Review Science Fiction Short Story: "Heist Job on Thizar" by Randall Garrett
This is another in the series of “It Came from the Pulps!” where I review science fiction short stories that were originally published in the pulp magazines of mid-20th century. Many of these have become available in electronic form as free downloads, particularly from Project Gutenberg, or for a small price.
The bad blood between Anson Drake and Viron Belgezad is thick enough to keep them on separate planets usually. Anson doesn’t have to wait long for Viron so make himself known now that he’s back on Thizar, though. They both know only one thing could bring him back: the Necklace Algol, (and I bet is looks just like the one in the pic) which Viron plans to wear to the Coronation of His Serenity, the Shan of Thizar.
Drake avows the he has no intention of stealing it. Of course, when Norma Knight, the cleverest jewel thief the human race has ever spawned shows up at his door the evening before the Coronation, he abandons a good plan for a better one.
This is an adventure story with a clever good guy and a foolish bad guy who gets his comeuppance and is disgraced. It is a little thin in that the big reveal is, well, transparent, but it is fun. Not really worth a second read, though.
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Title: “Heist Job on Thizar” first published in Amazing Stories Oct. 1956
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Author: Randall Garrett (1927-1987) Garrett was also one of the founding members of the Society for Creative Anachronism
Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randall_Garrett
www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?239
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Also by Randall Garrett:
“A World by the Tale”: http://bit.ly/1FcTEkj
“Dead Giveaway”: http://bit.ly/1bp2AJR
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©2015 Denise Longrie
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An earlier version of this review appeared on another site. It has been removed and is no longer visible there or anywhere else. It has been slightly altered and updated for its inclusion in PP.
Image Credit » http://pixabay.com/en/necklace-earrings-krishna-pendant-555095/ by zahidjavali
Comments
allen0187 wrote on March 23, 2015, 8:28 PM
I've always been a science-fiction fan. I'll look this series up. Seems, it is good for some light reading on a lazy afternoon.
msiduri wrote on March 23, 2015, 11:18 PM
The word "series" refers to my reviews of science fiction short stories, though Randall Garrett was a prolific writer.
allen0187 wrote on March 23, 2015, 11:43 PM
Ok then. Thansk for the clarification. Although, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt as well if I check out your other posts.
CalmGemini wrote on March 24, 2015, 12:48 AM
So after the wedding you are busy as usual.I had not read this story earlier.Just read it now.Yes it is an easy read.He was a prolific author and there are many more stories to be read.
msiduri wrote on March 24, 2015, 7:38 AM
I would be flattered that you took the time. Thank you, allen0187 .
msiduri wrote on March 24, 2015, 8:11 AM
It took a couple of days to come back to plumb. We just took the last of the wedding guests, my niece, to the airport last night. This was a weeklong party, and a good one. But, as I keep telling my husband (how odd it is to call him that) next time we get married, we're going to the courthouse.