The short story “Fungal Gardens” by Ekaterina Sedia was published for the first time in 2009.

David is called by his partner Johnny to help him in the investigation of the death of a man as in the victim’s head they found fungi. The analysis is more complex than expected and potentially dangerous. The possible connection with the presence of ants on the scene of a similar death casts a sinister light on the case.

In the stories by Ekaterina Sedia’s I read, the author tends to focus on the characters, sometimes inspired by the literary tradition described as “Russian soul” with philosophical and religious elements. “Fungal Gardens” is a bit different because it’s a science fiction story that contains extensive scientific references to fungi. I read it a second time looking for some technical terms on Wikipedia to better understand the topic.

This story reminds me of “The X-files” but the couple who investigates one of strange deaths related to the presence of fungi is composed by the cop Johnny and his partner David, a professor of biology with an expertise on fungi. There’s a strong scientific component but Ekaterina Sedia still manages to maintain the importance of the characters.

In “Fungal Gardens” the story of the protagonists is focused on their complicated relationship. With few details put here and there in the story so as not to interfere with the plot, the reader can understand the different way of living their homosexuality and other issues.

Initially, this story seems more like a detective story a bit special for the presence of strange fungi in the head of the possible crime victims. The presence of ants reminded me of a number scientific studies I’ve read over time regarding parasites that hit insects but in the end David discovers that things are different.

In my opinion, in “Fungal Gardens” Ekaterina Sedia manages to cleverly put together in a few pages a story that gives some depth to both the plot and the protagonists. You can find it also in the anthology “Citizen Komarova Finds Love”.