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The Fourth Wall
by Barbara PaulA playwright searches the theater for a crazed saboteur Sylvia Markey sits in her dressing room, holding her cat&’s head in her hands. Just the head—the body is nowhere to be found. This gruesome act of violence was committed just a few minutes before curtain, and Sylvia has no time to grieve. She collects herself, and gets ready to perform. She makes it halfway through the second act before her nerves get the best of her, and she vomits onstage. As the run continues, so does the sabotage, and the unknown troublemaker attacks actors, vandalizes the set, and hurls acid at one of the designers. To playwright Abigail James, the meaning is clear: Someone is trying to murder her play. The police do all they can, but it will take someone who understands theater to unravel the mystery. This is a matter of revenge—and Abigail will settle it backstage.
The Fourth War
by Chris StewartAlong the Afghanistan border, a CIA agent meets secretly with a distraught Arab girl. She passes him a coded message before killing herself. But before the message can be deciphered, the world spins toward war: Within hours, the president of Pakistan is assassinated, and the country's nuclear warheads go missing. Al Qaeda streams into northern Pakistan. Israel puts her combat forces on hair-trigger alert. CIA paramilitary agent Peter Zembeic is given the impossible task of finding and destroying the missing warheads. Working with his best friend, a B-2 pilot, they develop a desperate plan to save the world from the threat of nuclear terror.
The Fourth Watcher: A Bangkok Thriller (Poke Rafferty Thriller)
by Timothy HallinanThe author of the Looking for Trouble travel book series, Poke Rafferty is ready to settle down in Bangkok with his fiancée, Rose, and his newly adopted daughter, Miaow. But trouble isn't ready to let him go; it's back in Poke's life with a vengeance, in the guise of his long-estranged father, Frank, the last person he ever wanted to see again. And Frank hasn't come empty-handed, arriving with a box of rubies, a wad of fraudulent identity papers, and one of the most dangerous gangsters in China in hot pursuit. With a rogue American Secret Service agent targeting Rose for her unwitting part in a North Korean counterfeiting operation, Poke can see trouble descending from everywhere to attack those he loves—and it will take every skill he possesses to keep them, and himself, alive.
The Fox
by Frederick ForsythThe #1 New York Times-bestselling master of international intrigue takes readers into the bleeding-edge world of technological espionage in a propulsive thriller that feels chillingly real.Former chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service Adrian Weston is awoken in the middle of the night by a phone call from the Prime Minister. Her news is shocking: the Pentagon, the NSA, and the CIA have been hacked simultaneously, their seemingly impenetrable firewalls breached by an unknown enemy known only as "The Fox." Even more surprisingly, the culprit is revealed to be a young British teenager, Luke Jennings. He has no agenda, no secrets, just a blisteringly brilliant mind. Extradition to the U.S. seems likely--until Weston has another idea: If Luke can do this to us, what can he do to our enemies?After conferring with both the American President and the Prime Minister, Weston is determined to use "The Fox" and his talents to the advantage of the two nations. But doing so places the boy on a geopolitical minefield. Adrian must stay one step ahead of multiple invisible enemies, all while finding a way to utilize the most powerful--and most unpredictable--weapon of all. With his trademark research and deep knowledge of the rules and practices of international intrigue, Forsyth takes on tomorrow's threats in this race-against-the-clock thriller.
The Fox From His Lair: The WWII Collection
by Max HennessyTwo Allied officers hunt down a German agent who&’s stolen top-secret plans that could change the course of World War II in this spy thriller. Throughout the summer of 1944, southern England was transformed into one huge armed camp as the Allied forces made their final preparations for D-Day. It was at this crucial moment in history that the Fox emerged from his lair. The Fox had many names and many disguises, but behind them all lay the resource and ingenuity of a dedicated German agent. His very existence was not suspected until a totally unexpected E-Boat attack on a landing resulting in hundreds of casualties, and the loss of a set of top-secret plans detailing the invasion. Desperate to stop them falling into enemy hands, two officers are tasked with recovering the plans and taking out the Fox. Failure would mean the total defeat of the Allied forces. Failure is not an option . . . Perfect for fans of Frederick Forsyth, John le Carré and Alistair MacLean.
