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Blue Smoke and Murder
by Elizabeth LowellJill Breck was just doing her job as a river guide when she saved the life of Lane Faroe, son of two of St. Kilda Consulting's premier operators. But when a string of ominous events--including a mysterious fire that kills her great-aunt and a furor in the Western art world raised by a dozen Breck family paintings--culminates in a threat to her life, Jill reluctantly calls in a favor. Zach Balfour works part-time as a consultant for St. Kilda. His expertise is gathering and analyzing information from unlikely and often dangerous sources. Though he's got the skills to be a highly effective bodyguard, being a bullet catcher isn't his preferred way to spend time. Protecting Jill will take him into familiar territory--among a strange, savagely competitive bunch of collectors who'll do anything to stay at the top. But Jill is in deeper waters than she's ever known; as she soon discovers, the perils of running wild rivers are tame compared with the hidden dangers in the high-stakes game of art collecting. From the cozy rooms of the Breck homestead cabin to the cold multimillion-dollar galleries of the Western art circuit, Zach and Jill must race against time to unmask a ruthless killer hidden in a blue smoke of money, threats, lies, and death. . . .
Blue Suede Killer (INNcredibly Sweet #16)
by Summer PrescottLife has been turned upside down in so many ways for cupcake baker, Melissa Beckett. Change is in the air, and Missy along with her dashing detective hubby, Chas, begin to wonder if they'll ever find a house. The new owner of the Beach House Inn, Carla, is overwhelmed, and Missy begins to wonder if she and Chas should ever have sold it. Mischief, murder and music abound, when an Elvis impersonator competition comes to the sleepy, beachside town of Calgon, Florida, and Missy isn't the only one interested in finding out exactly what happened to one of the faux kings of rock and roll. Will they solve the mystery in time for the music to continue to play? Or will Missy's record finally be scratched? Find out in this action-packed story! This fun Cozy Mystery can be read as a standalone, but if you're interested in finding out more about Missy, her husband, Detective Chas Beckett, and the rest of the gang, you'll want to read the Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries, which precede this series, along with all the other INNcredibly Sweet books which precede this one. The saga continues with the Cupcakes in Paradise series. Enjoy them all!
Blue Velvet: A Classic Love Story (Beau Lantry #2)
by Iris JohansenFrom #1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen comes a classic novel about a young woman who lives life on her own terms and the bold adventurer who risks everything to rescue her friend--and persuade her to open up her heart. Kate Gilbert is a woman without a past--or even a passport--to tie her down. Raised by smugglers, she lives on her wits, relishing the sense of freedom that only the life of the open sea can provide. All she knows of love she has learned from classic literature.Nothing she read about in Shakespeare, however, could prepare her for Beau Lantry. The brash, handsome playboy helps her out of a tough scrape and puts his own life on the line to save her friend. Now Kate is in Beau's debt, and as reluctant as she is to compromise her hard-won independence, she's intrigued by the prospect of a new kind of life in the arms of this wealthy stranger. But can Beau keep her out of harm's way long enough to convince her that happiness is worth leaving behind a world of ever-present danger?From the Paperback edition.
Blue Voyage
by Diana RennAn intricately crafted mystery set in the contemporary Middle East. Zan is a politician's daughter and an adrenaline junkie. Whether she's rock climbing or shoplifting, she loves to live on the edge. But she gets more of a rush than she bargained for on a forced mother-daughter bonding trip to Turkey, where she finds herself in the crosshairs of an antiquities smuggling ring. These criminals believe that Zan can lead them to an ancient treasure that's both priceless and cursed. Until she does so, she and her family are in grave danger. Zan's quest to save the treasure--and the lives of people she cares about--leads her from the sparkling Mediterranean, to the bustle of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, to the eerie and crumbling caves of Cappadocia. But it seems that nowhere is safe, and there's only so high she can climb before everything comes tumbling down.
