This aptly named collection of six stories shines brightly and showcases the distinct and diverse talents of one of speculative fiction’s most celebrated voices.
“Derm Fool” – While courting a beautiful woman, a man with a disturbing skin disease discovers that she suffers from the same affliction—they both molt like reptiles. After isolating the cause as well as a cure, they decide to put both to a profitable use.
“The Haunt” – Two young men rig an abandoned house with special effects in order to scare an unflappable woman, but the results are far more harrowing than expected.
“Artnan Process” – An alien race known as the Artnans possess the technology to transmute Uranium 238 into Uranium 235, but refuse to reveal the process. Earth and Mars each send a crew to the Artnan homeworld in an effort to uncover the secret. Perhaps they’ll succeed, if they don’t kill each other first.
“The World Well Lost” – A captain and first mate are charged with the task of transporting a pair of alien refugees back to their homeworld. During the journey, the first mate learns that the alien lovers are not only telepaths but of the same gender and for this, they will be executed upon arrival.
“The Pod and the Barrier” – A motley crew of scientists and engineers embark on an expedition to find a way to break through an energy barrier surrounding a planet of benevolent aliens. Each believes that his plan will succeed, but perhaps the power of doubt will be what wins the day.
“How to Kill Aunty” – A willful but crippled elderly woman believes her maladroit nephew is bent on murdering her. Amused by his doltish efforts, she mocks his intelligence by actively aiding his efforts, but the final results are not what she anticipated.