The Fox Hunt Mystery (Nancy Drew Mystery Stories #132)
by Carolyn KeeneIn pursuit of a horse thief, Nancy rides down a twisted trail of trouble! Nancy's friend Laura Passano has invited her down to Maryland to enjoy a horseback riding holiday. The weather is wonderful, the pastures peaceful, the trip a real treat. There's only one catch: Someone's out to sabotage the Passano family stables. First, the feed is poisoned ...then Laura's favorite horse, Morning Glory, is stolen! Did Alexa Shaw, Laura's spoiled rival, find the perfect way to hurt her? Or has the upcoming fox hunt so enraged animal activists that they've turned to sabotage? Spurred to action, Nancy's in the hunt for a lawbreaker ... and she's headed straight into a hornet's nest of greed, jealousy, deception, and dangerous secrets!
The Fox Valley Murders: A Joe Bain Mystery
by Jack VanceAusley Wyett's release from prison after sixteen years in prison is an event of many consequences for the residents of San Rodrigo County, California. Five men whose testimonies led to Wyett's conviction receive threatening letters, and one by one become victims of fatal accidents. But there is no evidence of murder. For Acting Sheriff Joe Bain, proving Wyett's guilt - or innocencev - is more than a matter of justice; while campaigning to be elected Sheriff, he must stubbornly protect Wyett from townspeople who insist upon immediate arrest- or a lynching.
The Fox Wife: an enchanting historical mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of The Night Tiger and a previous Reese’s Book Club pick
by Yangsze ChooAn enchanting and unforgettable historical mystery from the acclaimed author of The Night TigerSome people think foxes go around collecting qi, or life force, but nothing could be further than the truth. We are living creatures, just like you, only usually better looking . . .Manchuria, 1908: A young woman is found frozen in the snow. Her death is clouded by rumours of foxes, believed to lure people into peril by transforming into beautiful women and men. Bao, a detective with a reputation for sniffing out the truth, is hired to uncover the dead woman's identity. Since childhood, Bao has been intrigued by the fox gods, yet they've remained tantalizingly out of reach. Until, perhaps, now.Meanwhile, the family of a famous Chinese medicine shop can cure all ailments - except the curse that afflicts them. All their eldest sons die before their twenty-fourth birthdays. Now the only grandson of the family is twenty-three. When a mysterious woman enters their household, their luck seems to change. But is their new servant a simple young woman from the north, or a fox spirit bent on her own revenge?New York Times bestselling author Yangsze Choo brilliantly explores a world of mortals and spirits, humans and beasts, and their dazzling intersection. The Fox Wife is a stunning novel about dead bodies found in the snow, a mother seeking revenge, and old folk tales that may very well be true.PRAISE FOR YANGSZE CHOO'You won't be able to put this one down' Reese Witherspoon'Captivating from the very beginning' 5* Reader Review'An exuberant medley of magic, romance and weirdness' The Times'Simply beautiful' 5* Reader Review'[A] highly imaginative and a spellbinding read' Woman's Weekly(P)2024 Macmillan Audio
The Fox Wife: an unforgettable, bewitching historical mystery from the author of The Night Tiger
by Yangsze ChooLonglisted for the Historical Writers' Association Gold Crown Award'Vivid, enigmatic, enchanting' M. L. Rio'Irresistible' Sunday TimesSome people think foxes go around collecting qi, or life force, but nothing could be further than the truth. We are living creatures, just like you, only usually better looking . . .Manchuria, 1908: A young woman is found frozen in the snow. Her death is clouded by rumours of foxes, believed to lure people into peril by transforming into beautiful women and men. Bao, a detective with a reputation for sniffing out the truth, is hired to uncover the dead woman's identity. Since childhood, Bao has been intrigued by the fox gods, yet they've remained tantalizingly out of reach. Until, perhaps, now.Snow is a creature of many secrets, but most of all, she's a mother seeking vengeance. Hunting a murderer, the trail will take her from northern China to Japan, with Bao following doggedly behind. And as their paths draw ever closer together, both Snow and Bao will encounter old friends and new foes, even as more deaths occur. The Fox Wife is a stunning novel about old loves and second chances, the depth of maternal bonds, and ancient folktales that may very well be true.READERS LOVE THE FOX WIFE⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I loved this book! A literary treat'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Fascinating'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Wonderful book, with a fey and haunting quality'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Original and moving'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An utterly beautiful and bewitching tale'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Masterfully plotted, illuminating and utterly charming'PRAISE FOR THE FOX WIFE'Poetic and evocative' Good Housekeeping'Magical, wondrous, transporting and illuminating' Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai'Rich and beguiling' Daily Mail 'Filled with wonder, mystery and folklore' Sue Lynn Tan'Enchanting' the i'A rich tangle of myth, mystery, and history' Alix E. Harrow
