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Re-Thinking the Sociality of the Self: The Emancipatory Project of Being and Time, Volume 1
by Kurt C. MertelThis book is the first in a two-volume project that provides a social-philosophical interpretation of Martin Heidegger&’s Being and Time as an emancipatory enterprise by arguing that fundamental ontology is essentially animated by an intent shared with critical theory, viz. to make philosophy concrete for the sake of individual and collective freedom. Focused on Division One of Being and Time, this volume argues that the possibilities of individual emancipation and self-actualization are inextricably bound to their environmental and intersubjective preconditions. An adequate ontology of the self, therefore, is possible only as a social ontology. To fulfill the emancipatory aims of fundamental ontology, however, it is necessary to show that the fact that agents are always already appropriated by society does not preclude the possibility of authentic self-appropriation. Hence, this volume critically reconstructs the core commitments of the &‘appropriative approach&’ to social ontology and distinguishes between the foundational and incidental aspects of fundamental ontology. The final part is devoted to addressing important criticisms of Being and Time that have impeded a fruitful dialogue between fundamental ontology and critical theory to clear the ground for a fresh re-appraisal of the former as an emancipatory project.
Critical and Reflective Intercultural Communication Education: Practicing Interculturality Through Visual Art
by Fred Dervin Xiaowen TianThis book provides answers to the following questions: How could visual art support us in reflecting about interculturality critically? When we look at, engage with and experience art, what is it that we can learn, unlearn and relearn about interculturality? The book adds to the multifaceted and multidisciplinary field of intercultural communication education by urging those working on the notion of interculturality (researchers, scholars and students) to give art a place in exploring its complexities. No knowledge background about art (theory) is needed to work through the chapters. The book helps us reflect on ourselves and on our engagement with the world and with others, and learn to ask questions about these elements. The authors draw on anthropology, linguistics, philosophy and sociology to enrich their discussions of critical interculturality.
Trial by Fire: A Novel
by Danielle SteelNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this inspiring novel from bestselling author Danielle Steel, the life of a Parisian woman changes in a heartbeat when she&’s trapped by wildfires in Napa Valley.Born to a French mother and American father, graceful Dahlia de Beaumont has been sole owner and CEO of the venerable family perfume business based in Paris since her early twenties, following the death of her parents. For twenty-five years, after losing her young skier husband in an avalanche, her life has centered on running Lambert Perfumes and being a devoted single mother to her four now-adult children: indecisive Charles, volatile Alexa, kind-hearted business visionary Delphine, and dreamy artist Emma. Now fifty-six, she has an &“arrangement&” with a married French man but has been questioning that relationship.Dahlia comes to San Francisco on a routine business trip to check on her stores in the States. But shortly after her arrival, brush fires ignite in Napa Valley. Watching the sweeping devastation on the news, Dahlia is moved to help. But doing so will bring unforeseen consequences that endanger not only her life, but her entire future. Forced to remain in San Francisco in the aftermath, she will make unexpected connections while also fighting to protect all she has worked for. What Dahlia learns will provide a new perspective of her life, forever changing what really matters to her and what comes next for her journey.With this uplifting novel, Danielle Steel beautifully dramatizes how life&’s unforeseen challenges can sow the seeds for growth and a fresh chance at love—if one is willing to take the risk.
