The Spook's Bestiary

      Joseph Delaney
     The Spook's Bestiary

"My name is John Gregory. What follows is my Bestiary - my personal account of the denizens of the dark I've encountered, together with the lessons I have learned and the mistakes I have made. I have held nothing back, and my hope is that the spook who follows me will continue to keep this record of the practical ways in which we deal with the dark." A companion title to the phenomenally successful Spook's series. Discover how to bind a boggart and deal with a dead witch in this fascinating and lavishly illustrated Spook's own "notebook". A must for die-hard fans of the series and an irresistible introduction to the dark and the dangerous for new recruits.

Read online

  • 1 031

    More Tomorrow: And Other Stories

      Michael Marshall Smith
     More Tomorrow: And Other Stories

Going well beyond the scope of his UK collection from several years ago, this is the definitive collection of Smith's shorter fiction, as well as his long overdue first US collection. MORE TOMORROW & OTHER STORIES features 30 of the author's best stories, plus an introduction by award-winning editor Stephen Jones and an afterword by Michael Marshall Smith. More Tomorrow Being Right Hell Hath Enlarged Herself Save As... The Handover What You Make It Maybe Next Time The Book of Irrational Numbers When God Lived in Kentish Town The Man Who Drew Cats A Place To Stay The Dark Land To See The Sea Two Shot Last Glance Back They Also Serve Dear Alison To Receive Is Better The Munchies Always Not Waving Everybody Goes Dying Charms Open Doors Later More Bitter Than Death A Long Walk, For The Last Time The Vaccinator Enough Pizza

Read online

  • 1 031

    Baby

      J. K. Accinni
     Baby

A gripping psychological thriller on the inherent greed and evil of man, dooming the planet. Two hundred years of tender love between man and alien, political downfalls, wanton violence of unspeakable order tempered with laughter, family loyalty and hope is the thrilling vehicle by which Ms Accinni conveys her cautionary tale of the merciless disrespect man gives his planet and the vulnerable creatures entrusted to him. "Baby" introduces Netty, a naive teenage farm girl given in marriage to an older brutal opportunist disguised as a successful citizen during the years of Prohibition in Sussex County, New Jersey. After years of enslavement, Netty flees into the night from her rapist and bootlegger husband, traveling back to the farm worked by her parents, where she rescues an unfamiliar damaged creature she finds in a cave in the woods of her childhood, falling in love with the enigmatic alien she names Baby. Together they find happiness and fulfillment despite the changes to Netty's body wrought by the proximity of the unusual creature. Damaged by entry into our atmosphere while pregnant, the confused creature forgets the purpose of his mission, appearing unconcerned with the disappearance of his offspring and savoring the unexpected joy of the love he shares with young Netty. When a handsome Italian stranger comes into Netty's life, complications ensue as she falls in love while trying to hide the bizarre and wondrous changes to her farm and her body. Netty, Baby and Wil strive to conquer obstacles thrown in their path by life, succeeding wildly until the heart-rending and astonishingly brutal climax to their story. This charming, yet brutal story is the prologue to a series that will chill and surprise you as it foretells the selfishly destructive path man has followed since his species evolved. It pulls no punches while allowing Netty and Baby's influence to transcend mortal life as the world dances toward depraved indifference, introducing other characters along the ride that readers will laugh,shed tears with and learn to despise. What lengths will Baby and his offspring go to complete their mission? Will it spell Armageddon for the beleaguered planet with its vulnerable and exploited creatures or will man tip the scales himself, leaving those that love the creatures to salvage the pitiful ruins?

Read online

  • 1 030

    The Penguin Book of Witches

      Katherine Howe
     The Penguin Book of Witches

Chilling real-life accounts of witches, from medieval Europe through colonial America From a manual for witch hunters written by King James himself in 1597, to court documents from the Salem witch trials of 1692, to newspaper coverage of a woman stoned to death on the streets of Philadelphia while the Continental Congress met, The Penguin Book of Witches is a treasury of historical accounts of accused witches that sheds light on the reality behind the legends. Bringing to life stories like that of Eunice Cole, tried for attacking a teenage girl with a rock and buried with a stake through her heart; Jane Jacobs, a Bostonian so often accused of witchcraft that she took her tormentors to court on charges of slander; and Increase Mather, an exorcism-performing minister famed for his knowledge of witches, this volume provides a unique tour through the darkest history of English and North American witchcraft, never failing to horrify, intrigue, and delight.

