Charmingly insidious, satisfyingly devious 100 Malicious Little Mysteries is the perfect book to fit your most malevolent mood. Each story has its own particular and irresistible appeal — that unexpected twist, a delectable puzzle, a devastating revelation, or perhaps a refreshing display of pernicious spite. These stories by some of the many well-known writers in the field, including Michael Gilbert, Edward Wellen, Edward D. Hack, Bill Pronzini, Lawrence Treat and Francis Nevins. Views: 42
First published in 1981 collection The best of Omni Science Fiction no.2.
Originally written for 1975 UCLA seminar called “10 Tuesdays Down a Rabbit Hole”, held by Harlan Ellison and other science fiction authors. The seminar was about writing a collection of science fiction short stories by different authors, all taking place on the same fictional planet Medea. It was an experiment in collaborative science-fictional world-building, featuring contributions by Hal Clement, Frank Herbert, and others. The complete cycle was published ten years later as Medea: Harlan’s World (Bantam Spectra, 1985, ISBN 0-553-34170-7). Views: 41
In the mid 1930s, two young Irish-American scholars voyage to the Albanian highlands with an early model of a marvelous invention, the tape recorder, in hand. Their mission? To discover how Homer could have composed works as brilliant and as long as the Iliadand the Odyssey without ever writing them down. The answer, they think, can be found only in Albania, the last remaining natural habitat of the oral epic. But immediately on their arrival the scholars' seemingly arcane research puts them at the center of ethnic strife in the Balkans. Mistaken for foreign spies, they are placed under the surveillance of a nearsighted informer with a prodigious gift for reproducing conversations he has overheard. He is soon generating a stream of floridly written reports about the visitors' puzzling activities. News of their presence in the provincial town of N------- sets gossip to flying, and while the town's governor speculates on their imminent capture, his pretty wife, from her bath, plots her delivery from a marital ennui worthy of Madame Bovary. Research and intrigue proceed apace, but it isn't until a fierce-eyed monk from the Serbian side of the mountains makes his appearance that the scholars glimpse the full political import of their search for the key to the Homeric question. Part spy novel, part comedy of errors, The File on H.is a work of inventive genius and piercing irony that may be Ismail Kadare's funniest and most accessible to date. From an author who has been called one of the most compelling novelists now writing in any language (Wall Street Journal),it is also a profound and eloquent comment on one of the most intractable conflicts of our time. Views: 41
The sweeping chronicle of a great and tragic pharaoh who lost his throne for the love of a God. In the glory of ancient Egypt, an epic of a royal family divided, bloody power ploys, and religious wars that nearly tore apart one of the greatest empires in human history. AKHENATEN: The dream-filled King of Egypt, who dared to challenge the ancient order of his people and dethrone the jeslous dieties of his land for the glory of one almighty God. NEFERTITI: The most beautiful woman in the world, bred from birth to be the Pharaoh’s devoted lover—and to follow him anywhere, even in his tortured obsessions.** Views: 40
A freelance fixer comes out of retirement to rescue the President’s kidnapped brotherAmerican agents abduct a high-profile terrorist in broad daylight on the streets of London, subduing him with a tranquilizer. He dies a few hours later on a flight back to Washington, DC, and the body is dropped into the ocean. Hours later, the President’s brother—a political powerhouse in his own right—boards a plane to Las Vegas that doesn’t land in Nevada. Libyan radicals are at the controls, and he is their prisoner.The only man who can save him is Chubb Dunjee. A former United Nations operative with skills in every aspect of political negotiation, Chubb became famous for solving problems with well-placed bribes. Saving the President’s brother should be no trouble for him. But the Libyans don’t want a bribe. They want blood.Review“Ross Thomas is without peer in American suspense.” —The Los Angeles Times “What Elmore Leonard does for crime in the streets, Ross Thomas does for crime in the suites.” —The Village Voice “Ross Thomas is that rare phenomenon, a writer of suspense whose novels can be read with pleasure more than once.” —Eric Ambler, author of The Mask of DimitriosAbout the AuthorThe winner of the inaugural Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award, Ross Thomas (1926–1995) was a prolific author whose political thrillers drew praise for their blend of wit and suspense. Born in Oklahoma City, Thomas grew up during the Great Depression, and served in the Philippines during World War II. After the war, he worked as a foreign correspondent, public relations official, and political strategist before publishing his first novel, The Cold War Swap (1967), based on his experience working in Bonn, Germany. The novel was a hit, winning Thomas an Edgar Award for Best First Novel and establishing the characters Mac McCorkle and Mike Padillo. Thomas followed it up with three more novels about McCorkle and Padillo, the last of which was published in 1990. He wrote nearly a book a year for twenty-five years, occasionally under the pen name Oliver Bleeck, and won the Edgar Award for Best Novel with Briarpatch (1984). Thomas died of lung cancer in California in 1995, a year after publishing his final novel, Ah, Treachery! Views: 40
