Showing results by author "John McCormick" in All Categories

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they grow up in Civil War-era New England. Under the guidance of their loving mother, Marmee, they navigate poverty, personal dreams, and family challenges. Meg seeks domestic life, Jo aspires to be a writer, Beth is gentle and musical, and Amy is artistic and ambitious. Their bonds are tested through illness, love, loss, and societal expectations. Ultimately, the novel celebrates sisterhood, moral growth, and the pursuit of individuality while highlighting the joys and struggles of ...

The book chronicles the extraordinary life and leadership of Rome’s Emperor Julius Caesar, from his early years to his assassination. (Summary by Cathy Barratt)

White Fang was written as a companion to Jack London’s famous 1903 bestseller The Call of the Wild. Told from the perspective of White Fang, a creature half-wolf and half-dog, the story follows his journey through brutal environments that strip away his innocence and turn him savage. Everything changes when a young man shows him kindness and offers a chance at friendship—something White Fang has never known. More than just an adventure, White Fang is a powerful exploration of how environment shapes character. Set during the Klondike Gold Rush, it also offers a vivid portrait of its ...

The Murder on the Links is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie.The story takes place in northern France, giving Poirot a hostile competitor from the Paris Sûreté. Poirot's long memory for past or similar crimes proves useful in resolving the crimes. The book is notable for a subplot in which Hastings falls in love, a development "greatly desired on Agatha's part... parcelling off Hastings to wedded bliss in the Argentine."

This 1914 book gives a picture of the British Army structure and life in the early hours of World War I. Summary by david wales

The life and accomplishments of England's sole title holder of "The Great." King Alfred defended England from Viking invasions and ushered in an era of learning and progress for the British Isles. Summary by Ryan Cherrick.

When blues master Robert Johnson's recordings were rereleased to great fanfare in the 1960s, little was known about his life, giving rise to legends that he gained success by selling his soul to the devil. Biography of a Phantom is musicologist Mack McCormick's search, from the late 1960s until McCormick's death in 2015, to uncover Johnson's life story. McCormick spent decades reconstructing Johnson's mysterious life and developing theories about his untimely death at the age of 27, but never made public his discoveries. Biography of a Phantom publishes his compelling work for the first time.

A party of campers on a deserted Baltic island is terrorized by a huge wolf... or is it?

The Castle stood above the quiet little town for as long as folks remembered: barren, deserted, lonely and frightening to the townsfolk. Until one day, smoke began to ascend from the dunjon. They were warned not to go near, and when intrepid souls dared to venture to uncover the mystery of the ruined castle, they learned firsthand what supernatural terrors await inside The Castle of the Carpathians. Summary by Joseph DeNoia.

This is a collection of ghost stories in which the antagonists are various animals. Divided up into chapters of ghost sightings by each group of animals, you will hear of hauntings by dogs, cats, birds, jungle animals, etc. (Summary by Allyson Hester)

When financial executive Bob Vanags takes a job at ominous Turaida Bank in Latvia, he hopes to learn of his heritage and to fight economic fraud in Eastern Europe. Instead, Bob finds himself pulled into a world of political intrigue, blackmail, and murder. Aided by his son David, his beautiful colleague Agnese, and a fearless Latvian journalist named Santa Ezeriņa, Bob begins to unravel his employer’s darkest secrets, discovering their sins and conspiracies beyond his wildest fears. Secrets that Turaida wants to keep hidden, even at the cost of Bob’s life.

A classic locked room mystery, in a not-so-classic setting. (Intro by Karen Savage)

The Black Star was a master criminal who took great care to never be identifiable, always wore a mask so nobody knew what he looked like, rarely spoke to keep his voice from being recognized, and the only mark left at the scenes of the crimes which he and his gang committed were small black stars which were tacked as a sign of their presence, and an occasional sarcastic note to signify his presence and responsibility. Even those who worked for him knew nothing of him, all of which were making his crimes virtually unsolvable. The police were at a complete loss as to his identity and at a method...

This book contains verse for young and old. It is full of fantastic stories, breathtaking images, and brilliant rhymes. Including classics from "The Duel" to "The Delectable Ballad of Walter Lot," the author, a devout Christian, keeps his religious overtones to a minimum. When listening, please keep in mind that the text was originally written in the 1800s. -- Summary by Squid Varilekova

"“Who is he?” I asked.“The worst man in London,” Holmes answered, as he sat down and stretched his legs before the fire." And so begins this Sherlock Holmes adventure with the most morally corrupt and vile man in London. A man whom Sherlock must accept into his home and treat with professional courtesy despite intense personal disgust and animosity. What power does this man hold over Holmes and the other people he forces into terrible situations? - Summary by phil c

Harrington Strong was a pseudonym used by author Johnston McCulley, creator of the character Zorro and many others. The Brand of Silence - A Detective Story finds Sidney Prale returning to New York after ten years during which he sought his fortune. But he finds New York a very changed place, and even more distressing, he finds that his old friends are now turning their backs on him, his old haunts no longer welcome him, and there seems to be a conspiracy against him.Why can't he receive service in hotels, restaurants, and theaters that he once frequented? Who is working against him? And just ...

The American Rivals of Sherlock Holmes is a collection showcasing clever U.S. detectives who mirror Sherlock Holmes' brilliance. Though not written by Mark Twain, it features stories by various authors from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These detectives solve crimes with wit, logic, and unique American flair, offering an alternative to Holmes’ British methods. Full of charm, humor, and suspense, the anthology highlights how American authors contributed to the detective fiction genre, proving Holmes wasn’t alone in his intellectual mastery across the Atlantic. Summary by John ...

Alexander the Great was one of the most successful military commanders in history, and was undefeated in battle. By the time of his death, he had conquered most of the world known to the ancient Greeks.Alexander the Great is one of many biographies aimed at young people written by Jacob Abbott and his brother. The biographies are written in such a way that makes them appealing and easily accessible to everyone. - Written by Wikipedia and Lizzie Driver

"Carmilla" by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu is a Gothic novella about a young woman named Laura who befriends a mysterious and beautiful guest, Carmilla. As their bond deepens, Laura becomes increasingly ill and haunted by strange dreams. Eventually, it's revealed that Carmilla is a vampire preying on young women. Her true identity—Mircalla, Countess Karnstein—is uncovered, leading to her destruction. The story explores themes of seduction, supernatural terror, and repressed desires, and is a precursor to later vampire fiction like Dracula.

The Door of the Unreal by Gerald Biss is a chilling early 20th-century horror novel blending mystery with supernatural terror. Set in the English countryside, a series of gruesome murders shocks the region—each marked by strange, wolf-like tracks. As the investigation unfolds, suspicions of a werewolf emerge. The story follows characters caught in a web of fear, secrets, and inexplicable phenomena. With atmospheric tension and gothic undertones, Biss explores the thin line between reality and the supernatural, making this a gripping tale of suspense and the unknown. Summary by John McCormick