Ian Thompson

Sometimes the worst monsters are human. Luke Smith remembers nothing from the first decade of his life - but whatever happened during those years causes him hideous nightmares. He is haunted by the idea that something awful was done to him... but even more by the fear that he did something so horrifying he has blocked it from his memory. Could he have killed? Or committed a crime even worse than murder? The kindly psychiatrist Dr Maybury believes he can cure Luke. Will this mean restoring forgotten memories? What will the cost of the 'cure' be? And what does Luke's newest, most awful nightmare mean? 'House Of My Dreams' is the fifth in the series of Short Horror Tales - quick reads written to captivate the reader with thrills, chills and unexpected twists. Reviews from this author's horror releases: "...thoroughly spooky, enticing and well written from start to finish.""...great... I could feel the fear...""...shows true mastery of the short horror story... a wildly imaginative antagonist unlike anything I've read before... a quick, captivating read full of horror and thrills. The tense action and suspense of Glancing Blow make it incredibly hard to put down..."(Glancing Blow - Short Horror Tales #1)"...When the blood starts to splatter, Nigel's day gets really rough. Thompson has devised a brilliantly brutal creature to sic on his leading man. Creative and twisted, the monster is a total terror... Hooker is an absolutely insane, blood-pumping ride... With a wicked cool monster and a page-turning climax, this is one Creature Feature you won't want to miss out on..."(Hooker - Short Horror Tales #2)"Great short story..."(Ignition Source - Short Horror Tales #4)"...well-written, descriptive and enthralling page-turner, that's not for the faint-hearted... The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat..."(God Of War)"...extremely well written and very dark. The author did a great job of creating a palpable sense of doom that surrounds the main character from the beginning, and then creating more tension and horror as the story went on..."(Into The Hole)

Late at night, at a huge warehouse, a disabled security guard expects another boring, routine shift of work. That's fine by him: he's a war veteran who lost an arm in combat and he doesn't need any new dangers in his life. Unfortunately, the night is about to bring terrors that the guard is utterly unprepared for... First there are intruders. Are they thieves, arsonists or something else?Then there is a raging fire. Caused by who... or what?Horrific murders follow...And a monstrous secret that is both alive and utterly lethal. In the face of challenges which make him doubt his sanity, can he survive..? 'Ignition Source' is the fourth in the series of Short Horror Tales - quick reads written to captivate the reader with thrills, chills and unexpected twists. Reviews from this author's horror releases: "...thoroughly spooky, enticing and well written from start to finish.""...great... I could feel the fear...""...shows true mastery of the short horror story... a wildly imaginative antagonist unlike anything I've read before... a quick, captivating read full of horror and thrills. The tense action and suspense of Glancing Blow make it incredibly hard to put down..."(Glancing Blow - Short Horror Tales #1)"...When the blood starts to splatter, Nigel's day gets really rough. Thompson has devised a brilliantly brutal creature to sic on his leading man. Creative and twisted, the monster is a total terror... Hooker is an absolutely insane, blood-pumping ride... With a wicked cool monster and a page-turning climax, this is one Creature Feature you won't want to miss out on..."(Hooker - Short Horror Tales #2)"Great short story..."(Ignition Source - Short Horror Tales #4)"...well-written, descriptive and enthralling page-turner, that's not for the faint-hearted... The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat..."(God Of War)"...extremely well written and very dark. The author did a great job of creating a palpable sense of doom that surrounds the main character from the beginning, and then creating more tension and horror as the story went on..."(Into The Hole)

