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Under My Skin: A Hannah Wolfe Mystery (The Hannah Wolfe Crime Novels #3)
by Sarah DunantA private eye infiltrates a health spa in this witty crime novel from the CWA Silver Dagger Award–winning author of The Birth of Venus Dead carp floating in the Jacuzzi isn&’t the latest youth and beauty elixir for the elite patrons of Castle Dean spa, and owner Olivia Marchant is desperate to find the culprit before she loses all her clients. London PI Hannah Wolfe is plucked, crimped, steamed, and oiled while trying to uncover a spiteful saboteur who isn&’t above putting maggots in the yogurt and nails in the massage heads. Olivia also wants the sleuth to look into a series of threatening notes someone has been sending her husband, Maurice. Celebrity plastic surgeon Maurice Marchant has left some very disgruntled former patients in his wake. Women who have gone under his knife are now coping with less-than-perfect liposuction, drooping faces, and breast enlargements that went south. And when the case morphs into murder, Hannah confronts an embarrassment of suspects with means, motive, and opportunity. Tracking a killer while running surveillance on her sister&’s potentially philandering husband takes Hannah out of her comfort zone and into a rarefied world where appearances aren&’t just deceiving—they&’re deadly. The quest for beauty is taken to diabolical lengths in this smart thriller from New York Times–bestselling author Sarah Dunant—a must-read for fans of Kinsey Millhone and Philip Marlowe. Under My Skin is the 3rd book in the Hannah Wolfe Crime Novels, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Good King Sauerkraut (The Marian Larch Mysteries #3)
by Barbara PaulA clumsy robotics researcher scrambles to cover up a double homicide Despite his name, King Sarcowicz is hardly regal. A rumpled scientist, he spends every waking minute in his lab, tinkering with the robots he thinks will make human soldiers obsolete. It seems impossible that this gentle soul could create a killing machine, and in fact, he never will. Long before his robot is operational, King himself will become a killer. Working late in his lab, King commits a pair of clumsy blunders that lead to the deaths of two of his fellow scientists. In shock, he disappears into the streets of New York. When he&’s finally confronted by NYPD detective Marian Larch, he lies to save his own skin. To discover what caused the tragedy in King&’s lab, Larch will have to do more than outsmart this brilliant scientist—she&’ll have to think like him too.Good King Sauerkraut is the 3rd book in the Marian Larch Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Washington: The Indispensable Man (The\illustrated Editions Ser.)
by James Thomas FlexnerThis &“perceptive&” and &“satisfying&” biography of George Washington by an award-winning historian &“deserves a place on every American&’s bookshelf&” (The New York Times Book Review). James Thomas Flexner&’s masterful four-volume biography of America&’s first president, which received a special Pulitzer Prize citation and a National Book Award for its concluding installment, is the definitive chronicle of Washington&’s life and a classic work of American history. In this single-volume edition, Flexner brilliantly distills his sweeping study to offer readers &“the most convincing evocation of the man and his deeds written within the compass of one book&” (Los Angeles Times). In graceful and dramatic prose, Flexner peels back the myths surrounding Washington to reveal the true complexity of his character. The only founding father from Virginia to free all his slaves, Washington was a faithful husband who harbored deep romantic feelings for his best friend&’s wife. An amateur soldier, he prepared for his role as commander in chief of the Continental army by sending out to Philadelphia bookshops for treatises on military strategy. As president, he set many democratic precedents—including the two-term limit and the appointment of an advisory cabinet—yet routinely excluded his vice president, John Adams, from important decisions. The George Washington that emerges in these pages is a shrewd statesman, a wise commander, a brave patriot, and above all, &“an ordinary man pushed to greatness by the extraordinary times in which he lived&” (The Christian Science Monitor). In tracing Washington&’s evolution from privileged son of the landed gentry to &“the indispensable man&” without whom the United States as we know it would not exist, Flexner presents a hero worthy of admiration not only for his remarkable strengths, but also for his all-too-human weaknesses.
Haunted Orlando (Haunted America)
by Joshua GinsbergAuthor Joshua Ginsberg guides intrepid readers on a journey into Orlando's haunted history. More than 70 million people visit Orlando annually. Some travel for pleasure, others come for business, but once the glow of the nightly fireworks over the Magic Kingdom fades, the City Beautiful plays host to a different set of guests…from beyond the grave. Do those who played roles in bringing the city to life continue to inhabit it well after their deaths? Encounter July Perry and the ghosts of Wall Street Square, the apparition known as the Lady of Lucerne, the unquiet victims of Sunland Hospital, restless residents of Greenwood Cemetery, and a great many others.
