Jack Vance’s Galactic Effectuator (1980) contains the novella “The Dogtown Tourist Agency” and the novelette “Freitzke’s Turn.” Both stories feature an intergalactic sleuth, Miro Hetzel, who uses his keen intelligence to pursue unusual, challenging cases.
Miro Hetzel is hired by the head of Palladian Micronics to investigate a mysterious company, Instagam, who is suspiciously manufacturing goods at a cut-rate price. Hetzel accepts the case and travels to the planet of Maz where he finds treachery and skullduggery.
Hetzel investigates a plan to deliver weapons to the warlike, primitive “Gomaz” race on Maz in return for…something strange. Jack Vance is at the top of his game in “The Dogtown Tourist Agency.” GRADE: A
“Freitzke’s Turn” concerns Miro Hetzel taking on a case for Conwit Clent, who has had his testicles stolen by a rogue doctor. Some critics have suggested “Freitzke’s Turn” was a a loose sketch of what would become The Book of Dreams seven years later. GRADE: B
I knew of “Dogtown” because of having my father’s copy of the paperback of EPOCH, the original anthology co-edited by Robert Silverberg and Roger Elwood (despite both being prolific anthologists in the ’70s, a slightly odd couple for the task)…but was unaware of the sequel novelet…thanks for the pointer!
Todd, surprisingly, GALACTIC EFFECTUATOR is available online for middling prices. Or you can get a new, trade size paperback at https://www.jackvance.com/signatureseries/
I read this several years ago. A lot of fun.
Steve, most of Jack Vance’s work is a lot of fun!
Love the cover. Will look out for this one.
Jeff, I think e-book versions of Jack Vance’s work are available at: https://www.jackvance.com/signatureseries/
This is a science fiction author who is not on my radar. I realize now I have heard of him now and then. He even wrote some of the Ellery Queen mysteries.
These two stories do sound good. And a very nice cover.
And a writer whose best work tends to be fantasy, though he did good to impressive work in every field he turned a hand to. Most of his crime fiction is signed John Holbrook Vance.
Todd, as Tracy suggests, Vance did ghost-write a couple “Ellery Queen” novels in the 1960s.
I know, George. I just wanted her to know about his other work in crime fiction…and more! There was a horde of those who ghosted “EQ” novels that weren’t about the Queen father and son duo. And Avram Davidson and Theodore Sturgeon writing those that did feature the characters.
Tracy, I love Jack Vance’s mysteries as well as the mystery elements in his Science Fiction novels and stories. I highly recommend his work in both genres.