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The Last Cut: A Mamur Zapt Mystery (Mamur Zapt Mysteries #11)
by Michael PearceFor millennia, Egypt has depended upon the waters of the Nile. Its annual floods fertilize the land. By the time Britain extends its dominion over Egypt, the Cairo Barrage is the key to control, its name taken from the French term meaning a dam or irrigation channel designed to increase a river's depth or to divert its flow.An attempt to blow up the Manufiyah regulator in the Barrage is not a petty matter. Gareth Owen, The Mamur Zapt, Chief of Cairo's Secret Police, is hurriedly summoned. He hasn't a clue what a regulator is. Nor can he identify the mysterious Lizard Man who seems to have a grudge against the whole Egyptian irrigation system. But he does know that the ceremonial cutting of the temporary dam thrown up each year across the mouth of the Khalig Canal restarts the whole irrigation cycle, allowing water to pour through the canal and signal the opening of dams all across the land. The cut will require policing. Especially as it is going to be the last cut before the canal is filled in.While this modernization will wipe out a health hazard, the Cairenes love the party that goes with the cut. They are less than happy with the dam. Things grow worse when a young woman's body is discovered at the site. Owen has to say it's extremely embarrassing. Is this the traditional ritual sacrifice? Or a sign of sabotage? A diversion? Or just plain murder?
Mamur Zapt & the Return of the Carpet: A Mamur Zapt Mystery (Mamur Zapt Mysteries #1)
by Michael PearceThe Mamur Zapt, head of Cairo's CID in the heyday of (the indirect) British rule, focused on political, not police, matters. With the bustling new century, the loosening of imperial ties, and the rise of nationalism, his was a busy office. The attempted assassination of a veteran politician raises the spectre of a major terrorist statement at the capital's principal religious festival where the faithful celebrate the Return of the Holy Carpet from Mecca.Easily navigating multiple nationalities, three principal languages, and four competing legal systems, not to mention the intricacies of shadow and actual governments, Captain Owen, the Welsh incumbent, bolsters the Mamur Zapt's office with the aid of a host of memorable characters.
The Mark of the Pasha: A Mamur Zapt Mystery (Mamur Zapt Mysteries #16)
by Michael PearceThe Great War has ended, and the army is keen to be demobbed. But Willoughby, the new British High Commissioner in Egypt, has managed to affront the Khedive by refusing to receive rival delegations fueled by rising nationalism. Then, when some Armenians, Copts, and English civil servants are attacked, a state of emergency is declared.Gareth Cadwallader Owen is the Mamur Zapt, the Head of the Khedive's Secret Police. Unlike his British colleagues, Owen works for the Khedive. His is an uncomfortable perch as agitation for political and social restructuring grows. Furthermore, Owen is married to a pasha's daughter, Zeinab, herself straddling a cultural divide.The Khedive has declared a procession: he'll drive around Cairo with his Ministers. Owen, who has spent his career defusing political time bombs, learns the streets have been made dangerous by threats of real bombs. The fi rst order of business is to ward them off. The second is to ensure the safety of an impending major European delegation to the capital.But what does it all have to do with Owen's shiny new motor car?
The Men Behind (Mamur Zapt Mysteries #4)
by Michael PearceWhile riding home to lunch on his donkey, Fairclough of Customs is rudely unseated by shots fired from behind. The incident is but the first of a series of attacks seemingly aimed at public officials. Even Captain Gareth Owen, the Mamur Zapt, British head of Cairo's Secret Police, barely escapes. Is a sinister campaign to undermine foreign rule under way? And who are "the men behind"? True, the Nationalist movement is rising after thirty years of the British Protectorate, and the new Liberal Government in London is more sympathetic than the heavy-handed Conservatives to local rule. But can Owen discount more mundane agendas?Under orders to act quickly, Owen delves into both maneuverings at the Khedive's court and the goals of a commercial delegation. His investigations not only carry him in to the city's student quarter but out into the countryside and onto a rural estate. Along the way he juggles a Pasha whose political star is fading, a bomb-wielding Berber, and the knife-happy gypsy Soraya who seriously annoys Owen's main squeeze, the fiery and lovely Zeinab, herself the daughter of a pasha. Which of these explosive mixes is most likely to prove injurious to the Mamur Zapt as well as to the government he serves?
