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"A quirkily entertaining blend of space opera and hardboiled private eye story ". - David Pringle, The Ultimate Guide to Science Fiction, on Halcyon Drift

"Early Stableford means above all the Grainger books. " - Roz Kaveney, Interzone

Brian Stableford's Hooded Swan series was first published in the 1970s and it redefined the genre of space opera.

After years of surviving in his wrecked ship on an unnamed, desolate world, Grainger is charged for the cost of his rescue and finds himself unable to pay. Salvation comes when he is indentured as pilot of the revolutionary starship Hooded Swan and thrust into a series of gripping adventures in the service of New Alexandria. With only his wits and the not entirely reliable help of an alien mind parasite to call upon, in each novel Grainger and the Hooded Swan are pitted against a new puzzle or menace. And all the time he is paying off his fine, bit by bit, until he can call himself a free man again.

Here for the first time, all six Hooded Swan novels are published in one omnibus edition.

Cover art by Deirdre Counihan

Published in 2002 by Big Engine.
ISBN: 1-903468-04-3

Dedicated to Don Wollheim

CONTENTS:
Halcyon Dift
Rhapsody in Black
Promised Land
The Paradise Game
The Fenris Device
Swan Song

Translated into German as: Die Saga vom Raumpiloten Grainger.

Review by Ian Braidwood

Cast of Characters:
Gainger, Titus Charlot, Johnny Socorro, Eve Lapthorn, Cpt Nick delArco, Alachakh, Rothgar, the wind, Sam Parks, Commander Denton, Soulier, Mina Vorgan, Stylastet, Ecdyon, Maslax, Keith Just, David Holcombe, Trisha Melly, Kerman, Srinjat Merani, Varley, Captain UllmanLinda Petrosian, Max Volta - Tartaglia, Danel, Mercede, Michael, Alyne, Bayon Alpart, Tob, Rion Mavra, Mathew Sampson, Angelina, Jad Gimli and Akim Krist.

Well what can I say? These books are a known quantity and at £16.99, constitute excellent value for money.

Ben Jeapes has taken exactly the right approach; releasing Swan Songs straight into paperback and Brian's introduction is both informative and moving. The quality of the printing, paper and presentation are as good, if not better than that of mass-produced books.

A review by Richard Hammersley is online HERE
A review of the series by Angus McIntyre is online HERE