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How to Paint a Cat
by Rebecca M. HaleWHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? San Francisco isn't the biggest city in the country, but it feels pretty vast when you're canvassing its neighborhoods looking for clues to your missing uncle's hidden location. Aided by my two cats, Rupert and Isabella, I try to follow Uncle Oscar's painted clues on a trail that leads from Coit Tower's famous murals through San Francisco's New Deal art--all while hoping my uncle's sudden disappearance is unrelated to the murdered intern at City Hall. Just when it seems our search has hit a wall, we receive some surprising help from beyond. But will it be enough to save us from our own brushes with death? Here's hoping we don't paint ourselves into a corner...
How to Party with a Killer Vampire
by Penny WarnerParty planner Presley Parker's new gig is the star-studded wrap party for a horror film. The location is a graveyard-conveniently, because the night of the bash, a tabloid journalist is murdered. .
How to Raise an Elephant: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series #21)
by Alexander McCall SmithIn this latest installment in the cherished No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, Mma Ramotswe must balance family obligations with the growing needs of one of Charlie's pet projects.Precious Ramotswe loves her dependable old van. Yes, it sometimes takes a bit longer to get going now, and it has developed some quirks over the years, but it has always gotten the job done. This time, though, the world--and Charlie--may be asking too much of it, for when he borrows the beloved vehicle, he returns it damaged. And, to make matters worse, the interior seems to have acquired an earthy smell that even Precious can't identify.But the olfactory issue is not the only mystery that needs solving. Mma Ramotswe is confronted by a distant relative, Blessing, who asks for help with an ailing cousin. The help requested is of a distinctly pecuniary nature, which makes both Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni and Mma Makutsi suspicious. And there is no peace at home, either, as the new neighbors are airing their marital grievances rather loudly. Still, Mma Ramotswe is confident that the solutions to all of these difficulties are there to be discovered--as long as she is led by kindness, grace, and logic and can rely on the counsel of her friends and loved ones.
How to Raise an Elephant: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (21) (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #21)
by Alexander McCall SmithThe latest instalment from the beloved THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY seriesCatch up on the latest from Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi and other favourites in this new instalment of Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.As the temperature rises in Gaborone, Precious Ramotswe, founder of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, wonders whether the heat could be the reason that business is particularly slow. Luckily, a slower pace in life is her natural preference, unlike her colleague Mma Makutsi, who is alert to every passing observation and inclined to making snap decisions. With fewer cases to handle, Precious has time to contemplate her new neighbours, a couple who, by the sounds of it, have a rather volatile relationship . . .But then a distant cousin of Mma Ramotswe's comes to the agency with a plea for help, and the ladies decide to pursue the issue together. Armed with Mma Ramotswe's circumspection and Mma Makutsi's sharp eye, they proceed with confidence and open hearts. What, after all, could be more straightforward than a family matter?Meanwhile, their colleague Charlie is behaving oddly, borrowing Mma Ramotswe's van and returning it in an unusual condition. Digging a little deeper, the explanation is both strange and extraordinary, and takes Charlie, along with Mma Ramotswe's husband, Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, on a hair-raising night-time expedition.In the end, Precious is reminded of the need to view a picture from every angle, to accept the imperfections in people and situations, and then find a solution - preferably over a delicious slice of her friend Mma Potokwani's fruit cake.'Irresistible'The Times'Every page contains a gem of wit and insight'Scotsman
How to Raise an Elephant: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (21) (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series #21)
by Alexander McCall SmithMma Ramotswe must balance family obligations with the growing needs of one of Charlie's pet projects in this latest installment in the cherished No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Precious Ramotswe loves her dependable old van. Yes, sometimes it takes a bit longer to get going now, and it has developed some quirks over the years, but it has always gotten the job done. This time, though, the world--and Charlie--may be asking too much of it, for when he borrows the beloved vehicle he returns it damaged. And, to make matters worse, the interior seems to have acquired an earthy smell that even Precious can't identify.But the olfactory issue is not the only mystery that needs solving. Mma Ramotswe is confronted by a distant relative, Blessing, who asks for help with an ailing cousin. The help requested is of a distinctly pecuniary nature, which makes both Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni and Mma Makutsi suspicious. And there is no peace at home, either, as the new neighbors are airing their marital grievances rather loudly. Still, Mma Ramotswe is confident that there are solutions to all of these difficulties, there to be discovered as long as she is led by kindness, grace, and logic, and can rely on the counsel of her friends and loved ones.
