"The Nelson DeMille Collection: Volume 1" brings together a selection of the author's early works, showcasing his talent for crafting gripping narratives that blend suspense, action, and well-developed characters. The collection features a variety of stories that take readers on a thrilling journey through various landscapes, from war-torn countries to the intricacies of domestic life in America. With a mix of humor, romance, and danger, these tales are marked by the writer's sharp wit and attention to detail, serving as an excellent introduction to his style and thematic preoccupations.

"Special Topics in Calamity Physics" is a coming-of-age novel about a teenage girl named Blue van Meer who attends a prestigious boarding school in North Carolina. Blue's father is a charismatic and eccentric professor who teaches her about literature, philosophy, and film. When a mysterious death occurs at the school, Blue becomes involved in a group of students who are investigating the incident. As she navigates the complexities of friendship, love, and identity, Blue must confront the secrets and lies that surround her and learn to trust her own intuition.

"The Power of the Dog" is a gripping and intense crime thriller that delves into the complex and dangerous world of drug trafficking. Set in the 1970s and spanning several decades, the story follows a DEA agent and a Mexican drug lord as their paths intertwine, resulting in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Filled with vivid characters, intricate plot twists, and a chilling portrayal of the drug trade, this novel explores themes of corruption, loyalty, and the far-reaching consequences of one's choices.

In this gripping thriller, a notorious killer known as The Watchmaker resurfaces, leaving a trail of brutal murders in his wake. As the bodies pile up, Lincoln Rhyme, a quadriplegic forensic expert, and his partner Amelia Sachs must race against time to decipher the cryptic clues left by the killer. With the clock ticking, they delve into the dark world of the Watchmaker, uncovering shocking secrets and facing a deadly game of cat and mouse.

In this gripping espionage thriller, a retired Israeli intelligence operative is called back into action to thwart a Palestinian assassin bent on executing a campaign of terror. The protagonist, a skilled assassin himself, must navigate a complex web of international intrigue, rekindle alliances, and confront his own violent past as he races against time to stop his elusive adversary. Set against a backdrop of Middle Eastern conflict and global politics, the narrative delivers a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, where personal vendettas intertwine with the fate of nations.

Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and World War II, the novel follows the life of a young woman who becomes the first female diver to repair ships at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, where her father once worked before his mysterious disappearance. As she grows into her new role, she is drawn into a complex web of underworld figures, sailors, and her father's past, all of which converge to reveal profound truths about her family and the larger world around her. The story is a rich tapestry of a bygone New York, exploring themes of resilience, the impact of war, and the quest for self-discovery amidst the tides of history.

"Fledgling" is a novel that blends science fiction with vampire lore, telling the story of a young amnesiac girl who discovers she is actually a genetically modified, 53-year-old vampire. As she slowly regains her memories, she learns about her unique vampire family, their complex societal structures, and the symbiotic relationships they maintain with humans. The narrative delves into themes of identity, race, sexuality, and consent, challenging traditional vampire myths while exploring the implications of power dynamics and prejudice within a reimagined society where vampires and humans coexist in a tenuous balance.

"Everything I Never Told You" is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that delves into the complexities of a Chinese-American family living in 1970s Ohio. When their daughter Lydia goes missing and is later found dead, the Lee family is shattered by grief and forced to confront their own secrets and insecurities. As they navigate through their individual struggles, the novel explores themes of identity, race, and the pressures of societal expectations, painting a poignant portrait of a family on the brink of collapse.

In this thrilling novel, a gruesome discovery of 36 murdered bodies from the late 1800s buried in a charnel basement in New York City propels FBI Special Agent Pendergast, journalist Bill Smithback, and archaeologist Nora Kelly into a dangerous investigation. The trio uncovers a serial killer's lair, filled with bizarre antiques and relics, leading them on a harrowing chase through history and science. As they unravel the mystery of the murders, which seem to be resurfacing in the present, they must confront the possibility that the killer might not be confined to the past but could be striking again, following a pattern laid out over a century ago. The narrative weaves together elements of horror, history, and crime, creating a suspenseful tale that delves deep into the macabre and the arcane.

