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A Painted Smile
by Frances FyfieldYoung, rich widow Diana Porteous has inherited a vast collection of paintings, but she feels without purpose again. Then her beloved stepgrandson comes up with the idea for an exhibition of portraits with the title 'A Question of Guilt'. It starts as a joke, but soon they are preparing the huge wine cellar of the old schoolhouse by the sea, in spite of those with misgivings as to its suitability. Soon Di has plenty to occupy her: a mysterious woman encourages Di and her friend Sarah Fortune, both natural thieves, to steal from a public collection. And then there's the life-drawing class, where an artist dies and someone steals from him, placing his finds in the cellar.A novel of conundrums, paintings, moral uncertainties and family relationships, A Painted Smile continues the adventures of two of Frances Fyfield's most beloved characters and will win over many more fans of quality fiction.
A Pair for the Queen (Tish McWhinny Mysteries)
by B. ComfortThe enterprising Vermont sleuth Tish McWhinny — whom Booklist calls "an absolutely first-rate companion" — returns in her fifth Vermont mystery, on the trail of a murderer at a local dog show. Tish McWhinny reluctantly gets involved in restoring an old painting for a dog show promotion — harmless enough, but then the painting is stolen and someone is murdered. Is the crime connected to the rather shady new couple now running the local store? What about the retired Royal Navy man, now much interested in art, who unexpectedly turns up? Or niece Sophie's secretive new boyfriend? It takes all Tish's ingenuity, as well as the help of her courtly friend Hilary Oats and free-spirit Sophie, to find out what's going on and catch a cold criminal. "Lofton, Vermont, is a place I'd like to live — right next door to Tish McWhinny, if possible. Barbara Comfort's Vermont mysteries have the wonderful quality of being both mysterious and friendly. I love that saucy, sassy, septuagenarian Tish McWhinny." — Barbara D'Amato
A Pair of Sharp Eyes: A captivating historical murder mystery
by Kat Armstrong&“Murder and mischief in eighteenth-century Bristol. . . . A treat for fans of Ambrose Parry.&” —Mick Herron, Gold Dagger Award–winning author of Slow Horses Coronation hears of the murders before she even reaches the slave port of Bristol—six boys found with their throats slit. Horrified, she questions the locals&’ readiness to blame the deaths on Red John, a traveling-man few have actually seen. Corrie yearns to know more about the mystery. But first she has to outsmart the bawds, thieves, and rakes who prey on young girls like her, fresh from the countryside and desperate for work. And when the killer strikes shockingly close, Corrie will have to scheme, eavesdrop, and spy on all around her until the shameful truth is out . . . &“Not only is this novel a roller-coaster ride of frantic coach rides through floods and collapsing buildings, it is a serious, thoughtful account of racial and religious prejudice, love and compassion. Highly recommended.&” —Historical Novel Society &“Fans of historical crime fiction will love this one. An outstanding debut.&” —Stephen Booth, author of the Cooper and Fry mysteries &“A vivid, compelling and immersive read.&” —Roz Watkins, author of the DI Meg Dalton series
A Pairing to Die For (A Colorado Wine Mystery #2)
by Kate LansingA young winemaker is over a barrel when her new boyfriend is accused of murder in this delightful cozy mystery.It's fall in Boulder, Colorado, and the leaves aren't the only things changing. Parker Valentine, owner of Vino Valentine, is finally settling in to her winery and her new relationship with Reid Wallace, a local chef. But their delicate pairing is endangered when Reid's estranged family comes into town to celebrate the opening of his new restaurant. Reid and his family are immediately at loggerheads, given their often acidic temperaments, but Parker still wants to make a good first impression. However, her efforts might be in vain when Reid's sous chef is found dead in the alley behind the restaurant, and Reid is implicated in the murder. In order to save Reid, Parker will have to find the real killer, even if the truth is difficult to swallow.
