An NYRB Original
Daphne du Maurier wrote some of the most compelling and creepy novels of the twentieth century. In books like Rebecca, My Cousin Rachel, and Jamaica Inn she transformed the small dramas of everyday life—love, grief, jealousy—into the stuff of nightmares. Less known, though no less powerful, are her short stories, in which she gave free rein to her imagination in narratives of unflagging suspense.
Patrick McGrath's revelatory new selection of du Maurier's stories shows her at her most chilling and most psychologically astute: a dead child reappears in the alleyways of Venice; routine eye surgery reveals the beast within to a meek housewife; nature revolts against man's abuse by turning a benign species into an annihilating force; a dalliance with a beautiful stranger offers something more dangerous than a broken heart. McGrath draws on the whole of du Maurier's long career and includes surprising discoveries together with famous stories like "The Birds". Don't Look Now is a perfect introduction to a peerless storyteller. Views: 572
The original 50 cent paperback edition of this book now goes for $100 in rare book auctions. Why? Because it contains 25 of the best, hardest-to-find stories of the writer the Washington Post calls "one of the great living American short story writers," the unpredictable Harlan Ellison.
Bold and uncompromising, Gentleman Junkie and Other Stories of the Hung-up Generation is a watershed moment in Harlan Ellison’s early writing career. Rather than dealing in speculative fiction, these twenty-five short stories directly tackle issues of discrimination, injustice, bigotry, and oppression by the police. Pulling from his own experience, Ellison paints vivid portraits of the helpless and downtrodden, blazing forth with the kind of unblinking honesty that would define his career.
Contents
Foreword (Gentleman Junkie and Other Stories of the Hung-Up Generation) • (1961) • essay by Frank M. Robinson
Introduction: The Children of Nights • (1975) • essay
Final Shtick • (1960) • short story
Gentleman Junkie • (1961) • short story
May We Also Speak? • (1961) • essay
Daniel White for the Greater Good • (1961) • short story
Lady Bug, Lady Bug • (1961) • short story
Free with This Box! • (1958) • short story
There's One on Every Campus • (1959) • short story
At the Mountains of Blindness • (1961) • short story
This Is Jackie Spinning • (1959) • short story
No Game for Children • non-genre • (1959) • short story
The Late, Great Arnie Draper • (1961) • short story
High Dice • (1961) • short story
Enter the Fanatic, Stage Center • (1961) • short story
Someone Is Hungrier • (1960) • short story
Memory of a Muted Trumpet • non-genre • (1960) • short story
Turnpike • (1961) • short story
Sally in Our Alley • (1959) • short story
The Silence of Infidelity • non-genre • (1957) • short story
Have Coolth • (1959) • short story
RFD #2 • (1957) • short story by Harlan Ellison and Henry Slesar
No Fourth Commandment • (1956) • short story
The Night of Delicate Terrors • (1961) • short story Views: 572
The New York Times–bestselling author of Fireborn and Starborn returns to a magical fantasy realm where warriors of the light fight for everlasting peace. Liberated from exile, the brutal god Nezu is leveling his vengeful wrath against the blessed lands of Alba, and only three heroes stand a chance of stopping him. Fireborn Allegria, with her ability to harness the power of light; her Starborn lover, Hallow, who leads the society of mages; and Deo, a warrior born of both worlds . . . But the circle of friendship is broken when Allegria is imprisoned in the spirit world of the Thane. Surrounded by long dead warriors bent on revenge, her grasp on the mortal realm is fading. Now she must fight to hold on to the memories she has left—and the hope that help is coming from a world away. The ultimate battle between good and evil is breaking, and Hallow and Deo need Allegria to win it. But even then, how can... Views: 572
An elusive gang leader and his minions frighten London and frustrate Scotland Yard in this classic crime thriller.The secret organization whose members were known only as "the Frogs" was the subject of rumors and jokes—until serious crimes began to occur, one after another. The perpetrators, once caught, were found to bear tattooed frogs on their wrists and kept their mouths firmly shut, and the populace grew terrified of them.The police were frustrated by their fruitless efforts to track down the leader of this strange gang. Then an officer who was working undercover and had finally managed to come face-to-face with the frightening figure was killed.Now it's time for Detective Sergeant Elk of Scotland Yard to get involved. Fortunately, despite his shabby clothes, glum demeanor, and utter inability to get himself promoted, he's a sharper sleuth than he appears to be . . . From Edgar Wallace, an enormously popular figure in early... Views: 572
Could you defeat the world's hardest immersive game?
Alexandria Duke must learn how to or risk losing everything.
When Alex joins Gamemakers Online, she finds there are no newbie areas, no tutorials, and nothing but vicious critters hunting her down. This seems like an impossible task but Alex is a veteran platinum achievement hunter who has solved previously unwinnable scenarios. She won't give up now.
