Got Vampires? Ghosts? Monsters? We Can Help! Your one-stop-shop for Urban Fantasy’s finest anthology of the supernatural. 14 sleuths are gathered together for the first time in all-original tales of unusual cases which require services that go far beyond mere deduction! Featuring new stories by: Tanya Huff, C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp, Simon R. Green, T. A. Pratt, Chris Marie Green, Lilith Saintcrow, Rachel Caine, Jackie Kessler, Carrie L. Vaughn, Julie Kenner, C. J. Henderson, Laura Anne Gilman, Justin Gustainis and Caitlin Kittredge Meet the Detectives: Danny Hendrickson - from Laura Anne Gilman’s Cosa Nostradamus series. Kate Connor - from Julie Kenner’s Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series. John Taylor - from Simon R. Green’s Nightside series. Jill Kismet - from Lilith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet series. Jessi Hardin - from Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series. Quincey Morris - from Justin Gustainis’ Morris/Chastain Investigations series. Marla Mason - from T. A. Pratt’s Marla Mason series. Tony Foster - from Tanya Huff’s Smoke and Shadows series. Dawn Madison - from Chris Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon series. Pete Caldecott - from Caitlin Kittredge’s Black London series. Tony Giodone - from C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp’s Tales of the Sazi series. Jezebel - from Jackie Kessler’s Hell on Earth series. Piers Knight - from C. J. Henderson’s Brooklyn Knight series. Cassiel - from Rachel Caine’s Outcast Season series. Demons may lurk, werewolves may prowl, vampires may ride the wind. These are things that go bump in the night, but we are the ones who bump back! About the editor: Justin Gustainis has been an Army officer, speechwriter and professional bodyguard. He is currently a college professor living in upstate New York. He is the author of The Hades Project, Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways, Hard Spell and Sympathy for the Devil. He has also published a number of short stories, two of which won the Graverson Award for Horror in consecutive years. He is a graduate of the Odyssey Writing Workshop. Praise: "Urban fantasy has a special place in my heart, and the Occult Detective is perhaps the fundamental urban-fantasy archetype. An anthology of this kind is can serve two purposes: The first is to provide a taste of the genre to those that might otherwise be unfamiliar with it, and the second is to provide fans of the genre a chance to discover writers they may not have already come across. It was well worth the read and I would recommend it wholeheartedly for any fan of the urban fantasy/occult detective genre; even more so if you are unfamiliar with the genre and would like a taste as to what it’s all about." — Nick Bronson -- "Urban Fantasy readers will love this book, and it is a first-rate group of stories." — Paul Lappan, Reviewer
This early works on 'When Kansas was Young' is an absorbing collection of stories. FOREWORD: The Stories contained in this book have been written at odd times and published in the 'Daily Capital' of Topeka, Kansas. The stories present, I think,, some pictures of frontier life and frontier characters not found in any other book. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
Basing his work on virtually untapped NASA archives, T. A. Heppenheimer has produced the second volume of his definitive history of the space shuttle. Volume Two traces the development of the shuttle through a decade of engineering setbacks and breakthroughs, program-management challenges, and political strategizing, culminating in the first launch in April 1981. The focus is on the engineering challenges—propulsion, thermal protection, electronics, onboard systems—and the author covers in depth the alternative vehicles developed by the U.S. Air Force and European countries. The first launch entailed a monumental amount of planning and preparation that Heppenheimer explains in detail.
Who is the woman watching from the dim glow of the lamplight outside? Why did she disappear that tragic night, as if a figment of imagination? Having left a problematic relationship behind in Manhattan, architect Dani moves upstate with her new husband to renovate an old modernist house. The shock of discovering him dead in the hall and Dani’s subsequent grieving are quickly punctuated by disturbing discoveries. Why did the previous owners suffer a suspicious downfall? Perhaps several break-in attempts at the house are related. Someone also appears to be stalking Dani. Could it be the jogger she sees at night? Is she the lady in the lamplight? Dani fears these unsettling individuals are connected to her husband’s murder. But how? When her husband’s wealthy, but shady, brother, Paul offers to move in to help, Dani wonders about an ulterior motive. Suppressing buried desires, she is drawn to the similarities between Paul and her husband. Visits from her old partner only add to her problems, particularly the irritating memory block surrounding their past. Befriending her stylish female neighbour, Dani finds security footage of the murder, drawing her into an intriguing mystery – seemingly centred on the house and perhaps its secret contents. Dani is shocked to discover the reason behind the whole affair could be close to home – as, too, might be the disturbing revelation routed in her past. The mystery cries out to be solved... before it slides to a fatal conclusion.
