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The Grindle Nightmare
by Q. PatrickMurder strikes a New England village in this mystery by the Edgar Award–winning author who wrote the Peter Duluth Mysteries as Patrick Quentin. Patrick Quentin, best known for the Peter Duluth puzzle mysteries, also penned outstanding detective novels from the 1930s through the 1960s under other pseudonyms, including Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge. Anthony Boucher wrote: &“Quentin is particularly noted for the enviable polish and grace which make him one of the leading American fabricants of the murderous comedy of manners; but this surface smoothness conceals intricate and meticulous plot construction as faultless as that of Agatha Christie.&” It begins with the residents of a rustic New England village finding animals brutally slaughtered over a period of weeks, casting a sinister pall over the town of Grindle Oak. Then, a young girl goes missing, and her father—not trusting the police—asks local doctor Douglas Swanson to help him find her. But when Swanson turns up to begin the search, he finds the man dead with his hands bound in animal traps and his body mutilated. It appears the madman behind the abominable acts has moved on to more evolved prey. As more depraved crimes are discovered, a wave of suspicion and distrust sweeps through the town, with outright vigilantism threatening to break out. The good doctor finds himself cast as an unlikely sleuth who must discover what demented desires are driving a killer whose bloodlust is growing greater every day . . . This haunting mystery &“maintains the suspense and atmosphere of terror to the very end&” (The New York Times).
The Assassination of Julius Caesar: A People's History of Ancient Rome (A\new Press People's History Ser.)
by Michael Parenti&“A provocative history&” of intrigue and class struggle in Ancient Rome—&“an important alternative to the usual views of Caesar and the Roman Empire&” (Publishers Weekly). Most historians, both ancient and modern, have viewed the Late Republic of Rome through the eyes of its rich nobility—the 1 percent of the population who controlled 99 percent of the empire&’s wealth. In The Assassination of Julius Caesar, Michael Parenti recounts this period, spanning the years 100 to 33 BC, from the perspective of the Roman people. In doing so, he presents a provocative, trenchantly researched narrative of popular resistance against a powerful elite. As Parenti carefully weighs the evidence concerning the murder of Caesar, he adds essential context to the crime with fascinating details about Roman society as a whole. In these pages, we find reflections on the democratic struggle waged by Roman commoners, religious augury as an instrument of social control, the patriarchal oppression of women, and the political use of homophobic attacks. The Assassination of Julius Caesar offers a whole new perspective on an era thought to be well-known. &“A highly accessible and entertaining addition to history.&” —Book Marks
The Full Catastrophe: A Novel
by David CarkeetA New York Times Notable Book: &“A comic chronicle of marital misunderstandings . . . Eccentric, hilarious, wildly inventive&” (Los Angeles Times). Linguist Jeremy Cook knows how language works, but he doesn&’t know how marriage works. In fact, he is strangely hostile to the institution. So Cook is naturally uneasy about his job with a St. Louis firm specializing in &“the linguistically troubled marriage.&” His assignment is to move in with Dan and Beth Wilson, a prosperous suburban couple with an impoverished relationship, to analyze their problems with verbal communication and help them—if he can. But as Cook catalogs the Wilsons&’ missed signs and signals, he becomes increasingly, and unscientifically, involved . . . &“Read this terrific book.&” —Los Angeles Times &“With humor and insight, Mr. Carkeet&’s fourth novel addresses the commonest of social diseases—a failing marriage—with the least likely of therapies: a live-in linguist.&” —The New York Times Book Review &“Carkeet&’s premise is fresh, his characters utterly winning and his comic observations full of affection for those caught up in the complex confusions of love. Laugh-out-loud scenes and swift, convincing dialogue.&” —Publishers Weekly
The Liberal Tradition in America: The Classic on the Causes and Effects of Liberal Thought in the U.S.
