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Fortune Smiles: Stories
by Adam JohnsonWinner of the Pulitzer Prize for his acclaimed novel about North Korea, The Orphan Master’s Son, Adam Johnson is one of America’s most provocative and powerful authors. Critics have compared him to Kurt Vonnegut, David Mitchell, and George Saunders, but Johnson’s new book will only further his reputation as one of our most original writers. Subtly surreal, darkly comic, both hilarious and heartbreaking, Fortune Smiles is a major collection of stories that gives voice to the perspectives we don’t often hear, while offering something rare in fiction: a new way of looking at the world.<P><P> In six masterly stories, Johnson delves deep into love and loss, natural disasters, the influence of technology, and how the political shapes the personal. “Nirvana,” which won the prestigious Sunday Times short story prize, portrays a programmer whose wife has a rare disease finding solace in a digital simulacrum of the president of the United States. In “Hurricanes Anonymous”—first included in the Best American Short Stories anthology—a young man searches for the mother of his son in a Louisiana devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. “George Orwell Was a Friend of Mine” follows a former warden of a Stasi prison in East Germany who vehemently denies his past, even as pieces of it are delivered in packages to his door. And in the unforgettable title story, Johnson returns to his signature subject, North Korea, depicting two defectors from Pyongyang who are trying to adapt to their new lives in Seoul, while one cannot forget the woman he left behind.<P> Unnerving, riveting, and written with a timeless quality, these stories confirm Johnson as one of America’s greatest writers and an indispensable guide to our new century.<P> Winner of the National Book Award
Fortune Smiles: Stories
by Adam JohnsonWinner of the Pulitzer Prize for his acclaimed novel about North Korea, The Orphan Master's Son, Adam Johnson is one of America's most provocative and powerful authors. Critics have compared him to Kurt Vonnegut, David Mitchell, and George Saunders, but Johnson's new book will only further his reputation as one of our most original writers. Subtly surreal, darkly comic, both hilarious and heartbreaking, Fortune Smiles is a major collection of stories that gives voice to the perspectives we don't often hear, while offering something rare in fiction: a new way of looking at the world. In six masterly stories, Johnson delves deep into love and loss, natural disasters, the influence of technology, and how the political shapes the personal. "Nirvana," which won the prestigious Sunday Times short story prize, portrays a programmer whose wife has a rare disease finding solace in a digital simulacrum of the president of the United States. In "Hurricanes Anonymous"--first included in the Best American Short Stories anthology--a young man searches for the mother of his son in a Louisiana devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. "George Orwell Was a Friend of Mine" follows a former warden of a Stasi prison in East Germany who vehemently denies his past, even as pieces of it are delivered in packages to his door. And in the unforgettable title story, Johnson returns to his signature subject, North Korea, depicting two defectors from Pyongyang who are trying to adapt to their new lives in Seoul, while one cannot forget the woman he left behind. Unnerving, riveting, and written with a timeless quality, these stories confirm Johnson as one of America's greatest writers and an indispensable guide to our new century.
Fortune Tellers
by Lisa GreenwaldSisterhood of the Traveling Pants meets That's So Raven in bestselling author Lisa Greenwald’s charming middle grade novel about three recently separated best friends who discover the paper fortune tellers they made in third grade are the key to staying close through middle school.What if your fortunes really came true?Once upon a time, Millie, Nora, and Bea were best friends who loved slumber parties, exploring their Manhattan neighborhood, and making fortune tellers with their Magic Markers. Now, in the summer before seventh grade, they haven’t spoken in over a year—thanks to a big fight, the pandemic shutting down their school, and each girl moving away for different reasons. The girls routinely check each other’s social media, but none of them can muster the courage to reach out, even if they might want to.Then their long-ago paper fortune tellers start popping up in the most unexpected places. The fortunes carry some eerily accurate wisdom for each girl: Your future is hidden in your past. Hold on to the memories. Go back to where you started. Could this be the push the girls need to reconnect and reunite? Or is the gap between them too wide to mend?
