A collection of eight short stories by Stephen R. Donaldson, including "Gilden Fire", a missing chapter from his novel "The Illearth War".

Small-town newspaper publisher Emma Lord returns for an 18th outing in a cozy mystery series. Unusually high temperatures make for an uncomfortable summer in Alpine, Washington. Then someone’s hot temper sparks into murder: Tim Rafferty’s body is discovered within the charred remains of his home, killed before the blaze even began. Suspicion falls on several parties, including Tim’s pregnant wife, Tiffany. Naturally, Emma becomes fascinated by the case; unfortunately, her interest is at the expense of her personal life.

The autobiography, up to age 20, of the author of such books as CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH. The book is divided into four parts, each corresponding with the years he spent at four different schools. Readers will be able to see how Dahl's school experiences, which often involve bullying unpleasant teachers, are reflected in fictional work. B&w photographs and drawings illustrate the text.

Roald Dahl’s creepy classic follows the path of many beloved children’s books: talking creatures, escape from mean adults, and wild adventures. After being orphaned at the age of 4, James Henry Trotter goes to live with his only other relatives, the horrific Aunt Spiker and Aunt Sponge. The aunts force James to do all the work around the house, never give him treats, and refuse to let him play with other children. One day a mysterious stranger gives James some magical crystals, which James accidentally drops underneath a dormant peach tree. By the next morning, the tree has sprouted a peach as big as a house. When James investigates, he finds the giant peach inhabited by friendly talking insects, who share his hatred of his aunts. With a little ingenuity, they escape in the peach, experiencing a series of terrifying, fabulous adventures.

Contains four stories: "The Visitor," "The Great Switcheroo," "The Last Act," and "Bitch."