The Muota Valley (only the village itself is called Muotathal ), or “Mutta Thal” as it’s written on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is home to some of Switzerland’s most headstrong compatriots. In the past, it was the scene of clashes between European powers—today, it stands as a secluded natural paradise of international significance, both above and below ground. In more recent times, it has become known for its shrewd alpine farmers with an uncanny knack for predicting the

In Kleinbasel, where the Rhine murmurs softly and the drums of Fasnacht still echo through the summer, lives Hubert Vogel — an unshakable dreamer with rhythm in his blood and hope in his heart. For years, he has practiced tirelessly, longing to finally play with the famous Rhygässler — but the big moment never seems to come. Until one evening, his drum suddenly begins to play by itself. Exactly at 7 p.m., every Thursday, right on time for the evening news. At first, the neig

You don’t need a Halloween brain massage to get the chills. Trick ’r Treat is more annoying than entertaining. The peak of irritation is reached when little Leprechaun shows up at the door, holding his mother’s hand and demanding candy. Even the local horrors shudder at that sight. They’re struggling to survive anyway in these times of American dominance — Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, or Chucky the killer doll, just to name a few. Had the pretty mother of the little Leprec

Foreword   This chronicle recounts the trials and revelations of Henricus de Brunon—knight, pilgrim, and bearer of the Twilight—as preserved by Servatius of Einsiedeln. Within these pages lie not only the deeds of a man’s life but also his struggle between faith and understanding, between light and darkness.   May the reader find within not merely wonders, but truth. Contents   Prologue – How It All Began Chapter I—The Blood Raven Chapter II – The Witch of Märenwald Chapter I

A sultry, dangerous longing Buddy lives alone in a small row house in Glen Ullin, North Dakota. By day he operates his excavator through the endless shale fields; by night he loses himself in dreams of Salma Hayek—the woman he can never have. Until one evening, an old Yanktonai shaman appears at Doc’s Saloon and makes him a seductive promise: there is a way to make his longing come true. An unremarkable root. An ancient chant. And one warning: “Never look her in the eyes.” Wh

In 1962, Sheila Baby, a stunningly beautiful student at the University of Florida, lived in the small coastal town of Bonita Bay,...

In an unassuming McDonald’s somewhere between neon lights and greasy burgers, three men sit together—men who couldn’t be more different:...