Set in the early 20th century, this novel follows the life of a renowned magician, Charles Carter, who becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of deception and intrigue after he performs a trick on President Harding, who dies mysteriously hours later. Carter is forced to use his skills to clear his name, while also dealing with other challenges including a beautiful, elusive woman, a blind lion tamer, and a rivalry with Houdini. This historical novel weaves together a tale of magic, love, and suspense.

The novel is a dark fairy tale that explores themes of parenthood, identity, and the impact of technology on modern life. It follows Apollo Kagwa, an antiquarian book dealer from New York City, whose life is turned upside down when his wife, Emma, commits a horrific act and then disappears. As Apollo searches for answers, he is drawn into a world filled with mythical creatures, secretive societies, and ancient folklore. Along his journey, he must confront his own past and the dark history of his family while navigating a city that seems to harbor magical secrets. The story blends the fantastical with the everyday to create a narrative that examines the fears and anxieties of being a parent in the 21st century.

In this gripping thriller, a homicide detective named Elouise "Lou" Norton is determined to solve the mysterious murder of a teenage girl in South Los Angeles. As she delves deeper into the case, Lou uncovers a web of secrets and corruption that reaches far beyond the crime scene. With her own troubled past haunting her, Lou must navigate through the dangerous underbelly of the city to uncover the truth and bring the killer to justice.

In "Blowback," readers are plunged into a thrilling narrative where the protagonist, a skilled counterterrorism operative, is tasked with preventing a catastrophic attack on the United States. The plot thickens when he discovers that an ancient weapon of mass destruction, thought to be a myth, has been rediscovered and is in the hands of a dangerous enemy. As the clock ticks down, the operative must navigate a treacherous path of deceit and betrayal, racing across the globe to unravel historical secrets and stop the impending doom that threatens to unleash chaos on a massive scale.

In this thrilling novel, a NASA satellite discovers a rare object buried deep in the Arctic ice, prompting a fervent media frenzy about the agency's striking find. The discovery seems to offer much-needed validation for the embattled space agency and its political supporters, promising to impact the upcoming presidential election significantly. However, when intelligence analyst Rachel Sexton and academic Michael Tolland are sent to verify the authenticity of the find, they uncover evidence of scientific fraud that threatens to plunge them into a web of danger and conspiracy. As they race against time to expose the truth, they find themselves fighting for their lives against an unseen enemy with lethal intentions. The narrative masterfully combines elements of science, politics, and suspense, making it a gripping read from start to finish.

In this thrilling adventure, an ex-Justice Department operative stumbles upon a dangerous historical puzzle involving the Knights Templar. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he finds himself at the center of a deadly conflict between those who wish to protect the Templar's ancient secrets and those who seek to expose them. The quest leads him across Europe, racing against time and pursued by a shadowy cabal, as he tries to unravel centuries-old clues that could shake the foundations of Christianity and alter the world's power structure if revealed.

In "The Summons," a gripping legal thriller, the protagonist, a law professor, is drawn into a complex web of mystery and danger following the death of his estranged father, a reclusive judge. Upon being summoned to his father's home to settle the estate, he discovers millions of dollars in cash hidden away, with no clear indication of its origins or intended purpose. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he finds himself pursued by unknown adversaries who are also interested in the money. The narrative weaves through themes of family secrets, moral dilemmas, and the quest for justice, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the protagonist navigates through perilous situations to uncover the truth.

In "Heartsick," a gripping psychological thriller, Portland detective Archie Sheridan is on the trail of a notorious serial killer, Gretchen Lowell, who once captured and tortured him for ten days before inexplicably turning herself in. Now, as he investigates a new spate of murders, Archie must confront his own trauma and his complex relationship with Gretchen, who continues to manipulate him from behind bars. The novel weaves a tale of obsession, pain, and the blurred lines between captor and captive, as Archie's hunt for the killer becomes a deeply personal quest for redemption and survival.