Blue Warrior (A Troy Pearce Novel #2)
by Mike Maden"Techno thriller fans will welcome Maden's second Troy Pearce novel, which combines grunt-level action, advanced cyber warfare, and plenty of high-tech weaponry.... Maden handles cutting edge technology and the ancient Tuareg culture with equal dexterity." --Publishers WeeklyA brutal conflict in Mali and an international race for rare elements sets the stage for Troy Pearce and his drone technology to rescue an old friend in this adrenaline-fueled series.Blue Warrior is set in the remote Sahara Desert, where a recently discovered deposit of strategically indispensable Rare Earth Elements (REEs) ignites an international rush to secure them. Standing in the way are the Tuaregs, the fierce tribe of warrior nomads of the desert wasteland, who are fighting for their independence. The Chinese offer to help the Malian government crush the rebellion by the Tuaregs in order to gain a foothold in the area, and Al-Qaeda jihadis join the fight. In the midst of all this chaos are Troy Pearce's closest friend and a mysterious woman from his past who ask him for help. Deploying his team and his newest drones to rescue his friends and save the rebellion, Troy finds that he might need more than technology to survive the battle and root out the real puppet masters behind the Tuareg genocide.
Blue Water Hues: An Ashley Grant Mystery (Ashley Grant Mystery #2)
by Vicki DelanyBlue Water Hues is the second book in the Ashley Grant Mystery series. Paramedic Ashley Grant is settling into her new life in the Caribbean, although sometimes she still feels like a fish out of water. The ambulance is called to a fire at a prestigious resort, and Ashley recognizes the victim as a hotel chef and the cousin of her friend Darlene. When a second death occurs, the police are quick to close the case. But Darlene isn't satisfied, and she drags the unwitting Ashley into the investigation. Does this idyllic beach resort have a dark side? This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for older teen readers and adults who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!
Blue on Black (A Mulholland / Strand Magazine Short)
by Michael ConnellyFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly, a short story featuring LAPD Detective Harry Bosch and FBI agent Rachel Walling.Two women have gone missing, and LAPD Detective Harry Bosch has a strong suspicion that an avid fisherman named Denninger is the culprit. Bosch needs something stronger than a suspicion to bring Denninger in, but all he has are a handful of photos--prior mug shots and pictures of Denninger posing with his prize fish. It's not much to go on, and Bosch is running out of time, which is why he calls in FBI agent Rachel Walling. What she sees in these photos could blow his case wide open."Blue on Black" by Michael Connelly is one of 20 short stories within Mulholland Books's Strand Originals series, featuring thrilling stories by the biggest names in mystery from the Strand Magazine archives. View the full series list at mulhollandbooks.com and listen to them all!
Blueberry Blunder (An Amish Candy Shop Mystery #8)
by Amanda FlowerFor fans of Laura Childs' Tea Shop Mysteries and Ellery Adams' Culinary Cozy Mysteries, the Amish Candy Shop series combines a fascinating look at Amish life with the fun of candy making and a hint of romance between chocolatier Bailey King and her law enforcer boyfriend. Bailey King, star of TV&’s Bailey's Amish Sweets, is building her dream candy factory in Harvest, Ohio. But no sooner is the frame of the new building up than she finds the dead body of a surly contractor who has a long list of enemies—including people in the Amish community. To add to the drama, Bailey is being filmed by a crew for her upcoming show. . . When Bailey&’s TV producer pitched a reality show about building the factory, Bailey was shocked that the network picked it up. She&’s not shocked that many of the Amish working on the jobsite refuse to be on camera. However, local community organizer Margot Rawlings is ecstatic—because the filming coincides with Harvest&’s First Annual Blueberry Bash. Margot believes the media attention will make Harvest the most popular destination in Holmes County. But now, the county may become known for all the wrong reasons . . . Bailey will have to sift through a crowd of angry villagers and thousands of blueberries to solve the murder, save her new venture, and protect her Amish friends. At the same time, she and her longtime boyfriend, Aiden Brody, are making big decisions about their future together—a future that may be in jeopardy if Bailey is the next pick on a killer&’s list . . . Recipe Included!
