- Table View
- List View
Blood Crazy
by Simon ClarkOne morning Nick Aten wakes up to find that the world has gone insane. The adults are systematically killing all the young people. The survivors must band together and reform their own society.
Blood Crime
by Martha Tennent Sebastia Alzamora Maruxa RelanoA multi-genre gothic novel of the horrific early days of the Spanish Civil War in Barcelona, perfect for fans of Roberto Bolaño and Mario Vargas Llosa."Startling . . . Blood Crime (beautifully translated from the Catalan by Maruxa Relaño and Martha Tennent) has a sort of concentrated power that’s rare in horror novels. It’s akin to poetry." —The New York Times Book Review It is 1936, and Barcelona burns as the Spanish Civil War takes over. The city is a bloodbath. Yet in all this death, the murders of a Marist monk and a young boy, drained of their blood, are strange enough to catch a police inspector’s attention. His quest for justice is complicated by the politics, dangers, and espionage of daily life in a war zone. The Marist brothers of the murdered monk are being persecuted; meanwhile, a convent of Capuchin nuns hides in plain sight, trading favors with the military police to stay alive. In their midst is a thirteen-year-old novice who stumbles into the clutches of the murderer. Can she escape in this city of no happy endings?Narrated by a vampire who thrives in the havoc of the war, this stunning novel, inspired by the true story of a massacre in the early days of the Spanish Civil War, is a gothic reflection on the nature of monsters, in all their human forms.
Blood Cure: Tome 1 (Blood Cure Trilogie #1)
by Eileen SheehanLes vampires ont pris le contrôle du pays via le Nouvel Ordre ! Leur plus grand coup : avoir libéré un virus qui entraîne des mutations chez les humains, modifiant ainsi leur sang pour le rendre plus bénéfique aux vampires. Formée aux médecines naturelles et loin de s’imaginer l'ampleur de la folie du Nouvel Ordre, Haven se réfugie dans la clandestinité pour créer un remède au virus. Ignorant que le Nouvel Ordre est dirigé par des vampires, elle se rend à l'est, à la ferme de son oncle, dans l'espoir qu'il l'aidera à distribuer le remède au plus grand nombre. Les surprises, les dangers, les pertes et l'amour métamorphoseront sa vision naïve de la vie. Une jeune femme forte et déterminée voit le jour tandis que la guerre contre les vampires ne fait que commencer.
Blood Curse: The Springtime of Commissario Ricciardi (The Commissario Ricciardi Mysteries #2)
by Maurizio de GiovanniThe second historical mystery featuring Commissario Ricciardi, “one of the most interesting and well-drawn detectives in fiction” (The Daily Beast).Commissario Ricciardi has visions. He sees and hears the final seconds in the lives of victims of violent deaths. It is both a gift and a curse. It has helped him become one of the most acute and successful homicide detectives in the Naples police force. But all that horror and suffering has hollowed him out emotionally. He drinks and doesn’t sleep. Other than his loyal partner, Brigadier Maione, he has no friends.Naples, 1931. In a working-class apartment in the Sanità neighborhood, an elderly woman by the name of Carmela Calise has been beaten to death. When Ricciardi and Maione arrive at the scene, they learn that Calise was moonlighting as a fortuneteller and moneylender whose clients were some of the city’s rich and powerful. She predicted their futures in such a way as to manipulate and deceive and made many enemies—those indebted to her, swayed by her lies, disappointed by her prophesies or destroyed by her machinations. Murder suspects in this atmospheric thriller abound and Commissario Ricciardi, one of the most original and intriguing investigators in contemporary crime fiction, will have his work cut out for him.“The promise that each life will intersect keeps Ricciardi and Maione’s investigation lively.” —Publishers Weekly“A well-crafted, ultimately moving crime novel set in 1931 Naples . . . This is a solid series with an intriguing detective, and fans will eagerly await the third volume.” —Library Journal
Blood Cursed
by Alex ArcherA local superstition or one of history's monsters come to life?Deep in the Bavarian forest, archaeologists unearth a medieval human skull with a brick stuffed in its mouth. When Annja Creed catches wind of the strange discovery, the TV host and archaeologist rushes to join the dig. But the superstitious locals are furious, fearing the excavation has angered one of the chewing dead-those who rise from their graves to feast on human flesh and blood. And soon she and her colleagues are facing down violent mobs and death threats. As far as Annja is concerned, though, the vampire myth is a load of bunk.Then a child goes missing.Suddenly ensnared in the Czech Republic's black market underworld, Annja has no trouble believing that someone wants blood. But in this world, evil comes in human form, and Annja has no choice: she must wield Joan of Arc's sword to protect the innocent....
