London in the early months of WW2. When a pawnbroker’s assistant is wounded by a gunman wearing a gasmask it looks like a simple case of a bungled armed robbery, but the more Detective Inspector Hawker looks into it, the more confusing it becomes. A red-headed soldier, a missing gun, a dead cat, an empty violin case and a damaged violin are only a few of the threads that have to be unwound.London in the autumn of 1939: the early months of World War 2. Hitler has just conquered Poland, but life in London continues much as it did in peacetime, albeit a little more restricted since the introduction of petrol rationing. No bombs have been dropped on the city as yet, but the population go about their daily business under the constant threat of German air raids, and a blackout remains in force at night. For Scotland Yard and the criminal fraternity, however, it is business as usual. When a pawnbroker’s assistant is wounded by a gunman wearing a gasmask, it appears to be a straightforward case of a bungled armed robbery, but as Detective Inspector Hawker of the Flying Squad proceeds with his investigation, the more facts he uncovers the more confusing the affair becomes. A red-headed soldier, a missing gun, a dead cat, an empty violin case and a damaged violin are only a few of the threads that have to be unravelled before he can wrap up the case. Views: 686
A cold-hearted murderer. A vicious abuser. A young man hiding a shameful secret. A bewildered immigrant. A pure-minded spy. All of these men have found their appointed places at Mercy Prison, where it is easy to tell who your enemies are. But a new visitor to Mercy is about to challenge decades-old customs. Now these men's worst enemies may be hiding behind masks...and so may their closest allies."'You have committed a vile and savage act, one that any other nation would punish with death. Our punishment, on the other hand, will only be to give you what you want. You have sought to live in a world without boundaries of civilization, and such a world shall henceforth be your dwelling place.'"A cold-hearted murderer. A vicious abuser. A young man hiding a shameful secret. A bewildered immigrant. A pure-minded spy.All of these men have found their appointed places at Mercy Life Prison, where it is easy to tell who your enemies are. But a new visitor to Mercy is about to challenge decades-old customs. Now these men's worst enemies may be hiding behind masks . . . and so may their closest allies.A runner-up in the Rainbow Awards 2014, the book bundle "Mercy's Prisoner" can be read on its own or as the first volume in the Life Prison series. Friendship, desire between men, and the costs of corruption and integrity are examined in this multicultural speculative fiction series, which is inspired by prison life at the end of the nineteenth century.VOLUME CONTENTS"Life Prison." In the unmerciful world of Mercy Prison, there is no rule but unending pain. For Merrick, the arrival of his new guard provides hope that he may break beyond the boundaries of his life prison. But appearances can be deceptive, and Merrick does not yet recognize the danger this guard poses to his future."Men and Lads." Two guards. Two prisoners. A multitude of problems."Milord." He was the model prisoner, respectful to his guards and loyal to his fellow prisoners. What no one knew was that he held the key to destruction."Isolation." Being locked in a prison cell can cause a man to re-examine his priorities. Especially when the door never opens."Curious." His job is to guard the prisoners. But against what?"Mercy's Prisoner: Epilogue.""Mercy's Prisoner: Historical Note."REVIEW"Liveprison. Der Name sagt alles. Sehr düster." - Mllesatine: Empfehlungen.PREVIEWHis face came full into the light as he stepped forward. Wearing the uniform of a Compassion guard, he looked even more like his father: he had the same thin lips and the same straight eyebrows. But the eyes were empty of all coldness – indeed, of all expression of any sort – and there was no smile on his lips, cruel or otherwise."My name is Thomas," he said. "I'm your new guard."I noted the use of his given name rather than his paternal name, and with the instinct of a veteran fighter I dropped and made my attack accordingly. "Ah, yes," I said. "The son of Compassion's Keeper. I can expect great deeds from you, I'm sure."His lips grew even thinner, but that was all; it seemed that he was well used to this mode of attack. He said, as though I had not spoken, "My job is to provide service to you during your stay at this prison, and to make your stay as comfortable as is possible under your circumstances. If you have any needs, I hope you will let me know of them."I stared at him open-mouthed for a moment, and then I gave a hoot of laughter that resounded through the