Beauty can be only skin deep. Horror can go right through to the bone. Nigel Fawson is down on his luck - he's lost both his job and his family - so he sets out to get drunk in a seedy bar. Soon Fawson is comforted by a beautiful girl named Valerie. When he discovers that his new friend is a prostitute, he decides to throw caution to the wind and return to her apartment with her... And that's when his night turns from awful to utterly lethal. Valerie has a hideous secret. She really isn't what she appears to be. Worse still, she's very, very hungry. 'Hooker' is the second in a new series of Short Horror Tales - quick reads written to captivate readers with thrills, chills and unexpected twists. Reviews from this author's horror releases: "...thoroughly spooky, enticing and well written from start to finish.""...great... I could feel the fear..."(Glancing Blow - Short Horror Tales #1)"Great short story..."(Ignition Source - Short Horror Tales #4)"...well-written, descriptive and enthralling page-turner, that's not for the faint-hearted... The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat..."(God Of War)"...extremely well written and very dark. The author did a great job of creating a palpable sense of doom that surrounds the main character from the beginning, and then creating more tension and horror as the story went on..."(Into The Hole) Review from 'Home Grown Horror Reviews': Ian Thompson's Hooker tells the tragic tale of the worst day of Nigel Fawson's life. He's lost his job, found his wife cheating on him, and discovered that his kid isn't even his. All he wants to do is drink himself into oblivion. In a shady part of town, the drunken Nigel is propositioned by the most beautiful woman he's ever seen. As uncharacteristic as it is for him, he decided to take her up on the offer and buy a night of fun. Before long, his night of fun turns into a night of terror when the woman isn't what she seems. As is par for Thompson's Short Horror Tales series, Hooker lays the groundwork with likable and relatable characters before ruthlessly punishing them. There is just enough set-up so that the reader is invested in Nigel and his troubles. This can be a tricky line to balance in a short story. Too much exposition and the reader is bored; too little and the reader just doesn't care. Once again, Thompson walks that tightrope with expertise. When the blood starts to splatter, Nigel's day gets really rough. Thompson has devised a brilliantly brutal creature to sic on his leading man. Creative and twisted, the monster is a total terror. This seems to be one of Thompson's strongest points; an ability to think up unique, awful monstrosities. Short and to the point, Hooker is an absolutely insane, blood-pumping ride. With just enough characterization and set up to bring Nigel fully to life, Thompson wastes no time getting to the horror. And once the horror starts to flow, it explodes like a firehose, utterly drenching poor Nigel till the last page. With a wicked cool monster and a page-turning climax, this is one Creature Feature you won't want to miss out on. (for full review refer: hghorror.wordpress.com/category/authors/thompson-ian/)

Join Drainage the Dragon in his second adventure.It's Christmas Eve and Drainage is looking forward to his first Christmas with Michael. However Santa has a big problem that only Drainage can solve to save Christmas

The dark secrets of elephant-keeping; camels, puddings, love and loss; an unlikely heroine of the American Civil War; the enchanting shores of Lake Metigoshe during dragonfly season these are just some of the subjects of this rich collection of eleven new Non-fiction voices, graduates from the University of East Anglia s renowned Creative Writing MA.With a foreword by Ian Thomson & an introduction by Kathryn Hughes

Late at night, a man is driving home through a hellish storm on a dark, secluded forest road. He's a vocalist and has just recorded his first ever album. It seems as if his life is finally about to turn around for the better... Until a creature lunges out in front of his car and he strikes it a glancing blow... Braking hard, the driver ventures into the rain to try to help the wounded beast. Yet the creature is no deer or other normal animal, it is a grotesque monstrosity. Pain sends the beast into a murderous rage... A nerve-shredding drama of pursuit, violence and suffering begins as the accident victim seeks revenge. The driver is unarmed and alone, rain-sodden and terrified. Can he survive this wrathful monster? 'Glancing Blow' is the first in the series of Short Horror Tales - quick reads written to captivate readers with thrills, chills and unexpected twists... So why not take a passenger seat in a car headed towards nightmarish terror? Reviews from this author's horror releases: "...thoroughly spooky, enticing and well written from start to finish.""...great... I could feel the fear..."(Glancing Blow - Short Horror Tales #1)"Great short story..."(Ignition Source - Short Horror Tales #4)"...well-written, descriptive and enthralling page-turner, that's not for the faint-hearted... The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat..."(God Of War)"...extremely well written and very dark. The author did a great job of creating a palpable sense of doom that surrounds the main character from the beginning, and then creating more tension and horror as the story went on..."(Into The Hole) Review from 'Home Grown Horror Reviews': Glancing Blow introduces us to a vocalist who's just made his big-ish break. After recording his first ever album, he's making the 300 mile drive back home. It's late at night, and the rain is coming down hard. Suddenly, something darts in front of his car, and he clips it with his bumper. Going back to check on the poor animal, he inadvertently throws himself into a frantic and brutal struggle for survival. Thompson shows true mastery of the short horror story. There is enough buildup to ensure that we actually care about the character and the situation, but the action begins quickly and lasts the duration of the story. The story is told in first person past tense, leading you to believe that our hero survives the ordeal. The narration can come across as a bit clinical at times, especially in certain descriptions. The overall vibe that the prose gives off is that the character is recounting his story for the record, after the fact. The panic and desperation felt in the moment sometimes bleeds through that detached tone, adding to the emotion of certain moments. Thompson has crafted a wildly imaginative antagonist unlike anything I've read before. The character's descriptions are very clear, leaving not much to the imagination. This could be construed as a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your own opinion. I think that the clear description adds to the idea that perhaps the main character is recording his story for law enforcement after the fact. Ian Thompson delivers exactly what he has promised- a quick, captivating read full of horror and thrills. The tense action and suspense of Glancing Blow make it incredibly hard to put down. Chances are, you'll run through this one in a single sitting. Thompson starts his Short Horror Tales series strongly, and I'm looking forward to continuing with the next story. (for full review refer: hghorror.wordpress.com/category/authors/thompson-ian/)