The Night of the Dog: A Mamur Zapt Mystery (Mamur Zapt Mysteries #2)
by Michael PearceThe Mamur Zapt, Head of Cairo's Secret Police under British Rule, did not concern himself with routine police matters. His are the intrigues, the shadowy and sinister events aimed at creating political instability—an event such as the discovery of the body of a dog in a Coptic tomb. This supreme Moslem insult could touch off an explosion among the Christian community. Equally volatile is the visit from an English Member of Parliament intent upon inspecting the Cromer administration's accounts. It is not a welcome time for a command that Captain Owen, the Mamur Zapt, show the MP's niece the sights. Worse, the sights include a dancing dervish stabbed before the lady's very eyes. Is this all part of a pattern that could lead to blood on the streets and set Cairo's ethnic communities at each other's throats?
The Point in the Market: A Mamur Zapt Mystery (Mamur Zapt Mysteries #15)
by Michael Pearce"Daniel's sharp, sardonic wit and insider's view of book industry foibles are sure to make this bibliomystery a hit."—Publishers Weekly STARRED reviewAt the annual convention of the American Booksellers Association Convention, everything goes wrong. Julia Child's cooking demonstration in the Random House aisle blows up and catches fire. A top New York editor catches a pie in the face. Invitations to the most exclusive publisher's party are stolen and all the wrong people show up. Worse, Heidi Yamada, the world-famous poet, is found dead, spread over the late Elvis Presley's king-sized bed. It's all caught on film by a busy photographer from Publishers Weekly, a woman soon kidnapped. When the Las Vegas Police shrug their shoulders, Guy Mallon, Heidi's first publisher (and a discarded lover) wonders what to do.Poor Guy. He's a bookman from Santa Barbara who, despite Ross Macdonald and Sue Grafton, never felt inspired to be a sleuth, but he feels he owes it to Heidi. Besides, catching her killer may be his only chance to leave Las Vegas alive....The Poet's Funeral is a romp rich with poetry, publishing, book collecting, and literary gossip. Its cast ranges from smalltime players to the famous Rock Bottom Remaiders. It's a story of ego, love, art, and murder during four hot days at the 1990 ABA.
The Snake Catcher's Daughter (Mamur Zapt Mysteries #8)
by Michael PearceDiscover the captivating treasures buried in the British Library's archives. Largely inaccessible to the public until now, these enduring classics were written in the golden age of detective fiction."A first-rate job"—New York Times"A classic of the genre"—GuardianHorniman, Birley and Craine is a highly respected legal firm with clients drawn from the highest in the land. When a deed box in the office is opened to reveal a corpse, the threat of scandal promises to wreak havoc on the firm's reputation—especially as the murder looks like an inside job. The partners and staff of the firm keep a watchful and suspicious eye on their colleagues, as Inspector Hazlerigg sets out to solve the mystery of who Mr. Smallbone was—and why he had to die.Since its initial publication in 1950, Smallbone Deceased has been lauded as a perfect British mystery as well as a historical fiction bestseller. Written with style, pace, and wit, this is a masterpiece by one of the finest writers of traditional British crime books since the Second World War.