by Louis HartzThis &“brilliantly written&” look at the original meaning of the liberal philosophy has become a classic of political science (American Historical Review). Winner of the Woodrow Wilson Foundation Award As the word &“liberal&” has been misused and its meaning diluted in recent decades, this study of American political thought since the Revolution is a valuable look at the &“liberal tradition&” that has been central to US history. Louis Hartz, who taught government at Harvard, shows how individual liberty, equality, and capitalism have been the values at the root of liberalism—and offers enlightening historical context that reminds us of America&’s unique place and important role in the world. &“Lively and thought-provoking . . . Fascinating reading.&” —The Review of Politics Includes an introduction by Tom Wicker
The Balloonist: A Novel
by MacDonald HarrisThe acclaimed novel of love, ambition, and Arctic adventure &“told with fin de siecle elegance&”—with an introduction by Philip Pullman (Kirkus Reviews). It is July 1897, at the northernmost reach of the inhabited world. Swedish inventor Gustav Crispin is determined to become the first person to set foot on the North Pole, and return, borne by hot air balloon. Making the expedition with two companions—an American journalist and a young, French-speaking adventurer—all three climb into the small wicker gondola and cuts the ropes. But as Gustav pursues his history-making ambition, and their flimsy balloon is battered by Arctic winds, his mind returns again and again to his fraught romance with the beautiful Luisa. Nominated for the National Book Award in 1977, The Balloonist was hailed by Mary Renault as a &“tour de force.&” The story of Gustav Crispin is &“chilling and comic by turn . . . An unusual mixture of Arctic adventure and Parisian love story with philosophic overtones&” (Kirkus Reviews).
Defending Middle-Earth: Tolkien: Myth and Modernity
by Patrick CurryA scholar explores the ideas within The Lord of the Rings and the world created by J. R. R. Tolkien: &“A most valuable and timely book&” (Ursula K. Le Guin, Los Angeles Times–bestselling author of Changing Planes). What are millions of readers all over the world getting out of reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy? Defending Middle-earth argues, in part, that the appeal for fans goes far deeper than just quests and magic rings and hobbits. In fact, through this epic, Tolkien found a way to provide something close to spirit in a secular age. This thoughtful book focuses on three main aspects of Tolkien&’s fiction: the social and political structure of Middle-earth and how the varying cultures within it find common cause in the face of a shared threat; the nature and ecology of Middle-earth and how what we think of as the natural world joins the battle against mindless, mechanized destruction; and the spirituality and ethics of Middle-earth—for which the author provides a particularly insightful and resonant examination. Includes a new afterword
Viviane: A Novel
by Julia DeckWinner of the inaugural French Voices Award: &“[A] masterfully conceived debut, arelentless tale, intricately and irresistibly told&” (La Quinzaine Littéraire). Only once in a great while does a new novel come along that takes a literary scene by storm, demonstrating real innovation in the craft of storytelling. Julia Deck provides this force in Viviane—the first debut novel in a generation to be released by the most prestigious literary publisher in Paris, Les Éditions de Minuit. This breakthrough novel—nominated for the Prix Femina, the Prix du Livre Inter, and the Prix du Premier Roman and already a bestseller in France—is sure to become a contemporary classic. Viviane is both an engrossing murder mystery and a gripping exploration of madness, a narrative that tests the shifting boundaries of language and the self. For inspiration, Deck read the work of Samuel Beckett, because, as she says, &“he positions himself within chaos and gives it coherence.&” How can we say that we are who we say we are? What determines our actions, and are we really responsible for them? For Viviane Élisabeth Fauville, these are not abstract questions to be left for philosophers; they will decide whether she will get away with murder. Translated by one of the most celebrated literary translators working in French and written in irresistible, lucid prose, Viviane takes us to the knife&’s edge of sanity. This gem of a novel does what only great literature can do: turn us inside out. &“Written with a delirious and intimate urgency . . . A remarkable and troubling portrait of murder and madness.&” —Lily Tuck, National Book Award–winning author
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