As she delves deeper into the game, she discovers it hides sinister secrets. If she can't survive the first year in Gamemakers Online then she'll lose more than her own life. Views: 571
Three acclaimed novels, supernatural classics! Cemetery of Angels, The Prodigy and A Room For The Dead. Previously published in hardcover, mass market and Literary Guild Editions.
PLUS: TRUE CRIME BONUS FROM ALAN HYND: "Pretty" Louie Amberg: Brooklyn's Maestro of Murder!
"Noel Hynd is one of the few authors that have succeeded showing us what we sense in the deepest reaches of our minds. He is a master because he is willing to go where we don't want to go in regards to the supernatural." - Tobe Hooper, Director of Poltergeist, Salem's Lot and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
ON "CEMETERY OF ANGELS"From Publishers WeeklyBill and Rebecca Moore are an ordinary middle-aged couple raising two children in suburban Connecticut when an unsuccessful attempt on Rebecca's life by a mysterious stranger leaves her with a nasty case of post-traumatic stress. To help her recover, Bill suggests a move to L.A., where they buy and renovate an old house in a posh neighborhood. It seems, however, that the house hosts a particularly persistent ghost... When both children disappear... LAPD gumshoe Ed Van Allen suspects the Moores of murder. Hynd lets the evidence build to a genuinely terrifying climax that features earthbound criminals as well as a not-so-subtle example of divine retribution. The author's... slow unveiling of supernatural events and of the emotional lives of his characters is so believable and authentically rendered that the story line ensnares readers nonetheless. This is yet another adroitly crafted thriller from Hynd.
ON "THE PRODIGY"Rolf Geiger is a rock star among classical musicians: young, handsome, gifted and possessed by genius and in love with a beautiful woman. But when Isador Rabinowitz, the greatest concert pianist of the 20th Century passes away, his ghost lingers long enough to threaten everything Rolf has ever loved or ever wanted to be.
From Library JournalRolf Geiger, a virtuoso young pianist haunted by the malevolent, envious ghost of his recently dead master and teacher, prepares for a world tour that, if successful, will crown him the greatest pianist who ever lived. In the ensuing battle with his dark angel, Rolf is plagued by sleeplessness, terrifying visions, and destructive impulses that threaten his sanity, love life, and very soul. Throughout this turmoil, his beautiful, intelligent girlfriend, Diana, remains loyally supportive... The author, known for espionage and stories of the occult may find an audience in fans of the supernatural. Recommended for large fiction collections. Sheila M. Riley, Smithsonian Inst. Libs., Washington, D.C.
ON "A ROOM FOR THE DEAD"From Publishers WeeklyThe chills come fast and hard in Hynd's latest, a riveting blend of ghost story and police procedural. New Hampshire state cop Frank O'Hara, approaching 50 and close to retirement, is given a case--a young woman is beheaded, her right hand cut off--that duplicates the M.O. of serial killer Gary Ledbetter. But Gary, a "low-rent Lothario" nabbed by O'Hara, was executed months ago in Florida, after political machinations moved the killer to a state with capital punishment. Since then, O'Hara's life has turned to ashes.... A tangle of right-wing state politics, skinhead thieves, a mysterious young woman and, increasingly, dialogues between O'Hara and what seems to be Gary's ghost lead the cop through past police corruption and malfeasance to a shattering conclusion. Throughout, the atmospherics are excellent and the local color first-rate: "There's ten months of winter and two months of bad skiiing. The state animal is the skunk, the state bird is the black fly, the state citizen is the deadbeat, and the state sport is petty larceny." After several spy thrillers, Hynd switched to the occult with his previous novel, Ghosts . This spooky follow-up confirms that he's made the right choice. Views: 571
The New York Times has called Elmore Leonard "the greatest crime writer of our time, perhaps ever." Of course, there's much more to his writing than just crime, and there's no better way to show the broad range of this author's talents than with a collection. It offers variety for diehard fans and is a great sampler for readers who've been looking for the best place to start.
In When the Women Come Out to Dance, you'll find terrific crime stories (of course) that offer perspectives from both sides of the law, plus baseball, a western, and more. In all, there are nine stories, some short and some long, some contemporary and some historical, each showcasing this talented author's understanding of human foibles and of the ways they can blur the line between right and wrong. These stories have never been collected before in one volume, and the title story, "When the Women Come Out to Dance," is brand new.
Leonard writes about arson in "Sparks," aging in "Hanging out at the Buena Vista," and baseball in "Chickasaw Charlie Hoke." Conspiracy to murder offers a permanent solution to an unhappy marriage in "When the Women Come Out to Dance." Raylan Givens (from Riding the Rap and Pronto) sees a new side to an old friend in "Fire in the Hole," while federal marshal Karen Sisco (from Leonard's bestselling novel Out of Sight) mixes business with pleasure in "Karen Makes Out." The past offers a backdrop in "Hurrah for Capt. Early" and "The Tonto Woman," and life, death, and the movie business get a workout in "Tenkiller."
