By R. L. Stevenson. Edited by Colin Heston

"Treasure Island" is a classic adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1883. The story follows young Jim Hawkins, who discovers a treasure map in the chest of a deceased pirate. This discovery sets him on a thrilling journey across the seas aboard the Hispaniola, in search of the hidden treasure. Along the way, Jim encounters a host of memorable characters, including the charismatic and cunning Long John Silver, who leads a mutiny among the crew. The novel is celebrated for its vivid characters, gripping plot, and timeless themes of adventure, bravery, and the quest for fortune. "Treasure Island" has had a lasting impact on popular culture, shaping the modern image of pirates and inspiring countless adaptations.

Volume VI of the Swanston Edition of "The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson" continues to showcase the breadth of Stevenson's literary talent. This volume typically includes a mix of his essays, short stories, and other writings. The Swanston Edition is known for its comprehensive and authoritative compilation of Stevenson's works, offering readers a thorough exploration of his diverse contributions to literature. Each volume in this series provides insight into Stevenson's versatility as a writer, highlighting his ability to engage readers across various genres and styles.

This volume has been carefully edited and redesigned by Colin Heston, renowned novelist and story writer, to make the book more comprehensible to the present-day reader.

Read-Me.Org Inc. NY. Philal Australia. 2025. 197p.

By R. L. Stevenson. Edited by Colin Heston

"Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is a novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1886. The story explores the duality of human nature through the character of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a respected scientist who creates a potion that transforms him into the sinister and violent Mr. Edward Hyde. As Hyde, Jekyll indulges in immoral acts without fear of social repercussions. The narrative delves into themes of identity, morality, and the struggle between good and evil within the human soul. The novella is renowned for its suspenseful and gothic atmosphere, as well as its profound psychological insights.
In addition to Jekyll and Hyde, this volume features a mix of Stevenson’s essays, short stories, and other literary works. The Swanston Edition iis known for its comprehensive and authoritative compilation of Stevenson's oeuvre, providing readers with a deep dive into his diverse literary contributions. Additional stories and writings in this volume include:.
Thrawn Janet. A short story, first published in 1881. Set in a small Scottish village, the tale revolves around the mysterious and eerie events surrounding Janet, an old woman believed to be a witch. The story is narrated by the local minister, who recounts Janet's unsettling behavior and the supernatural occurrences that follow her arrival. The narrative is steeped in gothic elements and explores themes of superstition, fear, and the clash between rationality and the supernatural.
More New Arabian Nights, The Dynamiter. A collection of linked short stories co-written by Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife, Fanny Van de Grift Stevenson. Published in 1885, the stories are set in London and revolve around the adventures of various characters entangled in plots involving dynamite and political intrigue. The collection is a sequel to Stevenson's earlier work "New Arabian Nights" and continues to employ a similar structure of interconnected tales. Themes of adventure, mystery, and social commentary are prevalent throughout the stories.
This volume has been carefully edited and redesigned by Colin Heston, renowned novelist and story writer, to make the book more comprehensible to the present-day reader.

Read-Me.Org Inc. NY-Phila.-Australia. 2025. 193p.

By Robert Louis Stevenson. Edited by Colin Heston

"The New Arabian Nights" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a captivating collection of short stories that showcases his talent for blending adventure, mystery, and humor. Volume 4 of his works includes these tales, which are inspired by the classic "Arabian Nights" but set in contemporary Europe.

The Suicide Club: The collection opens with "The Suicide Club," a trilogy of stories that revolve around Prince Florizel of Bohemia and his loyal companion, Colonel Geraldine. They stumble upon a secret society where members gamble with their lives, seeking an escape from their troubles through death. The stories are filled with suspense, intrigue, and Stevenson's signature wit, as the prince and the colonel navigate dangerous situations to uncover the club's dark secrets.

The Rajah's Diamond: Another notable story is "The Rajah's Diamond," which is divided into four parts. It follows the adventures of a priceless diamond and the various characters who come into possession of it. The diamond's journey leads to a series of thrilling and unexpected events, showcasing Stevenson's ability to weave complex plots and create memorable characters.

Other Stories: The volume also includes other engaging tales such as "The Pavilion on the Links," a story of love, betrayal, and revenge set against the backdrop of a remote Scottish coast, and "A Lodging for the Night," which features the infamous French poet François Villon and his escapades in medieval Paris.

"The New Arabian Nights" is a testament to Stevenson's versatility as a writer. Each story is rich with vivid descriptions, dynamic characters, and a blend of humor and suspense. Stevenson's ability to transport readers to different settings and immerse them in the adventures of his characters makes this collection a delightful and compelling read. Volume 4 of his works highlights Stevenson's skill in crafting engaging narratives that continue to captivate readers with their originality and charm.

