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Death Through the Looking Glass (The Lyon and Bea Wentworth Mysteries #3)
by Richard ForrestChildren&’s book author Lyon Wentworth and his wife, Bea, investigate a murder from the vantage of a hot-air balloon in this charming seaside thriller. For Lyon Wentworth&’s birthday, his wife, Bea, gives him something spectacular: a custom wicker basket made to fit his prized hot-air balloon. In return, Lyon gives Bea what she wants more than anything else: a promise to end his career as an amateur sleuth and stop risking his neck to solve impossible murders. But promises are hard to keep, and Lyon will be caught up in another mystery before his feet touch the ground. Lyon is cruising over Long Island Sound when he sees his friend Tom&’s private plane spewing black smoke. Before he can radio the coast guard, the plane crashes and is swallowed by the waves. Tom was an expert pilot, and Lyon is certain that he wouldn&’t have made a fatal error. Perhaps the plane was tampered with . . . But when a phone call from Tom comes after his supposed death, Lyon realizes this murder has taken the leap from improbable to impossible. Richard Forrest&’s Lyon and Bea Wentworth Mysteries are some of the most intelligent thrillers ever written. As witty and urbane as Dashiell Hammett&’s Nick and Nora Charles, the Wentworths approach homicide with effortless style. Death Through the Looking Glass is the 3rd book in the Lyon and Bea Wentworth Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Dusty Zebra: And Other Stories (The Complete Short Fiction of Clifford D. Simak #11)
by Clifford D. SimakTales of science fiction and adventure from the Hugo Award–winning author of Way Station and City. The long and prolific career of Clifford D. Simak cemented him as one of the formative voices of the science fiction and fantasy genre. The third writer to be named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America, his literary legacy stands alongside those of Robert A. Heinlein and Ray Bradbury. This striking collection of nine tales showcases Simak&’s ability to take the everyday and turn it into something truly compelling, taking readers on a long journey in a very short time. In &“Dusty Zebra,&” Joe discovers a portal that allows him to exchange everyday objects with an entity he can neither see nor hear, and soon learns that one man&’s treasure may be another dimension&’s trash. In &“Retrograde Evolution,&” an interplanetary trading vessel tries to figure out how to deal with a remote society that has suddenly decided to become far less civilized. And in &“Project Mastodon,&” an unusual ambassador from an unheard-of country offers amazing opportunities in a place the modern world can never compete with: the past. Simak&’s mastery of the short form is on display in these and six other stories. Each story includes an introduction by David W. Wixon, literary executor of the Clifford D. Simak estate and editor of this ebook.
Vanished: A Novel
by Mary McGarry MorrisNational Book Award Finalist: A man, woman, and child are bound by a desperate need—and a terrible secret—in this suspenseful, &“astonishing&” novel (Vogue). Aubrey Wallace is the kind of man no one notices. Dotty Johnson is the kind of woman no one can ignore. One afternoon, they both disappear from the small Vermont town where they live. The next day, two hundred miles away, a toddler is kidnapped from her Massachusetts home. For the next five years, Aubrey, Dotty, and the kidnapped child—united by a mix of strange love, desperate need, and the crime that brought them together—are trapped in a nomadic existence governed by their constant fear of discovery. Canny, the little girl, becomes Aubrey&’s entire existence. But Dotty wants out. She is tired of being saddled with this fearful man, and when she meets a brutal ex-convict, the wheels of Canny&’s return to her natural parents are wrenched fatally into motion. A dark, riveting tale about the impulses and weaknesses that underlie an evil act, Vanished was nominated for both the National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award, and marked the debut of the New York Times–bestselling author of Songs in Ordinary Time and A Dangerous Woman.
