Derleth called them the "Gus Elker" tales and they were among his favorite stories in the Sac Prairie Saga. Set in wisconsin's farming region during the 1920s, these rollicking tales about the misadventures of Gus Elker and his neighbors Great-Uncle Joe Stoll and Great-Aunt Luoisa Stoll as seen through the eyes of the Stoll's grand-nephew Steven Grendon (August Derleth). Many of these prize-winning tales were published originally Scribner's, Atlantic Monthly, and Household magazines during the 1930s and 40s.

The editor has tracked down 35 charming tales that beg to be reread more than twice. A week after this book was published, the Editor located seventeen more unpublished stories at the family home, The Place of Hawks. Look for a separate collection in the near future.

"Derleth is a far more important writer than is generally granted. In him, regional writing has come to something very close to full flower" - Chicago Tribune

This little chapbook contains the four Aunt May stories that appeared in early Derleth story collections; and the newly discovered The Regeneration of Ben Secker, which has never been published before.

Critics regard Solar Pons and his assistant Dr. Lyndon Parker as the greatest successors to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson.

Four novels in one book - includes: Janna Meade; The Wind in the Cedars; Lamplight for the Dark; and Shayne's Girls