Lord Dunsany mixes reality with fantasy in this forgotten collection of modern detective stories. Some are macabre, others have a lighter and more amusing touch, but every story stimulates the imagination and reveals the acknowledged master of the short story at his very best. SMETHERS is a travelling salesman for Numnumo, who make a relish for meats and savouries. He shares a flat with an Oxford graduate called Linley, who fancies himself as a detective and to whom Scotland Yard is inclined to turn if they encounter a particularly challenging mystery. When a pretty young girl disappears and her lodger is suspected of murdering her, two bottles of Numnumo relish are the only clues, and Smethers is sent to gather more information . . . Amongst the hundreds of fantasy stories for which the Irish dramatist, poet and writer Lord Dunsany became deservedly famous there was one solitary little book of detective stories. Selected by Ellery Queen as an ‘unequivocal keystone’ in the history of crime writing, this quirky collection is a mixture of the masterful and the macabre, a book that lovers of detective stories and tales of the unexpected will want to savour.

The Gods of Pegana (1905) is a short story collection by Lord Dunsany. Published at the beginning of his career, The Gods of Pegana would influence such writers as J. R. R. Tolkein, Ursula K. Le Guin, and H. P. Lovecraft. Recognized as a pioneering author of fantasy and science fiction, Dunsany is a man whose work, in the words of Lovecraft, remains "unexcelled in the sorcery of crystalline singing prose, and supreme in the creation of a gorgeous and languorous world of incandescently exotic vision." "Whether the season be winter or whether it be summer, whether it be morning among the worlds or whether it be night, Skarl still beateth his drum, for the purposes of the gods are not yet fulfilled." The Gods of Pegana, Dunsany's debut collection of stories, contains some of his finest tales of fantasy and adventure. The Mana-Yood-Sushai created the gods of Pegana before falling asleep in the middle of Time. The only thing keeping him from creating new gods and worlds is the drummer Skarl, who can never cease his playing. In their creator's absence, dozens of small gods and a thousand local deities have free reign to create the worlds and realities they want. As they compete to outdo one another, the order and peace of Pegana hangs in the balance. Humorous and inventive, Dunsany's tales of high fantasy continue to delight over a century after they first appeared in print. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lord Dunsany's The Gods of Pegana is a classic of Irish fantasy fiction reimagined for modern readers.

'He contrasted the mortal world, in wonder, with the deep calm of his home, where the moment moved more slowly than the shadows of the houses here, and did not pass until all the content with which a moment is stored had been drawn from it by every creature in Elfland...' The poetic style and sweeping grandeur of The King of Elfland's Daughter has made it one of the most beloved fantasy novels of our time, a masterpiece that influenced some of the greatest contemporary fantasists. The heartbreaking story of a marriage between a mortal man and an elf princess is a masterful tapestry of the fairy tale following the "happily ever after".

The classic humorous novel about an alcohol-loving clergyman who thinks he is the reincarnation of a dog. Complete with the award-winning film screenplay that expands upon the tale. Dean Spanley is affable, conventional and prudent - the very archetype of a bland churchman. Only his keen interest in the transmigration of souls and his obsession with dogs betray any shadow of eccentricity. But then, richly primed with a few glasses of Imperial Tokay, he begins to speak vividly of the joys of rabbiting, of rolling in fresh dung and of baying at the moon. Are these canine memories a drunken fancy? Or can it be that Dean Spanley must once have been a dog? This special edition includes Lord Dunsany's witty and inventive novel, My Talks With Dean Spanley, together with Alan Sharp's award-winning screenplay for the film starring Peter O'Toole and Sam Neill, which faithfully adapts and expands upon the events in the story.

