Ann Lebrick cheerfully accepted an assignment to photograph the ocelots of Miss Estelle Marlow. On arrival at the Marlow estate, Black Tor, where she was to stay for a week, she found herself in a brooding atmosphere of great wealth, guarded isolation from the rest of mankind, and black clouds of suspicion. She became uneasy at Miss Marlow's apparent lack of interest in photographs of her ocelots. She was worried when her fiance telephoned her, imploring her to leave at once. She was liter...

Here for your reading delectation, are 25 outre tales of crime. Since history has proven that there is nothing unusual or unexpected about the human (or inhuman) drive to break the law, it should come as no surprise that the weird, the strange, the supernatural, and the just plain odd often, in fictional form, manifest themselves allayed to the criminal element. Included are:INTRODUCTION, by Shawn GarrettTHE WINDOW OF HORRORS, by H.L. MenckenTHE FOOTSTEPS ON THE STAIR...

We rely on your support to help us keep producing beautiful, free, and unrestricted editions of literature for the digital age. Will you support our efforts with a donation ? When Mrs. Endicott discovers a threatening note left on her husband's desk, she summons Lieutenant Valcour to investigate. Upon his arrival, he discovers Herbert Endicott's lifeless body stuffed in a cupboard. They call for the family physician, who tries one last-ditch effort to revive him: a shot of epinephrine to t...

80 year old author/ entrepreneur, Rufus King who never learned to read or write but made an exceptional living, enough to live comfortably and leave something for his children's' children, with the help of his wife, Debbie King has written this book to reveal to you the secrets that with the small one time investment can bring you a lifetime of blessings.

"Sketches of St. Augustine" by Rufus King Sewall offers a vivid portrayal of the historic city of St. Augustine, Florida, capturing its unique charm and rich cultural heritage. Through detailed descriptions and engaging narratives, Sewall invites readers to explore the city's colonial architecture, lush landscapes, and vibrant community life. The book serves as both a travelogue and a historical account, providing insights into the city's past while celebrating its enduring beauty. Sewall'...

Rufus King (1893–1966) was an American author of Whodunit crime novels. He created four series of detective stories: the first one with Reginald De Puyster, a sophisticated detective similar to Philo Vance; the second one with his more famous character, Lieutenant Valcour; Colin Starr, who appeared in four stories in the Strand Magazine during 1940/41; and Detective Bill Duggan, who appeared in three stories in 1956/57. The Bill Duggan stories include King's most famous short work, “Malice...

In "Sketches of St. Augustine," Rufus King Sewall offers a vivid and immersive portrayal of Florida's oldest city, blending historical narrative with personal reflection. Sewall's literary style is marked by a keen observational eye and lyrical prose, as he weaves together rich descriptions of St. Augustine'Äôs landscapes and architecture with insightful commentary on its cultural and social dynamics. The work, situated within the 19th-century American travel literature genre, reflects the...

An extortionist's note, demanding $20,000 in cash and threatening the kidnapping of Kate Willett's two mentally unbalanced sons, sent Lieutenant Valcour rushing up to the Willetts' Adirondacks camp.There, death struck with slashing suddenness while Valcour was talking to young Arthur Willett, who was sprawled on a sofa smoking a cigarette. Listening to the crackling roar of flames in the fireplace, Valcour detected the odor of burning cloth. He glanced at Arthur to find the cigaret...

Who doesn’t like a good mystery? Here are 25 great noir crime and mystery stories by some of the top fictioneers of the 20th century, ripped from the pages of such magazines as The Black Mask Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Secret Agent X, Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine -- and many more! Hours of great reading await...if you dare proceed!LET HER KILL HERSELF, by Rufus KingTHE SPENT DAYS, by Fletcher FloraCONSOLATION PRIZE, by Stephen Wasylyk

Murder -- it's one of the staples of mystery fiction. One of the unwritten rules of the mystery novel is to start your murder in the first chapter...and on the first page, if possible! Collected here are 22 tales of murder. Some are fiendish. ("The Doorbell" is especially chilling.) Some are exotic. (Egyptian mummy murder? You bet!) Some take place in far-off locations. (The Canadian woods? At sea? In foreign countries? Why not!) What they all have in common, though, is a criminal mastermi...

Rufus King returns to the maritime mystery genre with "Murder on the Yacht." A lawyer disappears from a taxi cab on the way to join a party aboard the giant luxury yacht "The Crusader." Where did he go and what happened to him? Lt. Valcour joins the cruise to find out, mixing with a varied bunch of eccentric guests and crewmen, including a psychic. But will she provide clues or a smokescreen for the culprits? Another thrilling Lt. Valcour mystery!

Welcome to The Fourth Mystery MEGAPACK®! This time we have a stellar lineup for your reading pleasure, drawing stories from a wide variety of sources -- including not only the traditional mystery magazines (such as Ellery Queen's and Alfred Hitchcock's), but also their less-well-known rivals (remember The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Magazine? Keyhole Detective?). Some are from science fiction magazines (mysteries can appear anywhere!) and some are from mainstream sources, by authors not normally a...