This book is a celebration of His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta’isi Efi’s intellectual and cultural legacy to Samoa, providing Tui Atua’s writings and thoughts on Samoan indigenous knowledge. It was first compiled and published as a festschrift in commemoration of his seventieth birthday. Tui Atua is Samoa’s Head of State and is currently the only holder of one of Samoa’s four pāpā (aristocratic chiefly) titles – Tui Atua. The book also contains responses from fourteen of Samoa’s leading and emerging scholars (including two Rhodes Scholars), based within and outside Samoa. The book searches for the best of what His Highness terms ‘the Samoan indigenous reference’ and enlarges our contemporary understandings of indigenous knowledge.
Sixth in the book series, Advances in Image Communication, which documents the rapid advancements of recent years in image communication technologies, this volume provides a comprehensive exploration of subband coding.Originally, subband coding and transform coding were developed separately. The former, however, benefitted considerably from the earlier evolution of transform coding theory and practice. Retaining their own terminology and views, the two methods are closely related and this book indeed aims to unify the approaches. Specifically, the volume contributes effectively to the understanding of frequency domain coding techniques. Many images from coding experiments are presented, enabling the reader to consider the properties of different coders.Chapter 1 introduces the problem of image compression in general terms. Sampling of images and other fundamental concepts, such as entropy and the rate distortion function, are briefly reviewed. The idea of viewing coding techniques as series expansions is also introduced. The second chapter presents signal decomposition and the conditions for perfect reconstruction from minimum representations. Chapter 3 deals with filter bank structures, primarily those displaying the perfect reconstruction property. Quantization techniques and the efficient exploitation of the bit resources are discussed from a theoretical perspective in Chapter 4 and this issue is further examined in Chapter 6, from a more practical point of view. Chapter 5 provides a development of gain formulas, i.e. quantitative measures of the performance of filter banks in a subband coding context, and these are then employed in a search for optimal filter banks. A number of examples of coded images using different subband coders are presented in Chapter 7, these indicating that subband coders give rise to some characteristic types of image degradations. Accordingly, Chapter 8 presents several techniques for minimizing these artifacts. The theory and practice of subband coding of video, at several target bit rates, is discussed in the last chapter.
Phosgene, COCl2 is a C1 chemical of major industrial importance. The annual production, worldwide, is more than 1 million tons; 90% of which is used in the manufacture of isocyanates and of polyurethane and polycarbonate resins. Phosgene is also extensively used as a synthetic reagent in organic chemistry, in particular in the preparation of acyl chlorides, chloroformate esters, organic carbonates and carbamoyl chlorides.Although more than 7000 papers have appeared on phosgene and some 1000 papers on its analogues, this is the first book on these interesting chemicals. It presents a critical treatise of phosgene, ranging from its discovery and subsequent use as a war gas to some potential applications of the material into the 21st century. It includes chapters on biological effects and industrial hygiene; on synthesis, formation and manufacture; analysis, uses, environmental effects, and physical and thermodynamic properties. Reactions with organic and inorganic materials are described. Four of the seventeen chapters are devoted to a description of the carbonyl halides (especially carbonyl difluoride) related to phosgene, and a special section deals collectively with the electronic structures of carbonyl halide molecules.Featuring the first-ever comprehensive discussion of the medical effects of phosgene poisoning and the most modern methods of treating exposure victims, the book will be of interest to historians and militarists and those working in the chemical industries (heavy chemicals, agricultural and pharmaceutical), university libraries, hospitals, medical research centres, museums, environmental research centres, poison units and health and safety institutions world-wide.
