Before the vogue of apocalyptic fiction really took off, in 1932 Dennis Wheatley researched and imagined a party of would-be survivors in the glow of a pending comet on course to collide with planet earth. Astronomers could see it coming, civilians could slowly feel the effect of its rays tuning into their baser violent or passionate instincts, but what action would the government take amongst the rumours in such uncertainty? Evacuate the cities under martial law and risk national panic and chaos, or simply deny knowledge to maintain order in the hope that scientific predictions would prove false? For millionaire Sam Curry, and his young wife and Hollywood starlet, Lavina, on learning of the prediction that they may have only sixty days to enjoy their new marriage, money is no object in taking measures to ensure their survival. Over dinner with a select group of family and friends, they decide a gyroscopic ark may see them through any eventualities, and go about ordering in materials without raising suspicion, and trying to live a normal life until the potential moment of impact grew near. But could they all be trusted to keep themselves and the ark safe from a nation already starting to panic, loot and riot? And if they are to survive, what state will the planet be left in? Will the millions of corpses decay into airborne disease that would wipe out anyone left? Where and how will they settle to create a new civilisation? When nothing is certain and nothing remains, will any of the survivors be able to survive each other?
Stories and adventures from an intimate knowledge of the playground of millionaires and international crooks. With personal introductions to each short story, giving their context and inspiration, this collection is a must-have for Wheatley fans as a glimpse into the writer's crafting process.
The door was not locked, and opened easily. He switched on the light, and Richard followed him into the room. Nella lay on the bed. She had on the nightdress she had been lent, but the bedclothes had been pulled halfway down. Her head was twisted back grotesquely. Her mouth gaped open and her tongue had been cut out. It had been carefully placed in the valley between her naked breasts. The Duke de Richleau and his friends had faced many dangers in Russia, Spain and Nazi Germany. Now, a new and unexpected menace confronts them: the fourth member of their group, Rex van Ryn, is missing – and he has made off with more than a million dollars from the Buenos Aires branch of his family bank. Behind the conventional courtesy of Argentinian society lies a conspiracy of terror and silence – and a trail that leads straight to the Devil himself . . .
One of the most popular storytellers of the century.' - The Telegraph A businessman makes a deal with a satanic clergymen, and has his daughter baptised into Satan's church. Twenty-one years later, provided she is still a virgin, she is destined to be the centrepiece of a hideous satanic ritual. Molly Fountain, a tough-minded Englishwoman who worked for the British Intelligence during the war, has retreated to her French cottage to write. Next door she finds a new, mysterious neighbour, an intriguing young girl named Christina. Why did the solitary girl leave her rented house only for short walks at night? Why was she so frightened? Why did animals shrink away from her? Molly and her son are determined to save Christina from the clutches of what promises to be a fate worse than death.
In every village, town and city, in every country throughout the world people are dying for no apparent reason; fine one second, dead the next, young and old, rich and poor and the numbers are accelerating by the hour. The popular dailies call it 'The Blight' but what is 'The Blight' and can it be stopped? Airplanesdrop out of the sky raining death and destruction on the hapless cities belowas their pilots suddenly die at the controls and thedriving ofautomobileshas to bebanned worldwideas countless fatalcrashes claim the lives of millions in towns and cities on every continent,as driversfall victimto'The Blight'. The UN say the deaths are as a result of a mutant virus that has escaped from a Moscow laboratory but Dr Eve James a Micro Biologist from the US Center for Disease Controlknows differently. The finest scientific and medical minds at The Pasteur Institute, Oxford University and Duke University are brought together to find the answers but time is fast running out as governments collapse throughout the world and civilisation teeters on the brink of madness.....and then the terrifying answer. Dennis Wheatley's novel is a spellbinder, taking the reader on a white-knuckle ride into a world bright with terror as humankind faces its ultimate battle - the survival of the species.