How to Save a Superhero
by Ruth FreemanTen-year-old Addie knows that Superheroes aren't real, and that they certainly don't hide out in retirement communities, but she may just have to change her mind.Addie and her mom never stay in one place too long. They've been up and down and all around the country. When her mom, Tish, gets a new job at Happy Valley Village Retirement Community in Pennsylvania, Addie believes they'll be on the road again in a month. But this time, something is different--make that, someone. Mr. Norris, a grumpy resident of Happy Valley and. . .a former superhero? Well, that's what Marwa, whose mom also works at Happy Valley, would try and have Addie believe. Addie and her friend Dickson know better even if there are things they can't explain. Like the time Mr. Norris was about to get hit by a car and was suddenly on the other side of the road or the way his stare seems to take root in Addie's stomach. When a man starts prowling the Happy Valley grounds, claiming to be the great-nephew of a resident, Addie, Marwa, and Dickson soon stumble into a grand conspiracy involving the Manhattan Project, a shady weapons company, and the fate of the human race, in this smart, funny middle grade novel.
How To School Your Scoundrel: Princess In Hiding Book 3 (Princess In Hiding)
by Juliana GrayHow To School Your Scoundrel is the charming third novel in a new trilogy by historical romance writer Juliana Gray whose debut Affairs By Moonlight series was richly praised. Lose your heart to this witty and romantic story of three intrepid princesses caught in a deadly plot - until their uncle devises a brilliant plan to keep them safe... Will delight fans of Julia Quinn, Suzanne Enoch and Loretta Chase.Princess Luisa has devoted her life to duty, quietly preparing to succeed her father as ruler. Nothing, however, primed her to live on the run, disguised as a personal secretary to a notorious English scoundrel. The earl is just the man to help her reclaim her throne, but Luisa is drawn to her powerful employer in ways she never imagined... Philip, Earl of Somerton, has spent six years married to a woman in love with another man - he refuses to become a fool due to imprudent emotions ever again. Only, as his carefully laid plans for vengeance falter, fate hands him hope for redemption in the form of a beautiful and determined young princess who draws him into a risky game of secrets, seduction, and betrayal. And while his cunning may be enough to save her life, nothing can save him from losing his heart...Don't miss the first two enticing books in the Princess In Hiding trilogy, How To Tame Your Duke and How To Master Your Marquis, and for more gorgeous historical romance check out the other titles in her Affairs By Moonlight trilogy: A Lady Never Lies, A Gentleman Never Tells and A Duke Never Yields.
How to Score
by Robin WellsMuseum curator Sammi Matthews isn't just in a dating slump, she's putting men on the injured list. After giving one date a black eye and cracking another's rib, Sammi decides she needs professional help. Enter life coach Luke Jones, who advises Sammi on how to overcome her klutziness. And their phone sessions work! Sammi soon meets a sexy FBI agent who seems to know just what she needs. When his brother Luke goes into federal protection, FBI Special Agent Chase Jones agrees to cover for him. Then Sammi's hot voice sizzles down the line, and the usual "phone only" rule is out. With "Luke" coaching her by day, and Chase dating her by night, Sammi's confidence soars, along with her appeal. Chase falls hard, but how will Sammi feel if and when he comes clean? Chase would rather she break all his bones than risk breaking her heart.
How to Seduce a Cavanaugh: How To Seduce A Cavanaugh Colton's Cowboy Code Undercover With A Seal Tempting Target (Cavanaugh Justice #30)
by Marie FerrarellaUSA TODAY bestselling author Marie Ferrarella returns with those sizzling, law-enforcing Cavanaughs! A lone wolf who'd prefer to work solo, Detective Kane Durant has been through six partners. His latest? A chatty, go-getter blonde he can't seem to intimidate with his killer stare-downs and deadly silence. But when they're assigned a case of home invasions in the ritzy section of town, he's impressed by Detective Kelly Cavanaugh's quick mind, her determination to catch the perp...and how badly he wants her. With one month to prove herself to her tall, tough and sexy new partner, Kelly works overtime to crack the case-and the hardened detective by her side. But when late nights on the job lead to passion, Kelly's heart is suddenly on the line, too.