Blood Daughter: A gripping page-turner (Flesh and Blood Series Book Three)
by Dreda Say MitchellThey say blood is thicker than water. That's not going to stop it being spilled. BOOK 3 in the FLESH AND BLOOD series, BLOOD DAUGHTER sees the Miller sisters' loyalties put to the ultimate test in a gripping thriller. Perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Jessica Keane and Mandasue Heller. *********Life hasn't been easy for the Miller family. Finally, mum Babs has had one bit of luck and she plans to share the profits with her daughters. She thought they'd be pleased... But money always causes trouble, especially when it's desperately needed. Jen wants to make a better life for her kids. Tiff owes a lot of bad men a lot of money. And Dee is worried that her husband is getting back into the criminal life. As the sisters fall out, a gold bullion heist brings other opportunities - and more dangers. No-one is giving up without a fight...**********Discover the FLESH AND BLOOD series: Book 1: Blood Sister Book 2: Blood Mother Book 3: Blood Daughter Book 4: Blood Secrets One False Move (Quick Read novella) **********Praise for Dreda Say Mitchell'Dreda Say Mitchell is right up there at the forefront of British crime fiction' Simon Kernick'[A] very gritty and entertaining read and if like me you enjoy what I personally call "grit lit" authentic characters, settings and story lines that depict the shadier side of life, then I would highly recommend this book' The Book Review Café'Wonderful vivid writing and a truly original voice.' Peter James **********If you loved the FLESH AND BLOOD series, why not immerse yourself in Dreda Say Mitchell's GANGLAND GIRLS trilogy: Book 1: Geezer Girls Book 2: Gangster Girl Book 3: Hit Girls
Blood Daughter: A gripping page-turner (Flesh and Blood Series Book Three) (Flesh and Blood series)
by Dreda Say MitchellThey say blood is thicker than water. That's not going to stop it being spilled. BOOK 3 in the FLESH AND BLOOD series, BLOOD DAUGHTER sees the Miller sisters' loyalties put to the ultimate test in a gripping thriller. Perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Jessica Keane and Mandasue Heller. *********Life hasn't been easy for the Miller family. Finally, mum Babs has had one bit of luck and she plans to share the profits with her daughters. She thought they'd be pleased... But money always causes trouble, especially when it's desperately needed. Jen wants to make a better life for her kids. Tiff owes a lot of bad men a lot of money. And Dee is worried that her husband is getting back into the criminal life. As the sisters fall out, a gold bullion heist brings other opportunities - and more dangers. No-one is giving up without a fight... ********** Discover the FLESH AND BLOOD series: Book 1: Blood Sister Book 2: Blood Mother Book 3: Blood Daughter Book 4: Blood Secrets One False Move (Quick Read novella) **********Praise for Dreda Say Mitchell'Dreda Say Mitchell is right up there at the forefront of British crime fiction' Simon Kernick'[A] very gritty and entertaining read and if like me you enjoy what I personally call "grit lit" authentic characters, settings and story lines that depict the shadier side of life, then I would highly recommend this book' The Book Review Café'Wonderful vivid writing and a truly original voice.' Peter James ********** If you loved the FLESH AND BLOOD series, why not immerse yourself in Dreda Say Mitchell's GANGLAND GIRLS trilogy: Book 1: Geezer Girls Book 2: Gangster Girl Book 3: Hit Girls
Blood Daughter: A gripping page-turner (Flesh and Blood Series Book Three) (Flesh and Blood series)
