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The Flying Squad

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..

The Spies And Criminals Of Edgar Wallace -Volume 7

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..

Further Rivals of Sherlock Holmes

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.

The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes

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.

The Spies And Criminals Of Edgar Wallace -Volume 6

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..

The Spies And Criminals Of Edgar Wallace -Volume 5

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..

The Spies And Criminals Of Edgar Wallace -Volume 4

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..

The Spies And Criminals Of Edgar Wallace -Volume 3

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..

The Spies And Criminals Of Edgar Wallace -Volume 2

SCOTLAND YARD AND BEYOND

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

The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace — Volume 2 brings together one of Edgar Wallace’s most intriguing crime novels alongside the stories that introduced one of his most famous creations. At the center of this volume is the gripping novel The Black, a tale of mystery, intrigue, and shadowy power in which a secretive criminal force challenges the authority of the law and tests the ingenuity of those determined to bring it down. Filled with unexpected twists, daring schemes, and Wallace’s trademark rapid pacing, the novel showcases the author at the height of his storytelling powers.

Complementing the novel are the classic stories of The Law of the Three Just Men, the remarkable vigilante trio who became one of Wallace’s most celebrated inventions. Acting outside the formal machinery of government, the Three Just Men intervene when justice fails. Their warnings are precise, their judgments uncompromising, and their reach seems limitless. Governments tremble when they speak, for their word is always followed by action.

Together, The Black and the stories of The Law of the Three Just Men reveal Wallace’s extraordinary ability to create suspenseful plots and unforgettable characters. His world is one where spies, secret societies, and daring investigators move through a landscape of danger and intrigue, where justice may come from unexpected quarters, and every page brings a new surprise.

In this second volume of The Spies and Criminals of Edgar Wallace, readers are invited to rediscover the excitement, ingenuity, and narrative brilliance that made Wallace one of the most widely read thriller writers of his time—and whose stories continue to entertain audiences around the world.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 299p.

The Spies And Criminals Of Edgar Wallace -Volume 1

 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.

Studies in Brown Humanity: :Being Scrawls and Smudges in Sepia, White, and Yellow

By Hugh Clifford (Author), Graeme Newman (Introduction)

Studies in Brown Humanity by Sir Hugh Clifford is a striking collection of literary sketches drawn from the author’s experiences as a British colonial administrator in the Malay Peninsula during the late nineteenth century. Blending storytelling with observation, Clifford presents a series of vivid portraits of village life, local customs, personal conflicts, and dramatic encounters shaped by the social structures of colonial Southeast Asia. The narratives explore themes of honor, betrayal, justice, and authority, often focusing on moments when traditional Malay codes of conduct collide with the legal and moral framework imposed by the British colonial state.

Although written as literary sketches rather than formal social analysis, the book provides revealing insights into the ways communities understand wrongdoing and punishment. Clifford’s stories depict acts of violence, disputes over reputation, and conflicts between individuals and authority, illustrating how social norms, kinship ties, and communal expectations shape both criminal behavior and responses to it. In this sense, the work can be read not only as colonial literature but also as an early, informal contribution to the sociological study of crime and social control.

At the same time, Studies in Brown Humanity reflects the attitudes and assumptions of its imperial context. Clifford’s interpretations are filtered through the perspective of a European observer, and the book reveals much about the intellectual climate of the British Empire at the turn of the twentieth century. For modern readers, the volume is therefore both a vivid narrative of colonial life and a historical document that illuminates how crime, justice, and cultural difference were understood within the framework of empire.

Rich in atmosphere and dramatic detail, Clifford’s work remains valuable today as a window into the complex social worlds of colonial Southeast Asia and as a reminder of how early narratives about crime and punishment were shaped by the cultural and political conditions of their time.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 291p.