Read online

  • 1 030

    Wolf Island

      Darren Shan
     Wolf Island

As the mysterious Shadow builds an army of demons, Grubbs Grady and his team search desperately for answers. But when they follow up a new lead, it takes them to an old, unexpected foe - the Lambs. "We spot the werewolves as we skim the treetops. Mutated, vicious, hairy monstrosities, all fangs, claws and muscles. The beast within me tries to force its way to the surface, howling silently at its warped brethren. I've never rid myself of the wolf. . . "

Read online

  • 1 029

    Zombies!

      Lelanthran Krishna Manickum
     Zombies!

A Zombie Novella:Meet George. With his neighbours out for his blood, his coworkers after his hide and his ex-wife going in for the kill, George has had a really bad start to his day. It gets worse when the Zombie apocalypse happens, and people whom he has never even met actually do want to find out what his spleen tastes like - chicken, most likely, everything does, with enough mayo ...Zombies are people too …Meet George. With his neighbours out for his blood, his coworkers after his hide and his ex-wife going in for the kill, George has had a really bad start to his day. It gets worse when the Zombie apocalypse happens, and people whom he has never even met actually do want to find out what his spleen tastes like (chicken, most likely, everything does, eventually, and with enough mayo). Now that everyone he knows has turned into flesh-eating monsters (well …. except for his ex-wife; she was always a tad blood-thirsty anyway), what’s a man to do but grab the first-aid box, the lunchbox and the ammo box and head for the hills.Zombies were people too …What kind of Zombie outbreak would take its chances in the leafy suburbs of Johannesburg, South Africa, undisputed crime-capital of the world? What kind of Zombie outbreak would happen in Johannesburg, a place where even the pitbulls go around in pairs? A place where you can hide a brainless body for years simply by electing it? What kind of outbreak indeed?…This one, that’s what! Zombies have never had it this bad before … There’s gunfire, explosions, hostage-taking, dismemberment, immolation and disembowelment … and that’s only the pest control companies fighting the annual rat infestation.Zombies ate people too …These Zombies are tough. These Zombies are mean. These Zombies are frighteningly smart too; smart enough to outwit the cops (although, to be fair to the Zombies, even algae sometimes outwitted the boys in blue) and smart enough to hire their own lawyer, who also turned out to be extremely tough herself … tough, and a little stringy too.Zombies hate people too …

Read online

  • 1 029

    Drac Von Stoller Has Risen From The Grave

      Drac Von Stoller
     Drac Von Stoller Has Risen From The Grave

After Drac Von Stoller, and Nick Maundrell's takeover of the world in 666 days,but Nick wanted to be what Drac Von Stoller was and all that was on his mind was being the King of the Vampires. Nick just couldn't shake off the thought of just being Drac Von Stoller's right hand Vampire the rest of his life. Nick decided to invite Drac over and and poison him.After Drac Von Stoller, and Nick Maundrell's takeover of the world in 666 days, Nick and his wife Isabella lived a simple life in Drac Von Stoller's old Castle for many years, but Nick wanted to be what Drac Von Stoller was and all that was on his mind was being the King of the Vampires. Nick just couldn't shake off the thought of just being Drac Von Stoller's right hand Vampire the rest of his life, so Nick decided to invite Drac Von Stoller to his Castle and poison him and drive a stake through his heart. With Drac Von Stoller out of the way Nick Maundrell would take over the throne and become King of the Vampires.Nick sent the invitation by way of one of his henchmen on horseback. The henchman arrived a few days later and knocked on Drac Von Stoller's castle door. The rain was intense with a lot of thunder. The door opened, and Drac Von Stoller's servant answered, and said, 'May I help you?""Yes, I was sent by Nick Maundrell to deliver this invitation to Drac Von Stoller," replied Nick's henchman.Drac's servant said, "I'll see that Drac Von Stoller receives the invitation."Drac's servant entered Drac Von Stoller's study to deliver the invitation. The servant said,"Drac, I have an invitation that was just delivered by Nick Maundrell's henchman."Drac placed his hand out, and the servant placed the invitation in Drac's hand, and Drac opened the invitation, and read it out loud. "Nick has invited me over to his castle for dinner tomorrow evening to celebrate our friendship and the takeover of the world."Drac was excited to see his good friend Nick once again, but Drac's excitement about spending some time with his friend tomorrow evening would be short lived once Nick added a little poison to his drink. Drac told his servant he was going out for the night and would be hanging out with some friends at the Vampire Tavern. Drac hopped in his casket shaped car and sped off down the road to the Vampire Tavern. Drac pulled into his parking space that was reserved for him, and stepped out of his car, and entered the Vampire Tavern for a night of drinking, and live music. Drac stepped up to the bar and the bar tender said, "Drac what can I get you tonight?" Drac Von Stoller replied, "Make it a Bloody Mary on the rocks, Wolfman.” The Wolfman howled, and poured Drac Von Stoller his Bloody Mary, and Drac Von Stoller gulped it down, and wiped the blood from his mouth, and slammed his glass down on the bar and said, "Pour me another, Wolfman, and make it a little stronger." The Wolfman poured him another then Drac said, "I'll see you shortly I'm just going to listen to my favorite band, "The Ghouls of the Night.""Ok, Drac, I'll see you around," as the Wolfman howled.Drac partied hard as he always does at the Vampire Tavern, but Drac knew the fun had to end before the sun would start to rise. Drac checked his watch, and downed a few more shots of Bloody Mary’s, and said goodbye to the band, and staggered over to the bar, and said, "Hey! Wolfman, I'll see you tomorrow night."The Wolfman replied, "I'll be here waiting to pour up some more Bloody Mary’s for you when you return."Drac exited the tavern, and got in his coffin car, and drove back to his castle to sleep just before sunrise. Then when the sunset he would head on over to meet Nick Maundrell at his castle for dinner and celebration, but for Drac Von Stoller the only thing that would be celebrated at Nick's castle would be his death.