How to Seduce a Ghost
by Hope McintyreThis compelling page-turner is the first novel in a new series about a romantic highly neurotic ghostwriter whose new assignment is a ticket to mayhem and murder.
How to Sell a Haunted House
by Grady HendrixAN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER"Wildly entertaining."-The New York Times"Ingenious."-The Washington PostNew York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix takes on the haunted house in a thrilling new novel that explores the way your past—and your family—can haunt you like nothing else. When Louise finds out her parents have died, she dreads going home. She doesn&’t want to leave her daughter with her ex and fly to Charleston. She doesn&’t want to deal with her family home, stuffed to the rafters with the remnants of her father&’s academic career and her mother&’s lifelong obsession with puppets and dolls. She doesn&’t want to learn how to live without the two people who knew and loved her best in the world. Most of all, she doesn&’t want to deal with her brother, Mark, who never left their hometown, gets fired from one job after another, and resents her success. Unfortunately, she&’ll need his help to get the house ready for sale because it&’ll take more than some new paint on the walls and clearing out a lifetime of memories to get this place on the market. But some houses don&’t want to be sold, and their home has other plans for both of them… Like his novels The Southern Book Club&’s Guide to Slaying Vampires and The Final Girl Support Group, How to Sell a Haunted House is classic Hendrix: equal parts heartfelt and terrifying—a gripping new read from &“the horror master&” (USA Today).
How to Solve Your Own Murder: A Novel
by Kristen PerrinNamed most aniticpated by: Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, BookRiot, BookBub, The Nerd Daily, Shelf Reflection, Novel Suspects, Borrow Read Repeat, The Everygirl, The Scout Guide, The Real Book Spy The Top LibraryReads pick for March 2024A Publishers Marketplace 2024 BuzzBook For fans of Knives Out and The Thursday Murder Club, an enormously fun mystery about a woman who spends her entire life trying to prevent her foretold murder only to be proven right sixty years later, when she is found dead in her sprawling country estate.... Now it's up to her great-niece to catch the killer. It&’s 1965 and teenage Frances Adams is at an English country fair with her two best friends. But Frances&’s night takes a hairpin turn when a fortune-teller makes a bone-chilling prediction: One day, Frances will be murdered. Frances spends a lifetime trying to solve a crime that hasn&’t happened yet, compiling dirt on every person who crosses her path in an effort to prevent her own demise. For decades, no one takes Frances seriously, until nearly sixty years later, when Frances is found murdered, like she always said she would be. In the present day, Annie Adams has been summoned to a meeting at the sprawling country estate of her wealthy and reclusive great-aunt Frances. But by the time Annie arrives in the quaint English village of Castle Knoll, Frances is already dead. Annie is determined to catch the killer, but thanks to Frances&’s lifelong habit of digging up secrets and lies, it seems every endearing and eccentric villager might just have a motive for her murder. Can Annie safely unravel the dark mystery at the heart of Castle Knoll, or will dredging up the past throw her into the path of a killer? As Annie gets closer to the truth, and closer to the danger, she starts to fear she might inherit her aunt&’s fate instead of her fortune.