The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories (1908) is a short story collection by Lord Dunsany. Published at the beginning of his career, The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories-which features the pantheon of gods first portrayed in The Gods of Pegana (1905)-would influence such writers as J. R. R. Tolkein, Ursula K. Le Guin, and H. P. Lovecraft. Recognized as a pioneering author of fantasy and science fiction, Dunsany is a man whose work, in the words of Lovecraft, remains "unexcelled in the sorcery of crystalline singing prose, and supreme in the creation of a gorgeous and languorous world of incandescently exotic vision." "At the end of that avenue was a colossal chariot with three bronze horses driven by the winged figure of Fame, and behind her in the chariot the huge form of Welleran, Merimna's ancient hero, standing with extended sword." The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories, Dunsany's third collection of short fiction, contains some of his finest tales of fantasy and adventure. While the people of Merimna sleep soundly, while the guards of the city sing songs and tell stories of the warriors Welleran and Rollory, the tribesmen of the plains below look up in awe, wondering if the day will come when Merimna's glory fades. Behind the ramparts, a young boy named Rold looks up at the statues of his heroes, hoping to take their place. Dunsany's tales of high fantasy continue to delight over a century after they first appeared in print. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lord Dunsany's The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories is a classic of Irish fantasy fiction reimagined for modern readers.

A Dreamer's Tales (1910) is a short story collection by Lord Dunsany. Published at the height of his career, A Dreamer's Tales would influence such writers as J. R. R. Tolkein, Ursula K. Le Guin, and H. P. Lovecraft. Recognized as a pioneering author of fantasy and science fiction, Dunsany is a man whose work, in the words of Lovecraft, remains "unexcelled in the sorcery of crystalline singing prose, and supreme in the creation of a gorgeous and languorous world of incandescently exotic vision." "Like a great wall is the mountain to the west. It comes up out of the distance and goes down into the distance again, and it is named Poltarnees, Beholder of Ocean." A Dreamer's Tales, Dunsany's fourth collection of stories, contains some of his finest tales of fantasy and adventure. The distant mountain of Poltarnees has long been a place of wonder for mankind. The stories of old tell of many a traveler who set out to see what lay beyond its insurmountable peak. In these same stories, no one has ever returned. Promised the hand of the Princess of Arizim, one man hopes that love will give him the power not only to reach the mountaintop, but to return alive. In "Idle Days on the Yann," a story praised by Yeats and Lovecraft alike, a man sails down the River Yann in order to reach its fabled gate. Along the way, he observes cities of unspeakable strangeness and beauty. Dunsany's tales of high fantasy continue to delight over a century after they first appeared in print. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lord Dunsany's A Dreamer's Tales is a classic of Irish fantasy fiction reimagined for modern readers.

Time and the Gods (1906) is a short story collection by Lord Dunsany. Published at the beginning of his career, Time and the Gods, a sequel to The Gods of Pegana (1905), would influence such writers as J. R. R. Tolkein, Ursula K. Le Guin, and H. P. Lovecraft. Recognized as a pioneering author of fantasy and science fiction, Dunsany is a man whose work, in the words of Lovecraft, remains "unexcelled in the sorcery of crystalline singing prose, and supreme in the creation of a gorgeous and languorous world of incandescently exotic vision." "Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth. There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams." Time and the Gods, Dunsany's second collection of stories, contains some of his finest tales of fantasy and adventure. From their "marble dreams" arose a city fit for the gods, a sweeping expanse of towers, terraces, lawns, and fountains known as Sardathrion. Protected by mountains and a vast desert, safe in the heart of a fertile valley, the city of the gods is a place to which few humans go, and from which none can return. Dunsany's tales of high fantasy continue to delight over a century after they first appeared in print. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lord Dunsany's Time and the Gods is a classic of Irish fantasy fiction reimagined for modern readers.

In this collection of 23 short stories, one of the original masters of early-twentieth-century science fiction and fantasy is introduced to a new generation of readers. Fanciful tales of strange adventure in imaginary exotic locales and depictions of otherworldly grim creepiness abound.

