Challenger Unbound

by Michael R. Brush (Editor), S.G. Mulholland (Editor), J.R. Campbell (Contributor)

In these twelve original stories Professor Challenger faces amazing, new challenges from a time before Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel The Lost World, to beyond When the World Screamed. In CHALLENGER UNBOUND you have it all: from sci-fi to steampunk; from the diabolic "The Damnation Gate" to a blood-curdling yarn from Ian Millsted; from Paul Lewis's eerie Cthulhuic "River of Bones" to a gripping tale by Simon Kurt Unsworth.

There are stories for the purists, like "Challenger and The Isle Out of Time"; and for those who enjoy seeing the Canon deconstructed, with Tom English's "Challenger of Two Worlds"; but always, the immortal characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are in good hands. Brave, heroic and quick witted, slightly flawed and sometimes even preposterous, Professor Challenger and his intrepid party are ready for all the adventures they can get their hands on ... but are you?

268 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2015

Reviews

[Karl]

Contents:

1 - Foreword by Tom Ue
3 - Introduction by Michael R. Brush
11 - "The Last Expedition" by Simon Kurt Unsworth
22 - River of Bones" by Paul Lewis
43 - "Challenger and the Isle out of Time" by Michael R. Brush
69 - "Damnation Gate" by Harry Harding Hawkins Jr.
83 - "The Death of Challenger" by Steve Lockley
93 - "Professor Challenger and the Spider’s Kiss" by Bob Lock
117 - "The Vendetta Virus" by Rhys Hughes
140 - "The Lady and the Professor" by Ian Millstead
152 - "Challenger of Two Worlds" by Tom English
184 - "Unnatural Selection" by Ian Faulkner
210 - "Challengers in Space" by Michael R. Brush
238 - "Two Challengers" by J R Campbell
258 - Postscript by Theresa Derwin
259 - About The Authors

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Professor Challenger is one of the most unforgettable characters whom its creator had foisted upon us. Alas, like almost everything else penned by that author, Challenger also appears to have got drowned under the tsunami of adulation meant for Sherlock Holmes.
It’s a deeply unfair thing. Luckily several authors have sought to rectify the situation somewaht. As a result, while.Holmesian pastiches continue flooding our shelves, few courageous authors and editors have revived George Edward Challenger as well. This book was the result of one such effort.
Apart from 'Preface' and 'Introduction', the book contains a dozen stories. All of them were readable. Some were poignant, some soporific, some absolutely ludicrous. I think the editor missed a trick by failing to include a humorous story (something like "Professor Challenger and the Crimson Wonder" by Guy Adams and James Goss, in the 'New Worlds, Lost Places" anthology).
But amidst all the horror and running around, there were three magnificent stories here that made the anthology truly memorable.
Paul Lewis's "River of Bones" was deeply disturbing and haunting.
Bob Lock's "Professor Challenger and the Spider's Kiss" was tremendously pulpy fun.
J.R. Campbell's "Two Challengers" was introspective and very-very well-written.
The rest were OK. But these three have got etched into my memory with some degree of permanence.
Hail Challenger!