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The Fellowship of the Frog (The Inspector Elk Mysteries #1)
by Edgar WallaceAn elusive gang leader and his minions frighten London and frustrate Scotland Yard in this classic crime thriller.The secret organization whose members were known only as &“the Frogs&” was the subject of rumors and jokes—until serious crimes began to occur, one after another. The perpetrators, once caught, were found to bear tattooed frogs on their wrists and kept their mouths firmly shut, and the populace grew terrified of them.The police were frustrated by their fruitless efforts to track down the leader of this strange gang. Then an officer who was working undercover and had finally managed to come face-to-face with the frightening figure was killed.Now it&’s time for Detective Sergeant Elk of Scotland Yard to get involved. Fortunately, despite his shabby clothes, glum demeanor, and utter inability to get himself promoted, he&’s a sharper sleuth than he appears to be . . . From Edgar Wallace, an enormously popular figure in early twentieth-century crime fiction, this is an intriguing tale of a nameless threat and a cop determined to track him down.
The Eleven of Diamonds (The Miles Standish Rice Mysteries #1)
by Baynard KendrickWhen a notorious gambler pays the ultimate price, a PI is called in to investigate, in this Golden Age mystery by the author of The Iron Spiders.At Miami&’s Sunset Bridge Club, Edward Fowler has quite the reputation for playing fast and loose with money—and women—until he&’s found seated at the poker table with an unusual knife in his back. Even more peculiar is the playing card discovered on the table: an eleven of diamonds.Miles Standish Rice has a reputation too, but it&’s for his knack for solving bizarre cases. That&’s why Miami&’s chief of police wants the private detective&’s help on this one—as does wealthy entrepreneur Bruce Farraday. Scraps of a torn check signed by Farraday&’s son were found in Fowler&’s hotel room, and the businessman is willing to pay top dollar to clear his offspring of any ties to foul play.So with an inquisitive mind—and an expensive appetite—Rice pledges to solve this strange puzzle of death and intrigue. But entering Fowler&’s dangerous, high-stakes world means risking everything—including Rice&’s life.Baynard Kendrick was a founding member of the Mystery Writers of America, the holder of the organization&’s first membership card, and a winner of its Grand Master Award.
The Sustainability Secret: Rethinking Our Diet to Transform the World
by Kip Andersen Keegan KuhnThis companion to the documentary Cowspiracy explores the devastating environmental impacts of animal agriculture—and new paths to sustainability. The 2014 documentary Cowspiracy presented alarming truths about the effects of animal agriculture on the planet. One of the leading causes of deforestation, greenhouse gas production, water use, species extinction, ocean dead-zones, and a host of other ills, animal agriculture is a major threat to the future of all species, and one of the environmental industry&’s best-kept secrets.The Sustainability Secret expands upon Cowspiracy in every way. In this updated volume, the film&’s co-creators reveal shocking new facts and interview the leaders of businesses, environmental organizations, and political groups about the disastrous effects of animal agriculture. Extended transcripts, updated statistics, tips on becoming vegan, and comprehensive reading lists provide an in-depth overview of this planetary crisis and demonstrate effective ways to offset the damage.
The Touch of an Angel (Jewish Lives in Poland)
by Henryk SchönkerThe extraordinary story of a child’s survival of the Holocaust and the basis for the award-winning documentary directed by Marek T. Pawlowski.Henryk Schönker was born in 1931 into one of the most prominent and highly esteemed Jewish families of Oswiecim—the Polish town renamed Auschwitz during the German occupation. He and his family managed to flee Oswiecim shortly before the creation of the Auschwitz death camp, and survived the war through sheer luck and a strong will to survive. The Schönker family’s return to Oswiecim in 1945 provides a fascinating glimpse of challenges faced by Jewish people who chose to remain in Poland after the war and attempted to rebuild their lives there. Schönker’s testimony also reveals an astonishing fact: the town of Oswiecim could have become the departure point for a mass emigration of Jewish people instead of the place of their annihilation. Documents included with the narrative provide support for this claim. Although he was only a child at the time, Henryk Schönker’s life experience was the Holocaust. Even so, death and the threat of death are not the focus of this memoir. Instead, Schönker, with a touching personal style, chooses to focus on how life can defy destruction, how spirituality can protect physical existence, and how real the presence of higher powers can be if one never loses faith.
