Tales from Places Strange and Familiar collects five stories from fantasy and science fiction writer Kate MacLeod:

"While the Rat's Away," a science fiction story of travelers stowing away on a very unusual client ship.

"The Fair Folk," a fantasy tale of fairs, magic and tricky bargains.

"The Rod of Circe," a fantasy caper set in a magical version of modern day Minneapolis.

"Winter's End," a melancholy tale of a winter that never seems to end.

"Heat Death," a science fiction mystery story set in the near future on the edges of the Chihuahuan Desert in the brutal heat of midsummer.