An anthology of short fiction featuring the finalist selections from the 2017 Saints+Sinners Literary Festival.

Dr. Dross embarks on 'adventures' to champion Mirism, the ideology of Cosmic Man. His work generates popularity as well as hostility. Despite all that he emerges as a strong, even charismatic leader. He is appointed special advisor to the United Nations. He negotiates a deal between Israel and Iran; and obtains a semi-permanent cease-fire in the Middle-East. Then he arranges the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Republic of Israel becomes a constitutional monarchy, and Dr. Mir is nominated King of Israel. He repeatedly declines, but finally yields to tremendous public pressure. As the Temple is completed, he is put on a white donkey and led through the newly opened Golden Gate to be anointed and crowned. He requests a young Arab girl, so that innocence crowns the king. He opens the Temple as the House of Prayer for all nations. Then he travels to Rome declaring that Christianity is dissolved. He speaks at the United Nations of Earth. His heart fails and he passes away with a dignified, serene smile.

An innocent woman... or a vampire? The Stake is a spine-chilling tale of horror by Richard Laymon, perfect for fans of Stephen King and Clive Barker. 'Laymon uses a typewriter ribbon soaked in cold blood' - Burt Hirschfeld In an abandoned hotel in a Californian ghost town, horror writer Larry Dunbar and his friends make a chilling discovery. By chance they stumble on a coffin hidden under the stairs. Within lies the corpse of a naked female - with a stake through its heart. Was she the innocent victim of a gruesome murder? Or was she a vampire? There's only one way for Larry to solve the mystery - he must pull out the stake... What readers are saying about The Stake: 'A totally brilliant and vibrant read, the storyline was always nail biting' 'The characters are richly developed, and the story is a real page turner; so much so you end up hoping you never reach the end' 'Richard Laymon is the king of horror'

Reprint of the original, first published in 1861.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1882.