Don Rodriguez: Chronicles of Shadow Valley (1922). Having established himself as a bestselling author of short fiction, Dunsany published Don Rodriguez: Chronicles of Shadow Valley, his first novel. Recognized as a pioneering author of fantasy and science fiction, Dunsany is a man whose work, in the words of H. P. Lovecraft, remains "unexcelled in the sorcery of crystalline singing prose, and supreme in the creation of a gorgeous and languorous world of incandescently exotic vision." In an ancient, mythical Spain, a world of castles, dragons, and magic, Don Rodriguez responds to his father's summons. Before the throne of the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, the young man learns of his fate. His younger brother, a simple, unskilled man, will inherit the kingdom upon his father's death. Don Rodriguez, a skilled musician and legendary swordsman, must venture off into the unknown in order to prove himself, or die trying. Armed with his father's ancient Castilian blade, he sets out to find a servant to accompany him. His final destination is the mysterious Shadow Valley, a haunted realm from which few ever return. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lord Dunsany's Don Rodriguez: Chronicles of Shadow Valley is a classic of British fantasy fiction reimagined for modern readers.

The King of Elfland's Daughter (1924). Having established himself as a bestselling author of short fiction, Dunsany published The King of Elfland's Daughter, his second novel. Recognized as a pioneering author of fantasy and science fiction, Dunsany is a man whose work, in the words of H. P. Lovecraft, remains "unexcelled in the sorcery of crystalline singing prose, and supreme in the creation of a gorgeous and languorous world of incandescently exotic vision." In accordance with tradition, the Lord of Erl assents to the will of the people, who wish to be ruled by a magical being. In order to fulfill their request, he sends his son Alveric, a trustworthy young man, to the realm of Elfland, where time moves slowly and citizens live long, prosperous lives. There, Alveric falls in love with Lirazel, the daughter of the King, and convinces her to return to Erl as his wife. He arrives triumphantly, but soon Lirazel grows tired of the ways of men. Caught between the demands of tradition and the desires of his heart, Alveric must decide to whom he will remain loyal. Largely forgotten after its publication, The King of Elfland's Daughter was eventually recognized as a groundbreaking work of high fantasy and fairytale fiction. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lord Dunsany's The King of Elfland's Daughter is a classic of British fantasy fiction reimagined for modern readers.

The King of Elfland's Daughter (1924). Having established himself as a bestselling author of short fiction, Dunsany published The King of Elfland's Daughter, his second novel. Recognized as a pioneering author of fantasy and science fiction, Dunsany is a man whose work, in the words of H. P. Lovecraft, remains "unexcelled in the sorcery of crystalline singing prose, and supreme in the creation of a gorgeous and languorous world of incandescently exotic vision." In accordance with tradition, the Lord of Erl assents to the will of the people, who wish to be ruled by a magical being. In order to fulfill their request, he sends his son Alveric, a trustworthy young man, to the realm of Elfland, where time moves slowly and citizens live long, prosperous lives. There, Alveric falls in love with Lirazel, the daughter of the King, and convinces her to return to Erl as his wife. He arrives triumphantly, but soon Lirazel grows tired of the ways of men. Caught between the demands of tradition and the desires of his heart, Alveric must decide to whom he will remain loyal. Largely forgotten after its publication, The King of Elfland's Daughter was eventually recognized as a groundbreaking work of high fantasy and fairytale fiction. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lord Dunsany's The King of Elfland's Daughter is a classic of British fantasy fiction reimagined for modern readers.

Don Rodriguez: Chronicles of Shadow Valley (1922). Having established himself as a bestselling author of short fiction, Dunsany published Don Rodriguez: Chronicles of Shadow Valley, his first novel. Recognized as a pioneering author of fantasy and science fiction, Dunsany is a man whose work, in the words of H. P. Lovecraft, remains "unexcelled in the sorcery of crystalline singing prose, and supreme in the creation of a gorgeous and languorous world of incandescently exotic vision." In an ancient, mythical Spain, a world of castles, dragons, and magic, Don Rodriguez responds to his father's summons. Before the throne of the Lord of the Valleys of Arguento Harez, the young man learns of his fate. His younger brother, a simple, unskilled man, will inherit the kingdom upon his father's death. Don Rodriguez, a skilled musician and legendary swordsman, must venture off into the unknown in order to prove himself, or die trying. Armed with his father's ancient Castilian blade, he sets out to find a servant to accompany him. His final destination is the mysterious Shadow Valley, a haunted realm from which few ever return. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lord Dunsany's Don Rodriguez: Chronicles of Shadow Valley is a classic of British fantasy fiction reimagined for modern readers.