Books published by E-Artnow

Francis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) was an American writer noted for his many novels, especially those set in Italy, and for his classic weird and fantastic stories. Excerpt: "It's worth while to be a great inventor to be able to make things like that!" he cried, and Overholt was as much pleased by the praise as an opera singer is who is called out three times before the curtain after the first act. So the little City of Hope grew, and they both felt that Hope herself was soon coming to dwell therein, if she had not come already."

Kate Douglas Wiggin (1856-1923) was an American educator and author of children's stories. She started the first free kindergarten in San Francisco in 1878. Kate Wiggin devoted her adult life to the welfare of children in an era when children were commonly thought of as cheap labour. Excerpt: "On the afternoon before Christmas of that year, the North Station in Boston was filled with hurrying throngs on the way home for the holidays. Everybody looked tired and excited, but most of them had happy faces, and men and women alike had as many bundles as they could carry; bundles and boxes quite unlike the brown paper ones with which commuters are laden on ordinary days. These were white packages, beribboned and beflowered and behollied and bemistletoed, to be gently carried and protected from crushing."

Mary Louisa Molesworth (1839-1921) was an English writer of children's stories who wrote for children under the name of Mrs Molesworth. She is best known as a writer of books for the young, such as Tell Me a Story (1875), Carrots (1876), The Cuckoo Clock (1877), The Tapestry Room (1879), and A Christmas Child (1880). She has been called "the Jane Austen of the nursery". Excerpt: 'There must be somebody living over there, ' he said. 'I see smoke rising-you can hardly see it now, the light is growing so dim, but I'm sure I did see it. There must be a little cottage there somewhere among the trees.' 'Oh, how nice!' exclaimed Maia. 'We must find it out. I wonder what sort of people live in it-gnomes or wood-spirits, perhaps? There couldn't be any real people in such a lonely place.' 'Gnomes and wood-spirits don't need cottages, and they don't make fires, ' replied Rollo.

Martha Finley (1828-1909) was a teacher and author of numerous works, the most well known being the 28 volume Elsie Dinsmore series which was published over a span of 38 years. Excerpt: "Lulu's first thought on awaking the next morning, was of the talk of the previous evening, with her father. He had said she might have the pleasure of telling Gracie the good news in regard to the money to be earned by good conduct, and that which was to be given by him in the name of each of his older children; also the privilege he would accord them of selecting the particular cause, or causes, to which the money should go. Eager to avail herself of the permission, and see Gracie's delight, she sprang from her bed..."

Excerpt: "And now Christmas was coming. Joan had never kept Christmas, and knew nothing about it. But at Aunt Priscilla's farm it was a great day, as it always had been since she could remember. Every relative who could come to the farm was invited weeks beforehand; and nothing else was talked of but Christmas Day. The Sunday evening before it came old Nathan's sermon was all about the shepherds in the field, and how they found the little babe lying in the manger; and he told the story so well that Joan did not go to sleep at all, but sat listening to him with her dark eyes wide open." Hesba Stretton was the pen name of Sarah Smith (1832-1911), an English writer of children's books. Her moral tales and semi-religious stories, chiefly for the young, were printed in huge numbers. She became a regular contributor to Household Words and All the Year Round under Charles Dickens's editorship.

Abbie Farwell Brown (1871-1927) was an American author. Brown would write collections retelling old tales for a contemporary child audience. Excerpt: "What do you want?" Norah flushed; but she was hardened to her mistress's manner. "Only to ask if I may go out for a little while to see the decorations and hear the singing." "Decorations? Singing? Fiddlestick!" retorted Miss Terry, poker in hand. "What decorations? What singing?" "Why, all the windows along the street are full of candles," answered Norah; "rows of candles in every house, to light the Christ Child on his way when he comes through the city to-night."

"Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood" is the first part of the Parish Trilogy. The novel is actually a collection of reminiscences of the new minister at the small place, his work and relationship with people in the parish on the other hand and his rising love for the daughter in Oldastle Hall on the other hand. It is fascinating to observe how a vicar's life looked like and how he dealt with certain situations in order to bring his people towards God. "The Seaboard Parish" is the sequel to The Annals and it is the second part of the trilogy. The story of a vicar Harry Walton continues with bringing on some of the new characters, firstly Mr. Percival, a struggling artist who steals the heart of a vicar's daughter, young Ethelwyn. "The Vicar's Daughter" is the third and final part of the trilogy. It is a fictional autobiography narrated by Ethelwyn Percivale, whose father is a gentle, intelligent clergyman. Wynnie has a happy childhood and falls in love with a struggling painter. The book is a series of anecdotes, involving both Wynnie and her family and also her increasing circle of friends, including an extraordinary Miss Marion Clare, a fine young lady who decides to live among the poor and tend to their spiritual needs. George MacDonald (1824-1905) was a Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister. He was a pioneering figure in the field of fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow writer Lewis Carroll. His writings have been cited as a major literary influence by many notable authors. G. K. Chesterton cited The Princess and the Goblin as a book that had "made a difference to my whole existence".

