Watson, it is only now that, owing to his recent death, the full biography and facts of his life can be brought before the public. This volume brings together for the first time every known fact that can be fully authenticated about the life of one of the world's most extraordinary men, and reveals much more about him that has not been heretofore generally known. From twenty years' research into every possible source, the author has written as definitive an account as could ever be assembled. Sherlock Holmes was born on January 6th, 1854, the third and last son of Siger and Violet Holmes, of North Riding, Yorkshire. He traveled widely on the continent as a boy, where he learned six languages. Displaying most unusual talents at an early age, he attended an English boarding school, and in 1872 entered Oxford. He soon decided to train himself to become a consulting detective, and before long he was starting to take cases. Except for a period when he was an actor, he pursued his chosen career thereafter and of course became famous after Dr. Watson started to write about him. This book reveals far more than Watson ever could, including the whole story of his running battle with the infamous Professor Moriarty, his dangerous brush with Jack with Ripper, his long association and love for Irene Adler, the question of his own son, and the story of his retirement, the writing of his great book, and the circumstances of his death. In short, this book contains everything that can be told about Holmes. It is a marvelous reconstruction from very scattered sources, and the amazing but always scrupulously accurate story of a great man.Contents:1: Genteel gypsies: 1854-64 --2: Old Sherman, Winwood Reade, Maitre Bencin, and Professor Moriarty: 1864-72 --3: Oxford and Cambridge: 1872-77 --4: Montague Street: 1877-79 --5: On stage and off in England and America: 1879-81 --6: Early days on Baker Street: 1881-83 --7: First Mrs Watson: 1883-86 --8: Woman: November 1886-May 1887 --9: Orange Pips, red-headed men, and a blue carbuncle: May-December 1887 --10: Back to Baker Street: January 1888 --Interruption: Three stories from the London Times: August 10, September 1, September 10, 1888 --11: To meet Mr Mycroft Holmes: Wednesday, September 12, 1888 --12: Sign of the four: Tuesday, September 18-Friday, September 21, 1888 --13: Dr James Mortimer and Sir Henry Baskerville: Tuesday, September 25-Saturday, September 29, 1888 --Interruption: Two stories from the London Times: October 1 and 2, 1888 --14: Horror Hound: Sunday, September 30-Saturday, October 20, 1888 --15: Jack the Harlot Killer: Friday, November 9-Sunday, November 11, 1888 --16: Second Mrs Watson: 1819-90 --17: Final problem? Friday, April 24-Monday, May 4, 1891 --Entr'acte: Dr Watson, writer --18: Meeting in Montenegro: June 1891 --19: Venture into the unknown: 1891-93 --20: Return of Sherlock Holmes: Thursday, April 5, 1894 --21: Game's afoot again: 1894-95 --22: Crowded years: 1896-1902 --23: Third Mrs Watson: July 1902-October 1903 --24: Sussex Downs: 1909 --25: His last bow: Sunday, August 2, 1914 --Epilogue: Sherlock Holmes walks at sunset: Sunday, January 6, 1957 --Appendix 1: Chronological Holmes --Appendix 2: Bibliographical Holmes: a selective compilation.

    If one of them can shoot like me... the odds are a damn sight better."In the course of his line of business, the man who calls himself Roy Martin has robbed a bank in Phoenix, killed three men, and caught a bullet in his arm. Safety--and one half of $178,000--awaits him on the other side of the country. All that separates "Martin" from his destination are two thousand treacherous miles and three lethal temptations: to trust the wrong friend, to love the right woman, and to start believing that a man like himself can ever be safe.The Name of the Game is Death combines a narrative as taut as a hangman's rope with chillingly authentic insights into the psychology of casual murder.

    Then on her day off, she links up with two hiking companions who have inadvertently stumbledupon a scene of blood vengeance. And suddenly the life Nicola adores is in danger of coming to an abrupt, brutal, and terrifying end . .

    The thriller that introduces Parker. “A brilliant invention”. Played by Lee Marvin in the John Boorman movie. “The funnies call it the syndicate. The goons and hustlers call it the Outfit. You call it the Organization. But I don’t care if you call yourselves the Red Cross, you owe me forty-five thousand dollars and you’ll pay me back whether you like it or not.”This novel was originally titled The Hunter, later retitled Point Blank because of the movie, later retitled Payback because of the other movie.

