by Colin Heston (Editor), Dick Donovan (Author)

Cops and Criminals in Russia, edited by Colin Heston, brings together a gripping collection of early detective fiction set within the shadowy world of imperial Russia’s secret police. Featuring Dick Donovan’s celebrated tales—The Chronicles of Michael Danevitch of the Russian Secret Service this volume offers readers a rare glimpse into a world where crime, espionage, and state power are inseparably entwined.

At the center of these stories stands Michael Danevitch, a master investigator navigating a landscape of conspiracies, political intrigue, and dangerous secrets. Unlike the gentleman detectives of Victorian England, Danevitch operates within the machinery of the Russian state itself, where justice is often subordinate to necessity and truth is obscured by layers of deception. His cases take him from dimly lit backstreets to the inner circles of power, confronting assassins, spies, and criminals whose motives are as complex as the society they inhabit.

These stories are more than classic detective adventures. They capture a moment in history when Russia’s system of policing was evolving into a powerful instrument of political control—an evolution whose echoes can still be felt today. Through Donovan’s vivid storytelling, readers encounter a world in which surveillance, infiltration, and intrigue shape both crime and its investigation, offering a perspective that feels strikingly modern.

Expertly edited and introduced by Colin Heston, this new edition situates Donovan’s work within its broader historical and contemporary context, making it essential reading for anyone interested in crime fiction, Russian history, or the enduring relationship between law enforcement and state power.

Rich in atmosphere, suspense, and historical insight, Cops and Criminals in Russia is both a compelling literary rediscovery and a timely exploration of policing in one of the world’s most enigmatic societies.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 211p.

By Hugh Clifford.. Introduction by Graeme Newman

The East African Campaign of the First World War remains one of the most demanding and least understood theatres of that global conflict. Far removed from the trenches of Europe, it unfolded across vast expanses of dense bush, swamps, mountains, and savannah—lands where climate, terrain, and disease were often deadlier adversaries than the enemy’s rifles. In this harsh environment, the soldiers of the Gold Coast Regiment distinguished themselves with a fortitude and endurance that earned them a lasting place in the annals of imperial military history.

The Gold Coast Regiment, drawn predominantly from the peoples of West Africa and led by British officers, brought to East Africa a unique blend of discipline, adaptability, and martial tradition. Their participation in the long pursuit of General Paul von Lettow‑Vorbeck’s elusive Schutztruppe represented both a severe test of their abilities and a defining moment in their collective identity. The campaign demanded not only courage under fire but also the capacity to march extraordinary distances, survive with minimal supplies, and maintain cohesion amid the ravages of tropical disease and the unpredictable rhythms of guerrilla warfare.

Sir Hugh Clifford, K.C.M.G.—administrator, colonial governor, and a man deeply familiar with West Africa—brings a rare perspective to this narrative. His closeness to the region and its peoples lends the work a depth of understanding that extends beyond the purely military. Clifford’s account is not merely a chronicle of battles and maneuvers; it is also a tribute to the character, loyalty, and steadfastness of the African soldiers who served with such distinction. He illuminates how, in the face of profound hardship, these men forged bonds of trust and cooperation with their officers, contributing decisively to the eventual success of British and Allied arms in the region.

This book therefore stands as both a historical record and a testament—an effort to ensure that the bravery and sacrifices of the Gold Coast Regiment are neither forgotten nor overshadowed by more widely known campaigns. In revisiting their story, readers gain insight not only into a pivotal chapter of African military history but also into the wider, often overlooked global dimensions of the First World War. The narrative that follows invites us to honour the endurance, resilience, and unyielding spirit of a regiment that marched far from home and left an indelible mark on the course of the war in Africa.

Eduted By Graeme R. Newman

Crime and Custom in Colonial Society brings together, for the first time in a single volume, the complete stories from In Court and Kampong and In Days That Are Dead by Hugh Clifford—newly introduced and contextualized by Graeme Newman for modern readers.

