Cassidy is a legendary soldier in the Corps of Royal Engineers – courageous, fiery and full of Irish charm, he has been known to turn even Brigadier-Generals trembling and submissive. During his temporary absence from the plains of Flanders, he meets our narrator – a higher-ranking officer who is in awe of Cassidy’s formidable reputation – and during their break from action, they share incredible stories about life on the front.

The title story in this wry collection concerns acquaintances Staunton and Barstow, who witness a bizarre spectacle outside a bar in an Austrian village. A thin-lipped aristocrat steps down from his plush horse-drawn vehicle, and commences formidable target-practice on some playing cards – the Five of Hearts and the Five of Spades. Barstow remains utterly still during this peculiar display, and it emerges that he has witnessed this on six consecutive days – the shooter is the husband of hi...

In "Mufti," Sapper engages readers with a gripping narrative that delves into the world of espionage and intrigue set against a backdrop of World War I. The novel is characterized by its brisk pacing, vivid characterization, and sharp dialogue, reflecting the author's keen understanding of both military and psychological dimensions of conflict. Through the protagonist's daring exploits, Sapper expertly weaves themes of loyalty, patriotism, and the moral ambiguities of war, all encapsulated...

In "Word of Honour and Other Stories," Sapper crafts a compelling collection that showcases his mastery of the short story format. The book features a diverse array of narratives that delve into themes of duty, honor, and the moral complexities of wartime experiences. With a vivid prose style and meticulous attention to detail, Sapper transports readers into the heart of conflict, blending tense action with poignant character studies. Each story is set against the backdrop of early 20th-ce...

In the ranks of North Sussex – Number Three Platoon – serves a man whose physical stature is imposing, but whose mental state is said to be inert at best. This is the story of his remarkable awakening, one hot day in May, as he serves in the trenches of the front line. Other fascinating stories follow in this convincing commentary of wartime experience.

In "No-Man's Land," Sapper crafts a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of World War I, blending action with psychological depth, showcasing the absurdities and horrors of war. The novel captures the essence of trench warfare through vivid imagery and robust character development, immersing readers in the bleak realities faced by soldiers. With its atmospheric prose and gritty realism, Sapper'Äôs work transcends mere wartime adventure, delving into themes of honor, camaraderie, and...

When intrepid adventurer, Jim Maitland, returns to England for a brief visit, he meets a charming young woman named Judy Draycott, who solicits his help in a perilous matter. She relates the story of her brother, Arthur – drifting in South America until he meets an old sailor who, on his deathbed, tells him about a hoard of buried treasure. When Arthur is shot during an attempt to return to London, Maitland persuades his cousin, Percy, to accompany him to Lone Tree Island, where the treasu...

Immaculate, charming, fearless wanderer, Jim Maitland, has a peculiar code of morals and an unforgettable character. Our enthusiastic narrator, Leyton, meets the legendary Maitland on the Island of Tampico – a flawless jewel in a sapphire sea, with more vice than the slums of a city – and leaps at the chance to accompany this charismatic man on his spontaneous travels.

THE COMPLETE BULLDOG DRUMMOND SERIES includes all ten espionage thrillers featuring Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond, wealthy former officer of the Loamshire Regiment, who in BULLDOG DRUMMOND places an advertisement in THE TIMES expressing his desire for an adventure -- which arrives in the form of a reply from a young woman concerned for her father. Blackmailers, communist conspiracy, and foreign paymasters of the arch-villain Carl Peterson are encountered and lead to more adventure than Drummond ...

In "Ronald Standish," Sapper, a prominent figure in early 20th-century British literature, crafts a riveting narrative centered around the thrilling adventures of its titular character, a quick-witted and resourceful hero. Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous post-war world, the book exhibits Sapper's signature literary style, which seamlessly blends action, suspense, and a touch of romance. With vivid imagery and compelling dialogue, the novel captures the zeitgeist of its era while a...

Bringing together five detective novels and fourteen short stories, the complete Ronald Standish series offers a substantial portrait of interwar British crime fiction at the point where the gentleman-adventurer, the clubland thriller, and the classical puzzle mystery meet. Across full-length investigations and briskly paced shorter cases, the collection moves between ratiocination, suspense, social observation, and action-driven intrigue, situating Standish among the era's distinctive sle...

Although the First World War is over, it seems that the hostilities are not, and when Captain Hugh ‘Bulldog’ Drummond discovers that a stint of bribery and blackmail is undermining England’s democratic tradition, he forms the Black Gang, bent on tracking down the perpetrators of such plots. They set a trap to lure the criminal mastermind behind these subversive attacks to England, and all is going to plan until Bulldog Drummond accepts an invitation to tea at the Ritz with a charming Ameri...