A Pale Horse
by Charles ToddIn the ruins of Yorkshire's Fountains Abbey lies the body of a man wrapped in a cloak, the face covered by a gas mask. Next to him is a book on alchemy, which belongs to the schoolmaster, a conscientious objector in the Great War. Who is this man, and is the investigation into his death being manipulated by a thirst for revenge? Meanwhile, the British War Office is searching for a missing man of their own, someone whose war work was so secret that even Rutledge isn't told his real name or what he did. The search takes Rutledge to Berkshire, where cottages once built to house lepers stand in the shadow of a great white horse cut into the chalk hillside. The current inhabitants of the cottages are outcasts, too, hiding from their own pasts. Who among them is telling the truth about their neighbors and who is twisting it? Here is a puzzle requiring all of Rutledge's daring and skill, for there are layers of lies and deception, while a ruthless killer is determined to hold on to freedom at any cost. And the pale horse looming overhead serves as a reminder that death is never finished with anyone, least of all the men who fought in the trenches of France.
A Pale Horse
by Charles ToddIn the ruins of Yorkshire's Fountains Abbey lies the body of a man wrapped in a cloak, the face covered by a gas mask. Next to him is a book on alchemy, which belongs to the schoolmaster, a conscientious objector in the Great War. Who is this man, and is the investigation into his death being manipulated by a thirst for revenge?Meanwhile, the British War Office is searching for a missing man of their own, someone whose war work was so secret that even Rutledge isn't told his real name or what he did.The search takes Rutledge to Berkshire, where cottages once built to house lepers stand in the shadow of a great white horse cut into the chalk hillside. The current inhabitants of the cottages are outcasts, too, hiding from their own pasts. Who among them is telling the truth about their neighbors and who is twisting it?Here is a puzzle requiring all of Rutledge's daring and skill, for there are layers of lies and deception, while a ruthless killer is determined to hold on to freedom at any cost. And the pale horse looming overhead serves as a reminder that death is never finished with anyone, least of all the men who fought in the trenches of France.
A Pale Horse
by Charles ToddIn the ruins of Yorkshire's Fountains Abbey lies the body of a man wrapped in a cloak, the face covered by a gas mask. Next to him is a book on alchemy, which belongs to the schoolmaster, a conscientious objector in the Great War. Who is this man, and is the investigation into his death being manipulated by a thirst for revenge?Meanwhile, the British War Office is searching for a missing man of their own, someone whose war work was so secret that even Rutledge isn't told his real name or what he did.The search takes Rutledge to Berkshire, where cottages once built to house lepers stand in the shadow of a great white horse cut into the chalk hillside. The current inhabitants of the cottages are outcasts, too, hiding from their own pasts. Who among them is telling the truth about their neighbors and who is twisting it?Here is a puzzle requiring all of Rutledge's daring and skill, for there are layers of lies and deception, while a ruthless killer is determined to hold on to freedom at any cost. And the pale horse looming overhead serves as a reminder that death is never finished with anyone, least of all the men who fought in the trenches of France.
A Pale Horse (Chronicles of Brothers #Vol. 4)
by Wendy AlecA new order. An ancient evil. A battle about to begin.It is the near future. Adrian De Vere, President of the European Union, oversees the signing of an unprecedented international treaty, ushering in a new era of one-world government.Jason De Vere, media mogul, finds himself forced out of the empire he helped create. With friends, allies and even family turning against him, help comes from an unexpected quarter…Nick De Vere, archaeologist and playboy – and newly returned from the dead – leads Jason into an underground world of hidden knowledge and forbidden secrets. Together they must face down the most ruthless of adversaries: their own brother.As the Antarctic ice gives up a grisly secret, and shadowy figures are plotting behind the scenes, armies of good and evil are being marshalled for the conflict to come. Operation Pale Horse is underway…&“There could be no bigger canvas for film-making.&” – Mark Ordesky (Executive Producer – Lord of the Rings) &“Alec not only re-frames pre-history; she also imaginatively illustrates how the realm of spirit impacts the contemporary material world.&” Ileen Maisel (Executive Producer for the Golden Compass)&“This is the best work of fiction I have read since the last installment of Dean Koontz&’ Frankenstein series&” Jim McDonald – 1340Mag – Online Entertainment Magazine.