In Search of Medicine's Moral Compass (In Search Of Medicine's Moral Compass Ser.)
by Rob TeneryA veteran physician shares his opinion on the state of health care in America and what needs to be done to change it. In an age where uncertainty rules the day, Dr. Rob Tenery explains how health care has evolved into a $2.6 trillion enterprise. He does this with carefully researched histories and a series of challenging and thought-provoking commentaries on the most important issues of the day. Dr. Tenery&’s book focuses on a time when doctors and patients worked together to determine the best course of treatment—solutions now being ceded to large corporations and the federal government. He relates, as only a physician can, the challenges, fulfillment, and ethical dilemmas of caring for patients and making the best decisions for their health and well-being. Whether contemplating what doctors can do when nothing can be done, or thinking about the state of the medical profession, his insights are based on real-life experiences with his patients and colleagues. Dr. Tenery brings a perspective and a set of values gained from his father and grandfather, who, together with the author, represent over a century of caring for patients. This book gives you the opportunity to step into the shoes of a dedicated third-generation physician and to see the changing nature of health and medical care through his eyes. This physician of over thirty-seven years is sharing his collected writing for a better understanding of why medicine is a profession and not just another business.
Fondue: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Gathering Around the Table (Nitty Gritty Cookbooks Ser.)
by Bob Simmons Coleen SimmonsOver forty gorgeous photos and forty tempting recipes, from creamy cheese dips and decadent sweet fondues, to savory oil and broth pots.What’s not to love about that classic pairing of crusty bread dipped in a medley of melted cheeses or fresh strawberries swirled in warm, creamy chocolate? Fondue is not only a delicious and satisfying way to eat, it’s also a festive way to host company, celebrate a special occasion, or get cozy on a wintry night.The recipes in this book offer a range of fondue fare—from hearty favorites like Classic Swiss Fondue and Beef Fondue with Creamy Horseradish Sauce, to broth-based fondues like Shabu-Shabu and other Asian hot pots, which are enjoyed in stages and are ideal for dinner parties. There are also a variety of dessert fondues to satisfy any sweet tooth. You can add flair to this quick party dish with recipes for homemade dippers, or keep it simple with store-bought treats. No matter what the occasion, the recipes inside this beautifully photographed book are sure to inspire lively conversation and a great time.
The Chronicles of Barsetshire Volume One: The Warden, Barchester Towers, and Doctor Thorne (The Chronicles of Barsetshire)
by Anthony TrollopeThree novels of life and death in a rural town in Victorian England by a master of drama and social satire. In the nineteenth century, Anthony Trollope created the fictional world of Barsetshire, the setting for a series of classic novels that addressed love, murder, religion, politics, and the ordinary lives of locals both rich and poor.The Warden: A well-meaning public official finds himself embroiled in a scandal.Barchester Towers: A bishop passes away, leading the town to become caught up in church politics.Doctor Thorne: A young noble is drawn to a woman, but his family is displeased by her lack of fortune and social standing, in this sweeping love story.
The Art of the Cookie: Baking Up Inspiration By the Dozen
by Shelly KaldunskiTurn simple cookies into delicious masterpieces with this illustrated cookbook featuring more than forty delectable recipes and inspired decorating ideas.A beautifully crafted cookie is a work of art. The Art of the Cookie is packed with delicious cookie recipes that combine fantastic flavor with visual appeal. Whether it's a cookie exchange, holiday gathering, or Mother's Day tea, these cookies will be a memorable addition to any occasion.The Art of the Cookie begins with versatile roll-and-cut dough recipes, such as brown sugar cookies and gingerbread. These classic treats are then elevated with clever yet simple decorating ideas: vibrant vanilla-sugar flowers; alphabet shapes flooded with icing and sprinkled with colorful sugars; and petits fours stacked to resemble a miniature wedding cake.There are also recipes that put a modern twist on more extravagant cookies such as sparkly macaroons; wreath-shaped sugar cookies baked with lemon and thyme. Decoration and filling ideas include icing ornaments and striped cookies that taste and look like peppermint sticks.