Blueberry Muffin Murder (A Hannah Swensen Mystery #3)
by Joanne FlukeWinter in Lake Eden, Minnesota, gets heated when a murder upends Hannah Swensen&’s best-laid baking plans in this beautifully repackaged trade paperback reissue from Joanne Fluke&’s New York Times bestselling mystery series. Preparations are underway for Lake Eden, Minnesota&’s annual Winter Carnival—and Hannah Swensen is set to bake up a storm at The Cookie Jar. Too bad the honor of creating the official Winter Carnival cake went to famous lifestyle maven Connie Mac—a half-baked idea, in Hannah&’s opinion. She suspects Connie Mac is a lot like the confections she whips up on her cooking show—sweet, light, and scrumptious-looking, but likely to leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Hannah&’s suspicions are confirmed when Connie Mac&’s limo rolls into town. Turns out America&’s &“Cooking Sweetheart&” is bossy, bad-tempered, and downright domineering. Things finally boil over when Hannah arrives at The Cookie Jar to find the Winter Carnival cake burnt to a crisp—and Connie Mac lying dead in her pantry, struck down while eating one of Hannah&’s famous blueberry muffins. With the crime scene off-limits, Hannah&’s only alternative is to cook up a plan to save her business—by finding the killer herself . . .
Blueberry Muffin Murder: Bitter rivalries, murder and mouth-watering cakes (Hannah Swensen #No. 3)
by Joanne FlukeThe price of fame isn't cheap... The jealous rival stirs up a storm in Joanne Fluke's enchanting Hannah Swensen mystery Blueberry Muffin Murder. Packed full of delicious recipes and perfect for fans of M. C. Beaton and Cindy Bell.'A delightful confection' - Library JournalIt's the annual Winter Carnival in Lake Eden, Minnesota, and Hannah Swensen is set to cook up a storm at her popular bakery, The Cookie Jar. So she is less than impressed when the honour of creating the official Winter Carnival cake goes to famous lifestyle guru Connie Mac.When America's 'Cooking Sweetheart' rolls into town, Hannah discovers Connie is bossy, bad-tempered, and downright domineering. Things finally boil over when Hannah arrives at The Cookie Jar to find the Winter Carnival cake burnt to a crisp - with Connie Mac lying dead in her pantry, struck down while eating one of Hannah's famous blueberry muffins. Can Minnesota's favourite baking sleuth find the person responsible before others meet the same sticky end? What readers are saying about Blueberry Muffin Murder: 'A wonderful addition to this cosy series''Jessica Fletcher meets Midsomer Murders''Delicious recipes, good plotlines, believable characters.A pleasurable, easy read'
Bluebird Winter
by Linda HowardFrom a New York Times–bestselling author, a classic holiday romance about a woman who gives birth in a blizzard and the doctor who comes to her rescue. When Dr. Derek Taliferro delivers Kathleen Fields&’s baby during a snowstorm on Christmas Day, all his protective instincts are aroused by the sight of the beautiful mother and baby. Knowing Kathleen needs a strong shoulder to lean on, he proposes a way to keep the new family in his life a little longer. But what starts as a convenient marriage soon has him dreaming of forever . . .