Ghosts and Legends of Florida Pirates (Haunted America)
by Heather LeighAuthor Heather Leigh guides readers on a swashbuckling journey into the ghostly remnants of Florida pirates. From the legendary Blackbeard to the infamous Captain Kidd, the tales of Florida pirates have captivated readers for generations--hidden treasure, daring escapes, larger-than-life personalities. But, of course, the ghost stories are just as intriguing. From haunted ships to spectral pirates still searching for their lost loot. Florida is full of history and mystery, and the tales of its pirates are some of the most exciting parts of that legacy.
Haunted Northern Virginia (Haunted America)
by Katherine Alexandra Matsuo-BrennanDiscover ghostly history from Arlington to Occoquan, Leesburg to Lorton Across the river from Washington, D.C. lies one of the most haunted areas in the country. From Arlington National Cemetery to countless battlefields, old towns, historic houses and memorials, all contain spooky stories that are longing to be told. The screams of a young girl taken too soon vibrate through the woods, to be heard by unsuspecting drivers. A bitter soldier keeps watch over a battlefield more than a century old. An angry wife guards her former home, preserving her husband's legacy long after her own passing. Author and paranormal researcher Alex Matsuo delves deep into ghostly lore to tell tales that haunt.
Ghosts of Ross County, Ohio (Haunted America)
by Neal ParksBeneath the calm and bucolic appearance of Ross County, dark things await. Chillicothe's iconic Majestic Theater is a veritable haunted hotspot. Numerous homes in Huntington Hills report strange occurrences, and ghostly shadows appear nightly at Mound City. Unbeknownst to many, a Frankfort apartment complex stands on the hallowed ground of a family cemetery, leaving the spirits beneath the earth far from peaceful. Deftly weaving together elements of murder, mystery, suspense, and horror into a captivating blend of the supernatural and the unknown, award-winning author Neal Parks leads a haunting journey through local haunted lore.
Long Island State Parks: A History from Jones Beach to Montauk (Landmarks)
by Kristen MatejkaDiscover the History Behind the Beauty of Long Island's Most Cherished Parks Each year, tens of millions of people visit Long Island's state parks. Most visitors are unaware that each one of the state parks has its own fascinating chapter in the region's storied history. Some were once vast estates of New York's elite during the turn-of-the-century Gilded Age, such as Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park. Others were "hunting clubs," where wealthy members banded together to create retreats, including Caleb Smith State Park Preserve. Montauk's Camp Hero has a multigenerational military history, even inspiring conspiracies that the government experimented with mind control and time travel. Underprivileged children from the bustling boroughs of New York City found fresh air and formative experiences at Camp William Carey in today's Hallock State Park Preserve. Author Kristen Matejka presents the hidden history of the New York state parks on Long Island.
Wicked Flagstaff (Wicked)
by Suzanne JohnsonA rowdy red-light district, secret tunnels, and scathing newspaper editorials. Once home to sheep herders and ranchers, the railroad brought a new breed of pioneer to Flagstaff. Entrepreneurs and outlaws alike flocked to the growing town, some finding success and others finding their end at Greenwood Cemetery. When saloons and bawdy houses rebelled against new blue laws, quick-thinking mayor Thomas E. Pollock found a compromise that appeased most locals. Incorrigible characters like Commodore Perry Owens and Ben Doney could be found in town at the Parlor Saloon, while Dutch May Prescott kept the red-light district in the black. Author Susan Johnson uncovers the weird and wicked side of Flagstaff.
Ypsilanti Ghosts & Legends (Haunted America)
by Crysta K. Coburn Kay GrayDark Secrets & Curious Cases From its beginning as an outpost to its current offering of occult shops and restaurants, Ypsilanti has been made and remade by the people who love it. People like Mary Ann Starkweather, who may not only haunt her former home, but also Eastern Michigan's campus. Or the victims of John Norman Collins, who might lurk along the road on which they were found. However, ghosts aren't the only strange occurrence. Ypsi also has its fair share of UFOs, strange creatures, and inexplicable phenomena. Join podcasters and authors Crysta K. Coburn and Kay Gray on a tour of Ypsilanti's darkest, weirdest, and most puzzling encounters.