The Fox and O'Hare Series 3-Book Bundle
by Janet Evanovich Lee GoldbergFrom Janet Evanovich, the acclaimed creator of Stephanie Plum, and Lee Goldberg, author and television writer for Monk, comes a series of New York Times bestselling novels that "mix the humor from Evanovich and Goldberg's books with the intricate cons seen in the best episodes of Mission: Impossible" (Library Journal). Charming con man Nicolas Fox and FBI special agent Kate O'Hare are the unlikely pair that is secretly tracking down criminals the law can't touch. Now their first three adventures are together in one action-packed ebook bundle: THE HEIST THE CHASE THE JOB Also includes the prequel short stories "Pros and Cons" and "Shell Game" and an excerpt from The Scam, the riveting fourth novel in the Fox and O'Hare series! Nicolas Fox is an international con man, famous for running elaborate scams on very rich and powerful people. He knows that the FBI has been hot on his trail for years--particularly FBI Special Agent Kate O'Hare. But just when it seems that Fox has been captured for good, he pulls off his greatest con of all. He convinces the FBI to offer him a job, working side by side with O'Hare. Together Fox and O'Hare are going to have to find a way to take down Derek Griffin, a corrupt investment banker charged with stealing millions from his clients--an assignment that will lead them down the back alleys of Berlin, into the deserts of California, and to a remote Indonesian island. High-speed chases, pirates, and Toblerone bars are all in a day's work . . . if O'Hare and Fox don't kill each other first. Praise for the Fox and O'Hare series "The laugh-out-loud humor that readers expect from Evanovich is in full force. . . . Everyone will be eager for the next book in the series."--Associated Press, on The Heist "Great fun, with plenty of twists."--The Sacramento Bee, on The Chase "This suspense series continues to mix the humor from Evanovich and Goldberg's books with the intricate cons seen in the best episodes of Mission: Impossible. The banter and thrills are nonstop, and readers will be anxious to see what happens next."--Library Journal, on The Job
The Fox and O'Hare Series 3-Book Collection
by Janet Evanovich Lee GoldbergReasons to read Janet Evanovich: 'Hilarious' (Mail on Sunday); 'Hooray for Janet Evanovich, who continues to enliven the literary crime scene' (Sunday Telegraph); 'For sheer uncomplicated fun, Stephanie Plum is hard to beat' (Express on Sunday) THE FOX AND O'HARE SERIES 3-BOOK COLLECTION brings together the bestselling first three novels in the Fox & O'Hare series by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg, featuring FBI Agent Kate O'Hare and world-class conman Nick Fox.An impossible pairing. An unstoppable team.In THE HEIST, just when it seems that international crook Nick Fox has been captured for good, he pulls off his greatest con of all: he convinces the FBI to offer him a job working side by side with Special Agent Kate O'Hare. Problem is, teaming up to stop a corrupt investment banker who's hiding on a private island in Indonesia is going to test O'Hare's patience and Fox's skill. High-speed chases, pirates, and Toblerone bars are all in a day's work... if O'Hare and Fox don't kill each other first.In THE CHASE, Fox and O'Hare's newest target is Carter Grove, a former White House chief of staff and the ruthless leader of a private security agency. Grove has stolen a rare Chinese artefact from the Smithsonian, a crime that will torpedo U.S. relations with China if it ever becomes public. Nick and Kate must work under the radar - and against the clock - to devise a plan to steal the piece back. A daring heist and a deadly chase leads them from Washington, D.C., to Shanghai, from the highlands of Scotland to the underbelly of Montreal.In THE JOB, Nick Fox is caught on camera stealing a priceless work of art, taking him right from being the FBI's most covert operative, back to the top of America's most-wanted. Only Kate suspects all is not what it seems. Fox is no common thief, and snatch and grab just isn't his style. Someone is setting him up, and it's down to Kate to figure out why - before Nick Fox, master of disguise, is beaten at his own game.