A Great Marriage: A Novel
by Frances MayesWhen a perfect wedding is called off just days before the big event, it sends two people—and their families—reeling, in this poignant novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Under the Tuscan Sun and Women in Sunlight &“A moving immersion in love and loss.&”—PeopleA great marriage is an elusive thing, and only a few know the secret to making one.Dara Willcox, in New York for a weekend, meets Austin Clarke at an art gallery. If love at first sight can happen, it happens to them. These two vivid, ambitious people are on different courses—he&’s British, working temporarily in New York. She&’s from North Carolina, set on law school. They don&’t care. They will make their lives together happen. At their April engagement dinner at Dara&’s family home, her mother, Lee, sets a beautiful table, and the family and close friends gather to celebrate. Rich, Dara&’s father, raises a toast. Suddenly, Lee spills the wine, a brilliant red stain splashing onto the tablecloth and onto Austin. Days later, Austin hears unsettling news from London that wrecks their plans. Dara abruptly cancels the wedding. She refuses to reveal the reason, not even to her best friends or her parents or grandmother, disrupting their family tradition of openness. As everyone knows, Lee and Rich have a great marriage, and Charlotte, her grandmother, had a colossal one, to the late Senator Mann. Charlotte literally wrote the book on the subject: She&’s the author of international bestsellers on what makes a good or possibly a great marriage. While Dara escapes to California and Indigo Island, South Carolina, Austin, back in London, faces a major tragedy, the consequences of which are life-altering. But it&’s Lee, Dara&’s mother, whose impulsive visit to London alters their fate. With her signature warmth, humor, and incisive style, beloved author Frances Mayes creates a multigenerational probe into the complexity of love and the great mystery ride of marriage. A novel of casual choices and fateful consequences, A Great Marriage introduces two unforgettable families and the arrival of a stranger who rearranges their futures.
Solis
by Abby Sher Paola MendozaFrom the authors of Sanctuary comes a haunting near-future companion tale about undocumented immigrants subjected to deadly experiments in a government labor camp and the four courageous rebels who set into place a daring plan to liberate them.The year is 2033, and in this near-future America where undocumented people are forced into labor camps, life is bleak. Especially so for seventeen-year-old Rania, a Lebanese teenager from Chicago. When she and her mother were rounded up by the Deportation Force, they were given the brutal job of digging in the labor camp&’s mine in search of the destructive and toxic—but potentially world-changing—mineral aqualinium. With this mineral, the corrupt and xenophobic government of the New American Republic could actually control the weather—ending devastating droughts sweeping the planet due to climate change. If the government succeeds, other countries would be at their mercy. Solidifying this power comes at the expense of the undocumented immigrants forced to endure horrendous conditions to mine the mineral or used in cruel experiments to test it, leaving their bodies wracked in extreme pain to the point of death. As the experiments ramp up, things only get worse. Rania and her fellow prisoners decide to start a revolution; if they don&’t, they know they will die.Told by four narrators—Rania, Jess (a former teenage Deportation Force officer), Vali, and Vali&’s mother, Liliana—Solis is about the courage and sacrifice it takes to stand and fight for freedom.
Aviation Policies: Studies of Unintended Effects and Consequences
by Hideki FukuiThis book sheds new light on aviation policies&’ unintended effects and consequences, especially regarding infrastructure, environment, and consumer protection. The book provides the reader with the first systematic quantitative analyses of the impacts of airlines&’ strategic reactions to the introduction of airport slot markets, aviation fuel tax, and consumer protection rules. Through extensive empirical investigations, the author reveals that aviation policies based on the regulations and tax can produce both intended and unintended effects and consequences. Although the introduction of airport slot markets was expected to enhance airline competition, airlines&’ manipulative behaviors have impeded the slot markets&’ effective functioning. Also, the aviation fuel tax can reduce emissions in the air transport market effectively, but the amount of the reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions would be smaller in the longer term due to the rebound effect. Finally, the consumer protection rules, e.g., the tarmac delay rule of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) significantly reduced tarmac delays; however, the DOT&’s investigations of tarmac delay incidents triggered the investigated airlines&’ risk-averse behavior, which increased flight cancelations and gate departure delays to avoid violating the rule. The analyses suggest that the most effective way of regulation depends on conditions unique to each policy area; the government should design interventions that circumvent strategic behaviors of subjects or groups that the interventions affect. This book is highly relevant to academics and practitioners interested in understanding the interactive effects between policy interventions and firms&’ strategic reactions.
Growing Old in The Age of New Media
by Debarati DharThis book explores new media's effectiveness in enhancing socialization among elderly individuals through quantitative and qualitative information. It fills a gap in media studies and gerontology by focusing on older adults' often-overlooked use of new media. The chapters cover topics such as the impact of new media on family structures, the accessibility of media to the elderly, and the role of social media in providing support and engagement for older adults. The chapters deal with empirical evidence on how social media offers new possibilities for engaging and, providing and receiving support. It emphasizes the importance of personality and attitude in technology adoption among older people. It is a valuable resource for scholars in media studies and gerontology and those interested in the intersection of these fields and its implications for urban governance.