The prospectus of humans living, working, and establishing communities in space can no longer be dismissed as the romantic notions of science fiction writers and space buffs. With the launch of the space shuttle human kind will enter a new era in space exploration, one giant step closer to the goal of human colonization. Our understanding of man’s role in space is maturing, and the myths of life in space as a slick Buck Rogers episode or a scene from Star Wars must give way to a realistic plan for human life in other part of the solar system. We are ready now for a factual assessment of the challenges ahead: in Toward Distant Suns, the prospects of space exploration and space colonization have come of age. Here, for the first time, is a realistic look at what humankind must accomplish in order to colonize near space. Based on the most up-to-date research available, Toward Distant Suns tackles the problems of technology and lifestyle that will face those men and women whose mission is to settle space. Here is realistic, in-depth coverage of: space shuttle’s role in near space construction, development of new, more versatile rocket fuels and motors, building the large communications platforms, power satellites the “Space Spider,” and space colonies, the space workers—how they will be chosen, trained, and transported; life in zero-g—space tourism and space war; “suburbanizing” space earth dwellers; the real future of interstellar colonization Toward Distant Suns also takes a new look at the tantalizing question: What is our place in the galaxy? It reviews the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence experiments, the latest work on interstellar flight and colonization, and the current scientific information on planetary formation and humanoid development, to reach the startling conclusion: Mankind may be unique and along.
This volume gives an analysis of recent achievements in the field of synthesis, structural investigations, and properties of polybutilene therephthalate (PBT). Furthermore, the mechanism of PBT synthesis by equilibrium polycondensation reaction is described together with the used reagents, catalysts, and stabilizers.
“Life of the Wayside and Woodland” is a vintage guide to 'woodcraft', the knowledge and understanding of woodland countryside and its animal inhabitants. It aims to present the reader with suggestions for the methods of studying nature as a whole, concentrating on where to find the varied woodland life that we can see, watch and enjoy. Highly recommended for nature lovers and keen naturalists. Thomas Coward (1867 – 1933) was an English ornithologist and amateur astronomer. He wrote on natural history, local history and Cheshire for a number of publications and books. Other notable works by this author include: “The Vertebrate Fauna of Cheshire and Liverpool Bay” (1910), “The Migration of Birds” (1912), and “Bird Haunts and Nature Memories” (1922). Contents include: “Collectors and Collecting”, “January – February”, “March – April”, “May – June”, “July – August”, “September – October”, “November – December”, “Hints On Collecting and Preserving”, “Reference Books”, etc. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.
The History of Wyoming" explains detailed information of territorial and state developments. This second edition also includes the post-World War II chapters containing discussion about the economy, society, culture and politics not included on the previous edition.
Genomes 4 has been completely revised and updated. It is a thoroughly modern textbook about genomes and how they are investigated. As with Genomes 3, techniques come first, then genome anatomies, followed by genome function, and finally genome evolution. The genomes of all types of organism are covered: viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals including humans and other hominids. Genome sequencing and assembly methods have been thoroughly revised including a survey of four genome projects: human, Neanderthal, giant panda, and barley. Coverage of genome annotation emphasizes genome-wide RNA mapping, with CRISPR-Cas 9 and GWAS methods of determining gene function covered. The knowledge gained from these techniques forms the basis of the three chapters that describe the three main types of genomes: eukaryotic, prokaryotic (including eukaryotic organelles), and viral (including mobile genetic elements). Coverage of genome expression and replication is truly genomic, concentrating on the genome-wide implications of DNA packaging, epigenome modifications, DNA-binding proteins, non-coding RNAs, regulatory genome sequences, and protein-protein interactions. Also included are applications of transcriptome analysis, metabolomics, and systems biology. The final chapter is on genome evolution, focusing on the evolution of the epigenome, using genomics to study human evolution, and using population genomics to advance plant breeding. Established methods of molecular biology are included if they are still relevant today and there is always an explanation as to why the method is still important. Each chapter has a set of short-answer questions, in-depth problems, and annotated further reading. There is also an extensive glossary. Genomes 4 is the ideal text for upper level courses focused on genomes and genomics.
