Complete Mystery Romance

A popular French writer, considered one of the fathers of the modern short story and one of the form's finest exponents.
Contents
Afloat (1889)
Bel Ami; Or, The History of a Scoundre
Pierre and Jean
Mademoiselle Fifi
Strong as Death
Une Vie, a Piece of String and Other Stories

Bel Ami -
The story chronicles the rise to power of journalist Georges Duroy from a poor ex-NCO to one of the most successful men in Paris -- most of which he achieves by means of a series of powerful, intelligent, and wealthy mistresses.

Strong as Death-
This novel explores the mysterious -- and, for the protagonist, tragic -- interaction of love and creativity.