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Second International Conference, AIiH 2025, Cambridge, UK, September 8–10, 2025, Proceedings, Part II (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #16039)
by Hao Ni Daniele Cafolla Timothy RittmanThe two-volume set constitutes the proceedings of the Second International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, AIiH 2025, which took place in Cambridge, UK, in September 2025. The 60 full papers included in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 83 submissions. They were organized in topical sections as follows: Health informatics, Personalised Healthcare, Robotics, Assisted Living Technology, Computational Medicine, Long-term Health Conditions, Maternity and Women&’s Health and Wellbeing.
Ghost Story
by Peter Straub#1 New York Times bestselling author Peter Straub&’s classic tale of horror, secrets, and the dangerous ghosts of the past... What was the worst thing you&’ve ever done? In the sleepy town of Milburn, New York, four old men gather to tell each other stories—some true, some made-up, all of them frightening. A simple pastime to divert themselves from their quiet lives. But one story is coming back to haunt them and their small town. A tale of something they did long ago. A wicked mistake. A horrifying accident. And they are about to learn that no one can bury the past forever...
Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age
by Sherry Turkle&“In a time in which the ways we communicate and connect are constantly changing, and not always for the better, Sherry Turkle provides a much needed voice of caution and reason to help explain what the f*** is going on.&” —Aziz Ansari, author of Modern RomanceRenowned media scholar Sherry Turkle investigates how a flight from conversation undermines our relationships, creativity, and productivity—and why reclaiming face-to-face conversation can help us regain lost ground.We live in a technological universe in which we are always communicating. And yet we have sacrificed conversation for mere connection.Preeminent author and researcher Sherry Turkle has been studying digital culture for over thirty years. Long an enthusiast for its possibilities, here she investigates a troubling consequence: at work, at home, in politics, and in love, we find ways around conversation, tempted by the possibilities of a text or an email in which we don&’t have to look, listen, or reveal ourselves. We develop a taste for what mere connection offers. The dinner table falls silent as children compete with phones for their parents&’ attention. Friends learn strategies to keep conversations going when only a few people are looking up from their phones. At work, we retreat to our screens although it is conversation at the water cooler that increases not only productivity but commitment to work. Online, we only want to share opinions that our followers will agree with – a politics that shies away from the real conflicts and solutions of the public square. The case for conversation begins with the necessary conversations of solitude and self-reflection. They are endangered: these days, always connected, we see loneliness as a problem that technology should solve. Afraid of being alone, we rely on other people to give us a sense of ourselves, and our capacity for empathy and relationship suffers. We see the costs of the flight from conversation everywhere: conversation is the cornerstone for democracy and in business it is good for the bottom line. In the private sphere, it builds empathy, friendship, love, learning, and productivity.But there is good news: we are resilient. Conversation cures. Based on five years of research and interviews in homes, schools, and the workplace, Turkle argues that we have come to a better understanding of where our technology can and cannot take us and that the time is right to reclaim conversation. The most human—and humanizing—thing that we do. The virtues of person-to-person conversation are timeless, and our most basic technology, talk, responds to our modern challenges. We have everything we need to start, we have each other. Turkle's latest book, The Empathy Diaries is available now.
