WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #72: GALACTIC EFFECTUATOR By Jack Vance

Cover Artwork by  David B. Mattingly

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

11 thoughts on “WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #72: GALACTIC EFFECTUATOR By Jack Vance

  1. Todd Mason

    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!

    Reply
  2. tracybham

    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.

    Reply
    1. Todd Mason

      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.

      Reply
      1. Todd Mason

        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.

    2. george Post author

      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.

      Reply

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