Read online

  • 1 028

    Get Kilt: A Zombie Pill

      Raymund Hensley
     Get Kilt: A Zombie Pill

An energy pill called Kilt turns the elderly into overactive, dangerous zombies. Time for the walking dead to Get Kilt. A horror comedy novella.When the hard-bitten Police Sarge in Traffic Control hears about a broken down vehicle on the motorway from a rookie patrolman and his partner, are they pulling his leg? A whimisical tale set just before dawn on Christmas morning. Set in England.

Read online

  • 1 027

    The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury

      Jay Bonansinga
     The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury

The zombie plague unleashes its horrors on the suburbs of Atlanta without warning, pitting the living against the dead. Caught in the mass exodus, Lilly Caul struggles to survive in a series of ragtag encampments and improvised shelters. But the Walkers are multiplying. Dogged by their feral hunger for flesh and crippled by fear, Lilly relies on the protection of good Samaritans by seeking refuge in a walled-in town once known as Woodbury, Georgia.At first, Woodbury seems like a perfect sanctuary. Squatters barter services for food, people have roofs over their heads, and the barricade expands, growing stronger every day. Best of all, a mysterious self-proclaimed leader named Philip Blake keeps the citizens in line. But Lilly begins to suspect that all is not as it seems. . . . Blake, who has recently begun to call himself The Governor, has disturbing ideas about law and order.Ultimately, Lilly and a band of rebels open up a Pandora’s box of mayhem and destruction when they challenge The Governor’s reign . . . and the road to Woodbury becomes the highway to hell in this riveting follow-up to Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga's New York Times bestselling The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor.Review“An excellent companion to the The Walking Dead comic books. The story is enriched by the novel format, and the characterization of the series' most hated villain is something no fan will want to miss.” —Examiner.com“This book stands alone and is a compelling read for fans of the series or just fans of zombies. Watch out though, because once you get a taste of the particular Kirkman brand of zombie mayhem, catching up on past issues is just around the corner.” —The Ossuary“The story makes a great novel. You'll get sucked in and can easily visualize everything that is happening. It's simply a great read.” —Comicvine.com“It takes great advantage of the literary medium in a way that most tie-in books would not.” —TVOverMind.comAbout the AuthorROBERT KIRKMAN is best known for his work on The Walking Dead and Invincible for Image Comics, as well as Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He is one of the five partners of Image Comics and is an executive producer and writer on The Walking Dead television show. JAY BONANSINGA is a New York Times bestselling novelist whose works include Perfect Victim, Shattered, Twisted, and Frozen. His debut novel, The Black Mariah, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.