Veil (The Veil Kendry Suspense Novels #1)
by George C. ChesbroA psychic ex–CIA agent finds himself entangled in a conspiracy and hunted by a killer in this wild adventure from the author of the Mongo Mysteries. After a brain infection at birth almost killed him, Veil Kendry developed a unique power: His vivid dreams can transport him to the edges of time and to the minds of other men. A Vietnam veteran, martial arts instructor, and former CIA agent, Veil now makes a living painting landscapes unlike anything anyone has ever seen. The highly regarded Institute for Human Studies has invited Veil to undergo a battery of tests at their Big Sur facility to better understand his abilities as an artist. Although Veil is game for anything, nothing can prepare him for the secrets hidden behind the walls of the institute—or the ensuing fight to stay alive. Veil is the 1st book in the Veil Kendry Suspense Novels, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
The Eye of the Elephant: An Epic Adventure in the African Wilderness
by Delia Owens Mark OwensAn &“exciting&” true account of battling the elephant poachers of Zambia by the author of Where the Crawdads Sing and her fellow biologist (The Boston Globe). Intelligent, majestic, and loyal, with lifespans matching our own, elephants are among the greatest of the wonders gracing the African wilds. Yet, in the 1970s and 1980s, about a thousand of these captivating creatures were slaughtered in Zambia each year, killed for their valuable ivory tusks. When biologists Mark and Delia Owens, residing in Africa to study lions, found themselves in the middle of a poaching fray, they took the only side they morally could: that of the elephants. From the authors of Secrets of the Savanna, The Eye of the Elephant is &“part adventure story, part wildlife tale,&” recounting the Owens&’s struggle to save these innocent animals from decimation, a journey not only to supply the natives with ways of supporting their villages, but also to cultivate support around the globe for the protection of elephants (The Boston Globe). Filled with daring exploits among disgruntled hunters, arduous labor on the African plains, and vivid depictions of various wildlife, this remarkable tale is at once an adventure story, a travelogue, a preservationist call to action, and a fascinating examination of both human and animal nature.
The Women of Marilyn French: Her Mother's Daughter, Our Father, and The Bleeding Heart
by Marilyn FrenchThree powerful novels about family and the female experience from the multimillion-selling author of The Women&’s Room. A collection of three works of fiction by a New York Times–bestselling author who &“write[s] about the inner lives of women with insight and intimacy&” (The New York Times Book Review). Her Mother&’s Daughter: In this life-affirming saga that celebrates the love and sacrifices of four generations of Polish-American mothers and daughters, Stacey, a divorced feminist New York photographer, struggles to understand the experience of her mother, a child of Polish immigrants who clawed her way out of poverty and settled into a middle-class existence—while at the same time managing her tempestuous relationship with her own daughter, Arden. Our Father: As distinguished presidential adviser Stephen Upton lies mortally ill in a Massachusetts hospital, four women gather at his lavish mansion. Half sisters Elizabeth, Mary, Alex, and Ronnie have painful and poignant memories of their childhoods—and their dying father. They haven&’t seen each other in years, but as they open up to each other about the man they both love and hate, they will discover the terrible secret that binds them all together. The Bleeding Heart: Dolores Durer, a divorced professor and mother of two adult children, has sworn off love after a series of disastrous affairs. Meanwhile, electronics executive Victor Morrissey is in England to open a branch office. He has four children and is unhappily married. When Victor and Dolores meet—on a train—their connection is instant and passionate. In this New York Times–bestselling novel about love and marriage, two Americans abroad embark on an affair that will have consequences in both their lives.
Cranford: Large Print
by Elizabeth GaskellThe women of an English country village star in this Victorian classic that inspired a BBC series, from the author of North and South. Welcome to Cranford, where everyone knows one another and a cow wears pajamas. It&’s a community built on friendship and kindness, where women hold court and most of the houses—and men—are rarely seen. Two colorful spinster sisters at the heart of Cranford, Miss Matty and Miss Deborah Jenkyns, are daughters of the former rector, and when they&’re not playing cards or drinking tea, they&’re feeding an endless appetite for scandal and weathering commotions to their peaceful lives, from financial troubles to thieves to an unexpected face from the past. First published in installments in Household Words, a magazine edited by Charles Dickens, Cranford was a hit of its time and today offers modern readers a glimpse into a small English town during the mid-nineteenth century.
