The Notting Hill Mystery is thought to be the first detective story of novel length. Views: 784
Alex Mackenzie was born in 1754 in the Scottish lowlands on the border between Scotland and England. Alex, his father, and his two older brothers were members of the last band of Reivers (outlaws) that operated along the border. A few years before the start of the American Revolutionary War, Alex ran afoul of the British authorities. His only alternative was to leave Scotland for America.Alex Mackenzie was a Scottish lad born in 1754 in the Scottish lowlands on the border between Scotland and England. Alex, his father, and his two older brothers were members of the last band of Reivers (outlaws) that operated along the border. A few years before the start of the American Revolutionary War, Alex ran afoul of the British authorities; they were on his trail and wanted him dead. His only alternative was to leave Scotland for Ireland and then from there to sail to America. The colonies in America were supposed to be a place where people could get a new start in life and explore new opportunities. America was supposed to be a place where people could put down stakes and put old feuds behind them, or was it?“Och, that tears it; it’s all gang agley” said Alex’s father. “Ye are going to hae to set aff from Scotland for a wee bit, Alex, laddie.”“Where should I go?”“Ireland,” said John. “Ye can find wark at the Plantation of Ulster and get back on yer feet there. Ye might hae t’ stay in Ireland quite a spell until this all blows oer.”“How am I going to get there?”“Weel,” Hugh chimed in, “the distance from Scotland to Ireland is less than fourteen miles at the closest point, we can probably swim o’er there, just like swimming across a loch,” said Hugh with a grin and a gleam in his eye.“We,” said Alex. “Who invited you along?”“Ye don’t think Robber and I would let ye go o’er the Sheuch alane, do ye, laddie?” replied Hugh. Views: 781
It is the autumn of 1938 when Julia Kaufmann meets Erich Schmidt while studying medicine at the German University in Prague. With Hitler’s army soon to invade the city and the terror of World War II looming, it is the worst of times for a Jew and a German to fall in love.It is the autumn of 1938 when Julia Kaufmann meets Erich Schmidt while studying medicine at the German University in Prague. With Hitler’s army soon to invade the city and the terror of World War II looming, it is the worst of times for a Jew and a German to fall in love. As the excitement of the eugenics movement gives way to outright genocide, and the fear sweeping across Europe grows into madness, Julia and Erich find themselves forced to travel two very different paths—ones which will determine the fate of their love and, ultimately, the fate of their souls.A Perfect Madness takes us on a journey back to a dark time when the fight for survival often eclipsed the fight for the truth. Beautifully and provocatively written, it examines the crippling effects of fear on the human mind, asking painful questions of moral choice we cannot afford to leave unanswered. Views: 781
When Celia Sands arrives at a remote Italian villa to star in the first performance of a deceased playwright's masterpiece, she is instantly drawn to the mysteries surrounding the play -- and to her compelling, compassionate employer. Views: 773
This supernatural tale was originally published in 1946. In the story, the Marvell family goes away on vacation, leaving their farm, pets, and livestock home alone, to be taken care of by August, the hired man. But August fails to come. That night, the neighborhood is roused by an unusual glow. When August goes to the farm to investigate, he finds that it is under the care of mysterious beings-the twelve signs of the zodiac. This story sparkles with fantasy and humorous realism that both adults and children will appreciate. Views: 773
A cowboy returns to his homeplace to face the mistakes of his past.In 2012 Pete Sortwell did something no one had ever done before: he wrote a book based entirely on Amazon product reviews. The book was so successful, he wrote a series. The series was so successful, he spent the next year releasing other projects he’d been working on. Now, for the first time the stories he wrote while learning his craft are available on Kindle and in paperback. From people stuck on roofs, to stalkers following their wives, to weight watchers’ meetings, this book is filled with oddballs, thieves, lowlifes, and other such lovelies. This book also contains the side story to Pete’s debut novel ‘So Low, So High’, so if you’re interested in finding out more about Fred, then this is the place. Short stories: Noang lish Hero Lose-lose So low, so high WeighTWATcherS Multi-storey Apt Pupil One flew over the policeman’s bonnet Win-win Inside I’m dancing *Contained in this book are also samples of all Pete’s other books. The short stories amount to around eleven thousand words. Views: 773
The year is 2020. China has sentenced corrupt soccer players and officials to death in a crackdown. The world body sends Seán Linehan to save them. As usual, Linehan has his own agenda: no girls, art or money this time. He wants to be good. But China strews his path with temptations. Dark Future, good reading.In this story set in the near future, Seán Linehan, an international football executive, travels to China with a mission to save a group of players and officials from the death by firing squad to which they have been condemned. After his experience in the racist failed state of Padania, Linehan has his own agenda: no longer girls, art and money, but being good. How will he react to the temptations of this future China that range from beautiful young women in see-through burqas to an ancient scroll worth its weight in gold? The second story in the Seán Linehan series. Dark Future, good reading. Views: 770
Oct. 11th, 1943 - A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.
When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.
As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?