Set in British Malaya at the height of empire, these vivid and often unsettling narratives explore a world where radically different systems of law, morality, and social obligation collide. In the kampong villages, life is governed by custom, kinship, and deeply rooted traditions. In the colonial courts, British officials impose formal legal codes that claim universality but often fail to grasp the lived realities of the people they judge. Between these two worlds lies a fraught and morally ambiguous terrain—one in which the meaning of “crime” itself is constantly contested.

Taking its title as a deliberate echo of Crime and Custom in Savage Society by Bronisław Malinowski, this volume invites readers to reconsider one of the central questions of legal and social theory: how do societies define wrongdoing, and what gives law its authority? Where Malinowski revealed the internal coherence of indigenous systems of custom, Clifford’s stories expose the tensions, misunderstandings, and injustices that arise when those systems are overridden by colonial power.

These tales are more than historical curiosities. They are gripping human dramas—stories of loyalty and betrayal, honor and punishment, authority and resistance—told with the insight of a colonial administrator who witnessed firsthand the complexities of governing a plural society. At the same time, they offer a profound meditation on legal pluralism, cultural conflict, and the limits of imposed justice—issues that remain urgently relevant in today’s globalized world.

This new edition features a substantial scholarly introduction by Graeme Newman, situating Clifford’s work within the broader traditions of criminology, anthropology, and colonial history. Crime and Custom in Colonial Society will appeal to readers of historical fiction, students of law and sociology, and anyone interested in the enduring question of how law is shaped by culture—and how it, in turn, shapes human lives.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 297p.

Edited by Graeme R. Newman

Step out of the shadow of 221B Baker Street and into the gaslit world of the "Great Detectives."

While Sherlock Holmes reigned supreme in the pages of The Strand, he was far from the only mind at work in the fog-choked streets of Victorian London. "Beyond Sherlock Holmes: The Rivals, Rogues, and Rationalists of the Golden Age" is a definitive collection of public domain masterpieces that defined the evolution of the modern thriller.

From the "ratiocination" of Edgar Allan Poe to the forensic laboratories of Dr. Thorndyke, this anthology gathers the brilliant specialists who refined, subverted, and occasionally haunted the detective genre. These are the stories that gave Holmes his fiercest competition—characters who used logic, science, and even the occult to solve the "impossible."

Inside this collection, you will discover:

• The Forensic Pioneers: Join Dr. Thorndyke as he utilizes the first true "mobile crime lab" to solve murders through microscopic analysis.

• The Logic Masters: Witness The Thinking Machine prove that "two and two make four" by thinking his way out of an inescapable prison cell.

• The Shadow Detectives: Meet Max Carrados, the blind investigator whose heightened senses allow him to observe truths that even Holmes would miss.

• The Occult Investigators: Follow Thomas Carnacki as he bridges the gap between science and the supernatural to hunt "monsters" through the lens of logic.

• The Mastermind Villains: Face the terrifying ambition of Dr. Nikola, the Victorian "supervillain" whose global reach predates Bond villains by half a century.

• The Gentleman Thieves: Cross the line with A.J. Raffles and Arsène Lupin, the brilliant "cracksmen" who prove that the detective’s mind is just as effective when applied to the perfect heist.

A Must-Have for Fans of Classic Mystery

Whether you are a scholar of criminology or a lover of "Victorian Shockers," this volume offers a panoramic view of an era defined by gaslight, cobblestones, and the birth of forensic science. Curated with an extensive introduction detailing the history and impact of these "Rivals of Sherlock," this book is more than a collection—it is a journey through the evolution of the human mind at work.

Stories included in this edition: THE MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE, Edgar Allan Poe-- THE CASE OF LAKER, ABSCONDED, Arthur Morrison-- THE CASE OF THE DIXON TORPEDO, Arthur Morrison-- THE PROBLEM OF CELL 13, Jacques Futrelle-- THE SILENT BULLET, Austin Freeman-- THE COIN OF DIONYSIUS, Ernest Bramah-- THE GATEWAY OF THE MONSTER, Wiliam Hope Hodgson-- THE RED LODGE, Russell Wakefield-- THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND, Arthur Conan Doyle-- THE IDES OF MARCH, E.W.Hornung-- THE ARREST OF ARSÈNE LUPIN, Maurice Leblanc.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 330p.

