The first novel, The Sins of the Fathers, appeared in 1975, and A Drop of the Hard Stuff - the 17th and most recent - was published in 2011. Over the years Scudder has also been featured in 11 short works of fiction. The Merciful Angel of Death is the fifth of these; it frst appeared in 1993 in The New Mystery, Jerome Charyn's anthology of stories by members of the International Association of Crime Writers.The story was written during the depth of the AIDS epidemic, and reflects its time.The Merciful Angel of Death is included in The Night and the Music, my collection of all 11 Matthew Scudder short stories, available for Kindle or in handsome trade paperback form.

     As a society, we are fascinated by murder. It is a constant theme throughout much of our media and many news outlets will prioritise a murderous story, knowing that it will enthral readers. There is something about those who decide to take a life that makes them so incredibly interesting to the rest of us. While many of the most famous murderers are known across the world, there are those whose crimes are relatively less known. One of the strangest stories involves the married couple Fred and Rose West. Together, they killed. Up until the time they were caught, they engaged in a string of murders, each motivated by hate, jealousy, passion, and a fundamental lack of morals. In this book, we will go in-depth and learn about the history of the murderers. We will examine Fred and Rose’s early lives, their relationship, their personalities, and will ultimately try and discover what it was that drove them to become two of the most notorious killers in the history of the British Isles. Though their crimes made front page news at the time, few people outside of the country know the extent of their criminality. In this book, we will learn exactly what made their killings so infamous. For those who are in any way interested in the depths of human morality, the Wests represent some of the most depraved and sadistic murderers to have ever lived. Not only did they prey on unsuspecting young girls, but their attentions were even turned towards their own daughters. In a case involving kidnap, rape, and murder, Fred and Rose went beyond the realms of what many of us consider possible as people. Read on to learn exactly what drove Fred and Rose West to become two of history’s greatest monsters. Scroll back up and grab your copy today!

    Join Micah as she takes a walk through her past, leathers and all, for a night she soon won't forget. What can we say? Some fantasies can't be put to sleep until they are put to bed.

    She claims it was an accident. You decide.Anu Singh: All of Anu Singh's friends knew that she was about to murder her boyfriend. None of them did a thing to stop it.Adelaide Bartlett: Edwin Bartlett was dead, the victim of apparent chloroform poisoning. But who administered the toxin, his wife or her lover, the local vicar?Clara Harris: When Clara discovered that her husband was cheating, she decided to confront him head on - at 40 m.p.h., driving a Mercedes Benz.Laurie Dann: Poisoned cookies, guns and firebombs. The day Laurie Dann finally flipped.Adriana Vasco: A respectable married couple is found shot to death in their car beside a California highway. The investigation into their deaths will turn up some dirty little secrets.Barbara Opel: When Jerry Heimann is found dead, the police suspect his former employee, Barbara Opel. Except Barb didn't do the killing herself. She hired a group of teenagers to do the dirty work.Deanna Laney: The disturbing tale of a Bible-obsessed woman who murdered her four sons in order to "gain favor with God."Plus 10 more horrific true murder cases. Scroll up to grab a copy of Deadly Women Volume 6.Book Series by Robert KellerMost of my works cover serial killers, while the "Murder Most Vile" series covers individual true crime stories. These are the main collections;American Monsters50 American Serial Killers You've Probably Never Heard OfMurder Most VileHuman MonstersBritish MonstersAustralian MonstersCanadian MonstersGerman MonstersCannibal KillersPlus various other standalone books, including the The Deadly Dozen, which is available as a free download on Amazon, and Serial Killers Unsolved, which you can get for free when signing up to my mailing list.Robert Keller's True Crime eBook Categories: Serial KillersTrue CrimeSerial Killer BiographiesMurder and MayhemTrue Murder CasesSerial Killer Case FilesTrue Crime Short Stories

    Jillian Sayles saw the concept one random night where insomnia was present while strolling Pinterest. She asked her friends to fly in for dinner and surprisingly, everyone obliged. This short story by National Best-Selling Author, Nako is pleasantly sweet and to the point. NAKO sheds light and emphasis on the importance of friendship centered around black women. If reading short stories are not your thing, please pass over this story. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Upon the distant shore prowls an ancient sea god kept captive by a generations-old spell, a spell that Meriel alone must protect.Meriel's life has been lonely and unchanging--until the arrival of Nor. Nor's shape is that of a woman, but her heart belongs to the sea. Even though Nor is also held captive by Meriel's spell, she shows kindness to the isolated witch. Nor sparks a passion within Meriel, defying every law that binds them both.This award-winning short story ("The Witch Sea" won first place in the "Kissed by Venus" Fresh Voices short story competition) is a dark fantasy tale of love, loss and the price of freedom.