The Fox and the Hound: A Novel
by Daniel P. MannixThis classic, award-winning novel and the basis for the animated Disney movie is &“a masterpiece, it is tops in the field of animal books&” (Omaha World-Herald).Winner of the Dutton Animal Book AwardWinner of the Athenaeum Literary AwardReader&’s Digest Book Club Two animals on opposites sides of the hunt—one a loyal, domesticated companion, the other a wily, solitary trickster. Copper is a large bloodhound mix, prized for his scenting ability. He longs for the thrill of the chase and for his human&’s praise. Yet he could lose his place in the pack to any of the younger, faster dogs around him . . . Tod the fox is familiar with the ways of men and hounds; he had been raised by and lived among them as a pup—but not for long. Instinct drives him back into the wilderness, where he learns to spring the traps set for him, catch the attention of vixens, and survive the seasons. In the natural order of things, Copper and Tod are enemies, but it&’s the changing world around them that could prove to be the greatest threat of all . . . &“No one who has the slightest interest in animals should miss reading The Fox and the Hound.&” —The Plain Dealer &“A lively and engrossing animal book . . . a really exciting story.&” —Associated Press &“A story of a hunt told in a way it seldom is, completely from the viewpoint of the animals. . . . It is wonderful how Mannix has entered so completely into the animals&’ way of looking at life.&” —Publishers Weekly
The Fractal Murders
by Mark CohenJane Smythe, a math professor specializing in fractal geometry, is shocked to learn that three professors with the same specialty have died amid mysterious circumstances. That's where Pepper Keane, an ex-Marine turned PI with an encyclopedic knowledge of rock 'n' roll, comes in. He finds himself attracted to Professor Smythe and is determined to discover the root of these incidents. At first, he can't find any evidence that the three dead mathematicians even knew each other. But Keane, with the help of his hacker best friend and exercise guru brother, continues to dig. Suspects begin to appear and then multiply as they race through the rocky terrain of Colorado to Mexico, Boston, and Nebraska - with the main suspect an FBI agent who is also Keane's worst enemy.
The Fractal Prince: The Quantum Thief, The Fractal Prince, The Causal Angel (Jean le Flambeur #2)
by Hannu RajaniemiThe Quantum Thief sequel is “stupefyingly entertaining, like a heist movie for post-singularity, AI-boosted string theoreticians from beyond spacetime” (Charles Stross).“The good thing is, no one will ever die again. The bad thing is, everyone will want to.”A physicist receives a mysterious paper. The ideas in it are far, far ahead of current thinking and quite, quite terrifying. In a city of “fast ones,” shadow players, and jinni, two sisters contemplate a revolution.And on the edges of reality a thief, helped by a sardonic ship, is trying to break into a Schrödinger box for his patron. In the box is his freedom. Or not.Jean de Flambeur is back. And he’s running out of time.In Hannu Rajaniemi’s sparkling follow-up to the critically acclaimed international sensation The Quantum Thief, he returns to his awe-inspiring vision of the universe . . . and we discover what the future held for Earth.“Stories within stories, mind-boggling scientific extrapolations, and flamboyant characters mark the author as a rising star of the genre.” —Library Journal“Rajaniemi’s witty language and charmingly wry hero will make the read well worth the effort for the first installment’s fans.” —Publishers Weekly“Fans of the author’s popular debut novel, which mixed hard science with wild fantasy, will probably be lining up for this follow-up, which resolves some of the questions posed in The Quantum Thief but, on the other hand, asks several more, for which there are, as yet, no answers.” —Booklist
The Fragile Edge (A Jimmy Vega Mystery #6)
by Suzanne ChazinA sniper attack propels Latino cop Jimmy Vega on a twisting hunt for a predator who stalks the unforgiving landscape of immigrant America. Probing beyond the hardships of the journey north, Suzanne Chazin&’s taut and timely novel explores the perils that await the hopeful once they reach their destination—and the price they must pay to survive . . . Jimmy Vega straddles two worlds – the hardscrabble Bronx where he grew up as the child of a Puerto Rican single mother, and the upscale, mostly white, suburban county where he now serves as a police detective. Yet despite his sense of never belonging, he&’s a good and decent cop—even if the multi-million-dollar civil suit he&’s facing says otherwise. His own troubles take a back seat when Vega learns that a court officer has