This spectacular collection of 13 dark, haunting tales by bestselling author Straub exposes the terrors that hide beneath the surface of the ordinary world, behind the walls of houses without doors. "Straub at his spellbinding best".--Publishers Weekly.

Wandering sea gypsy Johnny Rossendale is caught up in a series of violent events as he investigates the strange history of a painting, the most treasured part of his family's inheritance. But Johnny, Earl of Stowey, has eight centuries of robber-baron blood in his veins, all boiling for revenge.

A criminal profiler investigates the killing of a New York City heiress, only to discover that her death is linked to two other murders on the same day: a dot-com millionaire in San Francisco, and the team leader of a government counter-terrorist project in Los Alamos, New Mexico.Scorpio Rising (New Age noir)In the space of one hour, three strangers die violent deaths. A hit-and-run vehicle kills a dot-com millionaire jogging in San Francisco. A car bomb obliterates the team leader of a government counter-terrorism project in Los Alamos, New Mexico. An assailant ambushes a New York heiress walking home from Broadway and forces her own pepper spray down her throat.In all three cases, investigators reach an immediate impasse. Each victim leaves an estate of millions, but their beneficiaries all have perfect out-of-town alibis. Theories swirl around the victims like flies on a corpse – a contract killing for financial gain, a lover’s quarrel spiraled out of control, a domestic al-Qaeda strike...? The police are stymied and the FBI is worried.Axel Crowe, criminal psychologist, is summoned to New York by the brother of the woman who was murdered. Crowe is a man with an obscure past but a brilliant reputation. Occasionally he consults as a profiler for the police. More commonly, he is a finder of wayward people and stolen possessions. Despite initial stonewalling from the NYPD, Crowe profiles the killer in his own unique way – using astrology, palmistry and other unconventional techniques.His investigation follows a tangled trail of illicit relationships – from one suspect to another and, eventually, yet another. Ultimately, he learns that all three victims were killed in the space of one hour. But is it coincidence or conspiracy?Facts are gross, but the truth is subtle, Crowe’s guru used to tell him. And although the truth lies buried in the past, Crowe is relentless until he uncovers it.

A camp-out trip is almost spoiled by loud music and the disappearance of a lantern—and Grandfather.

Kabir -- a private eye -- is grappling with a conundrum. His wife has left him only three days after the wedding. A client asks him to track down a missing cat called Luna. When Kabir sets out in the cat's pursuit, he hits upon a startling revelation about life and love.There are some questions that even a private detective cannot answer. Why doesn't my wife talk to me? Why does she spend all her time following the Arab Spring on the Internet? And did she leave me only three days after the wedding? Kabir -- Lucknow's most successful sleuth -- is grappling with all of these questions, when a client asks him to track down a missing cat called Luna. When Kabir sets out in the cat's pursuit, he hits upon a startling revelation about life and love.

Word of Abby's talents reading tarot cards has reached a mob boss who wants her help in some business matters and he doesn't take no for an answer. When the police seek out her psychic intuition to shed light on a masked man who's been attacking women, Abby finds herself working both sides of the law on her own, leading her to wonder, why didn't I see this coming?

For centuries, the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they’re willing to tolerate—both within themselves and within their community... Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial—both personally and practically. But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don’t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others—and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs…

For most, a plane crash means the end of life. For Dusti Dawson, it’s just the beginning… Dusti and her sister Batina survived the crash, thanks to a couple of brothers who are equal parts menacing and muscled. She’d be grateful…if they hadn’t turned out to be delusional kidnappers, who believe Dusti’s grandfather is some monstrous halfbreed creature bent on murder. Turns out Vampires, Lycans, and Gargoyles do exist— and they’ve been crossbreeding to form two hybrid races. Drantos, the man Dusti can’t stop lusting after, is one of the most dangerous of all. VampLycans Drantos and Kraven were sent to eliminate a threat to their clan. But when that threat turns out to be mostly human women, clueless of their lineage, plans change—especially after Drantos gets a taste of Dusti’s blood. Now, he’ll die to protect her. Even if that means walking away from everything he knows to keep her at his side. Is her strong desire for Drantos reason enough to endure danger coming from all sides? Or should Dusti cut and run the first chance she gets? Author Note: VLG stands for Vampires, Lycans, Gargoyles…and breeds in between. Living in Alaska’s harsh, pristine territories, these creatures live and love fiercely. These are their stories.

Set in the same world as Scarred and Kilt and Mine to Chase. Lacey hunts vampires—vile monsters who leave death and shattered lives in their wake. They murdered her sister and she wants revenge. Until she captures a big, sexy, blue-eyed vamp, and the strong attraction she feels contradicts everything she’s become. But she can’t resist getting closer. Just looking at him makes her mouth water and her thighs clench. Lethal can’t believe the little lass got the better of him. He’s been drugged and chained, but he’s more insulted than concerned. She’s bold, fearless, as she straddles his hips and threatens to use his body, teach him how it feels to be taken without consent. Now he’s intrigued and eager to get her out of her clothes. She swears he’s the enemy, but he’s determined to be her lover.

