Book picks similar to
Zügzwang by Lindsay Smith


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espionage
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Interim Errantry: Three Tales of The Young Wizards


Diane Duane - 2015
     "Interim Errantry" contains: The novella "Not On My Patch", the tale of an unusual Halloween in the Young Wizards' neighborhood, featuring overage Trick Or Treating, suburban zombies, and the Attack of the Killer Pumpkins. The novelette "How Lovely Are Thy Branches", a holiday-themed Young Wizards story in which an alien wizard who looks a lot like a Christmas tree gets the gift he wants most -- decorations -- and a memorable party and sleepover party are disrupted by a superblizzard and an incursion of alien ghosts. And finally, the new original Young Wizards novel "Lifeboats", the tale of a distant world threatened by unavoidable doom, an intervention that takes thousands of Earth's wizards, young and old, into harm's way, and a Valentine's Day that absolutely doesn't go as planned...

Sanction


William Hunter - 2017
    With his cover blown, Garrett is on the run from an assassin desperate to erase his tracks, and authorities who believe he is responsible for the murder. Banastre Montjoy, a burned-out head of section at the Secret Intelligence Service, is in a race himself to discover if the scholar's death is linked to a bombing of the London Underground a year earlier. Montjoy's nemesis, the power-hungry and scheming Berwyn Rees, seeks to drum his rival out of MI6, while maneuvering to become deputy chief.With time running out, SOG operators are sent in by the CIA to locate and extract Garrett. As Laurent, MI5, and Scotland Yard close in on their target, Montjoy uncovers a devastating secret, one that someone inside the British government has sought to keep buried since World War II.

The Complete Double Dead


Chuck Wendig - 2016
    People don’t, as a rule. And that’s okay, because he doesn’t like people much either. People are food.Five years ago, Coburn went to sleep – wasn’t exactly planned – and he’s just woken up to find most everybody in the world dead. Not dead like him; he looks human, drinks blood. He’s smart. They’re... none of those things. They outnumber him by about a million to one, and their clotted blood cannot sustain him.Now he’s starving, and on the run. He has to find blood, soon, and – like it or not – he’s gonna have to keep an eye on the frail flesh-bags he finds it in. Time for the wolf to turn shepherd.No, Coburn doesn’t like people. But he’ll have to learn to.

The Cat's Pajamas and Other Stories


James K. Morrow - 2004
    Other outlandish tales include John Wayne battling cancer using a highly alternative therapy, a gene for integrity being harvested from the brain of an unwilling donor, and the landing of Christopher Columbus in modern-day Manhattan. Included are the Locus and Nebula Award-nominated novelette Auspicious Eggs and several previously unpublished pieces.ContentsIntroduction by Michael Swanwick“Auspicious Eggs”“Come Back, Dr. Sarcophagus”“Director’s Cut”“Fucking Justice”“Isabella of Castile Answers Her Mail”“Martyrs of the Upshot Knothole”“The Cat’s Pajamas”“The Eye That Never Blinks”“The Fate of Nations”“The War of the Worldviews”“The Wisdom of the Skin”“The Zombies of Montrose”

Sorcerer's Luck


Katharine Kerr - 2013
    Some she keeps from herself, like her mysterious talent for sorcery. Some she knows too well, like the rare disease that threatens to kill her-or someone else. When she meets Tor Thorlaksson, a sorcerer and runemaster, he seems to offer an escape from her deadly problems. But he knows secrets about them both, and these could turn her world upside-down.

Levon's Trade


Chuck Dixon - 2014
    He just wants to live an anonymous life and be a good dad to his daughter. But when a local girl vanishes he’s asked to return to the skills that made him a mythic figure in the shadowy world of counter-terrorism. His hunt for the missing college student takes him to the heart of a vicious criminal conspiracy. Levon’s actions create a chain reaction that threatens all he holds dear. It’s time for him to return to his trade. And Levon’s trade is death. Long recognized as one of the seminal writers on Marvel Comics’ The Punisher, Chuck Dixon returns to the brand of vigilante justice that made him a legendary writer of action stories.

Faerie Protective Services: An Urban Fantasy Thriller


Robert McKinney - 2020
    I'm a half-orc, a bodyguard, and a fair hand with a rifle. Back in the day, I fought in two wars. One was in uniform for good ole Uncle Sam. The other was under the banner of The Erlking - Iron Lord of goblins, half-bloods, and orcs.Being a vet two times over never bothered me until one hell of a job dragged me out of the mortal world, and back to the land of Faerie. Now I've got to get my client over the US-Mexico border before the next best thing to a fairy goddess finds, enslaves, and kills us - though maybe not in that order.Think I can make it past the elves, gunmen, and magical forces of nature standing in my way?

