“A terrific historical mystery in the fine old Arthur Conan Doyle style . . . Who knew that a mystery formed around the founding of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology could be so good? . . . There are cliffhanger endings and fortuitous escapes. . . . There are even a couple of very sweet romances.”—*The Globe and Mail *NATIONAL BESTSELLER Boston, 1868. The Civil War may be over but a new war has begun, one between past and present, tradition and technology. The daring Massachusetts Institute of Technology is on a mission to harness science for the benefit of all. But when an unnatural disaster strikes the ships in Boston Harbor, and an equally inexplicable catastrophe devastates the heart of the city, an antiscience backlash casts a pall over MIT and threatens its very survival. So the best and brightest from the Institute’s first graduating class secretly join forces to save innocent lives and track down the truth. Armed with ingenuity and their unique scientific training, gifted war veteran Marcus Mansfield, blueblood Robert Richards, genius Edwin Hoyt, and brilliant freshman Ellen Swallow will match wits with a master criminal bent on the utter destruction of the city. Don’t miss Matthew Pearl’s short story “The Professor’s Assassin,” featuring characters from The Technologists, in the back of the book.** Look for special features inside. Join the Circle for author chats and more.

When a wealthy, bad boy client offers real estate agent Paige Knight the opportunity to escape her humdrum life and follow her dream of becoming an artist, she jumps at his offer. But doing so unwittingly puts herself, and her husband, in the hands of the sadist, Nicholas Steele, a body modification and tattoo artist who sees Paige as the perfect canvas to receive his next masterwork.A World of Verse is the first collection of poetry produced by poets of the Authors' Social Media Support Group (ASMSG). Twenty-One poets, representing dozens in the Writer's Circle of ASMSG, pour their hearts, souls, and imaginations into over sixty poems ranging from the anguish of loneliness and the despair of loss to the joy of belonging and the rapture of love. Feel the passion for life within these pages as we celebrate this inaugural collection. More will follow. The poets represented herein are: Alan HardyAndy SzpukB.L. RonanBryan PaulDebra ParmleyIan Bradley MarshallJames AmoatengKarena MarieLaurie KazmierczakLucy PireelMurielle CyrOllie LambertOscar Wager IIPeter Watson JenkinsRegina PuckettShannon McRobertsSteven HarzTeresa Amehana GarciaTeresa Joseph FranklinYelle HughesWe hope you enjoy this labor of love, and pass the passion along.

Eddie Griffin, a 23-year-old ex-con, is working to put his life back together. Late one evening he witnesses a local businessman committing a murder. His life is spared, but he will be killed if he talks to the police. Everything he has worked for falls apart as he becomes caught between rival criminal and legal organizations.“I’ve seen things you would never believe. I know things that most people would never consider. I’ve experienced things that your worst nightmares don’t even come close to. And that is something that you never want to get involved in.”Ailia has been missing out on a lot of things in life. She’s never experienced those little things – happiness, friendship, love. In the need of a new beginning, she moves to Scotland. The plan was to find those things. Get a good job, make some friends and hopefully meet a man who would love her. She never expected to meet someone like Egan. Egan’s different. He’s mysterious, secretive and doesn’t trust anyone. He doesn’t want Ailia anywhere near him. It’s too dangerous.But when a dark creature becomes obsessed with Ailia, she is forced to walk the line between life and death, and Egan may be the only person who can save her.In a world where danger is real, love and friendship are the most valuable things a person can have. The question is: who can you trust?

Twenty-one-year-old Rune is an aspiring filmmaker, but so far her only break has been scoring a job as an underpaid production assistant in Manhattan. Still, she's always on the lookout for the perfect topic for her own film--and she thinks she's found it when she witnesses the bombing of a triple-X movie theater in Times Square. Rune's got a great hook for her documentary: She plans to film it through the eyes of Shelly Lowe, the porn star whose movie was playing at the theater when it exploded.  But just hours after Rune films a poignant Shelly reflecting on her dreams of becoming a serious actress, a second bomb silences the beautiful film star forever. Was Shelly in the wrong place at the wrong time--or was she the bomber's target all along? Rune vows to find out the truth behind the death of this blue movie star. But as she struggles to finish shooting her film, Rune's labor of love may be her final masterpiece--as a shooting of a more lethal kind threatens to write an ending to this story that no one wants to see.... *From the Paperback edition.*