The Bhagavad Gita ("Song of the Lord"), often referred to as simply the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture in Sanskrit that is part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The Gita is set in a narrative framework of a dialogue between Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide and charioteer Krishna. Facing the duty as a warrior to fight the Dharma Yudhha or righteous war between Pandavas and Kauravas, Arjuna is counselled by Krishna to "fulfill his Kshatriya (warrior) duty as a warrior and establishing Dharma." The Bhagavad Gita presents a synthesis of the Brahmanical concept of Dharma, theistic bhakti, the yogic ideals of moksha through jnana, bhakti, karma, and Raja Yoga and Samkhya philosophy. Sir Edwin Arnold (1832 - 1904) was an English poet and journalist. His chief work with this object is The Light of Asia, which was translated into various languages such as Hindi. "So have I read this wonderful and spirit-thrilling speech, By Krishna and Prince Arjun held, discoursing each with each; So have I writ its wisdom here, --its hidden mystery, For England; O our India! as dear to me as She!" - Edwin Arnold

The Bhagavad Gita ("Song of the Lord"), often referred to as simply the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture in Sanskrit that is part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The Gita is set in a narrative framework of a dialogue between Pandava prince Arjuna and his guide and charioteer Krishna. Facing the duty as a warrior to fight the Dharma Yudhha or righteous war between Pandavas and Kauravas, Arjuna is counselled by Krishna to "fulfill his Kshatriya (warrior) duty as a warrior and establishing Dharma." The Bhagavad Gita presents a synthesis of the Brahmanical concept of Dharma, theistic bhakti, the yogic ideals of moksha through jnana, bhakti, karma, and Raja Yoga and Samkhya philosophy. Sir Edwin Arnold (1832 - 1904) was an English poet and journalist. His chief work with this object is The Light of Asia, which was translated into various languages such as Hindi. "So have I read this wonderful and spirit-thrilling speech, By Krishna and Prince Arjun held, discoursing each with each; So have I writ its wisdom here, --its hidden mystery, For England; O our India! as dear to me as She!" - Edwin Arnold

"Stalky & Co." is a novel about adolescent boys at a British boarding school. Reflecting its origins, the novel is episodic in nature, with self-contained chapters. It is set at an unnamed school referred to as the College or the Coll., which is based on the United Services College in Devon, which Kipling attended. The character Beetle, one of the main trio, is partly based on Kipling himself, while the charismatic character Stalky is based on Lionel Dunsterville, M'Turk is based on George Charles Beresford and Mr King is based on William Carr Crofts. "Kim" is and adventure novel about the orphaned son of an Irish soldier and a poor Irish mother who have both died in poverty. Living a vagabond existence in India under British rule in the late 19th century, Kim earns his living by begging and running small errands on the streets of Lahore. "Captains Courageous" follows the adventures of fifteen-year-old Harvey Cheyne Jr., the spoiled son of a railroad tycoon, after he is saved from drowning by a Portuguese fisherman in the north Atlantic. "The Light That Failed" is a psychological novel. Most of the novel is set in London, but many important events throughout the story occur in Sudan or India. The Light that Failed follows the life of Dick Heldar, a painter who goes blind. "Naulahka: A Story of East and West", is an adventure novels, the story of a priceless Indian jewel. Joseph Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English short-story writer, poet, and novelist. He wrote tales and poems of British soldiers in India and stories for children.