Slaughter At Ghastar is the first in an all-new spin-off series of novellas set in the apocalyptic Era Of Darkness. Hordes of demonic warriors swarm from beyond the great Wall of Light. They crush opposing armies. They eradicate towns and villages. They have already slaughtered the Unseen Gods... This is an invasion like no other. Their purpose is not to expand their territory, to instil their doctrines on other people or to plunder the riches of their prey, but simply to destroy every living thing. At dawn, the demon forces reach the peaceful Human village of Ghastar - and an atrocious massacre ensues... Amid the fleeing villagers are four friends. Nidel is a strong but fearful nineteen-year-old man, who is desperate to protect his younger sister Dansel. Tanner and Lul are brothers and traders; Tanner is fifty and a stout boastful liar; Lul is half his age, very intelligent but quiet-natured. A fourteen-year-old girl named Vina joins the group and they reach the outskirts of Ghastar... Here the refugees meet Tygis, an old hermit believed to be an addled fool. They retreat into his small cabin - and discover there is more to the hermit that anyone could have ever believed. Yet soon the cabin is surrounded and under siege by demons. Makeshift barricades won't last long under the mammoth onslaught. The six villagers will have to fight for their lives against the overwhelming invaders... Can anyone survive? Whereas Era Of Darkness tells the story of the demonic invasion on a huge scale, Survival depicts it from the perspective of a small group of refugees - not great warriors or leaders of nations, but ordinary people caught up in a catastrophe. Homeless and terrified, they are already victims of war. To make it through to the end of one terrible day, each character will need to summon up more courage than they ever knew they possessed. Reviews for the Era Of Darkness saga: "Wow The world Ian Thompson created for Era of Darkness is immense, and his cast of characters is huge. Luckily, Mr. Thompson is a fantastic guide. He drops you in the middle of the action and leads you through a world bracing itself against its inevitable demise. The action is intense, the battles are brutal, and the characters are complex and very real. What a great story ...I did thoroughly enjoy this story, and I will be picking up Era of Darkness Volume II: Extinction. If you love heart-pumping action and vicious battles, you have to read this book. However, I must warn. The action is brutal and gruesome. If you're squeamish about blood (or organs exploding or bones shattering), you may want to avoid this one.""...vividly descriptive with an almost metered artistry...""...Fast and furious paced action fantasy. Great characters that you really care for. Battles are huge and bloodthirsty. Cool races and well-designed monsters. A cracking-good read... ""I was impressed by the quality of the storytelling... an enthralling mix... a solid read" "...intense battles, incredible dark magic... so many twists and turns... I loved it""I was completely sucked in and captivated from the first page""...mixture of fantasy, mystery, loyalty that make it a one of a kind story""Wonderful characters and an even better story""This was my first peek at this series and author. I'll definitely be reading more from him. This is an interesting short read. Lots of action and sometimes gory descriptive details. It's a nice introduction to a couple of the characters and really sets the stage for what's to come. This appears to be a vast new world that I'm ready to learn more about."