by Peter Hedges&“Wonderfully entertaining . . . This distinctive first novel goes down like a chocolate milkshake but boasts the sharpness and finesse of a complex wine&” (Publishers Weekly). Gilbert Grape is a twenty-four-year-old grocery store clerk stuck in Endora, Iowa, where the population is 1,091 and shrinking. After the suicide of Gilbert&’s father, his family never fully recovered. Once the town beauty queen, Gilbert&’s mother is now morbidly obese and planted eternally in front of the TV; his younger sister has recently turned both boy-crazy and God-fearing, while his older sister sacrifices everything for her family. And then there&’s Arnie, Gilbert&’s younger brother with special needs. With no one else to care for Arnie, Gilbert becomes his brother&’s main parent, and all four siblings must tend to the needs of their helpless, grieving mother. So Gilbert is in a rut—until a mysterious new girl named Becky arrives in this small town. As his family gathers for Arnie&’s eighteenth birthday, Gilbert finds himself at a crossroads . . . This &“completely original&” portrait of a family (The New York Times), &“charged with sardonic intelligence&” (The Washington Post Book World), was the basis for a film starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, and stands as one of the most memorable novels of recent decades. &“Sometimes funny, sometimes sad . . . and always engaging.&” —The Atlantic &“By the book&’s exhilaratingly luminous ending . . . we have already been mesmerized.&” —The Philadelphia Inquirer &“A funny, touching, caring first novel whose characters are familiar and moving in spite of (or perhaps because of) their peculiarities.&” —Booklist
Not Written in Stone: Learning and Unlearning American History Through 200 Years of Textbooks
by Kyle WardA teaching edition of the &“thought-provoking study&” History in the Making, which explores how our view of the history changes over time (Library Journal). Kyle Ward&’s celebrated History in the Making struck a chord among readers of popular history. &“Interesting and useful,&” according to Booklist, the book &“convincingly illustrates how texts change as social and political attitudes evolve.&” With excerpts from history textbooks that span two hundred years, History in the Making looks at the different ways textbooks from different eras interpret and present the same historical events. Not Written in Stone offers an abridged and annotated version of History in the Making specifically designed for classroom use. In each section, Ward provides an overview, questions for discussions and analysis, and then a fascinating chronological sampling of textbook excerpts which reveal the striking differences between textbooks over time. An exciting new teaching tool, Not Written in Stone is destined to become a staple of classroom teaching about the American past. &“Students, teachers, and general readers will learn more about the past from these passages than from any single work, however current, that purports to monopolize the truth.&” —Ray Raphael, author of Founding Myths
Floating: A Life Regained
by Joe MinihaneThe British journalist explores self-healing in wild waters across the UK—from Yorkshire to Jura and Wales—in this &“genuine and refreshing nature memoir&” (Kirkus Reviews). Following the example of naturalist Roger Deakin in his classic memoir Waterlog, journalist Joe Minihane becomes obsessed with wild swimming and its restorative qualities. Putting one arm over the other, sometimes resting on his back, he begins to confront his personal demons while rekindling old friendships and forging new ones. Through Minihane&’s thoughtful description, the act of swimming becomes both strange and beautiful as the wild water puts him in touch with nature and himself. From Hampstead to Yorkshire, from Dorset to Jura, from the Isles of Scilly to Wales, Floating is a love letter to different wild stretches of water. But it also captures Minihane&’s struggle to understand his life and move forward. Steeped in the anti-authoritarian and naturalistic spirit of Roger Deakin, Minihane celebrates the joy of taking time out to feel better.
Love or Honor: The True Story of an Undercover Cop Who Fell in Love with a Mafia Boss's Daughter
by Joan BarthelThis &“expertly written&” true story of an honest New York cop who loses his head and his heart while undercover reads like &“a high-caliber TV miniseries&” (Publishers Weekly). On the eve of his second wedding anniversary, Chris Anastos feels secure in his marriage and in his work with the NYPD&’s anticrime unit in the South Bronx. A summons to the downtown headquarters of the Intelligence Division spells trouble, however. Links between the Italian mob and a Greek criminal network in Queens have been discovered, and investigators want the Greek-American cop to go undercover. Reluctantly, Anastos agrees. For five years he plays his role to perfection, moving back and forth between his comfortable home life and a murky, underground world of wiseguys, pimps, bookies, racketeers, thieves, and heroin dealers. But when the happily married cop falls in love with the beautiful, raven-haired daughter of a Long Island capo, he faces his gravest threat yet. From the acclaimed author of A Death in Canaan and A Death in California, this is the unforgettable true story of a good man torn between passion and principle.