"Prairie Gothic" is a gripping mystery novel set against the stark backdrop of the American Midwest, where a series of gruesome murders brings together an unlikely duo: a savvy, tough sheriff and his half-brother, a defrocked priest with a troubled past. As they delve into the crimes, they uncover a web of dark family secrets, local corruption, and twisted motivations that run as deep as the roots of the prairie itself. Their investigation challenges their own moral compasses and puts them in the crosshairs of a killer's disturbing game, testing the bonds of brotherhood and the resilience of the human spirit amidst the haunting landscape.

In this gripping installment of a historical mystery series set in Ancient Rome, the protagonist, a Roman detective, finds himself in the besieged city of Massilia (modern-day Marseille) during the height of Caesar's Civil War. Tasked with solving the mysterious disappearance of a woman amid the chaos of the siege, he navigates through a city teetering on the brink of destruction, uncovering secrets and confronting betrayals. The detective's journey is not just a quest for truth but also a deep dive into the complexities of loyalty, power, and the human spirit in times of crisis. Through vivid historical detail and intricate plotting, the narrative weaves a compelling tale of intrigue, resilience, and survival.

In this gripping legal thriller, the story unfolds in a small town in Mississippi during the 1970s, where a young journalist becomes intricately involved in the life of the community after purchasing the local newspaper. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when a brutal murder shakes the town, leading to a high-profile trial that tests the limits of justice and morality. Central to the story is the relationship between the journalist and the trial's last juror, an enigmatic and morally complex character whose beliefs and decisions play a pivotal role in the unfolding drama. As the trial progresses, themes of racism, revenge, and redemption are explored, painting a vivid picture of a community at a crossroads and the power of an individual's conscience in the face of societal pressures.

In this espionage thriller, a series of interconnected stories unfold across different time periods, revolving around a retired Eastern European police inspector who is drawn back into a case from his past involving a plane hijacking. As the narrative weaves through the complexities of Cold War politics, liberation movements, and personal betrayals, the characters grapple with moral ambiguities and the consequences of their actions. The novel explores themes of love, loyalty, and the cost of secrets in a world where the lines between right and wrong are often blurred.

Set in 16th-century Japan, this historical mystery follows a master ninja, Hiro, and a Portuguese Jesuit priest, Father Mateo, as they work together to solve the murder of a samurai. When a geisha is accused of the crime, the duo has only three days to find the true killer before she is forced to commit seppuku, a ritual suicide. Their investigation takes them through the dangerous back alleys of Kyoto, delving into the secretive worlds of the samurai, the geisha, and the ninja themselves, revealing a web of intrigue and betrayal that threatens to tear the very fabric of society apart.

In "Hollywood Homicide," a former actress turned amateur sleuth finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation when her friend, a rising starlet, is found dead. With her dreams of becoming a detective reignited, she navigates the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to uncover the truth, facing off against a cast of eccentric characters and discovering that fame can be deadly.

In "206 Bones," a forensic anthropologist finds herself the target of a sinister plot when she wakes up bound and trapped in a dark, cold space. As she navigates through her memories to piece together how she ended up in this dire situation, the narrative intertwines with her recent cases involving the mysterious deaths of several elderly women. The protagonist must use her expertise to solve the puzzle of her own predicament and the crimes she's been investigating, all while the clock is ticking on her survival. The novel is a blend of suspense, science, and intrigue, as it delves into the complexities of forensic investigation and the depths of human malevolence.

In this gripping legal thriller, a high-powered Washington lobbyist is unexpectedly pardoned from prison by an outgoing U.S. President, only to find himself a target in a deadly international conspiracy. Relocated to Italy under a new identity for his safety, he must quickly learn to navigate the complexities of his new surroundings and master the Italian language while attempting to uncover the reasons behind his sudden release and the true motives of those now hunting him. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he discovers alarming secrets that could have far-reaching implications, forcing him to race against time to evade his pursuers and expose the truth.