The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives
by Nancy Pearl Jeff SchwagerNEW & NOTEWORTHY ~ THE NEW YORK TIMES With a Foreword by Susan Orlean, twenty-three of today's living literary legends, including Donna Tartt, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Andrew Sean Greer, Laila Lalami, and Michael Chabon, reveal the books that made them think, brought them joy, and changed their lives in this intimate, moving, and insightful collection from "American's Librarian" and recipient of the National Book Foundation's Literarian Award for Outstanding Service Nancy Pearl and noted playwright Jeff Schwager that celebrates the power of literature and reading to connect us all.Before Jennifer Egan, Louise Erdrich, Luis Alberto Urrea, and Jonathan Lethem became revered authors, they were readers. In this ebullient book, America’s favorite librarian Nancy Pearl and noted-playwright Jeff Schwager interview a diverse range of America's most notable and influential writers about the books that shaped them and inspired them to leave their own literary mark. Illustrated with beautiful line drawings, The Writer’s Library is a revelatory exploration of the studies, libraries, and bookstores of today’s favorite authors—the creative artists whose imagination and sublime talent make America's literary scene the wonderful, dynamic world it is. A love letter to books and a celebration of wordsmiths, The Writer’s Library is a treasure for anyone who has been moved by the written word. The authors in The Writer’s Library are:Russell BanksTC BoyleMichael ChabonSusan ChoiJennifer EganDave EggersLouise ErdrichRichard FordLaurie FrankelAndrew Sean GreerJane HirshfieldSiri HustvedtCharles JohnsonLaila LalamiJonathan LethemDonna TarttMadeline MillerViet Thanh NguyenLuis Alberto UrreaVendela VidaAyelet WaldmanMaaza MengisteAmor Towles
We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled: Voices from Syria
by Wendy PearlmanLONG-LISTED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDALReminiscent of the work of Nobel Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich, an astonishing collection of intimate wartime testimonies and poetic fragments from a cross-section of Syrians whose lives have been transformed by revolution, war, and flight.Against the backdrop of the wave of demonstrations known as the Arab Spring, in 2011 hundreds of thousands of Syrians took to the streets demanding freedom, democracy and human rights. The government’s ferocious response, and the refusal of the demonstrators to back down, sparked a brutal civil war that over the past five years has escalated into the worst humanitarian catastrophe of our times. Yet despite all the reporting, the video, and the wrenching photography, the stories of ordinary Syrians remain unheard, while the stories told about them have been distorted by broad brush dread and political expediency. This fierce and poignant collection changes that. Based on interviews with hundreds of displaced Syrians conducted over four years across the Middle East and Europe, We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled is a breathtaking mosaic of first-hand testimonials from the frontlines. Some of the testimonies are several pages long, eloquent narratives that could stand alone as short stories; others are only a few sentences, poetic and aphoristic. Together, they cohere into an unforgettable chronicle that is not only a testament to the power of storytelling but to the strength of those who face darkness with hope, courage, and moral conviction.
Awakening the Heroes Within: Twelve Archetypes to Help Us Find Ourselves and Transform Our World
by Carol S. Pearson"The heroic quest is about saying 'yes' to yourself and in so doing, becoming more fully alive and more effective in the world. . . . The quest is replete with dangers and pitfalls, but it offers great rewards: the capacity to be successful in the world, knowledge of the mysteries of the human soul, and the opportunity to find and express your unique gifts in the world."In this bold and original work, Carol S. Pearson shows that the heroic quest isn't just for certain people under special circumstances. Exploring the many heroic paths available to each of us, at every point in our lives, her innovative program enables us to live heroically by activating and applying twelve archetypes in our lives.This companion to the bestselling The Hero Within outlines twelve archetypal patterns that can aid inner development and the quest for wholeness.These archetypes are inner guides that can help usprepare for the journey, by learning how to become successful members of society;embark upon the quest, by becoming initiated into the mysteries of the human soul; and return to transform our lives as a result of claiming our uniqueness and personal power. Writing for individuals seeking to realize their full potential and professionals engaged in empowering others, Pearson shows how journeys differ by the age, gender, and cultural background of the seeker, and how archetypes help awaken the capacities of our psyches. A unique diagnostic test, the Heroic Myth Index, and exercise are included to help us understand and awaken our inner guides.
The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By
by Carol S. PearsonThe Classic Guide, Updated for Our Contemporary WorldA modern classic of Jungian psychology, The Hero Within has helped hundreds of thousands of people enrich their lives by revealing how to tap the power of the archetypes that exist within. Drawing from literature, anthropology, and psychology, author Carol S. Pearson clearly defines six heroic archetypes—the Innocent, the Orphan, the Wanderer, the Warrior, the Altruist, and the Magician—and shows how we can use these powerful guides to discover our own hidden gifts, solve difficult problems, and transform our lives with rich sources of inner strength.This book will speak deeply to the evolving hero in all of us and reverberate through every part of our lives. With poignant wisdom and prolific examples, it gives us enduring tools to help us develop our own innate heroic gifts—the Orphan's resilience, the Wanderer's independence, the Warrior's courage, the Altruist's compassion, the Innocent's faith, and the Magician's abiding power.