Meet Marla Mason—smart, saucy, slightly wicked witch of the East Coast. . . . Sorcerer Marla Mason, small-time guardian of the city of Felport, has a big problem. A rival is preparing a powerful spell that could end Marla’s life—and, even worse, wreck her city. Marla’s only chance of survival is to boost her powers with the Cornerstone, a magical artifact hidden somewhere in San Francisco. But when she arrives there, Marla finds that the quest isn’t going to be quite as cut-and-dried as she expected . . . and that some of the people she needs to talk to are dead. It seems that San Francisco’s top sorcerers are having troubles of their own—a mysterious assailant has the city’s magical community in a panic, and the local talent is being (gruesomely) picked off one by one. With her partner-in-crime, Rondeau, Marla is soon racing against time through San Francisco’s alien streets, dodging poisonous frogs, murderous hummingbirds, cannibals, and a nasty vibe from the local witchery, who suspect that Marla herself may be behind the recent murders. And if Marla doesn’t figure out who is killing the city’s finest in time, she’ll be in danger of becoming a magical statistic herself. . . .
An aviation expert uncovers the brilliance behind the first successful flight of an engine-powered plane In the centennial year of the Wright Brothers' first successful flight, acclaimed aviation writer T. A. Heppenheimer reexamines what Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved. In First Flight, he debunks the popular assumption that the Wrights were simple mechanics who succeeded by trial and error, demonstrating instead that they were true engineering geniuses. Heppenheimer presents the background that made possible the work of the Wrights and examines the work of Samuel P. Langley, a serious rival. He places their work within a broad historical context, emphasizing their contributions after 1903 and their convergence with ongoing aeronautical work in France. T. A. Heppenheimer (Fountain Valley, CA) has written extensively on aerospace, business, and the history of technology. His many books include Turbulent Skies: The History of Commercial Aviation (0-471-10961-4), Countdown: A History of Space Flight (0-471-14439-8), and A Brief History of Flight: From Balloons to Mach 3 and Beyond (0-471-34637-3), all from Wiley.
Brain-eating fungi, wannabe sorcerers, long-lost relations–does even a hard-core witch stand a chance? Mad sorcerers, psychic vampires, an army of vengeful demons, Marla Mason would rather face them all than a flesh-and-blood ghost from her dysfunctional family past: her con artist brother, Jason. As Felport’s chief sorcerer, Marla would ordinarily consider it her duty to protect her town from such an unscrupulous ne’er-do-well. As his sister, things are a lot…trickier. Now, as Marla attempts to train an apprentice oracle whose magical wires have gotten crossed, Jason is setting up an elaborate sting and drawing her ever-so-corruptible partner Rondeau into the ruse. Their patsy is a filthy-rich wannabe mage and their bait is something so valuable, so dangerous, so sought after, it probably doesn’t exist. But now word’s gotten out that the Borrichius spores do exist and instead of a sucker Jason and Rondeau have a much bigger–and much deadlier–fish on their line: a reclusive sorcerer whose devotion to the mushroom god and command of vegetal magic could bring a fungal apocalypse to Felport. It’ll be the mother of all bad trips unless Marla can pull off the ultimate magical switcheroo…and somehow live to tell about it.
An authoritative two-volume overview of the distribution of the wild plants of Great Britain and Ireland Plant Atlas 2020 presents the results of field surveys by the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, building on past atlas surveys undertaken by the Botanical Society in the early and late twentieth century. Drawing on the work of thousands of botanists who covered the entirety of Britain and Ireland between 2000 and 2019, this two-volume book features introductory chapters that provide a detailed assessment of the changes to the region’s flora over the past hundred years. Distribution maps and accompanying text and graphics display the phenology, altitudinal range, and time-series trends for 2,616 native and alien species and 247 hybrids. With more than 30 million records gathered during the project, Plant Atlas 2020 will serve as an essential resource for the study and conservation of these wild plants and their vitally important habitats for decades to come. The most in-depth survey of British and Irish flora ever undertaken, based on more than 30 million individual records Covers 2,616 native and alien species and 247 hybrids Features a wealth of distribution maps and infographics, accompanied by informative text A must-have reference book for botanists, field naturalists, conservation organizations, government agencies, and anyone interested in the diverse plant life of Great Britain and Ireland
A century's worth of the exotic and the fantastic. The stories range from Richard Garnett's "The Demon Pope," a story on soul-selling, to Terry Prachett's amusing "Troll Bridge, " in which Cohen the Barbarian philosophizes on the decline of magic.
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