The Silent Specter

Welcome to a horror that you will remember until you die.

The tales in this collection are more than mere entertainment; they serve as a chilling reminder that in the covert world of espionage, nothing is as it seems. The protagonists, often caught in a web of moral ambiguity, face adversaries who are not only skilled in combat and subterfuge but are also masters of psychological manipulation. The Killer Spies showcased here embody the duality of their profession – the allure of danger and the terror of the unknown. In "Shadow of the Silent Assassin," you will follow Detective Elena Russo as she unravels a series of murders, each one executed with chilling precision. The silent assassin leaves behind a trail of clues that lead Elena deep into the heart of a deadly conspiracy, forcing her to confront her own fears and uncertainties. "Whispers in the Dark" immerses you in the world of Agent Nathan Blackwood, whose mission takes a terrifying turn when he stumbles upon a secret society with a penchant for dark rituals. As Nathan delves deeper into society's machinations, he finds himself entangled in a supernatural battle that threatens not only his life but the fate of the world.

Two groups of unlikely companions have converged on the idyllic Deer Hill home of horror novelist Daniel Westforth Whittier in order to recall the bizarre events they experienced a year before in the summer and fall of 2003, ostensibly to furnish him with the plot for a new book. But Daniel's guests soon reveal that something truly inexplicable and almost unbelievable has shattered the customary tranquility of rural Ross County, Pennsylvania-something that has shaped the history of the county and of Daniel's own family. Their tales return time and again to the enigmatic family known as the Dier who lived on Deer Hill in the 1880s. Several waves of murder and destruction in Ross County linked to the presence of the Dier have fixed them in local folklore, and the memory of the family's violent end still haunts the darkened woods and ruined Victorian homes that dot the countryside. The men and women who became entangled in the horrific and wondrous saga of the Dier must face the repercussions of their encounters with extraordinary forces. For some, the experience confirmed persistent whispers of lingering evil; for others, it was an unforeseen journey into a realm of terror and sublime beauty. Who-or what-were the Dier, and what was their ultimate fate? The answers to these questions will challenge each participant's convictions, and may hold dire consequences for their futures and that of Ross County itself.

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When victims are found with a chilling coded message left behind, it's a race against time for FBI Agent Elle Keen to unravel the killer's twisted mind before another victim is silenced. “The plot has many twists and turns, but it is the ending, which I did not see coming at all, that totally defines this book as one of the most riveting that I have read in years.” —Reader review for Not Like Us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ IN THE SILENCE is book #5 in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller Ava Strong, whose bestseller NOT LIKE US (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star ratings and reviews. The series begins with IN THE DARK (book #1). An enthralling crime thriller with a captivating and complex female protagonist, Elle Keen is a riveting mystery series with non-stop action, suspense, and unexpected plot twists that are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat well into the night. Fans of Robert Dugoni, Karin Slaughter, and Lisa Gardner are sure to fall in love. Future books in the series are also available. “This is a chilling, suspenseful page turner that just might leave you scared at night!” —Reader review for Not Like Us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Very intriguing, kept me turning page after page… Lots of twists and turns and a very unexpected ending. Cannot wait for the next in this series!” —Reader review for Not Like Us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A roller coaster ride of events… Can’t put down until you finish it!” —Reader review for Not Like Us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Excellent read with very realistic characters that you become emotionally invested in… Couldn't put it down!” —Reader review for The Death Code ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “An excellent read, lots of twists and turns, with a surprising ending, leaving you wanting to read the next book in the series! Well done!” —Reader review for The Death Code ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Well worth the read. Cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!” —Reader review for The Death Code ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Quickly became a story I couldn’t put down! I highly recommend this book!” —Reader review for His Other Wife ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I really enjoyed the fast-paced action, plot design and characterization... I didn't want to put the book down and the ending was a total surprise.” —Reader review for His Other Wife ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The characters are extremely well developed… There are twists and turns in the plot that kept me guessing. An extremely well written story.” —Reader review for His Other Wife ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “One of the best books I have ever read… The ending was perfect and surprising. Ava Strong is an amazing writer.” —Reader review for His Other Wife ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Holy cow, what a rollercoaster… Many times I absolutely KNEW who the killer was—only to be proven wrong each time. I was completely surprised by the ending. I have to say, I am thrilled that this is the first in a series. My only complaint is that the next one isn't out yet. I need it!” —Reader review for His Other Wife ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “An incredible, intense, spellbinding, enjoyable story. It will keep you captivated until the end.” —Reader review for His Other Wife ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1998.