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

The Flying Squad by Edgar Wallace is a fast-paced and compelling crime novel that captures the excitement of modern policing at a time when organized crime was becoming more daring and sophisticated.

At the heart of the story is the Metropolitan Police’s elite Flying Squad, a special unit created to respond swiftly to robberies and high-stakes criminal operations. When a series of bold and carefully planned crimes begins to unsettle London, the Squad is called into action. Moving quickly across the city, they pursue a network of criminals whose intelligence and audacity make them a formidable adversary.

As the investigation unfolds, secrets emerge, alliances shift, and danger lurks at every turn. Wallace’s trademark storytelling—sharp, direct, and filled with tension—drives the narrative forward with relentless energy. The novel blends action, mystery, and suspense, offering readers both the thrill of the chase and the intrigue of a cleverly constructed plot.

Written during the golden age of crime fiction, The Flying Squad reflects a turning point in detective storytelling, where teamwork, rapid response, and coordinated strategy replace the lone investigator. Wallace’s vivid depiction of London and his insight into both criminal enterprise and police procedure give the novel a sense of realism that remains engaging today.

This classic edition invites modern readers to experience one of Edgar Wallace’s most dynamic works—a gripping tale of crime, pursuit, and justice that continues to influence the thriller genre nearly a century after its first publication.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.213..

BEYOND SCOTLAND YARD

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace — More Than Scotland Yard — Volume 7 brings together three of Edgar Wallace’s most gripping and atmospheric crime novels: The Clue of the Twisted Candle, The Crimson Circle, and The Dark Eyes of London. Each story reveals a different facet of Wallace’s extraordinary ability to craft suspenseful, fast-moving narratives filled with mystery, danger, and unforgettable characters.

In The Clue of the Twisted Candle, a baffling locked-room murder sets the stage for a clever and intricate investigation where appearances deceive and every clue leads deeper into uncertainty. The Crimson Circle introduces a shadowy organization operating beyond the reach of the law, weaving a tense story of blackmail, secrecy, and hidden power that keeps readers guessing until the final page. In The Dark Eyes of London, Wallace delivers one of his most chilling tales, exposing a sinister criminal scheme concealed beneath a façade of respectability, where vulnerability is exploited with ruthless precision.

Together, these novels move beyond the traditional boundaries of Scotland Yard detection and into a wider world of conspiracy, psychological tension, and hidden networks of crime. Wallace’s trademark style—swift pacing, sharp dialogue, and ingenious plotting—drives each story forward with relentless energy.

This volume offers a powerful showcase of Edgar Wallace at his most compelling, blending classic mystery with darker, more complex themes that continue to resonate with modern readers. For fans of vintage thrillers, detective fiction, and suspenseful storytelling, Volume 7 delivers three unforgettable journeys into the heart of crime and intrigue.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.417..

Edited by Sir Hugh Greene

The Further Rivals of Sherlock Holmes is the third volume in Hugh Greene’s celebrated series of anthologies that revive lesser‑known detective fiction from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. First published in 1973, this collection focuses particularly on crime and mystery stories set outside London, offering a contrast to the urban investigations associated with Sherlock Holmes.

Greene gathers an eclectic mix of authors—from C. L. Pirkis to Ernest Bramah, Arthur Morrison, Fergus Hume, Jacques Futrelle, and others—presenting detectives with distinct personalities, investigative styles, and moral shades. The volume features a blend of traditional detection, espionage, psychological mystery, and even touches of the gothic. Stories include cases solved by women detectives like Dora Myrl and unusual protagonists such as Judith Lee, a young lip‑reader who cracks crime through observation and intuition.