Haunted Puget Sound (Haunted America)
by Ira Wesley KitmacherThe Puget Sound region is known for its idyllic scenery--and for harboring the paranormal. From the spirits of frontiersmen and adventurers to specters of soldiers and sailors, chilling tales abound. Ghostly full body apparitions are said to endlessly travel the Oregon Trail, and the doomed 17-man crew of the Andelana, drowned in Tacoma's Commencement Bay, have been spotted still sailing. In Olympia, a ghostly boy wanders the Governor's Mansion, and the spirit of Tacoma Hotel mascot Jack, an 800-pound brown bear, haunts the streets nearby. Author and historian Ira Wesley Kitmacher reveals the fascinating history of Puget Sound's resident spirits.
Lost Towns of Monroe County, Michigan (Lost)
by Shawna Lynn MazurEchoes of the past can be found in every corner of Monroe County. Incredibly, the county has over a hundred lost towns across its fifteen townships. Some of these towns have notorious histories, such as the murderer who founded a village and the town that robbed its own citizens. Some succumbed to tragedy, including one that was swallowed up by the water and a resort town that disappeared. Others were simply absorbed by another state. Local historian and author of Hidden History of Monroe County, Michigan , Shawna Mazur collects the stories behind these vanished communities, revealing where these towns were located, how they grew and why they disappeared, often without a trace.
Criminal Conversation
by Ed McBainAn assistant district attorney launches a one-man crusade against the Mafia in this legal thriller from the bestselling author of the 87th Precinct series. The call comes from Narcotics, Manhattan South. A low-level drug dealer just got caught in a buy-bust, and he&’s ready to spill his guts. It wouldn&’t be a priority—especially not four days before Christmas—but the thug just mentioned the Mafia, and that means all hands on deck. It&’s just what Michael Welles has been waiting for. An assistant district attorney with a burning hatred of organized crime, he&’ll do anything for a crack at the mob. He&’s about to get a chance to bring down the whole clan—but his loved ones&’ lives are at stake. The dealer they arrested is an unlucky gambler whose debts put him smack in the middle of two of New York&’s most powerful crime families. Following the man&’s lead, Michael sets up a massive eavesdropping operation intended to trap the ruthless new leader of the local mob—but what he hears on the other end of the wiretap will make him doubt everything he knows about his family, his wife, and himself. From the legendary Ed McBain, who &“virtually invented the American police procedural with his gritty 87th Precinct series,&” Criminal Conversation is as realistic as it gets (The New York Times).
Satan's Lambs (The Lena Padget Mysteries #1)
by Lynn HightowerA fearless female private investigator in the South takes on a satanic cult that practices human sacrifice in this gripping Shamus Award–winning mystery. Seven years ago Lena Padget&’s life exploded when Jeff Hayes, her devil-worshipping brother-in-law, killed her sister and two-year-old nephew. The horrific double-murder hardened the once-gentle Kentucky native and compelled her to leave graduate school in order to help protect abused and endangered women from human monsters. Now Hayes and his sadistic partner in satanism, Archie Valetta, have been inexplicably released on parole. Lena&’s past has returned with a vengeance to haunt her—and to prey on yet another frightened mother and her helpless child. Approached by Valetta&’s desperate ex-wife, Eloise, Lena will do everything in her power to prevent history from repeating itself. Otherwise, Eloise&’s four-year-old son will be the next innocent victim. Before Laura Lippman&’s Tess Monaghan and Karin Slaughter&’s Sara Linton, there was Lena Padget. The winner of the Shamus Award for Best First Private Eye Novel, Satan&’s Lambs marked the acclaimed debut of author Lynn Hightower&’s tough-as-nails, sexy, and smart female sleuth on a fictional PI scene long dominated by male mystery writers and established Hightower as a force to be reckoned with in crime fiction. Satan&’s Lambs is the 1st book in the Lena Padget Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Dead as a Dinosaur (The Mr. and Mrs. North Mysteries #16)
by Frances Lockridge Richard LockridgeWhen a paleontologist is murdered, Mr. and Mrs. North go digging for his killer The office of Dr. Orpheus Preson is filled with remains, the bones of long dead dinosaurs. He waves one of them at the NYPD detective, demanding the police stop the person who&’s been sending workmen to his house—an endless parade of bricklayers, butlers, French tutors, and tree surgeons, none of whom Preson hired, and all of whom expect payment. There&’s nothing law enforcement can do, which means it&’s time to call the only two people in New York who can help: Pamela and Jerry North. A fashionable literary couple who&’s made a habit of solving mysteries between martinis, the Norths have known Dr. Preson since Jerry published his first book. The amateur detectives vow to do what they can for the perturbed paleontologist, but it&’s too little too late. When Dr. Preson is found murdered, the Norths will find that the poor man had more than one kind of skeleton in his closet. Dead as a Dinosaur is the 16th book in the Mr. and Mrs. North Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Return to Nevèrÿon: Tales of Nevèrÿon, Neveryóna, Flight from Nevèrÿon, and Return to Nevèrÿon (Return to Nevèrÿon)