A Lady Bought with Rifles
by Jeanne WilliamsA beautiful daughter of privilege comes home to a Mexico on the cusp of revolution in this enthralling tale of romance and adventure. Miranda Greenleaf was a little girl when her father, a wealthy mine owner, sent her to his native England to receive a &“proper&” education. Now seventeen years old, she returns to Sonora two years after her father&’s death in a mining accident to attend to her dying Mexican mother. Her new guardian and half-sister, Reina, receives Miranda with hostility and jealous suspicion. When Miranda rescues an Indian girl orphaned and maimed by federal troops, Trace Winslade, Reina&’s Texan bodyguard, disobeys his orders and rides through the night to help save Sewa&’s life. To escape Reina&’s vengeful wrath, Miranda leaves her rightful home and falls into the hands of Court Sanders, a Yankee mine operator known for always getting what he lusts after, be it gold or women. The situation turns from bad to worse when Miranda manages to get away from Sanders but is kidnapped by a band of guerillas who intend to ransom her for rifles. On what might be the last night of her life, surrounded by men who will kill her at dawn if the ransom is not paid, Miranda prays that she might see Trace once more before dying. Brimming with passion, intrigue, and fascinating historical detail, A Lady Bought with Rifles is a stunning achievement from an award-winning, New York Times–bestselling author with &“a clear-voiced style that transcends genre&” (The Kansas City Star).
Death of an Angel (The Mr. and Mrs. North Mysteries #20)
by Richard Lockridge Frances LockridgeFor the sake of a Broadway hit, Mr. and Mrs. North search for a playboy&’s killer Naomi Shaw has taken the stage in Around the Corner one hundred times. And with every performance, she has brought the audience to tears. But while she&’s an angel onstage, she&’s rather harder to like once the curtain drops. Nevertheless, the play is a hit. The critics are awed, the crowds are lively, the producers are happy, and Around the Corner could run forever—as long as it has its star. At the celebration following the hundredth performance, Naomi announces she&’s going to marry one of the show&’s backers, slimy playboy Bradley Fitch. He&’s rich enough that Naomi will never have to act again, which means that Around the Corner will die as soon as their vows are read. But when someone murders Bradley in order to stop the wedding, it falls to Pamela and Jerry North to find the killer and ensure that the show will go on.Death of an Angel is the 20th book in the Mr. and Mrs. North Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Mosses from an Old Manse: In Two Parts
by Nathaniel Hawthorne&“Whatever Nathaniel Hawthorne may hereafter write, Mosses from an Old Manse will ultimately be accounted his masterpiece.&” —Herman Melville Aylmer is an inventor, the greatest of his age. But his heart is torn between his devotion to science and his love for his beautiful wife, Georgiana, whose appearance would be perfect were it not for the small red birthmark on her cheek. Unnaturally obsessed with the blemish, Aylmer sets out to erase it from his beloved&’s face—and discovers that his heedless quest to master Nature has disastrous consequences. A Gothic romance both chilling and tragic, &“The Birthmark&” is just one of the masterworks of short fiction in this classic collection, which also includes &“Young Goodman Brown,&” &“Rappaccini&’s Daughter,&” and the pioneering work of alternative history, &“P.&’s Correspondence.&” First published in 1846, Mosses from an Old Manse reveals Nathaniel Hawthorne to be a visionary far ahead of his time, and one of the most haunting voices in American literature. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
The Complete Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln: Comprising His Speeches, Letters, State Papers And Miscellaneous Writings (classic Reprint)
by Abraham LincolnA complete documentary archive of Abraham Lincoln&’s writings, from historic speeches to personal letters and telegrams. Collected here are numerous documents written by Abraham Lincoln from 1832 to 1865, over the course of his long career as a lawyer, statesman, and president of the United States. From the man who led the nation through the Civil War and into its Reconstruction, Lincoln&’s written statements—including the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address—are some of the most significant documents in American history. Included with these works are telegrams to politicians and wartime generals as well as personal letters discussing a range of topics, from youth and marriage to depression. This extensive collection is not only an excellent documentary history of America&’s greatest trial as a nation, but also an opportunity to enjoy the intellect and wit of one of America&’s greatest orators. As Theodore Roosevelt says in his introductory comments, &“Lincoln&’s deeds and words are not only of consuming interest to the historian, but should be intimately known to every man engaged in the hard practical work of American political life.&” This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