Intuition: Unlock Your Brain's Potential to Build Real Intuition and Make Better Decisions
by Joel PearsonWe have all experienced a 'gut reaction' or acted 'on a hunch' – we've used our intuition.Until recently, science didn't have a good explanation for how intuition works. In fact, some scientists dismissed it altogether as unproveable and 'woo woo'.Here, in the first book to explain the science behind intuition, Professor Joel Pearson, an expert in cognitive neuroscience and leader in human consciousness research, turns what we think we know about intuition on its head.At his dedicated lab at Sydney's prestigious University of New South Wales, Pearson was able to identify and recreate intuition in a lab, proving its existence and laying the groundwork for this book – a practical and entertaining introduction to the brain science underpinning intuition, and a framework for how we can develop the ability and put it to use, in the boardroom and beyond.Intuition follows basic rules, and Pearson explains that by understanding them, we can better train ourselves to use our intuition productively, supercharging this incredible human ability and harnessing it toward better decision-making.Intuition is not a sixth sense – it's a superpower.
Intuition: Unlock Your Brain's Potential to Build Real Intuition and Make Better Decisions
by Joel PearsonWe have all experienced a 'gut reaction' or acted 'on a hunch' – we've used our intuition.Until recently, science didn't have a good explanation for how intuition works. In fact, some scientists dismissed it altogether as unproveable and 'woo woo'.Here, in the first book to explain the science behind intuition, Professor Joel Pearson, an expert in cognitive neuroscience and leader in human consciousness research, turns what we think we know about intuition on its head.At his dedicated lab at Sydney's prestigious University of New South Wales, Pearson was able to identify and recreate intuition in a lab, proving its existence and laying the groundwork for this book – a practical and entertaining introduction to the brain science underpinning intuition, and a framework for how we can develop the ability and put it to use, in the boardroom and beyond.Intuition follows basic rules, and Pearson explains that by understanding them, we can better train ourselves to use our intuition productively, supercharging this incredible human ability and harnessing it toward better decision-making.Intuition is not a sixth sense – it's a superpower.
Intuition: Unlock Your Brain's Potential to Build Real Intuition and Make Better Decisions
by Joel PearsonWe have all experienced a 'gut reaction' or acted 'on a hunch' – we've used our intuition.Until recently, science didn't have a good explanation for how intuition works. In fact, some scientists dismissed it altogether as unproveable and 'woo woo'.Here, in the first book to explain the science behind intuition, Professor Joel Pearson, an expert in cognitive neuroscience and leader in human consciousness research, turns what we think we know about intuition on its head.At his dedicated lab at Sydney's prestigious University of New South Wales, Pearson was able to identify and recreate intuition in a lab, proving its existence and laying the groundwork for this book – a practical and entertaining introduction to the brain science underpinning intuition, and a framework for how we can develop the ability and put it to use, in the boardroom and beyond.Intuition follows basic rules, and Pearson explains that by understanding them, we can better train ourselves to use our intuition productively, supercharging this incredible human ability and harnessing it toward better decision-making.Intuition is not a sixth sense – it's a superpower.
Deep Breaths for New Moms: Advice for New Moms in Baby's First Year
by Michelle PearsonEssential Advice for the New Mom“Michelle is going to help ease the worries so many new moms have and inspire them to be the best version of themselves.” —Jennika Anderson, YouTube Vlogger If you are a new mom, motherhood can be a daunting role if you have little to no experience caring for kids. Popular YouTube mom of five, Michelle Pearson, is here to encourage you to take a deep breath and step into your power!Choose to inhale, exhale every day. The changes that come with becoming a mother can be overwhelming and exciting, but learn how to be patient and forgive yourself. Michelle knows that the journey has highs, lows and the occasional surprises, so her advice for those joining the new moms club is to balance the waves of emotion by holding space for moments of mindfulness and deep breaths. Advice for the new mom. From what to expect during a first time pregnancy to the milestones within the first 12 months of a baby’s life, this influential parenting blogger has empowering and motivating parenting stories for the modern mom. Inside Deep Breaths for New Moms, you’ll find:How to embrace motherhood with all of its ups and downsThe importance of finding a tight-knit community of support Advice to properly adapt and manage your social life and career as a working momIf you liked baby books like Cat and Nat's Mom Truths, Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Years, or You Are a F*cking Awesome Mom, you’ll love Deep Breaths for New Moms.