by Samuel R. DelanyA four-volume &“postmodern sword-and-sorcery&” epic from a multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author (The Washington Post Book World).Tales of Nevèrÿon: After his parents are killed during a political coup, Gorgik is taken into captivity and forced to work the government obsidian mines in Nevèrÿon&’s Faltha Mountains. Years later, he is sold to serve one of the royal families, and eventually the army. When he is finally free, he leads a rebellion against Nevèrÿon&’s rulers to end the tyranny of slavery. Neveryóna: Or, The Tale of Signs and Cities: One of the few in Nevèrÿon who can read and write, Pryn escapes her village on the back of a dragon. On her journey across the civil war–torn land, Pryn has a fateful encounter with Gorgik the Liberator, whom she finds herself fighting beside in his war against slavery. Flight from Nevèrÿon: A smuggler, witness, and worshipper of Gorgik the Liberator follows his idol&’s bloody trail on a quest to meet him. But a disease has ravaged Nevèrÿon. Men, rich and poor, are dying. The illness seems to have first come from the Bridge of Lost Desire, a hangout for male and female prostitutes, and is spreading fast. With no hope of recovery or cure, it will change Nevèrÿon&’s sexual and political landscape forever. Return to Nevèrÿon: Slavery is outlawed and the land is finally free. At a deserted castle in the countryside, as Gorgik the Liberator regales a young barbarian about his deeds, he prepares to return to the mines where his own slavery began for one final battle.
The Greengage Summer: A Novel (Perennial Bestsellers Series)
by Rumer GoddenA sixteen-year-old girl captures the dangerous attention of an older man in this New York Times–bestselling novel by the author of Black Narcissus. Soon after the end of the terrible Great War, Mrs. Grey brings her five young children to the French countryside for the summer in hopes of instilling in them a sense of history and humility. But when she is struck down by a sudden illness and hospitalized, the siblings are left to fend for themselves at the lovely, bullet-scarred hotel Les Oeillets, under the suspicious, watchful eyes of its owner, Mademoiselle Zizi. The young ones find a willing guide, companion, and protector in charming Englishman Eliot, a longtime resident at Les Oeillets and Mlle. Zizi&’s apparent paramour. But as these warm days of freedom, discovery, and adolescent adventure unfold, Eliot&’s interest becomes more and more focused on the eldest of the Grey children, sixteen-year-old daughter Joss. The older man&’s obsession with the innocent, alluring, heartbreakingly beautiful woman-child soon threatens to overstep all bounds of propriety. And as Eliot&’s fascination increases, so does the jealousy of his disrespected lover, adding fuel to a dangerously smoldering fire that could erupt into unexpected violence at any moment. Told from the point of view of Cecil, Joss&’s sharp-eyed younger sister, The Greengage Summer is a beautiful, poignant, darkly tinged coming-of-age story rich in the sights, smells, and sounds of France&’s breathtaking Champagne country. It remains one of the crowning literary achievements of Rumer Godden, acclaimed author of beloved classics Black Narcissus, The River, and In This House of Brede.This ebook features an illustrated biography of the author including rare images from the Rumer Godden Literary Estate.
Doors
by Ed McBainA cautious New York burglar risks his neck for the score of a lifetime in this rollicking thriller by the bestselling author of the 87th Precinct series. Alex Hardy is the finest thief in New York City. A crib burglar, he robs apartments—never hotels, never offices, never liquor stores, never jewelers. Strictly apartments, and strictly during the day. He&’s paranoid, ready to cut and run as soon as a job turns sour—he&’s already been to prison once, and he doesn&’t plan on getting caught again—but he&’s about to get the offer of a lifetime, the big make he&’s always been looking for. How can he say no? This could set him up for life—but it could also send him back to Sing Sing for good. The stake revolves around Daisy, a one-legged hooker who spends Thursday afternoons at the home of a Westchester millionaire. It would be simple if Alex wasn&’t increasingly distracted by Jessica, his square neighbor who has no idea he&’s a burglar and seems to like him. Between these two very different women lies the biggest opportunity of Alex&’s life. Will he get his hands on it before the alarms start to sound? A heist story in the tradition of Lawrence Block or Donald E. Westlake, Doors is a brilliantly detailed story of how to steal—and why—from legendary Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Ed McBain.
