"'You like it darker? Fine, so do I," writes Stephen King in the afterword to this magnificent new collection of twelve stories that delve into the darker part of life - both metaphorical and literal. King has, for half a century, been a master of the form, and these stories, about fate, mortality, luck, and the folds in reality where anything can happen, are as rich and riveting as his novels, both weighty in theme and a huge pleasure to read. King...

"Michael Crichton, creator of Jurassic Park and Westworld, had a passion project he had been pursuing for years ahead of his untimely death. Knowing how special it was, his widow held back his notes and the partial manuscript till she found the right author to complete it. The author she brought it to is the world?s most popular storyteller: James Patterson. Eruption brings the pace of Patterson to the concept of Crichton: the most anticipated mega-thriller...

"A man presumed dead is suddenly wanted for murder in this thriller of secrets, lies, and dangerous conspiracies that threaten to cover up the truth ... Three years ago, sports agent Myron Bolitar gave a eulogy at the funeral of his client, renowned basketball coach Greg Downing. Myron and Greg had history: initially as deeply personal rivals, and later as unexpected business associates. Myron made peace and moved on--until now, when two federal agents...

"Shay Billings was pleasantly surprised at discovering a new bridge over the river, as it cut several miles from his trip into town. After being ambushed and left for dead, he has even more cause to be grateful when the bridge-builder saves his life. Shay's savior turns out to be a mysterious young woman with extraordinary skills. More importantly, she's a strong ally when he and a few other men are forced to defend themselves and their ranches against...

"Forensic genealogist Rowan Healy has made a name for herself by helping investigators trace the family trees of violent criminals who have eluded justice for years. But the pressure of police cases left her burned out, and she's shifted her focus to helping adoptees find their biological parents. Austin detective Jack Bruner has spent his career successfully tracking down vicious criminals, with the notable exception of the West Campus Rapist, a...

"Shay Billings and January Schutt have been married four months when he's summoned by the local bank president to a meeting. With the final payment due on his land, Shay rides to town for the meeting, then is murdered on the way home . . . The bank president declares the loan in arrears and informs January the bank is taking everything except the clothes on her back. Devastated by Shay's death, January knows skullduggery is afoot and vows to fight...

"Tabitha Winters, glamorous celebrity chef, loves her life and growing empire in New York. But when her best friends buy the old summer camp where they worked as counselors, she can't turn down their invitation to appear at the opening week fundraising gala . . . even if it means confronting the memories of her first love and its disastrous ending. She never imagines she'll run into Sawyer Reed again -- her old flame has no business being at Oak Crest....

"It's hard to deny friends asking for help -- even when it means stepping headlong into danger. As a sort of left-over deputy from a previous adventure, January Billings is compelled to answer the call when a valuable gun is stolen from the local mercantile, and the storekeeper viciously assaulted. The town marshal is out of action and the sheriff is an ineffectual fool. What else can she do but step up? Besides, the stolen gun links Eli Pasco to...

"Sometimes the past refuses to remain sealed off from the present. In Old Haunts, Steve Dancy must deal with villains and locales from his early days exploring the Wild West. Years have gone by since violence was necessary to resolve problems, but his calm routines and growing family are shaken by dishonest characters intruding on his easy life. When Steve and his friend Jeff Sharp go to visit Joseph McAllen, former Pinkerton Captain, they don't expect...

"Perry Hawthorne is my boss. Only my boss. And I do NOT have a crush. When one of THE Hawthorne brothers -- known by their chiseled jawlines and their family-run farm and event center -- hires me to be his virtual assistant, I do everything I can to keep him firmly in the work zone. His grumpy demeanor helps. His smoking hot profile picture does not. But even if I do have a crush (a very tiny one), I can't catch real feelings for a million different...