Sync
by Ellen HopkinsFrom #1 NYT bestselling author Ellen Hopkins comes a new heartbreaking young adult novel in verse about twins separated in the foster care system and the different paths their lives take.Seventeen-year-old twins Storm and Lake have always been in perfect sync. They faced the worst a parent could do and survived it together. In the wake of their mother&’s rejection, they&’ve spent the last five years moving from foster home to foster home—sometimes placed together, sometimes apart.After being separated from his sister once again, Storm is devastated. He&’s the older brother and promised to always take care of Lake. But after a stint in juvie, his newest placement has him feeling almost hopeful. His foster dad is kind, and his girlfriend, Jaidyn, is the first person other than Lake he feels he can trust. But when Jaidyn is sexually assaulted by a violent ex, it pushes Storm over the edge. He retaliates and lands back in lockup—and he fears this time it will be for good. He wishes he could talk to Lake, but he doesn&’t know where she is, and he' s now feeling more alone and out of sync than ever before.Lake, like Storm, has found her own happiness in a relationship with someone new—her fellow foster, Parker. Life with Parker is never boring, but Parker has her own scars. She can be withdrawn and unpredictable, and that can be dangerous, especially after Parker convinces Lake to run away from their Bible-thumping fosters after they are caught in a compromising position. With no money, shelter, or ID, they&’re living on the streets. Lake thinks of Storm and his promise to take care of her, and wonders where he could be now.Told in dual perspectives through unsent letters, at turns heartbreaking and always honest, this latest novel in verse from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins is a searing and unforgettable account of two teens caught in the teeth of the foster care system, fighting their way out and back to each other.
Zielgruppe Digital Natives: Die Social-Media-Strategien zur Mobilisierung junger Wähler*innen bei der Landtagswahl 2024 in Sachsen (BestMasters)
by Pauline StockmannWelche Strategien verfolgen politische Parteien, um junge Menschen über Social Media für Wahlen zu mobilisieren? Dieses Buch widmet sich den digitalen Wahlkampfstrategien der sächsischen Landtagsparteien zur Landtagswahl 2024, mit besonderem Blick auf die Plattformen Instagram und TikTok. Durch eine qualitative Inhaltsanalyse von Social-Media-Beiträgen sowie begleitende Experteninterviews werden Kommunikationsmuster, Mobilisierungsansätze und die Rolle digitaler Formate bei der Ansprache junger Wähler*innen systematisch untersucht.Die Autorin liefert damit sowohl wissenschaftliche Einordnungen als auch praxisnahe Erkenntnisse für politische Akteur*innen und zeigt auf, wie Social Media als zentrales Instrument der politischen Jugendmobilisierung fungiert — und welche Herausforderungen sich daraus für demokratische Parteien ergeben. Dabei werden auch Unterschiede im Umgang mit Polarisierung und populistischen Inhalten beleuchtet.
Clinical Management of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors
by Victor Lee Kwan Min Mark E Puhaindran Choo Bok Ai Angela Shien Ling Pang James Thomas Patrick Decourcy HallinanThe book covers the common clinical scenarios encountered for the heterogeneous group of bone and soft tissue tumors. Each chapter follows a uniform format of an illustrative patient case summary representative of each type of sarcoma, followed by an evidence-based case discussion reviewing the current guidelines and basis for the diagnostic and therapeutic steps taken. The book includes histology inserts to highlight the classic features of various types of sarcoma, alongside with the accompanying auxiliary molecular tests to aid the diagnosis and their clinical implications. The book provides assistance to medical practitioners, trainees and students to better understand the various types of sarcomas from the importance of an accurate diagnosis to the management principles, as well as controversies in the treatment of these rare tumors. It will be relevant for pathologists and oncologists as well as all other clinicians (general, medical, surgery, radiology) that have a special interest in bone and soft tissue tumor.
Recent Trends in Intelligent Systems and Next Generation Wireless Communication: Proceedings of IIWCS 2024 (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems #1329)
by Santos Kumar Das Santanu Kumar BeheraThis book is a collection of cutting-edge research papers from the First National Conference on Intelligent Systems, IoT, and Wireless Communication for Society (IIWCS-2024). It features contributions from researchers and practitioners worldwide, sharing the latest findings in the fields of intelligent systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and wireless communication. The volume covers novel techniques and methodologies in areas such as machine learning, 5G and beyond communication, RFID, MEMS, and VLSI engineering. The proceedings are a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and students interested in the latest developments in intelligent systems, IoT, and wireless communication.
African Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Economy: Social Justice Implications of Market Jolts in Ghana (Palgrave Studies of Entrepreneurship in Africa)
by Ezenwayi C. Amaechi Ejiribe Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey Joseph Ofori-DankwaThis book analyzes the significant obstacles facing women traders in marketplaces in Ghana and proposes policy recommendations that would enhance economic development. The editors first characterize these challenges as jolts and develop a comprehensive typology of jolts that the market women face. They then provide a detailed analysis of the social justice implications associated with the jolts. Next, subject area experts thoroughly depict the different types of jolts that market women face and highlight current policies and strategies used by national and local government authorities to deal with these jolts. Finally, the editors highlight recommended policies and strategies that can be used to successfully address the effects of the various jolts encountered by market women. Women traders operating in the Ghanaian marketplace unquestionably play a significant role in the development of the national economy. This book, therefore, aims to raise awareness of these jolts, identify several recommendations to mitigate them, and, by so doing, help address social injustices and aid in national development.
Upper Extremity Reconstruction: From Simple to Complex
by Bilsev InceFrom the moment the injured patient enters the emergency room up to composite tissue transplantation, this volume provides a complete guide to the management and reconstruction of limb extremity trauma. It includes every technique, from the simplest intervention to the most complex flaps, from nerve transfers to replantation, with a wealth of original high-quality figures and drawings. The reader will be able to find a solution regardless of the early or late phase of the trauma in the patient, and evaluate the best solution to preserve function while achieving the best aesthetic end-results. This interdisciplinary, carefully built work, covers all tissue reconstruction possibilities in limb extremities, including vessel, nerve, tendon, bone and joints, all examined through the combined lens of plastic surgery and surgical orthopedics. Readers will find detailed coverage of anatomy, pathology, techniques for repair, restoration, regeneration as well as rehabilitation strategies. Against this background, Extremity Reconstruction: From Simple to Complex is an ideal guide to the latest treatment modalities that will appeal to all plastic surgeons, orthopedics, traumatologists, nurses and related emergency professionals who wish to learn more about indications, goals, procedures, and expected outcomes.
Two-dimensional Two-product Cubic Systems Vol. X: Crossing-linear and Self-quadratic Product Vector Fields
by Albert C. LuoThis book is the tenth of 15 related monographs, discusses product-cubic nonlinear systems with two crossing-linear and self-quadratic products vector fields and the dynamic behaviors and singularity are presented through the first integral manifolds. The equilibrium and flow singularity and bifurcations discussed in this volume are for the appearing and switching bifurcations. The double-saddle equilibriums described are the appearing bifurcations for saddle source and saddle-sink, and for a network of saddles, sink and source. The infinite-equilibriums for the switching bifurcations are also presented, specifically: · Inflection-saddle infinite-equilibriums, · Hyperbolic (hyperbolic-secant)-sink and source infinite-equilibriums · Up-down and down-up saddle infinite-equilibriums, · Inflection-source (sink) infinite-equilibriums.
Study of Prehistoric Aesthetic Consciousness of the Chinese Nation: “Civilization” Before Civilization
by Wangheng ChenThis book explores how prehistoric aesthetic consciousness of the Chinese nation evolved from animality and barbarism, how it was epitomized in prehistoric artifacts, and most importantly, how this aesthetic consciousness has exerted an ever-lasting influence upon the Chinese mind and culture, by examining prehistoric archaeological discoveries, particularly pottery objects, jade ware, and rock paintings from prehistoric cultures, and by studying ancient Chinese historical and literary documents. This is the first academic effort to trace the very beginning of the aesthetic consciousness of the Chinese nation back to prehistoric times. Its strength lies in the comprehensive and detailed examination of all the major prehistoric cultures and artifacts as well as in its insights into the relationship between prehistoric consciousness and the Chinese mind and culture. This book benefits graduate students and researchers who are interested in Chinese prehistoric culture and Chinese history of aesthetics.
