Detective Jake Masters Series by Mike Resnick, Catherine Asaro, Robert J. Sawyer, David Gerrold, Jack McDevitt, Robert Reed, Pat Cadigan, Harry Turtledove, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Gregory Benford, Walter Jon Williams

They used to say that no one could blend mystery and science fiction, but that theory was dashed decades ago with the publication of Alfred Bester's The Demolished Man and Isaac Asimov's The Caves of Steel . Since then, the two fields have crossbred, producing sf mysteries in every style, from locked-room to noir. We at the SFBC especially love the Chandler-esque tales, whose hard-bitten sleuths stalk crime down the dark alleys of space... moreThey used to say that no one could blend mystery and science fiction, but that theory was dashed decades ago with the publication of Alfred Bester's The Demolished Man and Isaac Asimov's The Caves of Steel . Since then, the two fields have crossbred, producing sf mysteries in every style, from locked-room to noir. We at the SFBC especially love the Chandler-esque tales, whose hard-bitten sleuths stalk crime down the dark alleys of space. So we jumped at Mike Resnick's suggestion that we do a book called Down these Dark Spaceways, featuring six original novellas exclusive to the Club. These stories have never been published anywhere else, and each one is written by a top-notch writer who shares our passion for a good sf mystery. less

From H.G. Wells to Rod Serling, from Ray Bradbury to The X-Files, stories of the unexplained have long piqued our curiosity. Whether its about extraterrestrials or strange science, science fiction readers have something in common with enthusiasts of mystery and crime fictionan innate desire to know. With that in mind, the Club invited Nebula and five-time Hugo winner Mike Resnick to commission police procedurals with an SF twist... moreFrom H.G. Wells to Rod Serling, from Ray Bradbury to The X-Files, stories of the unexplained have long piqued our curiosity. Whether its about extraterrestrials or strange science, science fiction readers have something in common with enthusiasts of mystery and crime fictionan innate desire to know. With that in mind, the Club invited Nebula and five-time Hugo winner Mike Resnick to commission police procedurals with an SF twist. Resnicks challenge to his co-authors: Give me a science fiction mystery, make it novella length, play fair with the reader, and no genuflecting to the Hammett/Chandler school of writing.The result, Alien Crimes, brings together six original novellas from six award-winning writers with stories equally diverse in both style and subject matter. This all-new SFBC Creation takes readers through wormholes; to undersea alien breeding grounds; to a hotel where the squishy walls may be more than they seem, and destinations beyond.INTRODUCTIONNOTHING PERSONAL by Pat CadiganA LOCKED-PLANET MYSTERY by Mike ResnickHOXBOMB by Harry TurtledoveTHE END OF THE WORLD by Kristine Kathryn RuschDARK HEAVEN by Gregory BenfordWOMB OF EVERY WORLD by Walter Jon WilliamsEnd of Mike Resnick (ed) - Alien Crimes less

Jake Masters is the spiritual descendant of Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade, and all those other fallen angels who wander down today’s dark alleys. They know they’ll be lied to by their clients, betrayed by their friends, hunted by their enemies, paid late if at all – and yet they stick to it, because they possess what all around them have lost: a sense of justice... moreJake Masters is the spiritual descendant of Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade, and all those other fallen angels who wander down today’s dark alleys. They know they’ll be lied to by their clients, betrayed by their friends, hunted by their enemies, paid late if at all – and yet they stick to it, because they possess what all around them have lost: a sense of justice. In Jake’s case, some four millennia from now, those dark alleys have become dark spaceways, and his allies and enemies aren’t always human, but like his predecessors he’s got an urge to cut through all the lies and corruption in search of the truth, no matter the consequences. Come join him as he becomes the “Guardian Angel” of a criminal kingpin’s son; watch himtackle the puzzle of “A Locked-Planet Mystery”; learn how a man in his business sometimes has to deal with “Honorable Enemies”; and watch him do whatever’s necessary “If the Frame Fits . . . ” Rounding off his adventures is a never before published tale, “Real Jake”. We think you’ll agree that this is the perfect blending of the hard-boiled detective and science fiction genres as told by an acknowledged master. less