What defines this anthology is its sense of variety and rediscovery. Greene chose stories that had been overshadowed by Conan Doyle’s dominance but which reveal the richness and diversity of early crime fiction—full of ingenuity, twisted plots, and vivid period atmosphere. Together, these tales expand the world of detective literature, showcasing that Holmes was only one among many fascinating sleuths of his time.

If you’d like, I can also summarize individual stories, compare this volume with the rest of the series, or help locate a cover image.

New York.. Pantheon. 1973. 318p.

Edited by Hugh Greene

The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes is a classic anthology compiled by Hugh Greene that showcases a wide range of lesser‑known detective stories from the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. Greene sought to highlight the vibrant landscape of crime and mystery fiction that flourished alongside, and sometimes even before or beyond, Conan Doyle’s famous detective. The collection illustrates that Sherlock Holmes, while dominant today, once stood among many competing sleuths created by equally imaginative writers.

The stories Greene selected feature diverse detectives—amateur investigators, professional policemen, scientific detectives, con‑artists‑turned‑sleuths, and eccentric specialists—reflecting the creativity of the period’s crime fiction. The settings also vary widely, from London fog to rural estates, bustling streets, and exotic locales, providing a vivid panorama of the era. The anthology’s purpose is not only entertainment but also a historical reminder: Doyle was not alone in shaping detective fiction, and readers once had many “rivals” to choose from.

The cover of this edition visually underscores its period atmosphere. It depicts two men in period clothing—one standing, one lying across a cart—set against a Victorian street scene marked by signs such as “Bottle Water” and “Cork Board,” evoking the gritty, textured world these early detectives inhabited. [amazon.com]

New York.. Pantheon. 1970. 352p.

BEYOND SCOTLAND YARD

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

THE SHADOW OF THE YARD

From the fog-bound labyrinth of a madman’s lair to the sun-drenched deception of the Riviera, Volume 6 of The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace brings together three masterclasses in suspense. Here, the "King of the Thriller" pits the unassuming brilliance of Scotland Yard’s allies against the most cold-blooded predators of the jazz age.
Terror Keep
The genius of the "criminal mind" returns. J.G. Reeder—the mild-mannered investigator with the tightly furled umbrella—faces his deadliest foe: a homicidal mastermind escaped from Broadmoor and hungry for revenge. It is a race through a house of traps where death waits behind every door.
The Angel of Death
She has the face of a saint and the soul of a sociopath. Jean Briggerland is a predator who uses her beauty to mask a trail of broken lives and stolen fortunes. Can justice touch a woman who makes the law her accomplice?
The Melody of Death
A haunting tune signals a countdown to doom. Driven by a desperate secret, a man plunges into the underworld to secure a future for the woman he loves. But in Wallace’s London, every crime has a rhythm, and every rhythm has a price.
Three novels. Two legendary detectives. One master of mystery. "Whether it’s a master forger or a murderous socialite, Wallace never misses a beat."

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.373..

BEYOND SCOTLAND YARD

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman
Welcome to the fifth volume of The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace — Beyond Scotland Yard., Volume 5. As we continue our journey through the vast, thrilling archives of the man who once had a book on every bedside table in England, we move away from the procedural confines of the Yard and into the shadowy territories of global conspiracies and nocturnal terrors. Edgar Wallace was never just a writer of "whodunnits." He was a pioneer of the "thriller" in its most visceral form—a master of the ticking clock, the hidden organization, and the villain whose reach spans continents.
The Fourth Plague (1913). One of Wallace’s most ambitious early works, The Fourth Plague introduces us to the "Red Hand," a sinister Italian secret society that holds London in a grip of terror. This isn't a mere case of theft or individual murder; the Red Hand threatens the very fabric of society with a biological ultimatum. Wallace masterfully blends the tropes of the "Yellow Peril" and Italian vendetta narratives of his era into a high-stakes race against time. It is a proto-techno-thriller that showcases Wallace’s fascination with how easily modern civilization can be brought to its knees by a dedicated few.
A King by Night (1925). Written at the height of his fame and dedicated to his close friend P.G. Wodehouse, A King by Night is a different beast entirely. When a young woman from Sacramento arrives in London searching for her missing uncle, she is swept into a nightmare involving a mysterious, legendary criminal known as "The King." Set against a backdrop of fog-drenched streets and eerie country estates, this novel highlights Wallace’s ability to create a sense of mounting dread. It is a classic example of his "terror" novels—where the villain is not just a man, but a looming, almost supernatural presence.
Why "Beyond Scotland Yard"? While the "Blue Eyed Boy" of the C.I.D. often made appearances in Wallace’s work, these stories remind us that the most dangerous criminals don't always leave a trail the police can follow. Sometimes, it takes an adventurer, a victim’s desperate relative, or a rogue investigator to venture into the places where the law fears to tread.
In Volume 5, the stakes are higher, the villains are bolder, and the mysteries are shrouded in the dark corners of the world. Turn the page, and prepare to meet the criminals who thought they were beyond the reach of justice—only to find that Edgar Wallace was waiting for them.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.395..

