*No one ever suspects the quiet ones...* Billy Smith is just an ordinary guy. He has a house, a car, a job, and even an ex-wife. He’s the neighbor you would invite to a barbecue; the boss you would share a few drinks with after work. *Too bad he’s a vampire.* Until this week, Billy thought he had things under wraps, but events quickly spiral out of his control when too many people learn his secret. Now Billy must face the ghosts of his past while battling the megalomaniacs of his present, all while asking himself the most important question of all: **IS MR. SMITH AFRAID OF THE DARK?**

Before Call of Duty, before World of Warcraft, before even Super Mario Bros., the video game industry exploded in the late 1970s with the advent of the video arcade. Leading the charge was Atari Inc., the creator of, among others, the iconic game Missile Command. The first game to double as a commentary on culture, Missile Command put the players’ fingers on “the button,†? making them responsible for the fate of civilization in a no-win scenario, all for the price of a quarter. The game was marvel of modern culture, helping usher in both the age of the video game and the video game lifestyle. Its groundbreaking implications inspired a fanatical culture that persists to this day.As fascinating as the cultural reaction to Missile Command were the programmers behind it. Before the era of massive development teams and worship of figures like Steve Jobs, Atari was manufacturing arcade machines designed, written, and coded by individual designers. As earnings from their games entered the millions, these creators were celebrated as geniuses in their time; once dismissed as nerds and fanatics, they were now being interviewed for major publications, and partied like Wall Street traders. However, the toll on these programmers was high: developers worked 120-hour weeks, often opting to stay in the office for days on end while under a deadline. Missile Command creator David Theurer threw himself particularly fervently into his work, prompting not only declining health and a suffering relationship with his family, but frequent nightmares about nuclear annihilation. To truly tell the story from the inside, tech insider and writer Alex Rubens has interviewed numerous major figures from this time: Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari; David Theurer, the creator of Missile Command; and Phil Klemmer, writer for the NBC series Chuck, who wrote an entire episode for the show about Missile Command and its mythical “kill screen.†? Taking readers back to the days of TaB cola, dot matrix printers, and digging through the couch for just one more quarter, Alex Rubens combines his knowledge of the tech industry and experience as a gaming journalist to conjure the wild silicon frontier of the 8-bit ’80s. 8-Bit Apocalypse: The Untold Story of Atari's Missile Command offers the first in-depth, personal history of an era for which fans have a lot of nostalgia.

Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum? is a tongue in cheek cocktail book for the former '90s kid and those just discovering how cool old-school Nickelodeon and Delia's once were. With recipes for alcoholic versions of childhood favorites like Ecto-Cooler and Mondo as well as creative pop-culture inspired originals like the Rum and Stimpy and Semi-Warmed Kind of Cider, this is a perfectly giftable mix of humor, nostalgia, and tasty recipes.

The 'BRITISH MURDER MYSTERIES Boxed Set' encompasses an illustrious collection that transcends the mere confines of thriller classics, detective novels, and true crime stories, presenting readers with a panorama of literary artistry. From the fog-laden streets of Victorian London to the intricate puzzles of the early twentieth century, this anthology showcases a diverse range of storytelling techniques, narrative structures, and ingenious plot developments that have shaped and defined the genre. The inclusion of standout pieces from renowned figures adds depth, ensuring the collections place within the broader literary context of mystery and detective fiction. The anthology not merely entertains but serves as a testament to the evolution of the mystery genre. The contributing authors, including luminaries such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and Wilkie Collins, among others, collectively offer a rich tapestry of cultural and historical perspectives. Their individual and joint contributions illuminate the myriad ways in which the mystery genre has encapsulated societal anxieties, moral dilemmas, and the quintessential human quest for justice and truth. The backgrounds of these authors, spanning different epochs and socio-political milieu, reflect the evolution of detective fiction in response to changing societal norms and literary tastes, aligning the collection with significant cultural and literary movements. This anthology is an indispensable treasure for aficionados of the mystery genre, educators seeking to broaden their curriculum, and anyone with an interest in the intersection between crime, society, and literature. The 'BRITISH MURDER MYSTERIES Boxed Set' offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the works of some of the most influential figures in detective literature. It invites readers to embark on a labyrinthine journey through the hallmarks of suspense and intrigue, providing a unique lens through which to explore the complexities of human nature and the perennial allure of the mysterious.

Murder Mysteries: 350+ Detective Novels & True Crime Stories is an unprecedented anthology that presents a panoramic view of the detective and mystery genre, embodying a diverse array of literary styles and themes from the pens of some of the most iconic names in the field. The collection spans a wide temporal and geographical range, offering readers a comprehensive journey through the evolution of detective fiction and true crime narratives. From the fog-laden streets of London to the mysterious countryside estates, the anthology showcases the genre's ability to adapt and thrive across different contexts, featuring enigmatic cases and unforgettable detectives that have captivated readers for generations. This collection stands as a testament to the genre's versatility and enduring appeal, including seminal works that have defined and pushed the boundaries of detective literature. The authors represented in this collection are luminaries of the genre, each bringing a unique voice and perspective to the canon of detective and mystery literature. Collectively, their backgrounds span across different epochs and socio-cultural landscapes, mirroring the expansive breadth of the genre itself. The anthology highlights the genre's influence on and contributions to various literary movements, from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction to more modern reinterpretations of the detective narrative. Through their works, this distinguished cohort of authors offers a rich tapestry of crime and mystery, reflecting broader societal concerns, as well as the human fascination with the macabre and the enigmatic. For aficionados of the detective and mystery genre, Murder Mysteries: 350+ Detective Novels & True Crime Stories provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore the depth and breadth of the genre. It invites readers on a compelling journey through history, psychology, and suspense, offering insights into human nature and societal dynamics. This anthology is an indispensable resource for anyone eager to delve into the complexity of crime literature, promising not only a deeper appreciation for the artistry behind these tales but also a broader understanding of the cultural and historical contexts that shaped them. Engaging with this collection is an educative encounter, enriching the reader's literary landscape with each page turned.

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