Australia. Read-Me.Org. Inc. 2025. 197p.

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.

By George Meredith

This book, first published in 1859, is a novel that explores the complexities of human nature and the consequences of rigid educational systems. The story centers around Sir Austin Feverel, who devises a strict educational plan known as "the System" to raise his son, Richard, in isolation from the corrupting influences of society. Despite Sir Austin's efforts, Richard falls in love with Lucy Desborough, a girl of lower social standing, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel delves into themes of love, passion, and the limitations of authoritarian control, offering a critical examination of contemporary attitudes toward education and sexuality.

Meredith's work is notable for its rich psychological analysis and lyrical prose, significantly contributing to Victorian literature. The novel's exploration of the father-son relationship and the impact of societal expectations on individual lives is both poignant and thought-provoking. "The Ordeal of Richard Feverel" was controversial at the time of its publication, with some readers finding its content prurient, leading to its ban by leading lending libraries. Despite this, it has endured as a classic, praised for its depth and literary merit.

First published by Chapman & Hall in a three-volume set. 1859. This edition Read-Me.Org Inc. 2025. 320p.

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Minette Walters

FROM THE COVER: 'Acid Row' is the name the beleaguered inhabitants give to their housing estate. A no-man's land of single mothers and fatherless chíldren-where angry, alienated youth control the streets. Into this battlefield comes Sophíe Morrison, a young doctor visiting a patient in Acid Row. Litle does she know that she is entering the home of a known paedophile ...and with reports circulating that a tormented child called Amy has disappeared, the vigilantes are out in force. Soon Sophie is trapped at the centre of a terrifying siege, held hostage by a violent psychopath. Whipped to a frenzy by unsubstantiated rumour, the mob unleashes its hatred. Against authority.. the law...and the pervert'. Protecting.Amy' becomes the catch-all defence for the terrible events that follow. And if murder is part of it, then so be it. But is Amy really missing?

London Allen and Unwin. 2001. 353p.

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By Elizabeth George

FROM THE COVER: It is barely three months since the murder of his wife and Thomas Lynley has taken to the South-West Coast Path in Cornwall, determined to walk its length in an attempt to recover from his loss. On the forty-third day of this walk, he spies a body on the beach - a young cliff climber has suffered a fatal fall. The nearest house to the death site belongs to a woman veterinarian from Bristol, and this proximity makes her an automatic suspect, particularly as she seems to have no personal history before her thirteenth year. The case brings Barbara Havers from London and thrusts both detectives into the rugged beauty of out-of-season Cornwall, with its community of surfers and hoteliers. But the wild landscape is the scene of jealousy, betrayal and revenge, and Lynley and Havers must sift through all these human emotions in their search for the killer. Careless in Red marks the welcome return of Scotland Yard's Detective….”

London. by Hodder & Stoughton. 2008. 547p.

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By Dean Koontz

FROM THE COVER: Martie Rhodes, a happily married, successful video games designer, takes an agoraphobic friend to therapy sessions twice a week. Each trip is a grim ordeal, but the experience has brought the two friends even closer together. Then, one morning, Martie experiences a brief, irrational but disquieting fear of... her shadow. When autophobia - one of the rarest and most intriguing phobias known to psychology - is diagnosed, suddenly, radically her life changes, and the future looks dark. Martie's husband, Dusty, loves her profoundly, and is desperate to understand the cause of her autophobia. But as he comes closer to the terrible truth, Dusty himsell starts showing signs of a psychological disorder even more frightening than that afflicting Martie...FALSE MEMORY is the breathtaking new thriller from the internationally bestselling author of SEIZE THE NIGHT and FEAR NOTHING.

London. Headline Book Publishing. 1999. 827p.

JANE HARPER

FROM THE PREFACE: ” It wasn’t as though the farm hadn’t seen death before, and the blowflies didn’t discriminate. To them there was little difference between a carcass and a corpse.

The drought had left the flies spoiled for choice that summer. They sought out unblinking eyes and sticky wounds as the farmers of Kiewarra levelled their rifles at skinny livestock. No rain meant no feed. And no feed made for difficult decisions, as the tiny town shimmered under day after day of burning blue sky…”

Sydney. Pan Macmillan. 2016. 347p.

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By Terry Hayes

"I Am Pilgrim" by Terry Hayes is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. This intricately woven tale follows the life of a former intelligence operative known as Pilgrim, who is drawn back into the world of espionage to track down an elusive terrorist known as Saracen. As Pilgrim navigates a web of intrigue, deceit, and danger, the reader is taken on a thrilling journey across the globe, from the bustling streets of New York to the remote deserts of the Middle East. With its complex characters, meticulously researched plot, and heart-pounding suspense, "I Am Pilgrim" is a masterfully crafted novel that will leave readers breathless from start to finish.