The Ninth Science Fiction Megapack: Classic and Modern Science Fiction


Arthur C. Clarke - 2014
    Clough FOR I AM A JEALOUS PEOPLE! by Lester del Rey LUVVER, by Mack Reynolds FROG LEVEL, by Bud Webster CAPTAINS CONSPIRING AT THEIR MUTINIES, by Jay Lake SHIFTING SEAS, by Stanley G. Weinbaum THROUGH TIME AND SPACE WITH FERDINAND FEGHOOT: 8, by Grendel Briarton ROCK GARDEN, by Kevin O'Donnell, Jr. THE GENOA PASSAGE, by George Zebrowski EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, by Ray Faraday Nelson I AM TOMORROW, by Lester del Rey WHEN THEY COME FROM SPACE, by Mark Clifton THE SEALED SKY, by Cynthia Ward METEOR STRIKE! by Donald E. Westlake WAITING FOR THE COIN TO DROP, by Dean Wesley Smith BEYOND THE DARKNESS, by S. J. Byrne THE SMALLEST GOD, by Lester del Rey THE SCIENCE FICTION ALPHABET, by Allen Glasser CANAL, by Carl Jacobi THE LOCH MOOSE MONSTER, by Janet Kagan MY FAIR PLANET, by Evelyn E. Smith BEFORE EDEN, by Arthur C. Clarke SEQUENCE, by Carl Jacobi PREFERRED RISK, by Frederik Pohl and Lester del Rey INTEVIEW: FREDERIK POHL, conducted by Darrell SchweitzerIf you enjoy this book, search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see the more than 100 other entries in the series, covering science fiction, modern authors, mysteries, westerns, classics, adventure stories, and much, much more!

Age of Anansi


James Lovegrove - 2012
    until the day the spider appears. What looks like an ordinary arachnid turns out to be Anansi, the trickster god of African legend, and its arrival throws Dion’s existence into chaos. Dion’s already impressive legal brain is sharpened. He becomes nimbler-witted and more ruthless, able to manipulate and deceive like never before, both in and out of court. He has been transformed into Anansi’s avatar on earth.Then he discovers the price he has to pay for his new-found skills: he must travel to America and take part in a contest between avatars of all the other trickster gods. It’s a life-or-death battle of wits, full of skulduggery and double-cross. At the end, only one will be left standing.

Dark Watcher


Lilith Saintcrow - 2004
    Her talent for healing has marked her as different all through a life spent moving from town to town when someone notices her strangeness. Now she has a home, and she doesn't want to leave--but she's been found. The Crusade wants her dead because she's psychic, the Dark wants to feed on her talent, and then there's Dante. Tall and grim and armed with black-bladed knives, guns, and a sword, he says he's here to protect her. But what if he's what Theo needs protection from most? The Watcher: Dante is a Watcher, sworn by Circle Lightfall to protect the Lightbringers. His next assignment? Watch over Theo. She doesn't know she's a Lightbringer, she doesn't know she's surrounded by enemies, and she doesn't know she's been marked for death by a bunch of fanatics. He can't protect her if she doesn't trust him, but how can she possibly trust a man scarred by murder and warfare--a man who smells like the same Darkness Theo has been running from all her life? Bounced around the world as a military brat, Lilith Saintcrow fell in love with writing in second grade and never looked back. She currently resides in Vancouver, Washington, with two children, a menagerie, and books. Find her on the web at lilithsaintcrow.com.

The Jane Yellowrock World Companion


Faith Hunter - 2013
    Now, she’s back and better than ever, as USA Today bestselling author Faith Hunter gives readers an in-depth glimpse at Jane’s world…plus an all-new Jane Yellowrock novella! The gritty, sexy, and thrilling New Orleans of the Jane Yellowrock novels is about to be exposed in a whole new way. Filled with brand new, original content, this guide is a must-have for any fan. *Delve into the history of the characters in the series, including the vampire clans. *Get better acquainted with Jane’s inner Beast with her in-depth guide to humanity. *Relive all the action with an essential timeline of Jane’s exploits as a vampire slayer and a comprehensive glossary of terms. *Experience Jane’s latest thrilling adventure in an all-new Jane Yellowrock novella. Plus, includes an exclusive sneak peek of the next Jane Yellowrock novel!

