The Last Surviving Gondola Widow — Kristine Kathryn Rusch

In an alternate post-Civil War Chicago, the citizens still remember the day the Gondolas sent by the South died and the city burned -- again. Lou, a Pinkerton detective, uses magic to hunt down the Gondola pilots, now called Gondola widows. She thought she had caught them all. But when evidence comes to light that one last widow hides in the most public of places, Lou must find a way to stop her -- for good.



“Excellent story from Rusch, a sort of alternate history/steampunk tale set on the shores of Lake Michigan.”

-- BestSF



“…a spectacular ending for a wonderfully imaginative story.”

-- SFRevu



“An ingenious, if complex premise, but the heart of the story lies in Lou's self-doubt when it comes to the execution of her plan to cause her target to betray herself.”

-- Locus



Kristine Kathryn Rusch has been writing her brand of excellent SF since the late 80s and she is still a vigorous presence in the field. “The Last Surviving Gondola Women” takes place in an alternate USA, circa 1890. … This is a fine story, with an interesting alternate world and a pleasant protagonist (who herself has some secrets.) Rusch uses tight, clear prose to tell her story. It is an enjoyable read…”

-- Tangent