The Monkey's Claw

The Monkey's Claw

Miles Seamus Morris inherited the monkey's paw as a soldier in India, and dared to bring it to the home of his friends, the White family. What they did with the paw is well-documented in W. W. Jacobs's classic "The Monkey's Paw", but Miles's story has never been revealed, only hinted at -until now.<br /> <br />This is the final, climatic, story in The Monkey's Paw Trilogy. The tale is set during World War I when trench warfare came to dominate and forever alter how men of war treated one another. Miles Seamus Morris is a complex, tortured, soul who struggles to lead his men. The paw is the ultimate temptation to one such as him, and temptation leads to desperate actions. What would you wish for in the cold mud and filthy waters of war-torn France?<br /><br />"The Monkey's Claw" is a novella, and a wicked one at that: balancing coincidence versus fate, action versus inaction, and faith versus disbelief. <br /><br />MORE SERIOUS FANS of The Monkey's Paw should consider investing in The Monkey's Paw Trilogy<br /><br />The Monkey's Paw Trilogy is a full-length novel comprised of three stories about the paw and those who come to use it. Readers will finally learn the mystery behind how Sergeant Morris came to possess the paw, and, as astonishingly, why the man who bequeathed it to him chose to use his final wish to end his own life!<br /><br />In all, nine wishes are granted (or are they merely bizarre coincidences) by the mysterious monkey's paw. <br /><br />In The Monkey's Paw<br /><br />An aged soldier, Miles Seamus Morris, visits a family of old friends. The White family welcomes the Sergeant-Major into their warm home on a cruel night. Over drinks, and by the fire, they share stories of times past, proud accomplishments, and one particularly interesting story regarding the Sergeant-Major's mummified monkey's paw. Can a shriveled talisman really grant wishes?<br /><br />In The Monkey's Tale <br /><br />Readers travel to exotic India with spirited soldier William Brady who brings the mummified talisman to his army barracks intent on playing a hearty joke on his fellow brothers in arms. The laughter, however, soon turns to terror and eventually to horrible death. <br /><br />In The Monkey's Claw<br /><br />Newly appointed sergeant, Miles Seamus Morris, is witness to William Brady's demise and irrepressibly assumes possession of the soldier's journal and the paw. Sergeant Morris carries the latter with him into the earth-scarred trenches along the battlefronts of France during World War I. As one imagines, having a talisman in reach while the gruesome events of battle unfold can leads to temptation and eventual desperate actions.<br /><br />There's more!<br /><br />Included in this work is a brief biography of W. W. Jacobs, a carefully reworked version of "The Monkey's Paw", and two original stories, "The Monkey's Tale" and "The Monkey's Claw". There are also lengthy author notes and a set of nine questions for use in a classroom or among book club members.<br /><br />The Monkey's Paw Trilogy Table of Contents:<br /><br />* Title page<br />* Dedication<br />* Letter to the Reader<br />* Acknowledgments page<br />* Author Foreword<br /><br />* Prologue<br />* The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs w/ additions by Ralph Lagana<br />* The Monkey's Tale<br />* The Monkey's Claw<br />* Epilogue<br /><br />* Biography of W. W. Jacobs<br />* Author's Notes<br />* Discussion Questions<br />* About the Author<br />* Websites<br />* Author Contact