This year, the fireworks will be red hot… Skates Farrington is a changed man. Gone are the smart suits, the dull meetings and the extra pounds. Nowadays, he gets his thrills at the skate park and from whatever substances his dealers send his way. The only thing missing from his life is his ex-wife. She’s shacked up with a respectable partner in an isolated farm and striving to create the perfect life. Skates is convinced that she will come back to him when she sees his new self, but when attempts to win her heart all over again are thrown back in his face, he decides a little gentle persuasion is in order. Now he can include murder and abduction among his new-found skills. DI Oliver Wilson, leading the investigation, has more than a few things on his mind. The case and imminent arrival of his third child should be at the forefront of his thoughts, but the arrival of a sequence of unusual gifts is making him nervous. The packages are sending him a message, he just can’t work out what they’re trying to say. Ain’t That A Kick In The Head is the explosive follow up to Let It Snow and My Funny Valentine. Praise for AIN’T THAT A KICK IN THE HEAD: “Nigel Bird knows his characters inside and out—what they want, how they think, how they grow and how they fail. Ain’t that a Kick in the Head might be his best work yet. A convincing, engrossing portrayal of what life is like for cops and criminals alike.” —Chris Rhatigan, All Due Respect Books publisher “One of my favourite contemporary crime fiction series.” —Colman Keane, Col’s Criminal Library

Within the pages of 'Down the Chimney: 100+ Most Treasured Christmas Novels & Stories in One Volume (Illustrated),' readers are treated to a grand tapestry of Christmas narratives that span a variety of literary styles and epochs. This collection brings together a rich assortment of tales that reflect the diverse ways in which the yuletide season has been celebrated, interpreted, and cherished across different cultures and time periods. Featuring a medley of works from revered authors such as Charles Dickens and Leo Tolstoy to less familiar yet equally poignant voices, this anthology bridges the gap between classic and contemporary, highlighting standout pieces that capture the essence of Christmas. The diversity in storytelling, from the magical realism of E. T. A. Hoffmann to the stark realism of Anton Chekhov, eloquently mirrors the multifaceted nature of Christmas itself, making this collection a significant literary treasure. The contributing authors and editors, hailing from various backgrounds, bring a wealth of experiences and perspectives to this anthology. Their cumulative oeuvre spans the entirety of the 19th and early 20th centuries, a period rich with literary innovation and cultural shifts that influenced how Christmas was perceived and celebrated. Embedded within these narratives are reflections of the changing social, political, and economic climates of their times. This collective work aligns with significant historical and cultural movements, offering readers not just stories, but a window into the worldviews and societal norms of past eras. The varied voices in this collection, from the fervent abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe to the visionary fantasy of L. Frank Baum, collectively enrich our understanding of Christmas as a cultural phenomenon, providing a comprehensive overview of its impact on literature and society. 'Down the Chimney: 100+ Most Treasured Christmas Novels & Stories in One Volume (Illustrated)' is an indispensable anthology for those who wish to explore the myriad ways in which Christmas has been depicted in literature. It invites readers into a world where Christmas is not just a holiday, but a pivotal theme around which narratives of hope, redemption, and transformation revolve. This collection offers a unique opportunity to delve into a multitude of perspectives, styles, and themes, all unified by the spirit of Christmas. It is recommended for scholars, students, and any reader seeking to understand the depth and breadth of Christmas literature through the ages, fostering a dialogue between the traditional and the contemporary, the magical and the mundane. In doing so, it promises to kindle the Christmas spirit in the hearts of its readers, making it a cherished volume for generations to come.

This carefully edited collection has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Jack London (1876-1916) was an American novelist, journalist, and social activist. His amazing life experience also includes being an oyster pirate, railroad hobo, gold prospector, sailor, war correspondent and much more. He wrote adventure novels & sea tales, stories of the Gold Rush, tales of the South Pacific and the San Francisco Bay area - most of which were based on or inspired by his own life experiences. Content: The Cruise of the Dazzler A Daughter of the Snows The Call of the Wild The Kempton-Wace Letters The Sea-Wolf The Game White Fang Before Adam The Iron Heel Martin Eden Burning Daylight Adventure The Scarlet Plague A Son of the Sun The Abysmal Brute The Valley of the Moon The Mutiny of the Elsinore The Star Rover The Little Lady of the Big House Jerry of the Islands Michael, Brother of Jerry Hearts of Three Son of the Wolf The God of His Fathers Children of the Frost The Faith of Men Tales of the Fish Patrol Moon-Face Love of Life Lost Face South Sea Tales When God Laughs The House of Pride & Other Tales of Hawaii Smoke Bellew The Night Born The Strength of the Strong The Turtles of Tasman The Human Drift The Red One On the Makaloa Mat Dutch Courage Uncollected Stories The Road The Cruise of the Snark John Barleycorn The People of the Abyss Theft Daughters of the Rich The Acorn-Planter A Wicked Woman The Birth Mark The First Poet Scorn of Woman Revolution and Other Essays The War of the Classes What Socialism Is What Communities Lose by the Competitive System Through The Rapids on the Way to the Klondike From Dawson to the Sea Our Adventures in Tampico With Funston's Men The Joy of Small Boat Sailing Husky, Wolf Dog of the North The Impossibility of War...

In 1968, the world experienced a brand-new kind of terror with the debut of George A. Romero’s landmark movie Night of the Living Dead. The newly dead rose to attack the living. Not as vampires or werewolves. This was something new . . . and terrifying. Since then, zombies have invaded every aspect of popular culture. But it all started on that dreadful night in a remote farmhouse. . . . Nights of the Living Dead returns to that night, to the outbreak, to where it all began. New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry teams with the godfather of the living dead himself, George A. Romero, to present a collection of all-new tales set during the forty-eight hours of that legendary outbreak. Nights of the Living Dead includes stories by some of today’s most important writers: Brian Keene, Carrie Ryan, Chuck Wendig, Craig E. Engler, David J. Schow, David Wellington, Isaac Marion, Jay Bonansinga, Joe R. Lansdale, John A. Russo, John Skipp, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Max Brallier, Mike Carey, Mira Grant, Neal and Brenda Shusterman, and Ryan Brown. Plus original stories by Romero and Maberry! For anyone who loves scary stories, take a bite out of this!