Plain Tales from the Hills is the Kipling's first collection of short stories, the tales about India and more noticeably about the British in India. The title refers, by way of a pun on "Plain" as the reverse of "Hills", to the deceptively simple narrative style; and to the fact that many of the stories are set in the Hill Station of Simla-the "summer capital of the British Raj" during the hot weather. The tales include the first appearances, in book form, of Mrs. Hauksbee, the policeman Strickland, and the Soldiers Three (Privates Mulvaney, Ortheris and Learoyd). Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English short-story writer, poet, and novelist. He wrote tales and poems of British soldiers in India and stories for children. He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift". Contents: Lispeth Three and-an Extra Thrown Away Miss Youghal's Sais 'Yoked with an Unbeliever' False Dawn The Rescue of Pluffles Cupid's Arrows The Three Musketeers His Chance in Life Watches of the Night The Other Man Consequences The Conversion of Aurelian McGoggin The Taking of Lungtungpen A Germ-Destroyer Kidnapped The Arrest of Lieutenant Golightly In the House of Suddhoo His Wedded Wife The Broken Link Handicap Beyond the Pale In Error A Bank Fraud Tods' Amendment The Daughter of the Regiment In the Pride of His Youth Pig The Rout of the White Hussars The Bronckhorst Divorce-Case Venus Annodomini The Bisara of Pooree A Friend's Friend The Gate of the Hundred Sorrows The Madness of Private Ortheris The Story of Muhammad Din On the Strength of a Likeness Wressley of the Foreign Office...

The Science of Being Well is the second volume of a series known as "The Science of" trilogy or "Financial Success Through Creative Thought" by Wallace Delois Wattles. While the first volume, The Science of Getting Rich, is intended for those who are looking to acquire wealth and money, this one is not a philosophical treatise, but a practical guide and handbook for those whose main goal is health. Wallace Delois Wattles (1860-1911) was an American author. As a New Thought writer, he remains personally somewhat obscure, but his writing has been widely quoted and remains in print in the New Thought and self-help movements. Wattles often travelled to Chicago, where he gave "Sunday night lectures" among several leading New Thought authors. He studied the writings of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Ralph Waldo Emerson and recommended the study of their books to his readers who wished to understand what he characterized as "the monistic theory of the cosmos." Wattles' best known work is a 1910 book called The Science of Getting Rich in which he explained how to become wealthy.

"The Science of Getting Rich" was published in 1910 by the Elizabeth Towne Company. The book is still in print. It was a major inspiration for Rhonda Byrne's bestselling book and film The Secret (2006). In The Science of Getting Rich Wattles explains how can a person overcome mental barriers, and how creation, not competition, is the hidden key to wealth attraction "The Science of Being Well" is not a philosophical treatise, but a practical guide and handbook for those whose main goal is health. "The Science of Being Great" is a personal self-help book of the author. He is introducing us to a principle of power and showing us the immense effect of the power of positive thinking. Wallace Delois Wattles (1860-1911) was an American author. As a New Thought writer, he remains personally somewhat obscure, but his writing has been widely quoted and remains in print in the New Thought and self-help movements. Wattles often travelled to Chicago, where he gave "Sunday night lectures" among several leading New Thought authors. He studied the writings of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Ralph Waldo Emerson and recommended the study of their books to his readers who wished to understand what he characterized as "the monistic theory of the cosmos.".

"Stalky & Co." is a novel about adolescent boys at a British boarding school. Reflecting its origins, the novel is episodic in nature, with self-contained chapters. It is set at an unnamed school referred to as the College or the Coll., which is based on the United Services College in Devon, which Kipling attended. The character Beetle, one of the main trio, is partly based on Kipling himself, while the charismatic character Stalky is based on Lionel Dunsterville, M'Turk is based on George Charles Beresford and Mr King is based on William Carr Crofts. "Kim" is and adventure novel about the orphaned son of an Irish soldier and a poor Irish mother who have both died in poverty. Living a vagabond existence in India under British rule in the late 19th century, Kim earns his living by begging and running small errands on the streets of Lahore. "Captains Courageous" follows the adventures of fifteen-year-old Harvey Cheyne Jr., the spoiled son of a railroad tycoon, after he is saved from drowning by a Portuguese fisherman in the north Atlantic. "The Light That Failed" is a psychological novel. Most of the novel is set in London, but many important events throughout the story occur in Sudan or India. The Light that Failed follows the life of Dick Heldar, a painter who goes blind. "Naulahka: A Story of East and West", is an adventure novels, the story of a priceless Indian jewel. Joseph Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English short-story writer, poet, and novelist. He wrote tales and poems of British soldiers in India and stories for children.