by Dreda Say MitchellBLOOD DAUGHTER sees the Miller sisters' loyalties put to the ultimate test in a gripping thriller, perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers and Mandasue Heller. They say blood is thicker than water. That's not going to stop it being spilled. Life hasn't been easy for the Miller family. Finally, mum Babs has had one bit of luck. She plans to share the profits with her daughters. She thought they'd be pleased... But money always causes trouble, especially when it's desperately needed. Jen wants to make a better life for her kids. Tiff owes a lot of bad men a lot of money. And Dee is worried that her husband is getting back into the criminal life. As the sisters fall out, a gold bullion heist brings more opportunities - and many more dangers. None of them are giving up without a fight...(P)2017 Hodder & Stoughton
Blood Daughters: A Romilia Chacón Novel (large Print 16pt) (The Romilia Chacón Novels #4)
by Marcos M. VillatoroA riveting thriller by the author of A Venom Beneath the Skin starring &“his fascinatingly flawed Salvadoran protagonist . . . [a] very human heroine&” (Booklist). A child dies on the border between California and Mexico. This is nothing new, but this death is different. Someone has taken body parts from the child. FBI Agent Romilia Chacón, a Salvadoran American, follows this case into a world that swallows her with its horror, where children are bought and sold like cattle and shipped to men all across the country. The dealers in this blackest of markets have no moral barometer, only a lust for cash. And one among them has taken murder to a level beyond serial killing. Romilia comes to this case already broken: the man she loved and yet had to hunt—drug runner Tekún Umán, a regular on the FBI&’s Most Wanted List—is gone. Romilia has two friends, her partner—who lives a double life between the Feds and the cartels—and a bottle of booze. Romilia&’s mother is on her back to get sober; her son drifts further and further away. And the killer is taking away pieces of Romilia&’s life, day by day. Praise for the Romilia Chacón novels &“A neat, Hitchcockian thriller . . . let&’s hope there are real FBI agents as brilliant as Romilia Chacón.&” —The Washington Post &“A story that is enlivened by an enigmatic protagonist one hopes to see again . . . one of the best novels—mystery or otherwise—you&’ll read this year.&” —Los Angeles Times Book Review &“Sexy, fast paced and satisfyingly violent.&” —Publishers Weekly
Blood Debt: The non-stop danger-filled new Victor thriller (Victor #11)
by Tom WoodThey want an eye for an eye. He'll fight until the last drop is spilled.The incredible latest novel in the most visceral, action-packed series around sees the assassin Victor fighting enemies on all sides, with no allies in sight.To make amends for past mistakes, the enigmatic assassin known only as Victor is now in servitude to the world's most dangerous criminal enterprise, the Russian Mafia. Although a hired gun without loyalties, Victor never picks a fight he cannot win so he intends to pay off his debt, however long it takes. Yet when his new employer is shot dead in London, Victor has both the means and the motive to make him the most likely suspect. With a turf war breaking out in the power vacuum, and enemies on all sides, either Victor discovers who the real murderer is or suffer the full wrath of the Mafia's vengeance.
Blood Demons
by Richard JeffriesBLOODS AND CRYPTS Once again, America is under siege. A devastating terrorist attack has destroyed one of the nation’s most treasured landmarks. With Mt. Rushmore now reduced to a pile of rubble, Major Josiah Key, commander of the secretive Cerberus Unit, is dispatched to hunt down the mastermind responsible: the most fanatically evil extremist the world has ever known. And he’s hidden in the most isolated region of the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan. Climbing to the fiend’s remote, mysterious caves, the four-person Cerberus team encounters bloodless corpses that lead them to confront one of the greatest evils in human history: the Vetela...unholy creatures who inhabit the bodies of the dead and the source of all vampire legends. Their sole purpose is to guard the terrorist, and with his help, the Vetela, are finally ready to come into the light and lay waste to all humanity.
