UNITED KINGDOM AUTHOR · FICTION · ADVENTURE
Edgar Wallace
Also known as: E. Wallace, Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace
Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace was an English crime writer, journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and playwright, who wrote 175 novels, 24 plays, and numerous articles in newspapers and journals. Over 160 films have been made of his novels, more than any other author. In the 1920s, one of Wallace's publishers claimed that a quarter of all books read in England were written by him. He is most famous today as the co-creator of King Kong, writing the early screenplay and story for the movie, as well as a short story "King Kong" (1933) credited to him and Draycott Dell. He was known for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, The Four Just Men, The Ringer, and for creating the Green Archer character during his lifetime.
The 4.15 from Victoria to Lewes had been held up at Three Bridges in consequence of a derailment and, though John Lexman was fortunate enough to catch a belated connection to Beston Tracey, the wagonette which was the sole communication between the village and the outside world had gone.
— from The Clue of the Twisted Candle, 1900
Most acclaimed
Bones
1999
When it comes to writing deftly layered, tightly coiled novels of suspense, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman reigns supreme as “master of the psychological thriller” (People). Now, Kellerman has worked his magic again in this chilling new masterpiece. The anonymous caller has an ominous tone and an unnerving message about something “real dead . . . buried in your marsh.” The eco-volunteer on the other end of the phone thinks it’s a prank, but when a young woman’s body turns up in L.A.’s Bird Marsh preserve no one’s laughing. And when the bones of more victims surface, homicide detective Milo Sturgis realizes the city’s under siege to an insidious killer. Milo’s first move: calling in psychologist Alex Delaware. The murdered women are prostitutes–except the most recent victim; a brilliant young musician from the East Coast, employed by a wealthy family to tutor a musical prodigy, Selena Bass seems out of place in the marsh’s grim tableau. Conveniently–perhaps ominously–Selena’s blueblood employers are nowhere to be found, and their estate’s jittery caretaker raises hackles. But Milo’s instincts and Alex’s insight are too well-honed to settle for easy answers, even given the dark secrets in this troubled man’s past. Their investigation unearths disturbing layers–about victims, potential victims, and suspects alike–plunging even deeper into the murky marsh’s enigmatic depths. Bizarre details of the crimes suggest a devilish serial killer prowling L.A.’s gritty streets. But when a new murder deviates from the pattern, derailing a possible profile, Alex and Milo must look beyond the suspicion of madness and consider an even more sinister mind at work. Answers don’t come easy, but the darkest of drives and desires may fuel the most devious of foes. Bones is classic Kellerman–relentlessly peeling back the skin and psyches of its characters and revealing the shadows and sins of the souls beneath. With jolt after jolt of galvanizing suspense, it drives the reader through its twists and turns toward a climax as satisfying as it is shattering.
The Clue of the Twisted Candle
1900
John Lexham, a famous mystery writer, finds himself with money problems after an investment goes poorly. His problems multiply when a confrontation leads to a dead creditor, and John quickly finds himself convicted of the crime and given a lengthy prison sentence. Kara, a rich friend with a shady past, helps John break out of prison and escape abroad. But Lexham soon finds out that sometimes friends can be enemies, and that freedom can be fleeting, as he is soon held captive again. After escaping a second time and being exonerated, John is called upon to help solve Kara’s brutal murder. The Clue of the Twisted Candle was published in 1918 and adapted for film in 1960.
King Kong
Die Lesestarter von Oetinger motivieren auch leseschwache Kinder zum Lesen. Wie? Mit bekannten Autoren, starken Charakteren und populären Themen, die Kinder im Alter von fünf bis zehn Jahren begeistern. Und mit vielen Bildern, Spielen und Leserätseln. Das Meerschweinchen mit Herz! Mit King-Kong macht Lesenlernen einfach richtig Spaß. Susanna hat Junge gekriegt. Vier Stück auf einmal. Das ist bei Meerschweinchen nichts Besonderes. Eins von ihnen gehört jetzt Jan-Arne. Nett, dass Frieder es ihm geschenkt hat. Einfach so. Es fühlt sich warm und weich an, und wenn man es in die Hand nimmt, fiept es ganz leise. Frieder sagt, dass es ein Weibchen ist, aber Jan-Arne gibt ihm den Namen King-Kong. Schließlich soll es mal groß und stark und wild werden.