What’s in Issue 148

Novels	‘The compromised Bernard is easily persuaded to co-operate, allowing Toni and Carla to complete the set-up of their long-awaited encounter with Hilde van Wostraap. And in a few spare moments, Carla divulges Dome's fascinating biological history. Nallier spills the beans on his half-hearted, double-agenda research findings, and Quo sends him off with his tail between his legs. But Hilde proves to be single-minded in her passion, and delivers a monumental single Observation that will meet the Mater's needs very nicely’. Michael E. Lloyd, Observation One: Singing of promises..., chapter 26: Strasbourg, France, part 1; part 2. The Galactic Council insists on moving promptly to isolate the Solar System. Meanwhile, plots are afoot on Earth, and a Galactic bureaucrat belatedly discovers that a lot of expensive equipment is unaccountably missing: euhal allen, The Bridge, II, chapter 3: A New Direction, part 1; part 2; part 3.
Novellas	The villagers with their Moon-goddess and the nomads with their desert god fulfill the ancient rite of the Corn King; and from their almost mutually intelligible dialects, one word emerges that describes both tribes: alien ! Tala Bar, Sacrifice, chapter 5: Climax, part 1; part 2; chapter 6: Aftermath (conclusion). Tamara Tomson and her partner Jeremy are summoned to investigate simultaneous mass murders in Acheron City. But a loss in a previous case has left Tamara so depressed that she hardly seems up to the task: Michael J A Tyzuk, Tangled Threads, Tangled Strings, part 1; part 2.
Serial	New contributor Rachel Parsons tells of Rhiannon, a huntress in a dark fantasy world: I Get My Caresses from the Blood of My Victims, part 1; part 2.
Short Stories	New contributor Alfredo Álamo brings the ultimate fulfillment to a man who dreams of regaining his lost career in nuclear weaponry: Atom Jack and the Dreams Merchant. New contributor Michael Moore paints a sardonic picture of a prophetic visiting spectre: The Messenger.
Flash Fiction	What if those 1950’s monster movies used real, live monsters? Charles Richard Laing, The New City.
Essays	New contributor Prakash Kona begins a lyrical essay about an objective narrator in Bombay: Nameless in a Faceless City, part 1. Michael J A Tyzuk examines what the premise of his Tamara Tomson series implies: Remote Psychosis.

Departments

Welcome	Bewildering Stories welcomes Alfredo Álamo, Prakash Kona, Michael Moore, and Rachel Parsons.
Challenge	Challenge 148 asks, What’s the Message? What’s the Point?
The Reading Room	Danielle L. Parker reviews Philip Wylie’s The Gladiator.
Editorial	Jerry Wright, SF and the Net

In Times to Come

News briefs: Katherine Allen’s bio has been completely revised.
We’ve exchanged links with Michael Moore’s webzine, Descending Darkness.

In issue 149

Novels:: Michael E. Lloyd, Observation One
   chapter 27 “Handler’s Studio, Mater”
   chapter 28 “Changing Landscapes”
   chapter 29 “Madrid, Spain”; euhal allen, The Bridge, II, chapter 4 “Funny Numbers”
Novella: Michael J A Tyzuk, “Tangled Threads, Tangled Strings” parts 3-4
Serial: Rachel Parsons, “Caresses from the Blood of My Victims” (conclusion)
Short stories:: Kevin Ahearn, “The Thigh of the Beholder”; D. A. Madigan, “No Time Like the Present”; David Marshall, “The Vegans are Coming!”
Flash fiction: Roberto Sanhueza, “Yesterday”
Poetry: new contributor Kevin Bueckert, “Soul Savored”
Essay: Prakash Kona, “Nameless in a Faceless City” part 2

Readers’ reactions are always welcome.
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