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They had reached the very limits of space. Nothing lay ahead except the evil planet, waiting to destroy.

NOTES FROM CAPTAIN BRONET’S LOG:
It looked like a lizard, or a snake with legs. It had a large flattish head, three eyes set in triangular formation, and a round food-intake in the centre of the “face.” There was no chin. The head perched high on a mottled, leathery neck. The skin on its back was ribbed and corrugated. This creature was the first living thing we encountered on the sinister planet…

Blake had waited a long time for his big chance. Finally the selection board called him in. This was it. He got his promotion, his captain’s ticket and his first assignment. Vorgal was a tough planet but Blake was ready for it. He was the first spaceman to land on Vorgal without crashing. He was the first human being to see a Vorgalian and live. He was the first to learn the planet’s deadly secret an come back alive.

But…when he went into landing orbit around Earth they fired on him. No one would believe that the impossible had happened. They thought Blake’s body was being used by an alien, and unless he could convince them fast he would die. Without his secret knowledge of Vorgal, Earth would die too…

Hamilton was one of space opera’s early influencers, alongside ‘Doc’ Smith and Jack Williamson, and also spent some time at DC Comics, where he wrote such seminal titles as Superman and The Legion of Superheroes. This omnibus contains the opening volumes to three of his best loved series: Captain Future and the Space Emperor, The Star Kings and The Weapon From Beyond.

From the vaults of The SF Gateway, the most comprehensive digital library of classic SFF titles ever assembled, comes an ideal introduction to the work of the award-winning Bob Shaw. Best known for his extraordinary novel of ‘slow glass’, Other Days, Other Eyes, Bob Shaw was a fan favourite at conventions for his hysterical ‘serious scientific talks’. This omnibus contains three of his finest works: Orbitsville, A Wreath of Stars and The Ragged Astronauts.

Orbitsville:
Racing from the certain vengeance of Earth’s tyrant ruler, space captain Vance Garamond flees the Solar System. And discovers the almost unimaginably vast spherical structure soon to become famous as ‘Orbitsville’ – a new home for Earth’s huddled masses.

A Wreath of Stars:
Thornton’s Planet is an anti-neutrino planet detected on its approach to Earth. It can be seen only through the newly developed magniluct lenses and its arrival causes a wave of panic. When its course carries it past the earth, interest in Thornton’s Planet wanes. But the visit of Thornton’s Planet has had effects on Earth further-ranging than anyone could have imagined.

The Ragged Astronauts:
Land and Overland – twin worlds a few thousand miles apart. On Land, humanity faces a threat to its very survival – an airborne species, the ptertha, has declared war on humankind, and is actively hunting for victims. The only hope lies in migration. Through space to Overland. By balloon.

It’s world war 2, and a blind detective follows unseen clues to solve a murder and undermine a German spy plot.

‘Thrilling and perilous adventures’ NEW YORK TIMES

Captain Duncan Maclain was blinded during his service in the first World War. Now he is one of New York City’s most sought-after detectives, achieving a mastery of the subtle unseen clues often missed by those who see only with their eyes.

Now, with the outbreak of a second world war, Maclain is pulled into a case unlike any he’s investigated before. Aided by his dogs Schnucke and Driest, the Captain puts the intelligence-gathering techniques he learned in the Army to work on a case involving German spies, where it is almost impossible to tell whose side anyone is on.

Sir Herbert Sterron is found dead, hanging by the neck from a curtain cord. He had good reason to want to kill himself, so nobody is unduly surprised.

But then hints of foul play start to emerge: Sterron’s wife, Griselda, was desperately unhappy with the marriage; and shocking evidence is uncovered that incriminates not just the County Sheriff but a Catholic priest.

Now what looked to be a straightforward suicide is turning into something quite different – a complex case of murder . . .

Two threats from a newly released convict – a poacher framed on a murder charge – put Captain Scole, Chief Constable of Brodshire, on his guard. Special men are assigned to protect him.

But four days later, Captain Scole is found shot through the head at his desk in Police Headquarters.

A full week later, young Inspector Poole of Scotland Yard is called in to follow a cold trail in the face of open hostility from the local police. And the further he explores the murder, the more baffling it becomes.

Could Scole’s First World War past be catching up with him – or something much closer to home?