The Imperial China Trilogy: Manchu, Mandarin, and Dynasty (The Imperial China Trilogy)
by Robert ElegantThe complete New York Times–bestselling trilogy of historical fiction set in China, from an award-winning novelist and Pulitzer Prize finalist in journalism. Spanning over three centuries of Chinese history, New York Times–bestselling and Edgar Award–winning author Robert Elegant takes readers from the opulent courts and complex intrigue of the emperors to the bloody battlefields, and vividly recreates a richly detailed world where the quest for power and pleasure drives men and women to extremes of both loyalty and betrayal. In this special single-volume edition, the novels are presented in chronological historical order. Manchu: In this New York Times bestseller, soldier of fortune Francis Arrowsmith joins a Portuguese expedition to aid the decadent and corrupt Ming dynasty in its fight against the Manchu invaders. He embarks on an epic adventure that will merge his destiny with the fate of China itself. &“Does for seventeenth-century China what James Clavell&’s Shogun did for sixteenth-century Japan.&” —The Christian Science Monitor Mandarin: In nineteenth-century China, imperial rule is crumbling as the Opium Wars and Taiping Rebellion rage. On the streets of Shanghai, a Jewish silk merchant tries to save his Chinese partner from a false accusation and corrupt penal system, while in the imperial palace the &“Virtuous Concubine&” Yehenala contrives to bear the opium-eating, syphilitic emperor&’s only son, thus laying the foundation for her elevation to the pinnacle of power in China as the formidable empress dowager. &“Exciting, historically accurate, a good read.&” —The New York Times Dynasty: A New York Times bestseller, this epic of love and adultery, money and power, set amid the revolutionary turbulence of twentieth-century China, from the fall of the last emperor to the rise of Mao Tse-tung, follows the Sekloong dynasty of Hong Kong, a trading empire founded by Sir Jonathan, the illegitimate offspring of an Irish adventurer and his Chinese mistress, in all its triumphs, tragedies, betrayals, and bloodshed. &“An action-packed novel . . . conjured up with perception and vigor.&” —The New York Times Book Review
Mr. Palomar (A\helen And Kurt Wolff Bk.)
by Italo CalvinoA novel of a delightful eccentric on a search for truth, by the renowned author of Invisible Cities. In The New York Times Book Review, the poet Seamus Heaney praised Mr. Palomar as a series of &“beautiful, nimble, solitary feats of imagination.&” Throughout these twenty-seven intricately structured chapters, the musings of the crusty Mr. Palomar consistently render the world sublime and ridiculous. Like the telescope for which he is named, Mr. Palomar is a natural observer. &“It is only after you have come to know the surface of things,&” he believes, &“that you can venture to seek what is underneath.&” Whether contemplating a fine cheese, a hungry gecko, or a topless sunbather, he tends to let his meditations stray from the present moment to the great beyond. And though he may fail as an objective spectator, he is the best of company. &“Each brief chapter reads like an exploded haiku,&” wrote Time Out. A play on a world fragmented by our individual perceptions, this inventive and irresistible novel encapsulates the life&’s work of an artist of the highest order, &“the greatest Italian writer of the twentieth century&” (The Guardian).
Songs in Ordinary Time: A Novel
by Mary McGarry MorrisThis New York Times bestseller of a troubled family in 1960s Vermont is &“teeming with incident and characters, often foolish, even nasty, but always alive&” (The New Yorker). It is the summer of 1960 in Atkinson, Vermont. With no help from her alcoholic ex-husband, Marie Fermoyle is raising three children on the edge of poverty. Her seventeen-year-old daughter, Alice, is becoming emotionally involved with a local priest in a staunchly Catholic town that disapproves of Marie&’s divorce. Alice&’s brother Norm is a hotheaded sixteen-year-old, and twelve-year-old Benjy is isolated and full of anxieties, looking with yearning at the Klubocks next door, who seem to live an orderly, peaceful life much unlike his own family&’s. Now, Marie has met a new man: Omar Duvall, who talks about opportunities and riches but so far seems only to sponge off the Fermoyles. A lonely, desperate single mother like Marie is easy prey for con men, but she resists the temptation to doubt him. Young Benjy, though, may eventually reveal a disturbing secret that could shatter all her hopes. A portrait of a family as well as a town and its secrets, Songs in Ordinary Time is &“a gritty, beautifully crafted novel rich in wisdom and suspense&” (The Miami Herald). An Oprah&’s Book Club selection from an author nominated for the National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award, it is &“extraordinary . . . a deeply satisfying story&” (USA Today).