Why would a French aristocrat renounce his country and live in exile? The answer lies in the Paris of the 1890s; a world of superficial glamour but, under the surface, deep social and political strife. The army, discredited by the Dreyfus case, was being purged. The young de Richleau, cadet and then instructor at the military academy of St. Cyr, became involved in a conspiracy - to restore the French monarchy - with the Duc de Vendome being secretly coached in his future role of King. What happens if the conspiracy is betrayed? For some: death. For de Richleau, the life of a fugitive who has declared a single-handed vendetta against the government.
Before there was James Bond, there was Gregory Sallust.' Tina Rosenberg, Salon.com The White Witch of the South Seas is the eleventh in Dennis Wheatley's bestselling Gregory Sallust series featuring the debonair spy Gregory Sallust, a forerunner to Ian Fleming's James Bond. A spellbinding story of adventure and intrigue told in the true Wheatley tradition, featuring Gregory Sallust who, when visiting Rio de Janeiro, becomes drawn into perilous action. Circumstance leads to him becoming the friend of a young South Seas Rajah, Ratu James Omboluku, there to secure finance to recover treasure from a sunken ship lying off the island he rules; and he intends to use this treasure for the betterment of his people. But others, led by the unscrupulous Pierre Lacost, are also planning to recover the treasure, and it is not long before Gregory, having an affair with the passionate Manon de Bois-Tracy, finds himself surrounded by murder, magic, blackmail, kidnapping and some of the most ruthless thugs he has ever encountered.
Before there was James Bond, there was Gregory Sallust.' Tina Rosenberg, Salon.com They Used Dark Forces is the eighth in Dennis Wheatley's bestselling Gregory Sallust series featuring the debonair spy Gregory Sallust, a forerunner to Ian Fleming's James Bond. It is 1943 and secret agent Gregory Sallust parachutes into Nazi Germany. In the company of an ex-Bolshevik General, the two of them join forces with the widow of a German diplomat who is in contact with Allied Intelligence. It is through her that Gregory becomes unwillingly involved with a Black Magician. Sixteen months later they meet again and decide to pool their knowledge of the dark arts, concocting a plan to use occult forces in an attempt to destroy Hitler once and for all.
When German submarines were sinking so much Allied shipping that Britain faced the danger of starvation, Dennis Wheatley – then a member of the War Cabinet's Joint Planning Staff – suggested that a system of raft convoys, moved by the Gulf Stream and prevailing winds, should be used to float essential supplies across the Atlantic. This story is based on that idea. Philip Vaudell leaves the United States on a solitary raft, but when he comes across a ploy that would put him in danger, he casts away from his crew and the raft is left in the lap of the gods. But, with Philip was the other real trouble – in the enticing shape of red-headed Gloria, who had stowed away on his raft. Instead of drifting into European waters, they are carried down to the Antarctic where, amidst its eternal snows, he discovers a large area with a warm climate and populated by a lost race. Will they be able to make contact and request rescue, or will they be forced to find a way to integrate with these people? Furthermore, will they be welcomed, or used as part of their ritual human sacrifice?
Before there was James Bond, there was Gregory Sallust.' Tina Rosenberg, Salon.com V for Vengeance is the fifth in Dennis Wheatley's bestselling Gregory Sallust series featuring the debonair spy Gregory Sallust, a forerunner to Ian Fleming's James Bond. France has fallen to the Nazis, and British secret agent Gregory Sallust is in Vichy, as determined as ever to overthrow the iron rule of the Third Reich. Nursed back to health by Madeleine Lavalliere, he leaves Paris just as the Germans march into the capital. Little does he realise that there is more to Madeleine than meets the eye, and that he was destined to meet up with her once more. Together they evolve a plan which could inflict irreparable damage upon the Nazis, but one so dangerous that their escape is in no way guaranteed. "Without a doubt, Mr. Wheatley's best espionage yarn to date." The New York Times
Moral young Englishman, Swithin Destime, to avoid an international incident, had resigned from the Army; within weeks he was in Istanbul to check on rumours of a planned uprising. But as a spy Destime was an amateur, alone in a city of intrigue and fear, a dark web in whose centre squatted the repulsive form of Kazdim Hari Bekar. Formerly a Palace eunuch, Kazdim was now Chief of the Secret Police – a job which admirably suited his depraved personal tastes
. . . Once we have begun our operations there can be no turning back, but if you agree to join me I have no single doubt as to our success. What is your answer?' Hinckman stood up – his great chin jutted out and he threw his massive shoulders back as he replied: 'I guess this is the biggest proposition that's ever been put up, Lord Fortescue – but I'm your man!' Lord Gavin took his hand, a sudden fire leapt into his strange, cold eyes. 'Within a year,' he said softly, 'you and I will be the richest and most powerful men in the world.
