· 2022
Arthur Leo Zagat's 'Death's Mistress' is a gripping and atmospheric novel that delves into themes of morality, fate, and the power of love in the face of death. Set in the backdrop of a gothic and eerie 19th-century Europe, the book follows the tragic tale of a young woman caught in a deadly love triangle with two mysterious men. Zagat's writing is characterized by its rich descriptions, poetic prose, and vivid characterizations, drawing readers into a dark and haunting world filled with twists and turns. The novel's exploration of human emotions and the inevitability of death adds depth and complexity to the narrative, making it a compelling read for fans of gothic fiction. Arthur Leo Zagat, a prolific writer of pulp fiction and science fiction, brings his unique storytelling style to 'Death's Mistress', drawing on his fascination with the macabre and supernatural. His own experiences and interests in the occult and mystery genres likely inspired the creation of this haunting and thought-provoking novel. For readers who enjoy atmospheric gothic tales with a touch of romance and mystery, 'Death's Mistress' by Arthur Leo Zagat is a must-read. With its memorable characters, haunting setting, and suspenseful plot, this novel offers a captivating and immersive reading experience that will leave readers spellbound until the very end.
· 2022
The Hound of Hell is a collection of fast-paced and lurid horror stories that all suspense fans will enjoy. Excerpt: "A corpse thrust forth from its grave . . . a bewitching Lolita who steals an artist's soul . . . lovers reincarnated after centuries to resume their forbidden affair . . . a strange coffin aboard a honeymoon cruise . . . . These are but a few of the weird mysteries prowling forth from their sepulchral gloom in The Man From Hell."
· 2024
Spoor of the Bat by Arthur Leo Zagat is a thrilling blend of mystery and horror that plunges readers into a shadowy world where fear reigns supreme. In a city gripped by terror, a series of gruesome murders points to a creature of the night—a bat-like figure that leaves no trace except for the chilling spoor of its deadly hunts. As the body count rises, a determined investigator must delve into the darkest corners of the city and his own fears to unmask this terrifying predator. But as he draws closer to the truth, he discovers that the line between hunter and prey is perilously thin. Can he catch the bat before it claims its next victim, or will he become the hunted? This spine-tingling tale will keep readers turning pages late into the night.
· 2022
'Thirst of the Living Dead' is a horror novel by Arthur Leo Zagat. Strange, horrible tales were told of the lake that the Iroquois had called the Eye of Evil, but none so strange and horrible as happened that hideous night when Ralph Dean fought, a pain-wracked madman, for his body and his soul—fought the angry gods of an ancient race long dead, and the thirsting Things, dead yet alive, that crept through the howling storm in search of warm red human blood!
· 2024
Slaves of the Lamp by Arthur Leo Zagat is a haunting and imaginative tale that blends mystery, fantasy, and horror. In a world where an ancient lamp holds unimaginable power, those who fall under its spell become its unwilling servants, doomed to obey its dark commands. As the lamp passes from one unfortunate soul to another, the line between reality and nightmare blurs. When a determined investigator stumbles upon the cursed artifact, they must unravel its sinister history and break the cycle before the lamp claims another victim. Will they succeed, or will they too become a slave to its unholy power? Dive into this eerie and suspenseful story that will keep you captivated until the last page.
· 2022
Arthur Leo Zagat's 'Chains of the Living Dead' plunges readers into the eerie void of supernatural horror against the backdrop of Superstition Mountain's dark, unforgiving terrain. The narrative masterfully intertwines terror with an enigmatic sense of place, employing a literary style that evokes the gothic tradition yet shifts to embrace the psychological underpinnings of modern horror fiction. Readers familiar with Zagat's work will recognize his deft handling of suspense and his ability to sketch out characters that are as palpably real as they are entwined with the supernatural. The novel itself is a nod to the bygone era of pulp horror but with a sophistication that speaks to contemporary sensibilities, making it a unique contribution to the genre's archetypal themes of isolation and madness. Zagat, a prolific writer of the early 20th century, lends to this novel his extensive background in the field of speculative fiction, particularly known for his contributions to the realm of science fiction and fantasy. This background, coupled with his experiences during the tumultuous times of war and societal shifts, surely informed the unsettling ambience and the exploration of human frailty within 'Chains of the Living Dead.' His insight into the psyche—how it might unravel under extreme duress—resonates through the protagonist's frenetic ordeal. The tension between the seen and unseen forces gnaws at the edges of the narrative, a thread that can be seen throughout Zagat's extensive body of work. 'Chains of the Living Dead' comes recommended for aficionados of classic horror looking to excavate the genre's timeless motifs and for readers keen on experiencing a shiver-inducing narrative that tests the boundaries between the natural and the supernatural. Zagat's craftsmanship serves not only as a bridge between literary eras but also as an unsettling reminder of the thin veil that separates sanity from a chasm of terror. It's a must-read for those who dare tread the hallowed grounds of genre fiction that seeks to both frighten and provoke thought beyond the final page.