The Europeans: Sketch
by Henry JamesTwo European siblings travel to New England to meet their American cousins in this classic satire. Henry James&’s short novel The Europeans—which made its debut in serial form in the Atlantic Monthly—is the beloved tale of Eugenia Münster and her brother, Felix Young, who travel to Boston after having spent most of their lives in France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. At the heart of the story rest the concerns that most intrigued the iconic author: When does one choose money over love? When do the desires of the self become more important than the traditional wishes of a family or society? Eugenia&’s marriage to Prince Adolf of Silberstadt-Schreckenstein is in the process being dissolved as a result of political pressures from his family, and the jilted bride has little in common with her more docile and domestic cousins, Gertrude and Charlotte Wentworth, with whom she and her artistic brother, Felix, have come to stay. And soon Felix falls in love with cousin Gertrude, a host of other suitors threatening to complicate matters. Described by literary critic F. R. Leavis as &“a masterpiece of major quality,&” The Europeans is one of James&’s most popular works, and a delightful showcase for his keen wit and empathy. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Melody and Murder: Two Novels
by Ed Gorman Stuart M. KaminskyFrom Hollywood&’s Golden Age to a rock &’n&’ roll tragedy, this pair of detective novels from two award-winning maestros of mystery hits all the right notes. From Edgar Award–winning author Stuart M. Kaminsky, Dancing in the Dark shines a light on the 1940s Los Angeles dancing scene. Paired with Ellery Queen Award–winning author Ed Gorman&’s &“gripping, amusing, thoughtful and hugely entertaining&” The Day the Music Died, these two kooky and delightful mysteries are now available in one volume (Dean Koontz). Dancing in the Dark by Stuart M. Kaminsky: It&’s going to take some fancy footwork for hard-boiled Hollywood private detective Toby Peters to get Fred Astaire off the hook. After giving a gangster&’s moll dancing lessons, he tires of her making passes at him and hires the famously discreet private investigator to break the news gently. When a killer cuts in and the moll ends up dead, Peters must take the lead in solving the case . . . or face the music himself. The Day the Music Died by Ed Gorman: After his rock &’n&’ roll hero, Buddy Holly, dies in a plane crash, young Iowa lawyer and part-time PI Sam McCain just wants to play his records and grieve—until the nephew of an eccentric judge kills himself after his trophy wife is murdered. The police see it as a clear-cut murder-suicide, but Sam wants to know more. But diving into this mystery will get dangerous faster than he can say &“bye, bye, Miss American Pie.&”
A Kiss in the Dark
by Tiffany WhiteA shy woman&’s secret dream comes true in this sexy tale from an author who &“serves up a sizzling dish of spicy romance&” (RT Book Reviews). To supplement her meager salary as a book editor, Brittany Astor answers an ad to read aloud for a client. She&’s expecting a nice little old lady—but is shocked to instead find notorious playboy Ethan Moss. Ethan has been suffering from temporary blindness and hiding himself away . . . It&’s the perfect opportunity for a shy book editor to live out her fantasy of having a wild fling with the man of her erotic dreams. He can&’t see her. He can only hear her voice as she recites steamy passages and the air between them grows more and more electric. But neither of them has any idea what could happen when the fantasy ends and Ethan no longer needs her . . .
