Grimhaven, a tranquil town nestled within the ancient Appalachian Mountains, conceals a dark secret within the skeletal remains of the Blackened Gold Mine. Once a thriving symbol of prosperity, the mine now harbors an unspeakable malevolence that awakens shadows and whispers from the depths of the abyss. Samantha Mitchell, a local historian with an affinity for the supernatural, unwittingly becomes the guardian of Grimhaven's descent into the cosmic unknown. As symbols etched into the mine's walls pulse with an otherworldly energy, Samantha is drawn into a surreal dance where reality blurs, and the Veil of Shadows reveals its ancient secrets. The first whispers, haunting and distorted, emerge from the mine, casting an eerie hush over the cobblestone streets. Shadows, once benign, contort into nightmarish forms that linger in the corners of the town. Grimhaven, now ensnared in a cosmic tempest, stands on the brink of an unspeakable reckoning. In this supernatural thriller, the symbols, whispers, and shadows converge to create a chilling symphony that defies the laws of nature. As Samantha delves deeper into the cosmic abyss, the town transforms into a canvas for a malevolent force that challenges the very essence of reality. "The Shadows of the Abandoned Mine" unfolds as a tale of cosmic horror, beckoning the audience into a world where the unknown shadows cast are far more than remnants of the past—they are harbingers of an unimaginable terror.

The moon's eerie glow barely penetrates the thick curtains, casting long, sinister shadows across the abandoned mansion's grand foyer. Dust dances in the faint light, and the air is heavy with an ominous silence. Emma, a curious paranormal investigator in her late twenties, enters cautiously, her flashlight piercing the darkness. She's accompanied by her skeptical colleague, Jack. Emma whispered to Jack, “This place gives me the creeps.” Jack sarcastically said, “Yeah, because haunted mansions are a real thing.” Suddenly, a distant, chilling laughter echoes through the halls, sending shivers down their spines. “Did you hear that?” asked Emma. “Probably just the wind,” answered Jack. They press forward, their footsteps echoing as they explore the eerie mansion's corridors. The walls seem to whisper secrets of a tragic past. The duo enters a dilapidated library, books scattered haphazardly on the floor. A faded painting catches Emma's eye—a family portrait with eyes that seem to follow their every move. Emma was startled, “That's... unsettling.” Jack mockingly says, “Ghosts in a painting now?”

Transport yourself to the misty reaches of the Pacific Northwest with Fog & Shadows, an anthology of captivating mysteries that unfold in the region's most iconic settings. From the lonely depths of the endless evergreen forests to the rugged coastline where sea and storm collide, each story immerses you in the untamed beauty of the Northwest while unraveling secrets as thick as the coastal fog. This collection features works from a diverse group of talented authors, each weaving narratives of suspense and intrigue with deft twists, that take place across the cities, small towns, and wild terrains of this majestic region of the world. Whether it's a cold case solved by a curious young boy, a panicked self-assurance of one's own innocence, or increasing encounters with a certain type of standoffish drifter, these stories are steeped in the lore of a place where nature itself seems to guard its own engimas. Fog & Shadows delivers an unforgettable journey through one of the most mysterious corners of the world. Let the fog roll in and the suspense build-because in the Pacific Northwest, every shadow hides a secret.

In the tradition of The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror and The Year's Best Science Fiction, The World's Finest Crime and Mystery Stories, First Annual Edition finally fills the void for those with a hunger for the best mystery and suspense stories of the past year. Including such bestselling authors as Jeffrey Deaver, Elizabeth George, Faye Kellerman, Jonathan Kellerman, Ed McBain, Anne Perry, and Ruth Rendell, plus many, many others, this volume will positively blow the competition away. For, unlike the other various mystery anthologies, The World's Finest Crime and Mystery Stories collects stories from writers around the globe, including Britain's Silver Dagger short-fiction award winners. It will also be almost twice as big, weighing in at more than 200,000 words, and will arrive two months before the competition. This comprehensive anthology promises to be the definitive annual collection of the very best mystery and suspense stories the world over. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

In this first volume in the bold new Aqua Pura Trilogy, Crixus finds employment with the Lamiae of Nistru, a cruel society where those at the top bathe in the lifeblood of those on the bottom. Will his conscience allow him to finish his job?

A stunning, powerful debut novel set against the backdrop of the Cambodian War, perfect for fans of Chris Cleave and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie For seven-year-old Raami, the shattering end of childhood begins with the footsteps of her father returning home in the early dawn hours bringing details of the civil war that has overwhelmed the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. Soon the family's world of carefully guarded royal privilege is swept up in the chaos of revolution and forced exodus. Over the next four years, as she endures the deaths of family members, starvation, and brutal forced labour, Raami clings to the only remaining vestige of childhood - the mythical legends and poems told to her by her father. In a climate of systematic violence where memory is sickness and justification for execution, Raami fights for her improbable survival. Displaying the author's extraordinary gift for language, In the Shadow of the Banyanis testament to the transcendent power of narrative and a brilliantly wrought tale of human resilience. 'In the Shadow of the Banyanis one of the most extraordinary and beautiful acts of storytelling I have ever encountered' Chris Cleave, author of The Other Hand 'Ratner is a fearless writer, and the novel explores important themes such as power, the relationship between love and guilt, and class. Most remarkably, it depicts the lives of characters forced to live in extreme circumstances, and investigates how that changes them. To read In the Shadow of the Banyan is to be left with a profound sense of being witness to a tragedy of history' Guardian 'This is an extraordinary debut … as beautiful as it is heartbreaking' Mail on Sunday

In this original, wide-ranging, and endlessly thought-provoking work of popular nonfiction, a leading science writer uncovers the pervasive presence of shadows in our world. For Plato, shadows were the symbol of our limitations. For Galileo, they knocked the Earth from the center of the cosmos. They are a source of fear and a symbol of ignorance, and they loom large in art and design, mythology and folklore, physics and metaphysics, and architecture and urban planning. From shadows puppets and the psychology of shadows to the role of shadows in astronomy and the influence of shadows on the architectural profiles of our cities, Roberto Casati awakens our fascination in this tour-de-force of investigation and imagination.