In the cheerful, grubby backstreets of Soho, Jessie Milk finds herself a most unsuitable occupation as a receptionist in a hotel frequented by unsuccessful variety artists. Among the hotel’s regulars is a dyspeptic conjurer with a plain wife and pretty assistant, both of whom drive him to distraction and encourage his professional and lethal tendencies . . .

Miss Milk confides her troubles to a retired Merchant Navy captain, now employed as a store detective. Combining their resources they are pursue the murderer in the bustle and crush of Coronation week.

Jennifer is in prison for an undisclosed crime. Denied companionship, she escapes into her memory and imagination.

Peggy Maybee, Jennifer’s ancestor, was transported for stealing a peacock. This is all that is known about Peggy but Jennifer conjures a life for her aboard a convict ship bound for Botany Bay.

A partial eclipse of the moon used by the captain as inspiration for a sermon triggers a mutiny and, amidst the chaos of brawling thieves, cut-throats, whores and crew, Peggy makes a bid for freedom …

‘Brilliant, seductive and assured’ Nick Hornby

A woman dies by violence aboard the Santa Cristina. A radio flash from the West Indies brings word of an apparently related death. A man’s body turns up, and in his hand is a suicide note written in one woman’s handwriting but signed with another woman’s name.

But what part does the jar of blood play – and why is everyone so interested in the contents of a certain package wrapped in cherub-bedecked paper? That’s the puzzle Captain Urizar has to solve in a case with a startling showdown.

When a yacht explodes in the Bahamas, apparently killing six people, Sam Boyleston, an attorney from Texas and the brother of one of the victims, is compelled to investigate the circumstances, as does Raoul Kelly, a newspaper reporter.

After the disaster the yacht’s burned captain was temporarily marooned on a small island, and soon it becomes apparent that one person is ruthlessly manipulating events. But for Boyleston and Kelly proving guilt appears impossible …

‘A major suspense novel’ New York Times

The sensational events of the summer of 1907 – the disappearance of the Ascot Gold Cup from the Royal Enclosure, and the even more astonishing theft of the Irish Crown Jewels from a locked and guarded strongroom in Dublin Castle – remain mysterious but apparently random events. Only one man knows their secret.

Captain Richard Gaudeans, cashiered officer, conman and cracksman, cuts a more appropriate figure among the fairground booths where he earns his living than the corridors of power. But the course of the year takes him into both. And in both he uses his skill and cunning to outmanoeuvre everyone in his path.

Dany Ashton is invited to spend a holiday at her stepfather’s house in Zanzibar – the mysterious ‘House of Shade’, where Captain Rory Frost buried a fortune in gold a hundred years before – but even before her plane takes off there is a stolen passport, a midnight intruder, and a murder.

And it isn’t long before the air of gaiety and nonchalance that opens the tropical house party fades into dawning terror, as Dany and the rest of the house-guests learn that one amongst them is determined to take the hidden treasure – at any cost.

By the CWA Gold Dagger award-winning author of Other Paths to Glory

A New Kind of War takes us back to the Greece and Germany of 1945 – as the old kind of war comes to its official end. Why has David Audley broken the British-Greek truce? And furthermore, why did his brigadier order his actions? Is it just coincidence that Audley is surprised near Delphi by Captain Fattorini of the Royal Engineers? As a result of that unfortunate encounter, Fattorini finds himself in occupied Germany as the newest member of TRR-2: a special Intelligence unit engaged in a dangerous and brutal game. It is not until he at last meets Audley’s mysterious brigadier that Fattorini learns the full truth about his own assignment in the ill-omened Teutoburg Forest.

The final book in Captain W.E. Johns’ space adventure series takes Tiger even further into the cosmos!

When the crew of the Tavona discover a body floating in space – and wearing a kilt, no less! – they know at once the man must be from Earth. But how? As far as they know, only they have access to the technology for travel. Once they return home they discover the man’s identity, and that he isn’t the only man who has gone missing. Were they victims of alien abduction? By who, and for what purpose?

It’s Tiger to the rescue once again!

In the penultimate book of Captain W.E. Johns’ space adventures, the crew of the Tavona travel yet further and see yet more unbelievable sights!

First up is the planet Krona, whose seemingly youthful inhabitants can live for centuries. What is in their food that sustains them? Is this something that could help revolutionise medicine as we know it? Of course, something so valuable will always have its hunters – and not all of them are as virtuous as the Professor.