Joy: Poet, Seeker, and the Woman Who Captivated C. S. Lewis
by Abigail Santamaria&“A lush Narnia tale for grownups&”: The first comprehensive biography of the rebel thinker who married C. S. Lewis (Megan Marshall, Pulitzer Prize winner). If Joy Davidman is known at all, it&’s as the wife of C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia. On her own, she was a poet and radical, a contributor to the communist journal New Masses, and an active member of New York literary circles of the 1930s and &’40s. Growing up in a family of Jewish immigrants in the Bronx, she became an atheist, then a practitioner of Dianetics, and finally a Christian convert after experiencing a moment of transcendent grace. She was also a mother, a novelist, a screenwriter, and an intelligent, difficult, and determined woman. In 1952 she set off for England to pursue C. S. Lewis, the man she considered her spiritual guide and her intellectual mentor. Out of a deep friendship grounded in faith, poetry, and a passion for writing grew a timeless love story, and an unforgettable marriage of equals—one that would be immortalized in the film Shadowlands and Lewis&’s memoir, A Grief Observed. &“Plumbing the depths of unpublished documents, Santamaria reveals the vision and writing of a young woman whose coming of age in the turbulent thirties is both distinctive and emblematic of her time&” (Susan Hertog, author of Anne Morrow Lindbergh: Her Life). Finally, Joy Davidman is brought out of her husband&’s shadow to secure a place in literary history that is both a long-time coming and well-deserved. &“This book gives Davidman her life back. . . . Ms. Santamaria succeeds in de-mythologizing Davidman&’s story.&” —The Wall Street Journal &“Compelling . . . clear, unsentimental.&” — The New York Times Book Review
Killer Charm: And Other True Cases (From the Files of Linda Fairstein #7)
by Linda FairsteinThe complete collection of true crime stories and articles by the New York Times–bestselling author and former prosecutor. In this collection of horrifyingly true stories, Linda Fairstein provides an in-depth look inside the minds of such psychopaths as Ted Bundy and the Craigslist Killer. Drawing on decades of experience as a sex crimes prosecutor in New York City, she delves into the atrocities of these cold-blooded criminals and explains how they target their unsuspecting victims. A true victim advocate, she deftly touches on taboo subjects like law enforcement&’s astounding failure to process rape kits, as well as the false rape claims that ruin innocent people&’s lives. With her background in the Special Victims Bureau, Fairstein offers an unfiltered view of rape in the United States. But she doesn&’t stop there: She uses her understanding of the inner workings of violent criminals&’ minds to outline ways for women to protect themselves. Originally published in Cosmopolitan magazine and collected here for the first time, each essay features a new introduction by the author.
The Coldstone: A Golden Age Mystery
by Patricia WentworthThe secrets of an English country estate offer a potent mix of romance and suspense in this classic mystery featuring retired governess Maud Silver. When Anthony Colstone inherits an ancestral estate that dates back to Elizabethan England, there is one ironclad condition: The property is never to be excavated and the ancient stones known as the Coldstone Ring removed. Anthony arrives at Stonegate in the bucolic village of Ford St. Mary with many questions: Why did Sir Jervis Colstone bind him to such a promise? Why does no one know exactly how many stones the Coldstone Ring contains? And why are the superstitious villagers so frightened? Anthony is convinced that he&’s being watched. Then one night in the library, he sees a panel behind a family portrait move. He&’s soon surrounded by shadowy figures looming in and out of his vision. With the help of Susan Bowyer, the great-granddaughter of the oldest village resident, Anthony starts to uncover the secrets of the stones. But the closer Anthony and Susan come to the truth, the closer they move toward a dangerous enemy determined to possess a long-buried treasure at any cost. The Coldstone weaves mystery and danger with an exciting love story in the sparkling style of beloved British crime writer Patricia Wentworth.