How To Solve Your Own Murder (The Castle Knoll Files)
by Kristen PerrinThe biggest debut of 2024 and a hilarious mystery with a killer hook. Perfect for fans of Knives Out and Only Murders in the Building.FRANCES ALWAYS SAID SHE'D BE MURDERED...SHE WAS RIGHT.In 1965, when Frances Adams was seventeen, a fortune teller told her that one day she'd be murdered. Thus began a lifetime of trying to prevent the crime that would be her eventual demise. No one took Frances seriously for sixty years - until, of course, she was murdered. But for Frances, being the village busybody was a form of insurance. She'd spent a lifetime compiling dirt on every person she met, just in case they might turn out to be her killer. In the heart of her sprawling country estate lies an eccentric library of detective work, where the right person could step in and use her findings to solve her murder. When her great-niece Annie arrives from London and discovers that Frances' worst fear has come true, Annie is thrust into her great-aunt's last act of revenge against her sceptical friends and family. Frances' will stipulates that the person who solves her murder inherits her millions, and she's challenged a group that includes Annie to prove to the world that Frances was right all along about her future. Can Annie unravel the mystery and find justice for Frances, or will digging up the past lead her into the path of the killer?(P)2024 Quercus Editions Limited
How To Solve Your Own Murder: An unmissable mystery with a killer hook! (The Castle Knoll Files)
by Kristen Perrin'VERY funny' Jennie Godfrey'Smart, twisty, and original' Heat'Terrific' J. M. Hall'Superb' Glamour 'Wildly original' Elly Griffiths'Delightfully refreshing' Daily MailFRANCES ALWAYS SAID SHE'D BE MURDERED. SHE WAS RIGHT. In 1965, Frances Adams was told by a fortune teller that one day she'd be murdered. Frances spent the next sixty years trying to prevent the crime that would be her eventual demise. Of course, no one took her seriously - until she was dead. For Frances, being the village busybody was a form of insurance. She'd spent a lifetime compiling dirt on every person she met, just in case they might turn out to be her killer. In the heart of her sprawling country estate lies an eccentric library of detective work, where the right person could step in and use her findings to solve her murder. When her great-niece Annie arrives from London and discovers that Frances' worst fear has come true, Annie is thrust into her great-aunt's last act of revenge against her sceptical friends and family. Frances' will stipulates that the person who solves her murder will inherit her millions. Can Annie unravel the mystery and find justice for Frances, or will digging up the past lead her into the path of the killer? *******************************Readers are loving How to Solve Your Own Murder*'FINALLY, the book I've been searching for . . . Without a doubt the best murder mystery book I've ever read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A cracking dual timeline read . . . I was totally engrossed in trying to solve the crime! Loved it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'This book is SO much more than just a clever hook. It's a fantastic combination of wonderfully crafted prose, vivid characters and a plot that made me gallop through' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'An amazingly well written mystery with true Christie vibes . . . a rollercoaster I didn't want to get off' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Just brilliant . . . A proper who done it with a very modern twist' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐*Praise for How to Solve Your Own Murder* 'A wonderful idea and, pun intended, brilliantly executed' Ian Moore 'Plenty of twists and red herrings . . . entertaining' Guardian 'Addictive . . . a devilishly clever plot' Sunday Post 'I so enjoyed this smart, original murder mystery' Beth O' Leary 'A deliciously inventive new take on the classic murder mystery' Bobby Palmer 'Ridiculously fun . . . unputdownable . . . One to savour for fans of Only Murders in The Building' My Weekly 'Sharply observed . . . vivid characterisation and theatrical plotting' Sunday Independent 'Intriguing . . . skilful storytelling . . . a compelling read' Daily Mirror
How To Steal a Dragon: The perfect read this Halloween! (Villains Academy #2)
by Ryan HammondBeing BAD has never felt so GOOD! The second book in the villainously funny, highly illustrated young middle-grade series from author-illustrator Ryan Hammond. For fans of Amelia Fang, Dog Man and Grimwood. Don&’t miss the third installment, How to Win the Gruesome Games, out in April 2024! &‘A charmingly villainous adventure about friendship, school and unspeakable evil.&’ Louie Stowell, author of Loki: A Bad God&’s Guide to Being Good &‘Criminally fun!&’ Danny Wallace, author of The Day the Screens Went Blank It&’s the start of the winter term and there&’s a new teacher in town at Villains Academy – the notorious dragon-rider Felix Frostbite. Class Z are in awe of him and his lessons on venomous beasts and mythical creatures, but werewolf Bram is suspicious. Soon Bram and his friends the Cereal Killers uncover Felix Frostbite&’s evil plan to steal all the dragons from the Wicked Woods and leave Villains Academy undefended. Have the gang learnt enough to outsmart their troublesome teacher, or will Felix Frostbite&’s heist go down in villain history?PRAISE FOR VILLAINS ACADEMY: &‘Frightfully fun – Villains Academy had me cackling from the very first page!