The Death Bird Contract (The Joe Gall Mysteries #4)
by Philip AtleeA hard-edged covert operative crosses into Mexico—and enters a dark, dangerous spiral—in this novel from &“an able practitioner&” of the thriller genre (Larry McMurtry, The New York Times). A freelancer specializing in covert ops, Joe Gall has been tasked with doing a background check on a millionaire—a job that will take him into the wild and gritty world of 1960s Mexico. Unfortunately, the assignment has already come to a bad end for two different agents before him. It will put Gall in the crosshairs of some very dangerous people—not to mention piranhas—as he goes deeper and deeper undercover, into the terrifying world of heroin addiction . . . From the Edgar Award–nominated author of The White Wolverine Contract, this is lighting-paced Cold War–era action at its best.
The Coping Strategy: Choosing a Life of Wholeness in a Broken World
by Larry R. GillespieA retired psychologist shares his life-management strategy that empowers you to cope with problems while gaining joy, meaning, and purpose in life. There are matters in life that are broken, consume our energies, and lead us to feeling stressed out, if not burned out. But what if it were possible to embrace a life of wholeness in our broken world? What if there were basic keys to boundless freedom and opportunity—keys anchored upon treasured sacred writings, time-honored philosophical wisdom, and modern psychology? And what if these keys could be incorporated into a powerful, transformative life-management strategy that is easy to understand? There is a method that has proven effects in this endeavor. In The COPING Strategy, you will learn to apply the principles of this system, sharing them with friends, family, and others who are important to you. The strategy spelled out within the pages of this book will help you to embrace the power of Choice, the power of Overcoming, the power of Pause, the power of Initiation, the power of Negating Negative thinking, and the power of Giving. It can help you enhance your physical well-being, experience a joy that transcends circumstances, and anchor your life in meaning and purpose. Welcome to a life of wholeness in a broken world!
On the Sultan's Service: Halid Ziya Usakligil's Memoir of the Ottoman Palace, 1909–1912
by Douglas Scott BrookesThe renowned Turkish author’s memoir of serving Sultan Mehmed V provides a rare look inside the palace politics of the late Ottoman Empire.Before he became one of Turkey’s most famous novelists, Halid Ziya Usakligil served as First Secretary to Sultan Mehmed V. His memoir of that time, between 1909 and 1912, provides first-hand insight into the personalities, intrigues, and inner workings of the Ottoman palace in its final decades.In post-Revolution Turkey, the palace no longer exercised political power. Instead, it negotiated the minefields between political factions, sought ways to unite the empire in the face of nationalist aspirations, and faced the opening salvos of the wars that would eventually overwhelm the country. Usakligil includes interviews with the Imperial family as well as descriptions of royal nuptials, the palaces and its visitors, and the crises that shook the court. He also delivers an insightful and moving portrait of Mehmed V, the man who reigned over the Ottoman Empire through both Balkan Wars and World War I.
The Fer-de-Lance Contract (The Joe Gall Mysteries #11)
by Philip AtleeAn operative heads to the steamy Caribbean and brings some heat of his own: &“I admire Philip Atlee&’s writing tremendously.&” —Raymond Chandler Joe Gall is the kind of guy who gets called in when no one else can get the job done—a freelance operative with a CIA background who knows how to track down intel, hide in the shadows, find his quarry, and eliminate the threat. Now, a Caribbean island is having a problem with snakes—the kind only someone like Joe Gall can exterminate . . . From an Edgar Award finalist called &“the John D. MacDonald of espionage fiction,&” this is a hard-hitting tale of action, danger, and international intrigue (Larry McMurtry, The New York Times).