Bridestones (Hugh MacLennan Poetry Series)
by Miranda PearsonCome, anguish. Help us manage / the plainsong of an open shore, / its language of high tide rich and close, / close and hard to see.The early elegiac poems in Bridestones emerge from the borderlands between life and death, loss and renewal. Drawing on dreams, opera, and visual art, and employing symbolist and playfully surreal imagery, Miranda Pearson questions the ways we tend and grieve – for each other and our environment.Beginning with a sudden bereavement, the first section ends with a long poem, “Clearance,” that depicts the experience of emptying and departing a home – the physicality of a house serving as a vehicle for processing grief. Pearson writes on family trauma, illness, love, and desire with a pervading sense of hauntedness, compressed, lyrical accounts of complex and ambivalent terrain. The impact of a pandemic lurks in the background, and themes of fear run through much of this collection, with poems exploring how we face our fears – or deny and avoid them – and, ultimately, how we grow and adapt.Through meditations on art, myth, archaeology, ceremony, and death, Pearson reveals the veil between life and death when drawn to its thinnest. Like the hovering falcon depicted in “A Song of Roses,” the poems view the world from above: “if earth is body, and sky – God help us, spirit.”
Winning the Room: Public Speaking Skills for Unforgettable Storytelling
by Jonathan PeaseStoryteller Skills for Speeches, Pitch Meetings, and Everyday Life “Raw, funny and hugely practical—JP shares insights and secrets from decades of helping an incredible range of people tell their story with confidence and style. Now you can too.”—Adam Spencer, Australian comedian, media personality and prolific authorTransform into a powerful public speaker that audiences love! For entrepreneurs, creatives, or anyone who needs to communicate authentically with their audience, Winning the Room is the public speaking book for you.Win in every room. Cultivate an authentic connection with your audience, no matter what. Conquer your public speaking fears, learn how to be likable, how to present for work, how to give compelling pitch meetings, and how to be a person who wins through highly effective communication techniques. Winning the Room teaches public speaking skills applicable to everybody, in any situation. Become a great public speaker with guidance from an expert. Do you get nervous before a presentation? Do you find yourself rambling and losing your point? In Winning the Room, award winning creative and communications director, thought leader, and author Jonathan Pease (JP) uses road-tested techniques to take you on a fun, yet practical journey to becoming a fearless storyteller people buy from—emotionally and financially.In Winning the Room, find:A tight, actionable, and memorable system for how to build trust and be great at different types of public speaking momentsHow to turn nervous energy into passion and charisma that people engage withHow to apply these skills to various settings like keynotes, pitch meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations with friends and familyIf you liked Cues, Everyday Business Storytelling, or Your Story Well Told, you’ll love Winning the Room.
Fundamentals of Maternal Anatomy and Physiology (Fundamentals)
by Ian Peate Claire LeaderFundamentals of Maternal Anatomy and Physiology An introduction to anatomy and physiology specifically tailored to the needs of midwives Existing resources often fall short in addressing the unique needs of midwives, focusing instead on broader healthcare perspectives. This book fulfils the demand for midwifery-specific knowledge in anatomy and physiology, offering a robust yet accessible introduction to key body systems. Fundamentals of Maternal Anatomy and Physiology ensures a thorough understanding of the subject matter with full-colour illustrations, from the intricacies of the placenta to the dynamics of the musculoskeletal and cardiac systems. Supported by the latest research and aligned with professional best practices, this book is an indispensable companion for both aspiring and seasoned midwives. It provides insight and understanding of maternal anatomy and physiology applied to midwifery practice. Suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate midwifery students, as well as midwives returning to practice, this resource is an invaluable asset in advancing anatomical and physiological knowledge within midwifery practice.
