Our 17th issue, guest-edited by Elsabeth Hermens, focuses on Oakland. Na'amen Gobert Tilahun gets kohl and glitter all over the issue (and some poison, too) with "Retirement Plans at Shining Girls," featuring one of our most powerful and unforgettable protagonists yet. Rob Pierce's "The Real Thing" is a slice of... something, maybe real, maybe not. And our very own Nick Mamatas delivers some investigative drama with "Bad Day at Black Bloc." Ever roll your eyes at those Anonymous masks? You'll like this story. We also have a personal essay on crime in Oakland by Lori Selke and, of course, capsule reviews of the latest, hottest crime fiction.