The Last Chronicle of Barset concerns an indigent but learned clergyman, the Reverend Josiah Crawley, the perpetual curate of Hogglestock, as he stands accused of stealing a cheque. The novel is notable for the non-resolution of a plot continued from the previous novel in the series, The Small House at Allington, involving Lily Dale and Johnny Eames. Its main storyline features the courtship of the Rev. Mr Crawley's daughter, Grace, and Major Henry Grantly, son of the wealthy Archdeacon Grantly. The Archdeacon, although allowing that Grace is a lady, doesn't think her of high enough rank or wealth for his widowed son; his position is strengthened by the Reverend Mr Crawley's apparent crime.... Anthony Trollope (1815 - 1882) was one of the most successful, prolific and respected English novelists of the Victorian era. Some of his best-loved works, collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, revolve around the imaginary county of Barsetshire. He also wrote perceptive novels on political, social, and gender issues, and on other topical matters. Trollope's literary reputation dipped somewhat during the last years of his life, but he regained the esteem of critics by the mid-twentieth century.

Barchester Towers is the second novel in Anthony Trollope's series known as the "Chronicles of Barsetshire". Among other things it satirises the then raging antipathy in the Church of England between High Church and Evangelical adherents. Barchester Towers concerns the leading clergy of the cathedral city of Barchester. The much loved bishop having died, all expectations are that his son, Archdeacon Grantly, will succeed him. Instead, owing to the passage of the power of patronage to a new Prime Minister, a newcomer, the far more Evangelical Bishop Proudie, gains the see. His wife, Mrs Proudie, exercises an undue influence over the new bishop, making herself as well as the bishop unpopular with most of the clergy of the diocese. Her interference to veto the reappointment of the universally popular Mr Septimus Harding (protagonist of Trollope's earlier novel, The Warden) as warden of Hiram's Hospital is not well received, even though she gives the position to a needy clergyman, Mr Quiverful, with 14 children to support. Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) was one of the most successful, prolific and respected English novelists of the Victorian era. Some of his best-loved works, collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, revolve around the imaginary county of Barsetshire. He also wrote perceptive novels on political, social, and gender issues, and on other topical matters. Trollope's literary reputation dipped somewhat during the last years of his life, but he regained the esteem of critics by the mid-twentieth century.

This carefully crafted ebook: "e;The Warden (The Classic Unabridged Edition)"e; is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. The Warden concerns Mr Septimus Harding, the meek, elderly warden of Hiram's Hospital and precentor of Barchester Cathedral, in the fictional county of Barsetshire. Hiram's Hospital is an almshouse supported by a medieval charitable bequest to the Diocese of Barchester. The income maintains the almshouse itself, supports its twelve bedesmen, and, in addition, provides a comfortable abode and living for its warden. Mr Harding was appointed to this position through the patronage of his old friend the Bishop of Barchester, who is also the father of Archdeacon Grantly to whom Harding's older daughter, Susan, is married. The warden, who lives with his remaining child, an unmarried younger daughter Eleanor, performs his duties conscientiously... Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) was one of the most successful, prolific and respected English novelists of the Victorian era. Some of his best-loved works, collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, revolve around the imaginary county of Barsetshire. He also wrote perceptive novels on political, social, and gender issues, and on other topical matters. Trollope's literary reputation dipped somewhat during the last years of his life, but he regained the esteem of critics by the mid-twentieth century.

Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish writer, best remembered for his fairy tales. Table of Contents: BY THE ALMSHOUSE WINDOW THE ANGEL ANNE LISBETH BEAUTY OF FORM AND BEAUTY OF MIND THE BEETLE WHO WENT ON HIS TRAVELS THE BELL-DEEP THE BIRD OF POPULAR SONG THE BISHOP OF BORGLUM AND HIS WARRIORS THE BOTTLE NECK THE BUCKWHEAT THE BUTTERFLY A CHEERFUL TEMPER THE CHILD IN THE GRAVE CHILDREN'S PRATTLE THE FARM-YARD COCK AND THE WEATHER-COCK THE DAISY THE DARNING-NEEDLE DELAYING IS NOT FORGETTING THE DROP OF WATER JACK THE DULLARD AN OLD STORY TOLD ANEW THE DUMB BOOK THE ELF OF THE ROSE THE GIRL WHO TROD ON THE LOAF THE GOBLIN AND THE HUCKSTER THE GOLDEN TREASURE GRANDMOTHER A GREAT GRIEF THE HAPPY FAMILY A LEAF FROM HEAVEN IB AND LITTLE CHRISTINA THE ICE MAIDEN I.