Tax Administration: Essential Analytics For Compliance Risk Management (Technical Notes And Manuals Ser.)
by PechoA report from the International Monetary Fund.
Nurturing Babies: Developing the Potential of Every Child
by Kathryn PeckhamNurturing Babies explores the key processes behind how a child’s mind and body develop in their first year, underpinned by the latest research in the fields of child development, psychology, health and well-being. It shows how the choices practitioners and parents make every day can have a deep impact on children’s experiences and the practices that can be embedded straight away to support their ongoing development and give them the best opportunities for future success.The book follows a holistic approach through the Nurturing Childhoods Pedagogical Framework, learning to understand children's evolving capabilities through their engagement in core behaviours and using these to unlock their full potential. Chapters cover: The importance of sleep and daily routines Playing and communicating with babies Physical activity and healthy eating Early brain development Understanding babies’ emotions and behaviours The importance of emotional security on a child’s well-being Supporting infants to explore and do new things Part of the Nurturing Childhoods series, this exciting book provides practitioners and parents with the knowledge and understanding they need to nurture the very youngest children, building their self-esteem, happiness and well-being as they become enthusiastic lifelong learners.
Moederland: Nine Daughters of South Africa
by Cato Pedder'Exploring the past, bringing it to vivid life with wonderful prose . . . Pedder writes with perspicacity and sensitivity . . . We need more books like this' Observer'Fascincating and engrossing' Literary ReviewHow did South Africa turn out the way it did? In Moederland - 'Motherland', in Afrikaans - Cato Pedder takes us on an eye-opening journey across four centuries, tracing the country's turbulent past and the rise and fall of apartheid (and her family's charged legacy) through the lives of nine very different women.KROTOA is Khoikhoi translator to the newly arrived Dutch East India Company ANGELA, a former slave from Bengal, climbs the ladder of settler society ELSJE arrives from Germany aged 3, marries at 13, a mother at 15ANNA, mistress of the Cape's grandest estate, regains control from her violent husbandMARGARETHA, uncompromising Afrikaner farmer, resists the abolition of slavery ANNA loads her family on an ox-wagon and treks into the interior to elude the British ISIE survives the Boer War to become wife of South Africa's Prime Minister and 'Mother of the Nation' CATO escapes to England and the Quakers as white supremacy mutates into apartheidPETRONELLA, returning to the Motherland, falls in love across the colour bar and risks everything to fight the system her grandfather set in motion.
Moederland: Nine Daughters of South Africa
by Cato Pedder'Exploring the past, bringing it to vivid life with wonderful prose . . . Pedder writes with perspicacity and sensitivity . . . We need more books like this' Observer'Fascincating and engrossing' Literary ReviewHow did South Africa turn out the way it did? In Moederland - 'Motherland', in Afrikaans - Cato Pedder takes us on an eye-opening journey across four centuries, tracing the country's turbulent past and the rise and fall of apartheid (and her family's charged legacy) through the lives of nine very different women.KROTOA is Khoikhoi translator to the newly arrived Dutch East India Company ANGELA, a former slave from Bengal, climbs the ladder of settler society ELSJE arrives from Germany aged 3, marries at 13, a mother at 15ANNA, mistress of the Cape's grandest estate, regains control from her violent husbandMARGARETHA, uncompromising Afrikaner farmer, resists the abolition of slavery ANNA loads her family on an ox-wagon and treks into the interior to elude the British ISIE survives the Boer War to become wife of South Africa's Prime Minister and 'Mother of the Nation' CATO escapes to England and the Quakers as white supremacy mutates into apartheidPETRONELLA, returning to the Motherland, falls in love across the colour bar and risks everything to fight the system her grandfather set in motion.