· 2022
Arthur Leo Zagat's 'Thirst of the Damned' stands as a chilling paragon in the pantheon of horror literature. The narrative unfurls an eery tale of Garry Moyne, a man ensnared between the undying love for Ellen Faye and a dire warning from his moribund mother, who invokes the ancient Curse of Isis. Zagat's snare is woven with rich, gothic prose, steeped in the shadows of the occult, and entangled in the inexorable motifs of doomed love and supernatural retribution. The story, harking back to the classic traditions of Egyptian mythology and the macabre, demonstrates Zagat's prowess in creating a tense atmosphere that insidiously blurs the line between the tangible and the spectral, the romantic and the grotesque. Arthur Leo Zagat, renowned for his prolific contributions to the horror and science fiction genres during the golden age of pulp magazines, channels his adept storytelling into 'Thirst of the Damned'. Drawing from a deep well of cultural lore and human psychology, Zagat's work often reflects a fascination with the esoteric and an understanding of the human psyche under duress. This particular tale, swirling with the rich tapestries of ancient legend and modern fears, serves as a testament to Zagat's ability to conjure nightmares from the depths of our collective unconscious, likely influenced by his own cultural zeitgeist and the enduring human dread of the unknown. 'Thirst of the Damned' is highly recommended for connoisseurs of classic horror and those who revel in tales that meld love with terror. It invites the reader into a dance with darkness, where the ancient world's sorrows bleed into present-day anxieties. Sublime in its terror and exquisitely unsettling, Zagat's masterpiece is a crucial addition to the library of any enthusiast seeking to understand the roots of horror and the eerie thrall of a curse whispered from the lips of the past. This book is a haunting marriage of literary skill and profound understanding of the elements that make the horror genre both timeless and endlessly captivating.
· 2014
Arthur Leo Zagat was one of the most versatile pulp writers in the 1930s-1950s, the author of more than 500 short stories in many different genres. His work appeared in most of the top science fiction, mystery, and adventures magazines, including Astounding Stories, Planet Stories, Weird Tales, Thrilling Wonder Stories, Argosy, and many, many more. Wildside Press is preparing multiple volumes assembling his classic fiction, and we are pleased to kick off the line with a collection of his science fiction from Astounding Stories and Thrilling Wonder Stories. Included are: THE TOWER OF EVIL THE MENACE FROM ANDROMEDA THE DEATH-CLOUD THE REVOLT OF THE MACHINES VENUS MINES, INCORPORATED THE GREAT DOME ON MERCURY WHEN THE SLEEPERS WOKE THE LANSON SCREEN LOST IN TIME FLIGHT OF THE SILVER EAGLE THE CAVERN OF THE SHINING POOL THE GREEN RAY THE TWO MOONS OF TRANQUILLIA GRIM RENDEZVOUS NO ESCAPE FROM DESTINY If you enjoy this book, search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see the 150+ entries in the Megapack series, covering science fiction, fantasy, horror, mysteries, westerns, classics, adventure stories, and much, much more!
· 2022
The Corpse Factory is Arthur Leo Zagat's triumph of the goriest, disturbing, and gut-wrenching tales of the horror genre. Zagat truly creates the peak of the "weird menace" tale. Contents: "The Corpse Factory, Dime Mystery Magazine, Mary 1934 A Lodging in Hell, Horror Stories, February/March 1936 Death Lands a Cargo, Dime Mystery Magazine, October 1935 Death's Mistress, Dime Mystery Magazine, September 1934 Madman's Bride, Dime Mystery Magazine, January 1935 Satan's Bedchamber, Dime Mystery Magazine, August 1936 Soft Blows the Breeze from Hell, Dime Mystery Magazine, December 1937 The Little Walking Corpses, Dime Mystery Magazine."
· 2022
Arthur Leo Zagat's 'The Little Walking Corpses' stands as an eerie mosaic in the horror literary genre, captivating readers with a chilling narrative embossed with macabre existentialism. Zagat masterfully employs a haunting prose style to animate the unsettling tale of Staneville's young, who, one by one, transform into a ghastly parade of 'Little Walking Corpses.' The novel is both classic and innovative, embracing the traditional motifs of horror while instilling a fresh sense of dread through the vulnerability of childhood innocence. Within its pages lies a tapestry of fear, meticulously woven to leave its imprint on the fabric of the reader's psyche, a testament to the power of the genre as a mirror to the human condition and its darkest depths. Arthur Leo Zagat, known primarily for his prolific pulp fiction works, channels a profound understanding of terror's allure in this foray into the horror domain. Zagat's background as an accomplished writer of fantasy and science fiction allows him to craft atmospheres ripe with suspense, which he has artfully applied to 'The Little Walking Corpses.' His ability to evoke visceral emotional responses is evident in this title, where the author seems to have distilled his experiences and observations of the human penchant for fear into the creation of a truly haunting narrative. For enthusiasts of horror literature, and those captivated by tales where the innocence of youth collides with the spectral hands of the macabre, 'The Little Walking Corpses' will undoubtedly resonate as a compelling read. Zagat's work is recommended for its potent storytelling and its capacity to engage and terrify, inviting readers to a grim tableau where the echoes of tiny, scuffed shoes will long reverberate in the corridors of their imaginations. The novel is a grim reminder of the fragility of life, and a chilling exploration into the notion that sometimes, the most frightening monsters are those wearing the guises of the most innocent among us.