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Death in the Palazzo (The Mysteries of Venice #5)
by Edward SklepowichIn an ancient Venetian palazzo, Urbino Macintyre encounters a decades-old murder The Contessa da Capo-Zendrini is one of the leading lights of Venice society, but there is one house where she has long been unwelcome. Her late husband&’s family, the Zenos, has loathed her since the 1930s, when a gathering at her palazzo ended in tragedy. Decades later, she hits on a devilish plan to make amends: inviting the Zeno clan over for a house party to make up for the one that ended in bloodshed long ago. But soon after her guests arrive, murder strikes again. The contessa begs her closest friend, American sleuth Urbino Macintyre, to unravel the mystery of the killing before it tears both families apart. No one has been in or out of the house since the fête began, so the murderer must be among the guests. It seems simple, but this is Venice, where death is never easy.
A Wasteland of Strangers (Beeler Large Print Mystery Ser.)
by Bill PronziniEdgar Award Finalist: A mysterious stranger sparks mistrust and violence in a gripping tale of small-town prejudice, jealousy, and murder from Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Bill Pronzini. The arrival of big, ugly John C. Faith in a battered Porsche sends up warning flags throughout the small Northern California resort community of Pomo. No one trusts the stranger who refuses to talk about why he is there. And when a local beauty with questionable morals is found murdered, suspicion immediately falls on him. Condemned without a trial, Faith hides among Pomo&’s outcasts and conducts his own investigation. But his hunt for the killer and the town&’s hunt for him threaten to dredge up secrets best left uncovered in this powder keg of a town, exposing crimes and dark compulsions that can only lead to more violence and death. A riveting thriller told from various points of view, A Wasteland of Strangers is an extraordinary feat of literary invention from one of noir fiction&’s most acclaimed practitioners.
The Disappearance (Bison Frontiers Of Imagination Ser.)
by Philip WylieThis brilliant classic of speculative fiction imagines the aftermath of an extraordinary global occurrence that forces Earth&’s men and women to exist in parallel dimensions Like every other family, the Gaunts are devastated by the unexplained phenomenon that occurs one Tuesday afternoon in February. In an instant, every female on Earth is mysteriously transported to a different plane, forced to live apart from the males, who have been left behind. Suddenly trapped in two parallel realities—with the bonds of love, trust, sex, and stability that formed the foundation of their relationship abruptly severed—Bill and Paula Gaunt must separately reexamine who they truly are and what they are capable of as existence itself becomes a struggle in one world that descends into violence and brutality, and another that is soon plagued by famine and despair. Originally published more than half a century ago, Philip Wylie&’s provocative science fiction classic remains a masterful work of intelligence and imagination. The Disappearance is a breathtaking, thought-provoking exploration of gender roles and expectations that reveals stark truths about who we are as men and women—and as the interconnected members of a fallible human race.
The Gate of the Cat: Trey Of Swords, Ware Hawk, And The Gate Of The Cat (Witch World: Estcarp Cycle #8)
by Andre NortonWhen an Earth woman travels through a hidden portal to the magical Witch World, she joins a witch and a warrior in an epic battle against evil. Kelsie McBlair has always loved the Scottish Highlands, and assumes responsibility to care for the flora and fauna therein. But when she tries to help an injured wildcat, she takes a fall between two great stones, knocking herself unconscious. She awakens in a world she never thought possible—a world where magic users, mighty heroes, and terrible monsters dwell. When she comes across a dying woman, she doesn&’t know what to do. And the feeling only worsens when the woman hands Kelsie a strange glowing jewel many dangerous creatures are after. Soon she finds herself on an incredible adventure accompanied by a cynical witch who doesn&’t trust her and a young warrior sworn to protect her. All three will be bound to each other for survival, as they are the only ones who can stem the tide of the Dark forces ravaging the land, and Kelsie—the strange Earth woman—proves to be the only one who can face off against the Lord of the Dark himself . . . In The Gate of the Cat, Andre Norton&’s &“many Witch World fans will welcome this return to a land of powerful witches, mail-clad warriors, and mysterious Old Ones&” (Library Journal). The Gate of the Cat is the 3rd book in the Witch World: Estcarp Cycle, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
The Virgin Kills