BEYOND SCOTLAND YARD

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace: Scotland Yard and Beyond — Volume 4 brings readers two of Edgar Wallace’s most entertaining and unusual adventure novels: Bones and Bones in London. Blending humor, mystery, and crime with the author’s trademark pace and vivid storytelling, these stories reveal a lighter but no less thrilling side of Wallace’s imagination.

At the center of both novels is the unforgettable character Bones, a well-meaning but wildly unpredictable figure whose adventures unfold amid colonial intrigue, bureaucratic mishaps, and unexpected encounters with criminals and conspirators. In Bones, readers travel to the colorful and often chaotic world of colonial Africa, where the enthusiastic but frequently misguided Bones attempts to prove his courage and competence while stumbling into one outrageous situation after another.

In Bones in London, the action moves to the heart of the British capital. Far from the jungles and rivers of Africa, Bones finds himself navigating the complexities of metropolitan life, where his talent for attracting trouble follows him wherever he goes. What begins as a simple visit soon becomes entangled with crime, deception, and the watchful presence of Scotland Yard.

Filled with sharp dialogue, comic mishaps, and moments of genuine suspense, these two novels showcase Edgar Wallace’s remarkable range as a storyteller. Famous for his crime thrillers and detective tales, Wallace was equally skilled at creating characters whose humanity and humor shine through even in the midst of danger.

Volume 4 of The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace offers readers another captivating installment in this series celebrating the work of one of the most widely read writers of the early twentieth century. For fans of classic adventure, crime fiction, and unforgettable characters, these lively stories remain as engaging and entertaining today as when they were first published.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.304..

SCOTLAND YARD AND BEYOND

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and Introduced by Graeme R. Newman

The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace: Scotland Yard and More — Volume 3 brings together two exciting works by one of the most prolific and entertaining masters of crime fiction. Edgar Wallace’s stories of clever criminals, daring investigators, and ingenious plots captivated millions of readers in the early twentieth century, and they continue to deliver suspense and adventure today.

This volume features The Adventures of Heine, a lively collection of tales centered on one of Wallace’s most intriguing characters. Moving through the underworld of international intrigue and high-stakes deception, Heine encounters spies, smugglers, and master criminals in stories filled with wit, danger, and unexpected twists. Wallace’s fast-paced storytelling and sharp dialogue make each episode a memorable adventure.

Also included is the gripping novel The Girl from Scotland Yard, a thrilling story that places a determined investigator at the center of a web of mystery and crime. As secrets unfold and danger closes in, the story showcases Wallace’s remarkable ability to blend suspense, clever plotting, and dramatic tension.

Together these works reveal the rich variety of Wallace’s crime fiction—from clever short adventures to full-length mystery. Filled with secret schemes, daring investigations, and the ever-present struggle between crime and justice, Volume 3 of The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace offers another exciting glimpse into the world of classic detective storytelling.

