Showing results by author "John McCormick" in All Categories

White Fang was written as a companion to Jack London’s famous 1903 bestseller The Call of the Wild. Told from the perspective of White Fang, a creature half-wolf and half-dog, the story follows his journey through brutal environments that strip away his innocence and turn him savage. Everything changes when a young man shows him kindness and offers a chance at friendship—something White Fang has never known. More than just an adventure, White Fang is a powerful exploration of how environment shapes character. Set during the Klondike Gold Rush, it also offers a vivid portrait of its ...

When blues master Robert Johnson's recordings were rereleased to great fanfare in the 1960s, little was known about his life, giving rise to legends that he gained success by selling his soul to the devil. Biography of a Phantom is musicologist Mack McCormick's search, from the late 1960s until McCormick's death in 2015, to uncover Johnson's life story. McCormick spent decades reconstructing Johnson's mysterious life and developing theories about his untimely death at the age of 27, but never made public his discoveries. Biography of a Phantom publishes his compelling work for the first time.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they grow up in Civil War-era New England. Under the guidance of their loving mother, Marmee, they navigate poverty, personal dreams, and family challenges. Meg seeks domestic life, Jo aspires to be a writer, Beth is gentle and musical, and Amy is artistic and ambitious. Their bonds are tested through illness, love, loss, and societal expectations. Ultimately, the novel celebrates sisterhood, moral growth, and the pursuit of individuality while highlighting the joys and struggles of ...

This 1914 book gives a picture of the British Army structure and life in the early hours of World War I. Summary by david wales

The Castle stood above the quiet little town for as long as folks remembered: barren, deserted, lonely and frightening to the townsfolk. Until one day, smoke began to ascend from the dunjon. They were warned not to go near, and when intrepid souls dared to venture to uncover the mystery of the ruined castle, they learned firsthand what supernatural terrors await inside The Castle of the Carpathians. Summary by Joseph DeNoia.

In a rundown farmhouse near isolated, rural Dunwich, a bizarre family conjures and nurtures an evil entity from another realm, with the purpose of destroying the world and delivering it to ancient gods to rule, and only an aged university librarian can stop them. The Dunwich Horror was first published in 1929 in Weird Tales. (Summary by Mark Nelson)

The Door of the Unreal by Gerald Biss is a chilling early 20th-century horror novel blending mystery with supernatural terror. Set in the English countryside, a series of gruesome murders shocks the region—each marked by strange, wolf-like tracks. As the investigation unfolds, suspicions of a werewolf emerge. The story follows characters caught in a web of fear, secrets, and inexplicable phenomena. With atmospheric tension and gothic undertones, Biss explores the thin line between reality and the supernatural, making this a gripping tale of suspense and the unknown. Summary by John McCormick

A classic locked room mystery, in a not-so-classic setting. (Intro by Karen Savage)

The life and accomplishments of England's sole title holder of "The Great." King Alfred defended England from Viking invasions and ushered in an era of learning and progress for the British Isles. Summary by Ryan Cherrick.

Love animal rescues, dogs. lambs, miniature horses, miniature donkeys, pet emus, and more? How about Punxsutawney Phil and Groundhog Day? If so, then this is the book for you. Highland Ranch was our decade-long adventure playing with lambs, rescuing miniature donkeys and horses, raising rare sheep for petting zoos, operating an organic orchard and garden, along with caring for our many, many dogs.

"“Who is he?” I asked.“The worst man in London,” Holmes answered, as he sat down and stretched his legs before the fire." And so begins this Sherlock Holmes adventure with the most morally corrupt and vile man in London. A man whom Sherlock must accept into his home and treat with professional courtesy despite intense personal disgust and animosity. What power does this man hold over Holmes and the other people he forces into terrible situations? - Summary by phil c

The unconventional Scotland Yard detective Angel Esquire is no fool to be hoodwinked by the murder of the old crook Reale as he anticipates the coup that follows. Jimmy is unconventional too but at the other side of the law and what follows is the nail-biting adventure. - Summary by Yoganandh T

Herbert Wrayson, a bachelor returns to his flat one night to find a young lady rifling his desk. He questions her and finds she thought she was in the apartment of his neighbor, Morris Barnes, who lives above him. While he is on the telephone, she quietly slips out of his flat and heads to Barnes’ abode. A few hours later, she is once again at his door – this time looking scared and faint. She asks Wrayson to escort her downstairs as the hallway is unlit. As they emerge, a hansom sits at the doorway with Morris Barnes in it. But, they discover that Barnes has been strangled. Wrayson soon ...

Harrington Strong was a pseudonym used by author Johnston McCulley, creator of the character Zorro and many others. The Brand of Silence - A Detective Story finds Sidney Prale returning to New York after ten years during which he sought his fortune. But he finds New York a very changed place, and even more distressing, he finds that his old friends are now turning their backs on him, his old haunts no longer welcome him, and there seems to be a conspiracy against him.Why can't he receive service in hotels, restaurants, and theaters that he once frequented? Who is working against him? And just ...

Uncle's Dream by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a satirical novella set in a provincial Russian town. It follows the ambitions of Maria Alexandrovna, a scheming mother determined to marry off her beautiful daughter Zina to a senile old prince for wealth and status. As the town buzzes with gossip, the plan unravels through misunderstandings and personal conflicts. Blending humor with social commentary, the story critiques vanity, greed, and the absurdities of provincial life in 19th-century Russian society. Summary by John McCormick

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is a thrilling adventure novel about young Jim Hawkins who discovers a pirate’s treasure map. He joins a voyage to the mysterious island aboard the Hispaniola, led by the cunning Long John Silver, who secretly plans a mutiny. As danger and betrayal unfold, Jim shows courage, outwits the pirates, and ultimately helps secure the treasure. Themes of loyalty, bravery, and the lure of riches drive the story. Packed with suspense and action, Treasure Island captures the essence of classic pirate tales and remains a beloved work of adventure fiction for all...

The American Rivals of Sherlock Holmes is a collection showcasing clever U.S. detectives who mirror Sherlock Holmes' brilliance. Though not written by Mark Twain, it features stories by various authors from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These detectives solve crimes with wit, logic, and unique American flair, offering an alternative to Holmes’ British methods. Full of charm, humor, and suspense, the anthology highlights how American authors contributed to the detective fiction genre, proving Holmes wasn’t alone in his intellectual mastery across the Atlantic. Summary by John ...

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain is a classic tale set in the American South, following the mischievous and imaginative Tom Sawyer. Alongside his best friend, Huckleberry Finn, Tom embarks on thrilling adventures—witnessing a murder, searching for hidden treasure, and getting lost in a cave. Through playful pranks, daring escapades, and heartfelt moments, Tom navigates childhood with wit and charm. Twain’s novel captures the spirit of youth, the beauty of Mississippi River life, and the timeless struggle between freedom and responsibility. It remains a beloved piece of American ...

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë is a haunting tale of love, revenge, and the supernatural, set on the bleak Yorkshire moors. The story follows the intense and tragic romance between Heathcliff, a brooding orphan, and Catherine Earnshaw, whose choices set off a chain of suffering across generations. Their obsessive bond defies social norms and even death itself. Narrated through multiple perspectives, the novel explores themes of passion, cruelty, and the destructive power of unresolved emotions. With its dark atmosphere and unforgettable characters, Wuthering Heights remains a powerful and ...

Published by Beaver Publishing Company, Toronto, and subtitled "Full and authentic account of the murder by Henry Wainwright of his mistress, Harriet Lane, and an extended account of the Whitechapel murders by the infamous Jack the Ripper."