3 Nights in August: Strategy, Heartbreak, and Joy Inside the Mind of a Manager
by Buzz BissingerThis inside view with the Cardinals&’ Tony La Russa by the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Friday Night Lights &“should appeal to any baseball fan&” (Publishers Weekly). A Chicago Tribune Best Book of the Year &“Plenty of books have taken us inside baseball, but August takes us directly inside players&’ heads.&” —Entertainment Weekly 3 Nights in August captures the strategic and emotional complexities of baseball&’s quintessential form: the three-game series. As the St. Louis Cardinals battle their archrival, the Chicago Cubs, we watch from the dugout through the eyes of legendary Tony La Russa, considered by many to be the greatest manager of the modern era. In his thirty-three years of managing, La Russa won three World Series titles and was named Manager of the Year a record five times. He now stands as the third-winningest manager in the history of baseball. A great leader, La Russa built his success on the conviction that ball games are won not only by the numbers but also by the hearts and minds of those who play. Drawing on unprecedented access to a major league skipper and his team, Buzz Bissinger portrays baseball with a revelatory intimacy that offers many surprisingly tactical insights—and furthers the debate on major league managerial style and strategy in his provocative afterword. &“Superb . . . Will be devoured by hard-core strategists.&” —The New York Times Book Review
Through Prison Bars: The Lives and Labours of John Howard and Elizabeth Fry
by William H. RenderA fascinating look—first published in 1894—at two philanthropists known as the &“Prisoner&’s Friends&” and the early history of prison reform. Prisons in England were once dark, inhumane places lacking any regulations. The facilities were poorly managed and unsanitary, and prisoners were treated like animals. One man and one woman, the &“Prisoner&’s Friends,&” sought to change that. Through Prison Bars is an in-depth account of John Howard and Elizabeth Fry and their work in the prison reform movement in Great Britain and Europe that began in the eighteenth century and continued into the nineteenth. Author William H. Render explores their childhoods and family lives, deeply spiritual backgrounds—Howard was a Calvinist while Fry was a dedicated Quaker—and early days in prison philanthropy, as well as what motivated them to get involved in the first place: Howard&’s early days as the high sheriff of Bedfordshire and Fry&’s visit to the women&’s prison at Newgate in London. Neither Howard nor Fry stopped their work with just one jail. They dedicated their lives to serving God and man, and their stories have the power to inspire similar dedication in generations to come.
The Call of Stories: Teaching and the Moral Imagination
by Robert ColesFrom the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Children of Crisis, a profound examination of how listening to stories promotes learning and self-discovery. As a professor emeritus at Harvard University, a renowned child psychiatrist, and the author of more than forty books, including The Moral Intelligence of Children, Robert Coles knows better than anyone the transformative power of learning and literature on young minds. In this &“persuasive&” book (The New York Times Book Review), Coles convenes a virtual symposium of college, law, and medical school students to explore the phenomenon of storytelling as a source of values and character. Here are transcriptions of classroom conversations in which Coles and his students discuss the impact of particular works of literature on their moral development. Here also are Coles&’s intimate personal reflections on his experiences in the civil rights movement, his child psychiatry practice, and his interactions with his own literary mentors including William Carlos Williams and L.E. Sissman. The life lessons learned from these stories are of special resonance to doctors and teachers looking to apply them in classroom and clinical environments. The rare public intellectual to be honored with a MacArthur Award, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a National Humanities Medal, Robert Coles is a true national treasure, and The Call of Stories is, in the words of National Book Award winner Walker Percy, &“Coles at his wisest and best.&”
A Tax in Blood (The Leo Haggerty Mysteries #3)
by Benjamin M. SchutzA faked suicide sucks Leo Haggerty into the investigation of a terrorist bombing Leo Haggerty walks the long wall of the Vietnam War Memorial, his girlfriend, Samantha, and his best friend, Arnie, at his sides. Arnie wanders away and meets a young boy whose mother asks if the veteran could lift her son up high enough to read the name of his uncle, his namesake. Some men might break down at the sight of the wall, but Arnie is stone-faced. Since he returned from &’Nam, nothing moves him at all. That night, a newsbreak: There&’s been a bombing at the memorial. Nineteen are dead, including the child. The FBI pursues the case doggedly, but they get nowhere, and it falls to Haggerty to prove that a man found dead in a motel room, suicide note by his side, did not, in fact, kill himself. As the case points him toward the bombers whose rampage has struck fear into the heart of Washington, DC, Haggerty will find out there&’s a dark side to patriotism. A Tax in Blood is the 3rd book in the Leo Haggerty Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
The Kent Family Chronicles Volumes One Through Three: The Bastard, The Rebels, and The Seekers (The Kent Family Chronicles)
by John JakesThe first three novels in a sweeping American epic from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author who &“makes history come alive&” (Nelson DeMille). This multigenerational saga follows the Kent family and their pursuit of a foothold and future in the expanding United States. From the family&’s initial journey traveling to America&’s shore to their voyage to the Western frontier, their fate is intertwined with the course of American history in these first three volumes of the series. The Bastard: Denied his birthright as the illegitimate son of the Duke of Kentland, Philippe Charboneau seeks a new life in London, where he meets Benjamin Franklin and reads the works of patriot firebrand Sam Adams. Inspired by such brave new ideas, he travels to the American colonies at the brink of the Revolution. There he will choose his own name—Philip Kent—and finally decide his own fate. The Rebels: Philip Kent fights as a Continental soldier at the Battle of Bunker Hill. In a bold move, he has taken up arms for the future of his new family. Spirited and unwavering in his dedication to his adopted homeland, Philip fights in the most violent battles in America&’s early history. But far from the front lines, another battle rages that will sweep his wife, Anne, on her own perilous journey that may destroy all Philip has fought for. The Seekers: Returning from fighting valiantly on the frontier, Abraham Kent—son of Philip and Anne—returns to Boston, only to realize that he cannot abide the confines of civilization. Determined not to live in his father&’s shadow, he takes his young bride and settles on the American frontier. But the life of a pioneer comes at a high price, and the cost of Abraham&’s restless ambitions may be more than he can bear.