Fortune for a Week (The Fortunes of Texas: Fortune's Hidden Treasures)
by Nancy Robards Thompson&“It seems we got married last night.&” When fireworks at a chance meeting with Harris Fortune lead to a surprise Vegas wedding, single mom Sofia Gomez Simon's whole world goes topsy-turvy. While they wait for an annulment, Harris has another proposal: He&’ll temporarily move in with Sofia and bask in the family life the orphaned Fortune always dreamed of. But when the feelings he has for Sofia and her children are hardly temporary, can Harris convince Sofia that their impulsive trip down the aisle could be so much more? From Harlequin Fortunes of Texas: Book 1: His Family Fortune by Elizabeth BevarlyBook 2: Fortune's Fake Marriage Plan by Tara Taylor QuinnBook 3: Fortune for a Week by Nancy Robards ThompsonBook 4: Fortune on His Doorstep by Michelle Lindo-RiceBook 5: Fortune's Unexpected Gift by Jennifer WilckBook 6: Fortune's Mr. Right by Stella Bagwell
Fortune on His Doorstep (The Fortunes of Texas: Fortune's Hidden Treasures)
by Michelle Lindo-RiceThey both needed a helping hand… And struck a deal that changed everything! Kelsey Fortune had finally achieved her dream of owning her own ranch…but the disrespectful male ranch hands and runaway herds are creating challenges she hadn&’t anticipated. She needs advice—and fast. When a chance meeting at the local grocery store introduces her to wealthy cattle CEO—and sexy single dad—Trevor Porter, her quest for assistance mingles with electric attraction. Trevor is charmed at Kelsey&’s ability to calm his triplet toddlers and offers a practical proposal: lend a hand with his children and he&’ll help wrangle her wranglers. But as the sparks between them grow, Trevor might have to find the courage to risk a fresh start for himself, his children and the woman he finds he can't live without… From Harlequin Fortunes of Texas: Book 1: His Family Fortune by Elizabeth BevarlyBook 2: Fortune's Fake Marriage Plan by Tara Taylor QuinnBook 3: Fortune for a Week by Nancy Robards ThompsonBook 4: Fortune on His Doorstep by Michelle Lindo-RiceBook 5: Fortune's Unexpected Gift by Jennifer WilckBook 6: Fortune's Mr. Right by Stella Bagwell
Fortune's Baby Claim (The Fortunes of Texas: Digging for Secrets #1)
by Michelle MajorAn unthinkable mistake…Might be their good fortune!It&’s every parent&’s worst nightmare come true when two babies are mistakenly switched at birth! Single mom Esme Fortune already loves the infant she brought home from the hospital, but she can&’t possibly deny her own flesh and blood. And even if businessman Ryan Hayes never expected to be parenting a baby alone, he certainly doesn't want to give up his son. Their unconventional solution: Why not join forces—and raise the kids together? The pair's unbreakable love for their children brokers an unlikely partnership…and as an undeniable respect and attraction grows, perhaps so much more. From Harlequin Fortunes of Texas: Book 1: Fortune's Baby Claim by Michelle Major Book 2: Fortune in Name Only by Tara Taylor Quinn Book 3: Expecting a Fortune by Nina Crespo Book 4: Fortune's Lone Star Twins by Teri Wilson Book 5: Worth a Fortune by Nancy Robards Thompson Book 6: Fortune's Convenient Cinderella by Makenna Lee
Fortune's Daughter: A Novel (G. K. Hall Core Ser.)
