Francis Nevins has provided an introduction with a bit of biographical information about Fred Dannay and Manfred Lee, the two cousins who became Ellery Queen, and an overview of the evolution of the character. Nevins also lists the contents of each of Queen's short story collections.

Ellery, incidentally, sometimes ridicules the idea of really elaborate dying clues, but they occur nonetheless.

"The Glass-Domed Clock" (1933) Dying clue. Martin Orr has been found murdered in his curio shop, clutching an amethyst and one of the clocks on display.

"The Bearded Lady" (1934) Dying clue. Old Mrs. Shaw suspected her grown stepchildren of attempting to poison her, so despite her late husband's wishes she disinherited them, leaving most of the money to her husband's niece in England, with instructions that Edith would live in the Shaw house for at least 2 years, with regular checkups by Dr. Arlen, Mrs. Shaw's own physician (who got the rest of the money in trust). Alas, the stepchildren are the residuary legatees, and Dr. Arlen has been found murdered - leaving only an oddly defaced painting in his hobby studio as a clue.

"The Mad Tea-Party" (1934) This story was adapted for the TV series starring Jim Hutton as Ellery, as "The Adventure of the Mad Tea Party"; it's one of the strongest episodes. (Few of the episodes corresponded directly to any Queen story, oddly enough.) Richard Owen is staging a reenactment of the Wonderland tea party for his son's birthday; Ellery consented to visit only because he wanted to meet one of the actresses involved. Owen mysteriously vanishes on the day of the birthday itself, so Ellery (despite his best efforts) has to get to work.

"Man Bites Dog" (1939) A cyanide-laced hotdog at the Polo Grounds, in this case, during a subway series: Ellery's NY Giants vs the NY Yankees.

"Mind Over Matter" (1939) Paula Paris (Ellery's girlfriend from California), is covering the heavyweight title fight between champion Mike Brown and challenger Jim Coyle, and offers to get Ellery and the Inspector tickets. (Ellery at first refuses: "I'm a jinx. If I went, something catastrophic would be sure to happen. So why should I want to go?" "He's afraid somebody will knock somebody off," said the Inspector. "Well, doesn't somebody always?")

"The Inner Circle" (1947) The 1913 class of Eastern University, the 1st graduating class, formed a special organization within the Alumni Club: the Januarians. But 5 of them formed a club within a club as a clandestine business partnership, of which 3 have now died, organized as a tontine. Who will be the last survivor?

"The Dauphin's Doll" (1948) Cytherea Ypson, even at 78, made a hobby of collecting dolls. Upon her death, the collection is to be auctioned to establish a fund for orphans, but only 1 entry in the collection is really valuable: partly for historical associations, partly for the $110,000 diamond in its crown. But Miss Ypson's will provides that on the day before Christmas, the entire collection is to be displayed in Nash's department store...

"The Three Widows" (1950) Locked-room. Penelope and Lyra, after their husbands died, moved back in with their dad, Theodore Hood. After his death, their stepmother feared that (under the terms of the will) they had a great deal of motive to murder her, so she took extraordinary precautions to thwart them. Nevertheless, somehow someone managed to poison her.

"Snowball in July" (1952) Diamond Jim Grady, specializing in jewel robbery at gunpoint, has had Lizbet as his girl for 2 years, 10 months - eternity, in the circles where he moves. But she's put on weight, so when he picks up a new girl, Lizbet (nobody's fool) stages a vanishing act before Grady can clean up any loose ends.

"'My Queer Dean!'" (1953) Matthew Hope, one of Ellery's Harvard professors, is much given to spoonerisms. Very awkward, when he's been hurt badly in an attempted robbery, and Ellery's trying to interpret his attempt to say what happened and who did it.

"GI Story" (1954) Wrightsville + dying clue. One of Clint Fosdick's 3 stepsons (each named for a president: Wash the lawyer, Linc the MD, and draftee Woody) seems to be the murderer, but his last scrawled clue doesn't seem to fit the other evidence.

