Gothic-romance novel written to meet a publisher's guidelines and "stave off starvation and buy a little time to write what I really cared about." Views: 68
Product DescriptionCalled upon to investigate a sinister "accident" involving national security, Nero Wolfe must set the traps that will catch the pair of wily killers responsible. Views: 67
"Barselow was used to having his orders obeyed in Azure City. But when he gave orders that the Queen must be found, he ran into unexpected opposition. For there were other determined to find the Queen ... Determined to risk their sanity, their very lives, to find her. There was Faye Jordan—she of the sensuous figure and the mind to match. And there was Mr. Trim—the fabulous Mr. Trim ... There was John Henry Conover, and the curvy, swervy girl called Sin, who had other things on their minds until a wounded mobster burst into their cottage and forced them to join the hunt. And when the waiter brought them the Queen of Diamonds instead of their tab at lunch the next day, they knew they were playing for keeps. " Views: 67
Seven people might have murdered Eric Crowther, the mysterious recluse who lived in the gaunt house whose shadow fell across the White Cottage. Seven people had good cause. It was not lack of evidence that sent Detective Chief Inspector Challenor and his son Jerry half across Europe to unravel a chaos of clues. The White Cottage Mystery was Margery Allingham's first detective story, published initially as a newspaper serial. Her sister Joyce has now skillfully revised the text to reveal a sharply plotted period piece stamped with the genius of a great and familiar hand. Views: 67
The novel begins with adventurer Sir Richard Francis Burton waking up after his death on a strange new world made up of one ongoing river. He discovers that he is but one of billions of previously dead personalities from throughout Earth’s history stretching from the Neolithic age through 2008 AD also “resurrected”. At first the resurrectees are primarily focused on survival, though their basic needs for food are mysteriously taken care of; but eventually Burton decides to make it his mission to find the headwaters of the River and discover the purpose and intention of humanity’s resurrection. Along the way he is enslaved and then partnered with Nazi war criminal Hermann Göring, discovers the existence of a mysterious organization responsible for the resurrection of humanity, and is recruited by a rogue member of this group to take down their carefully laid plans.
Won Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1972 Views: 67
From the grit of the Australian bush to the tangled traditions of cultivated English society, Under Two Skies is truly a lost literary treasure. The contrasting communities in these collected short stories of Ernest William Hornung, are also intrinsically intertwined. They take place equally in the Australia and England of the late 1800's, when Britain still ruled that far-flung and distant land of heat, hope, and heartache. Disgrace drives men to start new lives in the hard world of the colony, whilst life goes on in the green fields they have left behind. A Whim driver hides from a hidden past, a convict father threatens to cast a shadow on his son's achievements, an English lady longs for her love seeking his fortune on the other side of the world. Hornung paints vivid scenes with wonderful characters you will fall for again and again.Under Two Skies was first published in 1892. Views: 67
Product DescriptionFar in the future, the craftsmen of the distant planet Halma create goods which are the wonder of the galaxy. But they know little of this. Their society is harshly regimented, its religion austere and unforgiving, and primitive -- to maintain standards, even the most basic use of automation is punishable by death. When Amiante, a wood-carver, is executed for processing old documents with a camera, his son Ghyl rebels, and decides to bring down the system. To do so, he must first interpret the story of Emphyrio, an ancient hero of Halman legend. About the AuthorSALES POINTS * #19 in the Millennium SF Masterworks series, a library of the finest science fiction ever written * 'All Vance's novels have exotic locales and cultures, resourceful heroes and vigorous action, but in Emphyrio they are raised to the pitch of perfection, making the novel a tremendous pleasure to read, and giving it also a mysterious beauty' - Kim Stanley Robinson * 'Jack Vance is our greatest living SF writer, and Emphyrio is one of his very best books, a magical tour de force of mystery, marvel, invention, incident, world-building and wordplay. But be warned: reading Vance is addictive' - George R.R. Martin Views: 67
Review
“A beautiful, funny novel.” –New Republic.“Clever, amusing,
diverting…” –New York Times“Zany, aphoristic and flashy… a remarkable
entertainment, remarkably funny.” –Washington Post“This bizarre carnival
of a first novel is written with the same rapier-like wit that distinguishes Mr.
