The Bloodstained Key


Book Description

Eighteen-year-old Marianna and her family live in luxury, attending balls every night. Despite being haunted by the death of her mother and the disappearance of her fiancé, Will, she tries to remain cheerful for her sister's sake. When their father falls ill, she discovers her family is in financial ruin and fears her world is falling apart. An offer of salvation comes from the mysterious nobleman who lives isolated from the rest of the world in his extravagant, yet menacing mansion. Lord Bludington invites Marianna, her sister, and all their friends to his home for a week full of entertainment. He impresses everyone with his charm and wit, but Marianna can’t shake the feeling he is not all he claims to be. However, when her family cannot afford the medicine needed to save her father’s life, she reluctantly accepts Bludington’s proposal of marriage and moves into the manor. Now isolated from her friends and family, she no longer feels welcome in the eerie house. The housekeeper is abrupt, the maids spread gossip and fear her, and the butler appears to be spying on her. Then she discovers a secret that puts her life in danger, and unless Marianna can find the courage to fight for herself, she won’t make it out of Bludington’s manor alive.




The Clue of the New Pin


Book Description

Jesse Trasmere is a miser with a deep distrust of the bank. One day Trasmere breaks with routine and informs his valet, Walters, that he is going out of town for a while. So how does this explain Trasmere's body later found in a locked vault?




The Clue of the New Pin


Book Description

Tab Holland, newspaper reporter and a friend of a local police investigator, is surprised to discover that his roommate’s uncle Jesse Transmere, a wealthy miser, has been found murdered in a cellar vault locked from the inside. More surprising is the fact that Ursula Ardfern, a famous actress and new acquaintance of Tab’s, has had her plays backed by the murder victim in the past. Although he has been regularly reporting on the case for the newspaper, Tab’s interest in the case intensifies after both his own apartment and the murdered man’s house are ransacked. Although it’s yet another entry in Edgar Wallace’s locked-room mysteries, The Clue of the New Pin also explores the claim of various religions in having exclusive access to the truth, or the only path to spirituality. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.




The Message


Book Description

In this short story, a pleasant afternoon carriage ride lends itself to philosophical chitchat between two passengers, who muse together about the nature of life and love. When tragedy suddenly strikes, one of the young men finds himself promising to carry out a potentially awkward mission, but he keeps his word -- and learns a few lessons in the process.




The New Abject


Book Description

SOMETHING HAS FALLEN AWAY. We have lost a part of ourselves, our history, what we once were. That something, when we encounter it again, look it straight in the eyes, disgusts us, makes us retch. This is the horror of the abject. Following the success of Comma’s award-winning New Uncanny anthology, The New Abject invites leading authors to respond to two parallel theories of the abject – Julia Kristeva’s theory of the psychoanalytic, intimate abject, and Georges Bataille’s societal equivalent – with visceral stories of modern unease. As we become ever-more isolated by social media bubbles, or the demands for social distancing, our moral gag-reflex is increasingly sensitised, and our ability to tolerate difference, or ‘the other’, atrophies. Like all good horror writing, these stories remind us that exposure to what unsettles us, even in small doses, is always better than pretending it doesn’t exist. After all, we can never be wholly free of that which belongs to us.




Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions


Book Description

'Alive with a tang of lemons to set the senses zinging' The Spectator Fiction at its most charming - A Man Called Ove meets Andrea Camilleri, Auntie Poldi is this summer's most unlikely hero. Auntie Poldi can think of no finer place to wait for death than Sicily. All she asks is a sea view, fine wine (and plenty of it), and her family close around. When death instead takes her handsome young friend Valentino - and under mysterious circumstances at that - Poldi will not take it lying down. Perhaps it's in her blood (her father was a detective chief inspector); perhaps it's a diverting excuse to spend more time with men in uniform; or perhaps it's just the promise she makes to Valentino while holding his poor dead hand. But Auntie Poldi's hunting instincts have never felt more alive. Justice must be served - if it's the last thing she does . . . Auntie Poldi and the Fruits of the Lord, the second Auntie Poldi adventure, is out now!