A Pale Horse: A Mediaeval Mystery (Book 9) (A Mediaeval Mystery #9)
by C. B. HanleyMidsummer 1221: a tragic death at Conisbrough sends Edwin Weaver and his friend Sir Martin on an unexpected journey. But a baffling letter follows them, one which plunges them into danger as they travel to the manor of Martin’s estranged father, deep inside Sherwood Forest, to find a dying man who can only gasp out a few cryptic phrases. Edwin has his work cut out to solve the mystery, because none of those who had the most compelling reasons to commit the murder could possibly have done so, while those who had the opportunity had seemingly no motive. Martin, meanwhile, must try to reconcile himself with his family even as he remains convinced that he is destined to bring ill luck and death wherever he goes. Then another murder attempt is made, and Edwin realises he must work quickly if more death is not to be visited on the innocent.
A Palestine Affair
by Jonathan WilsonIn British-occupied Palestine after World War I, Mark Bloomberg, a beleaguered London painter, and Joyce, his American wife, witness the murder of a prominent Orthodox Jew. Joyce, a non-Jew and ardent Zionist, is drawn into an affair with the British investigating officer, while Mark seeks solace in the exotic colors and contours of the Middle Eastern landscape. Each of the three has come to Palestine to escape grief, and yet--caught in the crosshairs of history--they will all be forced to confront the very issues they hoped to leave behind in this swift and sensuous novel of artful concealment and roiling passions.
A Palette for Murder (An Aurora Anderson Mystery #3)
by Sybil Johnson“A smart, sympathetic protagonist, lots of colorful details, and even tips on creating trompe l’oeil paintings . . . A Palette for Murder is a work of art” (Ellen Byron, USA Today–bestselling author). Summer is sizzling in Vista Beach, the home of computer programmer and tole-painting enthusiast Aurora “Rory” Anderson. The abnormally high temperatures are hard on everyone in the quiet Los Angeles county beach community, especially the city’s homeless population. Residents are doing everything they can to stay cool, including leaving windows open to catch the faintest breeze. Not the best idea when a string of burglaries is plaguing nearby towns. Still, Rory doesn’t expect to find her neighbor’s body just a few doors down. When suspicion falls on a friend and fellow painter, Rory must discover the truth before the police paint the wrong picture and send her friend away permanently. “Johnson has crafted a clever mystery with a colorful protagonist. Set along the vibrant Southern California coast, this story resonates with a rich understanding of the artistic as well as the homeless communities. A smooth read!” —Daryl Wood Gerber, national-bestselling author of Grilling the Subject “A well-crafted tale of betrayal, revenge, and the power of family ties, set in a Southern California beach town.” —Maggie King, author of Murder at the Moonshine Inn
A Palette for Murder (An Aurora Anderson Mystery #3)
by Sybil Johnson“A smart, sympathetic protagonist, lots of colorful details, and even tips on creating trompe l’oeil paintings . . . A Palette for Murder is a work of art” (Ellen Byron, USA Today–bestselling author). Summer is sizzling in Vista Beach, the home of computer programmer and tole-painting enthusiast Aurora “Rory” Anderson. The abnormally high temperatures are hard on everyone in the quiet Los Angeles county beach community, especially the city’s homeless population. Residents are doing everything they can to stay cool, including leaving windows open to catch the faintest breeze. Not the best idea when a string of burglaries is plaguing nearby towns. Still, Rory doesn’t expect to find her neighbor’s body just a few doors down. When suspicion falls on a friend and fellow painter, Rory must discover the truth before the police paint the wrong picture and send her friend away permanently. “Johnson has crafted a clever mystery with a colorful protagonist. Set along the vibrant Southern California coast, this story resonates with a rich understanding of the artistic as well as the homeless communities. A smooth read!” —Daryl Wood Gerber, national-bestselling author of Grilling the Subject “A well-crafted tale of betrayal, revenge, and the power of family ties, set in a Southern California beach town.” —Maggie King, author of Murder at the Moonshine Inn
A Palette for Murder (Murder, She Wrote #7)
by Donald Bain Jessica FletcherJessica Fletcher has come to the elegant Hamptons on Long Island's gold coast for a sinfully sweet spell in the sun and a chance to indulge her secret burning passion: painting. In this place where the arts flower and artists flock, she finds a sketching class where she can try to make her dreams of da Vinci-hood come true.