The Monastery: A Romance is one of Scott's Tales from Benedictine Sources and is set in the time of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Elizabethan period. The action is centered on the Monastery of Kennaquhair, probably based on Melrose Abbey in south east Scotland, on the River Tweed. At this time, circa 1550, the Scottish Reformation is just beginning, and the monastery is in peril. A love story is interwoven as the Glendinning boys fall in love with Mary Avenel. Edward ends up becoming a monk, and Halbert finally marries Mary, after service with the Earl of Murray. A sequel to The Monastery, The Abbot is the second of Scott's Tales from Benedictine Sources. The story follows the fortunes of certain characters Scott introduced in The Monastery, but it also introduces new characters such as Roland Graeme. It is concerned mainly with Queen Mary's imprisonment at Loch Leven Castle in 1567, her escape, and her defeat. Parallel to this is the romance of Roland Graeme, a dim-witted but spirited youth. He is brought up at the castle of Avenel by Mary Avenel and her husband, Halbert Glendinning. Roland is sent by the Regent Murray to be page to Mary Stuart with directions to guard her. He falls in love with Catherine Seyton, who is one of the ladies-in-waiting to the queen. He is found later to be the heir to Avenel. Edward Glendinning, the brother of Halbert, is the abbot of the title, the last abbot of the monastery described in the preceding novel. Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright and poet.

The Betrothed is the first of two Tales of the Crusaders. The action takes place in the Welsh Marches during the latter part of the reign of Henry II, after 1187. Eveline, the 16-year-old daughter of Sir Raymond Berenger, is rescued from a Welsh siege by the forces of Damian Lacy. She is betrothed to his uncle, Sir Hugo, who leaves on a crusade. Rebels led by Ranald Lacy attempt to kidnap her, and Damian fights them off, but a confused sequence of events convinces the King that she and her beloved are in league against him. The Talisman takes place at the end of the Third Crusade, mostly in the camp of the Crusaders in Palestine. Scheming and partisan politics, as well as the illness of King Richard the Lionheart, are placing the Crusade in danger. The main characters are the Scottish knight Kenneth, a fictional version of David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon, who returned from the third Crusade in 1190; Richard the Lionheart; Saladin; and Edith Plantagenet, a relative of Richard. Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright and poet. He was the first modern English-language author to have a truly international career in his lifetime, with many contemporary readers in Europe, Australia, and North America. His novels and poetry are still read, and many of his works remain classics of both English-language literature and of Scottish literature. Famous titles include Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, The Lady of the Lake, Waverley, The Heart of Midlothian and The Bride of Lammermoor.

"The Laboratory" is a poem and dramatic monologue. This poem, set in seventeenth century France, is the monologue of a woman speaking to an apothecary as he prepares a poison, which she intends to use to kill her rival in love. It was inspired by the life of Marie Madeleine Marguerite D'Aubray, marquise de Brinvilliers (1630-1676), who poisoned her father and two brothers and planned to poison her husband. Robert Browning (1812-1889) was an English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, and in particular the dramatic monologue, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets. His poems are known for their irony, characterization, dark humor, social commentary, historical settings, and challenging vocabulary and syntax.

The Pied Piper of Hamelin is the subject of a legend concerning the disappearance or death of a great number of kids from the town of Hamelin (Hameln), Lower Saxony, Germany, in the Middle Ages.

No Name is a 19th-century novel revolving around the issue of illegitimacy. The story begins in 1846, at Combe-Raven in West Somerset, the country residence of the happy Vanstone family. In the first scene, the reader is introduced to Mr. Andrew Vanstone, Mrs. Vanstone, and their two daughters Norah, age 26, happy and quiet, and the irrepressible Magdalen, just 18, beautiful but with a steely jaw. They live in peace and contentment, looked after by their governess, Miss Garth. Magdalen likes nothing better than to read at her window while her personal maid combs through and through her long hair. Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was an English novelist, playwright, and author of short stories. His best-known works are The Woman in White, No Name, Armadale, and The Moonstone.

The Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent. (1802) is a collection of nine observational letters written by American writer Washington Irving under the pseudonym Jonathan Oldstyle. The letters lampoon marriage, manners, dress and culture of early 19th century New York. They are Irving's début in print. Jonathan Oldstyle is the first of many pseudonyms under which Irving wrote during his career and it stands out as a descriptive name for the character of the narrator - an aging bachelor who observes with astonishment the newfangled impulses of youth. The Oldstyle letters were well received in New York and despite the use of the pseudonym, Irving's identity as Oldstyle was not a secret. The public enjoyed them, but Irving would always look back on the letters as "crude and boyish". Washington Irving (1783-1859) was an American author, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. He is best known for his short stories "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" both of which appear in his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works include biographies of George Washington and Oliver Goldsmith, and several histories of 15th-century Spain, dealing with subjects such as the Moors and the Alhambra. Irving served as the U.S. ambassador to Spain from 1842 to 1846.