John Wayne Cleaver is dangerous, and he knows it. He's spent his life doing his best not to live up to his potential. He's obsessed with serial killers, but really doesn't want to become one. So for his own sake, and the safety of those around him, he lives by rigid rules he's written for himself, practicing normal life as if it were a private religion that could save him from damnation. Dead bodies are normal to John. He likes them, actually. They don't demand or expect the empathy he's unable to offer. Perhaps that's what gives him the objectivity to recognize that there's something different about the body the police have just found behind the Wash-n-Dry Laundromat---and to appreciate what that difference means. Now, for the first time, John has to confront a danger outside himself, a threat he can't control, a menace to everything and everyone he would love, if only he could. Dan Wells' debut novel is the first volume of a trilogy that will keep you awake and then haunt your dreams.

This short story follows two young brothers as they go trick-or-treating on Halloween. As they go from house to house, the learn that some grownups are not fond of kids knocking on their doors looking for candy.A modern fairytale about a talking, giant-killing cat with ambitions. The farmyard animals are eager to imitate his example by learning to speak and throwing off the yolk of servitude. All except for silent Mr Simpkins, the grey cat who is as plump as an overstuffed cushion but not so dumb as he looks...

vignettes from The Caregiver Series, all taking place before Book 1.On how Romulus convinced Scarlett to sign the contractOn how Romulus convinced Scarlett even furtherOn how Scarlett and Ferdinand metOn Scarlett and Bobby’s splitOn how Douglas and Scarlett got on Romulus’ nervesInspired by the legend of the plague doctor who took his own life on the now-haunted Poveglia Island, this companion piece tells the story through a philosophical and metaphysical lens, theorizing what happens to him in the after-life. After 2 years of when it was first released, Miasma is now revamped and the final piece of The Shroud Eater flash fiction, the story that intimately focusing on the nuances of what led to his suicide - both stories are now included in this version.

7 billion zombies. 1 man.When the zombie apocalypse hits America, not a soul is left alive.Except Amo. He's a comic book artist. He's a video game world builder. He's just a regular guy living in New York city, with only his wits, creativity and basic decency to guide him.He's alone against 7 billion zombies.Will he survive?7 billion zombies. 1 man.When the zombie apocalypse hits America, not a soul is left alive.Except Amo. He's a comic book artist. He's a video game world builder. He's just a regular guy living in New York city, with only his wits, creativity and basic decency to guide him.He's alone against 7 billion zombies.Will he survive?'Robinson Crusoe' meets the zombie apocalypse like you've never seen it before, packed with adventure, gore and a mind-blowing twist.A tale of post-apocalyptic, zombie survival action that kicks off the Zombie Ocean series, continued in Book 2, The Lost. Burning questions will be raised and answered, like:- How do you survive when the whole world wants to eat you?- Where does hope come from when you're the last one alive?- Where are all the zombies going, and what on Earth do they really want?Would you survive? Measure yourself against Amo- scroll up and get your copy now.If you like apocalyptic stories like 'I Am Legend', 'The Girl with All the Gifts' or 'The Walking Dead' you will love this book.Reviews"A thoroughly enjoyable zombie romp unlike any other piece of zombie lore I've come across." - Dominic McCann"Loved this! A surprising twist on the zombie novel. - Mike"Not your typical Zombie apocalypse book! Loved the ending." - M. Barker"By far this is the BEST zombie book I have ever read." - Cherie Unsworth"I loved it. You never know what is coming next." - Shelly Newkirk

It’s Thanksgiving Eve and a novel and bold evening of inclusion turns to terror in this beautiful village amid the new normal of the mix of humanity.In the spirit of Thanks on occasion of the sacred holiday of Thanksgiving, the leaders of this lovely town’s Community Center have put out the call for citizens from all across the spectrum to gather for a very first “Feast of Thanks.”It’s working - from all walks and all parts of this exceptionally beautiful and romantic town, the citizens are responding, provoking what has become, unfortunately, the normal of polarization.All it takes is a trigger, and with “enablers” stoking natural fears of these citizens, most of whom are responding to the benevolent call to with the best of intention and loving spirit, such trigger occurs and leads to chaos and terror on a special, holy evening of Thanks.