Weird Earth: Debunking Strange Ideas About Our Planet
by Donald R. Prothero“A breath of intellectual fresh air . . . [an] amusing look at how to dispel endemic pseudoscience and conspiracy theories through rational thinking.” —Publishers WeeklyAliens. Ley lines. Water dowsing. Conspiracies and myths captivate imaginations and promise mystery and magic. Whether it’s arguing about the moon landing hoax or a Frisbee-like Earth drifting through space, when held up to science and critical thinking, these ideas fall flat. In Weird Earth: Debunking Strange Ideas About Our Planet, Donald R. Prothero demystifies these conspiracies and offers answers to some of humanity’s most outlandish questions. Applying his extensive scientific knowledge, Prothero corrects misinformation that con artists and quacks use to hoodwink others about geology—hollow earth, expanding earth, and bizarre earthquakes—and mystical and paranormal happenings—healing crystals, alien landings, and the gates of hell. By deconstructing wild claims such as prophesies of imminent natural disasters, Prothero provides a way for everyone to recognize dubious assertions. Prothero answers these claims with facts, offering historical and scientific context in a light-hearted manner that is accessible to everyone, no matter their background. With a careful layering of evidence in geology, archaeology, and biblical and historical records, Prothero’s Weird Earth examines each conspiracy and myth and leaves no question unanswered.Weird Earth is about the facts and the people who don’t believe them. Don Prothero describes the process of science—and the process of not accepting it. If you’re wondering if humans walked on the Moon, if you’ve wondered where the lost City of Atlantis went, or if you’re wondering what your cat will do before an earthquake, check out Weird Earth.” —Bill Nye
Lazarus Rising: A Novel
by Joseph CaldwellThe Rome Prize–winning author of In the Shadow of the Bridge&“evokes a bygone era and an earlier pandemic. . . . An affecting turn in [his] long career&” (Publishers Weekly). This dark, propulsive novel, the crowning masterwork by ninety-two-year-old Joseph Caldwell, takes place during 1992, when AIDS was still an incurable scourge and death casualties were everyday events. One cold winter night, when the artist Dempsey Coates is on her way home to her loft, she encounters a blaze, several alarms ringing and water jetting every which way from fire hydrants. She ends up offering several firemen a place to get warm. One of them is Johnny Donegan, a passionate lad who falls madly in love with her and is determined, through prayer and sheer perseverance, to make a life with Dempsey unimpeded by the specter of her illness. But when the couple is finally blessed with an unexpected stroke of good luck, this one twist of fate that promises an enduring future will end up coming between them in a very tragic and unforeseen way. Praise for In the Shadow of the Bridge &“A moving memoir and a look at gay and artistic life in New York City from the 1950s on, through the AIDS epidemic.&” —New York Post &“In telling the story of coming to NYC as a young man, grappling with his desire to be an artist, to be a man of faith, and his desire for the love of another man, Joseph Caldwell tells the story of a time and place—the story of a generation.&” —A. M. Homes, Orange Prize–winning author of May We Be Forgiven
No More Parades: Large Print (The Parade's End Tetralogy #2)
by Ford Madox FordAn Englishman struggles to preserve his dignity in the face of intrigue, deceit, and WWI in the second novel of the celebrated Parade&’s End tetralogy. Christopher Tietjens is an officer and a gentleman, but when he meets the beautiful and spirited Valentine Wannop, he is driven to finally betray his loveless marriage. However, before their love can be consummated, Christopher must leave Valentine and the security of Edwardian England behind in order to serve his country in World War I. Stationed in France, Christopher soon learns that his wife, Sylvia, is also there. And though her true intentions are as mysterious as ever, she soon has Christopher caught in a dilemma from which his only escape is to join the chaos of the front. No More Parades is both a panoramic portrait of the Great War and a penetrating examination of shifting cultural norms in the early twentieth century.
