Marion Zimmer Bradley's Sword and Sorceress XXIV

Waters ably continues the feminist anthology series founded by Bradley (1930–1999) to showcase short-form fantasy with a wide variety of heroic female characters. Of the 17 stories featured, standout selections include “A Curious Case” by Annclaire Livoti, a literary gem of a paranormal fantasy that pits a magic-practicing PI against a serial killer targeting succubae, and Julia H. West's “Soul Walls,” which brilliantly fuses magic, art and Native American mysticism. A disorganized wizard and his unhappy wife are at the heart of the charming “Merlin's Clutter” by Helen E. Davis, and a princess solves the mystery of her father's murder through a magical tapestry in Brenta Blevins's “Material Witness.” Though some of the selections are less than stellar, fantasy fans looking for original stories will find much to enjoy. (Dec.)