Birth Marks: A Hannah Wolfe Crime Novel (The Hannah Wolfe Crime Novels #1)
by Sarah DunantA missing-persons case isn&’t what it seems in this page-turning thriller from CWA Silver Dagger Award–winning author Sarah Dunant Tough-talking PI Hannah Wolfe takes whatever cases she can get. This time, it&’s a missing person: Carolyn Hamilton, a twenty-three-year-old ballet dancer, has seemingly vanished into thin air. But while Hannah chases down dead-end leads, the dancer&’s body is fished out of the Thames. She was eight months pregnant. The police claim she committed suicide, but Hannah doesn&’t buy the official verdict. The private eye refuses to believe that Carolyn would kill herself and her unborn child, but she&’s convinced that her death is somehow connected to the pregnancy. Hannah&’s quest to find the baby&’s father takes her to France, where an unusual ad Carolyn answered leads to an old, moneyed family keeping monstrous secrets. And not even Hannah can guess at a deception that stretches back decades. Forced to confront her own ambivalent feelings about commitment and motherhood, Hannah won&’t rest until she gets justice for Carolyn—even if it means risking her own life. This thinking person&’s thriller from New York Times–bestselling author Sarah Dunant introduces a female sleuth—reminiscent of P. D. James&’s Cordelia Gray, Raymond Chandler&’s Philip Marlowe, and Sue Grafton&’s Kinsey Millhone—who readers are bound never to forget. Birth Marks is the 1st book in the Hannah Wolfe Crime Novels, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
An Affair of Sorcerers (The Mongo Mysteries #3)
by George C. ChesbroWhen a circus-performer-turned-PI is drawn into the occult underworld, the result is &“beautifully plotted and assured&” (#1 New York Times–bestselling author Peter Straub). With a genius IQ, a past career as a circus acrobat, and a black belt in karate, criminology professor Dr. Robert Frederickson—better known as &“Mongo the Magnificent&”—has a decidedly unusual background for a private investigator. He also just so happens to be a dwarf. Mongo needs all his faculties when he&’s hired to investigate a fellow professor who&’s been experimenting with sensory deprivation. Soon after, a nun asks him to help clear a psychic of murder. And then, weirdest of all, his seven-year-old neighbor, Kathy, begs him to locate her father&’s &“Book of Shadows.&” When Mongo finds Kathy&’s father dead from what seems to be a ritual sacrifice—and the little girl lying comatose nearby—the distressed detective follows a trail of occult clues and discovers that all three of his cases are tied to something wicked. Now, to save Kathy from an unnatural end, Mongo will risk it all to separate the facts from something even stranger than fiction. An Affair of Sorcerers is the 3rd book in the Mongo Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order. &“Beautifully plotted and assured . . . The work of a master.&” —#1 New York Times–bestselling author Peter Straub
Sub Rosa: The O. S. S. and American Espionage
by Stewart Alsop Thomas BradenA thrilling history of the Office of Strategic Services, America&’s precursor to the CIA, and its secret operations behind enemy lines during World War II. Born in the fires of the Second World War, the Office of Strategic Services, or OSS, was the brainchild of legendary US Maj. Gen. William &“Wild Bill&” Donovan, designed to provide covert aid to resistance fighters in European nations occupied by Germany&’s Nazi aggressors. Paratroopers Stewart Alsop and Thomas Braden—both of whom would become important political columnists in postwar years—became part of Wild Bill&’s able collection of soldiers, spies, and covert operatives. Sub Rosa is an enthralling insider&’s history of the remarkable intelligence operation that gave birth to the CIA. In Sub Rosa, Alsop and Braden take readers on a breathtaking journey through the birth and development of the top secret wartime espionage organization and detail many of the extraordinary OSS missions in France, Germany, Dakar and Casablanca in North Africa, and in the jungles of Burma that helped to hasten the end of the Japanese Empire and the fall of Adolf Hitler&’s powerful Reich. As exciting as any international thriller written by Eric Ambler or Graham Greene, Alsop and Braden&’s Sub Rosa is an indispensable addition to the literary history of American espionage and intelligence.
