Clarke County, Space: Allen Steele

Trouble has come to Clarke County in the shape of Macy Westmoreland, gangster's moll on the run from the Mafia. She's followed by the Golem, the ultimate killing machine, and Macy's his latest contract. More than enough problems for John Bigthorn - sheriff by day and shaman by night. He knew better than to mess with Jenny Schorr, wife of the leader of the 'New Ark' cult. So why did he? Add to that a ghost in the machine that thinks it's Bob Dylan, and a reincarnation of Elvis Presley, and you could be in New York on a typical day. Except that Clarke County is 200,000 miles from Earth, and someone's just launched a nuclear missile at it. Cover art by Julian Baum.