On Our Best Behavior: The Price Women Pay to Be Good
by Elise LoehnenNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A groundbreaking exploration of the ancient rules women unwittingly follow in order to be considered &“good,&” revealing how the Seven Deadly Sins still control and distort our lives and illuminating a path toward a more balanced, spiritually complete way to liveWhy do women equate self-denial with being good? We congratulate ourselves when we resist the donut in the office breakroom. We celebrate our restraint when we hold back from sending an email in anger. We feel virtuous when we wake up at dawn to get a jump on the day. We put others&’ needs ahead of our own and believe this makes us exemplary. In On Our Best Behavior, journalist Elise Loehnen explains that these impulses—often lauded as unselfish, distinctly feminine instincts—are actually ingrained in us by a culture that reaps the benefits, via an extraordinarily effective collection of mores known as the Seven Deadly Sins. Since being codified by the Christian church in the fourth century, the Seven Deadly Sins—pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth—have exerted insidious power. Even today, in our largely secular, patriarchal society, they continue to circumscribe women&’s behavior. For example, seeing sloth as sinful leads women to deny themselves rest; a fear of gluttony drives them to ignore their appetites; and an aversion to greed prevents them from negotiating for themselves and contributes to the 55 percent gender wealth gap. In On Our Best Behavior, Loehnen reveals how we&’ve been programmed to obey the rules represented by these sins and how doing so qualifies us as &“good.&” This probing analysis of contemporary culture and thoroughly researched history explains how women have internalized the patriarchy, and how they unwittingly reinforce it. By sharing her own story and the spiritual wisdom of other traditions, Loehnen shows how we can break free and discover the integrity and wholeness we seek.
Feel the Fear...and Beyond: Mastering the Techniques for Doing It Anyway
by Susan JeffersAt last, step-by-step guidance and concrete exercises that tailor the Feel the Fear program to the demands of your busy life!With her phenomenal bestseller Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, renowned author Susan Jeffers has helped millions of people overcome their fears and move forward in their lives with confidence, action, and love. Now in this new work, Dr. Jeffers takes us by the hand and gives us step-by-step examples that help us to incorporate her profound insights into our daily lives.Tailored for both individual and group use--including an invaluable 30-Day Power Planner--Feel the Fear . . . and Beyond offers simple yet effective techniques for handling whatever life brings us in a strong and life-affirming way. This empowering book shows you how to ¸ Identify and conquer the one deep, abiding fear that runs your life ¸ Get in touch with the most loving part of who you are ¸ Let go of the victim mentality that pulls away all your power ¸ Confront new situations with confidence and love ¸ Open your eyes to the abundance And much more!Fear may be part of our lives--but we can stop it from dominating us. In Feel the Fear . . . and Beyond, Dr. Jeffers helps us work through our worries and anxieties, and achieve the blessings of fulfillment, love, gratitude, and inner strength.
The Future of Humanity: Terraforming Mars, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, and Our Destiny Beyond Earth
by Michio KakuNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The national bestselling author of The God Equation traverses the frontiers of astrophysics, artificial intelligence, and technology to offer a stunning vision of man's future in space, from settling Mars to traveling to distant galaxies. &“Amazing … Kaku is in smooth perfect control of it the entire time.&” —The Christian Science MonitorWe are entering a new Golden Age of space exploration. With irrepressible enthusiasm and a deep understanding of the cutting-edge research in space travel, world-renowned physicist and futurist Dr. Michio Kaku presents a compelling vision of how humanity may develop a sustainable civilization in outer space. He reveals the developments in robotics, nanotechnology, and biotechnology that may allow us to terraform and build habitable cities on Mars and beyond. He then journeys out of our solar system and discusses how new technologies such as nanoships, laser sails, and fusion rockets may actually make interstellar travel a possibility. We travel beyond our galaxy, and even beyond our universe, as Kaku investigates some of the hottest topics in science today, including warp drive, wormholes, hyperspace, parallel universes, and the multiverse. Ultimately, he shows us how humans may someday achieve a form of immortality and be able to leave our bodies entirely, laser porting to new havens in space.
