The Sound of Midnight Fire is a collection of thirty general fiction, science fiction and humorous stories by award winning writer, Rick Jankowski. All of the stories in this collection have been previously published in small presses, literary magazines and Ezines. This collection includes two Pushcart Prize nominated stories: The Deception, a tale about a dying Chicago Cubs fan and his son, who will do anything to ensure the Cubs win; and The Edifice, a story about a star roving anthropologist who makes a startling discovery about God. Also included are: The Pepper Mill, a story about an artifact that can make its owner rich beyond imagination; Sometimes on Mondays, a tragic tale of unrequited love; The Jimmy Bertucci stories, which chronicle the humorous adventures of a college con artist on the make; Of Time, Fraud and Thieves, in which crooks travel through time to steal stuff - and sell it on Ebay; The Conspiracy, the story of two little boys who set out to prove there's no Santa Claus; The Sound of Midnight Fire, a haunting piece about the last novel ever written, and Trouble Magnet, a fan favorite. Here's an excerpt: A smile skittered across Lou's face. "Just needed to check," he said. He beckoned me to sit in the chair next to his desk. He opened a drawer, reached in, and delicately placed something in the palm of his left hand. He held his palm toward me. In it was a black rectangular object about three inches long, two inches wide and maybe half an inch thick. It was perfectly ordinary looking - except for one thing. There was a holographic image on it. A holographic image that looked exactly like my stinking, ex-best buddy who had stolen my cheating girl friend. "What's that? And why the hell is Jim Barne's picture on it?" "This, Mr. Marsh, is why you are here. This, Mr. Marsh, is a trouble magnet." "A what?" "A trouble magnet. Have someone you want to get even with? Someone who makes your life difficult? A boss? An in-law? A rival, perhaps, Mr. Marsh?" Give them a touch of your turmoil; let them feel the burning in your soul. Give them the gift - of trouble." The stories in this collection have been described as poignant, clever and hilarious."