Chosen one of the best short stories of 2009 by the International Thriller Writers Organization and nominated for a Macavity award, “The Desert Here and the Desert Far Away” is a haunting exploration of the wounds our warriors bear, not all of which are visible. For one soldier back from Iraq, the war is far from over. When his old squadmate comes to him for help, he sets off a chain of events that will lead him to question everything he believes—and just how far he’s willing to go. A short story from the author of THE BLADE ITSELF and GOOD PEOPLE. * This story also appears in the collection SCAR TISSUE Marcus Sakey is the author of four novels, three of which are in development as feature films. He has been nominated for or won an Anthony, Barry, Macavity, Strand Critic’s Circle, Reader’s Choice, Crimespree, Dilys, Crime Shot, Romantic Times, and ITW Thriller Award. Praise for Marcus "The new reigning prince of crime fiction." - Chicago Tribune "An astoundingly good writer." - San Jose Mercury News "Crime drama for the 21st century." - National Public Radio