The fantastic story of an estranged family, brought together by the death of the so called, "uncle John" to attend to the reading out of his will. Mocking his family, the dead man left his riches to complete strangers and people he had met once...or twice. But, tantalisingly, he did leave with his family the secret to his wealth; a mythical valley of diamonds deep in the Kalahari. The family, grumpy old Henry and his daughter Patricia, the brothers, Earnest and George, their half brother, Michael and their cousin, Sandy take off on a journey to find it. After being warned of the dangers of the journey, as well as the threat of being jailed for illegal prospecting of diamonds, the family splits into teams and heads of to find their treasure. But add a villain and a beautiful woman into the throng and the story takes a dangerous turn.
Spring 1914. At a masked ball, the Duke de Richleau has an intriguing meeting with a beautiful woman - an incident that was to lead to a series of desperate adventures with a Serbian; a secret; a terrorist society; then as a British secret agent at the Austrian Supreme Headquarters. The capers culminate in the Battle of the Marne – the operation that shattered Germany's chance of victory. Through the violence, intrigue and hair's-breadth escapes, there runs alongside the story of a great love.
Murder in the rich atmosphere of London's Clubland – here is Dennis Wheatley at his thrilling best in this classic, meticulous whodunnit. The detective force, always a step ahead of the police force, brings together the connoisseur Duke de Richleau, a husky American millionaire and a young man-about-town on a charge of matricide.
Before there was James Bond, there was Gregory Sallust.' Tina Rosenberg, Salon.com Come Into My Parlour is the sixth in Dennis Wheatley's bestselling Gregory Sallust series featuring the debonair spy Gregory Sallust, a forerunner to Ian Fleming's James Bond. In Come Into My Parlour, British secret agent Gregory Sallust is in the Soviet Union, just as the Communist nation enters war against Nazi Germany. There to counter Gregory's plans is his arch-enemy, Gruppenführer Grabber, as anxious as ever to settle the long-standing score which has existed between them. As plot and counter-plot carry the story to a Swiss lakeside villa, the final scenes are played out in a sinister castle situated deep in the heart of a German forest.
Nov ́k, a British-born professor of Czech parentage, was a peace-loving man of high, if misguided, ideals. He planned to spend a quiet week-end in London. There, he was unexpectedly called on to make an appalling decision. Having made it he became the helpless plaything of Fate. This is the story of his battle for his beliefs, for his life, and for that of the platinum blonde, Fedora, who got him into all his troubles.
Before there was James Bond, there was Gregory Sallust.' Tina Rosenberg, Salon.com The Island Where Time Stands Still is the ninth in Dennis Wheatley's bestselling Gregory Sallust series featuring the debonair spy Gregory Sallust, a forerunner to Ian Fleming's James Bond. On a pleasure cruise on the South Seas, Sir Pellinore Gwaine-Cust's yacht hits a coral reef and sinks in minutes. Only one survivor is washed to the safety of the shore: Gregory Sallust. But this is no ordinary Pacific island. When Gregory regains consciousness he finds himself among a Chinese community, ruled by descendents of the ancient Imperial House. Within days the throne becomes vacant, and Gregory joins an expedition to find the true heir - a hazardous search that takes him to San Francisco, and deep into the forbidden heart of China itself.
