Mad Science: Bits and Pieces, edited by Dave Freer, is a 251 page anthology of science fiction short stories published March 11, 2026 by Raconteur Press.

My Thoughts:

This is a collection of short stories submitted by authors prompted to write something that fits the theme “Mad Science: Bits and Pieces”, however they chose to interpret that.

This was a well done batch of stories! Featuring a range of experiments from genetically engineered and neurally modified animals to cobbled-together inventions that don’t work as expected, these were fun science fiction vignettes. The stakes are quite high in most of them, and several utilize elements of humor in the telling. Personal favorites include UNCLE EUAN: SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED by Malory, SONG OF THE SEA BEAST by Bret Nelson, and PAST AND PRESENT by Nate Stone.

Overall the writing is decent, the illustrations add a factor of interest, and the faux advertisements sprinkled throughout are delightful. Well done, everyone!

Thank you to Raconteur Press for the eBook in exchange for my unbiased review.