Knickerbocker's History of New York, From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty is a work of history, disguised as satire, which was published in 1809 by the American writer Washington Irving under the pseudonym Dietrich Knickerbocker. The full title of the work is "A history of New York, from the beginning of the world to the end of the Dutch dynasty. Containing, among many surprising and curious matters, the unutterable ponderings of Walter the Doubter, the disastrous projects of William the Testy, and the chivalric achievements of Peter the Headstrong, the three Dutch governors of New Amsterdam: being the only authentic history of the times that ever hath been published." Irving draws an unflattering image of the settlers of the colony New Nederland and the Dutch are drawn as lazy pipe smokers of little minds. The work is considered a satire on the political leadership of the United States. Washington Irving (1783-1859) was an American author, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century. He is best known for his short stories "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" both of which appear in his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works include biographies of George Washington and Oliver Goldsmith, and several histories of 15th-century Spain, dealing with subjects such as the Moors and the Alhambra. Irving served as the U.S. ambassador to Spain from 1842 to 1846.

No Name is a 19th-century novel revolving around the issue of illegitimacy. The story begins in 1846, at Combe-Raven in West Somerset, the country residence of the happy Vanstone family. In the first scene, the reader is introduced to Mr. Andrew Vanstone, Mrs. Vanstone, and their two daughters Norah, age 26, happy and quiet, and the irrepressible Magdalen, just 18, beautiful but with a steely jaw. They live in peace and contentment, looked after by their governess, Miss Garth. Magdalen likes nothing better than to read at her window while her personal maid combs through and through her long hair. Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was an English novelist, playwright, and author of short stories. His best-known works are The Woman in White, No Name, Armadale, and The Moonstone.

Armadale is a mystery novel. The novel has a convoluted plot about two distant cousins both named Allan Armadale. The father of one had murdered the father of the other (the two fathers are also named Allan Armadale). The story starts with a deathbed confession by the murderer in the form of a letter to be given to his baby son when he grows up. Wilkie Collins (1824 - 1889) was an English novelist, playwright, and author of short stories. His best-known works are The Woman in White, No Name, Armadale, and The Moonstone.

The Moonstone is an epistolary novel, generally considered the first detective novel in the English language. Besides creating many of the ground rules of the detective novel, The Moonstone also reflected Collins' enlightened social attitudes in his treatment of the servants in the novel. Rachel Verinder, a young English woman, inherits a large Indian diamond on her eighteenth birthday. It is a legacy from her uncle, a corrupt British army officer who served in India. The diamond is of great religious significance as well as being extremely valuable, and three Hindu priests have dedicated their lives to recovering it. The story incorporates elements of the legendary origins of the Hope Diamond (or perhaps the Orloff Diamond). Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was an English novelist, playwright, and author of short stories. His best-known works are The Woman in White, No Name, Armadale, and The Moonstone.

The Woman in White is considered to be among the first mystery novels and is widely regarded as one of the first (and finest) in the genre of "sensation novels". The story is sometimes considered an early example of detective fiction with the hero, Walter Hartright, employing many of the sleuthing techniques of later private detectives. Walter Hartright, a young art teacher, meets a mysterious and distressed woman dressed in white. He helps her on her way, but later learns that she has escaped from an asylum. Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was an English novelist, playwright, and author of short stories. His best-known works are The Woman in White, No Name, Armadale, and The Moonstone.

The Master of Ballantrae is a book by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, focusing upon the conflict between two brothers, Scottish noblemen whose family is torn apart by the Jacobite rising of 1745. The novel is presented as the memoir of one Ephraim Mackellar, steward of the Durrisdeer estate in Scotland. The novel opens in 1745, the year of the Jacobite Rising. When Bonnie Prince Charlie raises the banner of the Stuarts, the Durie family-the Laird of Durrisdeer, his older son James Durie (the Master of Ballantrae) and his younger son Henry Durie-decide on a common strategy: one son will join the uprising while the other will join the loyalists. That way, whichever side wins, the family's noble status and estate will be preserved. Logically, the younger son should join the rebels, but the Master insists on being the rebel (a more exciting choice) and contemptuously accuses Henry of trying to usurp his place, comparing him to Jacob. The two sons agree to toss a coin to determine who goes... Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer. His most famous works are Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. A literary celebrity during his lifetime, Stevenson now ranks among the 26 most translated authors in the world.