The Inspector Thanet Mysteries Volume Three: Element of Doubt, Suspicious Death, and Dead by Morning (The Inspector Thanet Mysteries)
by Dorothy SimpsonThe third trio of mysteries in the &“beautifully crafted,&” Silver Dagger Award–winning police procedural series set in Kent, England (TheWashington Post). Det. Inspector Luke Thanet may be a family man with a soft heart and bad back, but he also has a bloodhound&’s nose for murder. With Sgt. Mike Lineham at his side, no case is too tough, in these mysteries from the &“dependably pleasing&” Dorothy Simpson (Boston Globe). Element of Doubt: Nerine Tarrant, a notorious woman with a taste for married men, is found dead on her patio, her neck broken by the fall from the second floor. The wall was too high for an accidental tumble, and a woman with Nerine&’s lust for life would never have committed suicide. Many in the village of Ribbleden wanted her dead—but it&’s up to Inspector Thanet to determine who gave her the final push. &“Solidly charming.&” —Publishers Weekly Suspicious Death: The Sturrenden police station is in chaos. The superintendent has retired, and a brusque, ambitious upstart has been promoted. Thanet is almost relieved to get away to investigate a drowning. Powerful businesswoman Marcia Salden has been found in the river, and the autopsy suggests foul play. It&’s up to the inspector to unravel the tangled web of conspiracy that ensnared the victim in a watery grave. &“Pace, plot and subtle characterization all combine to make this a cracking good read.&” —The Sunday Telegraph Dead by Morning: Leo Martindale has returned to Sutton-in-the-Weald after twenty years to claim his inheritance. The morning after a heavy snowstorm, his body is found. Was his death an accident, a hit and run caused by icy roads—or was it murder? Inspector Thanet will have to ignore Superintendent Draco breathing down his neck and plow through the clues to uncover the chilling truth. &“Skillfully plotted . . . vivid characters.&” —Publishers Weekly
But He Was Already Dead When I Got There
by Barbara PaulWhen their unforgiving lender is murdered, a group of young jewelry associates jumps to a variety of deadly conclusions When the partners of Ellandy Jewels accepted a loan to keep their store afloat, they had no idea that Vincent Farwell would make their lives a living hell. The rich old miser is as unforgiving as a loan shark, and he never misses a chance to remind them that they&’re in his debt. Finally, Vincent demands full repayment of the loan—$1.5 million—in two weeks. He&’ll get his money in blood. When Vincent is found dead in his study, everyone with interest in Ellandy is a suspect. To find the real killer, the six associates will have to figure out just who can be trusted.
Maggie—Her Marriage: A Novel
by Taylor CaldwellFrom a #1 New York Times–bestselling author: The unforgettable drama of a young woman torn between love and duty in nineteenth-century Virginia. The daughter of an uneducated blacksmith, Maggie Hamilton wants nothing more than to rise above her impoverished background. Her ravishing beauty and earthy wit catch the eye of John Hobart, a wealthy landowner, but Maggie seems indifferent to his affections. Is it because her father disapproves of the match? Or is there another, more personal reason for her hesitation? Although Maggie finally accepts John&’s proposal, she remains sullen and distant. She alienates John&’s family and earns the disapproval of her neighbors, who feel the young squire could have made a better match. But John remains determined to capture Maggie&’s heart. Can he discover her secret and convince her of his worthiness before it&’s too late? The poignant tale of a proud young woman&’s journey to adulthood and self-possession, Maggie—Her Marriage features one of author Taylor Caldwell&’s most compelling heroines.
