Before Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep, Before Dashiell Hammett's The Red Harvest, there was Carroll John Daly's The Snarl of the Beast, the first true hard-boiled detective novel. Featuring Race Williams, a private detective afraid of no man, it is a complex story of murder and inheritance in which Williams must outwit not only the police and a beautiful blonde cat burglar, but a homicidal maniac reputed to be bullet proof. Will his ready fists and forty-four revolvers be up to the task of confronting his foes against the background of deceit, double-crossing, and gunplay? And ultimately will he silence . . . The Snarl of the Beast?

Race Williams returns! Originally appearing in the pages of Black Mask Magazine, author Carroll John Daly pioneered the hard-boiled detective P.I. story and perfected the genre with his classic character, Race Williams. Apart from the novel-length Race Williams stories, these classic hard-boiled thrillers have rarely been reprinted, if ever.Volume 2 contains the next batch of Race Williams stories, all from 1927?29 as Daly broke the mold of Black Mask by running serialized novels in the pages of that important magazine. Included here are ?The Snarl of the Beast,? ?The Egyptian Lure,? ?The Hidden Hand,? and ?The Tag Murders.'Additional editorial pieces are also included: Daly's own ?Putting Over a Detective Novel? was written to explain his working process while writing ?The Snarl of the Beast. And it's prefaced by an all-new, scholarly introduction by Professor Brooks E. Hefner of James Madison University.The Snarl of the Beast: The Collected Hard-Boiled Stories of Race Williams Volume 2 continues this most important series published in years on the history of the Hard-Boiled Detective story.

The first hard-boiled detective Race Williams, runs up against the Klan in his premiere adventure, which leads him to fast and tragic action. Plus two other early Daly hard-boiled classics: "The False Burton Combs" and "Dolly." Story #1 in the Race Williams series. Carroll John Daly (1889–1958) was the creator of the first hard-boiled private eye story, predating Dashiell Hammett's first Continental Op story by several months. Daly's classic character, Race Williams, was one of the most popular fiction characters of the pulps, and the direct inspiration for Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer.

In her remarkable debut, Joyce Weatherford writes with raw power, muscular beauty, and firsthand experience about life in the twentieth-century American West. Twenty-eight-year-old Iris Steele has just inherited her family's ranch in northeast Oregon. It is the ranch where she grew up herding cattle and harvesting wheat, and where her brother and father both died. It is also, it turns out, land that the Nez Percé Indians now claim is rightfully theirs. As Iris begins to piece together the property's legitimate ownership, she unearths not only her family's turbulent history, but also two centuries of tortured relationships between homesteaders and Native Americans. Struggling with a new crop and a fragile romance, she must ultimately confront the true nature of her legacy. In astonishing language, Joyce Weatherford combines unflinching descriptions of ranch life with the sensuous beauty of the Oregon landscape. Part romance, mystery, courtroom drama, and history, Heart of the Beast is a family saga of epic power and import.

"With its forays into ecocriticism and cultural studies and the welcome inclusion of Western genre writing in a serious study of American literary history, Traces of Gold will appeal to students and scholars of American literature, American studies, and western history."--BOOK JACKET.

In the RITA® nominated Marked by the Moon, Alaska has never been so dangerous. Alexandra Trevalyn was once a member of an elite force of werewolf hunters, but these days she's going rogue, determined to rid the world of the crazed killers, specifically the one that killed her parents. Once a Viking, now a werewolf, Julian Barlow has been hunting Alex since she killed his gentle wife. His plans of vengeance are downright devious. To make Alex understand, up close and personal, that not all werewolves are evil, killing machines, he makes Alex a werewolf too. It's only a matter of time before she succumbs to the freedom of the wolf that runs through her veins, if she doesn't succumb to the temptation of Julian first. At his magical village above the Arctic Circle a rogue werewolf kills the innocent. Can Julian and Alex work together to save the rest of the pack? Or will they just tear each other apart? ​​​​​​​

