A Spade/Paladin Conundrum Books

Secret Master of Fandom and Private Detective Spade gets a strange request: A tiny woman with pointed ears asks him to help her with a case at FleshCon, a California science fiction convention. The tiny woman turns out to be the infamous Paladin, whom Spade thought was only a rumor. Paladin needs help finding a teenage boy whom she says vanishes whenever she approaches him. Spade knows that disappearing teenagers only live in (ahem) science fiction novels, so he vows to do everything he can to find the missing boy—and to impress the impressive Paladin. “Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s ‘The Case of the Vanishing Boy’ [is] a real winner….I hope to read many more stories about Spade and Paladin.” —Bill Crider, Mystery Scene Magazine

Secret Master of Fandom and Private Detective Spade faces an impossible mission: He must save Celebcon Five from itself. The convention that’s trying to out Comic-con Comic-con has decided to make Dmitri Karnikov its guest of honor. Spade doesn’t want the mega-celebrity anywhere near a science fiction convention. When a celebrity of Karnikov’s wattage agrees to attend, something’s wrong. Then Spade’s mysterious friend Paladin reveals the secret to Karnikov’s attendance, and Spade must act quickly—or Celebcon Five might become a crime scene of the worst possible kind. “The Karnikov Card” first appeared in the January/February 2011 issue of Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s short mystery fiction has won the Ellery Queen Readers’ Choice Award twice, and has been nominated for the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards. Her mystery novels appear under the names Kris Nelscott and Kris Rusch. For more information on her work, go to kristinekathrynrusch.com. If you like this story about Spade and Paladin, you might also try: Stomping Mad (Spade alone) The Vanishing Boy (Spade/Paladin)

The police often show up at science fiction conventions, but not because Secret Master of Fandom and private detective Spade calls them. But that all changes when Paladin finds a box with a note, a box she believes contains a bomb. Spade and Paladin must hurry to save the convention before the police arrive. The conundrum? Figure out who sent the bomb—before they lose their lives trying. “I hope to read many more stories about Spade and Paladin.” — Mystery Scene

The teenage girl wrapped in a sheet calls herself Casper (as in “The Friendly Ghost”). But Secret Master of Fandom and private detective Spade doesn’t find her friendly, and she’s definitely not a ghost. Still, Paladin demands that Spade babysit Casper, and Spade never says no to Paladin. Even when it comes to babysitting on Halloween weekend, while Spade runs the second most important convention of the year. Because Paladin doesn’t ask favors; she solves crimes. And apparently, she—and Casper—need help only Spade can provide.

Spade: Secret Master of Fandom and Private Detective. Paladin: Spade’s enigmatic sidekick and infamous detective for hire. Together: Two of masterful author Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s most popular characters. Included are five Spade/Paladin Conundrums: “Stomping Mad,” “The Case of the Vanishing Boy,” “The Karnikov Card,” “Pandora’s Box,” and “Trick or Treat.” “I hope to read many more stories about Spade and Paladin.” —Bill Crider, Mystery Scene

Secret Master of Fandom and private detective Spade thought he would find himself alone on Christmas Eve—until a strange call from Paladin changes his plans. Just when he thinks the evening can’t get any stranger, a huge blast sends his world into chaos, along with that of Paladin and Casper. But what the trio learn next might prove even more explosive. “Great characters.” —Little Big Crimes “This series is a fun glimpse into the world of science fiction fandom.” —Gumshoes, Gats, and Gams “I hope to read many more stories about Spade and Paladin.” —Bill Crider, Mystery Scene

When legendary science fiction fan Brendan Witt dies, Secret Master of Fandom and private detective Spade finds himself planning a memorial charity auction to honor Witt’s final wishes. But when some very rare and highly collectible fanzines go missing, Spade and Paladin must race to find them before anyone notices. Just one problem: Why they went missing might just prove the biggest mystery of all. “This series is a fun glimpse into the world of science fiction fandom.” —Gumshoes, Gats, and Gams “Great characters.” —Little Big Crimes “I hope to read many more stories about Spade and Paladin.” — Mystery Scene