by Alice HoffmanAn &“intimate, lovely novel, most of whose concerns swirl about the pain and joys of motherhood,&” from the New York Times–bestselling author of The Rules of Magic (People). Rae Perry has been in love with Jessup since high school. Two weeks before her eighteenth birthday, they ran away from Boston together and have been moving ever since—five states in seven years. Now they are in Southern California in what they call &“earthquake weather,&” a time when anything can happen, and Jessup is restless again. This time, Rae fears, he plans to leave without her. Lila Grey is a fortune-teller. More than a quarter century ago, on a cold and icy night in New York City, she gave birth to a daughter she never saw again. Lila is determined to find her lost child, even if it means an end to her happy life with Richard, the loving husband she refuses to let into her past. It is Lila who tells Rae she is pregnant—but the other symbol she reads in Rae&’s tea leaves, she refuses to reveal. From that moment forward, their fates are inextricably linked. While Rae searches for the strength to navigate an uncertain future alone, Lila sets out to resolve her history once and for all. This luminous novel, a New York Times Notable Book, is an enthralling tribute to the profound mysteries of motherhood and childbirth from a writer who, in the words of Amy Tan, &“takes seemingly ordinary lives and lets us see and feel extraordinary things.&”
Fortune's Fake Marriage Plan (The Fortunes of Texas: Fortune's Hidden Treasures)
by Tara Taylor QuinnDesperate times call for desperate measures…Even marriage! Single dad Jax Wellington&’s world turns upside down when his former in-laws show up in Emerald Ridge, Texas, demanding full custody of his beloved son. What better way for the wealthy rancher to prove his upstanding nature in court than to marry the daughter of one of the most venerable families in town—for appearances only, of course? Kindhearted Priscilla Fortune is game to become Jax&’s temporary bride. But playing house with the closed-off cowboy leads to powerful sparks. Priscilla knew their arrangement was just for show. But she never dreamed that this make-believe romance might lead to the real thing: a child she adores...and the love she never thought she&’d find! From Harlequin Fortunes of Texas: Book 1: His Family Fortune by Elizabeth BevarlyBook 2: Fortune's Fake Marriage Plan by Tara Taylor QuinnBook 3: Fortune for a Week by Nancy Robards ThompsonBook 4: Fortune on his Doorstep by Michelle Lindo-Rice
Fortune's Fresh Start (The Fortunes of Texas: Rambling Rose)
by Michelle MajorThere’s a new breed of Fortune in town… In the small Texas burg of Rambling Rose, real estate investor Callum Fortune is making a big splash. The last thing he needs is any personal complications slowing his pace—least of all nurse Becky Averill, a beautiful widow with twin baby girls. Callum’s past has convinced him he’s not cut out for commitment. Yet, drawn to Becky in ways he can’t understand, Callum is torn between moving on…and moving in!
Fortune's Holiday Surprise (The Fortunes of Texas: Fortune's Secret Children #5)
by Jennifer WilckHe&’d lost the holiday spirit… Until she brought light back into his life. Rancher Arlo Fortune is devastated when he loses his best friend in a tragic accident. The only thing that heals him is opening his heart to his friend&’s adorable daughter, Aviva…and his friend&’s grieving sister-in-law, the brand-new guardian to the orphaned child. Carrie Kaplan has one mission: to lavish her niece with love in a Jewish home like her sister always wanted. Her stop in Chatelaine is only temporary. Right? But as she teaches Aviva about the miracle of Hanukkah, holiday magic might just beckon from Arlo&’s ranch around the bend…From Harlequin Fortunes of Texas: Book 1: Fortune's Secret Marriage by Jo McNallyBook 2: Nine Months to a Fortune by Elizabeth BevarlyBook 3: Fortune's Faux Engagement by Carrie NicholsBook 4: A Fortune Thanksgiving by Michelle Lindo-RiceBook 5: Fortune's Holiday Surprise by Jennifer WilckBook 6: Fortune's Mystery Woman by Allison Leigh
Fortune's Journey
by Bruce CovilleSixteen-year-old Fortune Plunkett faces many challenges on an overland journey to California in 1853 with the acting company that she inherited from her father.