just been shot and killed while transporting a controversial judge across the courthouse lot. Vega quickly surmises that the judge was the real target. She&’s earned the ire of alt-right hate groups for going soft on undocumented defendants accused of petty crimes. The sole witness to the sniper&’s identity is a Guatemalan girl traveling by bus from the border. And now, she&’s vanished—melted into a community fearful of the police. Her days are numbered if Vega can&’t get to her before the killer does. But as Vega and his girlfriend, Adele Figueroa, head of the local outreach center, probe deeper into the shadowy farm community where immigrants toil in horrifying conditions, they tap into a chilling discovery. One that offers Vega a stark choice: keep quiet and be lauded as a hero, knowing he let the real villain go. Or risk everything for an ugly truth no one wants him to find . . .
The Fragile World: A Novel
by Paula Treick DeBoardFrom the author of stunning debut The Mourning Hours comes a powerful new novel that explores every parent's worst nightmare... The Kaufmans have always considered themselves a normal, happy family. Curtis is a physics teacher at a local high school. His wife, Kathleen, restores furniture for upscale boutiques. Daniel is away at college on a prestigious music scholarship, and twelve-year-old Olivia is a happy-go-lucky kid whose biggest concern is passing her next math test. And then comes the middle-of-the-night phone call that changes everything. Daniel has been killed in what the police are calling a "freak" road accident, and the remaining Kaufmans are left to flounder in their grief. The anguish of Daniel's death is isolating, and it's not long before this once-perfect family finds itself falling apart. As time passes and the wound refuses to heal, Curtis becomes obsessed with the idea of revenge, a growing mania that leads him to pack up his life and his anxious teenage daughter and set out on a collision course to right a wrong. An emotionally charged novel, The Fragile World is a journey through America's heartland and a family's brightest and darkest moments, exploring the devastating pain of losing a child and the beauty of finding the way back to hope. "Heart-stopping. A gripping read that delivers a beautiful reminder of the resilience of love." -Karen Brown, author of The Longings of Wayward Girls
The Frame (Feyer and Drake)
by David W RobinsonWhen an imprisoned killer is freed after only four years, suspicions run deep: &“A hard-hitting, intense crime drama that will crawl under your skin.&” —Anna Legat, author of Swimming with Sharks Sam Feyer is relishing her role as head of CID, while Wes Drake is a broken man after the murder of his partner. But crime doesn&’t sleep and now, the duo must reopen an inquiry into another brutal killing. For Feyer, it&’s a path littered with obstacles, from the autocratic hierarchy of the police to the ill-tempered Drake, a man who greets every attempt to thwart him as a personal challenge to be overcome. Amid frequent disagreements and a fragile tolerance between them, they must forge a new alliance to battle through a smokescreen of corruption, suspicion, and lies—and answer the question: What really happened four years ago? And as fresh murders start to take place, Feyer and Drake must learn to work together if they are going to survive . . .
The Frame-Up
by Gwenda BondA magically gifted con artist must gather her estranged mother&’s old crew for a once-in-a-lifetime heist, from the New York Times bestselling author of Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds.&“Makes grand larceny more fun than ever.&”—Holly Black, New York Times bestselling author of Book of NightDani Poissant is the daughter and former accomplice of the world&’s most famous art thief. There was no job too big for Maria and her loyal crew. The secret to their success? A little thing called magic, kept rigorously secret from the non-magical world. They seemed unstoppable . . . until a teenage Dani turned her mother over to the FBI. Ten years later, with Maria still in prison, Dani finds herself approached for a job that only Maria and her crew could pull off . . . if any of them were still speaking to her. But it&’s the job of a lifetime and might just be the lure Dani needs to reconcile with her mother and be reunited with her mother&’s old gang—including both the love of her life and her former best friend. The problem is, it&’s an impossible task—even with the magical talents of the people she once considered family backing her up. It&’s a heist that needs a year to plan, and Dani has just over a week. Worse, the more Dani learns, the more she understands that there&’s far more at stake in this job than she ever realized.
