I likely never would have picked up Michael Shea, let alone such a nice edition, if Chris Lackey and Chad Fifer of the H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast (at hppodcraft.com) hadn't invited the utterly delightful Patton Oswalt on the show to talk about several of these stories. And my life would have been the poorer for it.
This is a fantastic introduction to Shea's lovecraftian influenced work, for those (like myself) without the resources to pick up the extremely limited run and extremely expensive omnibus of all his work.
I know I frequently break down these collections with at least a little blurb about every or almost every story in the collection. However, I can't do them nearly the justice in terms of enthusiasm or depth of knowledge that Patton does on those episodes of Chris and Chad's podcast, so I'm going to recommend everyone go listen to those for more detailed information (really, just listen to every episode Chris and Chad have done).
There is not a single story that disappoints here, though many are present in several other collections or chapbooks, so completionists may find some repition. Themetically, these are all lovecraftian stories set in San Francisco. S.T. Joshi deserves some credit for selection and order here. Shea's deep knowledge and experience of the city rivals that of Lovecraft's knowledge of the New England states, and really helps these stories come alive with a vibrant, living, time and place. People, not stuff rarified intellectuals, receive similar treatment as entirely believable everymen (and women) who feel like believable portraits appropriate to the setting. More of O. Henry perhaps than Lovecraft in the skillful depictions of this cast of characters.
These definitely have the feel of world building, a 60s-80s weird san francisco perhaps, but don't expect some longterm payoff in terms of an over-arching plot.
There's enough here to please everyone from Lovecraft traditionalists to those looking for a more modern feel to their horror, with a lot of respectful portrayals of groups (sex workers, the homeless, addicts, and the poor) that don't normally receive such humane treatment in fiction. ( )

Copping Squid by Michael Shea is an exciting release, marking a new approach for the fledgling publisher Perilous Press. It seems they will now be producing high quality limited editions for the mythos fan (and others). The limited edition of Copping Squid is a beautiful cloth bound hardcover with slip cover, signed by the author and listing for $47 (mine is #20 of 250). Amazon discounts it to $32.95 and offers free shipping (although this is probably not the limited edition with slipcover). Illustrations inside and out are by Stephen Gilberts, who gave us cover art for Frontier Cthulhu and Arkham Tales. I liked this art much better than anything I've seen from Mr. Gilberts so far , and the interior illustrations added to my enjoyment of the book. There are 209 pages of text and an informative (and opinionated) forward by ST Joshi. Copping Squid is concerned with Mr. Shea's mythos fiction, but it's not that simple. The main focus is mythos fiction set in the San Francisco area, the city itself almost becoming a character. Just like the Sesqua Valley is shaping the scenes in WH Pugmire's fiction, the nooks and crannies of San Francisco provide structure here. Unfortunately, Mr. Shea has not been the most prolific author, so there will inevitably be overlap with other collections. Here are the contents:

Tsathoggua
Dagoniad
Copping Squid
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
The Pool
The Battery
The Presentation
Fat Face

Anyone interested in the horror and mythos fiction of Michael Shea comes to this book trying to decide if they need both The Autopsy & Other Tales from Centipede Press, as well as Copping Squid. Unfortunately the answer is you may end up with both. The Autopsy is a quite handsome collectors' book that lists for $125, although Amazon gives you about a $40 discount. As you eye your shelf space note the large dimensions: 11.1 x 7.6 x 1.8; it may not fit with your conventionally sized trade hardcovers! This book is concerned with Shea's overall output, not just his mythos. It also contains the novel length sequel to The Colour Out of Space, The Colour Out of Time. Certainly I was very glad to read the unnerving stories I Said the Fly, The Horror on the #33 and The Autopsy. Here are its contents so you can compare:

The Angel of Death
The Horror on the #33
Fast Food
Grunt-12 Test Drive
Salome
Fat Face
Uncle Tuggs
Fill It With Regular
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Polyphemus
The Frog
The Extra
The Growlimb
The Autopsy
The Rebuke
Delivery
For Every Tatter in its Mortal Dress
The Pearls of the Vampire Queen
I said the Fly
Tsathoggua
The Color Out of Time

The completist must have both books. The impecunious mythos fan could find a very inexpensive used copy of The Colour Out of Time online and be satisfied with Copping Squid.

I will give some brief impressions of the stories which may have minor spoilers so skip to the end if you want. Mr. Sea's stories can be quite unnerving and get more so on every re-read. In fact, they tend to stand up to re-reads much better than less nuanced mythos stories.

Tsathoggua - An impoverished older lady and an obnoxious younger one have somewhat different encounters with something very unpleasant. For me this was a highlight, one of Shea's best.

Dagoniad - One thing Mr. Shea does a lot which I do not care for is mention Lovecraft and his mythos fiction in his mythos stories. Mostly for me this puts a damper on the atmosphere/world building. I've never really liked it. That being said, this is an suspenseful tale about two young women are noticed by something that can sense you if you sense it.

Copping Squid - This is a wonderful story about a young man who is chosen almost at random to witness another man's apotheosis. All of Mr. Shea's considerable gifts are on display.

Nemo Me Impune Lacessit - Here a not so congenial host evens up all scores real or imagined with some unfortunates who do not know what lurks behind the veil. Quite a few mythos critters make appearances.

The Pool - The author is fascinated by shoggoths, and why not? They are some of my favorites too. Here again there is the use of some of Lovecraft's titles in the text which bugs me, however good the story.

The Battery - A young couple find out what it means to stand against the darkness. I liked this well enough but perhaps not as much as the rest of the stories.

The Presentation - Some artists are encouraged to create a presentation that will influence major investors into helping something return. This was a very enjoyable yarn.

Fat Face - I first read Fat Face in Cthulhu 2000. Everytime I read it I am impressed with it and find something new to admire or be creeped out about. This is a Lovecraftian masterpiece, one of the best mythos stories ever written, as a young prostitute tries to make a tentative connection with someone she sees in a window near where she plies her trade.

Of course, dedicated Lovecraftians already have a copy. Michael Shea's mythos fiction is outstanding, with a creepy and original voice, and it's important, showing that real artists are interested in continuing the Lovecraft circle. Copping Squid is quite lovely and I am happy to have it on my shelf. I do wish, however, that Mr. Shea had a different story than Copping Squid coming out in the book Black Wings, due this year. Like I said, Mr. Shea is not very prolific, more's the pity. ( )