entire level. The early-morning conversations across the fire-pit paused briefly, and Sedgewick, who was passing my cell, glanced in with narrowed eyes before continuing on."Let me – let me understand you correctly," I said, struggling to gain control of myself. "You'll give me any service I want?""Any service that is in accordance with the rules of your stay.""But the only rule is that I should not be permitted escape, either through death or any other means. So you'll give me anything else?""If it's within reason, yes.""Anything at all?""Tell me what you want, and I'll be able to give you a firm answer." His patience, I saw with delight, was wearing down."Fine," I said, leaning back and pulling off the blanket to reveal my body underneath. I had given up wearing clothes at bedtime several guards before. "I want you to come over here and service me on your knees." Views: 686
"Awful Visitors" is a collection of kids’ and nature poems of Sandun Mendis' poetry collection. Lite Edition does not contain images or photographs."Awful Visitors" is a collection of kids’ and nature poems of Sandun Mendis' poetry collection and also his third book to publish as an eBook. He has written these poems including his imaginations, personal experiences, inspirations, and using other interesting incidents, in a simple language for everyone to enjoy. Lite Edition does not contain images or photographs. Views: 685
It is 2400 years in the future and Serus Blackwell is a policeman. His job, though, is not to uphold the law, but to kill political targets within the Syndicate, the centralized government on Mars. Follow Serus in this short story that sparks the beginning of the end, for a future that is darker than you think.As night falls on Midsummer's Eve, Elliot joins the noteworthy of Neppon society as they gather for the city's gala ball. All does not go as smoothly as planned however, as the first hints of a plot against the Roscans casts its shadow across our stage.*The city of Neppon drifts through the shallows, where the walls circling the mortal realm are thin. Here the daemons gather out of the surrounding night, drawn by its promise of candle flame warmth.As the election for the city's mayoral office approaches, one man stands head and shoulders above the other candidates. His reputation is as a bastion for all that is good and honest, in a world beset from all sides by horrors. But Jaret Roscan carries a secret. A secret that could bring ruin to his political career, and chaos to his beloved city.One person carries the key to his salvation. The question is, will they come forward in his hour of need?Harlem's Deck; a story in instalments. Keep your hand close to your chest...*Read this if you enjoy the work of Joe Abercrombie or Scott Lynch, or love watching Tru Blood or Battlestar Galactica. Views: 685
Running nearly 100,000 words, SCENES FROM THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE WORLD acts as a sampler and organizer of F. Paul Wilson's thirty-plus novels and various short stories that trace the events, the conspiracies, the human and non-human forces that have shaped civilization - a glimpse of the huge mosaic Wilson has assembled. It includes unseen artwork and a new timeline available nowhere else.In his novels and stories, F. Paul Wilson has spent over four decades chronicling a Secret History of human civilization – the events, the conspiracies, the human and non-human forces that have shaped its course. A history of the world that remains undiscovered, unexplored, and unknown to most of humanity. Some of this Secret History has been revealed in his Adversary Cycle, some in his Repairman Jack novels, and bits and pieces in other, seemingly unconnected works. Taken together, even these millions of words barely scratch the surface of what has been going on behind the scenes, hidden from the workaday world. Running nearly 100,000 words, SCENES FROM THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE WORLD acts as a sampler and organizer of the thirty plus novels and various short stories that form the huge mosaic Wilson has assembled. It includes unseen artwork and a new timeline available nowhere else. Views: 685
With his infectious love of storytelling in all its forms, his rich characterisation and his unrivalled grasp of thrillingly bizarre cutting-edge science Hannu Rajaniemi has swiftly set a new benchmark for SF in the 21st century. And now with his third novel he completes the tale of his gentleman rogue, the many lives and minds of Jean de Flambeur.
Influenced as much by the fin de siecle novels of Maurice leBlanc as he is by the greats of SF Rajaniemi weaves, intricate, warm capers through dazzling science, extraordinary visions of wild future and deep conjecture on the nature of reality and story.