    Her husband had left her three years ago, and in spite of her best friends' efforts, she hadn't had a date since.Deb was a gorgeous woman with cropped but stylish blonde hair, sharp features, and an athletic build. In other words, the perfect woman in Jocelyn's eyes, and the last woman Jocelyn would expect to want her.Cooking for Love is an 8000-word short story.

    She jumps at the chance to guide a group of foster children through a community haunted house—never suspecting that her partner Kim will provide her with a trick and treat of her own.This short story, “A Treat for Halloween Tricksters,” takes place after the events in the novel "L.A. Metro."Join Jess McKenna and Kim Donovan as they celebrate their first Halloween as a couple.

    . . in October. A dangerous man is stalking the hallways, and three teens harbor a secret that may get everyone killed if they don't figure out how to stop the snow and the rampage. Epic Award nominated author Howard Odentz is the author of the Dead (A Lot) Trilogy, the stand-alone horror novel Bloody Bloody Apple, and the short story collection Little Killers A to Z.

    Leland isn’t just his boss, though. He’s the son of the company’s CEO. And Brian has fallen in love. Hurt by too many stolen kisses and nooners at seedy hotels, Brian finally broke off their secret affair two weeks ago. Leland isn’t ready to let Brian go and he isn’t above seducing Brian — again — to give them both what they really want for Christmas: each other.This free short story was originally written for the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's 2010 holiday event and appears in the event's Stuff My Stocking: M/M Romance Stories that are Nice and… Naughty anthology.

     The town of San Adrian has been taken over by an outlaw, a wife-murderer, and violent man who won't succumb to Jacob's usual methods. He must protect the sheriff's widow, the townspeople, and himself all while unmasking this despicable character. If you love traditional westerns, with noble men fighting for what's right, you're going to love Jacob Payne. This novella is 15,000 words and can be read in one sitting!

    Subtle horror unexpected is many times more chilling and terrifying than horror that smacks you in the face.

    It was Halloween and Samantha`s contractions were unbearable so her husband rushed his pregnant wife to the hospital to deliver their new bundle of joy. Mike told the doctor and nurse to take great care of his wife. The doctor and nurse reassured Mike they would take very good care of her and not to worry. Mike waited patiently in the waiting room as the doctor and nurse delivered their beautiful baby. After a few hours the baby finally arrived and the doctor entered the waiting room and told Mike to come in the room and see his new baby. Mike entered and his wife was all smiles and said "Honey, it`s a boy!" "I think he looks like a Johnny. What do you think?" asked his wife. "Johnny sounds fine to me," replied Mike. Mike was so excited and held his baby boy in his arms as tears rolled down his cheeks and said "Darling, I think he likes me." Mike stayed the night in his wife's room with their new baby, but as they were both sleeping, an unforeseen force came in their room that was about to change their lives forever, when they both woke in the morning. Morning came, and Samantha was discharged from the hospital, and time for their new baby to be raised in their new home. It wasn't until after little Johnny turned 6 years of age that things around the Delany Estate turned deadly. The first sign that Johnny had the mark of the beast was June 6. It was the 6th month, 6th day, and Johnny was 6. All the numbers represented 666.

     The execution was scheduled and the last meal consumed. The coolness of the poisons entering the blood system slowed the heart rate and sent him on the way to Judgement. He had paid for his crime with years on Death Row waiting for this moment and now he would pay for them again as the judgment continued... From Matt Shaw, author of Sick B*stards, PORN and 2016: A Year of Horror and Pain", comes a new psychological horror. A Short story of 12,000 words.

    And it has a pest problem. A very big pest problem.Originally published on Reflection's Edge.com, Vermin is classic horror designed to get under your skin. Read it with the lights on. And a can of Raid.