Bluebird, Bluebird (Highway 59 Ser. #1)
by Attica Locke<P>A powerful thriller about the explosive intersection of love, race, and justice from a writer and producer of the Emmy winning Fox TV show Empire. <P>When it comes to law and order, East Texas plays by its own rules--a fact that Darren Mathews, a black Texas Ranger, knows all too well. <P>Deeply ambivalent about growing up black in the lone star state, he was the first in his family to get as far away from Texas as he could. Until duty called him home. <P>When his allegiance to his roots puts his job in jeopardy, he travels up Highway 59 to the small town of Lark, where two murders--a black lawyer from Chicago and a local white woman--have stirred up a hornet's nest of resentment. <P>Darren must solve the crimes--and save himself in the process--before Lark's long-simmering racial fault lines erupt. <P> A rural noir suffused with the unique music, color, and nuance of East Texas, Bluebird, Bluebird is an exhilarating, timely novel about the collision of race and justice in America. <P><b>2018 Edgar Award Winner for Best Novel</b>
Bluebonnet Bride: A Butterfly Palace Short Story
by Colleen CobleIrresistible romance meets thrilling suspense in this novella from USA Today best-selling novelist Colleen Coble.At the turn of the 20th century, Elli Korpela boarded The Baltic as a mail order bride. But the threat she thought she was escaping somehow followed her to America . . . Escaping a forced engagement, Elli sought refuge in an arranged, mail-order marriage. Her betrothed is a Texan named Nathan White. As she glimpses her future husband and his darling niece at the train station, she instantly knows her risk will prove the best decision she's ever made. Nathan White never took an interest in marriage until he became the guardian of four-year-old Hannah. He's arranged a mail order wife to love and care for his orphaned niece. But his mind changes when he first sees the beautiful Elli Korpela. After a glorious wedding ceremony in the gardens of a place called Butterfly Palace--the grandest estate Elli's ever seen--a peaceful beginning takes a disquieting turn. An intruder brutally attacks Elli. Nathan intervenes, but the devil escapes unidentified, leaving Elli to face two chilling possibilities: either the attack was arranged by strike workers in Nathan's employ or her shadowy past followed her across the sea. As the danger mounts, Elli and Nathan must face their enemy together, fighting for their newfound marriage--and for their lives.Irresistible romance meets thrilling suspense in this novella from USA Today best-selling novelist Colleen Coble.
Bluebottle (A Lew Griffin Novel #5)
by James SallisWeaving Griffin's search for identity-one of the recurring themes in this magnificent series of novels-with a sensuous portrait of the people and places the define New Orleans, James Sallis continues not only to unravel Griffin's past but to map his future . . . and our own. As Lew Griffin leaves a New Orleans music club with an older white woman he has just met, someone fires a shot and Lew goes down. When he comes to, he discovers that most of a year has gone by since that night. Who was the woman? Which of them was the target? Who was the shooter? Somewhere in the Crescent City—and in the white supremacist movement crawling through it—there's an answer. But to get to it, he is going to have to work with the only people offering help, people he knows he should avoid.
Bluegate Fields (The Charlotte and Thomas Pitt Novels #6)
by Anne PerryFrom a New York Times–bestselling author, Charlotte and Thomas Pitt must solve the case of a young gentleman&’s sordid murder—before an innocent man hangs. The naked body of an aristocratic youth turns up in the sewers beneath Bluegate Fields, one of London&’s most notorious slums. But Arthur Waybourne had been drowned in his bath, not in the Thames. More shocking still was that the boy had been sexually violated and infected with syphilis before he was murdered. Despite Inspector Thomas Pitt&’s efforts to fully investigate the crime, the family closes ranks, stonewalling Pitt, leaving him to wonder what they are hiding. All evidence points to Arthur&’s tutor, Jerome, as the murderer. The courts agree and Jerome is sentenced to hang. Pitt and his wife, Charlotte, don&’t believe the answer is so simple. But if not Jerome, then who molested and infected the boy? To learn the truth, Charlotte uses her familiarity with the upper classes to draw aside the curtain of lies, while Pitt defies his superior and the boy&’s family to follow a trail that leads him into the foulest streets of London through a web of deceit involving male prostitution and pedophilia. In a race against time, Thomas and Charlotte must find the real killer to save Jerome from the hangman&’s noose.