London. Bantam. 2013. 707p.

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TOM CLANCY WITH Mark Greaney

Privately training with special forces, he’s honing his combat skills to continue his work within the Campus, hunting down and eliminating terrorists wherever he can—even as Jack Ryan Sr. campaigns to become President of the United States again.
 
But what neither father nor son knows is that the political and personal have just become equally dangerous. A devout enemy of Jack Sr. launches a privately-funded vendetta to discredit him and connect him to a mysterious killing in his longtime ally John Clark’s past. All they have to do is catch him.
 
With Clark on the run, it’s up to Jack Jr. to stop a growing threat emerging in the Middle East, where a corrupt Pakistani general has entered into a deadly pact with a fanatical terrorist to procure four nuclear warheads they can use to blackmail any world power into submission—or face annihilation.

London. New York. MICHAEL JOSEPH, an imprint of PENGUIN BOOKS. 2011. 882p.

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By Mary Stanley

Millicent McHarg, an eccentric and forthright novelist, is adored by her three granddaughters. When the eldest, Prunella, nicknamed Plumpet, is found hurt and bewildered in her own bed on Christmas morning following a party the night before, her family must at once deal with the emotional pain, and try to solve the mystery. With Plumpet's sisters' help, Millicent prepares to take a grandmother's revenge...

London. Headline Book Publishing. 2023. 320p.

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J. D. ROBB

While Eve examines a fresh body in Washington Square Park, her husband, Roarke, spots a man among the onlookers he’s known since his younger days on the streets of Dublin. A man who claims to be his half brother. A man who kills for a living—and who burns with hatred for him.

Eve is quick to suspect that the victim’s spouse—resentful over his wife’s affair and poised to inherit her fortune—would have happily paid an assassin to do his dirty work. Roarke is just as quick to warn her that if Lorcan Cobbe is the hitman, she needs to be careful. Law enforcement agencies worldwide have pursued this cold-hearted killer for years, to no avail. And his lazy smirk when he looked Roarke’s way indicates that he will target anyone who matters to Roarke...and is confident he’ll get away with it.

Eve is desperate to protect Roarke. Roarke is desperate to protect Eve. And together, they’re determined to find Cobbe before he finds them—even if it takes them across the Atlantic, far outside Eve’s usual jurisdiction...

PIATKUS First published in the United States i by St Martin's Press. 2020. 348p.

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Dean Koontz

Loop me in, odd one.The words, spoken in the deep of night by a sleeping child, chill the young man watching over her. For this was a favorite phrase of Stormy Llewellyn, his lost love, and Stormy is dead, gone forever from this world. In the haunted halls of the isolated monastery where he had sought peace, Odd Thomas is stalking spirits of an infinitely darker nature Through twoNew York Timesbestselling novels Odd Thomas has established himself as one of the most beloved and unique fictional heroes of our time. Now, wielding all the power and magic of a master storyteller at the pinnacle of his craft, Dean Koontz follows Odd into a singular new world where he hopes to make a fresh beginning—but where he will meet an adversary as old and inexorable as time itself. St. Bartholomew’s Abbey sits in majestic solitude amid the wild peaks of California’s high Sierra, a haven for children otherwise abandoned, and a sanctuary for those seeking insight. Odd Thomas has come here to learn to live fully again, and among the eccentric monks, their other guests, and the nuns and young students of the attached convent school, he has begun to find his way. The silent spirits of the dead who visited him in his earlier life are mercifully absent, save for the bell-ringing Brother Constantine and Odd’s steady companion, the King of Rock 'n' Roll. But trouble has a way of finding Odd Thomas, and it slinks back onto his path in the form of the sinister bodachs he has met previously, the black shades who herald death and disaster, and who come late one December night to hover above the abbey’s most precious charges. For Odd is about to face an enemy who eclipses any he has yet encountered, as he embarks on a journey of mystery, wonder, and sheer suspense that surpasses all that has come before. From the Hardcover edition.

NY. Harper Collins. 2006. 378p.

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By Fiona McIntosh

Evie, a widow and stationmaster’s daughter, helplessly looks out for the weekly visit of the handsome man she and her sister call The Southerner on their train platform in the wilds of northern England. When polite salutations shift to friendly conversations, they become captivated by each other’s reticent manner. After so much sorrow, the childless Evie can’t believe love and the chance for her own family has come into her life again.

With rumours coming out of Germany that Hitler may be stirring up war again, local English authorities have warned against spies. Even Evie becomes suspicious of her new suitor, Roger. But all is not what it seems.