Artificial Wisdom: A Novel
by Thomas R. WeaverIn this propulsive near-future thriller, a journalist uncovers a plot that will upend the order of our world, involving a mysterious murder, a global political battle between a human politician and an AI, and the fight for survival in a climate-ravaged landscape.In 2050, investigative journalist Marcus Tully is still grieving the loss of his wife and unborn child in the deadly heatwave that struck the Persian Gulf ten years ago.Now, the world is both burning and drowning, and the decision has been taken to elect a global leader to steer humanity through the worsening climate apocalypse. The final two candidates are ex-US president Lockwood, and Solomon, an Artificial Intelligence.As election day races closer, Tully begins to unravel a conspiracy that goes to the highest level. Then Solomon&’s creator is murdered, and Tully is pulled in to find the culprit.As the two investigations intertwine in ways he could never have imagined and the world hurtles ever closer to the brink, Tully must find the truth, convince the world to face it and make impossible choices to secure the future of the species.But will humanity ultimately choose salvation over freedom, whatever the cost?
Open Season: An Alex Delaware Novel
by Jonathan KellermanThe most beloved and enduring duo in American crime fiction is back.NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Psychologist Alex Delaware and Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis race against time to find a twisted killer in this riveting thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling &“master of suspense&” (Los Angeles Times).People come to Los Angeles to chase their dreams. Sometimes they find themselves cast into a nightmare. And sometimes, the most ardent dreamers turn out to be the most vicious monsters.The body of an aspiring actress is found dumped near a hospital emergency room. She&’s been drugged and murdered and the motive for the callous crime remains maddeningly out of reach. Until, a prime suspect materializes. Another Hollywood hopeful. Only to be shot dead by a sniper using a weapon that turns out to have been catalogued in a previous murder. And another, before that. It&’s not long before more bodies begin piling up.What makes the murderous spree baffling is the apparent lack of connection among the victims. Is this the work of a random thrill killer, the toughest of all cases to unravel?But as Alex and Milo dig deeper they&’re faced with an even knottier scenario: a highly complex killer with deep-seated motivation that will require all of their highly honed skills to decipher.The latest page-turner from #1 New York Times bestseller Jonathan Kellerman, is a tale of psychological complexity, dark suspense, and shocking surprises. A wild ride through L.A.&’s surreal underbelly climaxed by an edge-of-the chair conclusion.
A Terribly Nasty Business: A Beatrice Steele Novel
by Julia SealesNATIONAL BESTSELLER • London provides fabulously deadly opportunities for a fledgling inspector in the twisty follow-up to Julia Seales&’s bestselling debut, A Most Agreeable Murder, hailed by People as a &“delightful cocktail . . . of wit, hilarity, and suspense!&”After achieving her lifelong dream of solving a murder, bringing a killer to justice, and proving she is not, in fact, a morbid creep, Beatrice Steele feels like everything is finally falling into place. She&’s traded her etiquette-obsessed community of Swampshire for the big city of London, accompanied by her ever-trusty chaperone, Miss Bolton. They&’ve settled in a lovely neighborhood, Sweetbriar, known for its proximity to the Sweet Majestic theater, picturesque pleasure gardens, and an unfortunate infestation of flying squirrels. But Beatrice&’s favorite part is that Sweetbriar is also home to DS Investigations, the new office she opened with the prickly, annoyingly logical Inspector Drake to solve the city&’s brutally thrilling crimes.However, nothing is turning out how Beatrice imagined it would. Sir Huxley, famed gentleman inspector and Beatrice&’s former crush, is still considered the real investigator in London, so the only cases left for Beatrice and Drake are lost pets and spectacles. Not that Beatrice has much time for crime-solving anyway, as her mother still expects her to find an eligible (rich) husband to protect their family from destitution. Beatrice is struggling to balance all the demands on her and begins to wonder if she can become a true detective in a city that feels full of false promises.That is until a string of murders thrusts Beatrice and Drake into the center of a scandal that pits the neighborhood&’s wealthiest against the arts community, spreading fear and chaos throughout the city. As they follow the trail through bewildering ballrooms, secretive shops, and odd operas, Beatrice must survive threats to her partnership, her business, and her place in society to break the case—before it&’s too late.