Blood Dreams: A Bishop/Special Crimes Unit Novel (Bishop/Special Crimes Unit #10)
by Kay HooperNew York Times bestselling author Kay Hooper takes readers on a terrifying manhunt for a serial killer even the Special Crimes Unit may not be able to stop. Dani Justice knows all about monsters. They haunt her dreams--and her life. But she never expected to find herself on the trail of a real flesh-and-blood predator so cunning that he's eluded the best law enforcement could send against him; and so deadly that he doesn't hesitate to kill even a senator's daughter. Or a cop. Dani doesn't want to hunt this killer, but she doesn't have a choice. She alone commands a weapon powerful enough to stop him. And she knows something even Bishop of the FBI's Special Crimes Unit doesn't know. Dani knows how the hunt ends. It ends in fire. And blood. And death. What she doesn't know is who will survive. are comprised of a membership every bit as talented and eccentric as Bishop's SCU-if not more so. And that is no coincidence. For Bishop helped launch this organization barely two years before.Dani Justice knows all about monsters. They haunt her nightmares-and her life. But she never expected to find herself doggedly on the trail of a real flesh-and-blood predator so cunning, he's eluded the best law enforcement could send up against him; so deadly, he doesn't hesitate to kill even a senator's daughter. Or a cop. Dani doesn't want to hunt this killer. She doesn't want to risk the life she's made for herself, or her hard-won peace. But she doesn't have a choice. Because his bloody rampage has hit far too close to home. Because Dani alone commands a weapon powerful enough to destroy him. And because Dani knows something even Bishop doesn't. Dani knows how the hunt ends. It ends in fire. And blood. And death. What she doesn't know is who will survive.From the Hardcover edition.
Blood Drive (Anna Strong Chronicles #2)
by Jeanne C. SteinAnna Strong was a tough-as-nails bounty hunter, until the night she was attacked-and changed forever... Now that she's a vampire, Anna has superhuman strength and near invincibility. But that doesn't make her life any easier. She struggling to find her place in the world of the undead as she clings to her connections with the living. Anna's situation becomes even more complicated when she discovers that her long-dead brother may have had a daughter and the kid's in serious trouble. There are some very dangerous people after her, but they didn't count on Anna stepping into the fray. Now they're about to learn that to a bounty hunter with an unnatural thirst for blood, even the deadliest human predators are easy prey...
Blood Eagle
by Robert Barr SmithWhile the apparent suicide of Hitler's niece in 1931 may have gone unquestioned in its time, two modern American agents must race to uncover the truth behind her death before the KGB and a well-financed neo-Nazi group interfere As the death toll rises and time runs out, this compelling story comes to a thrilling conclusion as those in search of answers must fight to keep the truth from being hidden forever.
Blood Enemy
by Greg CoxBased on characters from Screen Gems's 2003 motion picture starring Kate Beckinsale, this all-original prequel reveals the origins of the rival clans of vampires and werewolves, and how their clandestine war has been fought in the shadows of the mortal world.
Blood Engines (Marla Mason #1)
by T. A. PrattMeet Marla Mason--smart, saucy, slightly wicked witch of the East Coast. Sorcerer Marla Mason, small-time guardian of the city of Felport, has a big problem. A rival is preparing a powerful spell that could end Marla's life-and, even worse, wreck her city. Marla's only chance of survival is to boost her powers with the Cornerstone, a magical artifact hidden somewhere in San Francisco. But when she arrives there, Marla finds that the quest isn't going to be quite as cut-and-dried as she expected, and that some of the people she needs to talk to are dead. It seems that San Francisco's top sorcerers are having troubles of their own-a mysterious assailant has the city's magical community in a panic, and the local talent is being (gruesomely) picked off one by one. With her partner-in-crime, Rondeau, Marla is soon racing against time through San Francisco's alien streets, dodging poisonous frogs, murderous hummingbirds, cannibals, and a nasty vibe from the local witchery, who suspect that Marla herself may be behind the recent murders. And if Marla doesn't figure out who is killing the city's finest in time, she'll be in danger of becoming a magical statistic herself.