Bluegate Fields: A web of scandal and deceit in Victorian London (Thomas Pitt Mystery #6)
by Anne PerryA tidy solution to a murder makes Inspector Pitt uneasy - is there more to this case than meets the eye? In the sixth acclaimed mystery from Anne Perry, Thomas and Charlotte Pitt must discover the truth of a young gentleman's sordid murder - or an innocent man will hang. Perfect for fans of C. J. Samson and Ann Granger.'The period detail remains fascinating, and [Perry's] grasp of Victorian character and conscience still astonishes' - Cleveland Plain Dealer The naked body of an aristocratic youth turns up in the sewers beneath Bluegate Fields, one of London's most notorious slums. But Arthur Waybourne had been drowned in his bath, not in the Thames. More shocking still is the discovery that the boy had been violated and infected with syphilis before his murder. Despite Inspector Thomas Pitt's efforts to investigate the crime, the family closes ranks, leaving him to wonder what they are hiding. All evidence points to Arthur's tutor, Jerome, as the murderer, but Pitt and his wife, Charlotte, don't believe the answer is so simple. But if not Jerome, then who? To learn the truth, Charlotte uses her familiarity with the upper classes to draw aside the curtain of lies, while Pitt defies his superior and the boy's family to follow a trail that leads him into the foulest streets of London through a web of deceit. In a race against time, Thomas and Charlotte must find the real killer to save Jerome from the hangman's noose. What readers are saying about Bluegate Fields: 'A thought-provoking whodunit''Yet again Anne Perry keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. Her knowledge of Victorian London is remarkable''Another winner for Anne Perry - five stars'
Blues for Outlaw Hearts and Old Whores (The Alligator Mysteries #6)
by Massimo CarlottoThis Alligator mystery, “a simple gangster revenge tale . . . gets more and more emotionally intense . . . Crime writing this good just has to be read” (NB Magazine).International secret police operations, drug trafficking, prostitution, and identity theft set the stage for the eternal struggle between Good and Evil.Acclaimed as one of today’s best contemporary noir writers, Massimo Carlotto reaches new heights in the most complex “Alligator” novel to date. Rich with biting humor, humanity, and psychological insight, this is an exemplary noir novel from a crime writer at the top of his game.Marco Buratti, a.k.a. the Alligator, and his partners Max the Memory and Beniamino Rossini have fallen into a trap laid by their worst enemy, Giorgio Pellegrini, a wanted man who has no intention of living as a fugitive for the rest of his life and turns state evidence, but something goes wrong. Blackmailed by a high government official, the Alligator and his partners are forced to investigate. But they’ve been framed: even if they discover who’s behind the crime, they’ll rot in prison. To survive, some rules will have to be bent, and others broken.“Gripping . . . James Ellroy fans will be satisfied.” —Publishers Weekly“A masterpiece . . . Blues for Outlaw Hearts and Old Whores is Carlotto writing in top form.” —Mystery Tribune“Carlotto’s novels are perfectly balanced, everything moves in the right, often unexpected direction. Sudden turns of events are interspersed with dialogue that reminds of postwar American noir films . . . Somewhere up there Raymond Chandler is surely applauding.” —La Stampa“A fine read, with good writing and flashes of oblique humor.” —Booklist
Blues in the Dark: A Thriller
by Raymond BensonFrom the New York Times bestselling and internationally acclaimed author comes a Hollywood crime drama set in the 1940s and present day that tackles racism, sexism, and murder. Karissa Glover is a movie producer who moves into a decrepit but functional old mansion in the West Adams Heights area of Los Angeles, where black celebrities of yesteryear—Hattie McDaniel, Louise Beavers, and others—once resided. The former owner was a white actress, Blair Kendrick, who often starred as the "bad girl"—a femme fatale—in films noirof the 1940s. However, Blair’s career was cut short when she was tragically killed by the mob after allegedly witnessing the slaying of a corrupt studio head in 1949. As Karissa and her producing partner decide to develop a modern film noir about Blair Kendrick, malevolent forces from the past attempt to stop them—first with intimidation, and then with the thread of murder. Is this because Karissa has learned that Blair was involved in a then-taboo interracial relationship with jazz musician Hank Marley? What really happened on the night that death struck in a dimly lit studio mogul’s office? The consequences of Blair and Hank’s doomed love affair still resonate in the present day as Karissa attempts to unravel Blair’s secrets. Seeping with mystery, intrigue, Hollywood history, and forbidden romance, Blues in the Dark is Raymond Benson at his most insightful and page-turning best.
