Reviews by Henry L. Ratliff

The Garden of Survival

by Algernon Blackwood

Plot bullets


  • A man's wife dies and states: 'I have failed and shall try again.'

  • What was it that she failed to do?

  • The man, now seems to be guided by an unknown influence.

  • A beautiful, tranquil garden can be created on the land by one's own toil.

  • A beautiful, tranquil garden can be created in the heart by the love of others.



No evil spirits in the story, but don't jump to conclusions.

Reviewed on 2013.05.14

In Search of the Unknown

by Robert W. Chambers

Plot bullets



    The six adventures of a Zoological Society employee as he investigates sightings of unusual animals.



  • The quest:

    o Some Hawks thought to be extinct have been sighted by an old recluse.

    o A strange man-like sea creature, the the locals call The Harbor Master, is said to inhabit the same area.


  • The quest:

    o A impenetrable glacier has opened up after an earthquake.

    o There are strange animals reported, in the valley revealed.


  • The quest:

    o There are reports of a sighting of the extinct Ux bird.

    o Eggs are found, but it may be more difficult to present the eggs than it was to find them.

    o Royal intervention may be needed.


  • The quest:

    o There is a report of invisible humanoids in the swamps.

    o How do you catch one? With an apple pie of course.


  • An acquaintance has his own tales.

    o This man helps a professor capture a living monster.

    o An encounter with a cat, or is it the man\'s deceased Aunt.





Published 1904.
The individual stories are arranged as a connected flow
of adventures. They are not set as a short story collection.

The stories could easily stand alone as pure Sci-fi, but each has a
touch of humor. Romance is not forgotten, as our hero meets and looses
a love at each story.

Reviewed on 2013.05.11

The Professor's Mystery

by Wells Hastings

Plot bullets


  • A man takes a vacation.

  • He gets involved with the plight of a young girl.

  • The back and forth favor of the girl is puzzling.

  • There is a mystery that he must solve. He has fallen in love.



Reviewed on 2013.05.11

The Pearl

by L.T. Meade

Plot bullets


  • Your a peral diver and find a priceless pink peral.

  • Your injured by a shark attack.

  • Can you keep your peral?


Reviewed on 2013.05.11

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