The Frame-Up
by Ian Schoenherr Wendy McLeod MacKnightWhen Sargent Singer discovers that the paintings in his father’s gallery are alive, he is pulled into a captivating world behind the frame that he never knew existed.Filled with shady characters, devious plots, and a grand art heist, this inventive mystery-adventure celebrates art and artists and is perfect for fans of Night at the Museum and Blue Balliett’s Chasing Vermeer. There’s one important rule at the Beaverbrook Gallery—don’t let anyone know the paintings are alive. Mona Dunn, forever frozen at thirteen when her portrait was painted by William Orpen, has just broken that rule. Luckily twelve-year-old Sargent Singer, an aspiring artist himself, is more interested in learning about the vast and intriguing world behind the frame than he is in sharing her secret.And when Mona and Sargent suspect shady dealings are happening behind the scenes at the gallery, they set out to find the culprit. They must find a way to save the gallery—and each other—before they are lost forever. With an imaginative setting, lots of intrigue, and a thoroughly engaging cast of characters, The Frame-Up will captivate readers of Jacqueline West’s The Books of Elsewhere.
The Framed Women of Ardemore House: A Novel
by Brandy Schillace"A delight." –THE WALL STREET JOURNAL"A must read for any mystery lover." – DEANNA RAYBOURN, New York Times bestselling author of KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGEAn abandoned English manor. A peculiar missing portrait. A cozy, deviously clever muder mystery, perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Anthony Horowitz.Jo Jones has always had a little trouble fitting in. As a neurodivergent, hyperlexic book editor and divorced New Yorker transplanted into the English countryside, Jo doesn&’t know what stands out more: her Americanisms or her autism.After losing her job, her mother, and her marriage all in one year, she couldn&’t be happier to take possession of a possibly haunted (and clearly unwanted) family estate in North Yorkshire. But when the body of the moody town groundskeeper turns up on her rug with three bullets in his back, Jo finds herself in potential danger—and she&’s also a potential suspect. At the same time, a peculiar family portrait vanishes from a secret room in the manor, bearing a strange connection to both the dead body and Jo&’s mysterious family history.With the aid of a Welsh antiques dealer, the morose local detective, and the Irish innkeeper&’s wife, Jo embarks on a mission to clear herself of blame and find the missing painting, unearthing a slew of secrets about the town—and herself—along the way. And she&’ll have to do it all before the killer strikes again…
The Framingham Fiend (A Colin Pendragon Mystery #6)
by Gregory HarrisOf all the ghastly crimes in Victorian London, none are as infamous—or unsolvable—as those of Jack the Ripper . . . The murder scene is chillingly familiar. A young prostitute has been slaughtered in her flat on Framingham Street in the East End. It’s not the first time Scotland Yard has seen a murder like this. But with the help of Colin Pendragon and his loyal partner Ethan Pruitt, they hope it will be the last . . . Word of the Ripper-esque crime has begun to spread across London, sparking a fresh wave of fear, dread, and panic. Two prostitutes have already been killed. But when a third victim is claimed, Colin and Ethan are forced to explore every possibility—from the opium dens of Whitechapel to the darkest corners of the London morgue. For Colin, the answer will prove to be as elusive—and deadly—as the Ripper himself . . .