The Complete Dan Barry Chronicles brings together all four Westerns written by the notable Frederick Schiller Faust, under his pseudonym Max Brand, showcasing an unparalleled exploration of the American frontier's complexities and contradictions. This collection spans a wide array of literary styles, from the rugged realism of frontier life to the poetic justice encountered by its vividly drawn characters. The anthology is notable for its rich thematic exploration of moral ambiguity, redemption, and the unforgiving landscape of the West, which together provide a fertile ground for examining the human condition in extremis. Frederick Schiller Faust, writing as Max Brand, was a prolific author whose works were pivotal in shaping the Western genre. His contributions to the Dan Barry Chronicles reflect a deep understanding of the historical and cultural underpinnings of early 20th-century America, capturing the spirit of adventure and the relentless pursuit of justice on the untamed frontier. The collection demonstrates Faust's mastery in weaving intricate narratives that are at once personal and universal, marked by a nuanced understanding of the era's socio-political climates. The Complete Dan Barry Chronicles is an essential volume for anyone intrigued by the Western genre's rich literary tradition or seeking to comprehend the multifaceted narratives that have shaped America's cultural heritage. As a collective, these stories offer a unique lens through which to explore the enduring themes of freedom, conflict, and survival that define the American experience. Readers are encouraged to delve into this comprehensive collection, not only for its historical significance but also for the timeless human stories that resonate across generations, fostering a deeper appreciation of the genre and its contributions to American literature.

The Ultimate Western Collection is a monumental anthology that captures the rugged ethos and sweeping landscapes of the American frontier. Through a rich tapestry of narratives, this compilation spans a wide array of literary styles, from the gritty realism of pioneer life to the romanticized vistas of the Wild West. The anthology showcases the diversity and significance of the genre, including standout pieces that have shaped the cultural imagery of the American West. The esteemed array of authors contributes stories that vary from high adventure to introspective character studies, each adding depth and nuance to the understanding of the Western ethos. The contributors to this anthology, including luminaries like Mark Twain, Willa Cather, and Jack London, among others, bring with them backgrounds as diverse as the landscapes they describe. Their collective works, rooted in different epochs of American history, offer a panoramic view of the cultural, social, and economic forces that have shaped the American West. By aligning with historical, cultural, or literary movements, these authors enrich the anthology's thematic coherence, providing readers with an immersive experience into the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of Western life. The Ultimate Western Collection offers readers a unique opportunity to delve into the multifaceted world of Western literature. It is an educational journey through the heart and soul of America, encouraging exploration of its vast and varied narratives. Through its comprehensive selection, the anthology fosters a dialogue between the works of established masters and lesser-known authors, each contributing distinct voices to the collective story of the American frontier. It is a must-read for anyone eager to explore the depth and breadth of Western literature, and to understand the enduring allure of the Wild West.

This carefully edited collection has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Contents: Riders of the Purple Sage (Zane Grey) The Rainbow Trail The Spirit of the Border The Untamed (Max Brand) The Night Horseman The Seventh Man The Virginian (Owen Wister) The Last of the Mohicans (James F. Cooper) The Prairie Chip, of the Flying U (B. M. Bower) The Flying U Ranch The Flying U's Last Stand Cabin Fever Rimrock Trail (J. Allan Dunn) The 'Breckinridge Elkins' Series (Robert E. Howard) The Last of the Plainsmen (Zane Grey) The Outcasts of Poker Flat (Bret Harte) The Wolf Hunters (James Oliver Curwood) The Gold Hunters The Border Legion The Country Beyond (Curwood) The Lone Star Ranger (Grey) Riders of the Silences (Brand) The Call of the Wild (Jack London) Heart of the West (O. Henry) White Fang (London) The Lure of the Dim Trails (Bower) The Luck of Roaring Camp (Harte) The Rustlers of Pecos County (Grey) O Pioneers! (Willa Cather) My Ántonia Roughing It (Mark Twain) The Log of a Cowboy (Andy Adams) The Two-Gun Man (Charles Alden Seltzer) The Law of the Land (Emerson Hough) The Short Cut (Jackson Gregory) Astoria (Washington Irving) The Valley of Silent Men (James Oliver Curwood) "Drag" Harlan (Charles Alden Seltzer) Whispering Smith (Frank H. Spearman) The Outlet (Andy Adams) Reed Anthony, Cowman A Texas Cow Boy (Charles Siringo) The Boss of the Lazy Y (Charles Alden Seltzer) The Golden Dream (R.M. Ballantyne) The Blue Hotel (Stephen Crane) The Long Shadow (B. M. Bower) The Girl from Montana (Grace Livingston Hill) The Hidden Children (Robert W. Chambers) The Way of an Indian (Frederic Remington) The Bridge of the Gods (Frederic Homer Balch) Where the Trail Divides (Will Lillibridge) The Desert Trail (Dane Coolidge) The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky (Stephen Crane) That Girl Montana (Marah Ellis Ryan)...