Showing results by author "Randall Garrett" in All Categories

Dive into the whimsical world crafted by Randall Garrett in That Sweet Little Old Lady, first published in Astounding Science Fiction in September and October of 1959. With his signature blend of twisted humor and fantastical yet relatable characters, Garrett tells the story of Ken Malone, a young and ambitious FBI agent tasked with an extraordinary mission to uncover a spy pilfering secrets from the Ultra Top Absolute Secret project aimed at developing a non-rocket spaceship at Yucca Flats Labs in Nevada. This isnt just any spy; they possess an enigmatic ability to extract information ...

Twenty-four of the greatest science fiction stories of all time in this fourth sci-fi short story collection, including works by Jerry Dunham, Emmett Dowell, James Causey, Gordon Randall Garrett, James A. Cox, Phyllis Sterling Smith, Richard A. Sternbach, Robert Sheckley, E. G. Von Wald, Keith Laumer, Jerome Bixby, Frederik Pohl, Roger Dee, Arnold Marmore, James H. Schmitz, Lester del Rey, Cordwainer Smith, Ray Bradbury, and Philip K. Dick.

Sci Fi Shorts is a collection of classic science fiction stories from the "Golden" age of space stories. This group of nine unabridged short stories by seven authors covers such adventures, as hidden aliens on earth, a conquered humanity, super villains made by super science and time travel.

When a super-robot named Snookums learns to create his own superbombs, it quickly becomes clear that Earth is no longer a safe haven for him. In response, Dr. Fitzhugh, his creator, along with Leda Crannon, a child psychologist serving as Snookums’ caretaker, devise Operation Brainchild—a daring plan to transport the robot to a distant planet. However, their journey takes a dark turn aboard the spaceship when the medical officer is found murdered, and Snookums suddenly finds himself the prime suspect… - Summary by Mark Nelson

This is a fine military science fiction novelette with a treason scenario. The tale has a unique premise, and is certainly one of Garrett's best stories. In the distant future, forced equality of all human beings has become the highest social priority. Earth's involvement in an interstellar war with this type of society leads to major problem. One intelligent man, stuck in a military where everyone is forced to be equal, comes up with a unique solution to that problem. The story may be an accurate prophecy of where we may be heading as a society.

Published in 1959, this is a classic and extremely funny sci-fi story by Randall Garrett. The FBI learns that the Russians have a sensationally brilliant and dangerous spy who can read minds! So they search for someone who can detect the telepath and find a crazy old lady who thinks that she's Queen Elizabeth Tudor... Get ready for a perfect mix of laughter and nail biting.

What compelled an entire crew to disembark from their ship in a mysterious valley, only to succumb to an inexplicable fate? How did a team of well-equipped spacemen fall victim to their surroundings, leaving behind nothing but a field of skeletal remains in this seemingly serene world? Peter and Sherri are determined to unravel this enigma‚Aîif they can survive long enough to do so! [from the Judas Valley] Originally published in Amazing Stories, October 1956.

This second collection of great sci-fi stories includes the following: "A Sense of Wonder" by Stephen Marlowe, "Seller of the Sky" by Dave Dryfus, "The Shining Cow" by Alex James, and more.

Introducing Leland Hale, who will steal your heart - and all your money! Fraud, larceny, and murder are all in a day's work for this master interstellar confidence man. Leland thought the universe owed him a living - and he was collecting on the installment plan! He is about to descend on the planet Cardigan's Green with a planetary scam designed to make him rich at the population's expense. What this scoundrel doesn't know is that he is about to become a savior! And if he survives this misadventure, he has two more brilliant schemes in mind.

"Nor Iron Bars A Cage"... focuses on a very serious subject; the question of what best to do with criminals in prison, and criminality overall. Is physical imprisonment best? What about mind altering practices? Even at the risk of damaging psyches permanently?

These two famous sci-fi authors, who, together wrote the best-selling Brain Twister have another incredibly imaginative science fiction/fantasy story with Pagan Passions. As they describe it, this book is "Adult Science Fiction, with the supernatural making complete sense." The Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece and Rome had returned to Earth - with all their awesome powers intact, and Earth was transformed almost overnight. War on any scale was outlawed, along with boom-and-bust economic cycles, and prudery....

An alien crash lands on Earth, and for ten years terrorizes the planet, hiding, periodically killing and eating people, and stealing materials for some unknown purpose. The only hope is Bart Stanton, a medically-engineered superman, designed for the sole purpose of confronting the “Nipe”.

When a super-robot named Snookums discovers how to build his own superbombs, it becomes obvious that Earth is by no means the safest place for him to be. And so Dr. Fitzhugh, his designer, and Leda Crannon, a child psychologist acting as Snookums’ nursemaid, agree to set up Operation Brainchild, a plan to transport the robot to a far distant planet. Mike the Angel has devised the power plant that is to propel the space ship Branchell to its secret destination, complete with its unusual cargo.

"The Judas Valley" is a co-authored sci-fi story by Robert Silverberg and Randall Garrett, published in magazine form in 1956. Our two heroes, Peter and Sherri, have to solve - and do it quickly! - the mystery behind the deaths of seasoned space personnel on a strangely peaceful planet; or else they are next in turn.

Dive into the intriguing world of Mark Phillips, the pen name of two talented writers, Randall Garrett and Laurence M. Janifer. Their unique collaboration, inspired by their middle names (Philip and Mark), originated one fateful night at a science-fiction convention—where the cocktails were flowing, and only one of them has ever truly sobered up. Originally titled That Sweet Little Old Lady, Brain Twister takes readers on a thrilling journey with FBI agent Kenneth J. Malone as he navigates the complex web of a telepathic spy. His mission? To uncover the elusive telepath hiding in plain sight...

Dive into a world where psionic powers like telepathy and teleportation are a reality in Supermind. Follow FBI agent Kenneth Malone as he navigates the chaotic landscape of a government riddled with confusion and unexpected challenges. With an enigmatic FBI Director keeping him on his toes, Malone must uncover the source of the disorder affecting the U.S. Government, unions, the Mafia, and beyond. This engaging tale blends science fiction with slapstick comedy and a touch of romance, ensuring an entertaining ride from start to finish. (Summary by Richard Kilmer)

A super-robot called Snookums discovers how to build his very own superbombs in this thrilling sci-fi tale by Randall Garrett! Now Earth is by no means the safest place for him to be, to say the least. Dr. Fitzhugh, his designer, and Leda Crannon, a child psychologist serving as Snookums' nursemaid, therefore agree to set up Operation Brainchild, a plan to transport Snookums to a very distant planet. Only one big problem: Snookums is none too keen on this idea.

"A Spaceship Named McGuire" is a sci-fi short story by Randall Garrett, published in 1961. This tale is kind of a mix between detective, sci-fi and thriller; as detective Daniel Oak investigates the possibly sabotaged "brain" of a spaceship (!) amongst spaceship big shots, criminals and ladies... Fun and exciting.

Can a spaceship go crazy? Well, yes it can if it has a brain. And the new MG (magnetogravitic drive) experimental robot space ship does indeed have a 'brain'. Completely bewildered as to why the first six models of their supposedly perfect new ship model, the MG-YR, nicknamed the McGuire, have gone totally bonkers after activation and before they could ever be used, the company has called in the services of Daniel Oak.

Gheviel of Archeron a four-eyed traveler from outer space discovers a walled fortress that appears easy taking because of the primitive defenses. But…