The Canadian Bomber Contract (The Joe Gall Mysteries #12)
by Philip AtleeOne man must stop separatists targeting a tourist destination on the US border in this thriller by &“the John D. MacDonald of espionage fiction&” (Larry McMurtry, The New York Times). A movement is afoot in Canada&’s majority French–speaking province, Quebec, to separate from the rest of the country, and the FLQ is the organization leading the way. But some supporters of the cause are impatient—and want to take the fight to another level. Now ex–CIA agent John Gall is being called in to stop an armed splinter group—and an explosive terrorist attack at Niagara Falls—in this action-packed thriller by an Edgar Award–nominated author.
Fritz Bauer: The Jewish Prosecutor Who Brought Eichmann and Auschwitz to Trial (German Jewish Cultures Ser.)
by Ronen SteinkeA biography of the German Jewish judge and lawyer who survived the Holocaust, brought the Nazis to justice, and fought for the rights of homosexuals. German Jewish judge and prosecutor Fritz Bauer (1903–1968) played a key role in the arrest of Adolf Eichmann and the initiation of the Frankfurt Auschwitz trials. Author Ronen Steinke tells this remarkable story while sensitively exploring the many contributions Bauer made to the postwar German justice system. As it sheds light on Bauer&’s Jewish identity and the role it played in these trials and his later career, Steinke&’s deft narrative contributes to the larger story of Jewishness in postwar Germany. Examining latent antisemitism during this period as well as Jewish responses to renewed German cultural identity and politics, Steinke also explores Bauer&’s personal and family life and private struggles, including his participation in debates against the criminalization of homosexuality—a fact that only came to light after his death in 1968. This new biography reveals how one individual&’s determination, religion, and dedication to the rule of law formed an important foundation for German post war society.&“What is clear—and what this book makes clear—is that without people like Fritz Bauer there would have been none of this prosecution of Nazi atrocities, no trials for Auschwitz camp guards or Adolf Eichmann, no rehabilitation of the German resistance against Hitler. Ronen Steinke deserves thanks for bringing this message of Fritz Bauer back to light in such an accessible form, balancing professional distance and sympathy.&” —Kai Ambos, Criminal Law Forum&“Illuminates the biography of a central actor in Germany&’s coming to terms with its Nazi past.&” —Jacob S. Eder, author of Holocaust Angst
My Struggle for Peace, Volume 1: The Diary of Moshe Sharett, 1953–1956 (The Diary of Moshe Sharett, 1953–1956 #1)
by Moshe SharettThe first volume of the former Israeli prime minister’s journals from the nation’s early years.My Struggle for Peace is a remarkable political document offering insights into the complex workings of the young Israeli political system, set against the backdrop of the disintegration of the country’s fragile armistice with the Arab states. Replete with Moshe Sharett’s candid comments on Israel’s first-generation leaders and world statesmen of the day, the diary also tells the dramatic human story of a political career cut short—the removal of an unusually sensitive, dedicated, and talented public servant. My Struggle for Peace is, above all, an intimate record of the decline of Sharett’s moderate approach and the rise of more “activist-militant” trends in Israeli society, culminating in the Suez/Sinai war of 1956. The diary challenges the popular narrative that Israel’s confrontation with its neighbors was unavoidable by offering daily evidence of Sharett’s statesmanship, moderation, diplomacy, and concern for Israel’s place in international affairs.This is the first volume in the 3-volume English abridgement of Sharett’s Yoman Ishi [Personal diary] (Ma’ariv, 1978) maintains the integrity, flavor, and impact of the 8-volume Hebrew original and includes additional documentary material that was not accessible at the time. The volumes are also available to purchase as a set or individually.“The editors . . . vastly improved on the Hebrew version by adding Sharett’s speeches, reports, cabinet minutes, and other sources to the text’. . . . These additions makes this work so important and welcome by all who aspire to understand the foreign and defense policies of Israel in its first decade.” —Israel Studies Review