Fortune's Little Heartbreaker (The Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country #2)
by Cindy KirkA wealthy British aristocrat and single dad hires a cowgirl to care for his son in this romance from a USA Today–bestselling author.Romancing the . . . nanny?Sir Oliver Fortune Hayes is new to Horseback Hollow . . . new to Texas . . . and even new to parenting. It’s enough to drive a man daft—and daft he would go, if it weren’t for Ollie’s new nanny, Shannon Singleton.A cowgirl for a nanny? It’s a little unorthodox, but it works. The trouble is, now Oliver can’t help imagining sweet Shannon as his Valentine. She’s warm and bubbly and . . . much too young for the likes of him. Will proper Oliver maintain his upper-crust composure? Or will the love of a good Texas woman rope him in for good?“Kirk’s tale is a wonderful mix of humor, drama and everyday living. All of the characters are remarkably personable, including her buttoned-up Brit and all-American cowgirl. The hero’s transformation into a consummate father is heartwarming.” —RT Book Reviews
Fortune's Lone Star Twins (The Fortunes of Texas: Digging for Secrets #4)
by Teri WilsonThis Fortune is back and determined to reclaim what's his West Fortune thought he could never be with Tabitha Buckingham again. After all, he faked his own death shortly after they broke up. But when the man who threatened him dies in prison, the lawyer is able to show himself in Chatelaine again—only to find out he's a father of Tabitha's twins! And yes, they may have wanted different things years ago, but West is a changed man. Now he just needs to convince Tabitha that they can be the family she's always dreamed of… From Harlequin Fortunes of Texas: Book 1: Fortune's Baby Claim by Michelle MajorBook 2: Fortune in Name Only by Tara Taylor QuinnBook 3: Expecting a Fortune by Nina CrespoBook 4: Fortune's Lone Star Twins by Teri WilsonBook 5: Worth a Fortune by Nancy Robards ThompsonBook 6: Fortune's Convenient Cinderella by Makenna Lee
Fortune's Texas Surprise (The Fortunes of Texas: Rambling Rose #2)
by Stella BagwellUSA TODAY bestselling author Stella Bagwell delivers a heartfelt and emotional journey in the next installment of The Fortunes of Texas.The baby was unexpected. So was the cowboy.This Fortune daughter is rich in the things that matter…Veterinary assistant Stephanie Fortune has never been lucky in love—unless you count the furry kind. But now that she’s become a foster mom to a baby boy, she believes her heart is full. And then she meets Acton Donovan. The flirty cowboy charms everyone he meets, so why should Stephanie be any different? “Just friends” is all Stephanie dares to be. Acton, however, is intent on proving he can be the family man she truly needs…Follows the lives and loves of a complex family with a rich history in The Fortunes of Texas: Rambling Rose series:Fortune’s Fresh StartFortune’s Texas SurpriseThe Mayor’s Secret FortuneFortune’s Greatest RiskBetting on a FortuneThe Texan’s Baby BombshellFrom Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Fortunoff's Child: A Novel
by Leslie TonnerIn her quest to be normal, Josie discovers something much better: how to be exceptional Josie Goodman just wants to be normal—but how can she be when her family is comprised of a Hare Krishna, an antitobacco crusader, and a famous pop psychologist/syndicated columnist? Determined to be different from her outlandish relatives, Josie dedicates her life to fitting in with the mainstream. But her fatuous marriage to a misguided student radical quickly fails, and the next man in her life, an underwear manufacturer, is contemptuous of her lack of skills in a kosher kitchen. Eventually, motherhood introduces Josie to unexpected challenges, and as she attends to an exceptional child with special needs, she begins to reconcile her relationship with the rest of her family.
Forty Rooms
by Olga GrushinThe internationally acclaimed author of The Dream Life of Sukhanov now returns to gift us with Forty Rooms, which outshines even that prizewinning novel.Totally original in conception and magnificently executed, Forty Rooms is mysterious, withholding, and ultimately emotionally devastating. Olga Grushin is dealing with issues of women's identity, of women's choices, that no modern novel has explored so deeply. "Forty rooms" is a conceit: it proposes that a modern woman will inhabit forty rooms in her lifetime. They form her biography, from childhood to death. For our protagonist, the much-loved child of a late marriage, the first rooms she is aware of as she nears the age of five are those that make up her family's Moscow apartment. We follow this child as she reaches adolescence, leaves home to study in America, and slowly discovers sexual happiness and love. But her hunger for adventure and her longing to be a great poet conspire to kill the affair. She seems to have made her choice. But one day she runs into a college classmate. He is sure of his path through life, and he is protective of her. (He is also a great cook.) They drift into an affair and marriage. What follows are the decades of births and deaths, the celebrations, material accumulations, and home comforts--until one day, her children grown and gone, her husband absent, she finds herself alone except for the ghosts of her youth, who have come back to haunt and even taunt her. Compelling and complex, Forty Rooms is also profoundly affecting, its ending shattering but true. We know that Mrs. Caldwell (for that is the only name by which we know her) has died. Was it a life well lived? Quite likely. Was it a life complete? Does such a life ever really exist? Life is, after all, full of trade-offs and choices. Who is to say her path was not well taken? It is this ambiguity that is at the heart of this provocative novel.