A New York Times bestseller! Lucas Davenport returns in the most harrowing and unexpected Prey novel yet—the story of a congenial man, and his most uncongenial obsession... An art history professor and writer and cheerful pervert, James Qatar had a hobby: he took secret photographs of women and turned them into highly sexual drawings. One day, he took the hobby a step further and... well, one thing led to another, and he had to kill her. A man in his position couldn't be too careful, after all. And you know something? He liked it. Already faced with a welter of confusion in his personal life, Deputy Chief Lucas Davenport decides to take this case himself, hoping that some straightforward police work will clear his head, but as the trail begins to take some unexpected turns, it soon becomes clear that nothing is straightforward about this killer. The man is learning as he goes, Lucas realizes, taking great strides forward with each murder. He is becoming a monster — and Lucas may have no choice but to walk right into his lair...

Jake Winroy had no looks, no education, and little else before he'd worked his way to the top of a million-dollar-a-month horse-betting ring. But when the state's latched onto his game, the feds take a bite and the lawyer fees eat away at the rest, all Jake's got left is the bottle and a beautiful wife whose every word is ugly. Jake's to be the top witness in a major case against organized crime--if he hasn't already kicked the bucket before the trial has its day in court. But an enigmatic mafioso known only as The Man has a plan to make dead certain Jake never gets the chance to testify. The Man's hired Charlie "Little" Bigger, a hit man barely five feet tall, to infiltrate the Winroy residence as a tenant and murder Winroy in cold blood. To Little, it seems like the easiest job on Earth. Until he lays eyes on the beautiful and dangerous Fay and the Winroy's young housemaid Ruth, a woman as sensual as she is vulnerable. SAVAGE NIGHT is Jim Thompson at his most unpredictable and deeply suspenseful, in a claustrophobic thriller of one man's fractured mind.

The holidays mean many things to many people. "Christmas Beyond the Box" takes that notion a great deal farther, and provides some truly unconventional looks at the season from some extraordinary perspectives. Suitable for all but the very young, there's sure to be a tale worth re-telling in this collection for many Christmases to come. Includes bonus novel excerpt from "Under Saint Owain's Rock."Bestselling and award-winning author, Josh Langston, brings his considerable talents to bear in this collection of seasonal short stories. But, just because they take place during the holidays, don't assume these tales won't generate smiles at any time of the year.Beginning with a race of holiday sprites who can't stand the limelight and ending with an eccentric billionaire who only sees his family the day *after* Christmas, this collection provides enough laughs, sighs, and insights to satisfy the most discriminating tastes.If you're looking for something different -- something that isn't just another "Frosty Saves Christmas" or "Molly Knits Mittens for Kittens" -- THIS is the collection for you. Don't miss it!