Blood Eye: Book 1) (Raven #1)
by Giles KristianA Viking adventure, packed with battles, blood and gore, Raven is historical fiction at its very best, and marks the debut of an outstanding new talent. For two years Osric has lived a simple life, apprenticed to the mute old carpenter who took him in when others spurned him. But when Norsemen from across the sea burn his village, Osric is taken prisoner by these warriors. Their chief, Sigurd the Lucky, believes the Norns have woven this strange boy's fate together with his own, and Osric begins to sense glorious purpose among this fellowship of warriors. Immersed in the Norsemen's world and driven by their lust for adventure, Osric proves a natural warrior and forges a blood bond with Sigurd, who renames him Raven. But the Norsemen's world is a savage one, where loyalty is often repaid in blood and where a young man must become a killer in order to survive. When the Fellowship faces annihilation from ealdorman Ealdred of Wessex, Raven chooses a bloody and dangerous path, accepting the mission of raiding deep into hostile lands to steal a holy book from Coenwolf, King of Mercia. There he will find much more than the Holy Gospels of St Jerome. He will find Cynethryth, an English girl with a soul to match his own. And he will find betrayal at the hands of cruel men, some of whom he regards as friends.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Blood Father: A Novel
by Peter CraigNOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTUREA gripping novel about a young woman being chased by her violent past, and the flawed father forced to come to her rescueLydia Carson is an accident waiting to happen. Strung out, she's always running from disaster, and more often she's running right into it. Now at seventeen, Lydia has stumbled onto real trouble. Not only has she witnessed a brutal murder perpetrated by her boyfriend, but his minions are out to make sure that she doesn't have a story to tell the police.John Link is a former Hell's Angel, an ex-con, trying to stay clean and sober while running a tattoo parlor from the kitchen of his trailer home. He's also Lydia's long-estranged father, and when both the police and her boyfriend's thugs are hot on Lydia's trail, Link becomes Lydia's only hope.From the highly acclaimed author of Hot Plastic, Blood Father is a gripping novel that confirms Peter Craig's place among the best crime novelists of his generation.
Blood Feud: A gritty gangland thriller with the most shocking opening chapter you'll read all year! (Kerry Casey Ser.)
by Anna SmithThey came for her family. Now she's coming for them. This nail-biting thriller introduces Glasgow's newest gangland mistress, Kerry Casey - a gripping read perfect for fans of Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers.Kerry Casey thought she'd made a life away from the dirty dealings of her gangster family. Her father wanted to make them legit - her brother Mickey had other ideas, and now it's got him killed. When Mickey's funeral turns into a bloodbath at the hands of a group of anonymous shooters and Kerry's mother is killed in the crossfire, Kerry finds herself at the head of the Casey family, and desperate for revenge.Running a crime empire is not a job she ever asked for, and not one she wants, but Kerry is determined to fulfil her father's wishes and make the Caseys go straight. First, though, she will find the men who murdered her mother, and she will take them down, no matter what it takes.
Blood Feud: Raising Cain: A Lee Cain Novel
by Martin RooneyLee Cain isn&’t a hero—he&’s a survivor. And he&’s nobody&’s b*tch. When terminal cancer pushes Cain to the brink, an assassination attempt thrusts him back into a life of violence. But this isn&’t a random hit—someone wants Cain silenced after he stumbles on a devastating secret: the billionaires profiting from cancer are also hiding its cure. The shadowy organization known as Artemis will stop at nothing to protect their quest for immortality, and Cain has just become their number-one target. Hunted through the gritty streets of New York and the blood-soaked nightclubs of Mexico, Cain must do the unthinkable—forge a fragile alliance with La Sombra, the ruthless cartel that wants him dead. Navigating a deadly world where humanity&’s darkest ambitions come to life, Cain has only his wits, fists, and an unflinching resolve to rely on. As the lines blur between vengeance and survival, Cain faces a harrowing choice: save himself or risk everything to avenge the countless lives sacrificed in the name of greed.Blood Feud delivers relentless action, unforgettable characters, and a visceral exploration of what it takes to survive. Drawing from the author&’s background in combat sports, high-stakes leadership, and human endurance, this electrifying thriller pulls no punches. Perfect for fans of Lee Child, David Baldacci, and Gregg Hurwitz, it will leave you questioning just how far you&’d go to stay alive.
Blood Feud: The gripping, gritty gangster thriller that everybody's talking about! (Kerry Casey #1)
by Anna Smith'MARTINA COLE FANS WILL LOVE THIS FAST-PACED THRILLER' SUNDAY MIRRORThey came for her family. Now she's coming for them. This nail-biting thriller introduces Glasgow's newest gangland mistress, Kerry Casey.Kerry Casey thought she'd made a life away from the dirty dealings of her gangster family. Her father wanted to make them legit - her brother Mickey had other ideas, and now it's got him killed. When Mickey's funeral turns into a bloodbath at the hands of a group of anonymous shooters and Kerry's mother is killed in the crossfire, Kerry finds herself at the head of the Casey family, and desperate for revenge.Running a crime empire is not a job she ever asked for, and not one she wants, but Kerry is determined to fulfil her father's wishes and make the Caseys go straight. First, though, she will find the men who murdered her mother, and she will take them down, no matter what it costs.
