Writing in French in the 1950s, Ferdinand Léopold Oyono (1929–2010) had only a brief literary career, but his anticolonialist novels are considered classics of twentieth-century African literature. Like Oyono’s Houseboy, also available from Waveland Press, this novel fiercely satirizes the false pretenses of European colonial rule in Africa. Meka, a village elder, has always been loyal to the white man. It is with pride that he first hears he is to receive a medal. While waiting for the ceremony, however, Meka’s pride gives way to skepticism. At the same time, his wife has realized that the medal is being given to her husband as compensation for the sacrifices they have made. The events following the ceremony confirm Meka’s new estimation of the white man. Both subtle and oftentimes humorous, this beautifully told story lays bare the hollowness of the mission in Africa. It fuels opportunities for discussing colonial politics around class and race as well as for exploring indigenous Cameroon life and values.

Katarina is 25, a charming, ambitious émigré from Russia looking for a better life. Alex is 79, a billionaire, and he likes her very much. When the old man suggests that after his passing Katarina would make better use of his estate, all in his family agree it would be better if she weren't around. When she vanishes, ransom notes start arriving as well as the ghosts of dead prostitutes.

This short story is a parable of loneliness and hope.

Reproduction of the original: A Summer's Outing and the Old Man's Story by Carter H. Harrison

An evil supernatural entity has returned after 300 years to fulfil his insidious intention. He wants to achieve something that no one has – immortality. He captures 300 innocent children to offer them for sacrifice to complete the ritual. Asmi, one of the kidnapped children, has a little brother who takes it upon himself to save the only family he has. Erish, merely 8 years old and specially-abled with a twisted arm, embarks on a long and perilous journey to reach the Golden Warrior, the only one who has the power to vanquish the evil. With only a fortnight’s time to find this Warrior “born out of flames” and innumerable challenges to pass through in the journey, Erish realises he only has his iron will to bank on. From fighting a man-eating humanoid to having to resist electric shocks, will he overcome all the hurdles and pain in his way to save his sister And there is price to be paid to use the powers of the Golden Warrior, a price that could cost him his own life. Will he be able to make the sacrifice?

Handsome sunshine of a psychiatrist, with hypnotism into the dream of the marvel; "You beast, please don't casually come in!" "Oh? I only enter your dreams and not your body ... " Under the sunlight, there was a wretched heart. The dreams of others come and go as they will, and the hearts of others are easy to read! Take care of the rich and handsome? Conquer the cold beauty? Challenge the big black dude? Hahaha ... The moment the Brawler attacked, Dreamscape began to move.

She was a destitute woman whose life was dependent on others. She was forced to be a scapegoat and traded herself, which resulted in her pregnancy. He considered that she was the ultimate embodiment of evil as she was greed and deceitful. She tried all her efforts to win his heart but failed. Her departure made him so furious that he searched through the ends of the world and managed to recapture her. The whole city knew that she would be shredded into a million pieces. She asked him in desperation, “I left our marriage with nothing, so why won’t you let me go?”In a domineering tone, he answered, “You’ve stolen my heart and given birth to my child, and you wish to escape from me?”

Meet the young Detective Kevin Byrne, rising star of the Philadelphia police force. Christmas Eve, 1988. Partnered with streetwise veteran Frankie Sheehan, Byrne is called out on a freezing night to investigate the brutal assault of a young woman in a crime-ridden neighbourhood, The Devil's Pocket. There, with the rest of the city celebrating, relentless rookie Byrne must step out from his partner's shadow to outwit a terrifying predator on the same vicious city streets he will later revisit with his future partner, Jessica Balzano. This ebook-exclusive short story also includes the opening of Richard Montanari's terrifying new novel, The Doll Maker.

Master Sergeant Deveroe, the operations sergeant for a military intelligence battalion deployed in Iraq in 2006, had just returned to his unit after recovering from an ambush three weeks prior. According to his physicians, Deveroe did not suffer any apparent injuries that would discourage his return to duty. It was Deveroes desire to join his unit to conduct final missions and operations, and then to be redeployed back to the United States. As he proceeded with his duties, Deveroe realized that he indeed may have symptoms of a traumatic brain injury that may endanger his continued service with his unit. With continued issues, Deveroe also suspected that there was more occurring than the result of a possible injury. There seemed to be supernatural forces at work, and Deveroe was being targeted for some reason. During the peak of coalition military operations in Iraq, dangers surrounded the master sergeant and his unit. From insurgents, a wild animal attack, and an unconvinced chain of command, to hallucinations and loss of time, Deveroe had to also deal with unknown forces desperately trying to get his attention for some mysterious and likely dangerous purpose.