Detective Inspector Chen Series by Liz Williams, Tanith Lee, John Joseph Adams, Carrie Vaughn, Taiyo Fujii, Mary Robinette Kowal, Tony Daniel, Kelly Link, William Alexander, Andrea Hairston

A collection of 19 stories personally selected by the author, including two original to the collection, tales that draw aside the veils of mundane reality to reveal the hidden truths of this world and beyond. Stories that transport the reader from the icy Mars of Winterstrike to the searing deserts of Kazakhstan; from the exotic streets of Inspector Chen's Singapore Three to the forgotten waterways and hidden courtyards of Venice... moreA collection of 19 stories personally selected by the author, including two original to the collection, tales that draw aside the veils of mundane reality to reveal the hidden truths of this world and beyond. Stories that transport the reader from the icy Mars of Winterstrike to the searing deserts of Kazakhstan; from the exotic streets of Inspector Chen's Singapore Three to the forgotten waterways and hidden courtyards of Venice. Liz Williams writes science fiction with the rich textures of the very best fantasy, and fantasy with the sensibilities of high-end science fiction. She reveals the world around us in subtly different shades and portrays other realms with a vividness that defies doubt. "From the moment you open this collection, you leave the Known behind and enter the brighter, darker, more actual possibility that lies just through that door, over that hill..." Tanith Lee"Williams has mastered the art of writing clearly and believably about weird, alien worlds." The Times "Liz Williams' writing awakens the mind and transports the senses. When it has you thus distracted it is also stealthily penetrating the secret heart of things." Tricia Sullivan."Williams weaves a rich, complicated tapestry that merges life with afterlife, otherworldly with worldly and human with inhuman." Publishers Weekly less

“Sure, you can sleep with me,” she said, with a small, cool smile. “But only after I’m dead.”A thrilling short story set in Singapore Three, the home of Inspector Chen.

LIGHTSPEED is an online science fiction and fantasy magazine. In its pages, you will find science fiction: from near-future, sociological soft SF, to far-future, star-spanning hard SF--and fantasy: from epic fantasy, sword-and-sorcery, and contemporary urban tales, to magical realism, science-fantasy, and folktales... moreLIGHTSPEED is an online science fiction and fantasy magazine. In its pages, you will find science fiction: from near-future, sociological soft SF, to far-future, star-spanning hard SF--and fantasy: from epic fantasy, sword-and-sorcery, and contemporary urban tales, to magical realism, science-fantasy, and folktales. This month, w have original science fiction by Carrie Vaughn ("Crazy Rhythm") and Taiyo Fujii ("Violation of the TrueNet Security Act"), along with SF reprints by Tony Daniel ("Life on the Moon") and Mary Robinette Kowal ("The Consciousness Problem"). Plus, we have something a little different this month. We'll have fantasy reprints by Liz Williams ("Adventures in the Ghost Trade") and William Alexander ("Ana's Tag"), but instead of two original fantasy short stories, we have a single fantasy novelette by Andrea Hairston ("Saltwater Railroad"), which is about twice the length of a regular LIGHTSPEED story. So, although you are getting three stories instead of four this month, the novelette is the length of two full-length short stories, so you're still getting the same amount of fiction. We hope you enjoy this minor deviation from our usual offerings, and rest assured we will return to our regularly scheduled programming next month. All that plus spotlights on our authors and cover artist, as well as a feature interview with Kelly Link, and the latest installment of our book review column. And for our ebook readers, we also have reprint of the novella "Dapple," by Eleanor Arnason, and a pair of novel excerpts, including a selection from Dark Orbit, by Carolyn Ives Gilman, and Wylding Hall, by Elizabeth Hand. less

Detective Inspector Chen is the Singapore Three police department's snake agent - the detective in charge of supernatural and mystical investigations. Chen has several problems: in addition to colleagues who don't trust him and his mystical ways, a patron goddess whom he has offended and a demonic wife who's tired of staying home alone, he's been paired with one of Hell's own vice officers, Seneschal Zhu Irzh, to investigate the illegal trade in souls... moreDetective Inspector Chen is the Singapore Three police department's snake agent - the detective in charge of supernatural and mystical investigations. Chen has several problems: in addition to colleagues who don't trust him and his mystical ways, a patron goddess whom he has offended and a demonic wife who's tired of staying home alone, he's been paired with one of Hell's own vice officers, Seneschal Zhu Irzh, to investigate the illegal trade in souls. Political pressures both Earthly and otherworldly seek to block their investigations at every turn. As a plot involving both Singapore Three's industrial elite and Hell's own Ministry of Epidemics is revealed, it becomes apparent that the stakes are higher than anyone had previously suspected. less