Absolute Justus


Book Description

Retired and revered Texas Ranger Wade Justus thinks that he has finally moved on from a respected career in active law enforcement. He has reengaged life by returning to ranching and working with his beloved bucking bulls in the Texas Hill Country. But his lingering guilt over the tragic events of an officer-involved shooting continues to haunt him in the middle of his nights. Wade's son Hunter, who is a Special Agent with Tennessee Bureau of Investigations inadvertently changes Wade's plans for a peaceful transition back into civilian life when a serial killer turns the city of Nashville upside down. When Wade comes to the aid of Hunter, the paradigm rapidly changes and Wade enters the fray in a quest for justice--Absolute Justus.




Blood-Stained Justice


Book Description

Wayne Lott decides to pursue a career as a prosecutor and ends up in Stonewall County, Mississippi. While following leads involving a missing businessman, a suspicious airplane, and a drug-running ring out of Colombia, he uncovers a deadly web of bribery and conspiracy.




Secrets Beyond the Door


Book Description

Maria Tatar analyses the many forms the tale of Bluebeard's wife has taken over time, showing how artists have taken the Bluebeard theme and revived it with their own signature twists.




Folk Tales from France


Book Description

Discover the Enchantment of France’s Most Timeless Folk Tales Step into a world where dark secrets lurk behind castle walls, where fearsome creatures roam ancient forests, and where the power of love, courage, and wisdom triumphs over evil. Folk Tales from France: Classic Legends of Magic, Mystery, and Moral Lessons is a captivating collection of France’s most cherished folk tales, brought together in a beautifully crafted volume that will transport readers of all ages into the heart of French culture and tradition. In this first installment of our Folk Tales from France series, you will journey alongside unforgettable characters like Bluebeard, whose dark past hides unspeakable horrors; the fearsome Tarasque, a beast so terrifying that only the purest of souls can tame it; and the noble Saint Nicolas, whose miraculous deeds have inspired generations. Encounter enchanted gardens where time stands still, fairies who can grant wishes—or curses—and a mysterious white doe whose tragic fate will move you to tears. A Treasure Trove of Timeless Wisdom These are more than just stories; they are the distilled teachings of human culture, brimming with profound knowledge and timeless wisdom. Each tale is a pleasure to read, filled with universal themes of bravery, kindness, humility, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Perfect for readers of all ages, these folk tales offer not only entertainment but also a unique window into the values, fears, and aspirations of the French people. At the heart of this collection is a mission to preserve the invaluable cultural inheritance that these stories represent. Folk tales are the foundation of human storytelling—understanding a culture is best done through the stories it tells. This volume invites you to explore a rich tapestry of French tradition, offering insights that resonate across generations. A Must-Have for Any Library or Bookshelf We envision this collection as a treasure that any library or bookshelf can hold and pass on to future generations—so they too can be inspired and draw wisdom from our ancestors' stories. Whether you’re a lover of mythology, a seeker of adventure, or a parent wanting to introduce your children to the wonders of storytelling, this book is an essential addition to your collection. Key Features: Classic French Legends: Immerse yourself in the rich folklore of France, with stories that have been passed down through centuries, capturing the essence of the country’s cultural heritage. Perfect for All Ages: With tales that are as enchanting as they are educational, this collection is suitable for readers young and old, offering something for everyone. Cultural Insight: Gain a deeper understanding of French culture and values through interpretations and analyses of the folk tales that have shaped the nation’s identity. Beautifully Crafted: Designed to be a timeless keepsake, this book is a treasure that will enhance any personal library or bookshelf. Folk Tales from France is more than just a book; it’s a journey into the heart of a culture, a celebration of the art of storytelling, and a preservation of a priceless cultural heritage. Add this volume to your collection today and become part of the timeless tradition of folk tales that continue to inspire, teach, and connect us to the world and ourselves.