Previous: O's

Next: Q's

The Path of Progress [19]

The Return of the Djinn and Other Black Melodramas, Borgo Press, July 2009

The Phantom of Teirbrun [18]

The Cosmic Perspective and Other Black Comedies, Borgo Press, July 2009

Wolf Riders ed. David Pringle, GW Books, 1989; Boxtree, 1995; (as by Brian Craig)
The Laughter of the Dark Gods ed. David Pringle, Black Library, 2002 (as by Brian Craig)
Translated into Polish as: 'Fantom Yremy' in Jezdzcy wilk¢w ed. David Pringle, Games Workshop, 1995 (as by Brian Craig)

Review by Ian Braidwood

Vaguely reminiscent of the Raffles stories, in which a gentleman burglar (sic) confounds the forces of law and order by visiting the homes of the well-to-do; without anyone feeling that they've been invaded and left in need of counselling. (My my, I must be getting judgmental in my old age.)
This time, the victims are Monsieur Voltigeur and his family, which is doubly embarrassing as Voltigeur is Yremy's senior Magistrate. With the aid of his faithful clerk Jean Malchance and a host of magical protection, he sets out to unmask the mysterious Phantom. Can he do it, you ask? ...Don't be silly.

Actually, the mystery isn't very mysterious once you figure out the motivation. BEWARE: HORMONES.

The Philosopher's Stone [25]

Asimov's Science Fiction July 2008

The Picture [1]

The Seventh Seal #2, April 2000
The Innsmouth Heritage and Other Sequels, Borgo Press, January 2009

The Piebald Plumber of Haemlin [9]

Interzone #130, April 1998
Translated into French as: 'Pie de Haemlin' in Histoires e cochons et de Science-Fiction ed. Silvie Denis, Bifrost/Etoiles Vives, 1998
In the Flesh and Other Tales of the Biotech Revolution, Borgo Press, March 2009

The Pipes of Pan [9]

The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction June 1997
Year's Best SF 3 ed. David G. Hartwell, Harper Voyager, 1998
Genometry ed. Jack Dann & Gardner Dozios, Ace, 2001
Designer Genes: Tales of the Biotech Revolution, Five Star, 2004
Translated into German as: Die Flöten des Pan in Werwolf im Schafspelz - Die besten Stories aus The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction 1999, Folge

Review by Ian Braidwood

Wendy is the ultimate child-substitute: a thirteen-year-old girl, who has been the light of her parents' lives for over thirty years, when the spectre of Progeria raises its ugly head and threatens to force changes upon everybody's lives.

Like Snowball in Hell, this finds Brian in the mood to consider what can and should be done with biotechnology.

Plastikkmennesket (Plastic Man) [1]

Norcon 99 [Programme Book] August 1999
Beyond the Colors of Darkness and Other Exotica, Borgo Press, July 2009

The Plurality of Worlds [21]

Asimov's Science Fiction August 2006

The Poisoned Chalice [7]

Fantasy Gone Wrong ed. Martin H. Greenberg & Brittiany Koren, DAW, September 2006

The Power of Prayer [4]

Paradox #1, Spring 2003
An Oasis of Horror: Decadent Tales and Contes Cruels, Borgo Press, January 2008

Prisoner in the Ice [5]

Vision of Tomorrow #3, November 1969

The Psi Salamander [2]

Proteus (fnz) #1, January 1966 (as by John Rose)

Purgatorio [v]

Drabble II: Double Century ed. Rob Meades & David B. Wake, Beccon Publications, 1990

Review by Ian Braidwood

The last of three stories featuring Fred Pilgrim; the other two written by Katherine and Leo Stableford appear in the same volume. (Drabble II also features Sex Lives of Housewives by Brian's wife, Jane)
Having already failed to fit in both heaven and hell, Fred gets his final chance, otherwise it's back to Earth!

The Brian Stableford Website