This macabre tale begins with a box. A Japanese father is sent the severed head of his son. Merri Sang knew nothing of this, and neither did Julian Day nor Bill Urata, both of whom were in love with her; but the father's thirst for revenge brought all three of them into deadly peril. The story moves swiftly to a modern day Hong Kong as we follow the web of characters, where capture and death are around each corner and trust has been long forgotten. When Merri is kidnapped, her mother devises a plan to get her back, but Julian must muster all of his courage to carry it out, and perhaps his love rival will help, but maybe only if there's something in it for him at the end.
A stirring psychological thriller adapted into the movie The Haunted Airman starring Robert Pattinson. Toby Jugg, a fighter pilot shot down in combat, is now confined to his bed with little hope of walking again. He is also the heir to a considerable fortune - a fortune that is being administered by a board of trustees until he comes of age. But night after night, out there in the moonlight, Something was trying to get in at the bedroom window. A huge malevolent Something. Something not of this world. Inside, Toby thought first that he was hallucinating, then that he must be going mad, finally that this evil Something was real and striving to reach him. So begins what is probably Dennis Wheatley's most terrifying story of the supernatural. The struggle which ensues brings Toby unexpected help but also treachery as it moves inexorably towards an appalling confrontation and seemingly inevitable catastrophe.
A collection of short stories of adventure, crooks, spies and a mine of information about Black Magic by the Prince of Thriller Writers. With personal introductions to each short story, giving their context and inspiration, this collection is a must-have for Wheatley fans as a glimpse into the writer's crafting process.
Feb 1807 - Sep 1809 The Roger Brook stories continue with his saga through the years 1807-1809. Napoleon is at the height of his powers. By now the complete autocrat, lusting for more power, he had warred against Prussia, Austria and Hanover, struck through Poland, towards the Baltic and into Russia. The needless wars were bleeding France white. Roger Brook, still the most valuable and resourceful of secret agents, moves amongst the centres of power of Europe and beyond, and owing to mischance and intrigue is carried to Turkey, Persia, Portugal and Brazil. But, interwoven with the historical pattern, runs the thread of Roger's passionate involvement with the lovely Lisala de Pombal – a woman as licentious as she is beautiful – who plays her part in leading him from one desperate situation to another.
In the face of an Atlantic hurricane, a boatload of mis-matched crew and passengers find themselves aboard a life-boat and must pit their strength against the rigours of the open sea. Tension mounts both inside and outside the rescue vessel - the desirable Synolda is forced into the arms of a man who knows her past and uses that knowledge. A man with hatred in his eyes – a hatred that can only be satisfied with blood. There is mutiny and murder before the unrelenting Sargasso weed entombs them all. But suddenly land is sighted – land unmarked on the chart, concealing further, unimaginable horrors.
Should any of my readers incline to a serious study of the subject, and thus come into contact with a man or a woman of Power, I feel that it is only right to urge them, most strongly, to refrain from being drawn into the practise of the Secret Art in any way. My own observations have led me to an absolute conviction that to do so would bring them into dangers of a very real and concrete nature." Dennis Wheatley The entire collection of Dennis Wheatley's Black Magic series in one digital volume. THE DEVIL RIDES OUT STRANGE CONFLICT THE HAUNTING OF TOBY JUGG TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER THE KA OF GIFFORD HILLARY THE SATANIST THEY USED DARK FORCES UNHOLY CRUSADE THE WHITE WITCH OF THE SOUTH SEAS GATEWAY TO HELL THE IRISH WITCH
This is a very extraordinary book... a first-rate thriller." -The Tablet As Mussolini's troops invade Abyssinia the international situation deteriorates, and the armaments kings look forward greedily to even fatter profits. No one, it seems, can halt the carnage. Except perhaps the Millers of God, a group of wealthy individuals dedicated to the systematic execution of all those who feed off human suffering. Sir Anthony Lovelace doesn't approve of the organisation's methods. But when Christopher Penn and his beautiful fiancee call on his friendship, he too finds himself involved in a desperate gamble for the cause of peace.
