Time Pieces [Paperback]

I was immensely pleased to receive my copy of this book, signed by all the contributors and the cover artist - which I would say makes it highly collectable!

For me, the lure of the collection was the fact that it contained stories by some of my favourite SF writers, including Ian Watson and Liz Williams - I have read and absolutely loved some of their other short stories, and they don't disappoint in this collection either! Liz Williams's Caer Cold, which opens the collection, with its winterish detail left me shivering! In contrast, Ian Watson's smile-inducing story was packed with his trademark witticisms.

All of the stories were very different, although most of them featured time in some respect. The delightful, new discovery for me was Sarah Singleton's story, a kind of cross-genre thriller, which I absolutely loved, reminding me a little of Ira Levin, but there isn't a single dud amongst the other offerings; John Courtney Grimwood, Mark Robson and Ian Whates offer three very different and very enjoyable action stories, whereas Steve Baxter's story is amusingly strange, and Steve Cockayne's tale was just brilliant, reminding me of Jasper Carrott's retort to people who go on about `the good old days'. It is an absolute gem of a story collection!

This is hugely enjoyable and I thoroughly reccomend it to *all* Science Fiction readers, but it's an absolute *must* for connoisseurs and collectors. With 8 previously unpublished stories from a glittering array of well-known authors, the whole width of the genre is covered and there are gems for everyone! I particularly liked Ian Watson's sharp wit and linguistic conjuring, plus Sarah Singleton's dingy 1930s intrigue, and Stephen Baxter's curious bedfellows of entropy and bureaucracy. The production quality is top notch, with impressive original artwork by the famous Fangorn (worked on AI, War of Worlds etc), and a special signing page where all the authors + Fangorn have scribbled their autographs. Most of the stories are themed on time, hence the title, and I'm guessing that in time my purchase may prove to be a good investment as well as a great read! Andy from Milton Keynes, UK.

Times Pieces edited by Ian Whates (reviewed by Kelvin M. Knight)

This first anthology from NewCon Press contains eight stories of speculation and imagination (predominately a science fiction bent) from a variety of authors, some of whom need an introduction others who do not. Irrespective, an introduction is provided for each author, as well as the raison d'être of Time Pieces. Furthermore, there is an impish transcript of the NewCon3 convention's opening address by none other than H.G.Wells (inhabiting, only for a wee while, Ian Watson).

The front cover is gorgeous and is drawn by cover artist Fangorn, who has his introduction at the end, as well as being allowed (quite rightly so) to join the authors' signatures at the beginning of this limited edition anthology.

The stories and authors are: Caer Cold by Liz Williams; State Your Name by Jon Courtenay Grimwood; The Disappeared by Sarah Singleton; The Globe of Genius by Ian Watson; Minstrels' Fold by Steve Cockayne; A Very British Paranorm by Stephen Baxter; The Chalice by Mark Robson and It's About Time! by Ian Whates

All the short stories are well written and competently edited by Ian Whates (with invaluable assistance from Ian Watson and Maggie Anderson), the ideas original and fresh. Perhaps the only negative thing would be some of the characterization is a tad weak. Personally, I like to see more emotion from the characters and I like a short story to make a point, no matter how tenuous.

Rather than make individual comments on every story, I will tell you what I remember several days after reading this anthology. To me this means the story made an impact; therefore, I suppose, the author did their job properly.

In no particular order, the following are rooted in my memory:

Caer Cold - Even though the ending is rushed, and a little contrived, I am left wondering what happens next. I should not really be thinking this with a short story. There must be a novel lurking somewhere in Ms William's mind. How much longer will we have to wait to find out why the Wizard Dr Dee did not send two Knights and what the pig boys parents will say and do when they discover their son has gone to London.

State Your Name - Very smoothly written. A most distinctive style. Ending stilted, well, dropped on you a bit for effect. My only gripe would be it is somewhat soulless. But that might be by design for a world succumbing to the next ice-age, with the population fleeing like lemmings.

The Globe of the Genius - A most interesting and humorous tale (that had me tickled pink) of time travel competitions, with Ralph-2 battling his crystal-spawned genius for the Billy One prize. Exquisite. Nice twist at the end.

A Very British Paranorm - Stiff upper lip, old boy. MI5 have turned into Ghostbusters, well, Paranormal Researchers with a typically British Piers Percy-Ffitch at the helm, more interested in coffee and passing the time of day than discovering the next best thing since paranormally sliced bread. No wonder the efficient Germans beat us to the punch!

It's About Time - I am confused by the title, is it perhaps referring to the author/editor's return after eighteen years of absence? Regardless, it was apt having a good old-fashioned time-travel story; the anthology's theme would be incomplete without such a homage.