First published in 2010 by Subterranean Press as a Hardback

A superb collection from Subterranean Press, bringing together many fragments of other stories as well as collection, Demons of the Upper Air, In the Beginning and Quicks Around the Zodiac and The Mystery of the Japanese Clock.

“In regards to Fritz Leiber, I believe that publication of such unpublished and uncollected works only strengthens his literary greatness. Through fragments, drafts and practice writings, we can clearly see the evolution from Leiber, the amateur, to Leiber, the professional. We are exposed to the clear way in which he dedicated his life to the written word and trained his abilities to produce the award-winning masterpieces that we read even today. While some may object to such a volume, I ask them this—is not the dream just as important as the empire that had been built from it? Are not the blueprints and sketches as impressive as the buildings and the artwork? We must place all this into perspective, and see that publishing such works is not a smear upon Leiber’s legacy. Rather, it completes a full circle. If we are asked to be thorough in the biography of an individual, then we must also do so for their bibliography.”

Review at SFRevu

Review at SF Crows Nest

Review at The Green Man

Contains the following short stories (listed in alphabetical order)

• Demons of the Upper Air
• Ghosts
• The Recognition of Death
• Challenge
• Night of Death
• The Gray Mouser: I
• The Gray Mouser: II
• The Midnight Wall
• 5447 Ridgewood Court
• The Other Side
• Past Druid Guards
• The Voice of Man
• Poor Little Ape
• Santa Monica Beach at Sunset
• 1959: the Beach at Santa Monica

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