The Defiant Agents: With Linked Table Of Contents (The Time Traders Series #3)
by Andre NortonA battle for survival begins and ends in the human mind in the thrilling novel from the Time Traders series. The latest gambit by the Western powers to outmaneuver the Russians was Operation Cochise—which launched Travis Fox and his crew on a ship bound for the planet Topaz. At least that&’s what Fox thinks . . . All he knows for sure is that something went wrong and they crash landed. Everything else is a fog of warped memories. When they come across a band of Russians who have also had their memories obliterated, Fox begins to suspect they are all pawns in a much larger game. And his speculations are right. Someone is manipulating them. Observing them. And if Fox and his newfound allies cannot find a way to break free from their mental bonds, their captors may never be stopped.The Defiant Agents is the third book in the Time Traders Series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
The Lady of Situations: A Novel
by Louis AuchinclossThe New York Times–bestselling author &“picks up where Wharton and James left off, with [a] stylish, tasteful novel of manners&” (Publishers Weekly). Natica Chauncey, the daughter of a financier ruined by the Great Depression, is determined to regain the social status she has lost. She relies on a kindly matron for her glancing acquaintance with the aristocracy of Long Island—but she is haunted by a yearning for more. Coming of age at a time when anything more than a modest show of ambition does not become a lady, she must seek her own fortune in the fortunes of others. And so, with little more than her wits and determination, she makes her way through the social shoals of New England prep schools, Hudson Valley estates, and New York drawing rooms. Natica has a gift for finding opportunity in improbable situations, even at the risk of scandal—and almost in spite of herself, she will emerge as an unlikely, and unforgettable, femme fatale.
Clifford's Blues: A Novel
by John A. WilliamsA black musician arrested by Nazis in 1930s Germany endures the horrors of the Dachau death camp in this harrowing novel based on historical fact A self-proclaimed &“gay negro&” from New Orleans, Clifford Pepperidge made his name in the smoky nightclubs of Harlem in the 1920s, playing piano alongside Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, and other jazz greats. A decade later, he thrills crowds nightly in the cabarets of Weimar Berlin. But dark days are on the horizon as the Nazi Party rises to power. Arrested by Hitler&’s Gestapo during a roundup of homosexuals, Clifford finds himself placed in &“protective custody&” and transported to a concentration camp. Stripped of his dignity and his identity, and plunged into a nightmare of forced labor, starvation, and abuse, he seeks escape in his music. When a camp SS officer and jazz aficionado recognizes Clifford, the gentle musician learns just how far a desperate man will go in order to survive. Shining a light on a little-known aspect of the Holocaust, Clifford&’s Blues is a disturbing portrait of a dark era in world history and a poignant celebration of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of music.
Strange Angel: The Otherworldly Life of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons
by George PendleNow a CBS All Access series: &“A riveting tale of rocketry, the occult, and boom-and-bust 1920s and 1930s Los Angeles&” (Booklist). The Los Angeles Times headline screamed: ROCKET SCIENTIST KILLED IN PASADENA EXPLOSION. The man known as Jack Parsons, a maverick rocketeer who helped transform a derided sci-fi plotline into actuality, was at first mourned as a scientific prodigy. But reporters soon uncovered a more shocking story: Parsons had been a devotee of the city&’s occult scene. Fueled by childhood dreams of space flight, Parsons was a leader of the motley band of enthusiastic young men who founded the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a cornerstone of the American space program. But Parsons&’s wild imagination also led him into a world of incantations and orgiastic rituals—if he could make rocketry a reality, why not black magic? George Pendle re-creates the world of John Parsons in this dazzling portrait of prewar superstition, cold war paranoia, and futuristic possibility. Peopled with such formidable real-life figures as Howard Hughes, Aleister Crowley, L. Ron Hubbard, and Robert Heinlein, Strange Angel explores the unruly consequences of genius. The basis for a new miniseries created by Mark Heyman and produced by Ridley Scott, this biography &“vividly tells the story of a mysterious and forgotten man who embodied the contradictions of his time . . . when science fiction crashed into science fact. . . . [It] would make a compelling work of fiction if it weren&’t so astonishingly true&” (Publishers Weekly).