Giants in the Earth

O. E. Rølvaag, Preface by Colin Heston.

The struggle of the immigrant is often told through the lens of triumph—of cities built and fortunes made—but in O. E. Rølvaag’s Giants in the Earth, we are invited into a far more intimate and devastating arena: the psychological and spiritual cost of taming a wilderness. First published in Norwegian in 1924 as I de dage and later meticulously translated into English by Lincoln Colcord in collaboration with the author, this novel remains the definitive epic of the American prairie. It is not merely a story of farming; it is a saga of the human psyche stretched to its breaking point against an indifferent landscape.
At the heart of the narrative lies a profound dichotomy between the two protagonists, Per Hansa and Beret. Per Hansa embodies the archetype of the pioneer, fueled by a restless, creative energy that views the desolate plains of South Dakota not as a wasteland, but as a kingdom waiting to be claimed. To him, the "Giants" are physical obstacles to be conquered through grit and vision. Conversely, Beret represents the tragic reality of displacement. She is haunted by the Great Plain, a space so vast and empty that she feels God cannot find her there. For Beret, the "Giants" are the invisible, malevolent forces of the Earth itself, punishing those who dare to disturb its ancient, heavy silence.
The English version of Giants in the Earth is a rare literary achievement born of a unique partnership. Lincoln Colcord, a writer of the sea, found a common language with Rølvaag, a writer of the "sea of grass." Their collaboration ensured that the stark, rhythmic beauty of Rølvaag’s Norwegian—steeped in biblical cadence and Old World folklore—was preserved for an English-speaking audience. Colcord understood that the oceanic quality of the prairie was more than a metaphor; it was a physical reality where the winds howling across the Dakota territory carried the same weight and terror as a North Atlantic gale.
Rølvaag does not romanticize the pioneer experience. He documents the relentless succession of plagues—locusts, blizzards, and the suffocating loneliness of the sod house—forcing the reader to confront the sobering question of what is lost when a culture uproots itself. While Per Hansa builds the physical foundations of a new nation, Beret bears the burden of the cultural and emotional cost. Her descent into religious melancholy serves as a poignant reminder that while the land may be conquered, the soul is often the casualty of that conquest. She famously remarks that the Great Plain drinks the blood of Christian men and is never satisfied.
Nearly a century since its translation, Giants in the Earth stands as a pillar of American literature because it refuses to offer easy answers. It is a masterpiece of realism and a haunting work of the imagination that captures the birth of a modern identity forged in a crucible of isolation. As you turn these pages, you are witnessing a history that is as much about the internal landscape of the mind as it is about the external map of the frontier.

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

True Stories of Crime from the District Attorney’s Office

By Arthur Train. Introduction by Graeme R. Newman

The transition of the American legal system from the rough-and-tumble nineteenth century into the more structured, investigative era of the early twentieth century is nowhere more vividly captured than in Arthur Train’s True Stories of Crime from the District Attorney’s Office. As an Assistant District Attorney for New York County during a period of rapid urbanization and social upheaval, Train occupied a unique vantage point that allowed him to witness the collision of old-world criminal archetypes with the emerging complexities of modern life. This collection of narratives serves as a clinical yet deeply compelling autopsy of the era’s most notorious legal battles, offering readers a rare glimpse into the machinery of justice at a time when forensic science was in its infancy and the power of the prosecutor’s office was expanding into new, uncharted territories.

Train’s work is particularly significant for its early exploration of what would eventually be termed white-collar crime. While the public imagination of 1908 was often captured by tales of blunt violence and physical daring, Train directs his focus toward the "super-criminal"—the manipulative mastermind who utilized the administrative and financial structures of the city as their primary tools of exploitation. Through these accounts, we see the emergence of a new kind of threat that required a equally sophisticated response from the legal establishment. Train describes a landscape where economic desperation and social isolation were the primary drivers of criminal behavior, yet he also highlights the systemic vulnerabilities that allowed institutional fraud to flourish. By documenting these cases, he provides a foundation for the study of victimology, illustrating how the legal system often struggled to keep pace with the evolving ingenuity of those who sought to undermine it.

