The Eye of Osiris

R. Austin Freeman

The Eye of Osiris, published in 1911, was the second of R. Austin Freemans many Dr. Thorndyke mystery novels. Here the great expert in medical jurisprudence will encounter the mysteries of ancient Egypt without ever leaving London. The cast of characters is rich in Egyptologists. A wealthy old man, John Bellingham, collector of Egyptian antiquities, has disappeared without a trace. His brother is also an Egyptologist, as is his niece and the lawyer who executed his will. Circumstances strongly suggest that the old man is dead, and innocent people may be accused of murder. Happily Dr. Thorndyke gets involved quite by chance. The plot is tremendously clever, and the denouement a total surprise. The great strength of the novel lies in the plotting which is ingenious enough and complicated enough to satisfy any fan of the puzzle-style of mystery story.

The Adventures of Solomon Kane

Robert E. Howard

Before Robert E. Howard wrote of Conan the Cimmerian, he wrote of the swashbuckler Solomon Kane. The Adventures of Solomon Kane takes you through Howards horrific and fantastic world of swords and sorcery, the world of ancient secrets and the monsters that live in the jungles of Africa where Kane vanquishes evil. Here are shudder-inducing tales of vengeful ghosts and bloodthirsty demons, of dark sorceries wielded by evil men and women, all opposed by a grim avenger armed with a fanatics faith and a warriors savage heart. Whether it be a witch-cursed monstrosity, hell-spawned vampire, mutant throw-back, or just a wicked wretch of humankind, Solomon Kane will fight with equal determination and enthusiasm to see good triumph. Collected in this volume are all of the stories and poems that make up the thrilling saga of the dour and deadly Puritan, Solomon Kane.

Colonel Quaritch, V.C. A Tale of Country Life

H. Rider Haggard

Colonel Quaritch left the English army and moved to live at Honham Cottage. This is a quiet, calm and old place, which is located near the castle of the de la Molle family. He falls in love with Ida de la Molle, the only child of the squire, who has mortgaged his possessions to their full value. The young girl without wealth, but she promised her hand and help to the young banker.

Nad Niemnem

Eliza Orzeszkowa

Akcja powieści Nad Niemnem rozgrywa się około roku 1885. Jednym z głównych wątków jest historia miłości Justyny Orzelskiej i Janka Bohatyrowicza, przedstawiona jest na tle dziejów dwóch szlacheckich rodów Korczyńskich i Bohatyrowiczów. Czy wyrosłe ponad podziałami uczucie młodych pozwoli pokonać problemy społeczno-ekonomiczne, a także polityczne i historyczne? Autorka zawarła w powieści zróżnicowany obraz nadniemeńskiej szlachty w obliczu nowych, popowstaniowych warunków politycznych i społeczno-ekonomicznych. Powieść wzywała do wierności ziemi i przeszłości, gloryfikowała patriotyczną ofiarność i ideowe dziedzictwo minionych lat, głosiła niezachwianą wiarę w siłę i wartość człowieka.

All Aboard for Ararat

Herbert George Wells

Short story told as an allegory set in the future, in form of narrative, with some trenchant remarks on the current situation, and a brilliant introduction to which the balance fails to measure up. Dialogs between God and Mr. Noah Lammock planning a new Ark in which the best of mankind may be rescued from the new flood of war and horror. Wells-Lammock querying of Biblical history is irreverent but amusing, but the plans which follow, for the rk and its voyaging, bog down considerably. All Aboard for Ararat is a 1940 allegorical novella by H. G. Wells that tells a modernized version of the story of Noah and the Flood. Wells was 74 when it was published, and it is the last of his utopian writings.

The Real Thing and Other Tales

Henry James

The main character, an aspiring artist, hires a faded noble couple, Monarchs, as models after they have lost most of their money and need to find some kind of work. They are real in the sense that they are beautifully of the aristocratic type, but they turn out to be inappropriate for the artists work. The artist must finally get rid of the monarchs, especially after his friend and colleague, artist Jack Hawley, criticized the work in which monarchs are represented.

Mr. Polton Explains

R. Austin Freeman

R. Austin Freemans character Dr. Thorndyke is considered the first modern forensic scientist in literature. This is one of the oddities of detective fiction. The first part of this story is an autobiography of Thorrndykes lab assistant Polton. Polton, Dr. Thorndykes lab assistant and a servant has graced every Thorndyke mystery with his mechanical ingenuity, his sumptuous meals and teas, and his crinkly smile. The second part is a mystery tale, which builds on some of the characters we first saw in the earlier portion. Polton and Dr. Thorndyke faced with a mystery involving a mysterious fire in a Soho house filled with supposedly inflammable objects and a body charred beyond recognition by the fire. Poltons understanding of the mechanisms of clocks leads to a breakthrough in the case.

The Leavenworth Case

Anna Katharine Green

Anna Katharine Green (1846-1935) was one of the first mystery writers in the United States. Called the mother of the detective novel, she was known for her intricate, well-plotted stories, and this novel is no exception. Her first and best known novel, The Leavenworth Case became an overwhelming success and was the best seller of the year. The readers are held spellbound until the very last page. We highly recommend this book!