Read online

  • 1 027

    Shinigami Eyes

      Adam Smith
     Shinigami Eyes

Most children hope to grow out of their imaginary friends. 17-year-old Rin Waters’ only hope is that hers doesn’t kill someone, especially when said imaginary friend puts a boy in a coma. Finding herself shipped half-way around the world—to Japan, of all places—she is forced to live with grandparents she hasn’t seen for ten years and a cousin she can’t even remember. Rin would rather just forget about the one night that ruined her life and pretend her imaginary friend doesn’t exist—if it was only that easy. When manga-obsessed otaku, Matt, won’t stop pestering her about a manga that sees the future and the tragic accident she’ll be involved in if she doesn’t listen to him, pretending becomes quite a challenge. Suddenly mysterious accidents begin to happen to students in her school, and Rin has to wonder what length Matt is willing to go to prove his manga is real. Is it all a sham or is there really something that wants to see Rin and her new friends dead?

Read online

  • 1 027

    Shades of Blood #2: Enter The Reaper

      Peter Ackers
     Shades of Blood #2: Enter The Reaper

You cannot escape the Reaper. Especially not if you steal his body to return to the world of the living.When the rules of love were written, one of them said this: “Once you put a face to the hunger of your heart, your heart cannot let go.”Unaware of this rule, for love had never confided in me, I recently put a face to my heart’s hunger, and this was an unwise thing to do. For with the fresh sting of hope in its nostrils, its hunger grew exponentially and fast, and soon engulfed everything: my thoughts, my dreams, my room, my day, the streets, the earth, the sky, and before I really noticed, and before anything could be done to stop the beast, or even slow him down, my life was nothing but hunger for that one face.Unaware of this rule, yes, but I am no stranger to the hunger. We are acquainted, Beast and I. I say Beast, for Beast he is, but a beast with the softest voice and the sweetest yearning. He is the whisperer of dreams long abandoned and the promiser of perhaps futures. He is also the ruthless and unremitting tyrant dictating moment by moment what you feel and what you do and what you don’t do.

Read online

  • 1 026

    Mason Queensbury in the Parlour of the Occult

      Patrick Casey
     Mason Queensbury in the Parlour of the Occult

When England's greatest hero is summoned to the estate of Aleister Crowley, he is expecting a leisurely evening of tale-telling with the assembled guests, among whom number Rudyard Kipling and Harry Houdini. But the evening will turn out to include kidnapping, murder, and blood sacrifice! Based on a true story.The Great White Lion is back! Though Mason Queensbury was once one of the most famous men on earth (he was reportedly the model on which both Tarzan and Indiana Jones were based) he’s been nearly completely forgotten by today’s public. “Mason Queensbury in the Parlour of the Occult” is the first new story featuring Victorian England’s Greatest Hero in over fifty years. The story, which tells the incredible tale of a visit by Queensbury and his faithful valet Pup-pup to the palatial country estate of the young occultist Aleister Crowley, contains all the elements the classic Queensbury books were well known for: suspense, action, frightening villains, a touch of the supernatural, and, of course, a great hero, the always-impeccable Englishman, Lord Mason Queensbury, the Earl of Daring. Experience the thrill of savage battle along with Queen Victoria’s chief adventurer as he protects the God-fearing people of England from the dark magic of Aleister Crowley!

Read online

  • 1 024

    Winter Moon

      Dean Koontz
     Winter Moon

BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Dean Koontz's The City. "Koontz is brilliant in the creation of his characters and in building tension." CHICAGO SUN-TIMES In Los Angeles, a hot Hollywood director, high on PCP, turns a city street into a fiery apocalypse. Heroic LAPD officer Jac McGarvey is badly wounded and will not walk for months. His wife and his child are left to fend for themselves against both criminals that control an increasingly violent city and the dead director's cult of fanatic fans. In a lonely corner of Montana, Eduardo Fernandez, the father of McGarvey's murdered partner, witnesses a strange nocturnal sight. The stand of pines outside his house suddenly glows with eerie amber light, and Fernandez senses a watcher in the winter woods. As the seasons change, the very creatures of the forest seem in league with a mysterious presence. Fernandez is caught up in a series of chilling incidents that escalate toward a confronation that could rob him of his sanity or his life--or both. As events careen out of control, the McGarvey family is drawn to Fernandez's Montana ranch. In that isolated place they discover their destiny in a terrifying and fiercely suspenseful encounter with a hostile, utterly ruthless, and enigmatic enemy, from which neither the living nor the dead are safe.

Read online

  • 1 024