Alan M. Clark Book order

Set against the backdrop of the 1840s, the story follows orphaned siblings Alta Mae and Cedric as they navigate the harsh realities of life in New York's Five Points and the challenges of westward migration during the Gold Rush. Their journey begins with the betrayal of their nativist brother, who sells them into servitude. As they escape and travel west to find him, their experiences challenge the prejudices instilled in them, leading to personal growth and a deeper understanding of humanity. This novel blends adventure, humor, and themes of redemption.

Set in 1884 London, the story follows 12-year-old Albert Gladwyck as he grapples with the choice between kindness and self-preservation. While scavenging the River Thames, he discovers a wrecked boat filled with valuable goods, presenting a rare opportunity to escape poverty. However, he must act quickly to salvage the treasures before rival mudlarks, a bully named George Hardly, and the dangers of the toxic river threaten his plans and his mother's well-being.

Set against the backdrop of Jack the Ripper's era, the narrative centers on Mary Jane Kelly, a complex young woman who navigates the treacherous streets of London's East End. Pursued by a vengeful man seeking retribution for his brother's death, she embarks on a desperate quest to recover a hidden necklace that could secure her escape from her troubled life. As she traverses a dystopian labyrinth, her journey is fueled by conflicting emotions and the looming threat of danger, offering a fresh perspective on a historical figure often reduced to tragedy.

Set in the grim atmosphere of 19th century London, the story follows Annie Chapman, who struggles with poverty and turns to solicitation for survival. After a violent confrontation that leaves her homeless, she faces the perilous streets, ultimately crossing paths with the infamous Jack the Ripper. This narrative explores themes of desperation, survival, and the harsh realities of life for women in a brutal urban landscape.

Angie Smith and Curtis Loew are having dreams they can't shake. At the heart of each is Angie's daughter, Kaya. Angie's dreams end in death, the spreading of hand-shaped bruises across her daughter's throat. Curtis' dreams end in something else, something closer to obsession than love. Angie is worlds away, trying to keep her drug-shattered mind from falling apart, traveling through an American underbelly filled with inhuman shapes, dark whispers and old friends with empty eyes. Curtis is Kaya's new neighbor. He's getting closer to her, and her mentally unstable grandmother, Colleen. He's had families before, but he'd always made mistakes. Mistakes that led to new names, new towns. But this one time, he swears, things will all work out. He's got so much love to give.

Exploring the darker side of creativity, the narrative reveals how inspiration transforms from a fleeting muse into a menacing force that haunts the artist. As the protagonist grapples with the relentless pursuit of their craft, the story delves into the psychological toll of artistic ambition, highlighting the fine line between inspiration and obsession.

D.D. Murphry has a way with words-or is it that words have their way with him? Work the clues alongside this unlikely sleuth to reveal an underground cabal of letters, a conspiracy of meaning, right below the surface of the everyday world. Murphry is both hero and villain, an unforgettable personality who will have you cringing while you laugh and rooting for his every misguided plan. This is a clever tale told with a dexterity that allows for a gritty, noir feel, insight into the frailty of the human mind and the ability to see the absurdity in it all.