The Whistling Hangman (The Duncan Maclain Mysteries #2)
by Baynard KendrickWhat seems like an unfortunate fall turns out to be far more disturbing, as a blind detective discovers, in this mystery from the author of The Last Express.Following the loss of his sight in World War I, ex–intelligence officer Capt. Duncan Maclain honed his other senses and became one of the most successful and well-known private investigators in New York City . . .Wealthy businessman Dryden Winslow spent over twenty years self-exiled in Australia, but he&’s recently returned to the United States. He&’s staying at Doncaster House, a luxury hotel in Manhattan, where he&’s rented out six suites for himself and his estranged family. Given Winslow&’s weakened heart has him on the verge of death, the hotel staff are on high alert, knowing he could drop at any moment. Of course, no one expects him to drop from his balcony . . .Captain Maclain is playing chess with the hotel manager when a startled housekeeper reports her account of Winslow&’s accident, claiming she heard whistling before the fall. Stranger yet, when Maclain examines the body, he declares Winslow was hanged. Now, with his seeing eye dog at his side and a hotel full of secrets, Maclain sets out to prove his case. It&’s a lofty goal and, with a lunatic killer still roaming the hotel, a dangerous one too.Baynard Kendrick was the first American to enlist in the Canadian Army during World War I. While in London, he met a blind English soldier whose observational skills inspired the character of Capt. Duncan Maclain. Kendrick was also a founding member of the Mystery Writers of America and winner of the organization&’s Grand Master Award.
The Silken Baroness Contract (The Joe Gall Mysteries #3)
by Philip AtleeFrom the Edgar Award–nominated author:An agent for hire plays bodyguard to a titled beauty in Tenerife—and mixes partying with peril . . . Joe Gall, freelance operative, is assigned to protect a beautiful baroness under threat—and solve the mystery of who is after her. That means heading to the Canary Islands—and playing the part of a rich, hard-drinking American in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It&’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it . . . &“[Philip Atlee is] the John D. MacDonald of espionage fiction.&” —Larry McMurtry, The New York Times &“I admire Philip Atlee&’s writing tremendously.&” —Raymond Chandler
You Die Today! (The Duncan Maclain Mysteries #7)
by Baynard KendrickA shooting outside a Manhattan bar leads a blind detective to a health spa with a dark secret in this mystery by the author of Make Mine Maclain.Late one summer night, Tubby Severn is enjoying a drink at the bar of the Broadway Palace Hotel when a bullet sails past his head—only six inches away. Lots of people might want Tubby dead, but he&’s not sure why the cops have arrested his best friend, Ted Yates, a blind army veteran. It seems the gun involved in the shooting was Ted&’s service pistol, which was also used in a murder two years ago—and then vanished. Now, with Ted sporting a straitjacket in Bellevue, Tubby turns to Duncan Maclain for help.Maclain agrees to take the case but soon discovers he&’s dealing with more than one suspicious death and a peculiar place called Hardesty&’s Health Farm, where they help clients shed pounds. As Maclain begins making connections in this twisted puzzle, he and his partner, Spud Savage, must quickly nab the killer before someone else is dropped like dead weight . . .&“Suspense! . . . Corking climax!&” —Omaha World-Herald&“Novel murder device, unique fabric of alibis, deeply knotted puzzle, and engaging detection technique.&” —Chicago TribuneBaynard Kendrick was the first American to enlist in the Canadian Army during World War I. While in London, he met a blind English soldier whose observational skills inspired the character of Capt. Duncan Maclain. Kendrick was also a founding member of the Mystery Writers of America and winner of the organization&’s Grand Master Award.