Perfect for readers who enjoy classic mysteries, Scotland Yard investigations, and the golden age of crime fiction, this collection continues the tradition of suspense and adventure that made Edgar Wallace one of the most widely read thriller writers of his time.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.373..

 SCOTLAND YARD AND BEYOND

By Edgar Wallace. Edited and introduced by Graeme R. Newman

From the shadowed streets of London to the secret worlds of spies and master criminals, Edgar Wallace delivers the kind of high-speed storytelling that made him one of the most widely read writers of his age.

The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace — Volume 1 gathers a thrilling selection of Wallace’s most entertaining tales of intrigue, deception, and daring adventure. Within these pages readers encounter brilliant detectives, elusive thieves, secret societies, and dangerous conspiracies that challenge the keenest minds of Scotland Yard. Each story unfolds with Wallace’s trademark pace—swift, suspenseful, and filled with surprising twists.

A master of popular fiction, Wallace combined sharp dialogue, vivid characters, and ingenious plots to create stories that remain as gripping today as when they first captivated readers in the early twentieth century.

This exciting new edition invites modern readers to rediscover a classic voice of crime fiction and experience the suspense, wit, and adventure that made Edgar Wallace a legend of the thriller.

by Guy Boothby (Author), Graeme Newman (Editor), Colin Heston (Introduction)

. When the enigmatic Dr. Nikola first stepped onto the literary stage in 1895, clutching his sinister black cat Apollyon and weaving schemes that stretched from the back alleys of Shanghai to the hidden monasteries of Tibet, he didn't just capture the Victorian imagination—illegally or otherwise, he colonized it.
These volumes bring together, for the first time in a single definitive collection, the complete saga of Dr. Nikola: A Bid for Fortune, Dr. Nikola, The Lust of Hate, Dr. Nikola’s Experiment, and Farewell, Nikola. To read them in succession is to witness the birth of the modern "super-villain" and to appreciate the unique, rugged perspective Boothby brought to the crowded field of late-Victorian sensation fiction.
Born in Adelaide in 1867, Guy Newell Boothby was the son of a prominent South Australian parliamentarian. While he eventually found fame in the drawing rooms of London, his formative years were spent in the wide-open, often unforgiving landscapes of the Australian colonies.
In the 1890s, the literary world was reeling from "Sherlock-mania." While Sir Arthur Conan Doyle gave the world the ultimate champion of logic, Boothby gave it the ultimate agent of chaos. Dr. Nikola is not merely a criminal; he is a polymath, an occultist, and a man of immense physical and intellectual magnetism.
Across these five novels, we see Nikola evolve:
Volume 1:
A Bid for Fortune (1895): We are introduced to the Doctor through the eyes of Richard Hattasall. Here, Nikola is a vengeful shadow, a man whose "vendetta" drives a globe-trotting chase.
Dr. Nikola (1896): Arguably the centerpiece of the series, Boothby takes us into the forbidden heart of Tibet. It remains one of the finest examples of the "Lost World" genre, enriched by Stanley L. Wood’s iconic illustrations.
The Lust of Hate (1898): A darker, more psychological turn where Nikola manipulates a broken man’s desire for revenge.
Volume 2
Dr. Nikola’s Experiment (1899): Here, Boothby touches on the "mad scientist" tropes that would later define 20th-century sci-fi, as Nikola attempts to conquer death itself.
Farewell, Nikola (1901): The swan song of the character, providing a sense of closure to a man who lived his life in the liminal space between genius and madness.
Guy Boothby died tragically young at the age of 37, leaving behind a staggering 53 novels written in just over a decade. For years, his work languished in the shadows of more "academic" Victorian literature. However, as these works have entered the public domain, a new generation of readers—and editors—has rediscovered the sheer, unadulterated joy of his storytelling.
Boothby’s Dr. Nikola remains a vital link in the evolution of popular fiction. Without Nikola, would we have Sax Rohmer’s Fu Manchu? Would we have the sophisticated antagonists of James Bond? Probably not. By centering this edition on Boothby’s Australian roots, we acknowledge that the "King of Sensation" wasn't just a product of London’s Fleet Street, but a traveler of the world who brought the wild energy of the Antipodes to the heart of the Empire. This collection aims to preserve the thrill of the original serialization while providing the context necessary for a modern reader. As you follow the Doctor through the mist-shrouded streets of London and the sun-bleached ports of the Pacific, remember that you are in the hands of a master who knew those ports firsthand.
Welcome to the world of Dr. Nikola. Tread carefully—Apollyon is watching!