Stoppard’s hit play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead…” –Publishers
Weekly“The pace of the romp never slackens, and the fusillade of puns,
travesty, parody, double entendres is rapid… Stoppard’s talent as an entertainer
is certain and brilliant.” –Vogue Magazine
Product Description
Tom Stoppard’s first novel, originally published in 1966 just before the
premiere of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, is an uproarious fantasy set
in modern London. The cast includes a penniless, dandified Malquist with a
liveried coach; Malquist’s Boswellian biographer, Moon, who frantically
scribbles as a bomb ticks in his pocket; a couple of cowboys, one being named
Jasper Jones; a lion who’s banned from the Ritz; an Irishman on a donkey
claiming to be the Risen Christ; and three irresistible women. Views: 67
There appears to be an organised plan to attack the police, with many incidents – too many for it to be anything but a concerted campaign by a horrifyingly brutal and ruthless gang. Who are they, and why are they conducting this terrifying campaign? It turns out to be a truly sensational case and, of course, Scotland Yard would only field one man against this kind of danger: Inspector Roger 'Handsome' West, its most credible, down to earth, and methodical detective. Views: 67
Book DescriptionTom Kedrick earned his stripes during the Civil War, fought Apaches, and even soldiered overseas. But in the high desert country of New Mexico, the battle-hardened Kedrick is entangled in a different kind of war, fueled by greed and deception. Hired by Alton Burwick to drive a pack of renegades and outlaws off the government land recently set aside for an Indian reservation, Kedrick begins to notice that things are not as they seem. As his suspicions grow, he realizes that he may be fighting on the wrong side of a land swindle. Disillusioned and outraged, Kedrick must take action against the very people who hired him–or be forced to witness the bloody massacre of innocent men and women.From the Paperback edition.From the PublisherAlton Burwick was itching to make a big land grab at Yellow Butte. But first, he had to drive the tough band of squatters from the range. So he rounded up a bunch of killers for the job, and hired Tom Kendrick to ramrod the crew, never mentioning that they would be fighting innocent men and women. Suddenly Kedrick realized he would have to do something fast--before Burwick's mob turned Yellow Butte into a wasteland. Views: 67
Gallegher invents a machine that solves three problems at ones. But what exactly? Views: 67
Book DescriptionMatt Coburn has cleaned up tough towns before. He knew what to do and how to do it. Above all, he knew who to kill and when. But this time the odds were stacked against him. Now he was sure of only one thing--the gutters would run with blood before law came to Confusion. Views: 67
Review'A real spell-binder' -- Sunday Telegraph 'Compulsive reading ... chases, battles, thrills and entertainment all the way' -- Daily Mirror 'A fascinating re-creation of the King Arthur legend' -- Newsweek 'It goes without saying that Mrs Stewart tells a marvellous story.' -- The Times 'Superb and lyrical.' -- Washington Times From the PublisherIf you haven't read Mary Stewart's Arthurian Saga, you don't know what you're missing. They are must reads for any romance reader, for any lover of Arthurian legend, for any history buff, for any voracious reader, and may be the books to get non-readers started. Basically, they should be read by everyone! Mary Stewart's research for these books is phenomenal. Her understanding of myth and its relationship to fact is remarkable. The books are complex, yet incredibly inviting and you will absolutely love the characters. They also weave together so beautifully that you won't be able to read only one. Two things I find particularly interesting in this series is the portrayal of Arthur and the fall of Camelot. Arthur represents all of humanity in these books as opposed to the more mythical figure you usually see. And the fall of Camelot is more internal rather than external--more about the passions and lusts in the heart rather than a more obvious loss of power. The books go in this order: The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, The Last Enchantment, The Wicked Day. Shauna Summers, Senior Editor Views: 67
The first of Tey's Inspector Grant mysteries concerns the murder of an unknown man, apparently struck down as he stands in a ticket queue for a London musical comedy. Grant tenaciously pursues his suspects throughout the length of Britain and the labyrinth of London. Views: 67