Harrowing and beautifully written, Elizabeth Wein creates a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other. Code Name Verity is an outstanding novel that will stick with you long after the last page. Views: 767
A small collection of essays and journalism, On Literature explores the creative life, from poets waxing lyrical to poets getting down right political. Some crucial excursions with the muse are explored in the 'pages' of this book, so dip inside and be inspired, there's more to literary living than you might think.Men's literary short fiction by Hosho McCreeshIn “Taco Fairy” we wonder what will $2 get you at a nearby tacqueria? Answer: A world of stupid trouble.“Say, What Ever Happened To Vidal Sassoon?" explores the sexual politics of business trips, and free hotel shampoo.*Mentioned in TORO Magazine (Canada) Views: 765
From the original writer of the late 1970's children’s cult TV series ‘Chorlton and the Wheelies’ and ‘Jamie and the Magic Torch’. ‘Samuel the Sliding Sausage’ – a classic 70's origin of HooHa House – has been made available as a FREE download (Various distributors) in the hope and that you, or your child, likes the story enough to buy the Boodle Books ‘Origins’ box set.‘Queenie the Quivering Quilt’ also part of this box set is also being made available as a FREE download.The 'Boodle HooHa House Origins’ box set includes the following stories and costs around £1.99 ($2.99) depending in region.1. Samuel the Sliding Sausage2. Wally the Wobbling Wellington3. Percy the Peeping Pot Plant4. Maurice the Messy Mop5. Queenie the Quivering Quilt6. Terrence the Terrible TapCharming, funny and beautifully written and illustrated Boodle Books are all about imagination. The notion of inanimate things coming to life is hardly original – which is precisely why the author gave it credence – because a child’s imagination has no bounds and there simply isn’t a child who hasn’t at some point taken a spoon or a daffodil and given it a name and a story.These delightful Boodle Books belong to children, to help inspire adult imagination too.Based on these original stories, the new HooHa House series runs to 26 titles covering every letter of the alphabet. Views: 765
Sometimes, life can move in a perfectly fluid motion, life and love colliding with each other as life bends towards love and snap together perfectly. Like a velcro sneaker. But sometimes, those straps can break down.Sometimes, life can move in a perfectly fluid motion, life and love colliding with each other as life bends towards love and snap together perfectly. Like a velcro sneaker. But sometimes, those straps can break down.Sometimes, those straps can wrestle you into a noose and not let go until you choke on your own breath.Like a velcro sneaker.And sometimes, all it takes is grey converse velcro sneakers to churn up a revolution. Views: 762
A classic mystery novel featuring Hanshew\'s best-known creation, the consulting detective Hamilton Cleek, known as "the man of the forty faces" for his incredible skill at disguise. Cleek is based in Clarges Street, London, where he is constantly consulted by Inspector Narkom of Scotland Yard. Views: 760
Rob works for Global Air Lite and as usual there's nothing happening at the check-in desks. So he decides to liven things up, as usual. With calamitous results, as usual. Laugh out load funny and great a escape from 'normality'.A Bitesize Read: Men at Work - Episode 1. About 1 hour of fun with work colleagues who have nothing in common, except an overwhelming desire to throttle Rob the anarchist! . It's another mind-numbing day for the check-in staff at Global Airlines Lite, until the anarchist Rob discovers the suspect package. Imagine being a fly-on-the-wall as the the day unfolds, and watch Rob set up Major Tom to defuse the bomb and save the day... well, at least that's the plan.The first episode in the Working Man series - let the madness begin! Views: 756
Joella gets more than she bargains for while researching the reclusive cougar for her thesis, in an old mining canyon.A burned out drunk on the verge of death is saved by an alien scientist who wishes to use him as a host to study the human race. He is given a new body with enhancements with such features as telescopic, microscopic, infrared, and x-ray vision. His new improved brain allows him to invent new products and write computer programs which make him very wealthy. The alien helps him transform his body and assume a new identity and live out his dream of being a singer and attracting females to his private fan club,His new life doesn't not go unnoticed. A female journalist investigates rumors that he is using his fan club as sex slaves. Also, a detective comes to investigate his possible involvement in the murder of his former self. The detective brings a black cocaine whore to keep him company while he does his investigation.Once he has learned to use his new enhancements, the alien adds a Time/Transport Bubble to his body. To familiarize himself with the abilities of this amazing device, he does a few test trips in current time and in the not too distant past. For example, he travels to North Korea to steal the virginity of the dictator's new bride and wreck his new weapon of mass destruction. He also uses his abilities to save a famous woman who was unfairly accused of being a spy during World War 1. These are only two of the many adventures the new time traveler experiences. Views: 745
A mysterious young boy terrorizes a young mother and forces her to face her demons.When celebrated author Jack Rogan stumbles upon a hidden diary, he can’t resist investigating. Honouring the last wish of a dying friend, he is irresistibly drawn into a web of intriguing clues, hinting at a long forgotten treasure.Joining forces with Cecilia Crawford, a glamorous New York journalist, and Tristan, a remarkable boy with psychic powers, Jack soon finds himself on a precarious journey of discovery, exposing dark secrets from a distant, violent time, when life was cheap and cruelty ruled without mercy.Meanwhile, Emil Fuchs, an enigmatic Swiss banker with a murky past, has an agenda of his own. Ruthless, and determined to defend his reputation at all cost, he threatens to expose a fraud that could destroy everything.Will Rogan succeed? Can he find the forgotten treasure he has been searching for, or will it be lost forever, depriving the world of a masterpiece that belongs to all mankind?Author's Note: The Forgotten Painting is a novella, and as such, it is of course much shorter than my novels. That was one of the reasons I have chosen this genre as the vehicle to introduce new readers to my work. However, I hope it will also entertain existing readers and give them something new and exciting to explore and enjoy. New readers interested in learning more about my writing, can find excerpts from my novels at the back. Views: 739