Stepping-Stones: A Journey through the Ice Age Caves of the Dordogne
by Christine Desdemaines-Hugon&“The next best thing to actually seeing the prehistoric cave art of southern Franc[e] . . . A rapturous guide through five major Ice Age sites&” (Archaeology). The cave art of France&’s Dordogne region is world-famous for the mythology and beauty of its remarkable drawings and paintings. These ancient images of lively bison, horses, and mammoths, as well as symbols of all kinds, are fascinating touchstones in the development of human culture, demonstrating how far humankind has come and reminding us of the ties that bind us across the ages. Over more than twenty-five years of teaching and research, Christine Desdemaines-Hugon has become an unrivaled expert in the cave art and artists of the Dordogne region. In Stepping-Stones she combines her expertise in both art and archaeology to convey an intimate understanding of the &“cave experience.&” Her keen insights communicate not only the incomparable artistic value of these works but also the near-spiritual impact of viewing them for oneself. Focusing on five fascinating sites, including the famed Font de Gaume and others that still remain open to the public, this book reveals striking similarities between art forms of the Paleolithic and works of modern artists and gives us a unique pathway toward understanding the culture of the Dordogne Paleolithic peoples and how it still touches our lives today. &“Her vivid descriptions help readers visualize the Cro-Magnon man or woman painting the beautiful bison, horses, mammoths, and other symbols. [A] fine reading experience.&” —Library Journal
In the Land of Israel: Essays
by Amos OzA snapshot of Israel and the West Bank in the 1980s, through the voices of its inhabitants, from the National Jewish Book Award–winning author of Judas. Notebook in hand, renowned author and onetime kibbutznik Amos Oz traveled throughout his homeland to talk with people—workers, soldiers, religious zealots, aging pioneers, desperate Arabs, visionaries—asking them questions about Israel&’s past, present, and future. Observant or secular, rich or poor, native-born or new immigrant, they shared their points of view, memories, hopes, and fears, and Oz recorded them. What emerges is a distinctive portrait of a changing nation and a complex society, supplemented by Oz&’s own observations and reflections, that reflects an insider&’s view of a country still forming its own identity. In the Land of Israel is &“an exemplary instance of a writer using his craft to come to grips with what is happening politically and to illuminate certain aspects of Israeli society that have generally been concealed by polemical formulas&” (The New York Times).
Rama II (Rama #2)
by Arthur C. Clarke Gentry LeeIn the sequel to the multi-award winning sci-fi novel Rama, a second Raman spaceship enters our solar system and &“offers one surprise after another&” (The New York Times). Years ago, the enormous, enigmatic alien spacecraft Rama sailed through our solar system as mind-boggling proof that life existed—or had existed—elsewhere in the universe. Now, at the dawn of the twenty-third century, another ship is discovered hurtling toward us. A crew of Earth&’s best and brightest minds is assembled to rendezvous with the massive vessel. They are armed with everything we know about Raman technology and culture. But nothing can prepare them for what they are about to encounter on board Rama II: cosmic secrets that are startling, sensational—and perhaps even deadly. &“A masterpiece . . . one of the year&’s best hard SF epics.&” —The Houston Post
Drought: A Californian Environmental Disaster Thriller
by Graham MastertonA chilling supernatural tale—with an environmental twist—from a master of modern horror. What would happen if the water ran out? Ex-Marine Martin Makepeace only learned the truth of the maxim that you don&’t know what you have until you lose it, the day his wife walked out on him with their two kids. Now, the social worker does his best to take care of those who need it most. But good deeds mean nothing when the water just . . . disappears. It hasn&’t rained for months, and now, in the height of summer, the taps run dry. And not, as they first suspect, because of a burst water main. In the deprived areas where Martin works, the water&’s been intentionally cut off. And it&’s his job, he discovers, to tell the families he cares for not to panic. Martin soon has more problems than lack of water. His daughter is sick with fever. And as riots over bottled water start, Martin&’s teenage son is framed, and arrested, for a terrible crime. Soon Martin is left with no choice but to take drastic action to save his family, while corrupt politicians try and use the situation to their advantage, with calamitous results . . . &“Another captivating novel from an author who seems to be able to turn nearly any idea into a compelling story.&” —Booklist
The Little Tokyo Informant: A Novel