by Raoul WhitfieldA killer stalks the guests of an eccentric millionaire at a Hudson River boating event in this classic thriller from one of the unsung masters of early noir mystery In the years between the world wars, in the heyday of Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Leslie Charteris, Raoul Whitfield was a mystery author to be reckoned with. Considered by many to be more realistic than his famous contemporaries, Whitfield wrote gripping tales of murder and mayhem, full of unanticipated twists and turns. His work was often featured in Black Mask, the legendary mystery magazine of the 1930s. The time is ripe to rediscover one of the godfathers of noir fiction. The guests of millionaire gambler Eric Vennel are gathered on their eccentric host&’s yacht, Virgin, speeding north up the Hudson River toward the Poughkeepsie Regatta, a renowned collegiate competition of boating skill. The crew on board is a motley one, including a famous Hollywood starlet, an acclaimed author, a sports writer, some society swells, a well-known aviator, a gossip columnist, and a hard-boiled newspaper reporter. Vennel is said to have a lot of money riding on this race. There is also speculation that someone wants him dead, which is why an underworld thug has been brought along to serve as the rich man&’s bodyguard. Neither the rumors nor the thug is doing much to alleviate the already considerable tension. And the questionable demise of a favored regatta competitor only heightens the sense of unease. It seems there may indeed be a killer among them—a suspicion that is emphatically confirmed when, one by one, the passengers of the Virgin begin to die.This ebook includes an introduction by Boris Dralyuk.
The Status Civilization
by Robert SheckleyOn a savage prison planet, a reluctant killer searches for his memory He awakes in the cell, his mind blank save for a faint memory of standing over a dead man with a gun. Guilty of murder, his brain has been wiped, and he has been transported to Omega, the prison planet, where evil is worshipped as a god. His jailers inform him of his name, Will Barrent, his crime, and the average life expectancy in his new home: three years. Every day will be a battle for survival, and one day, he will lose. Although run by criminals, Omega is hardly lawless. The population has been divided into an intricate caste system, and Barrent is on the bottom. The only way to advance in rank is to kill. While Barrent knows in his bones that he is no murderer, he sees no alternative but to give in to the crime that sent him here. He will kill if he must, but he will never lose himself again.
The Murderer Invisible
by Philip WylieA vengeful scientist uses his brilliant discovery to unleash terror on the world in this timeless science fiction classic from an early-twentieth-century master The scientific community has always shunned William Carpenter. A strange, hulking giant, a talented biochemical investigator, and the self-styled &“greatest mind in the western world,&” he has locked himself inside a house with no windows, in the most desolate reaches of New Jersey, where he can conduct his experiments in peace and isolation. Here in his personal sanctuary, Carpenter has found something astonishing that could alter life on Earth as we know it: a chemical compound that can render all matter invisible, from rocks to plants to people. But the twisted genius has no intention of using this breakthrough to benefit the planet. Instead, he is about to declare war on all humankind by launching an unseen campaign of terror and destruction. For years the world has ignored William Carpenter, labeling him insane, sociopathic, or worst of all, insignificant. And now the world will have to pay. The early works of novelist, editor, short story writer, essayist, and screenwriter Philip Wylie were primary influences on the creation of characters like Flash Gordon, Superman, and Travis McGee. First published in 1931, The Murderer Invisible takes H. G. Wells&’s classic Invisible Man several giant leaps further, resulting in a chilling tale of madness and science run amok that is at once a gripping adventure and a prescient commentary on man and society.
Mystery, Inc. (Bibliomysteries #26)
by Joyce Carol OatesA book lover&’s lust for acquisition drives him to murder in this short tale from the New York Times–bestselling author of Beautiful Days. Identified only by the hastily—and clumsily—chosen alias Charles Brockden, the narrator of this story finds a bookstore that instantly piques his desire. He must call it his own; he must add it to his already-extensive collection of bookstores. But surely the owner of such a fine shop wouldn&’t easily part with it. Brockden forms a plan to acquire the store in such a way that no one would ever suspect foul play: untraceable murder. And he knows he will be successful—because he has done it before.The Bibliomysteries are a series of short tales about deadly books, by top mystery authors.
