About the book: 2015 / Howard Lovecraft and Stephen King himself were inspired by Merritt’s books! Several people in the city have already died from a strange disease. An expression of horror was forever frozen on their faces... Before their deaths, they all visited the shop of Madame Mandylip, who sold dolls of her own making. Dr. Lowell is a man of science and does not believe in mysticism. But one day one of his patients is attacked by... a doll! (“Burn, witch, burn!”) Returning from an expedition, archaeologist Alan Karanac learns that his friend has committed suicide. But before his death, he talked about the visits of a mysterious shadow, which brought him to the grave. Starting his own investigation, Alan learns about the mysterious Queen of Shadows, who lived ten thousand years ago. She has returned, and she again requires human sacrifices... (“Crawl, shadow, crawl!”) An ancient toy, skillfully made in the shape of a ship, falls into the hands of the young scientist John Kenton. Suddenly, an unknown force takes him to this ship, which belongs to the goddess Ishtar herself! Thousands of years ago, lovers were imprisoned on this ship, sailing outside of time and space... (“Ship of Ishtar»)