Thriller 2: Stories You Just Can't Put Down Read online

  Tim Maleeny is the award-winning author of Stealing the Dragon, a novel about San Francisco’s Chinatown that began a series featuring private investigator Cape Weathers and his deadly companion, Sally. “Maleeny smoothly mixes wry humor with a serious plot without sacrificing either,” according to Publishers Weekly. His short fiction has won the prestigious Macavity Award and appears in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Crimespree Magazine and several anthologies, including Death Do Us Part and Uncaged. A stand-alone novel, Jump, will be available in June of 2009. Visit his Web site at www.timmaleeny.com.

  A former teacher in the Bronx, a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia and a criminal defense attorney for many years, Phillip Margolin has brought a lifetime of studying human nature to his storytelling. Perhaps that’s why every one of his novels has been a New York Times bestseller. His books have been nominated for the Edgar Award, made into films and published in more than 25 languages, and his short fiction has appeared in the annual anthology The Best American Mystery Stories. His new book Fugitive will be released in June 2009. Visit his Web site at www.phillipmargolin.com.

  David J. Montgomery writes about authors and books for several of the country’s largest newspapers, including the Chicago Sun-Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Globe and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. In the past, he has contributed to such publications as USA TODAY, the Washington Post, Kansas City Star, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and National Review Online. He recently completed his first novel, a thriller called Counterstrike. He lives in the Washington, D.C., suburbs with his wife and daughter. His Web site is www.davidjmontgomery.com.

  A regular New York Times bestseller, Carla Neggers has written more than 50 novels including Cut and Run, Abandon, Breakwater, Dark Sky and The Widow. She has earned raves from critics and readers alike for her unique blend of fast-paced action, suspense and romance. Her stories are modern adventure tales eagerly anticipated by millions of readers around the globe. She lives with her family in Vermont, not far from picturesque Quechee Gorge. You can visit her at www.carlaneggers.com.

  With more than twenty novels to his credit, including Killer Weekend and the Lou Boldt crime series, New York Times bestselling author Ridley Pearson has earned a reputation for stories that grip the imagination, emphasize high-tech crime and dazzling forensic detail. He has written for television and film and is the co-author with Dave Barry of the bestselling young adult series based on the adventures of Peter Pan. Pearson lives with his wife and two daughters, dividing their time between Missouri and Idaho. Visit his Web site at www.ridleypearson.com.

  Ten years working in advertising and marketing gave Marcus Sakey the perfect experience to write about thieves and killers. His first novel, The Blade Itself, was featured on CBS Sunday Morning and NPR, and chosen both as New York Times Editor’s Pick and one of Esquire Magazine’s “Top 5 Reads of 2007.” It also won the 2007 Strand Magazine Critics Award for best first mystery novel. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s production company bought the film rights for Miramax. The Chicago Tribune called Sakey’s second novel, At the City’s Edge, “nothing short of brilliant.” His third book, Good People, will hit store shelves August 2009. His Web site is www.marcussakey.com.

  An icon of the Spanish literary scene, Javier Sierra is the bestselling author of both nonfiction and fiction concerning historical and scientific enigmas, including The Secret Supper and The Lady In Blue. His meticulous research and gripping prose have made him an international sensation. His books are read in more than 25 countries. Learn more about Javier at www.javiersierra.com.

  Mariah Stewart is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-four novels and three novellas. A former teacher and insurance company V.P., she has no regrets over having left her day job to work at home, alone, in her office overlooking a wooded hill and a horse farm. She lives amidst the rolling hills of Chester County, PA, with her husband, the occasional daughter, two golden retrievers and a Jack Russell Terrorizer. Sometimes a puggle joins the pack to make life just a little more interesting. Visit her at www.mariahstewart.com.

  R. L. Stine is one of the bestselling children’s authors in history. His Goosebumps series, along with such series as Fear Street, The Nightmare Room and Mostly Ghostly have sold nearly 400 million books in this country alone. And they are translated into 32 languages. His most recent books for adults are The Sitter and Eye Candy, published by Ballantine Books. He lives in New York City with his wife, Jane, and King Charles Spaniel, Minnie. His son, Matthew, is a sound designer and music producer. His Web site is www.rlstine.com.

  Simon Wood is a California transplant originally from England. He’s an ex-racecar driver, a licensed pilot and works part-time as a P.I. He shares his world with his American wife, Julie, and their lives are dominated by a longhaired dachshund and five cats. He’s had over 150 stories and articles published. His stories have been included in “Best of” anthologies and he’s a frequent contributor to Writer’s Digest. He’s the Anthony Award winning author of Working Stiffs, Accidents Waiting to Happen, Paying the Piper and We All Fall Down. Visit his Web site at www.simonwood.net.

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-3390-8

  THRILLER 2: STORIES YOU JUST CAN’T PUT DOWN

  Copyright © 2009 by International Thriller Writers, Inc.

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, MIRA Books, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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  The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the original works as follows:

  THROUGH A VEIL DARKLY

  Copyright © 2009 by Kathleen Antrim

  A CALCULATED RISK

  Copyright © 2009 by Sean Chercover

  REMAKING

  Copyright © 2009 by Blake Crouch

  THE WEAPON

  Copyright © 2009 by Jeffery W. Deaver

  CAN YOU HELP ME OUT HERE?

  Copyright © 2009 by Robert Ferrigno

  GHOST WRITER

  Copyright © 2009 by Gary Goshgarian

  CROSSED DOUBLE

  Copyright © 2009 by Joe Hartlaub

  THE CIRCLE

  Copyright © 2009 by David Hewson

  ICED

  Copyright © 2009 by Harry Hunsicker

  VINTAGE DEATH

  Copyright © 2009 by Susan Lisa Jackson

  WATCH OUT FOR MY GIRL

  Copyright © 2009 by Joan Johnston

  KILLING TIME

  Copyright © 2009 by Jon Land

  THE LAMENTED

  Copyright © 2009 by Lawrence Light

  SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF

  Copyright © 2009 by Tim Maleeny

  THE HOUSE ON PINE TERRACE

  Copyright © 2009 by Phillip Margolin

  BEDTIME FOR MR. LI

  Copyright © 2009 by David J. Montgomery

  ON THE RUN

  Copyright © 2009 by Carla Neggers

  BOLDT’S BROKEN ANGEL

  Copyright © 2009 by Page One Inc.

  THE DESERT HERE AND THE DESERT FAR AWAY

  Copyright © 2009 by Marcus Sakey

  THE FIFTH WORLD

  Copyright © 2009 by Javier Sierra

  JUSTICE SERVED

  Copyright © 2009 by Mariah Stewart

  ROOMFUL OF W
ITNESSES

  Copyright © 2009 by R. L. Stine

  PROTECTING THE INNOCENT

  Copyright © 2009 by Simon Wood