&’ Katie Tsang, co-author of the Dragon Realm series &‘I loved the spookily funny Villains Academy. It's a work of (evil) genius!&’ Jenny McLachlan, author of The Land of Roar &‘Heart-warming and hilarious – Villains Academy is a spookalicious treat, set to terrify every other book on your shelf.&’ Jack Meggitt-Phillips, author of The Beast and the Bethany &‘An absolute HOOT! Evil laughs aplenty!&’ Sophy Henn, author and illustrator of the Pizazz series &‘A joyful hug of a book with genuine warmth and heart.&’ Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear &‘A delightfully fun adventure with real heart and humour.&’ Benjamin Dean, author of Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow &‘Immersive, funny, and with a cast of scarily loveable characters, Villains Academy made me feel like I was IN the book!&’ Mel Taylor-Bessent, author of The Christmas Carrolls &‘A fabulously funny adventure. I want to enrol in Villains Academy!&’ Nick Sheridan, author of The Case of the Runaway Brain &‘Wickedly funny and full of quirky yet loveable characters.&’ Iona Rangeley, author of Einstein the Penguin &‘This is a brilliant, bonkers work packed with top-notch illustration.&’ Jack Noel, author and illustrator of the Comic Classics series &‘Full of wonderful characters, Villains Academy is such a FUN read!&’ Rikin Parekh, illustrator of The Worst Class in the World series
How to Succeed in Murder (Charley Fairfax Mysteries #0)
by Margaret Dumas"This fun romp covers it all—car chases, shootings, eccentric-uncles-turned-amateur-playwrights and end-of-the-world computer viruses."—Publishers WeeklyCharley Fairfax—heiress, theatrical producer, newlywed—is intent on living happily ever after with her tall, dark, and sarcastic husband Jack. The only mysteries before her are which play to choose for next season and how to decorate her dining room.But when Jack is hired to investigate mysterious events at a local San Francisco software company where high-tech executives are brought low—actually, dead—Charley finds herself poised to do the unexpected. Charley has to get a job.Okay, so maybe the job is a sham and Jack isn't exactly crazy about the plan that she and her band of irregulars from the repertory theater go undercover to find a killer, but Charley is determined to trade in her Prada for a laptop. She quickly finds herself wishing she'd had more than one crash course in corporate double-speak before her first day on the job. But faking it has always been Charley's strong suit.Charley and Jack are starting to get the hang of this marriage thing. If only people would stop talking about babies, introducing them to decorators, and trying to kill them, they might even get to take a honeymoon.
How to Survive a Killer Seance
by Penny WarnerAs party planner Presley Parker investigates a murder during a séance party at San Francisco's famous Winchester Mystery House, she doesn't need a Ouija board to tell her someone's trying to scare her to death. . . .
How to Survive Everything: A Novel
by Ewan MorrisonLonglisted for the 2021 McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the YearShortlisted for the 2021 Bookmark Book of the Year Prize"One of the most provocative, intelligent and original novelists working in Britain today" (Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting) makes his American debut with this darkly comic and electrifyingly twisty thriller with echoes of Emily St. John Mandel, Lionel Shriver, and Richard Powers, in which a teenage girl and her brother are abducted by their survivalist father who believes the apocalypse has begun."An absolutely brilliant read."—Lucy Mangan, journalist and author of Are We Having Fun Yet?"Hilarious, foreboding with all of the brilliance and brutality of life in between. Haley is the hero of our times—bold, bewitching, and superbly drawn. Her voice rang in my ears long after I reluctantly turned the last page."—Diane Cook, author of the Booker Prize nominated novel The New WildernessMy name is Haley Cooper Crowe and I am in lockdown in a remote location I can’t tell you about.Children of divorce, Haley and Ben live with their mother. But their dad believes there’s a new, much deadlier pandemic coming and is determined to keep them alive. He wants to take them to his prepper hideaway where they will be safe from other people. NOW. But there’s no way their mother will go along with his plan. Saving them requires extreme measures.Kidnapped by their father and confined to his compound far off the grid, Haley and Ben have no contact with the outside world. How can they save their mother? Will they make it out alive? Is the threat real—or is this all just a dark fantasy brought on by their conspiracy obsessed father’s warped imagination?Propulsive and chilling in its realism, How to Survive Everything is the story of a world imploding; a teenage girl’s record for negotiating the collapse of everything she knows—including her family and sanity.