A Palette for Murder A Murder She Wrote Mystery
by Donald Bain Jessica FletcherQuick Study "She was a pretty young girl, in her early twenties perhaps. Her features were sensuous, large brown heavy-lidded eyes, lips full and fresh, thick auburn hair catching the sun that poured in through large windows on the studio's north wall. Her body was firm and without blemish, breasts in proportion to her overall frame. I judged her to be slightly over five feet tall...." For Jessica Fletcher, this nude girl, effortlessly holding a provocative pose, represented a supreme challenge. Somehow Jessica had to capture her youth, her beauty, her aliveness on the piece of blank white paper before her. Little did Jessica suspect that an even greater challenge lay ahead... when Jessica no longer had to try to capture the girl on paper... but instead capture her murderer in a maze of sunlit sin and shadowy guilt, where the first wrong turn could lead to Jessica's own dead end....
A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax (Mrs. Pollifax Ser. #4)
by Dorothy GilmanA secret agent like no other, Mrs. Pollifax was leading a very full life: Garden Club, karate, yoga--and a little spying now and then. This time the mysterious Mr. Carstairs sent her to Switzerland--to a famous health resort where the world's intelligence agents had gathered.<P><P> Her mission: to track down a missing package of plutonium--just enough to make a small atomic bomb. It was a job that suited Mrs. Pollifax's talents. She's good with people and even better at sniffing out their secrets. But it was not until she became enchanted with Robin, the young jewel thief, that her new adventure really began....
A Panicked Premonition
by Victoria LaurieIn New York Times bestselling author Victoria Laurie’s newest Psychic Eye mystery, Abby Cooper has one rule to follow: don’t panic!Professional psychic and FBI consultant Abby Cooper has used her inner visions to get her out of many a scrape—and solve many a crime—but she’s about to face a murder scene that will put all her powers to the test. Abby’s husband Dutch has a side business providing security and building panic rooms for wealthy clients. One morning, one of Dutch’s partners, Dave, goes missing on his way to meet a client. Abby’s intuition tells her something terrible has happened to him. Then two of Dutch’s clients are found brutally murdered...inside their brand new panic room, and most of the evidence points to Dave as the killer. With the authorities racing to find and arrest him, Abby's got to use all her intuitive prowess to get to Dave first, discover the real killer, and save her husband's business. This is one case where Abby is positive there’s far more to this mystery than meets her inner eye…From the Hardcover edition.
A Paradise for Fools
by Nicholas KilmerThe young woman in the hair salon raises her shirt to show a friend a work in progress--a riot of stunning tattoos. From the barber's chair, Fred Taylor knows that those images--weird insects, beasts, and naked human figures--could only come from something amazing: a hitherto unknown painting of rare and significant value. And the girls don't have a clue. Fred knows such a painting needs to be found. His inquiries lead him from the salon to the illegal tattoo parlor of an unlicensed genius. Everyone who must have seen the painting denies that it exists, despite the vivid proof increasingly laid bare on the canvas of the hairdresser's skin. Fred's employer, the collector Clayton Reed, is out of the country. So Fred, left to his own devices, is free to follow the trail, despite the distractions presented by the intriguing librarian Molly Riley. Fred must proceed with caution. Then he encounters the first serious bump in the road: a suspiciously convenient hit-and-run that brings one potential informant to an abrupt dead end. A must-read for all Michael Connelly fans--read it to see why.