Beyond their historical and legal value, these stories possess a narrative vitality that reflects the tension between the sensationalism of early tabloid journalism and the rigorous demands of the courtroom. Train’s prose is informed by his experiences on the front lines of the District Attorney’s office, where the outcome of a trial often hinged as much on rhetorical flair and personal intuition as it did on physical evidence. In revisiting these cases today, we are invited to consider the persistent challenges of defining and delivering justice within a complex bureaucracy. Train does not shy away from the moral ambiguities of his profession, and his reflections on the nature of guilt and the limitations of the law remain strikingly relevant. This volume stands not only as a record of forgotten crimes but as an enduring meditation on the social fabric of a metropolis in flux, capturing the moment when the modern era of criminal justice truly began.

Read-Me.Org Inc. 2026. 184p.

Poker Jim, Gentleman and Other Tales and Sketches

BY G. Frank Lydston. Preface by Colin Heston

The wind howls across the desolate plains of the Old West, not with the romantic whistle of a ballad, but with the coarse, biting grit of reality. In the flickering shadows of a kerosene lamp, silhouettes gather around a scarred felt table, their faces etched with the histories of desperate gambles and hard-won wisdom. This is the world of G. Frank Lydston—a world where the line between the hero and the rogue is as thin as a worn playing card and twice as fragile.

In his seminal collection, Poker Jim, Gentleman, and Other Tales and Sketches, Lydston does more than recount anecdotes; he performs a literary autopsy on the American frontier. As a physician and a keen observer of human nature, he brought a surgical precision to his storytelling, looking past the polished myths of the "Wild West" to reveal the raw, pulsing nerves of the men and women who inhabited it. He understood that the wilderness was not merely a location, but a crucible that burned away the pretenses of civilization to reveal the true metal of the soul.

The titular character, Poker Jim, serves as the ultimate paradox of this untamed wilderness. He is a man who thrives in the so-called dens of iniquity, yet he carries himself with a code of ethics more rigid and unwavering than many of the city judges who would seek to condemn him. Through Jim and a cast of vibrant, often tragic figures, Lydston explores the profound duality of man, demonstrating how a gambler can possess the heart of a saint while a self-proclaimed gentleman might harbor the soul of a thief. To Lydston, the environment was never just a backdrop; it was a character in its own right—one that tested, broke, and occasionally redeemed the human spirit.

Lydston’s prose is a unique blend of Victorian elegance and frontier ruggedness, capturing the rough dialect of the mining camp and the sophisticated musings of the scholar with equal fervor. This collection stands as a testament to an era that was rapidly vanishing even as he wrote—a transition from lawless expansion to the paved certainty of the modern age. As you turn these pages, you step into smoke-filled saloons and silent, starlit canyons to witness the birth of a national identity forged in the fires of chance. You are invited to learn the philosophy of the hand: that life, much like the game itself, is rarely about the cards you are dealt, but the courage with which you play them.

Monarch Book Co., Chicago, 1906. Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. p.233.

Adventures Of An Outlaw: Abridged, simplified and readable

By Colin Heston (Author), James Tucker (Author), Ralph Rashleigh (Contributor)

This compelling narrative offers a vivid portrayal of the convict experience in early colonial Australia. The book, first published in 1929, is attributed to James Tucker, who wrote under the pseudonym Ralph Rashleigh. This introduction by Colin Heston aims to provide an overview of the book’s themes, historical context, and its significance in Australian literature. The story is set during a tumultuous period in Australian history when the continent was used as a penal colony by the British Empire. From 1788 to 1868, over 160,000 convicts were transported to Australia, fundamentally shaping the social and cultural landscape of the emerging nation. “Adventures of an Outlaw” provides a firsthand account of this era, detailing the harsh realities faced by convicts and the brutal conditions of the penal system. James Tucker, the presumed author, was himself a convict transported to Australia for forgery. His experiences and observations lend authenticity to the narrative, making it a valuable historical document. The book offers insights into the daily lives of convicts, their interactions with authorities, and their struggles for survival and dignity in an unforgiving environment. This abridged edition simplifies the narrative and corrects the many quaint spellings and expressions while keeping the essential facts and challenging experiences that challenged Rasjleigh's resilience and determination to find freedom.