On Spain's Costa Brava, passion and intrigue are everywhere- especially in the hearts of those who dwell there. As the dictator Franco teeters on the edge of overthrow, two couples are entwined. One is a husband and wife bored with the existence they have drifted into, the other a passionate, combative pair who relish every moment of life. Into this potent mix comes a young American seeking his missing lover-bringing a shadow of danger into the machinations already at work. Soon, loyalty will be tested and blood will be shed as the country of Spain prepares for revolution. And none of them-lovers, fighters, man or woman- will ever be the same.Review"A terrific yarn-spinner."-Chicago Sun Times"Lescroart's a pro."-Jonathan KellermanAbout the AuthorJohn Lescroart is the author of nineteen previous novels, including The Betrayal, The Suspect, The Hunt Club, The Motive, The Second Chair, The First Law, The Oath, The Hearing, and Nothing But the Truth. He lives in Northern California. Views: 39
Don't miss your chance to meet this sexy playboy boss in a seductive reissue from reader-favourite Carole Mortimer. One night with her playboy boss... Alexander Blair is definitely the wrong man for Lauri. Not only is he a shameless playboy with a revolving door to his bedroom, he's also older than her—and her boss! He's everything that Lauri doesn't want. Yet the undeniable attraction between them is almost too strong to resist... So when Alexander suggests that the best way to get over their desire is to give in to it, it sounds like a reasonable theory... But, in practice, their passion for each other doesn't work that way! Views: 39
Somewhere, from among the four human-settled worlds of the Warden Diamond, hostile aliens were spying on Earth. But no agent could be sent to investigate and report back; a symbiont invaded all life forms and destroyed any form of machinery. That called for extraordinary means. One agent was chosen, then four men were stripped of their own minds and personalities, and his was imposed upon them. hooked up properly, he could then receive their reports, without ever leaving safe territory. Each man was assigned one world to conquer. His mission was first to find the Overlord of that world and kill him, then to take over his link with the aliens. Of course all this must be done with no help beyond his own naked ability. Views: 39
Richard Delancey is soon called into action once more, as Britain prepares for the threat of a new French assault. Disturbing rumors are circulating about Napoleon‘s new weapons of war: vessels driven by steam-engines, new explosive devices, and, most troubling of all, a French secret weapon named Nautilus, which can travel underwater and attach explosive devices below the waterline. Views: 39
Caroline-Matilda - Captive Queen to a Royal Madman... She came to the bridal bed half child, half woman, and looked with terror upon the king who barely troubled to mask his contempt for her. There had been whispers about the fledgling ruler of Denmark...about his dark moods, his murderous tantrums, his strange lusts. But no one could speak out against a marriage that united two such powerful kingdoms as England and Denmark. Bewildered, lonely, and hungry for affection, she turned to the one man who dared to be her friend--the king's physician. He knew the trugh, knew that without his warmth and protection Caroline could not survive. He became her refuge...and her lover...and her greatest danger. In "The Lost Queen," Norah Loft has created a spellbinding tale that vividly evokes the stark contrasts of 18th-century Denmark: the cruelty, poverty, and oppression of existence under an absolute monarch sinking into madness; the royal court with its pomp and pageantry; and the hatreds and intrigues that swirled around the young, lovely figure who was, briefly, its queen. *** "A gem of a novel...rich in the atmmosphere of the 18th century...a poignant and romantic love story in Norah Lofts' best style." -- Book Press. Views: 38
Mr Gershel, dirtied up and unshaven after early hours working his fields, he looked out of place on the swept stoop in the recently white-painted doorframe flanked by shiningly clean windows. ‘Mornin’ to you, stranger,’ he growled, unsmiling. ‘Joanne, what you doin’ ridin’ with a stranger?’ His Tennessee dialect was more pronounced than that of the girl. As he spoke, somebody else moved in the shadowed interior of the house behind him. ‘Name’s Baraaby Gold, Mr Gershel. Bring you some bad news.’ He hitched the reins around the brake lever and started to swing down from the wagon. Aware of the suspicion in Gershel’s hard-set face and of the stone-like posture of Joanne who seemed petrified to the seat. Was still in the process of getting off the wagon when the girl sprang to her feet, pointed at Gold and shrieked: ‘He killed them and raped me!’ Views: 37
Plymouth, July 1801: Richard Bolitho's small squadron, still repairing the scars of battle earned in heavy action at Copenhagen, has been months away from the sea. After eight years of war with France, Britain must make a gesture that will show strength and determination—and one which will dramatically weaken the French cause. Rear-Admiral Bolitho must follow his flag's tradition of victory, even though—for the first time in his life—he is torn between the demands of public duty and personal need.Review"Impeccable naval detail and plenty of action." -- Sunday Telegraph"One of our foremost writers of Naval Fiction." -- Sunday TimesAbout the AuthorAlexander Kent, pen name of Douglas Edward Reeman, joined the British Navy at 16, serving on destroyers and small craft during World War II, and eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant. He has taught navigation to yachtsmen and has served as a script adviser for television and films. His books have been translated into nearly two dozen languages. Views: 37
When a star model disappears, Aunt Eloise insists that Nancy replace the model in a fashion show. Nancy reluctantly accepts the invitation, only to discover that several of the clothes for the show have been stolen! Once on the trail of her elusive enemies, Nancy discovers clue after clue pointing to a diabolical scheme that she must stop at all costs! Views: 37