When Roger is arrested, Evie comes up with an audacious plan to prove his innocence that means moving to Germany and working as a British counter-spy. Wearing the disguise of dutiful, naïve wife, Evie must charm the Nazi Party’s dangerous officials to bring home hard evidence of war mongering on the Führer’s part.

But in this game of cat and mouse, it seems everyone has an ulterior motive, and Evie finds it impossible to know who to trust. With lives on the line, ultimate sacrifices will be made as she wrestles between her patriotism and saving the man she loves.

From the windswept moors of the Yorkshire dales to the noisy beer halls of Munich and grand country estates in the picture-book Bavarian mountains, this is a lively and high-stakes thriller that will keep you second-guessing until the very end.

Penguin. Random House. 2021. 434p.

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by J. P. Pomare

When private investigator Reid is sent to look into a suspicious car crash, he finds himself in the one place he swore he'd never go back to - the town where he grew up.

Returning to Manson brings back traumatic memories that Reid has spent a decade burying; and keeping his past separate from the investigation is futile. People remember what he did all those years ago.

As rumours swirl about the couple involved in the crash, Reid's line of questioning is taken in a new direction when the Chief of Police's daughter goes missing. Was the car crash just an isolated tragic accident, or is there something darker beating at the heart of this small town? Can Reid escape Manson again, or will it finally swallow him whole?

AUSTRALIA. HATCHETTE. 2022. 327p.

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By Dean Crawford

Some monsters only exist in nightmares - others exist for real . . .

While hunting in the Nez Pearce National Forest, Idaho, two men are just about to take a prize-winning shot when their prey unexpectedly bolts. From the forest behind them lunges a huge, horrific creature that crushes one man and tears after the other in a loping mass of rage.

Just as he has embarked on a search to find his missing fiancée, Ethan Warner and his partner, Nicola Lopez, are summoned to a meeting with Doug Jarvis of the Defence Intelligence Agency at a research laboratory outside the city. There, they learn that they are being sent north to interview Jesse MacCarthy, a man accused of a double homicide.
But all is not as it seems. Jesse swears blind that the other men were killed by a monster. But as Warner and Lopez dig deeper, they uncover a military secret that has been kept under wraps for generations, an experiment that went terribly wrong, and danger lurking in the highest echelons of the US government.

NY. Simon and Schuster. 2013. 528p.

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By Susan Hill

A woman vanishes in the fog up on 'the Hill', an area locally known for its tranquility and peace. The police are not alarmed; people usually disappear for their own reasons. But when a young girl, an old man and even a dog disappear no one can deny that something untoward is happening in this quiet cathedral town. Young policewoman Freya Graffham is assigned to the case, she's new to the job, compassionate, inquisitive, dedicated and needs to know - perhaps too much. She and the enigmatic detective Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler have the task of unraveling the mystery behind this gruesome sequence of events. From the passages revealing the killer's mind to the final heart-stopping twist, "The Various Haunts of Men" is an astounding and masterly crime debut and is the first in a magnificent series featuring Simon Serrailler.

NY. Vintage. 2004. 557p.

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By Michael Connelly

Jack McEvoy specializes in death. As a crime reporter for the Rocky Mountain News, he has seen every kind of murder. But his professional bravado doesn't lessen the brutal shock of learning that his only brother is dead, a suicide. Jack's brother was a homicide detective, and he had been depressed about a recent murder case, a hideously grisly one, that he'd been unable to solve. McEvoy decides that the best way to exorcise his grief is by writing a feature on police suicides. But when he begins his research, he quickly arrives at a stunning revelation. Following his leads, protecting his sources, muscling his way inside a federal investigation, Jack grabs hold of what is clearly the story of a lifetime. He also knows that in taking on the story, he's making himself the most visible target for a murderer who has eluded the greatest investigators alive.

Australia. Allen and Unwin. 1996. 509p.

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Dean Koontz

In the stunning title story 'Strange Highways', a failed author returns to his hometown after many years to attend his father's funeral, only to find himself suddenly and inexplicably thrust back through time to relive a traumatic event from his past.

One rain-swept Sunday night when he was twenty years old, on his way back to college after a weekend with his family, Joey Shannon took the wrong highway - and from that moment, nothing ever went right for him again. Now, exactly twenty years later, on another rain-swept night, Joey finds himself at the same crossroads, looking down the road never taken. Which is odd. Because that road no longer exists. A superhighway replaced it nearly twenty years ago, and the old state route - which had crossed a web of perpetually burning, abandoned coal mines - was condemned as too dangerous and was torn up. But now the highway is exactly as it was on that long-ago night, and when Joey turns on to it, he begins an eerie, terrifying journey toward a truth so dark and stunning that it will change everything he believes about himself, his past, and the nature of life.

LONDON. HEADLINE BOOKS. 1995. 445p.