Nothing in Hollywood is what it seems… Seth Crane is a nobody, just an eighteen-year-old community theater actor who’s been in a few small commercials. So when a director stops him after a show and offers him the lead role in a huge indie film, it seems like a dream come true. Suddenly he’s swept up in the glamorous Hollywood life, with fancy parties, press junkets, and flirtations with two beautiful stars. But something’s a little strange on the set. And when his costar’s darkest secrets start popping up in the media—secrets she’s only told Seth and that could destroy her life—Seth realizes that fame may have too high a price. Antony John’s twisting, turning, suspenseful novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the shocking end.

Where are you? A pretty girl’s face on a simple flyer in Mexico. Self proclaimed private investigators Leah and Sebastian Reyes take off on a quest full of twists and turns to solve the mystery of a missing college student. They will encounter a range of dangerous and extremely wealthy suspects snared in centuries-old traditions. All this will lead Leah to ask another question.Is love enough?Brick and Spiritwind were unaware of the wider goings on of the universe. Had they known alien’s were heading their way, intent on freezing time and stealing all the tea and coffee, chances are they would console themselves with a debate on the merits of hot beverages and wait to be placed in stasis. Fortunately the Earth’s owners are more practical and instruct Fate to activate the planets in-built heroes. Unfortunately Fate saves their next door neighbours, Brick and Spiritwind, by mistake. Realising his error, Fate gathers his closest friends, including girlfriend Karma and brother Coincidence, to offer the hapless pair assistance.Zarg, a teenage alien, has insisted a band of heroes will rise and thwart his people’s plan; when captured by Brick et al, the irony isn’t lost upon him. Forming a relationship with the humans, akin to sniping siblings, Zarg agrees to aid their quest: the reward of being proved right is enough to betray his species.With no weapons other than idle banter and slipshod philosophy, Brick and Spiritwind amble their way through the frozen Earth, piecing together clues and formulating a solution. Join the Earth’s only hope as they straddle the line between idiocy and genius.

James Patterson delivers his most heart-pounding thriller yet, Don't Blink... you won't want to! Reporter Nick Daniels is conducting a once-in-a-lifetime interview with an infamous celebrity recluse in a renowned New York restaurant. But the interview is cut short by a horrific murder that takes place just yards from their table. The assassin escapes as quickly as he entered, leaving behind him a chaotic scene and a bloody corpse. While Nick is reviewing the tapes from his interview, he stumbles upon a piece of evidence that could be crucial to the murder investigation. But something about the whole scenario doesn't fit together. As Nick investigates the clues for himself, he realises that someone is watching his every move - and they will stop at nothing to prevent Nick from discovering the truth.

In a stately West Village town house, a wealthy socialite and her secretary are murdered. In the 24 hours that follow, a flurry of activity surrounds their shocking deaths: The head of one of the city's last tabloids stops the presses. A cop investigates the killing. A reporter chases the story. A disgraced hedge fund manager flees the country. An Iraq War vet seeks revenge. And an angry young extremist plots a major catastrophe. The City is many things: a proving ground, a decadent carnival, or a palimpsest of memories--a historic metropolis eclipsed by modern times. As much a thriller as it is a gripping portrait of the city of today, Tabloid City is a new fiction classic from the writer who has captured New York perfectly for decades.

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew are eager for some floral fun—but first they’ll have to find the missing flowers! Nancy, Bess, and George couldn’t be more excited. Because Nancy took care of her neighbor Mimsy Bourret’s prize roses while she was in Paris, all three girls will be her VIP guests for the annual River Heights Flower Show. They can’t wait for beautiful flowers, a fancy ballroom, and more desserts than they can imagine! But once the girls get to the show, disaster strikes. Mimsy Bourret’s prize roses have vanished! Can the Clue Crew find the missing flowers in time? Or will the flower show become a total fiasco?

BIGGEST BADDEST BUFFY OF THEM ALL The First has come to Sunnydale and set its sights on taking down the Slayer. On the side of the White Hats: Buffy, Xander, Willow, Anya, Dawn, Giles, Spike, Faith, Angel, and an assortment of young, innocent, untried Potentials. In this season-spanning storyline, Buffy Summers will learn about the primeval origins of her own strength, and have the opportunity to train those would succeed her. And as the forces of evil find their way back to the Hellmouth -- where it all began -- the Slayer will uncover what being the Chosen One is all about: Power. "She's laid down her life -- literally -- to protect the people around her. This girl has died, two times, and she's still standing. You're scared, that's smart. You got questions, you should. But you doubt her motive, you think Buffy is about the kill...then you take the little bus to battle. I've see her heart -- this time not literally -- and I'll tell you right now she cares more about your lives than you will ever know. You gotta trust her. She's earned it." -- Xander, "Dirty Girls"