Low Chicago

Low Chicago takes readers on a thrilling journey through time, spotlighting the underworld of 1920s Chicago—the city of speakeasies, jazz, and towering criminal empires. Crafted within the beloved Wild Cards universe, this spellbinding adventure introduces a new ensemble of characters whose lives and encounters ricochet across the decades, all initiated at a fateful high-stakes poker game.

On an eventful night, Giovanni Galante's poker table becomes the centre of an extraordinary mishap when a superpowered accident sends Chicago's most notorious figures spiralling through time. With each moment in history they disrupt, the fabric of the future is placed in jeopardy. Friends turn foes, alliances are tested, and the race to restore normalcy becomes more urgent with each tick of the clock.

With the narrative skills of an outstanding team of writers, the story is co-edited by the legendary George R. R. Martin, well-known for his #1 bestselling series, and Melinda M. Snodgrass, celebrated for her work on Star Trek. Join renowned authors like Saladin Ahmed, known for his compelling comic Black Bolt; Paul Cornell of Doctor Who fame; and Marko Kloos, the creative mind behind the bestselling Frontlines series.

Other notable contributions come from John Jos. Miller, Mary Anne Mohanraj, whose works include Bodies in Motion and The Stars Change; Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Theodore Sturgeon Award finalist Christopher Rowe; along with Kevin Andrew Murphy and Melinda M. Snodgrass herself, each adding a unique voice to this compelling anthology.

Critically acclaimed, Locus describes the collection as showcasing a "remarkable array of writers," maintaining a cogent and exhilarating momentum as it progresses through the eras.

The Wild Cards Universe is a breathtaking exploration of alternate history, where heroes and villains exist alongside the mundane, and the extraordinary is an integral part of life:

The Original Triad
Wild Cards, Aces High, Jokers Wild

The Puppetman Quartet
Aces Abroad, Down and Dirty, Ace in the Hole, Dead Man's Hand

The Rox Triad
One-Eyed Jacks, Jokertown Shuffle, Dealer's Choice

Double Solitaire, Turn of the Cards

The Card Sharks Triad
Card Sharks, Marked Cards, Black Trump

Deuces Down, Death Draws Five

The Committee Triad
Inside Straight, Busted Flush, Suicide Kings

The Fort Freak Triad
Fort Freak, Lowball, High Stakes

The American Triad
Mississippi Roll, Low Chicago, Texas Hold 'Em

Dive into this richly woven tapestry of stories, where time-travelling capers and Chicago’s criminal elite weave an unforgettable saga of danger, intrigue, and unpredictable turns. Whether a longtime enthusiast or a newcomer to the saga, Low Chicago is an essential addition to any reader's collection of gripping alternate history tales.