{"product_id":"penfolds-menu-of-magic-and-valerie-b-williams-9798999443724","title":"Penfold's Menu of Magic and Malice: A Collection of Dark Tales","description":"\u003cp\u003eA multi-course meal deserves to be consumed slowly, taking the time to appreciate each course. A short story collection is very much like such a meal. In her first collection of dark fiction, Valerie B. Williams has collaborated with one of her characters, Bartley Penfold, to construct an elegant repast that will leave the reader satiated, with a lingering sense of unease.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe sixteen stories contained herein cover subjects as varied as evil children, myths and legends, cursed objects, and wee folk-something for everyone. Please enjoy this amuse-bouche, courtesy of Mr. Penfold.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA mysterious visitor to a Civil War hospital offers comfort to the wounded by offering a glimpse of their families, if they will only look into his camp mirror.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo boys foraging for wild mushrooms discover a new species of fungus at the same time it discovers them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA woman introduces her granddaughter to the matriarchal skill-the ability to charm a carnivorous swamp cryptid.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA pirate ship's bounty includes a hogshead containing the body of a young woman, and rumors fly that she is a mermaid.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA grave-robbing gnome and his family meet a rookie detective determined to solve the crime and make his name.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn a post-apocalyptic world, a father battles his estranged daughter for command of their tribe.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Valerie B. Williams\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798999443724\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Penny Books Publishing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/17\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 236\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.52lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.00h x 5.00w x 0.54d","brand":"Valerie B. Williams","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48852632436991,"sku":"9798999443724","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/penfolds-menu-of-magic-and-valerie-b-williams-9798999443724","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}