Escape From The Inferno
Escape from the Inferno is a sequel to the premier novel by Jack Carbee Trapped in the Inferno which drew positive reviews. Inspired by Dante's famous work of the 13th century Trapped followed the struggles of Dr. James Stahler after he witnessed his wife and his older brother having sex. The ironic similarity beween what he experienced and the historic story of Paulo and Francesca who were murdered by her husband...his brother...Giovanni Malatesta controls his life. Dante's sympathetic treatment of the murdered lovers in the Fifth Canto of the Inferno leads James to Europe hoping to discover more. On his odyssey through France and Italy, James falls in love, bonds with his landlady Senora Neri whose husband, a detective in the Florence police, was murdered, and is introduced to Sir Roger Smythe, a ruthless collector of ancient manuscripts, and his beautiful wife Sophia. Dr. Stahler discovers clues which lead to the arrest of Smythe for murdering five men. Smythe blames James for a number of things leading up to his arrest and vows revenge.
Trapped in the Inferno.
Professor of literature Dr. James Stahler sets off on a trip to Italy hoping to discover evidence involved in a seven hundred year old murder case which might rid him of demons in control of his life.
Instead, he becomes entangled in mysterious events surrounding several more recent murders. The many interesting characters thrust into his life are all in some way tied to Sir Roger Smythe, a self-promoted expert on Dante Alighieri and his famous writings. His passion for collecting manuscripts from the Renaissance Era has led him to employ any means necessary to possess them.
James’ search moved rapidly from the Twin Cities of the United States to Paris and Lyon in France, an on to Rome, Florence, and Ravenna in Italy.
He sought answers and - in the end - found much more.
Twelve Diverse Stories.
Jack Carbee has followed the pattern of great short story authors de Maupassant and O.Henry by weaving character development, sardonic humor and irony into tales told through voices which vary from an aged Parisian to a cat with an attitude.
"Night Sounds", "Silencing the Voice", and "Waltzing Mathilda" show how unusual events impact life. "A Stable Full of Wild Stallions" and "Getting to Know Flick" have sporting themes. "Please, Call Me Barbara" is Barbie's memoir on turning 50. "Dark Chocolate" humorously explores how international events affect life in the US.
"At the Butcher Shop" expresses that sometimes what is not said speaks loudly. Finally, "The Dark Side of the Dune" tells of a man's struggle to deal with a discovery from his past.
Thinking, Just Thinking.
Thinking, Just Thinking is the second collection of stories from the imagination of Jack Carbee. Unlike his first effort, Morning Wine and other Stories, none of the seventeen stories has previously appeared in print. However, like the first collection, an array of interesting characters are thrust into situations which bring about results ranging from tragic to humorous.
And in the tradition of Chaucer, De Maupassant and O. Henry, the tales are spiced with characters of depth, ironic twists, and satire. The stories are told through a variety of voices: from Barbie discovering a humiliating outfit she must agree to wear; to Rodin’s famous statue The Thinker’s observations from his vantage point in the gardens of the museum; to a chocoholic, confronted with an international crisis which threatens to curtail supplies of cocoa beans. One of the stories, “The Last Mourner”, was written ten years ago but eerily parallels events of today.