Bob Bishop was scrolling his Twitter feed when the dinosaur tweet popped up. The moment he spotted the author’s name he couldn’t suppress a guffaw. "Rave from the grave,” he said, chuckling, “I can’t believe that old war horse is still alive and kicking.”Bob Bishop was scrolling his Twitter feed when the dinosaur tweet popped up. The moment he spotted the author’s name he couldn’t suppress a guffaw. “Something tickled your fancy guv’nor?” Lauren glanced up from the adjacent terminal where she was uploading the latest target package onto Crimefighter. Bishop pointed at the screen. “Rave from the grave,” he said, chuckling, “I can’t believe that old war horse is still alive and kicking.” The girl came around and stood behind him, reading the tweet over his shoulder. “Bit strong. Who’s Jack Rivers anyway, bit of a nutter?”“Job old timer,” Bishop said, “from way back when we were young and keen, Jack was the DI running the Peckham crime squad and I was a mere skipper on the relief.” Bishop wagged his head as the memories stirred, “Long long ago,” he said.Lauren smiled down at him, “You surprise me guv,” she said, “I always assumed you were a direct entrant on the graduate ticket, you’ll be telling me you walked a beat in a tall hat next.”“Oh that I did,” Bishop said, the recollection stirring the recesses of his memory, “wooden-top in a blue suit, Commissioner’s cannon fodder, we didn’t know any better.” He glanced at the photo ID dangling from the lanyard around his neck as if seeking confirmation of his ascendancy from the mean streets of South London: Under his mug shot and the crest of the Metropolitan Police his designation read: Robert Bishop, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Directorate of Public Affairs. “Must’ve had a run-in with the hobby bobbies to get him riled up like that,” Lauren mused reading the vitriolic tweet, “d’you want me to check the system?”Bishop swung his chair around to face her. Blonde hair pulled back in a pony tail, trendy jumper and designer jeans, a thirty-something DCI from the Media Ops Directorate. If Jack Rivers could’ve seen himself outranked by a girlie-girl he would have had apoplexy. “No,” he said, “You’ve got enough on your plate as it is, how’s the old man’s baby coming along, he’s bound to want a SITREP at morning prayers.”“Chip-n-nick?” it was Lauren’s turn to laugh, “Couple of hard men in the guinea pig group cut off their ear lobes with bolt cutters and ditched the implants. We’re going to have to tag ‘em somewhere else guv’nor.” She grinned, “Somewhere they won’t want to cut off.”Bishop wagged his head. “It’s pretty academic anyway, we ever get it past those bleeding hearts in Strasburg it’ll be a miracle. Infringement of human rights is a capital offence these days, the legal eagles’ll have a field day.”Lauren turned back to her terminal; she hadn’t noticed the far away look creep into Bob Bishop’s eyes as he re-read the dinosaur tweet and time shifted back to the dark ages. “Bob – you got a minute,” The Chief Super poked his head around the parade room door just as Bishop finished briefing the two-to-ten. “Step into the office, sergeant” the old man held the door open, grinning. And as Bishop did so, remarked, “That’s the last time I’ll call you that, Bob.” He waved a telex from the Yard. “You just got made up – congratulations Inspector.” He clapped Bishop on the shoulder in an avuncular gesture, “And you’ve got a posting my son, the dream factory.”As Bishop read the telex with mounting astonishment, the old man began to laugh: Bishop let it sink in for a moment and then he said: “Do I have a choice, boss? To be honest I’d rather stick with the relief.”The Divisional Commander shook his head: “Came down on a tablet of stone, Bob.” He glanced at his watch, “Oh and you’d better look sharpish; get over to the Yard and report to the fifth floor. Don’t look so shell shocked, your wagon just got hitched to a star.”

London, 1705. In an isolated country home, Anthony, an eccentric bachelor obsessed with studying human behavior, embarks on an unorthodox experiment: switching places with his butler, Philip. What begins as an innocent, amusing analysis soon turns into a perilous ordeal, leaving Anthony with a life-altering choice to make.Jadde – The Fragile Sanctuary is a full on smash and crash through post-apocalyptic Sci-fi. If you want to see how a genetic mutation can go horribly wrong then read this book. Millennia have passed since the twenty-first century demon wars when mankind so nearly succumbed to genetically altered mutants - The Quarter-men. Now only isolated pockets of struggling humanity survive. One insular tribe The Seconchane, are developing psychic powers. Sometimes the gift fails and the unfortunates are banished from the Seconchane’s mountain valleys. Into this harsh reality comes Malkrin Owlear one of the Seconchane’s most gifted. But his incredible talent falters once too often . . .He discovers the deadlands are not as barren as the priesthood say. The quarter-men, from mans technological past have returned, intent on completing their destruction of mankind. Malkrin and his paranormally talented friends must rediscover from a time forgotten how the ancients led by the goddess Jadde prevailed over the quarter-men swarms.It was mans last chance – and Malkrin cannot fail.

You only get to make one mistake.Three young men travel from the suburbs to the city in search of forbidden pleasure. They think they are prepared to commit a crime and become men, but are they ready for the surprise that their dealer has set up for them?You only get to make one mistake.Three young men travel from the suburbs to the city in search of forbidden pleasure. They think they are prepared to commit a crime and become men, but are they ready for the surprise that their dealer has set up for them?