Blues in the Night
by Dick LochteEx-con Dave “Mace” Mason’s favor for an old friend could get him killedin this “fast-moving crime novel” from an award-winning author (Publishers Weekly). When ex-con Dave “Mace” Mason is hired by Paulie Lacotta, an old acquaintance and high-rolling crime boss, to watch his ex-girlfriend, Angela, he knows there's more to the job than he's being told. Angela has fallen in love with one of Paulie's competitors, Tiny, and Paulie wants to know if she's the reason a big deal recently went south. But Mace draws some unwelcome attention as he investigates, and when Tiny is found dead, Mace wonders if he will live long enough to uncover the truth. “Lochte is just as fast-paced and funny flying solo as when he’s wingman for Al Roker or Christopher Darden, both of whom he's collaborated with in the past.” —Kirkus Reviews “Lochte is a somewhat underappreciated writer. This solid, well-crafted thriller with a likable protagonist and an engaging cast of supporting players should remind readers that he is a dependable storyteller in his own right.” —Booklist “Tense, fast-moving crime novel from Nero Wolfe Award–winner Lochte.” —Publishers Weekly
Blues in the Night (Molly Blume #1)
by Rochelle KrichSunday, July 13. 1:46 A.M. Near Lookout Mountain and Laurel Canyon. An unidentified woman in her twenties, wearing a nightgown, was the victim of a hit-and-run accident that left her unconscious and seriously injured. There were no witnesses.So reads the report on the accident off Mulholland Drive in Molly Blume’s Crime Sheet column for a weekly Los Angeles tabloid. Just another small L.A. tragedy, soon forgotten.But the image of the young woman in her nightgown stumbling along a dark, winding road is one Molly, a freelance true-crime writer, cannot shake. In fact, it draws her to a bedside in intensive care, where the victim whispers to her three names: Robbie, Max, and Nina. It’s not a smoking gun, but is sufficient to reinforce Molly’s gut instinct that there are sinister circumstances behind the assault on Lenore Saunders.With fearless conviction, Molly asks questions that nobody—including Lenore’s mom, her ex-husband, her shrink, or even Molly’s L.A.P.D. buddy, Detective Connors—wants to answer. Nevertheless, the astute Molly discovers Lenore lived a fractured life, so different from Molly’s own secure and loving Orthodox Jewish background. And as a chilling picture of the unfortunate woman begins to take shape, the menace of murders past and present stirs and quickens.In her first Molly Blume novel, award-winning novelist Rochelle Krich tells a story in the tradition of the great L.A. mysteries of the past—and introduces an investigator who is pure gold. Twentysomething divorcee Molly Blume, with her deep faith, short skirts, and nose for the truth, is a heroine to cherish.