The Eighth Circle: A Mystery Novel (Crime Masterworks Ser. #No.35)
by Stanley EllinEdgar Award winner: Investigating a crooked cop, a private detective gets too close to the case. The investigators of the Conmy-Kirk detective agency don&’t work in trench coats, drink on the job, or carry pistols. They are researchers who comb newspapers and government records in search of the tiny details that could make or break their clients&’ fortunes. It is painstaking and unromantic, but as co-owner Murray Kirk is about to learn, those details can mean the difference between life and death. The district attorney is cracking down on corruption in the NYPD, and the search is spreading like wildfire, forcing hundreds of policemen to resign in disgrace. When Conmy-Kirk is hired to clear the name of one of the accused, Kirk finds himself falling for his client&’s daughter, a moral infraction that draws him deeper into the city&’s underworld than he ever wanted to slip. This work isn&’t like it is in the movies—if Murray Kirk catches a bullet, he&’ll stay dead.
Death in a Serene City (The Mysteries of Venice #1)
by Edward SklepowichAn American writer searches for a kidnapped Venetian saint In a remote Venice church, a dead woman named Santa Teodora lies before the altar. She has been there for centuries, ever since the Crusaders carried her mummified body away from the Holy Land, and she is as much a part of this mysterious city as the Grand Canal itself. Urbino Macintyre, an American expatriate who makes a living writing biographies of legendary Venetians, believes he knows every detail of Teodora&’s legend, but another chapter is about to be added to her myth. Twenty years after a flood ravaged the city, Santa Teodora has vanished from the church. Macintyre&’s nose for history leads him to investigate the case, which he suspects might be related to the demises of two local women. Death can no longer touch the saint, but it may be waiting for Urbino Macintyre.
Tightrope (The Blue Maguire and Spaceman Kowalski Mysteries #2)
by Teri WhiteSpaceman and Blue track a trio of Vietnam veterans with murder on their minds As Saigon erupts into chaos, General Tran walks with the easy calm of a man with a plan. After years of working with the Americans, he has no intention of being left behind in Vietnam, and so he has arranged for an escape route. He is nearly home free when he hears footsteps behind him in the darkened alley. He knows then that he will never leave Saigon alive. Tran had planned to escape Vietnam with a cache of smuggled diamonds. Years later, the three Americans who helped him steal the stones want their piece of the haul—and will do anything to get ahold of it. As their search turns violent, they attract the attention of Blue Maguire and Spaceman Kowalski, a pair of LA cops whose oddball exteriors mask a toughness rarely seen outside the LAPD. To stop this trio of killers, they will have to be tougher than ever before.
Farewell to the Flesh: An Urbino Macintyre Mystery (The Mysteries of Venice #2)
by Edward SklepowichDuring Carnival, Urbino Macintyre discovers a murder in a convent Each of the sisters of the Charity of Santa Crispina chooses a different way to die. Some relax into the arms of death, eager for their eternal rewards. Some leave this world violently, screaming in pain as they take their last breaths. The convent is a severe place, its rooms spartan, its food bland. But the time has come for Carnival in Venice, and a tourist will take any room he can find. Photographer Val Gibbon has come to document the renovation of a nearby church, but he has hardly begun his work before a knife finds its way into his chest, and the convent becomes a crime scene. American expatriate Urbino Macintyre, a biographer and amateur sleuth, sets aside his plans for Carnival to look into the murder. In this ancient city, nothing is ever as it seems—especially not in the season when the only creature not wearing a mask is death itself.
Crude Carrier (The Touchstone Agency Mysteries #2)
by Rex BurnsTwo detectives take to the high seas after a sailor&’s death in a mystery that &“succeeds in making life aboard a huge oil tanker both fascinating and scary&” (Publishers Weekly). The Rossi family received only a handful of letters after their son shipped out on the supertanker Aurora Victorious. The first dispatches were from Harold himself, describing the blend of tedium and excitement that defined life onboard the ship. The last communication came from the ship&’s owners: four brief sentences informing them that their son had died and been buried at sea. Desperate to know more, the Rossis turn to James and Julie Raiford, the father-daughter detective team behind the Touchstone Agency. As the Raifords soon learn, work on the open sea is dangerous—and asking questions can be deadly. When the shipping company stonewalls the investigation, James joins the Aurora Victorious as an electronics officer, and Julie digs into the proprietors&’ shadowy background. International oil shipping is a ruthless business, and its secrets run as deep as the ocean itself.
