A shot rings out in the middle of the night in a quiet Chicago neighborhood. Patrolman Murphy is directed to an apartment where a man says the shot came from. The apartment is locked and apparently empty. Was there a murder here? And if so, where is the victim? (summary by J. M. Smallheer)

Mystery and Suspense: Given the title "The Secret Toll," the novel likely contains elements of mystery. The "toll" could refer to a hidden price that characters must pay, possibly involving secrets, crimes, or moral dilemmas.Dual Perspectives: Collaborative novels often benefit from the strengths of both authors. Mabel Thorne and Paul Thorne may have brought different viewpoints and skills to the story, enriching the narrative with varied character development and plot intricacies.Early 20...

The plot of "The Sheridan Road Mystery" revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a young woman named Marjorie. The story follows the efforts of the protagonist, detective Robert McQuade, as he attempts to solve the case and uncover the truth behind Marjorie's vanishing. As with many mysteries of this era, the novel is filled with twists, turns, and clues that McQuade must decipher to unravel the mystery.Mabel Thorne and Paul Thorne are known for their collaborative work on several m...

The story follows the adventures of the protagonist, Dick Merriwell, a popular and athletic young man who attends Fardale Academy. In this installment of the series, Dick becomes involved in aviation and participates in an aero dash, or an aerial race, where pilots compete in flying challenges above the clouds.As the narrative unfolds, readers are treated to thrilling descriptions of aerial maneuvers, daring feats, and competitive spirit as Dick and his friends navigate the challenges of t...

"Light" is a philosophical and introspective work that delves into the complexities of human existence. The novel explores themes such as life, death, love, and the nature of consciousness. It is known for its poetic and contemplative style, with Barbusse reflecting on the nature of light as both a physical phenomenon and a metaphor for understanding existence.Henri Barbusse's writing often delved into the psychological and philosophical aspects of the human condition. "Light" reflects his...

"Landolin" centers around the life of Landolin, a farmer in the Black Forest. The story delves into the complexities of his character and his interactions with the villagers. Landolin is a respected but somewhat stern and stubborn man, whose strong sense of justice and adherence to traditional values often put him at odds with others.The novel explores Landolin's relationships with his family, particularly his daughter, who brings a sense of warmth and softness to his otherwise rigid perso...

"The Tables of the Law" is a short story that delves into themes of religion, prophecy, and human frailty. It centers on the character Owen Aherne, who is inspired by a mystical vision to rediscover and rewrite the lost commandments of Moses. Aherne believes he has been chosen to restore the true laws of God to humanity. The narrative examines his struggles with doubt, the reactions of those around him, and the implications of his quest. Aherne's journey is symbolic, reflecting Yeats's int...

The novel follows the adventures of a young boy named Baron Trump, who embarks on a fantastical journey underground. The story is a blend of adventure and fantasy, featuring a series of strange and wondrous encounters as Baron travels through a series of mystical underground realms.Baron Trump discovers hidden worlds, meets unusual characters, and faces various challenges as he explores the mysteries of the earth. The novel combines elements of fairy tale and adventure, offering a whimsica...

Solving the mystery of Satan's messengerPaul's enigmatic "thorn in the flesh" in 2 Corinthians has baffled interpreters for centuries. Many offer suggestions as to the identity of Satan's messenger; others despair that the puzzle is unsolvable. In Paul's Thorn in the Flesh: New Clues for an Old Problem, Kenneth Berding reopens the case. He follows a trail of clues that includes ancient beliefs about curses, details from Paul's letters, Jesus's own sufferin...

This holiday, we proudly present to you this unique collection of the greatest Christmas stories. Over 250 of them are included by your favourite authors:Charles Dickens, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Leo Tolstoy, Willa Cather, Beatrix Potter, Louisa May Alcott, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Hans Christian Andersen, E.T.A. Hoffmann, O. Henry, Mark Twain and many more!

In a world ruled by shadows and whispered secrets, love is the deadliest rebellion.She was a saint in a city that worshiped sin. He was a menace everyone feared. Their worlds should never have collided — but when desire ignites, boundaries shatter and darkness consumes.'Beneath the Thorned Veil' is a spellbinding collection of dark romance short stories, where forbidden love burns through the coldest nights and danger lurks in every embrace. From stolen moments in the under...

Agriculture is the product of a complex mixture of behavioural, biophysical and market drivers. Understanding how these factors interact to produce crops and livestock for food has been the focus of economic investigation for many years. The advent of optimisation algorithms and the exponential growth in computing technology has allowed significant growth in mathematical modelling of the dynamics of agricultural systems. The complexity of approaches has grown in parallel with the availabil...