Fiasco
by Stanislaw Lem&“A stunningly inventive fantasy about cosmic travel&” from the Kafka Prize–winning author of Solaris (The New York Times). The Hermes explorer ship represents the epitome of Earth&’s excellence: a peaceful mission sent forth to make first contact with an alien civilization, and to use the expansive space technology developed by humanity to seek new worlds, friendships, and alliances. But what its crew discovers on the planet Quinta is nothing like they had hoped. Locked in a seemingly endless cold war among themselves, the Quintans are uncommunicative and violent, refusing any discourse—except for the firing of deadly weapons. The crew of the Hermes is determined to accomplish what they had set out to do. But the cost of learning the secrets hidden on the silent surface of Quinta may be grave. Stark, startling, and insightful, Fiasco has been praised by Publishers Weekly as &“one of Lem&’s best novels.&” It is classic, thought-provoking hard science fiction, as prescient today as when it was first written.
Evil Angels: The Case of Lindy Chamberlain
by John BrysonThe basis for the Meryl Streep film A Cry in the Dark: The dramatic true story of a mother&’s worst nightmare and the murder trial that shocked Australia. On a camping trip at Ayer&’s Rock, the Chamberlain family&’s infant daughter disappeared in the middle of the night. Her distraught mother, Lindy, claimed she saw a dingo carry her off into the Australian outback. Two years later, their tragedy worsened when, without a murder weapon, a body, or even a motive, a jury convicted Lindy Chamberlain of killing her own daughter. The public cheered. John Bryson, a trial lawyer and award-winning journalist, deconstructs the factors that led to a seemingly reasonless incarceration and the public attitude that demanded it. With this book, he began to sway popular opinion in the Chamberlains&’ favor by discussing the failures on the part of the police, forensics team, and press. Winner of the CWA Gold Dagger and the inspiration for the film A Cry in the Dark starring Meryl Streep, Evil Angels presents an impartial analysis of the most notorious miscarriage of justice in Australian history. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of blindly searching for a conviction, the importance of scientific accuracy, the volatility of the media, and the ease with which a nation can fall prey to bigoted thinking. Written with literary finesse, this is one of the twentieth century&’s most important—and thoughtful—works of true crime.
First Prize Pies: Shoo-Fly, Candy Apple, and Other Deliciously Inventive Pies for Every Week of the Year (and More)
by Allison KaveA year&’s worth of seasonal, creative, and easy-to-make sweet and savory crusted treats from the award-winning owner of a renowned Brooklyn bakery and bar. When Allison Kave turned her love of pies from a hobby into a career, she unleashed a decadent array of flaky fancies unlike any the world had ever seen. From traditional dough crusts to crumb crusts, fruit fillings to cloudlike creams, Kave&’s creations are the stuff pastry dreams are made of. Now, she shares her tips, tricks, and techniques in an all-new cookbook featuring pie recipes for every week of the year. Organized by month, this book has everything from irresistibly salty snacks like her Salty Dog Cheese Pie to inventive sweets such as Root Beer Float Pie and traditional favorites like Candy Apple Pie. Kave also demonstrates how to make your pies a picturesque success with step-by-step instructions on latticing, crimping, blind baking, and more. Whether you&’re a baking beginner or an at-home pro, First Prize Pies will give you a year&’s worth of delicious inspiration.