Dress Gray
by Lucian K. Truscott IVThis New York Times–bestselling novel about a crime and cover-up at West Point offers &“a compelling portrait of the military academy&” (The New York Times). Ry Slaight is a young cadet at the United States Military Academy, walking punishment tours in May 1968, when he hears that the body of a plebe has been found floating in Lake Popolopen. Supposedly, it was an accident—but it&’s not long before Slaight learns details about the autopsy suggesting a much darker story. Slaight&’s personal quest to uncover the truth—and the authorities&’ efforts to keep it from him—will reveal both heroes and villains within the Long Gray Line in this &“frightening novel about &‘a secret cult headquartered on the Hudson behind a stone façade.&’ . . . The author mounts an attack on his alma mater with brilliance and fury&” (Newsday).
Tomorrow! (Beyond Armageddon Ser.)
by Philip WylieA chilling what if? tale of nuclear apocalypse in the American heartland Philip Wylie&’s gripping parable Tomorrow! describes a time in America when doomsday threatens to dawn at any moment. A nation&’s worst nightmare is made palpably real, seen through the eyes of a diverse group of ordinary citizens in two adjacent Great Plains metropolises. Wylie brings this holocaust to life with blood-chilling detail in his extraordinary science fiction classic whose power to shock and terrify is as strong as ever more than fifty years after its original release. An unthinkable tomorrow is on the horizon. For the citizens of the neighboring Midwest cities of Green Prairie and River City, today marks the end of everything. Some are prepared to face the unthinkable; some refuse to believe it could ever happen. As the winter holidays approach, two young lovers share their dreams for the future, a corrupt bank officer fears the exposure of his crimes, and a wealthy matron, concerned only with status and prestige, wonders how she can ensure a marriage between her daughter and the scion of one of the city&’s most important families. But on Christmas Day, when a terrible fire lights up the sky, all these petty human concerns become meaningless. And the destruction and horror wrought on that awful morning will only be the beginning of the end.
Miami Massacre: Miami Massacre, Continental Contract, And Assault On Soho (The Executioner #4)
by Don PendletonIn his war against the mob, the Executioner slams into the Florida coast like a one-man hurricane in the classic series from &“a writer who spawned a genre&” (The New York Times). A sniper trained in the jungles of Vietnam, Mack Bolan is the kind of vigilante hero &“who would make Jack Reacher think twice&” (Empireonline.com). Unleashing his vengeance coast to coast, Bolan is waging a very personal war on organized crime. Now, with a cadre of Cuban revolutionaries on his side, it&’s time for a hurricane called the Executioner to blindside Miami. Bolan had planned to fight his way across the country, taking out branches of the syndicate one by one. Then comes a break Bolan never dreamed of: All of his enemies have assembled in the Sunshine State to finalize the elimination of the Executioner. For Bolan, the mob&’s Miami summit is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to destroy the entire Mafia with one single blow. &“Don Pendleton&’s anti-hero is just as powerful in the world of publishing as he is in the dark alleys of any crime-infested urban hell&” (NYBooktime). With more than two hundred millions copies of the Executioner books sold since its phenomenal debut, the iconic action series is still inspiring artists today. Gerry Conway, cocreator of the Marvel Comics series, The Punisher, credits the series for &“[giving] me the idea for the lone, slightly psychotic avenger.&” Currently in production as a major motion picture, the Executioner still blows away the competition. Miami Massacre is the 4th book in the Executioner series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
The Jargoon Pard: The Jargoon Pard, Zarsthor's Bane, The Crystal Gryphon, Gryphon In Glory, And Horn Crown (Witch World: High Hallack Cycle #4)