The Franchise Affair
by Josephine TeyRobert Blair has a quiet life as a solicitor in a small town until the Sharpes, a mother and daughter living in The Franchise, their country home, are accused of kidnapping and abuse. <P> Blair, with some guidance from Scotland Yard's brilliant Inspector Grant, dons the cap of the amateur detective, determined to get to the bottom of these startling accusations. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
The Franchise Affair
by Josephine TeyRobert Blair was about to knock off from a slow day at his law firm when the phone rang. It was Marion Sharpe on the line, a local woman of quiet disposition who lived with her mother at their decrepit country house, The Franchise. It appeared that she was in some serious trouble: Miss Sharpe and her mother were accused of brutally kidnapping a demure young woman named Betty Kane. Miss Kane's claims seemed highly unlikely, even to Inspector Alan Grant of Scotland Yard, until she described her prison -- the attic room with its cracked window, the kitchen, and the old trunks -- which sounded remarkably like The Franchise. Yet Marion Sharpe claimed the Kane girl had never been there, let alone been held captive for an entire month! Not believing Betty Kane's story, Solicitor Blair takes up the case and, in a dazzling feat of amateur detective work, solves the unbelievable mystery that stumped even Inspector Grant.
The Franchise Affair (Penguin Modern Classics – Crime & Espionage)
by Josephine Tey'The new crime and espionage series from Penguin Classics makes for a mouth-watering prospect' Daily TelegraphAbducted, beaten, hidden in an attic, a young woman stages an audacious escape. But is her story everything she claims it to be?Fifteen-year-old Betty Kane can recall every detail of the room where she says she was held at the country house known as The Franchise - even the crack in its round window. But her alleged kidnappers, a quiet-living mother and daughter, claim they have never seen her before. Somebody has to be lying. But who? As the case sparks a media frenzy, it is up to unassuming village solicitor Robert Blair to find out.
The Francis Bacon Mysteries Volume One: Fires of London, The Prisoner of the Riviera, and Moon Over Tangier (The Francis Bacon Mysteries)
by Janice LawThe first three brilliantly realized novels in the Lambda Literary Award–winning historical mystery series featuring the real-life British painter. Spanning London during the Blitz to the postwar French Riviera to Tangier in the 1950s, these three mysteries in Janice Law&’s award-winning Francis Bacon series richly reimagine the life of the famous and flamboyant Irish-born British painter as an &“artist-sleuth . . . unflappable and acidly witty&” as he courts danger, solves murders, and navigates international intrigue (Booklist). Fires of London: Francis Bacon patrols the streets of wartime London during the Blitz as an air raid warden, keeping watch for activities that might tip off the Axis powers. One night while making his rounds, the painter discovers an acquaintance from the gay bars murdered in Hyde Park. But he is only the first victim. Under cover of the blackout, someone is killing young gay men. When Bacon himself is suspected, he&’s driven to find a killer on the ground, even as the Luftwaffe continues to rain death from the sky. Fires of London was a 2012 Lambda Literary Award Finalist for Best Gay Mystery. &“Law does a bangup job of recreating London during the Blitz, and portraying real-life artist Francis Bacon as an unlikely sleuth.&” —Publishers Weekly The Prisoner of the Riviera: World War II may be over, but the painter&’s troubles are just beginning. After Bacon and his lover try to save a Frenchman gunned down outside a London gambling club, the casino owner approaches him with a proposition: He will forgive Bacon&’s considerable debts if he delivers a package to the dead man&’s widow on the French Riviera. What gambler could resist a trip to Monte Carlo? But against a bright backdrop of sun-drenched beaches, Bacon is soon drawn into dark intrigue and forced to gamble with his life. The Prisoner of the Riviera won the 2013 Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Mystery. &“Law is close to perfect in presenting the timeless charms of the Riviera, and she&’s just as satisfying in shaping Bacon as a reluctant but brave and somewhat lucky sleuth.&” —Toronto Star Moon Over Tangier: Following his unstable lover, David, from London to colonial Morocco, Bacon falls in with a thriving community of expats in Tangier who guzzle champagne while revolutionaries gather in the desert. But when the painter identifies a friend&’s Picasso as a fake, he soon finds himself entangled in the police investigation surrounding the forger&’s demise. Between the bustle of postwar Tangier and the emptiness of the desert, Bacon finds that in Morocco&’s international zone, even the fakes can be worth killing for. &“The pacing is good, the bad guys—and gals—are bad, and the integration of art and painting provides a solid framework on which to hang the story.&” —Historical Novel Society