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 292p.

By Francis Beeding. Introduction by Colin Heston.

In the shadows of a Europe still scarred by the Great War, a new and more terrifying conspiracy awakens. When Thomas Preston arrives in Geneva, he expects nothing more than a quiet diplomatic mission. Instead, he is thrust into a lethal game of cat-and-mouse after stumbling upon the secrets of the "Seven Sleepers"—a clandestine cabal of German industrialists and embittered generals plotting to shatter the fragile peace of the League of Nations.

Equipped with a terrifying hidden technology and a ruthless determination to rewrite the Treaty of Versailles, the Sleepers have already set their clock for a second global cataclysm. Preston’s only hope lies with the enigmatic Colonel Alastair Granby of British Intelligence. From high-speed chases across the continent to the inner sanctums of hidden laboratories, they must race to dismantle the conspiracy before the world is plunged back into the abyss of total war.

Originally published in 1925, The Seven Sleepers is the pulse-pounding debut of Francis Beeding’s most famous hero. It is a classic of the "clubland" thriller era, blending atmospheric suspense with the high-stakes espionage that defined a generation.

NU. Little Brown & Co. 1925.. New York-Philadelphia-Australia.. Read-Me.Org Inc. 2026. 182p.

By Frederic F. Van de Water. Introduction by Graeme R. Newman

When Grey Riders appeared in 1922, Frederic F. Van de Water was already emerging as one of the most capable interpreters of American frontier mythology. A journalist, historian, and novelist, he had spent years documenting the enduring tensions between law, order, memory, and violence in the development of the Atlantic seaboard. Grey Riders stands as one of his most vivid contributions to that project: a narrative history and interpretive reconstruction of the Border Riders—Vermont and New York militiamen, irregulars, and informal vigilante bands who policed, contested, and sometimes exploited the wilderness regions between the American colonies and British Canada during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries

Van de Water had a journalist’s fascination with complexity, and Grey Riders is at its strongest when it illuminates the contradictions inherent in a frontier culture that simultaneously demanded firmness of justice and tolerated the improvisational violence of irregular policing. In his account, the riders are men shaped by hardship—farmers, Loyalists, deserters, Yankee patriots, trappers, smugglers, and opportunists—who alternately defended and defied the emerging legal structures of the early United States. Their world was one where the line between protector and predator was always negotiable.

The book’s historical frame—stretching most visibly from the late Revolutionary era through the War of 1812—allows Van de Water to explore how unresolved grievances, economic scarcity, and geopolitical rivalry produced a frontier culture that did not neatly conform to the nation-state boundaries we take for granted today. The riders themselves were products of this ambiguity. While some acted as scouts and auxiliaries for the Continental Army or state militias, others drifted into banditry, smuggling, or private vengeance. Van de Water refuses to simplify this ambiguity; instead, he constructs a narrative that emphasizes how the frontier’s conditions forged men who were, by necessity, adaptable to both moral clarity and moral shade.

For the modern reader, Grey Riders also holds value as part of the broader early-twentieth-century reconsideration of American origins. The 1920s were a period of heightened nostalgia, cultural nationalism, and renewed interest in the country’s formative conflicts. Van de Water, however, avoids sentimentalism. His frontier is not a place of heroic inevitability but a zone of tension where identity, loyalty, and legitimacy are constantly renegotiated. In this respect, the book anticipates the more critical frontier historiography that would emerge later in the century.