A Parcel for Prudence, a Novella: Virtues and Valor #4
by Hallee BridgemanThe exciting Virtues and Valor serialized story continues with book 4. MURIEL TOLSON grew up with all of the luxuries life could offer. As the daughter of a duke, she married the second son of an earl and lived in style on his family's estate. When her husband ships off to fight the Nazis in Africa, Muriel heeds his request to use her intelligence and language skills to help with the war effort. She approaches the British secret services and soon finds herself recruited into an experimental all female cohort dubbed the Virtues, a collection of seven extraordinary women with highly specialized skills. Assigned the code name of PRUDENCE, her natural French allows her to infiltrate Occupied France where she works as a courier; carrying messages, money, and sometimes people through the secret resistance network aiding the allies to accomplish very dangerous missions behind enemy lines. When Nazis capture the agent code named TEMPERANCE, the team shucks previously laid plans and fast-forwards operational timelines. Is the team ready for this daring mission, or will the Third Reich thwart their plans before they can even get started? A PARCEL FOR PRUDENCE is part four of seven serialized novellas entitled the Virtues and Valor series.
A Parfait Crime (A Five-Ingredient Mystery #9)
by Maya CorriganA granddaughter-grandfather sleuthing duo take on a perplexing new case in the latest culinary cozy mystery, sure to appeal to fans of Diane Mott, Joanne Fluke, and Katherine Hall Page. At the site of a fatal blaze, Val&’s boyfriend, a firefighter trainee, is shocked to learn the victim is known to him, a woman named Jane who belonged to the local Agatha Christie book club—and was rehearsing alongside Val&’s grandfather for an upcoming Christie play being staged for charity. Just as shocking are the skeletal remains of a man found in the freezer. Who is he and who put him on ice? After Val is chosen to replace Jane in the play, the cast gathers at their house to get to work—and enjoy Grandad&’s five-ingredient parfaits—but all anyone can focus on is the bizarre real-life mystery. When it&’s revealed that Jane&’s death was due to something other than smoke inhalation, Val and Grandad try to retrace her final days. As they dig into her past life, their inquiry leads them to a fancy new spa in town—where they discover that Jane wasn&’t the only one who had a skeleton in the cooler . . . Includes delicious five-ingredient recipes!PRAISE FOR CRYPT SUZETTE&“Grandad is a hoot and his jobs as a food reviewer and part-time detective provide endless possibilities for fun and murder . . . Charming.&”—Kirkus Reviews
A Parfait Murder
by Watson Wendy LynWhen Tally's cousin Bree spots her deadbeat ex-husband strolling the Lantana County Fair with a fat wallet and a vixen on his arm, she immediately files for back child support. But when his lawyer is found dead, things get a little sticky. Did Bree serve up a dish of cold, sweet revenge? Or is she another hapless victim of a parfait crime? .
A Paris Fairy Tale
by Marie LavalA suspenseful journey through France leads an ambitious art historian and an adventurous journalist to team up—in more ways than one . . . Workaholic art historian Aurora Black doesn&’t have time for fairy tales or Prince Charmings, even in the most romantic city in the world. She&’s recently been hired by a Parisian auction house for a job that could make or break her career. Unfortunately, daredevil journalist Cédric Castel seems intent on disrupting Aurora&’s routine. As Aurora and Cédric embark on a journey across France, they get more than they bargained for as they find themselves battling rogue antiques dealers, intrigue and danger, personal demons—and a growing attraction to each other. But with the help of a fairy godmother or two, they may both find their happily ever afters . . .
A Parliament of Spies: A Mystery (Abbess Hildegard of Meaux)
by Cassandra ClarkAll the danger and intrigue of 14th-century England spring to life in this "compelling" (Publishers Weekly) series about the brave, incorruptible Abbess of Meaux.Abbess Hildegard may consider herself "just a nun with no useful skills or connections," yet her loyalty and intelligence have brought her to the attention of King Richard II himself—not the safest place to be, when the king has enemies on all sides. As Hildegard wrestles with her role as a spy in the parliament that is hastily gathering at Westminster, Cassandra Clark's A Parliament of Spies shows us the human side of history, giving readers new reason to follow Publishers Weekly's rallying cry: "Medievalists rejoice!"