Blues, Twos and Baby Shoes (The Constable Mavis Upton Series #3)
by Gina KirkhamMavis Upton returns from her adventures in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, and this time she&’s taking no prisoners—which is never ideal for a police officer . . . Mavis is pregnant, as is her daughter Ella. Facing the prospect of motherhood and being a grandmother simultaneously, the last thing Mavis needs is problems at work. She must contend with a new sexist dinosaur of a Sergeant who is more bully than mentor, and a mysterious case involving a blackmailer sending poison pen letters is baffling the force and tearing the local community apart. Can Mavis juggle impending motherhood and her career, maintain a loving relationship with her other half Joe and deal with being a grandmother, all while solving the case? Well, this is Constable Mavis Upton . . . literally anything is possible . . . Series praise &“Laugh out loud brilliance, so witty and cleverly written.&” —Samantha Magson &“Hilarious! It&’s true, everyone needs Mavis in their life.&” —Sherrie Hewson &“Such a terrific read!&” —Lorraine Kelly
Bluescreen
by Dan Wells"Bluescreen is a stunning deluge of imagination, filled with suspense and twists and unforgettable characters. This book is just plain awesome."--James Dashner, bestselling author of The Maze RunnerFrom Dan Wells, author of the New York Times bestselling Partials Sequence, comes the first book in a new sci-fi-noir series. Los Angeles in 2050 is a city of open doors, as long as you have the right connections. That connection is a djinni--a smart device implanted right in a person's head. In a world where virtually everyone is online twenty-four hours a day, this connection is like oxygen--and a world like that presents plenty of opportunities for someone who knows how to manipulate it.Marisa Carneseca is one of those people. She might spend her days in Mirador, but she lives on the net--going to school, playing games, hanging out, or doing things of more questionable legality with her friends Sahara and Anja. And it's Anja who first gets her hands on Bluescreen--a virtual drug that plugs right into a person's djinni and delivers a massive, nonchemical, completely safe high. But in this city, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, and Mari and her friends soon find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy that is much bigger than they ever suspected.
Bluetick Revenge
by Mark CohenThe second mystery featuring private eye Pepper Keane, a former JAG with a Diet Coke addiction, who becomes the target of an outlaw biker gang
Bluff
by Jane Stanton HitchcockWinner of the Dashiell Hammett Prize for Literary Excellence in Crime Writing. &“This delicious novel of sweet revenge reveals . . . New York high society.&” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) From New York Times–bestselling author Jane Stanton Hitchcock comes a noir crime thriller full of wit, charm, and intrigue. For Maud Warner, the only way to get revenge is at the poker table—and she likes her odds. One-time socialite Maud Warner polishes up the rags of her once glittering existence and bluffs her way into a signature New York restaurant on a sunny October day. When she walks out again, a man will have been shot. Maud has grown accustomed to being underestimated and invisible to young New York socialites, and she uses her ability to fly under the radar as she pursues celebrity accountant Burt Sklar, the man she believes stole her mother&’s fortune and left her family in ruins. Her fervent passion for poker has taught Maud that she can turn weakness into strength to take advantage of people who think they are taking advantage of her, and now she has dealt the first card in her high-stakes plan for revenge. One unexpected twist after another follows as Maud plays a deadly game of poker. The stakes? To take down her enemies and get justice for their victims. Her success depends on her continuing ability to pull off the biggest bluff of her life—and on who will fold. Can she win? &“A vivid, compelling novel about deceit, seduction, and delicious revenge that will have you spellbound and cheering as you turn the last page.&” —Susan Cheever, author of My Name Is Bill
Bluff: A Novel
by Michael KardosA down-on-her-luck female magician is drawn into a dangerous criminal scheme in this “hopelessly addictive” thriller (Megan Abbott, Edgar Award–winning author of Give Me Your Hand). At twenty-seven, magician Natalie Webb is already a has-been. A card-trick prodigy, she took first place at the World of Magic competition at eighteen and has never again reached such heights. Now she lives alone in a New Jersey apartment with her pigeons and a pile of overdue bills. In a desperate ploy for extra cash, she follows up on an old offer to write for a glossy magazine and pitches the editor a seductive topic: the art of cheating at cards. But when Natalie meets the perfect subject for her piece—a poker cheat who dazzles at sleight of hand—what begins as a journalistic gamble soon leads her into a dangerous proposition with the highest of stakes . . . “Truly gasp-worthy.” —Library Journal, starred review “[A] delightfully surprising thriller.” —The Florida Times-Union “If you haven’t read Kardos yet, Bluff is the perfect place to start!” —Lisa Scottoline, New York Times–bestselling author of Someone Knows