by Andre NortonA young heir is drawn into a labyrinth of deception, death, and magical destiny in this bold adventure in the bestselling Witch World series. Kethan is heir to the throne of Car Do Prawn in the realm of Arvon—but there is little he has to be proud of. He can sense trouble brewing amongst the people. And he can feel the weight of those who wish to bend his will to their own. From his overbearing mother, the Lady Heroise, and her duplicitous Wise Woman, Ursilla, to his vindictive cousin, Maughus, they all want to rule through him when he comes of age. But his attention is turned from such palace intrigues when a strange traveler gifts him a belt of leopard skin embossed with a stone—a jargoon—carved in the shape of a predatory snow cat. At first, the belt intrigues Kethan. Then it entrances him, for it possesses great magical powers—and it is up to Kethan to learn how to control them. He will need to tread a crooked path between good and evil if he is to retain his soul even as his body transforms into a form more lethal than anything he&’s ever dreamed. The Jargoon Pard is the 1st book in the Witch World: High Hallack Cycle, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Trey of Swords: Trey Of Swords, Ware Hawk, And The Gate Of The Cat (Witch World: Estcarp Cycle #6)
by Andre NortonA trilogy of swords, sorcery and spectacular adventure set in the Witch World. Sword of Ice: A simple half-breed serving under Lord Hervon in the unending battle against the Forces of Darkness, young Yonan never thought he was made for warfare. Then he discovers a strange sword: an ancient blade of incredible power that holds the spirit of the ancient hero Tolar that will forge Yonan into the greatest weapon in Witch World. Sword of Lost Battles: Yonan and his loyal friend Uruk have proven themselves as formidable warriors in battle after battle. And now, only they can stop the dreaded Targi—the near-invincible warlock who leads the Darkness. To defeat him, Yonan and Uruk must find Targi&’s only vulnerability—a weak point that takes them into the past and the legendary Lost Battle. Sword of Shadows: With Yonan and Uruk still missing in the past, the untrained witch Crytha learns that she alone must hold back the Darkness by countering the power of Laidan, the vile sorceress who has pledged herself to Targi. To overcome such a foe, Crytha will need the help of a lethal, legendary weapon that must be tamed before it can be used. And if she fails to tame the Sword of Shadows, all of Witch World may fall. Trey of Swords is the 1st book in the Witch World: Estcarp Cycle, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
The Awakened City (Way of Ârata #2)
by Victoria StraussIn the remarkable sequel to The Burning Land, a man of peace is forced to confront his unwanted destiny in a fantasy realm torn apart by magic, religious intolerance, and holy war For years they were oppressed, outlawed, and hunted. But the Brethren have finally prevailed, and now the kingdom of Arsace is theirs once more. Unbending in their single-minded devotion to the slumbering god Ârata, the Brethren will not allow their religious authority to be questioned. Therefore, all of the remaining heretical renegade mages known as Shapers must be eliminated, their magic rendered impotent, and Refuge, their hidden desert sanctuary, destroyed. Of all the Shapers who survived an earlier attack on Refuge, the one known as Râvar possesses the greatest power, and he has declared himself the Next Messenger who will usher in a new, illuminated age. But the false prophet&’s decision to take Axane the Dreamer as his captive could have unforeseen, world-shattering consequences, for it has drawn the seer&’s devoted husband, Gyalo Amdo Samchen, away from his chosen path of peace. To rescue his endangered beloved, the former priest will have to confront his greatest fear, for in the terrible flames of holy war the true Next Messenger will be revealed.The Awakened City is the powerful sequel to Victoria Strauss&’s acclaimed fantasy masterwork The Burning Land. A story of faith, fate, love, and magic that unfolds in a richly imagined world plagued by violence, intolerance, and religious persecution, this is a stunning and intelligent work of literary artistry from a uniquely talented fantasist.