Whether writing humorously or poignantly, in action-packed episodes or laid-back descriptions, Leonard's remarkable talent rings true in every detail of this excellent collection. Sue Stone Views: 571
Robert Hendry is the author of 26 published non-fiction titles and three novels. He asks some fundamental quastions about the way literature is going. With modern demands for "the Hook", POV and so on, would the classic authors of the past get published today?Read this FREE book and see what you think.At only eighteen-years-old, Amber Ashborne is sole heir to the throne of Ashborne, the most powerful kingdom in Everrathe. In an attempt to earn the love and approval her emotionally abusive father has never given, the future queen raised herself to be the son he could never have; forgoing the ease and luxury of a princess's life for that of the sword and steel of a knight's. However, the king's disdain would not be overcome, and under the weight of the Ashborne crown, the young princess resigned herself to a loveless life of battle, guilt and torment. Until fate crosses her path with a mysterious young man named Emoren. Amber is caught off guard as the young commoner effortlessly breaks through the walls surrounding her, bringing an unfamiliar light to her dark, battle-ridden world. And despite being preserved for royal engagement, the future queen can't deny the feelings that quickly seize her heart. Little does she know, these forbidden feelings will not only shape her future, but that of an entire kingdom. Views: 571
In a sensational follow-up to Echoes of Sherlock Holmes and In the Company of Sherlock Holmes, a brand-new anthology of stories inspired by the Arthur Conan Doyle canon.For the Sake of the Game is the latest volume in the award-winning series from New York Times bestselling editors Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger, with stories of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and friends in a variety of eras and forms. King and Klinger have a simple formula: ask some of the world's greatest writers—regardless of genre—to be inspired by the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle.The results are surprising and joyous. Some tales are pastiches, featuring the recognizable figures of Holmes and Watson; others step away in time or place to describe characters and stories influenced by the Holmes world. Some of the authors spin whimsical tales of fancy; others tell hard-core thrillers or puzzling mysteries. One beloved author writes a song; two others craft a melancholy graphic... Views: 571
Detective brothers Frank and Joe investigate a crime of smashin' in the tenth book in the interactive Hardy Boys Clue Book series.Frank, Joe, and their best friend Chet are attending Bayport Zoo's annual Halloween carnival. Frank and Joe have a routine planned for Scaryoke, and Chet has entered the pumpkin pie-eating contest—he even brought his own whipped cream! After their performance, Frank and Joe go to check out the painted pumpkins on display. But when the brothers enter the tent, they see their Scaryoke song wasn't the only smash hit at the carnival. The floor is littered with bits of pulverized pumpkins! What's worse, the organizer says that unless the culprits are caught by the end of the day, this will be the last Boo at the Zoo...forever! Can Frank and Joe find out what happened before it's too late? Or is this pumpkin crime unpatchable? Views: 571
"Get him to tell you about this invisible playmate of his." A completely bizarre grindhouse classic from Weird Tales, Vol. 43, No. 3, March 1951. Colonel Hampton sipped his whiskey slowly, then puffed on his cigar. "No, this pair were competent liars," he replied. "A good workmanlike liar never makes up a story out of the whole cloth; he always takes a fabric of truth and embroiders it to suit the situation." He smiled grimly; that was an accurate description of his own tactical procedure at the moment. "I hadn\'t intended this to come out, Doctor, but it happens that I am a convinced believer in spiritualism. I suppose you\'ll think that\'s a delusional belief, too?" "Well...." Doctor Vehrner pursed his lips. "I reject the idea of survival after death, myself, but I think that people who believe in such a theory are merely misevaluating evidence. It is definitely not, in itself, a symptom of a psychotic condition." Views: 571
She was the heroine of her people. With her extraordinary violet eyes, ebony hair, and ivory skin, the French Countess Melisande was a prize for any man. But the teenage hellion who rode into battle to defend her people belonged to the warrior who saved her life, made her his bride, then disappeared for years. Now Conar MacAuliffe had returned to claim his wife, now a ravishing woman determined to fight for her freedom at all costs. But the proud beauty who feared no man suddenly feared herself...and the passionate embrace of the husband who vowed never to let her go.
He was the mighty Viking conqueror they called "Lord of the Wolves," a legendary warrior whose greatest challenge would come with the woman he was destined to wed. In the fiery Countess Melisande he would find his heaven and hell. Even as he waged war for her heart, he dared not yield his own...Even as he laid sweet, seductive siege to her body, he tried to shield his soul. it would take a common enemy, a little trust, and a united front to awaken them both to a love that could change their lives forever. Views: 570