Contemporary scholars may also find in Grey Riders an instructive account of how local communities develop security practices when state institutions are weak, distant, or contested—an issue that remains resonant in discussions of borderlands worldwide. The riders, as Van de Water portrays them, are precursors to many modern forms of irregular security actors: militias, local auxiliaries, self-appointed protectors, and armed community defense groups. Their actions demonstrate both the necessity and danger of such formations, especially when scarcity and political friction define daily life.

This new edition returns readers to a moment when questions of national boundaries, informal justice, and community resilience are central to global debate. Van de Water’s riders, moving through a grey zone of legality and identity, offer a powerful reminder that the frontier has never been a simple place—and that the forces shaping it never truly disappeared.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2025. p.188.

By Erskine Caldwell. Designed and Edited with an Introduction  by Colin Heston

When All Night Long appeared in 1942, Erskine Caldwell was already one of the most widely read—and most controversial—American novelists of his generation. Known primarily for his unsparing portrayals of poverty, violence, and moral stress in the American South, Caldwell here turned his attention outward, to a global conflict unfolding at unprecedented scale. Subtitled A Novel of Guerrilla Warfare in Russia, All Night Long represents Caldwell’s direct literary engagement with the Second World War at the moment when its outcome remained deeply uncertain and when the Soviet Union, newly allied with the United States, had become a central symbol of resistance to fascist aggression.

Caldwell’s Russia is not a romanticized abstraction nor a detailed ethnographic portrait. Instead, it functions as a stark moral landscape shaped by occupation, deprivation, and constant threat. Villages, forests, and frozen terrain become arenas of endurance rather than scenery. The emphasis falls on night operations, secrecy, hunger, exhaustion, and the psychological toll of living in a perpetual state of danger. The title itself—All Night Long—signals this temporal and emotional register: war as an unbroken vigil, a continuous strain that erodes the boundary between action and survival.

For modern readers, the novel occupies an intriguing position in Caldwell’s body of work and in twentieth-century war literature more broadly. It stands apart from his Southern novels in geography but not in theme. As in Tobacco Road or God’s Little Acre, Caldwell examines how extreme conditions strip life down to its essentials and expose the structures—economic, political, or military—that govern human behavior. In All Night Long, the setting is international, but the underlying concerns remain consistent: power, exploitation, resilience, and the cost of endurance.

Read today, All Night Long also invites reflection on the evolving representation of guerrilla warfare itself. Long before such conflicts became a dominant feature of late-twentieth- and early-twenty-first-century military discourse, Caldwell recognized the strategic and moral complexity of irregular resistance. His novel anticipates later debates about asymmetrical warfare, civilian involvement, and the blurred lines between combatant and noncombatant—issues that continue to shape global conflicts.

Ultimately, All Night Long is less a novel about Russia per se than a novel about resistance under occupation. It captures a historical moment when global war demanded new forms of solidarity and new narrative frameworks to explain them. Caldwell’s achievement lies in his ability to translate that vast struggle into an intimate, unrelenting account of human persistence, sustained through darkness, danger, and the long hours of night.

NY.Book League of America. 1942. Read-Me.Org Inc. Australia, New York & Philadelphia. 2025. 161p.

by J. S. Fletcher. Preface by Colin Heston.

The Ransom for London is one of the last full-length mysteries penned by J. S. Fletcher, the prolific master of British crime fiction whose work helped shape the modern detective novel. First published in 1937—just months before the golden age of classic mystery reached its twilight—this novel stands as a testament to Fletcher’s enduring gifts: intricate plots, bristling suspense, and a keen sense of how crime reveals the hidden tensions of society.

This edition invites readers to rediscover a late gem from a writer whose contributions to the detective genre paved the way for many who followed. With The Ransom for London, Fletcher delivers a fast-moving, atmospheric tale that demonstrates his continuing relevance, his wit, and his unmatched instinct for suspense.

Step into London on the brink—into a story built on riddles, danger, and the high cost of holding a city’s fate in the balance. The ransom has been demanded. Whether the truth is paid in gold or courage is for you to discover.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2025. p.229.