A Particular Darkness (A Katrina Williams Novel #2)
by Robert E. DunnFrom the author of A Living Grave comes a gripping police procedural featuring sheriff's detective Katrina Williams as she exposes the dark underbelly of the Missouri Ozarks . . . DREDGING UP THE TRUTH Still recovering from tragedy and grieving a devastating loss, Iraq war veteran and sheriff's detective Katrina Williams copes the only way she knows how—by immersing herself in work. A body's just been pulled from the lake with a fish haul, but what seems like a straightforward murder case over the poaching of paddlefish for domestic caviar quickly becomes murkier than the depths of the lake. Soon a second body is found—an illegal Peruvian refugee woman linked to a charismatic tent revival preacher. But as Katrina tries to investigate the enigmatic evangelist, she is blocked by antagonistic FBI agents and Army CID personnel. When more young female refugees disappear, she must partner with deputy Billy Blevins, who stirs mixed feelings in her, to connect the lake murder to the refugees. Katrina is no stranger to darkness, but cold-blooded conspirators plan to make sure she'll never again see the light of day . . .
A Particular Eye for Villainy (Inspector Ben Ross Mystery 4): A gripping Victorian mystery of secrets, murder and family ties
by Ann GrangerA Victorian gentleman... A brutal killing...When a neighbour is murdered in his own home, Inspector Ben Ross and his wife Lizzie dig deep into his tragic past to find out who is behind the bludgeoning. A Particular Eye for Villainy is the fourth crime novel in Ann Granger's historical mystery series. The perfect read for fans of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. 'The book's main strength is the characterisation and the realistic portrayal of London in the mid-19th century' - Tangled Web When Mr Thomas Tapley is found bludgeoned to death in his sitting room, his neighbour Inspector Benjamin Ross of Scotland Yard is immediately summoned. Little is known about the elusive gentleman until Mr Jonathan Tapley, QC, hears of the news and the truth about his cousin's tragic past slowly begins to emerge.Meanwhile, Ben's wife Lizzie is convinced she saw someone following Thomas Tapley on the day he died and she discovers that he received a mysterious visitor a few days before his death. As the list of suspects begins to mount, Ben must unearth who would benefit most from Tapley's unfortunate demise.What readers are saying about A Particular Eye for Villainy:'A continuing cast of characters you can enjoy spending time with along with a good mystery... salted with a light touch of humour''As always there are several twists and turns and the obvious and not so obvious suspects - a worthy sequel to the first three novels''Keeps you hooked from start to finish'
A Particular Eye for Villainy (Inspector Ben Ross Mystery 4): A gripping Victorian mystery of secrets, murder and family ties
by Ann GrangerA Victorian gentleman... A brutal killing...When a neighbour is murdered in his own home, Inspector Ben Ross and his wife Lizzie dig deep into his tragic past to find out who is behind the bludgeoning. A Particular Eye for Villainy is the fourth crime novel in Ann Granger's historical mystery series. The perfect read for fans of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. 'The book's main strength is the characterisation and the realistic portrayal of London in the mid-19th century' - Tangled Web When Mr Thomas Tapley is found bludgeoned to death in his sitting room, his neighbour Inspector Benjamin Ross of Scotland Yard is immediately summoned. Little is known about the elusive gentleman until Mr Jonathan Tapley, QC, hears of the news and the truth about his cousin's tragic past slowly begins to emerge.Meanwhile, Ben's wife Lizzie is convinced she saw someone following Thomas Tapley on the day he died and she discovers that he received a mysterious visitor a few days before his death. As the list of suspects begins to mount, Ben must unearth who would benefit most from Tapley's unfortunate demise.What readers are saying about A Particular Eye for Villainy:'A continuing cast of characters you can enjoy spending time with along with a good mystery... salted with a light touch of humour''As always there are several twists and turns and the obvious and not so obvious suspects - a worthy sequel to the first three novels''Keeps you hookedfrom start to finish'