Foster Children, Rights and the Law: Best Interest, Normalcy and the Welfare System
by Matthew TrailThis book discusses child wishes, rights and participation in the foster care system. Making decisions in a foster child’s best interest is a widely used, but also widely criticized international legal doctrine. This work discusses the two major legal frameworks, best interest and normalcy, for which foster care decisions are made and how those frameworks might shape how child welfare professionals view and interpret children’s rights and participation. Normalcy, the idea that decisions should promote a “normal” life, is a separate legal doctrine which can be in conflict with best interest determinations. However, the concept of normalcy is also theoretically built into best interest decisions and therefore also plays a role in most child welfare systems. Mixing both empirical legal and child welfare research, the book demonstrates the ways in which risk aversion and fear drive best interest decision-making to the detriment of both practitioners and the children they aim to serve. It argues that a children’s rights framework starting with normalcy is a better tool for promoting child participation and centering the child within the dependency process. The book will be of interest to academics, researchers and policymakers working in the areas of children’s rights law, child welfare and international human rights law.
Foster Children: Where They Go and How They Get On
by Claire Baker Ian Gibbs Ian Sinclair Kate WilsonWhat happens to looked-after children in the longer term? This book analyses the outcomes of a large-scale study of foster children in the UK. It includes individual case studies and draws extensively on the views of foster children themselves. The authors examine: Why children remain fostered or move to different settings (adoption, residential care, their own families or independent living) How the children fare in these different settings and why What the children feel about what happens to them. Other important issues covered include the support given to birth families to enable children to return home, the experience of adopters, the ways in which foster care can become more permanent and the experiences of young people in independent living. In bringing together these results the book provides a wealth of findings, many of them new and challenging. It offers positive and practical recommendations and will be an enduring resource for practitioners, academics, policy makers, trainers, managers and all those concerned with the well-being of looked-after children.
Foster Kids
by Julianna FieldsOver half a million children in the United States are in foster care. Some of them have been removed from their parents because of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Some of their parents have died or been put into prison. When foster parents take in these children, they become part of a family. Sometimes this family has nearly as many problems as the child's original family, but sometimes it can be a place where the child learns about love and belonging. Foster families, both the parents and children, face many challenges but they can also be extremely rewarding. The families in this book have had both good and bad experiences, but they have all learned things from what they have faced.
Foster Parenting Step-by-Step: How to Nurture the Traumatized Child and Overcome Conflict
by Irene Clements Kalyani Gopal'My mama, she is supposed to take care of me, that is her job, not you, I guess she just don't care.' When parents decide to foster, they are faced with many difficult decisions, dilemmas and questions. How do you navigate the daily struggles of foster parenting? How can you nurture bonds with your foster child who is angry, sad, and defiant? How can you prepare to step back when it's time to let go? Foster Parenting Step-by-Step is a concise, realistic how-to guide to fostering that summarizes what to expect as a foster parent, and gives hope and immediate hands-on solutions. It guides you through the different stages of a fostering relationship, including common issues encountered at each age and how to tackle them. It also explains the impact of trauma on your child: how this can show itself through challenging behavior and how to respond to it. This is a book will empower fostering parents with the skills and knowledge to be more successful in their parenting and to give the children they care for the best possible opportunities in life. It will be invaluable not just to foster parents but also to those professionals supporting foster placements.
Foster Placements: Why They Succeed and Why They Fail
by Ian Gibbs Ian Sinclair Kate WilsonHow can we determine success in foster placements? Based on exhaustive research, the authors discuss the primary concerns in foster placement planning, considering the high frequency of placement breakdowns, their impact on the child's behaviour and school performance, and the challenges this places on foster families. The specific needs of the foster child are given close attention in determining a pathway to success. By monitoring and describing the individual characteristics of the child within the context of the placement, the authors are able to reveal what types of supports are most beneficial. The implications for this research are considerable. Social workers are given new methods of assessing the needs of foster children which emphasise the process of care and not just the outcome. Policy makers are provided with rich qualitative accounts with which to increase and strengthen the success of foster placements. This is essential reading for social workers, policy makers and foster families.
Foster's War
by Carolyn ReederSet in San Diego in 1941-42, this novel vividly evokes life on the home front, during World War II. As the U.S. battles tyranny overseas, 11-year-old Foster Simmons finds a way to make peace at home.