Before there was James Bond, there was Gregory Sallust.' Tina Rosenberg, Salon.com The Black Baroness is the fourth in Dennis Wheatley's bestselling Gregory Sallust series featuring the debonair spy Gregory Sallust, a forerunner to Ian Fleming's James Bond. During the seventy terrific days from Hitler's invasion of Norway in April to the surrender of the French in June, British Secret Agent Gregory Sallust infiltrates enemy lines to foil the Führer's plans for domination. While in Oslo, Sallust uncovers Hitler's secret weapon: young, beautiful and respectable Nazi women who use their charms to seduce neutral politicians and turn them pro-German. These women are led by the Black Baroness, a French Nazi whose powers of persuasion overcome even Mussolini. Sallust tracks the Baroness across France and Italy trying to stop her before it's too late. "An exciting tale of espionage and counterespionage...Thrills, intrigue and action from the invasion of Norway to the fall of France." - Los Angeles Times
Read the first three novels in Dennis Wheatley's thrilling Black Magic series including The Devil Rides Out, Strange Conflict and The Haunting of Toby Jugg. If you've not yet read Dennis Wheatley, or wish to revisit three of his best known books, this series starter provides the perfect introduction to the complete Black Magic Series of eleven titles. The Black Magic series features one of Dennis Wheatley's best known characters, the Duke de Richleau, and deals with themes for which Wheatley is arguably most renowned, Satanism and the occult. In The Devil Rides Out, the aristocratic Duke de Richleau faces new, sinister challenges in this macabre tale of the dark arts. When his good friend Simon Aron's naïve curiosity is tested, the Duke, along with his ever-patient friends Rex Van Ryn and Richard Eaton, must intricately plot a means of both physical and spiritual rescue. But with Van Ryn's affections for a beautiful woman caught in the web of Satanists, and Eaton's ongoing scepticism, they all risk being brought to the verge of madness through dabbling with the powers of evil. Strange Conflict finds London at war. As the bombs fall, the elderly Duke de Richleau is forced to consider a problem of the utmost urgency. What methods are the Germans using to discover – with sinister effect – the secret routes of the Atlantic convoys? His answer is bizarre and fantastic. Could it really be that the enemy are in touch with supernatural powers? Can these powers only be overcome by those who have the knowledge and courage to join battle with them on the Astral Plane? The Haunting of Toby Jugg is a stirring psychological thriller adapted into the movie The Haunted Airman starring Robert Pattinson. Toby Jugg, a fighter pilot shot down in combat, is now confined to his bed with little hope of walking again. He is also the heir to a considerable fortune – a fortune that is being administered by a board of trustees until he comes of age. But night after night, out there in the moonlight, Something is trying to get in at the bedroom window. A huge malevolent Something. Something not of this world. Is Toby hallucinating? Or is Something real and evil striving to reach him. As one reviewer says, this is 'a masterclass in how to write suspense'.
Sep 1939 - 27 Apr 1941 'Between your body and his,' the old Arab woman told the lovely Greek-ltalian girl, Daphnis, 'lies the Sword of Fate.' In the battle-scarred days of 1940 Julian Day finds himself in Alexandria – in a whirlpool of intrigue and spy-rings. He falls under suspicion both from his fellow countrymen and the Germans. Driven by conflicting loyalties, he sets sail for Greece and the ill-starred campaign of 1941, and, determined to sheath the Sword of Fate, he journeys into the heart of enemy-held territory. The danger is desperate; the price of failure – death.
All 11 thrilling Duke de Richleau stories, available in one volume for the first time! Follow the aristocratic adventurer as he spies for the British in WWI, rescues friends from the Soviet Union and battles Nazi occultists in Haiti. THE PRISONER IN THE MASK VENDETTA IN SPAIN THE SECOND SEAL THREE INQUISITIVE PEOPLE THE FORBIDDEN TERRITORY THE DEVIL RIDES OUT THE GOLDEN SPANIARD CODEWORD GOLDEN FLEECE STRANGE CONFLICT GATEWAY TO HELL DANGEROUS INHERITANCE TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER THE SATANIST
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