Tiger and his team will need to protect the natives of Krona, and persuade them that Earth is no threat in order to win the day!

The Tavona is called to action once again!

When signals from space summon Vargo, the Professor joins the crew to conduct more research into the alien races their adventures have introduced to them. This journey takes them into the unknown reaches of the galaxy, trying to find a planet which has shifted orbit between solar systems. On their way they face snake aliens, tiny meteorites, and worlds where the air itself is deadly.

The eighth instalment in Captain W. E. Johns’ science fiction series brings more classic sci fi adventures from the legendary creator of Biggles.

Tiger, Rex and the Professor return in book six of Captain W.E. John’s classic space adventure series!

In their previous adventures, they encountered the planet Ardilla and its strange rays, which caused its inhabitants to develop thick skin in resistance. But reports are, the rays are getting stronger, and more deadly, and a mission to survey the planet has gone missing. The crew of the Tavona join the rescue mission – but what will they find?

Meanwhile, a plucky young stowaway has hidden away on the ship, and finds himself seeing far more than he bargained for.

It’s up to Tiger to get everyone home safely!

Tiger, Rex and the Professor are the heroes of the day!

After saving far flung planets from invaders, helping to re-colonise Mars, and taking on monsters unimaginable, they have been granted the use of the Tavona for as long as they need. The Professor is delighted – what scientific discoveries could be make with this opportunity? Of course, for this crew there is no science without adventure!

From deadly space rays to a seeming Utopia where negative behaviours are trained out of people, Tiger and his companions will need their wits about them to see it through.

THE EDGE OF BEYOND is book five in Captain W.E. John’s high-octane space adventures, perfect for fans of classic, vintage science fiction!

Tiger Clinton and his crew return for more adventures in the distant stars!

With their allies from space, they travel first to Mars to see the results of their aid, and then onwards – further into the unknown.

Stumbling across a peaceful planet, however, the explorers and their shop the Tavona find themselves in the middle of an invasion by aliens with superior firepower. Can they use Earth’s technology to help? Or are even they outmatched by this unknown foe?

Best know for his Biggles series, Captain W.E. Johns’ space adventures are perfect for fans of classic Star Trek and pulp science fiction!

Continuing their mission to explore the galaxy and find new worlds for man to conquer, Captain Timothy “Tiger” Clinton, the Professor, Toby Paul and Rex are ready for whatever challenges the stars have to throw at them.

From Mars to Mino, Unkos to Lin, they explore planets and planetoid alike, encountering tree-dwelling creatures, lizard-people, watery worlds and spider-like aliens. As they try to communicate with civilisations trapped under ice, or escape cannibals, no adventure is too tough for Tiger, and there is nothing they can’t overcome!

The third book in Captain W. E. Johns’ Tiger Clinton space adventure series, Now to the Stars brings yet more action and adventure from the legendary creator of Biggles.

Tiger Clinton, Rex and the Professor are back!

In the new, bigger Spacemaster II, and with experience under their belt from before, they’re ready to tackle whatever the stars have to throw at them. First stop: Mars.

When previously they had found the remains of a civilisation and desolation, this time they find a man – alive, but desperately ill. Can they save him? And can he tell what happened to the Martian cities that lie in ruins around them?

Captain W.E. Johns continues his adventures in space with book two of the Tiger Clinton series, a roaring pulp SF romp, perfect for fans of Star Trek and vintage science fiction!

When Group-Captain Timothy ‘Tiger’ Clinton and his son Rex take a holiday in Scotland, they expect to spend time in the great outdoors.

Instead, lost in the fog while deer-stalking, they find themselves at the door of a mysterious, lonely castle, the home of a brilliant Professor. A brilliant Professor who has been building something incredible . . . a spaceship.

Recruited to the Professor’s schemes, Tiger and Rex conquer the newest frontier – SPACE.

These classic space stories by the legendary creator of Biggles are perfect for fans of pulp science fiction romps and classic Star Trek!

Captain Future meets Captain Future…

The two men stood facing each other.

One man was tall and impressive. His red hair, his self-assured manner, the global ring he wore on his finger, left no question in the minds of viewers that he was the man he said he was – the man known the Solar System over as Captain Future.

The other man was tall too, but fierce looking, with a wild black beard and a scarred face. They called him Blackbeard and believed he was a space pirate, although the main claimed he didn’t remember who he was. Not even he suspected that he might be the real Captain Future…