    But Kirby is destined to inherit the magical power to freeze time itself--a power that could rock the entire universe.

    Before his rival reached the last hurdle, he was dead. Alan knew racing was dangerous; he also knew Bill's death was no accident. It was the kind of knowledge that could get a man killled...."The best thriller writer going."THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY

    The Indians say it is guarded by ghosts...but Gary and Tuck refuse to believe that ghosts use live ammunition.

    Two classic mysteries originally published in 1957 and 1950, with a new introduction by Tom Nolan, author of Ross Macdonald: A Biography.

    

    DanielsThe children of Alda Nuova / Robert WallstenMiss Phipps improvises / Phyllis BentleyThe man who looked like Napoleon / Robert BlochWhen the fog is right / Rick RubinThe nine-to-five man / Stanley EllinThe adventure of the artist's mottle / Robert L. FishOrdeal in darkness / William P. McGivernVisit to the big city / Michael ZuroyThe trail of the Catfish / Allen LantOut of this nettle / Robert TwohyThe Sunday Fishing Club / Victor CanningManhunt on Dead Yank Creek / Robert Edmond AlterBONUS STORIESCui bono / Stephen BarrA handful of dust / A.H.Z. CarrThe man inside / Hugh Pentecost

    

    Contains "The Little Sister", "The Long Goodbye", "Playback", and the introduction from "The Simple Art of Murder".

    All of these stories were adapted for the TV series Alfred Hitchcock Presents.Contents:A Crime for Mothers -- The Man in the Next Cell -- And Beauty the Prize -- A Woman's Help -- Father Amion's Long Shot -- Servant Problem -- Keep Me Company -- Cop for a Day -- Welcome Home -- Murder Out of a Hat -- First-class Honeymoon -- The Right Kind of Medicine -- The Last Remains -- Thicker than Water -- Won't You Be My Valentine? -- Burglar Proof

    Watson became widows at the same time.For years now, Rachel has been her grandfather’s secretary, the infamous archaeologist Hammond Watson.Hammond Watson’s love of Viking history was only matched by his glee at tearing into other archaeologists’ long-held theories.It never helped that he was always proven right in the end.And he had loved Rachel too, nurturing in her the same curiosity for new discoveries and suspicion of the pompous and sycophantic academia.She travelled around with him, dismissing the rumours that her grandfather led to the death of a disgraced Danish archaeologist, one Hans Ascomann.Ascomann allegedly died of a broken heart, after Hammond revealed that a piece of evidence Ascomann used to prove his pet theory, was actually a forgery.While staying in Copenhagen, she meets Erik Petersen and the two embark on a whirlwind romance.Three weeks later, and the pair are married.But before the honeymoon even begins, gone is the passionate, romantic Erik she fell in love with.He treats her coldly and cruelly, and is only interested in working with her grandfather, who offered Erik work on his latest dig in Holland.Rachel is stuck in a loveless marriage, sure that her now husband only wanted to gain access to the capricious Hammond Watson.Instead of being with her, he takes to rifling through her grandfather’s belongings – clearly looking for something.And then an accident happens and both Hammond Watson and Erik Petersen are tragically killed.Then just a few hours after the memorial, a man shows up at her grandfather’s house. Her father's last assistant, Adrian Brent swears it’s her husband.But Rachel doesn’t recognise him – in fact, he’s definitely not Erik, the man she married. He doesn’t even act like Erik.Yet everything from his passport to his papers, say he is Erik Flemming Petersen.How is that possible? Who is this stranger? And more importantly, if this stranger is right, then who really was her husband?Rachel isn’t going to let this mystery go unsolved, and the journey ahead is a much darker, bloodier trail then she could’ve ever anticipated…Teach Yourself Treachery is a chilling and suspenseful thriller, filled with memorable characters and intelligent twists.John Burke (1922-2011) was born in Sussex and served in the Royal Air Force and Royal Marines during World War Two. He wrote several crime novels and thrillers under the names Jonathan Burke, J.F. Burke and John Burke, including Swift Summer (1949), which won the Atlantic Award in Literature. Some of his other novels appeared under the pseudonyms of Joanna Jones, Sara Morris, Jonathan George and Owen Burke.