Fostering for Adoption: Our story and stories of others
by Alice HillFor anyone considering or going through Fostering for Adoption, this book gives you a detailed, personal account of the process which takes you through all the stages and prepares you to cope with the highs and lows. Fostering for Adoption is a relatively recent initiative (Children and Families Act, 2014) in the adoption legal landscape, seeking early permanence for babies and young children where adoption is most likely to be the plan for the child. This is often cited as a route to be in the best interests of the child, enabling secure attachments and stability. However, for adopters it is inherently risky, it is the adopters who take on the risk in this situation, accept the placement on a fostering basis and hope that the final outcome will be adoption. There is currently a knowledge gap on experiences of Fostering for Adoption which this book tackles. Written from an adopters’ perspective of the risks and challenges, as well as the benefits that it brings, it is perfect for those who are considering the process as well as their friends and family. A book on Fostering for Adoption can’t just focus on one story and one outcome so we’ve included case studies which cover the key experiences adopters may face when agreeing to accept a baby on a Foster to Adopt placement such as: Caring for a baby a few days after birth The paperwork, rules and fostering process The uncertainty and risk Meeting with birth parents Contact Looking after a withdrawing baby A termination of placement Written in an engaging and friendly style, this book is perfect reading for anyone looking to adopt a child and for adoption professionals seeking to understand the experience of the adopter more profoundly.Praise for Fostering for AdoptionAs someone who has been through a similar journey this book resonated with me. It is honest about the ups and downs and is a great, informative book for anybody thinking of taking this route or who have family or friends that are. I can say that this book will help anyone at the beginning of their journey, to help them through the process and – start the lifetime of learning about how we can support our children.Lisa Faulkner, Author, Meant to be.Alice’s book will be a great companion to anyone considering or starting on the foster to adopt process. It is well-researched and written and doesn’t shy away from the many complexities and the considerations that adults must make in the best interests of children.Sally Donovan, Author of No Matter What, and Editor of Adoption Today.I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I found myself laughing and getting emotional throughout. As someone who has themselves been adopted, but who is also a social worker who has now adopted a child, this book is brilliant from every angle. A must read for anyone considering Fostering for Adoption.Jo, Social Worker, Midlands.“This book gives a balanced and honest view of the whole Fostering for Adoption journey. It gets to the emotions and seriousness of decisions being made about children's lives. This is an important read for any potential adopter and will be on our book lists for sure.”Angi, Social Worker, Adoption Tees Valley.
Fostering on the Farm: Child Placement in the Rural Midwest
by Megan BirkFrom 1870 until after World War I, reformers led an effort to place children from orphanages, asylums, and children's homes with farming families. The farmers received free labor in return for providing room and board. Reformers, meanwhile, believed children learned lessons in family life, citizenry, and work habits that institutions simply could not provide. Drawing on institution records, correspondence from children and placement families, and state reports, Megan Birk scrutinizes how the farm system developed--and how the children involved may have become some of America's last indentured laborers. Between 1850 and 1900, up to one-third of farm homes contained children from outside the family. Birk reveals how the nostalgia attached to misplaced perceptions about healthy, family-based labor masked the realities of abuse, overwork, and loveless upbringings endemic in the system. She also considers how rural people cared for their own children while being bombarded with dependents from elsewhere. Finally, Birk traces how the ills associated with rural placement eventually forced reformers to transition to a system of paid foster care, adoptions, and family preservation.
Found Drowned
by Laurie Glenn NorrisBased on a 19th century unsolved murder, this &“artfully constructed&” historical novel explores family life and a mysterious death in the Maritime Provinces (Quill & Quire). Nova Scotia, 1876. Sixteen-year-old Mary Harney is a dreamer who wants more than anything to escape her family&’s Cumberland County homestead. Terrorized by her alcoholic father, she receives cold comfort from her melancholy mother, Ann. But when Ann becomes ill, the already tenuous family life begins to unravel—until the September evening when Mary suddenly goes missing. Across the water on Prince Edward Island, Gilbert Bell&’s son finds a body washed up on the beach below the family farm. Mary&’s father quickly identifies the body as hers. As the community is visited first by the local coroner and then by investigators, a mysterious tale comes into focus. Found Drowned is both a riveting domestic thriller and a darkly fascinating picture of 19th century life, law, and criminal investigation in Nova Scotia. At once tightly plotted and pensive, the novel travels back to the circumstances that led to Mary&’s disappearance and then back further to the circumstances of her parents&’ marriage, all the while building toward a raucous courtroom finale.