The Underground Cities Contract (The Joe Gall Mysteries #18)
by Philip AtleeIn Turkey, a planned prisoner exchange goes dangerously awry, in this thriller from the Edgar Award–nominated author. Joe Gall must travel to Turkey after three Americans are abducted by terrorists. The plan is to break one of their compatriots out of jail in order to make a trade for the hostages. But kidnappers aren&’t known for keeping their promises—and before he knows it, the freelance operative is in deep danger . . . &“[Philip Atlee is] the John D. MacDonald of espionage fiction.&” —Larry McMurtry, The New York Times &“I admire Philip Atlee&’s writing tremendously.&” —Raymond Chandler
Blind Man's Bluff: A Duncan Maclain Mystery (The Duncan Maclain Mysteries #0)
by Baynard KendrickA blind detective rises to the occasion following the suspicious death of a blind financier in this mystery by the author of Odor of Violets.Following the loss of his sight in World War I, ex–intelligence officer Capt. Duncan Maclain honed his other senses and became one of the most successful and well-known private investigators in New York City . . .The Miners Title and Trust is typically dead quiet, having gone bankrupt. Then, late one evening, the bank&’s blind president, Blake Hadfield, plummets eight stories to his death in the building&’s lobby. The only witnesses are the security guard and Blake&’s estranged wife, who were both on the first floor. Blake&’s son, Seth, is found drunk and dazed on the eighth floor, making him the prime suspect in what the police believe to be murder.That&’s when Harold Lawson and Sybella Ford call upon Captain Maclain for help. Maclain doesn&’t think the banker&’s death was a suicide or an accident. He believes someone else was in the building. Now, with the help of his two German Shepherds, Maclain must begin investigating the complicated life of the senior Hadfield. But if the sightless sleuth isn&’t careful, he could meet a similar end . . . Baynard Kendrick was the first American to enlist in the Canadian Army during World War I. While in London, he met a blind English soldier whose observational skills inspired the character of Capt. Duncan Maclain. Kendrick was also a founding member of the Mystery Writers of America and winner of the organization&’s Grand Master Award.
The Rockabye Contract (The Joe Gall Mysteries #7)
by Philip AtleeA wild plot leads a covert operative around the globe—and into deadly trouble: &“I admire Philip Atlee&’s writing tremendously.&” —Raymond Chandler Joe Gall&’s current assignment involves escorting a sexy folk singer on an international journey—but as always for the ex–CIA operative, there&’s more going on behind the scenes. Before this job is through, Gall will find himself untangling a mystery involving a toy manufacturer, an assassination plot, and a dictator&’s goons—and trying desperately to make it out alive . . . This classic series of action novels featuring the fearless freelancer comes from the Edgar Award–nominated author praised as &“the John D. MacDonald of espionage fiction&” (Larry McMurtry, The New York Times).
Being Esther: A Novel
by Miriam KarmelEightysomething Esther Lustig tells the story of her life in a witty, touching novel that “will linger long in readers’ minds and hearts” (Pioneer Press).“Widowed and in her mid-eighties, Esther checks in with her friend Lottie each morning to confirm that each has made it through the night. But there is no way that she’s going to surrender to her bossy daughter, Ceely, and move into an assisted living facility, which she disdainfully calls Bingoville. In her first novel, Karmel takes an understated and disarming approach to the closing years in the life of a seemingly ordinary woman, imbuing Esther with a subtle but zingy wit and underappreciated intelligence. Esther reflects on her mother’s frostiness and her mother-in-law’s ‘acid tongue,’ her own passion for books, the grinding disappointments and late-blooming joys of her marriage, and Ceely’s harrowing incommunicado years. Brimming with keen observations yet slow to articulate them due to her body’s strange new hesitations, Esther is appalled by how strangers treat her as an ‘object of concerned looks and condescension.’ Karmel’s novel of womanhood, the love and strife between mothers and daughters, marital dead zones, and the baffling metamorphosis of age is covertly complex, quietly incisive, and stunning in its emotional richness.” —Booklist “Being Esther is impossible to put down . . . a wonderful debut.” —Margot Livesey, author of The Flight of Gemma Hardy