Deborah F. Wire

All life depends on the sun’s rays. The sunlight promotes life. Plants need light to grow. Animals need plants to survive. The power of the sun was the key to the delicate balance of Earth’s ecosystem. However, as the Earth’s atmosphere was changed by the aftermath of nuclear war, everything its human inhabitants thought they understood about survival was obsolete. They had to evolve with the catastrophic effects of nuclear winter.

President John F. Kennedy once said, “Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.” Today, a new element has been introduced to the preparations—artificial intelligence. The United States, in its quest to rapidly and effectively defend the nation from a nuclear attack, has incorporated AI into its operation plan of response. But what if the artificial intelligence relied upon by the nation’s decision-makers is wrong? What if AI takes the controls of America’s nuclear response? Might it trigger nuclear war without justification?

Then fabric of society had come unraveled. Neighbor fought neighbor despite the threats lurking just beyond the gates of their neighborhood. Despite the best efforts of Dean, Emmy, Grayson and the other members of the Friday Night Club, the self-appointed leaders of Malibu Country lost their focus. Behind the gates, a handful of vocal of residents, those running the neighborhood's homeowner's association, claimed the ultimate authority over their neighbors. The rule of law, as well as common decency, was cast aside. Tensions boiled over with devastating results.

Helicopter landing at the farm after everything quit working? Check. Outrageous (sort of) demands being made by the regional military command? Check. Clayton Sanders drafter back into the Army? Che-, er what? (insert record skipping noise). Army Colonel Hal Woodson visits the farm and appeals to both Clayton and Greg Holloway to step up and help restore order to the region. Each has their own job to do and their own role to play. For Clay? Escort a convoy of relief supplies in the area.

Weird Tales magazine is known for launching a number of sub-genres of fiction—cosmic horror, swords & sorcery, dark fantasy, and others. It has also greatly added to existing genres like science fiction, horror, and—a personal favorite of editor Jonathan Maberry—weird mystery stories. Or, as they became known—occult detective tales.

Mason Lot is in-house counsel for Poseidon, a major Wall Street firm that serves as a front company for the National Security State. His job pays well and gives him insight into the corrupt shadow government, but it can't help with his problems at home. Mason assumed that the hefty price tag for his daughter’s private school would buy him a pass from the insanity plaguing New York’s public school system. Nevertheless, indoctrinated by propaganda, Wynter wants to transition into being a boy. When Mason refuses to pay for the procedure, Wynter turns to the state for help.

Lucas must choose between commitment and honor in the thrilling ninth installment of the series. With the enemy force defeated and a safe haven for his new home, Lucas is convinced his life will finally return to some sort of normalcy with Sierra. But an unexpected trauma turns his world upside down, and he's faced with two impossible roads forward.

Chief medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta finds herself in a Northern Virginia wilderness examining the remains of two campers wanted by federal law enforcement. The victims have been savaged beyond recognition, and other evidence is terrifying and baffling, including a larger-than-life footprint. After one of the most frightening body retrievals of her career, Scarpetta must discover who would commit murders this savage, and why.

Defense attorney Mickey Haller is back, taking the long shot cases, where the chances of winning are one in a million. He agrees to represent a woman in prison for killing her husband, a sheriff’s deputy. Despite her conviction four years earlier, she still maintains her innocence. Haller enlists his half brother, retired LAPD Detective Harry Bosch, as investigator. Reviewing the case, Bosch sees something that doesn’t add up, and a sheriff’s department intent on bringing a quick search for justice in the killing of one of its own.

With Fred ready to give birth and the revelation that Mary is also pregnant, spirits are high in the community. For Morgan, however, it's just one more thing to worry about. His mom and dad are now settled in and getting to work, but the babies are coming, the milking barn needs to be built, and the power plant must be kept running. To make matters worse, they're now dealing with the US Army. Morgan has real concerns once he hears about the Army's plans and what they expect of the people of Lake County. After more than a year without the rule of law, are the people ready to return to it?