A derelict building. The police find forty-two human skeletons... and one man chained to a wall. He is barely alive. He looks helpless, starved and possibly tortured. What happened to him? What did he witness? What is responsible for all the horrors of this house? And what is the reason for the victim's strange, desperate request? Sergeant Conway meets his Detective Inspector at 512 Bachman Heights. They examine the widespread evidence of horrific carnage and can barely believe what they find. When they speak to the single captive survivor, the mystery deepens and darkens... Even so, the two veteran cops have no idea of the terrible danger they are now in. 'Chained' is the third in a series of Short Horror Tales - quick reads written to captivate readers with thrills, chills and unexpected twists... So why not join the police at the crime scene and uncover the awful truth that lies there? Reviews from this author's horror releases: "...thoroughly spooky, enticing and well written from start to finish.""...great... I could feel the fear...""...shows true mastery of the short horror story... a wildly imaginative antagonist unlike anything I've read before... a quick, captivating read full of horror and thrills. The tense action and suspense of Glancing Blow make it incredibly hard to put down..."(Glancing Blow - Short Horror Tales #1)"...When the blood starts to splatter, Nigel's day gets really rough. Thompson has devised a brilliantly brutal creature to sic on his leading man. Creative and twisted, the monster is a total terror... Hooker is an absolutely insane, blood-pumping ride... With a wicked cool monster and a page-turning climax, this is one Creature Feature you won't want to miss out on..."(Hooker - Short Horror Tales #2)"Great short story..."(Ignition Source - Short Horror Tales #4)"...well-written, descriptive and enthralling page-turner, that's not for the faint-hearted... The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat..."(God Of War)"...extremely well written and very dark. The author did a great job of creating a palpable sense of doom that surrounds the main character from the beginning, and then creating more tension and horror as the story went on..."(Into The Hole)

The Era Of Darkness... A world facing annihilation. Epic battles and gritty action. Dark magic and horrendous monstrosities. Impossible odds. Defeat and despair. The Fate Of Luminar is a tale from the Era Of Darkness, set in the Human village closest to the mysterious Wall of Light. What the villagers of Luminar endure may soon befall an entire world... After a hard day working in the fields, Deris visits the tavern with his friend Roden before returning to his wife and children for the night. He goes to sleep as normal - unaware that his rest will be broken by sinister events... First, the Wall of Light will fall - plunging Luminar into darkness, something its inhabitants have never experienced.Then the demons will come - brutal, hideous invaders that destroy everything they encounter. Amid the appalling chaos and slaughter, Deris tries desperately to save his family and friends. But can anyone in Luminar possibly survive? This is a standalone story taken from Era Of Darkness Volume I. It is the third in the Short Tales series. Both war-torn volumes of the Era Of Darkness Saga are now available, plus the first in the Survival spin-off series: 'Slaughter At Ghastar'. Reviews from this author's fantasy releases: ...for the Era Of Darkness saga: "Wow The world Ian Thompson created for Era of Darkness is immense, and his cast of characters is huge. Luckily, Mr. Thompson is a fantastic guide. He drops you in the middle of the action and leads you through a world bracing itself against its inevitable demise. The action is intense, the battles are brutal, and the characters are complex and very real. What a great story ...I did thoroughly enjoy this story, and I will be picking up Era of Darkness Volume II: Extinction. If you love heart-pumping action and vicious battles, you have to read this book. However, I must warn. The action is brutal and gruesome. If you're squeamish about blood (or organs exploding or bones shattering), you may want to avoid this one.""...vividly descriptive with an almost metered artistry...""...Fast and furious paced action fantasy. Great characters that you really care for. Battles are huge and bloodthirsty. Cool races and well-designed monsters. A cracking-good read... ""I was impressed by the quality of the storytelling... an enthralling mix... a solid read" "...intense battles, incredible dark magic... so many twists and turns... I loved it""I was completely sucked in and captivated from the first page""...mixture of fantasy, mystery, loyalty that make it a one of a kind story""Wonderful characters and an even better story""This was my first peek at this series and author. I'll definitely be reading more from him. This is an interesting short read. Lots of action and sometimes gory descriptive details. It's a nice introduction to a couple of the characters and really sets the stage for what's to come. This appears to be a vast new world that I'm ready to learn more about."...for the Hector Reborn saga: "...I couldn't put it down. Amongst all the fantasy and action, the strongest part of the story is Hector's character. He is governed by honour and loyalty - which not only leads him into conflict, but leads him to cause a disaster. We see many sides of him, from his personal strength, to his heartbreak and loss, to a desperation to fix the terrible things he causes... to him being almost destroyed by another twist in the novel... very cleverly written - I highly recommend this book."

