Gerald Kersh Books

Exploring themes of mystery and the supernatural, this collection weaves together chilling tales of murder, discovery, and the macabre. From the enigma of a lady's impossible murder to the unsettling find of a merman off Brighton's coast, each story unveils dark truths. A desperate man's deal with a sinister figure, a ventriloquist's terrifying dummy, and a condemned murderer’s haunting legacy through a child’s perspective further intensify the eerie atmosphere. These narratives promise to captivate readers with their blend of horror and intrigue.

The book features a collection of eerie tales, each exploring the uncanny and the unknown. An expedition in South America reveals a bone-less race that drains life, while a London man uncovers a monstrous secret linked to Brighton's past. A sea captain discovers tragic remnants of a mysterious creature on a deserted island, and a war correspondent encounters a soldier claiming to be 438 years old. These narratives intertwine horror and intrigue, showcasing the bizarre and the supernatural in unexpected ways.

A collection of humorous and spine-tingling tales, this book features quirky characters and unexpected twists. Each story delves into the absurd and the eerie, showcasing the author's knack for blending comedy with elements of horror. Readers are taken on a wild ride through bizarre situations, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and laughter intertwines with chills. Perfect for those who enjoy a mix of light-hearted fun and thrilling suspense, these stories promise to entertain and surprise.

Charles Small, a successful advertising expert, grapples with deep dissatisfaction in his life. As he reflects on his existence, he confronts the emptiness and stagnation that overshadow his achievements. This introspective journey reveals his struggles with personal fulfillment and the search for meaning beyond professional success, highlighting themes of discontent and the quest for a more vibrant life.

Paul Auster, Ian McEwan and Don DeLillo all know that the city is a place of absurdity, and each of them have played with the form of their novels to accentuate and clarify the absurdities that city-dwellers face on a daily basis. Yet before any of them had their first novel published Gerald Kersh had written his last masterpiece The Angel And The Cuckoo. This is a novel of London that cuts back and forth in time through the Depression years between the two World Wars, following artists, criminals, lovers, singers and con-men as they each follow their singular obsessions.

'[Gerald Kersh] is a story-teller of an almost vanished kind - though the proper description is perhaps a teller of 'rattling good yarns'... He is fascinated by the grotesque and the bizarre, by the misfits of life, the angry, the down-and-outs and the damned. A girl of eight commits a murder. Some circus freaks are shipwrecked on an island. A chess champion walks in his sleep and destroys the games he has so carefully planned...' TLS 'Beneath his talented lightness and fantasy, Gerald Kersh is a serious man... [He] has the ability... to create a world which is not realistic and which is yet entirely credible and convincing on its own fantastic terms.' New York Times 'Mr Kersh tells a story; as such, rather better than anybody else.' Pamela Hansford Johnson, Telegraph

Exploring intriguing mysteries and philosophical questions, the narrative delves into the enigma of the Mona Lisa's smile and the fate of Ambrose Bierce. It also presents the curious case of Simple Simon, who loses something vital yet remains unaware of its absence. These elements invite readers to reflect on deeper themes of perception and loss, weaving together art, literature, and human experience in a thought-provoking manner.

Harry Fabian is a cockney wide boy trying to make it big in the Soho underworld of the 1930s. He is a Flash Harry in an expensive suit, a chancer operating in a cosmopolitan corner of the city where villains, spivs, prostitutes and strong-arm men thrive. But his ambition and reckless nature are pushing him towards more and more extreme acts - and a day of reckoning. Night And The City is a classic work of social-realist fiction that captures the vibrant yet seedy underbelly of London between the world wars.

A sex killer haunts the afternoon fog of 1930s London. He is on the prowl, looking for a schoolgirl. This monster, in turn, is being hunted. Detective-Inspector 'Dick' Turpin understands the psychology of his prey, but is more adept at finding habitual criminals than sex murderers. So it is up to formidable do-gooder Miss Asta Thundersley to poke her nose into the investigation. She is a habitue of the Bar Bacchus and believes one of the regulars is the killer, invites them all to a party and laces each one with alcohol to loosen their tongues.

This collection features two compelling narratives that delve into the lives of characters facing extraordinary circumstances. "They Die With Their Boots Clean" explores themes of sacrifice and honor, while "In The Nine Lives Of Bill Nelson" presents a gripping tale of survival and resilience. Together, these stories offer a rich tapestry of human experience, showcasing the struggles and triumphs of individuals in challenging situations. Readers will find a blend of adventure, emotion, and thought-provoking insights throughout the collection.