The Complete Short Stories
by Edgar Allan PoeSurreal tales of suspense and imagination from an American masterThe Complete Short Stories is the ultimate collection of Edgar Allan Poe&’s tales of the macabre—from the world-famous classics &“The Tell-Tale Heart,&” &“The Pit and the Pendulum,&” and &“The Cask of the Amontillado&” to lesser-known masterpieces such as &“The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether&” and &“The Devil in the Belfry.&” Fans of Poe&’s Gothic tales of horror will thrill to discover his brilliant French detective, C. Auguste Dupin. Readers familiar with Poe&’s mysteries will find new pleasure in his dark comedy and early science fiction stories. Edgar Allan Poe was one of the most brilliant and influential authors in American history, and The Complete Short Stories is a must-have for every admirer of his work. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
The Eight Strokes of the Clock: Large Print (The Arsène Lupin Adventures #11)
by Maurice LeblancWith wit and daring, a master thief battles cops, crooks, and killers—in the classic series that inspired the Netflix show Lupin. In Paris, six women have vanished, only to be found a week later, emaciated and disfigured, their skulls split open. What little evidence the police have suggests that the murderer is a woman and that she is preparing to strike again. When Prince Rénine&’s lover disappears on a cold night in October, he fears that she is about to become the latest victim. Most noblemen would be helpless to rescue her before the hatchet falls, but Rénine is an alias of Arsène Lupin, the world&’s greatest thief, and he will stop at nothing to catch the killer. Fearsome creatures may lurk in the back alleys of Paris, but none is as dangerous, or as brilliant, as Arsène Lupin. This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Stand to Horse
by Andre NortonIn pre–Civil War Santa Fe, a young soldier faces Apache raiders, starvation, and more in &“some of the best Western-writing to show up in a long time&” (Chicago Tribune). In Andre Norton&’s action-filled story Stand to Horse, the tensions of men against men are balanced by the tensions of men against nature, often a cruel and unequal struggle. Throughout it all, the reader senses the nation&’s growing unrest as events lead up to the Civil War. Many of the incidents and much of the colorful dialogue are based on actual journals and diaries kept by men who lived through these perilous times. Stand to Horse is fiction of high order that re-creates a dangerous and exciting period in our country&’s history.
The Meriwether Murder (The Alan Graham Mysteries #2)
by Malcolm ShumanIn a decaying plantation graveyard, Alan Graham finds a clue to a great American mysteryThe headstone reads Louis, and when Pepper Courtney finds it, she assumes it belonged to a slave. But when the old woman who owns the crumbling plantation house gives her an ancestor&’s diary, Courtney discovers that Louis was a white man whose drifter&’s appearance concealed a gentleman&’s manners. Who was this stranger, and why did he die with the president&’s name on his lips? Courtney&’s boss, contract archaeologist Alan Graham, has a radical theory—and there are those who would kill to keep it quiet. Based on the diary, the dig, and the scant historical records, Graham believes the headstone may have belonged to explorer Meriwether Lewis, who was said to have died in Tennessee but may have survived to make a new life in Louisiana. To solve this centuries-old mystery, he will have to catch a modern-day killer.
Jigsaw (The Frank Pagan Novels #4)
by Campbell ArmstrongIn Campbell Armstrong&’s explosive thriller, Detective Frank Pagan fights terrorism on his home turf, where a deadly female assassin has infiltrated London&’s elite social circles When a bomb detonates in the London Underground, killing dozens of people, Scotland Yard asks counterterrorism expert Frank Pagan to come back from leave. With none of the usual suspects claiming responsibility, Pagan has a hunch that Carlotta, the world&’s deadliest female terrorist, is responsible. Then a US embassy employee goes missing, and Frank&’s investigation takes a new direction. Was the presumed terrorist bombing actually an assassination attempt? Now Pagan is up against a shadowy group known as the Undertakers as he tries to untangle a lethal web of deceit involving a philanthropist leading a double life that includes a mysterious woman, deadly KGB agents, a semiretired member of the East German Stasi, and the US ambassador himself.Jigsaw is the 4th book in the Frank Pagan Novels, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
On Wings of Magic (Witch World: The Turning Cycle #3)
by Andre Norton Patricia Mathews Sasha MillerThis epic fantasy omnibus chronicles the lives of a community of witches fighting to survive hardship and imprisonment after a destructive battle. In the triumphant conclusion to the three-book series Witch World: The Turning, when the Witches of Estcarp combined their powers to prevent the invasion of Karsten, the world was plunged into chaos. Now the survivors struggle to defeat the invaders and rebuild their shattered lives. Praise for On Wings of Magic &“Both stories are well crafted and mesh with Norton&’s own creations, although this book is no place to start one&’s exploration of the Witch World. It does, however, merit a place in any Norton collection.&” —Booklist