Chalk


Paul Cornell - 2017
    But one day they force him into the woods, and the bullying escalates into something more; something unforgivable; something unthinkable.Broken, both physically and emotionally, something dies in Waggoner, and something else is born in its place.In the hills of the West Country a chalk horse stands vigil over a site of ancient power, and there Waggoner finds in himself a reflection of rage and vengeance, a power and persona to topple those who would bring him low.Paul Cornell plumbs the depths of magic and despair in this brutal exploration of bullying in Margaret Thatcher's England.

Debut for a Spy


Harry Currie - 2011
     Former Canadian military officer David Baird, now an up-and-coming singer in Britain, is invited to perform at a reception in the Soviet Embassy. Approached by British Intelligence to ‘keep his eyes and ears open’ while he deals with the Soviets, Baird thinks there’s nothing to it. But when he stumbles upon a plot to sabotage Britain’s development of a top-secret vertical-take-off jet fighter, he finds himself plunged into a dark world of secrets, murder and espionage. A beautiful Soviet agent with dark, degrading secrets, a KGB assassin, a Soviet cruise ship heading for Odessa with a mysterious cargo, and a smooth-talking Soviet cultural attaché who is more than his title suggests – Baird discovers that by fighting monsters there is a danger of becoming one. The terrifying dual climax takes place in the skies over the North Atlantic, and in a secret Soviet safe house used for both for interrogation and depraved sex-sting operations. In over his head, and afraid for his life, David must decide how far he is willing to go in order to foil the Soviets’ plans and protect those he holds most dear. With his Debut as a Spy Baird’s life will be changed forever… 'Debut For A Spy' is a brilliantly authentic espionage thriller that is perfect for fans of Jack Higgins and Robert Harris. ‘Meticulously researched, empathetic character portrayal, wonderfully painted scenes. The fast paced Harrier sorties were great fun for an old fighter pilot like me.’ - Flight Lieutenant John Dunlop - RCAF (Ret'd), Air Canada 767 Captain (Ret'd) ‘A novel equal to Le Carré and Higgins. Fast-paced, hair-raising confrontations with the KGB, carnal scenes tastefully outstanding, handling of the Harrier right on. A first-rate, excellent novel from start to finish.’ - Major General Richard Rohmer - fighter pilot and best-selling author. Harry Currie is a Canadian musician, author and journalist now living in Thailand. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.

Forever Red


Margaret Stohl - 2015
    Trained from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the title of Black Widow by Ivan Somodorov, her brutal teacher at the Red Room, Moscow’s infamous academy for operatives.Ava Orlova is just trying to fit in as an average Brooklyn teenager, but her life has been anything but average.The daughter of a missing Russian quantum physicist, Ava was once subjected to a series of ruthless military experiments—until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed under S.H.I.E.L.D. protection. Ava has always longed to reconnect with her mysterious savior, but Black Widow isn’t really the big sister type.Until now.When children all over Eastern Europe begin to go missing, and rumors of smuggled Red Room tech light up the dark net, Natasha suspects her old teacher has returned—and that Ava Orlova might be the only one who can stop him. To defeat the madman who threatens their future, Natasha and Ava must unravel their pasts. Only then will they discover the truth about the dark-eyed boy with an hourglass tattoo who haunts Ava’s dreams…Black Widow: Forever Red features all the heart-pounding adventure readers expect from Marvel, written by #1 New York Times best-selling author Margaret Stohl. Uncover a new side of the Marvel Universe that will thrill loyal fans and newcomers alike, as Stohl reveals the untold story of Black Widow for the very first time.

Blind Date


John P. Logsdon - 2017
    So when members of his squad set him up on a blind date with a normal they claim can keep up with him, he's clearly intrigued.And things are going great...until he spots someone at the bar who looks familiar. He goes to check out who the guy is (being ever the cop), but can't find him. When he returns to his date, he finds an empty chair. That's when Ian remembers the guy, and realizes she's been kidnapped. Ian knows him as Kidnap Jack, a vampire who has a history of kidnapping women, getting them to fall in love with him, and feeding on them. But this is the third time he's hijacked one of Ian's dates. The other two times were very long ago, which was why Ian couldn't quite place the face.Join Ian as he chases after Jack in order to get his date back safely. Then you'll learn the real reason this guy has been tormenting Ian all these years.