And now we find out what will happen to Jean, his employer Mieli, the independently minded ship Perhonen and the rest of a fractured and diverse humanity flung through the solar system. Views: 685
A brief but haunting glimpse into a community of reclusive rabbit-folk keeping their doors barred against a land changing for the worse. Much as they try to hide their children from the world, the world and all its strangeness has a way of finding its way to their doorstep. A strange spirit takes hold one night, drawing all the children from their beds to show them that there's nothing to fear.A brief but haunting glimpse into a community of reclusive rabbit-folk keeping their doors barred against a land changing for the worse. Much as they try to hide their children from the world, the world and all its strangeness has a way of finding its way to their doorstep, and their children are not content to stay safe forever. One little Long Ear remembers their little hamlet as it used to be when dozens of different races came to trade, and can't help but wonder what happened.That one little girl has her eyes open wide enough to see the first stranger drift into town in a very long time. Her parents keep their heads down and rush right on by. That stranger and her even stranger influence takes hold of the village one night, drawing all the children from their beds to show them that while the night may be dark and full of secrets, not all of them are to be feared. For the first time in far too long, a community is brought together in celebration rather than dread, and it's a night that none of them will ever forget. Views: 685
A powerful and important work of investigative journalism that explores the runaway growth of the American meatpacking industry and its dangerous consequences.On the production line in American packinghouses, there is one cardinal rule: the chain never slows. Every year, the chain conveyors that set the pace of slaughter have continually accelerated to keep up with America's growing appetite for processed meat. Acclaimed journalist Ted Genoways uses the story of Hormel Foods and soaring recession-era demand for its most famous product, Spam, to probe the state of the meatpacking industry, including the expansion of agribusiness and the effects of immigrant labor on Middle America.Genoways interviewed scores of industry line workers, union leaders, hog farmers, and local politicians and activists. He reveals an industry pushed to its breaking point and exposes alarming new trends: sick or permanently disabled workers, abused animals, water and soil pollution, and... Views: 685
It was all a normal day in the Destitute zone, until the crazy man showed up, pleading for me to follow him. I obey, but I had not a clue what I was getting myself into. That man; that poor man, led me on the adventure, the journey, of a lifetime. I found what was really in myself, what I was really ment to do.2036 was the year that nobody wants to remember. The world was split up into five zones, the authorities zone, the opulent zone, the upper class, the prevalent zone, the middle class, the corrupt, no mans' land, and the destitute zone, where people like me live. It was all a normal day in the Destitute zone, I took the subway to and fro the schoolhouse. On my way home, I came to find that my hut was locked. My guardian usually always came to the door when I knocked the first time. Then the crazy man came dashing towards me, pleading for me to follow him. I do, but bombs are exploding in the sky, so eventually, I lost him. In this time, in all times of sadness, all I have to comfort me in the most time of need, is a compass. A compass. The man's name is Henry. He sends me a letter at an unknown place. It says that my guardian was killed by a man that I must stay away from. I find something throughout a long journey. Not something on the ground or something that I took from someone. I find something, a massive force, within me. I shall kill the man who took everything, the only thing that I have, from me. Views: 684
There's something hidden in the Maze.
Seventeen-year-old Imogen has never forgotten the last words her father said to her seven years ago, before the blazing fire that consumed him, her mother, and the gardens of her family's English country manor.
Haunted by her parents' deaths, Imogen moves to New York City with her new guardians. But when a letter arrives with the news of her cousin's untimely death, revealing that Imogen is now the only heir left to run the estate, she returns to England and warily accepts her role as duchess.
All is not as it seems at Rockford, and Imogen quickly learns that dark secrets lurk behind the mansion's aristocratic exterior, hinting that the spate of deaths in her family were no accident. And at the center of the mystery is Imogen herself--and Sebastian, the childhood friend she has secretly loved for years. Just what has Imogen walked into? Views: 684
A powerful and violent crime fiction novel from an iconic author and "one of the major names in science fiction" (The New York Times). Nick Banning was a man drowning in a land of far horizons, a land that had all the vigor sucked out of it ages ago by the Arizona sun. But it wasn't the blasting heat of an Arizona desert that bothered Nick—it was the heat of his own emotions, his desire for Sherry, the woman who had told him no. But Nick was winding up, faster and faster. He meant to have Sherry—or else. "[A] pomegranate writer: popping with seeds—full of ideas." —Ray Bradbury Views: 684
Charlotte is brilliant for her teenage years but her intellect doesn't serve her well. She's too smart for her own good and ends up homeless in the streets of a big city.Charlotte is brilliant for her teenage years but her intellect doesn't serve her well. She's too smart for her own good and strikes out to live alone in a large metropolitan area. Success is fleeting and life isn't what she anticipates when she ends up homeless and living in the streets. Winter is coming and she struggles with forming trustworthy relationships. She does her best to do more than just survive, although her pride prevents her from doing little else. Views: 684
Seasons change, and so does the world. Rebel Atlanteans, undead shape-shifters and desert djinn rally their might against the last bastion that stands in their way of conquering the modern world: The Library of Alexandria. Meanwhile, Kaelan's spies hunt for Jack, James and Alora Grey. The Dark Tide wants them, and their memories of where lies the Crown of Dreams.Seasons change, and so does the world. The rage of summer shows no reprieve as the sun scorches the earth and heralds the start of a bitter war. From out of the shadows of the old world, rebel Atlanteans, undead shape-shifters and desert djinn rally their might against the last bastion that stands in their way of conquering the modern world: The Library of Alexandria. Meanwhile, Kaelan's spies have picked up the trail of their prey: Jack, James and Alora Grey. The children of Thomas are in grave peril. The Dark Tide wants them, and their memories of where lies the Crown of Dreams. Views: 684