The Era Of Darkness... A world facing annihilation. Epic battles and gritty action. Dark magic and horrendous monstrosities. Impossible odds. Defeat and despair. For half a millennia, the Wall of Light formed a gigantic prison barrier around an unknown land and a forgotten race... Today, the Wall of Light falls - and the apocalypse is unleashed. Witness this event from two perspectives: a simple shepherd watching over his herd of Garganipedes and a peaceful cult at worship. What they encounter will engulf their lives with terror. Out Of The Light originally featured two short tales, set as the demonic invasion commenced. One was a stand-alone tale from Era Of Darkness Volume I, the other was exclusive to that release. As a special bonus, the two-parter 'Spirit Spy' has also been added to the collection. This is the second of the range of Short Tales From The Era Of Darkness. Both war-torn volumes of the Era Of Darkness Saga are now available, plus the first in the Survival spin-off series: 'Slaughter At Ghastar'. Reviews from this author's fantasy releases: ...for the Era Of Darkness saga: "Wow The world Ian Thompson created for Era of Darkness is immense, and his cast of characters is huge. Luckily, Mr. Thompson is a fantastic guide. He drops you in the middle of the action and leads you through a world bracing itself against its inevitable demise. The action is intense, the battles are brutal, and the characters are complex and very real. What a great story ...I did thoroughly enjoy this story, and I will be picking up Era of Darkness Volume II: Extinction. If you love heart-pumping action and vicious battles, you have to read this book. However, I must warn. The action is brutal and gruesome. If you're squeamish about blood (or organs exploding or bones shattering), you may want to avoid this one.""...vividly descriptive with an almost metered artistry...""...Fast and furious paced action fantasy. Great characters that you really care for. Battles are huge and bloodthirsty. Cool races and well-designed monsters. A cracking-good read... ""I was impressed by the quality of the storytelling... an enthralling mix... a solid read" "...intense battles, incredible dark magic... so many twists and turns... I loved it""I was completely sucked in and captivated from the first page""...mixture of fantasy, mystery, loyalty that make it a one of a kind story""Wonderful characters and an even better story""This was my first peek at this series and author. I'll definitely be reading more from him. This is an interesting short read. Lots of action and sometimes gory descriptive details. It's a nice introduction to a couple of the characters and really sets the stage for what's to come. This appears to be a vast new world that I'm ready to learn more about."...for the Hector Reborn saga: "...I couldn't put it down. Amongst all the fantasy and action, the strongest part of the story is Hector's character. He is governed by honour and loyalty - which not only leads him into conflict, but leads him to cause a disaster. We see many sides of him, from his personal strength, to his heartbreak and loss, to a desperation to fix the terrible things he causes... to him being almost destroyed by another twist in the novel... very cleverly written - I highly recommend this book."

The Era Of Darkness... A world facing annihilation. Epic battles and gritty action. Dark magic and horrendous monstrosities. Impossible odds. Defeat and despair. Bloodfury & Fear is a short tale from the Era Of Darkness, set just before the demonic invasion... A taste of the carnage to come. In a small scouting camp, a group of Callis soldiers are relaxing at night. They drink, eat, gamble and fill their tent with laughter... Until a fearsome intruder arrives to turn a peaceful night into a scene of bloody violence. This vengeful apparition is a Vere and his fearsome size is matched only by his merciless ferocity. Cries of laughter become bellows of exertion and shrieks of agony. Razor-edged blades flash in the firelight. For one young Callis named Corfel, this night will be a turning point in his life. He will be changed forever by the conflict - if he survives at all. Bloodfury& Fear is a standalone story taken from Era Of Darkness Volume I. This is the Extended Version, with two additional bonus chapters. Both war-torn volumes of the Era Of Darkness Saga are now available, plus the first in the Survival spin-off series: 'Slaughter At Ghastar'. Reviews from this author's fantasy releases: ...for the Era Of Darkness saga: "Wow The world Ian Thompson created for Era of Darkness is immense, and his cast of characters is huge. Luckily, Mr. Thompson is a fantastic guide. He drops you in the middle of the action and leads you through a world bracing itself against its inevitable demise. The action is intense, the battles are brutal, and the characters are complex and very real. What a great story ...I did thoroughly enjoy this story, and I will be picking up Era of Darkness Volume II: Extinction. If you love heart-pumping action and vicious battles, you have to read this book. However, I must warn. The action is brutal and gruesome. If you're squeamish about blood (or organs exploding or bones shattering), you may want to avoid this one.""...vividly descriptive with an almost metered artistry...""...Fast and furious paced action fantasy. Great characters that you really care for. Battles are huge and bloodthirsty. Cool races and well-designed monsters. A cracking-good read... ""I was impressed by the quality of the storytelling... an enthralling mix... a solid read" "...intense battles, incredible dark magic... so many twists and turns... I loved it""I was completely sucked in and captivated from the first page""...mixture of fantasy, mystery, loyalty that make it a one of a kind story""Wonderful characters and an even better story""This was my first peek at this series and author. I'll definitely be reading more from him. This is an interesting short read. Lots of action and sometimes gory descriptive details. It's a nice introduction to a couple of the characters and really sets the stage for what's to come. This appears to be a vast new world that I'm ready to learn more about."...for the Hector Reborn saga: "...I couldn't put it down. Amongst all the fantasy and action, the strongest part of the story is Hector's character. He is governed by honour and loyalty - which not only leads him into conflict, but leads him to cause a disaster. We see many sides of him, from his personal strength, to his heartbreak and loss, to a desperation to fix the terrible things he causes... to him being almost destroyed by another twist in the novel... very cleverly written - I highly recommend this book."