Sonny: The Last of the Old Time Mafia Bosses, John "Sonny" Franzese
by S. J. Peddie&“Couldn&’t put it down.&” —Nicholas Pileggi, author of Wiseguy (Goodfellas) and CasinoThe extraordinary life and times of a legendary crime boss who refused to squeal—but who finally agreed to talk to an award-winning New York Newsday reporter shortly before his death at age 103 . . . John &“Sonny&” Franzese reportedly committed his first murder at the age of fourteen. As a &“made man&” for the Colombo crime family, he operated out of his Long Island home specializing in racketeering, fraud, loansharking, and other illicit deeds he would deny to his dying day. His career in organized crime spanned over eight decades—and he was sentenced to fifty years in prison for robbery charges. But even behind bars, Sonny Franzese never stopped doing business . . . This is the true story of an old-school mafioso as it&’s never been told before. Newsday reporter S. J. Peddie interviewed Franzese in prison—and uncovered a lifetime of shocking secrets from the legend himself: * Why FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover had a very personal interest in Sonny. * How Sonny managed to juggle numerous affairs with women, including a famous model. * How Sonny spent a third of his life in prison—and still managed to earn untold millions for the mob. * How Sonny accidentally revealed some of his worst crimes—to a &“friend&” wearing a wire. Through it all, Franzese refused to break the Mafia&’s code of silence. Authorities believe he may have murdered, or ordered the murders of, forty to fifty people. Yet he earned a grudging respect from law enforcement and an absolute reverence from his fellow gangsters. Eventually he managed to outlive them all—until his death in 2020 of natural causes, a rare event in the Mafia. Thanks to a series of exclusive firsthand interviews, the astonishing life story of John &“Sonny&” Franzese can be told in all its bold, brutal, and blood-spattered glory. This is a must-read for anyone fascinated with Mafia history—and a rare look inside a criminal mind that has become the stuff of legend.
The King of Diamonds: The Search for the Elusive Texas Jewel Thief
by Rena PedersonThe thrilling story of a brazen, uncatchable jewel thief who roamed the homes of Dallas high society—and a window into the dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of the Swinging Sixties.As a string of high profile jewel thefts went unsolved, "the King of Diamonds," as he was dubbed by the press, eluded police and the FBI for more than a decade and took advantage of the parties and devil-may-care attitude of the Swinging Sixties. Like Cary Grant in "To Catch a Thief," the King was so bold that he tip-toed into the homes of millionaires while they were watching television, or hosting parties. He hid in their closets. And dared to smoke a cigarette while they were sleeping not far away. Rena Pederson, then a young cub reporter at the Dallas Morning News, heard the police reports trickle in while she managed the night desk. With gymnastic skill, this thief climbed trees or crawled across rooftops to get into these sprawling mansions. He took jewels from heiresses, oil kings, corporate CEOs. These were not just some of the richest people in Texas; they were some of the richest people of their time. Scotland Yard and Interpol were on the look-out. But the thief was never caught and the jewels never recovered. To follow the tracks of the thief, Rena has interviewed more than two hundred people, from veteran cops to strippers. She went to pawn shops, Las Vegas casinos, and a Mafia hangout—and discovered that beneath the glittering façade of Dallas debutantes and raucaous parties was a world of sex trafficking, illegal gambling, and political graft. When one of the leading suspects was found dead in highly unusual circumstances, the story darkened. What seemed to be taken from the pages of an Edna Ferber story now crashed head-first into Mickey Spillane. Like the stories of Fantomas or Raffles, the odd psychological aspects of the The King of Diamonds give us different kind of crime story. Detectives were stumped: Why did the thief break into houses when his targets were inside, increasing the risk of being captured? Why did he hide in their closets? Many times, he was so close he could hear their breathing as they slept. As one socialite put it, &“It was a very peculiar business.&”
Angel's Cove: A Harry Rice Mystery
by Allan PedrazasFollowing a frantic call from his bartender Carla, private investigator and beachside pub owner Harry Rice makes an all-night drive through the Florida Panhandle to Angel’s Cove. In the small coastal town where breathtaking sunsets are as certain as the next day, something dark and sinister is closing in. The victim is Carla’s dad, a man who was persona non grata in Angel’s Cove, for reasons unclear to Harry. But he gets the feeling, in this case, that reasons don’t matter. Harry’s probe, and his presence, put him on unfriendly terms with the local police, medical examiner and fish militia, but that doesn’t stop him from exposing a billion-dollar deal where murder is just another way of doing business.