The Case of the Somewhat Mythic Sword, by Garth Nix

[Single]

★★★☆☆

(Sherlock Holmes Pastiche; Magnus Holmes) Despite laboring under an awful curse, Sherlock Holmes’s young second cousin, Magnus, assists in cases that involve the supernatural, such as a spectral knight wielding a legendary sword. (6,815 words; Time: 22m)

Recommended By: 👍STomaino+1 (Q&A)

Note: Readers who like this tale will be interested to know that it’s a sequel to the author’s 2011 story, “The Curious Case of the Moondawn Daffodils Murder,” which is available in the author’s collection “To Hold the Bridge.” There’s no need to read that story before this one (neither has spoilers for the other), but it’s entertaining in its own right.

Dislocation Space, by Garth Nix

[Single]

★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention

(Historical SF) Stalin calls an imprisoned assassin back to duty for a special mission which involves her slipping through a tiny opening. (11,568 words; Time: 38m)

The Staff in the Stone, by Garth Nix

[Anthology]

★★★★☆ Nice characters, fun plot

(Fantasy Thriller) The villagers find a wizard’s staff sticking out of an ancient stone obelisk, but only Colrean knows just how dangerous it is and what sort of dangers it may attract. (11,314 words; Time: 37m)

Recommended By: 📙JStrahan+2 👍RHorton.r+2 👍RSR+1 (Q&A)

A Long, Cold Trail, by Garth Nix

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(Fantasy Adventure) A godling possessed the witch who tried to destroy it, and now Sir Hereward pursues it, aided only by a puppet, a charlatan, and another witch who’s taking way too long to show up. (11,167 words; Time: 37m)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average

Conversations with an Armory, by Garth Nix

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(Military SF) The Armory AI has been out of service for a long time, so when a group of wounded soldiers try to wake it up to assist in a battle plan, it takes a while to figure out what’s going on. Or whether to trust them. (2,893 words; Time: 09m)

Rating: ★★★★☆ Recommended

Penny For a Match, Mister?, by Garth Nix

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(Historical Fantasy) In the Old West, a murder under a full moon brings a thing across “The Line.” A thing seeking vengeance, and with a broad idea of responsibility. (5,662 words; Time: 18m)

Rating: ★★★★☆ Fascinating, Mysterious, and Uplifting

By Frogsled and Lizardback to Outcast Venusian Lepers, by Garth Nix

Old Venus, 2015; ~17,600 words
Rating: 3, Good, ordinary, read  Recommended By:   SFRevu:4

Fifty-year-old Kelvin has a nice business flying shuttle runs on Venus, but the Terran Navy calls him back to service for a rescue mission in the heart of the Roar, the most dangerous place on Venus. A fun, uncomplicated read.

Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)

Pro: The author's Old Venus belongs to a very complex world, with power centers on Earth, Mars, and Mercury. Even the local structure, from Venusport to Venus Above, to the Roar itself seems very logical, and very well-thought-out.

The adventure itself is straightforward but complete. Once Kelvin has escaped the Roar and called off the Rotarua the story is over. Whatever other problems the ship has, we're sure he'll handle them.

Con: The only plot complication is the realization that the Navy only wants to destroy the Jumping Jehosaphat and that there are no rich teenagers to rescue. Not really a fault per se, it points to the fact that for all its length, this is a simple, linear story.