First published in 1929 by Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith1. The memoir, attributed to the pseudonym Ralph Rashleigh, is actually the work of James Rosenberg Tucker. This abridged edition Read-Me.Org Inc. 2025. 105p.

Midnight Express

USED BOOK. MAY CONTAIN MARK-UP

By Billy Hayes with William Hoffer

FROM CHAPTER 1: “Some twelve miles west of Istanbul, beyond the outskirts of the city in the flat farm country near the coast, is Yesilkoy International Airport. Every day at noon Pan American Flight No. 1 arrives from Teheran. It sorts out its incoming and outgoing passengers, then takes off again at one to continue its journey to Frankfort, London, and New York. On October 6, 1970, feeling like an Ian Fleming character, with dark aviator sunglasses over my eyes and my trenchcoat collar pulled up to my ears, I watched Flight No. 1, a Boeing 707, land on the concrete runway. I pulled the brim of my lucky hat low over my eyes and eased up against the wall near the passenger check-in counter. A short pudgy man in his mid-thirties pushed past me…..”

NY. E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc. 1977. 285p.

Barnaby Rudge

By Charles Dickens

A Storm is Gathering in the Heart of London.

In the quiet village of Chigwell, a decades-old murder remains unsolved, its shadow hanging over the crumbling Maypole Inn. In the sweltering, narrow streets of London, a different kind of darkness is brewing: a mob looking for a reason to burn.

Barnaby Rudge is a young man of pure heart and fractured mind, accompanied everywhere by his uncanny companion, Grip the Raven. While Barnaby sees the world in flashes of color and song, the men around him see only power. From the manipulative demagogue Lord George Gordon to the vengeful ghosts of Barnaby's own past, the stage is set for a collision that will leave the city in ashes.

As the infamous Gordon Riots of 1780 ignite, private secrets and public madness intertwine. Charles Dickens’s most atmospheric historical novel is a gripping tale of:

  • The "Innocent" caught in the crossfire: A haunting look at how the vulnerable are used by the powerful.

  • Family Legacies: A dark exploration of the sins of the father visited upon the son.

  • The Roar of the Crowd: A terrifyingly modern depiction of how quickly a protest becomes a catastrophe.

"I'm a devil! I'm a devil!" croaks Grip. In a city consumed by fire and fanaticism, he might be the only one telling the truth.

London Chapmwn Hall. 1870. Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2026. 467p.

The Thief's Journal

From the Cover: In this, his most famous book, Genet charts his progress through Europe and the 1930s in rags, hunger, contempt, fatigue and vice. Spain, Italy, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Nazi Germany, Belgium . . . everywhere the pattern is the same: bars, dives, flop-houses; robbery, prison and expulsion. This is a voyage of discovery beyond all moral laws; the expression of a philosophy of perverted vice, the working out of an aesthetic of degradation. The cover shows 'Head on Stand' (1947)b y Alberto Giacometti, in the Maeght Collection.

London. Penguin Classics. 1950s? THIS BOOK CONTAINS MARK-UP

Dancehall

By Bernard Conners

NY. British American Publishing. 1983. 360p.

The novel explores the vibrant subculture of dancehall music and its influence on the lives of young black people in London during that time. It also delves into issues of identity, race, gender, and class, as Yvette navigates her way through a complex and sometimes hostile world.

As Yvette begins to explore her sexuality and her desire for independence, she confronts the challenges and contradictions of growing up as a young black woman in a society that often fails to recognize her worth and potential. Through her experiences, the novel explores the ways in which racism and sexism intersect, and the impact they have on the lives of marginalized individuals and communities.