The fourteen short stories in this collection encompass horror, mystery, nostalgia, romance and humour. Yet, in spite of the variety of subject-matter, genre and style, they all have one thing in common - a surprise ending, a twist in the tail. In some of them, the twist has a sting too The last five stories are especially for the Christmas season. Whatever your taste, you will find here something to make you shudder, giggle or smile.

Night falls A pale moon is scudding behind dark clouds. The wind is howling, making strange, eerie noises. Lock your doors. Throw another log on the fire. Settle back, Read this book And be afraid. Be very afraid

I wrote a book of poetry. Don't get the wrong impression - It wasn't full of meaning And erudite expression. It wasn't the epitome Of great poetic style, But it had a lot of funny rhymes That really made me smile.

Disillusioned by a string of disastrous marriages, Shaw Benjamin, the American bandleader, comes to Derringham Grange, a musical foundation in the English Lakes, to fulfil a series of engagements. There he meets the enigmatic Dr Claudette Stansfield, who intrigues and amazes him with her beauty and talent, but can she trust this man, who has discarded his women so often, and can he cope with the revelation of her surprising background? Betrayal, confusion, guilt and fear must all be overcome, before Shaw can finally win her love and possess this woman who seems to come to him from 'Out of Nowhere'.