When Chen goes on holiday, his demonic partner Zhu Irzh finds himself alone in Singapore Three. The missing body of a brutally murdered socialite and the strange experiments of a well-connected, beautiful, young heiress leads Zhu into a maze of death and corruption. Chen returns to the city just as Zhu's baser instincts seem to be getting the better of him... moreWhen Chen goes on holiday, his demonic partner Zhu Irzh finds himself alone in Singapore Three. The missing body of a brutally murdered socialite and the strange experiments of a well-connected, beautiful, young heiress leads Zhu into a maze of death and corruption. Chen returns to the city just as Zhu's baser instincts seem to be getting the better of him. While the rest of the police department thinks the worst of Zhu, Chen suspects something more malignant, particularly when the forces of Heaven begin manifesting themselves in Singapore Three, taking sides and leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake.Skyhorse Publishing, under our Night Shade and Talos imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of titles for readers interested in science fiction (space opera, time travel, hard SF, alien invasion, near-future dystopia), fantasy (grimdark, sword and sorcery, contemporary urban fantasy, steampunk, alternative history), and horror (zombies, vampires, and the occult and supernatural), and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller, a national bestseller, or a Hugo or Nebula award-winner, we are committed to publishing quality books from a diverse group of authors. less

Detective Inspector Chen and Zhu Irzh are given a major assignment to escort an emissary from Heaven on a diplomatic mission to Hell. Zhu tries to dodge his demonic family’s overtures, but ends up embroiled in Hell’s political intrigues. At the same time, a young boy born to ghostly parents in Hell is sent to live with his grandmother in Singapore Three... moreDetective Inspector Chen and Zhu Irzh are given a major assignment to escort an emissary from Heaven on a diplomatic mission to Hell. Zhu tries to dodge his demonic family’s overtures, but ends up embroiled in Hell’s political intrigues. At the same time, a young boy born to ghostly parents in Hell is sent to live with his grandmother in Singapore Three. The boy, Precious Dragon, is being chased by Hell’s most dangerous creatures and ends up being the key to unlock the mystery that is quickly spiraling out of control. Chen and Zhu find themselves in the middle of a struggle much bigger then they can fully comprehend, and when the dust finally settles, neither heaven nor hell will be the same. less

Detective Inspector Chen is back! The Snake Agent returns in The Shadow Pavilion, the fourth Detective Inspector Chen novel from Liz Williams. When Chen’s partner, the demon Seneschal Zhu Irzh, disappears, Chen must enlist all of his allies and assets in order to locate him. Meanwhile, Zhu Irzh finds himself trapped in an unfamiliar jungle Hell, stalked by a rogue demon lord and his harem of tigress demons. An assassin from between worlds targets Mhara, the new Emperor of Heaven... moreDetective Inspector Chen is back! The Snake Agent returns in The Shadow Pavilion, the fourth Detective Inspector Chen novel from Liz Williams. When Chen’s partner, the demon Seneschal Zhu Irzh, disappears, Chen must enlist all of his allies and assets in order to locate him. Meanwhile, Zhu Irzh finds himself trapped in an unfamiliar jungle Hell, stalked by a rogue demon lord and his harem of tigress demons. An assassin from between worlds targets Mhara, the new Emperor of Heaven. And a beautiful starlet holds a deadly secret... From the strange streets of Singapore Three to the rough and tumble world of Bollywood, where money flows fast and emotions flare even faster; from the realms of the Celestial to the haunts of the Infernal and all the spaces in between, The Shadow Pavilion delivers the thrills, excitement, and near-future occult action fans have come to expect. less

Tasked with retrieving the Book before it can alter reality, Chen crosses paths with his former partner, Zhu Irzh who is in hot pursuit of the Iron Khan, an evil, homicidal immortal intent on conquering Asia by any means. While Chen and Zhu are otherwise occupied, Inari — Chen’s demon wife — is whisked away by forces intent on revenge against Chen and ultimately, the Emperor of Heaven.