How to Survive Your Murder
by Danielle ValentineScream meets Happy Death Day in this terrifying stand-alone horror novel from YA scream queen Danielle Valentine.Alice Lawrence is the sole witness in her sister&’s murder trial. And in the year since Claire&’s death, Alice&’s life has completely fallen apart. Her parents have gotten divorced, she&’s moved into an apartment that smells like bologna, and she is being forced to face her sister&’s killer and a courtroom full of people who doubt what she saw in the corn maze a year prior. Claire was an all-American girl, beautiful and bubbly, and a theater star. Alice was a nerd who dreamed of becoming a forensic pathologist and would rather stay at home to watch her favorite horror movies than party. Despite their differences, they were bonded by sisterhood and were each other&’s best friends. Until Claire was taken away from her. On the first day of the murder trial, as Alice prepares to give her testimony, she is knocked out by a Sidney Prescott look-alike in the courthouse bathroom. When she wakes up, it is Halloween night a year earlier, the same day Claire was murdered. Alice has until midnight to save her sister and find the real killer before he claims another victim.
How to Tail a Cat
by Rebecca M. HaleWHEN IS A WHITE ALLIGATOR A RED HERRING? Okay, granted, an albino alligator on the loose in San Francisco is pretty darn exciting. But my two cats, Rupert and Isabella, and I have better things to do than tail a reptile from Nob Hill to Fisherman's Wharf. We're investigating the mysterious Steinhart brothers, the 1900s-era benefactors who provided the original funding for Clive the alligator's aquarium. Follow the money, as my uncle Oscar used to say... In the media circus surrounding Clive, one clown gets a little too close to the renegade gator--our very own aspiring mayor, Montgomery Carmichael. We'd hate to see Monty meet an undignified end, but we're on a hunt of our own--for Uncle Oscar's latest treasure. Of course, that's assuming the whole thing isn't a crock...
How To Tame Your Duke: Princess In Hiding Book 1 (Princess In Hiding)
by Juliana GrayHow To Tame Your Duke is the dazzling first novel in a new trilogy by historical romance writer Juliana Gray whose debut Affairs By Moonlight series was richly praised. Lose your heart to this witty and romantic story of three intrepid princesses caught in a deadly plot. Perfect for fans of Julia Quinn and Suzanne Enoch.England, 1888. Quiet and scholarly Princess Emilie has always avoided adventure, until she's forced to disguise herself as a tutor in the household of the imposing Duke of Ashland, a former soldier disfigured in battle and abandoned by his wife. When chance draws her into a secret liaison with the duke, Emilie can't resist the opportunity to learn what lies behind his forbidding mask, and find out what adventure really means... The duke never imagines that his son's tutor and his mysterious golden-haired beauty are one and the same. But when the true identity of his lover is laid bare, Moreland must face the demons in his past in order to safeguard both his lady - and his heart.Don't miss the other two enticing books in the Princess In Hiding trilogy, How To Master Your Marquis and How To School Your Scoundrel, and for more gorgeous historical romance check out the other titles in her Affairs By Moonlight trilogy: A Lady Never Lies, A Gentleman Never Tells and A Duke Never Yields.
How to Wash a Cat
by Rebecca M. HaleTwo cats are better than one... First in an adorable new series! A deceased uncle and a surprising inheritance propel a woman and her two very curious cats into the mystery surrounding his death. An investigation that starts amid the curios and novelties of a San Francisco antiques shop follows a twisted trail of dangerous deception that leads all the way back to the days of the Gold Rush itself.