Hatred, distrust and conflict divide the nations of the world of Emeran - at a time when an apocalyptic threat is rising. Hordes of demonic warriors swarm from beyond the great Wall of Light. They crush opposing armies. They eradicate towns and villages. They have already slaughtered the Unseen Gods... This is an invasion like no other. Their purpose is not to expand their territory, to instil their doctrines on other people or to plunder the riches of their prey, but simply to destroy every living thing... Experience the rising conflict through the lives of characters across Emeran... Inside the walled city of Tremok, the Human princesses Lar and Pec suddenly find themselves in command of a Kingdom, even while they mourn the loss of their father. Lar, a trained warrior, must lead the defence of the city; her mystic sister sets off on a suicidal quest against their enemies... The traveller Cu'si'war returns home to warn his people of the oncoming threat and to urge the pacifist Graex to revert to their former warrior ways... In the Callis lands, a condemned coward named Corfel struggles frantically to save his family... The Callis Captain Plynn and the Human Captain Ku are unaware of the invasion - and are about to engage their armies in a great, futile battle of their own... And The Death, a member of the hunted and now-rare Vere race, continues on a solitary mission of vengeance... Plunge into a realm facing annihilation: Epic battles and gritty action. Dark magic and horrendous monstrosities. Soul-crushing choices. Impossible odds, defeat and despair. Witness the fall of the Wall of Light and the first encounters with the invading hordes. Be at the centre of conflicts erupting all over Emeran: in the forest townships of the Callis; at beautiful Mesamir, capital of the Graex; on Deshnere Plain where vast armies collide; and inside the city of Tremok, under assault by hundreds of thousands of invaders. Join the desperate mission behind enemy lines. Feel the wealth of emotions embroiled in this war-torn saga - from love and unswerving loyalty, to the bitterest sorrow, to savage bloodlust and unbridled terror. Against the coming of the Era of Darkness, heroism, desperation and self-sacrifice will surely not be enough... Extinction is inevitable. Reviews for the Era Of Darkness saga: "Wow The world Ian Thompson created for Era of Darkness is immense, and his cast of characters is huge. Luckily, Mr. Thompson is a fantastic guide. He drops you in the middle of the action and leads you through a world bracing itself against its inevitable demise. The action is intense, the battles are brutal, and the characters are complex and very real. What a great story ...I did thoroughly enjoy this story, and I will be picking up Era of Darkness Volume II: Extinction. If you love heart-pumping action and vicious battles, you have to read this book. However, I must warn. The action is brutal and gruesome. If you're squeamish about blood (or organs exploding or bones shattering), you may want to avoid this one.""...vividly descriptive with an almost metered artistry...""...Fast and furious paced action fantasy. Great characters that you really care for. Battles are huge and bloodthirsty. Cool races and well-designed monsters. A cracking-good read... ""I was impressed by the quality of the storytelling... an enthralling mix... a solid read" "...intense battles, incredible dark magic... so many twists and turns... I loved it""I was completely sucked in and captivated from the first page""...mixture of fantasy, mystery, loyalty that make it a one of a kind story""Wonderful characters and an even better story"