"Miracles Do Happen" (1957) Henry and Claire Witter have 4 children and no money - but Jody has expensive medical treatments, and hasn't been able to walk for 3 years. So when Tully the moneylender begins calling in debts on the eve of upcoming prosecution, Witter is the prime suspect, as the last victim to see Tully alive.

"Last Man to Die" (1963) Just as Ellery gets stuck with The Butler in his novel-in-progress, the granddaughter of one the last 2 survivors of the Butler's Club comes to him with a problem. The club treasury is tied up with a tontine...

"Abraham Lincoln's Clue" (1965) DiCampo, having fallen on hard times, must now sell his prize: a book bearing the signatures of Poe and Lincoln, with an accompanying document in Lincoln's own hand. The 2 competing bidders (one a Poe collector, the other a Lincoln enthusiast) have agreed to buy it jointly and let him select who takes custody. But the items are hidden somewhere suggested by the manuscript itself, and everyone's stuck figuring out the Lincoln clue.

"Wedding Anniversary" (1967) Wrightsville + dying clue. Ellery, through the police chief, attends the 1st anniversary bash of Ernst Brauenfel and his 2nd wife Zelda. Mr. B has been tactless, not only marrying his pretty bookkeeper within weeks of his 1st wife's death, but on his 1st wife's birthday. Somebody, however, has been much more crass, poisoning the liqueur he drinks only on very special occasions.

This book is recommended by Dr Spock, Dr Dodson, and Norman Cousins. An extraordinarily sensitive book on what it feels like to become a father in gradual steps. An invaluable guide to fatherhood, because a baby needs a nuturing father too!

I'll be honest; John Jakes is the draw for me here. I found that this book introduced me to other authors that have a style I can get used to! the easy-read stories show a different view from top authors' typical writing, but without loosing their ability to draw from history. History comes alive, especially from these sad stories of lost souls. It has created a further interest on a subject that I have often overlooked.

A solid collection of extremely well-written and accesible tales about the oldest villain in the game: Satan. The takes some people have on him are numerous and colorful, and there's almost not a single stinker in the book. Not inundated with stories that require degrees in theology, either. Great fantasy with a social edge, and good for people who don't even dig fantasy.

This is the introductin into a unique view of the universe. Isaac Asimov created a universe with six star faring races, humans being the latest addition. The big blow to these races is that there is evidence of a much greater race that left the galaxy long before any of the other races had even achieved consciousness. This is a collection of stories written by various science fiction writers based on the initial guidelines set down by Isaac Asimov. A must read!

One sword. The true sword, EXCALIBUR. Forged from magic and courage, it bears the power of heroes and kings. Its nature is unique, but its forms are legion. It can appear... has appeared... will appear, anywhere, at any time, in a thousand hands in a thousand guises. For Excalibur is the force that protects the souls of Good's guardians, and changes the course of destinies...

Tales of the history and manifestations of Excalibur throughout time, gathered by three of the most experienced anthologists in the field and featuring: Esther M. Friesner, Owl Goingback, Jody Lynn Nye, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Judith Tarr, Susan Shwartz, and many more.

Featuring

"CONTROLLING THE SWORD" by Kristine Kathryn Rusch: The ancestral sword drew generations of children to their destiny but forever cursed all who were unworthy of its touch.

"LASSORIO" by Eric Lustbader: The sullen warlord Lassorio ruled a dark, diminished Camelot until the night a snow fox led him to a place of magic, horror. . . and love.

"THE GOD-SWORD" by Diana L. Paxson: Centuries before the time of Arthur, a Swordbearer and his Druid lover must join the battle for the soul of ancient Britannia.

"SILVER, STONE, AND STEEL" by Judith Tarr: Joseph of Arimathea carried a Mystery to the world's end and discovered his place in an eternal dream of wizards, gods, goddesses, and blood.

"SWORD PRACTICE by Jody Lynn Nye: The young boy-king must discover: Does Arthur rule the sword or does Excalibur rule the king?

"GOLDIE LOX, AND THE THREE EXCALIBEARERS" by Esther M. Friesner: What're you starin' at? Even Merlin's verklempt when the destined Swordbearer for the age turns out to be Brooklyn's Lady of the Lox teen deli waitress Goldie Berman! Who knew?