by Andrew RosenheimAn FBI agent scours LA&’s criminal underground &“in a noirish World War II–era thriller that&’s rich in atmosphere&” by the acclaimed author of Fear Itself (Kirkus Reviews). Autumn, 1941. Special Agent Jimmy Nessheim is in Hollywood for two reasons: to consult on a movie being made about the Bureau, and to investigate a suspicious Russian payment to a Japanese bank. Jimmy taps his trusted informant, Billy Osaka, to look into the matter. But when Billy disappears, Jimmy&’s California vacation turns into a dangerous chase with no time to lose. His frantic search takes him through the dangerous streets of Little Tokyo and into a risky undercover gambit in Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The Little Tokyo Informant is another well-researched historical thriller from &“a stirring successor to Frederick Forsyth&” (The Independent). &“Rosenheim is even better this time out at melding interesting leads with a thrilling story line and vivid descriptions of such locales as L.A.&’s Little Tokyo.&” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) &“The ghosts of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler loom large.&” —Kirkus Reviews
The Numerati: How They'll Get My Number And Yours
by Stephen BakerLearn how the crisis over digital privacy and manipulation evolved in this &“utterly fascinating&” look at the growth of data mining and analysis (Seattle Post-Intelligencer). Award-winning journalist Stephen Baker traces the rise of the &“global math elite&”: computer scientists who invent ways to not only record our behavior, but also to predict and alter it. Nowadays, we don&’t need to be online to create a digital trail; we do it simply by driving through an automated tollbooth or shopping with a credit card. As massive amounts of information are collected, sifted, and analyzed, we all become targets of those who want to influence everything from what we buy to how we vote. Clear and &“highly readable,&” The Numerati is a look at the origins of our present-day world, the possibilities of the future, and those who—whether with good or bad intentions—profile us as workers, consumers, citizens, or potential terrorists (The Wall Street Journal).
By My Hand: The Christmas Of Commissario Ricciardi (The Commissario Ricciardi Mysteries #5)
by Maurizio de GiovanniThe fifth Commissario Ricciardi historical mystery in the series of “ingenious crime novels, written with intelligence and enthusiasm” (The Wall Street Journal).As Naples prepares for its holiday celebrations, behind the facade of order and happiness imposed by the fascist regime, lurks terrible poverty and blinding desperation. In a luxurious apartment on the Mergellina beach the bodies of a fascist militia officer and his wife have been found. The woman has had her throat cut while the man has been stabbed over sixty times. Seemingly, the hands of two separate killers have been at work. A statuette of San Giuseppe, patron saint of workers, lies in pieces on the floor. At the scene of the crime, Ricciardi, who has the dubious gift of being able to see and hear the last seconds in the lives of those who have suffered a violent death, listens to the enigmatic last words of the couple. Accompanied by his faithful partner Brigadier Raffaele Maione, and once more troubled by two women who compete for his attentions, the Commissario will have to trace a wide and frenetic arc through the streets of Naples in order to uncover the truth.“The refreshing lack of cynicism of de Giovanni’s two lead detectives, Brigadier Raffaele Maione and Commissario Luigi Alfredo Ricciardi, distinguishes the quietly enjoyable fifth Commissario Ricciardi mystery set in 1930s Naples. . . . Engaging characters and melancholy atmosphere.” —Publishers Weekly“One of the most entrancing series of crime novels.” —Shots Magazine“An absolutely terrific series.” —Open Letters Monthly
Something in Disguise: Odd Girl Out, Something In Disguise, Falling, And Getting It Right
by Elizabeth Jane HowardAn unforgettable novel about love, family, life, and death in 1960s England Col. Herbert Brown-Lacy&’s daughter, Alice, is getting married—more to escape her father than anything else. Though in truth Alice&’s stepmother May has been nicer than her previous stepmother—and even her own mother. But May&’s grown children, Oliver and Elizabeth, are certain their mother made a terrible mistake in her marriage to the dull-as-dishwater Herbert. May clearly didn&’t marry him for his money or intellectual prowess—and at her age sex appeal was out of the question—so why did she marry him? That&’s something May, whose first marriage ended in tragedy when her husband, Clifford, was killed during the war, is starting to wonder herself. Maybe she&’s a woman who needs to be married. With Oliver and Elizabeth in London discovering life on their own terms, Alice is also questioning her impulsive marriage to Leslie Mount. As crisis draws the disparate members of this patchwork family together—and apart—from the English countryside to the Cote d'Azur to Jamaica, a shocking occurrence will shatter lives. From the bestselling author of the Cazalet Chronicles, Something in Disguise is a story about familial love, married love, love at first sight, and love that isn&’t love at all.