Blood Feud: The gripping, gritty gangster thriller that everybody's talking about! (Kerry Casey #1)
by Anna Smith'MARTINA COLE FANS WILL LOVE THIS FAST-PACED THRILLER' SUNDAY MIRRORThey came for her family. Now she's coming for them. This nail-biting thriller introduces Glasgow's newest gangland mistress, Kerry Casey.Kerry Casey thought she'd made a life away from the dirty dealings of her gangster family. Her father wanted to make them legit - her brother Mickey had other ideas, and now it's got him killed. When Mickey's funeral turns into a bloodbath at the hands of a group of anonymous shooters and Kerry's mother is killed in the crossfire, Kerry finds herself at the head of the Casey family, and desperate for revenge.Running a crime empire is not a job she ever asked for, and not one she wants, but Kerry is determined to fulfil her father's wishes and make the Caseys go straight. First, though, she will find the men who murdered her mother, and she will take them down, no matter what it costs.
Blood Fever (Young Bond Book #2)
by Charlie HigsonFollowing his adventures in the Scottish Highlands, James Bond is back at Eton, where he has joined the risk-taking Danger Society. Summer vacation is on the horizon and James is looking forward to the school trip to the beautiful Italian island of Sardinia, and the opportunity to spend some time with his reclusive cousin Victor. But all is not as it appears. James soon discovers that the seemingly peaceful island harbors some strange secrets. Before long, Victor's house has been ransacked and important pieces of artwork have been stolen. James learns that the Millennaria, "a ruthless Roman society long thought to be extinguished" is still active. He suspects the impetuous millionaire Count Ugo Carnifex may be behind it. But one of his teachers has been acting strangely as well. As a young girl's life hangs in the balance, it's up to James to uncover an intricate conspiracy that will take him head-to-head with enemies more ruthless than he could have ever imagined.
Blood Flag: A Paul Madriani Novel
by Steve MartiniDefending a client accused of killing her father, attorney Paul Madriani is drawn into a treacherous conspiracy dating to World War II in this enthralling installment in the New York Times bestselling series.Paul Madriani and Harry Hinds have a new client: Emma Brauer, a woman accused in the "mercy killing" of her aged father, Robert Brauer. Insisting she's innocent, Emma tells Paul about a package sent to her father shortly before he entered the hospital. Bequeathed to him by a member of his unit from World War II, the box contains a key and a slip of paper. Emma fears that this package is connected to her father's death.When Paul's young assistant Sofia is murdered, Madriani is blindsided by the realization that Emma's fears are well-grounded.Digging into Robert's military history, Madriani discovers that other members of the Army unit Robert served with have recently died--under similarly suspicious circumstances. When he finds that the box sent to Brauer relates to a mysterious talisman that went missing at the end of the war--a feared Nazi relic known as the "Blood Flag"--Madriani and Hinds realize they are in for the fight of their lives.With Emma's life on the line and their own safety in jeopardy, Madriani must uncover the truth before the evil of the Blood Flag is allowed to spin a new web.
Blood Foam: A Lewis Cole Mystery (Lewis Cole Mysteries #9)
by Brendan DuboisIn the new novel in the acclaimed Lewis Cole mystery series, award-winning author Brendan DuBois launches Lewis Cole on a quest to track down the fiancé of a close friend. A wounded and healing Lewis Cole--retired Department of Defense analyst and magazine columnist--returns to his fire-damaged home on Tyler Beach with two things on his mind: to recover from a bullet wound and to repair his nearly two hundred-year-old home before a hurricane scours his house into the unforgiving ocean. But just when his work has begun, former lover and journalist Paula Quinn comes to him with an urgent request. Her fiancé, attorney Mark Spencer, has gone missing. Phone calls, e-mails, and text messages have gone unanswered. His car is gone, and his home is empty. Lewis is Paula's last hope to find her missing fiancé, and despite his fear for what might happen to his home, Lewis agrees to search for the missing attorney. But one puzzling aspect of Mark's life leads to Lewis asking more questions . . . until gunfire suddenly erupts in placid downtown Tyler. And Lewis and Paula find themselves on the run from a deadly gang, who are also searching for Mark Spencer--to find him and kill him for a past betrayal. So Lewis begins a difficult quest while his own world is threatened by ruthless men and gathering storm clouds.