The works of British short story author H.H. Munro, who wrote under the pen name "Saki" (a pen name he probably borrowed from The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam), offer a satirical commentary on Edwardian society and culture.In this edition seven short stories selected to honor the author's great work, a reading that will please and surprise the reader.The Lumber RoomThe Open WindowSredni Vashtar Gabriel-Ernest TobermoryThe Unrest-CureLaura

Although the precise origin of Hector Hugh Munro's pen name is still unclear, writing under the name 'Saki' allowed the Edwardian satirist wide-ranging latitude to skewer the mores of the period. This collection includes a tale featuring Reginald, a multi-faceted character who embodies both the excesses and the virtues of the period.

A ghost story may be any piece of fiction, or drama, that includes a ghost, or simply takes as a premise the possibility of ghosts or characters' belief in them. The "ghost" may appear of its own accord or be summoned by magic. Linked to the ghost is the idea of "hauntings", where a supernatural entity is tied to a place, object or person. Ghost stories are commonly examples of ghostlore. The critic Augst Nemo brings seven tales with tormented souls that will make you shiver: - An Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House by Sheridan le Fanu - The Old Nurse's Story by Elizabeth Gaskell - A Warning to the Curious by M. R. James - Nightmare-Touch by Lafcadio Hearn - The Furnished Room by O. Henry - The Phantom 'Rickshaw by Rudyard Kipling - The Open Window by Saki

International bestselling author Jeffrey Archer has enthralled readers with his riveting suspense, surprise denouements, and unforgettable storylines. Now Archer's three acclaimed collections of short fiction are brought together in one irresistible volume. THE COLLECTED SHORT STORIES A Quiver Full of Arrows takes readers on a journey of encounters that befall an assortment of kindly strangers, wary old friends, and long-lost loves. Sly reflections on human nature are at the center of A Twist in the Tale in which blindly adventurous game-players compete for stakes higher than they dreamed. Expect the unexpected and you'll still be surprised in Twelve Red Herrings, a dozen tales of betrayal, love, murder and revenge capped with a startling twist. Thirty-six stories in all, each poised to astonish and inspire, revealing "master entertainer" (Time) Jeffrey Archer at his artfully entertaining best.

The ability to produce humor and laughter is one of the things that makes us human. Humor implies a complex knowledge of the world and the ability to interpret reality in multiple layers. That said, it is not surprising that many authors have chosen humorous fiction to convey their message. The critic August Nemo selected seven short stories that use humor to reach and entertain the reader: - A Burlesque Autobiography by Mark Twain - Luck by Mark Twain - The Death of a Government Clerk by Anton Chekhov - The Mouse by Saki - The Nose by Nikolai Gogol - Soaked in Seaweed: or Upset in the Ocean by Stephen Leacock - My Financial Career by Stephen Leacock For more books with interesting themes, be sure to check the other books in this collection!

Eating is more than just feeding the body. The time for a meal is the time to unite the community around a table and share. The taste of food can evoke feelings and memories such as longing, joy and contemplation. Knowing this, writers have always used food as a subject in their works, to metaphorize feelings and thoughts. The critic August Nemo selected seven short stories by great authors who mixed literature and cuisine. Enjoy! - A Piece of Steak by Jack London - Gooseberries by Anton Chekhov - A Dinner by Alexander Kielland - The New Food by Stephen Leacock - White Bread by Zona Gale - Witches' Loaves by O. Henry - Tea by Saki For more books with interesting themes, be sure to check the other books in this collection!

It is said that music begins where words end. But many writers have tried to merge these two worlds, either by portraying musicians as characters, or by writing about the effects of music on some plot. For music and literature lovers, critic August Nemo has selected seven short stories that blend these elements: - A Wagner Matinee by Willa Cather - The Wind Blows by Katherine Mansfield - A Mother by James Joyce - The Music of Erich Zann by H. P. Lovecraft - The Music on the Hill by H.H. Munro (Saki) - A Lover of Music by Henry van Dyke - The Tragedy of a Comic Song by Leonard Merrick For more books with interesting themes, be sure to check the other books in this collection!

This early work by H. H. Munro was originally published in 1910 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'Gabriel-Ernest' is a short story about a were-wolf named Gabriel and his terrible deed. Hector Hugh Munro was born in Akyab, Burma in 1870. He was raised by aunts in North Devon, England, before returning to Burma in his early twenties to join the Colonial Burmese Military Police. Later, Munro returned once more to England, where he embarked on his career as a journalist, becoming well-known for his satirical 'Alice in Westminster' political sketches, which appeared in the Westminster Gazette. Arguably better-remembered by his pen name, 'Saki', Munro is now considered a master of the short story, with tales such as 'The Open Window' regarded as examples of the form at its finest.