How to Win the Gruesome Games (Villains Academy #3)
by Ryan HammondBeing BAD has never felt so GOOD! The third book in the villainously funny, highly illustrated young middle-grade series from author-illustrator Ryan Hammond. For fans of Amelia Fang, Dog Man and Grimwood. Check out the complete series – Villains Academy and Villains Academy: How to Steal a Dragon. &‘Heart-warming and hilarious – Villains Academy is a spookalicious treat, set to terrify every other book on your shelf.&’ Jack Meggitt-Phillips, author of The Beast and the Bethany &‘An absolute HOOT! Evil laughs aplenty!&’ Sophy Henn, author and illustrator of the Pizazz series Once a year the five original founders of Villains Academy rise from their graves in honour of the Gruesome Games – a school sports day unlike any other, where the aim is to prank and cheat your way to the finish line. Werewolf Bram and his friends the Cereal Killers are determined to win so their names can be written in the Book of Bad, a record of the most wicked villains to grace the school. But as the games become harder and the pranks get out of hand, are Bram and his friends bad enough to go down as the most victorious villains in history? PRAISE FOR VILLAINS ACADEMY: &‘A charmingly villainous adventure about friendship, school and unspeakable evil.&’ Louie Stowell, author of Loki: A Bad God&’s Guide to Being Good &‘Criminally fun!&’ Danny Wallace, author of The Day the Screens Went Blank &‘Frightfully fun – Villains Academy had me cackling from the very first page!&’ Katie Tsang, co-author of the Dragon Realm series &‘I loved the spookily funny Villains Academy. It's a work of (evil) genius!&’ Jenny McLachlan, author of The Land of Roar &‘A joyful hug of a book with genuine warmth and heart.&’ Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear &‘A delightfully fun adventure with real heart and humour.&’ Benjamin Dean, author of Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow &‘Immersive, funny, and with a cast of scarily loveable characters, Villains Academy made me feel like I was IN the book!&’ Mel Taylor-Bessent, author of The Christmas Carrolls &‘A fabulously funny adventure. I want to enrol in Villains Academy!&’ Nick Sheridan, author of The Case of the Runaway Brain &‘Wickedly funny and full of quirky yet loveable characters.&’ Iona Rangeley, author of Einstein the Penguin &‘This is a brilliant, bonkers work packed with top-notch illustration.&’ Jack Noel, author and illustrator of the Comic Classics series &‘Full of wonderful characters, Villains Academy is such a FUN read!&’ Rikin Parekh, illustrator of The Worst Class in the World series
How to Write a Mystery
by Larry BeinhartWHODUNIT? YOUDUNIT!So you want to write a mystery. There's more to it than just a detective, a dead body, and Colonel Mustard in the drawing room with the candlestick. Fortunately, Larry Beinhart--Edgar Award-winning author of You Get What You Pay For, Foreign Exchange, and American Hero--has taken a break from writing smart, suspenseful thrillers to act as your guide through all the twists and turns of creating the twists and turns of a good mystery. Drawing on advice and examples from a host of the best names in mystery writing--from Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane to Scott Turow and Thomas Harris--plus some of his own prime plots, Larry Beinhart introduces you to your most indispensable partners in crime: *Character, plot, and procedure * The secrets to creating heroes, heroines, and villains ("All writers draw upon themselves and their experience. While the whole of yourself might not be capable of being either a serial killer or an FBI agent, there are parts in each of us that are capable of almost anything.") * The fine art of scripting the sex scene *The low-down on violence ("A crime novel without violence is like smoking pot without inhaling, sex without orgasm, or a hug without a squeeze." ) *And much more!From the opening hook to the final denouement, Larry Beinhart takes the mystery out of being a mystery writer.From the Trade Paperback edition.
How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America
by Mystery Writers of AmericaFrom the most successful mystery writers in the business, an invaluable guide to crafting mysteries—from character development and plot to procedurals and thrillers—a must-have for every aspiring mystery writer.Mystery Writers of America (MWA) is known for providing unparalleled resources on the craft, art, and business of storytelling, helping writers of all levels improve their skills for nearly a century. Now, this new handbook helps authors navigate the ever-shifting publishing landscape—from pacing, plotting, the business side of publishing, to the current demand for diversity and inclusivity across all genres, and more. Featuring essays by a new generation of bestselling experts on various elements of the craft and shorter pieces of crowd-sourced wisdom from the MWA membership as a whole, the topics covered can be categorized as follows: —Before Writing (rules; genres; setting; character; research; etc.) —While Writing (outlining; the plot; dialogue; mood; etc.) —After Writing (agents; editors; self-pub; etc.) —Other than Novels (short stories; true crime; etc.) —Other Considerations (diverse characters; legal questions; criticism) Also included is a collection of essays from MWA published authors—including Jeffery Deaver, Tess Gerritsen, and Charlaine Harris—selected by bestselling authors Lee Child and Laurie King and arranged thematically answering, &“What piece of writing advice do you wish you&’d had at the beginning of your career?&” Highly anticipated and incredibly useful, this new and trusted guide from MWA&’s experts provides practical, current, easily digestible advice for new and established authors alike.