Two reporters. A relentless killer. A desperate race to stop the slaughter.In an exclusive English village for millionaires, residents believe their safety is guaranteed... until the infamous celebrity Gemini Hart is found horrifically murdered in her own home.Reporters Ray Hammett and Jessica Summers investigate. They are shrewd, courageous and caring, and share a humorous camaraderie. Soon their new partnership is tested to its limits.Inside the village, the pair find eccentricities, deceptions, hatreds and dark secrets, which reveal that this suburban paradise is rotten to the core. As more murders compound the mystery, Hammett and Jessica struggle against vicious gangsters, disbelieving police and murderous attacks.Nothing makes sense. Many people lie about knowing Hart. Everyone is hiding something. Hart's enemies form a huge list of suspects. Some of the killer's new victims are ex-lovers of Hart, others enemies, others seem to have no link to her. Hart's past, from beginnings as a prostitute to her rise to fame and fortune, proves vital to the case. As the bodycount rises, every suspect is alibied for at least one murder...If Hammett and Jessica work fast and hard, they might just stop the slaughter - if they live long enough.A twisting whodunit that blends vibrant characters, investigation, lethal danger and thrilling action.

The picturesque River Calder, set in the valleys of Lancashire, is a major tributary of the River Ribble. It passes through Holme Chapel, Walk Mill, Burnley, Padiham, Altham and Whalley, before joining the Ribble near Great Mitton. At Whalley it passes the abbey and is crossed in turn by the Whalley Viaduct. The river has been hugely important throughout the history of this area of Lancashire, and continues to be enjoyed to this day. The river and surrounding area have a fascinating history that includes battles in the Dark Ages, the invention of bottled beer, the monks of Whalley Abbey, the Witches of Pendle, the Industrial Revolution and a whole lot more. With the Cliviger Gorge, Towneley Park, Pendle Hill and the Ribble Valley, the River Calder is a delight to explore and one of the gems of the English landscape.

Looking at the history of Whitby and how Count Dracula has become so linked to the area.

This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which Whalley and its surrounding areas have changed and developed over the last century

Written and endorsed by the RFU coach development team based at Twickenham, this book takes every position in the 15-a-side rugby union team and gives a series of specific drills, practice sessions and tips for coaching players to perform their unique duties. From high-ball drills for full-backs to mauling sessions for the front row, this is the first book that isolates and teaches the skills required of each position on the field. The RFU coach development team, comprised of eight positional coaches, is at the forefront of the worldwide development of coaching best practice. Each drill and session is fully supported by line drawings, photographs and guidance on coaching.

Burnley Through Time is a unique insight into the illustrious history of this part of Lancashire. Reproduced in full colour, this is an exciting examination of well-known streets and famous faces, and what they meant to the people of this area throughout the 19th and into the 20th Century. Looking beyond the exquisite exterior of these well-kept photos, readers can see the historical context in which they are set, and through the author's factual captions for every picture, and carefully-selected choice of images, the reader can achieve a reliable view of the local history. There is something for everyone here, whether they have lived in the area all their lives, or whether they are just visiting Burnley for the first time. Burnley Through Time also shows how photography has continually evolved to keep up with an ever changing society.

"This richly varied text offers generous support for every aspect of the teacher's role, while constantly reminding us that mathematical activity is not a de-contextualised skill that children possess, but part of their identity, their way of being in the world, engaged with the world, energetically - and playfully - trying to make sense of it."Mary Jane Drummond, formerly of the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, UKTeaching and Learning Early Number is a bestselling guide for all trainee and practising Early Years teachers and classroom assistants. It provides an accessible guide to a wide range of research evidence about the teaching and learning of early number.Major changes in the primary mathematics curriculum over the last decade - such as the National Numeracy Strategy, the Primary National Strategy, the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Williams Review - have greatly influenced the structure of this new edition. The book includes: A new introductory chapter to set the scene Six further new chapters - including Mathematics through play, Children's mathematical graphics and Interview-based assessment of early number knowledge Six completely re-written chapters and two updated chapters A new concluding chapter looking to the futureThe chapters can be read in a standalone fashion and many are cross referenced to other parts of the book where specific ideas are dealt with in a different manner. Issues addressed include: new research on the complex process of counting and on children's written mathematical marks; counting in the home environment and play in the school setting; the importance of mathematical representations and of ICT in children's understanding of number; errors and misconceptions and the assessment of children’s number knowledge.

This book examines the three principal value systems which influence landscape architectural practice: the aesthetic, the social and the environmental, and seeks to discover the role that the profession should be playing now and for the future. The book integrates an investigation of historical sources with contemporary research into the beliefs and values of practitioners. The book raises questions such as: should landscape architecture aspire to the status of an art form? What is the relationship between aesthetics and ecology? Does landscape architecture have a social mission?