Turnabout

Though Thorne Smith's most popular works involve elements of fantasy and science fiction, the clever novel Turnabout takes his penchant for incorporating supernatural and magical themes in his work and puts one such plot twist to use as a comedic tool. An ancient Egyptian idol grows weary of the seemingly never-ending spats between the Willows, a young married couple, and forces them to switch bodies. As you might expect, hilarious hijinks ensue.

After secretly receiving injections at the age of 100 that are meant to reverse the aging process, Melly and Anny Beth grow younger until, as teenagers, they try to find a guardian to take care of them as they return to infancy.

Thorne Smith's novel, "Turnabout" is a hilarious fantasy fiction about the bizarre exchange of bodies by a married couple. The Willows are a disgruntled couple, with arguing being the order of the day in their home. Tim Willows, an unemployed journalist, just doesn't seem to get any breaks for a good job, and is ever complaining about the hand that fate deals him in any situation. Meanwhile Sally Willows, frustrated about her husband's lack of success, fantasizes about running off with a wealthy man, taking trips in the French Riviera and living the life that Tim could not give her. But what the two have not counted on is the watchful eye of Mr. Ram, an ancient Egyptian statue adorning their apartment. Mr. Ram's magic goes to work to bring an exchange of bodies between the two. Now forced to go through their spouse's daily routine, Tim and Sally are each about to discover what the other experiences in their everyday life...

Turnabout and Deception combines two of spymaster Barton Whaley's most potent analyses of the craft: Turnabout: Crafting the Double-Cross and When Deception Fails: The Theory of Outs. Each examination delves into extensive case studies to establish not only foundational understandings of essential espionage principals, but also creates guidance for their practical application on both individual and governmental scales. Deception is a basic tactic used by allies and enemies alike, but when both protagonist and antagonist ply the same trade, it is the master of the double-cross who comes out the victor. Turnabout and Deception examines how to turn the tables on an opponent and use their own deception against them. Through thirty-eight case studies, this monograph dissects the double-cross to reveal the psychological battle of wits at its core. No matter how well crafted, however, there is always a chance that a deception will fail. But failure is not the end of a deception, and even failed deception operations can yield results. Turnabout and Deception pores over sixty more case studies to determine why a deception will fail, steps to prevent a failed operation, and how to turn that failure into a success.

With the terrible Civil War over, eighteen-year-old, orphaned Sarah Dietrich, reared by her aunt and uncle on their West Virginia farm, looks forward to a family celebration. Their neighbor Winn wants to court her, but she is not ready for marriage and longs to achieve something of merit beforehand. Upon learning her aunts highly immoral expectations for her, followed by the scene where she bludgeons a vagrant to save her cousin Emmas virtue, she leaves the farm in male attire to avoid either consequence. Spoiled Emma marries Winn and helps her brother Worth, who returns from the War handicapped, to run the farm. Gradually, with his insistence, she begins to mature. Worth finds support and encouragement from the Mulatto maid, who carries his child. On her search for a new life, Sarah meets Jason, a gentleman, railroad agent, falls in love with him, but cannot hope for its return because of her male persona, and her past. She assumes the care of an orphan boy, and befriends Trudy, a young woman fleeing prostitution. Resuming her feminine role, Sarah and her friends find work and housing. Her relationship to Jason begins to change, when he meets her as a young woman, but that does not affect her past as a murderess. In this post-Civil War romance, all of the young women with dreams of improving their lives, must overcome social mores of the period to achieve their goals of security, accomplishment, and love.