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Season of Fear: A Cab Bolton Thriller (A Cab Bolton Thriller #2)
by Brian FreemanA SCORCHING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR BRIAN FREEMAN'Freeman is an excellent purveyor of psychological suspense' DAILY MAIL'It will blow you away' LINDA CASTILLOA storm's wrath. An assassin's return.Lake Wales, Central Florida. Ten years ago, a political fundraiser became a bloodbath when a hooded assassin carried out a savage public execution. Three men were massacred, casting a dark shadow over the Sunshine State. A decade on, history is threatening to repeat itself. The widow of one victim, herself now running for governor, has received an anonymous threat - a newspaper clipping from that fateful day, along with the chilling words 'I'm back.' Florida detective Cab Bolton agrees to investigate the threat against this candidate, Diane Fairmont: an attractive politician who has a complicated history with Cab's mother, Hollywood actress Tarla Bolton - and with Cab himself. But by doing so, Cab is entering dangerous waters. Fairmont's political party is itself swamped in secrecy - a fact that, unknown to Cab, has led one of its junior staff to start asking very sensitive questions about the death of a party employee. Both Cab and this young researcher, Peach Piper, are digging up the kind of dirt that ten years can't wash away. And as the powerful crosswinds of state politics swirl around Cab and Peach, and the threat of a tropical storm hangs over Florida, this whirlwind of pressure and chaos will ultimately unearth a poisonous conspiracy, and reawaken a killer who has lain dormant for a decade.
Season of Fear: A Cab Bolton Thriller
by Brian FreemanA SCORCHING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR BRIAN FREEMAN'Freeman is an excellent purveyor of psychological suspense' DAILY MAIL'It will blow you away' LINDA CASTILLOA storm's wrath. An assassin's return.Lake Wales, Central Florida. Ten years ago, a political fundraiser became a bloodbath when a hooded assassin carried out a savage public execution. Three men were massacred, casting a dark shadow over the Sunshine State. A decade on, history is threatening to repeat itself. The widow of one victim, herself now running for governor, has received an anonymous threat - a newspaper clipping from that fateful day, along with the chilling words 'I'm back.' Florida detective Cab Bolton agrees to investigate the threat against this candidate, Diane Fairmont: an attractive politician who has a complicated history with Cab's mother, Hollywood actress Tarla Bolton - and with Cab himself. But by doing so, Cab is entering dangerous waters. Fairmont's political party is itself swamped in secrecy - a fact that, unknown to Cab, has led one of its junior staff to start asking very sensitive questions about the death of a party employee. Both Cab and this young researcher, Peach Piper, are digging up the kind of dirt that ten years can't wash away. And as the powerful crosswinds of state politics swirl around Cab and Peach, and the threat of a tropical storm hangs over Florida, this whirlwind of pressure and chaos will ultimately unearth a poisonous conspiracy, and reawaken a killer who has lain dormant for a decade.
Season of Gene
by Dallas HudgensSomewhere between incarceration and sainthood stands Joe Rice, a man who relishes peace, painkillers, and his Friday-night baseball league. When his shady business partner Gene dies rounding the bases, Joe knows this isn't going to be an ordinary season. Soon enough, a suburban ex-mobster, his entrepreneurial son, and a gun-toting minister have Tasered, maced and harassed Joe over the location of a three-million-dollar Babe Ruth baseball bat he doesn't know anything about. Joe just wants to save his car-detailing/ticker brokerage business from Gene's mountain of debt, crime and craziness. (Winning a game of Madden NFGL against his ex-girlfriend's twelve-year-old son would also be a relief. ) But first, he must confront the ghosts of his past - namely, his murdered uncle and his mentally unstable mother. He must also deal with the present, navigating the space between the two women he cares about. And finally, he must face the future, every man's least favorite obstacle. Dallas Hudgens, the acclaimed author ofDrive Like Hell, blends Guatemalan chicken, online pharmaceuticals, and unforgettable characters in a raucous but moving story of love and baseball. Season of Geneis a wild ride of a novel about a troubled man, the troubled women who love him and a legendary baseball bat that could either save their lives or get them killed.
Season of Iron: A Rebecca Temple Mystery
by Sylvia Maultash WarshShort-listed for the 2007 ReLit Award The newest Dr. Rebecca Temple book is set alternately in 1979 Toronto and 1930s Berlin. In Toronto, Rebecca follows a trail that begins when Birdie, the schizophrenic homeless woman she is trying to help, is killed. From the German fencing instructor in whose backyard Birdie lived to the Egyptian physician in town to talk up the new drug he is developing from snake venom, nobody is who they appear to be. Strangely, the two men seem to know each other, although neither will say how. Alternating chapters follow a Jewish family, the Eisenbaums, during the Nazi rise to power and the gradual stripping away of the rights of Jews in Germany. The youngest child, Frederika, becomes a doctor against all odds. But as the Nazi grip tightens, she loses the right to practice and is finally sent to a concentration camp. Rebecca’s and Frederika’s stories connect in the startling conclusion.
A Season of Knives (Sir Robert Carey Series #2)
by P F ChisholmIn 1592, Sir Robert Carey, a handsome courtier fleeing his creditors, his father's wrath, and the close scrutiny of his Queen, came north to Carlisle to take up his new post as Deputy Warden of the West March. The presence of his true love, the married Elizabeth Widdrington, was no mere coincidence. Before long, Sir Robert was up to his ruff in horse rustling and treason (A Famine of Horses), but he sorted that out with dispatch. Now he's in trouble again. The rowdy Grahams plan to kidnap Elizabeth as she journeys home to her husband. While Sir Robert storms out to stop them, someone murders the man he has just sacked from his post of paymaster to the Carlisle garrison. When Sir Robert returns, he finds his servant Barnabus slung into the castle dungeon, accused of the crime, and his arch enemy Sir Richard Lowther scheming to have Carey arrested for masterminding the murder.... When even faithful Sergeant Dodd is prepared to believe he did it, the courtier finds his hands full--while ruin stares him in the face--as he juggles the murder inquiry and untangles a skein of love and greed that reminds him most uncomfortably of how carefully he must conceal his love for Elizabeth.
A Season of Miracles
by Heather GrahamRevisit a thrilling tale of second chance love in this classic Christmas romance by New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham.Centuries ago, in another lifetime, the man Jillian Llewellyn loved tried but failed to save her. Now, in this season of miracles, two lost souls are being given a second chance.Since her husband’s death, jewelry designer Jillian Llewellyn has withdrawn, focusing only on her work. But something unimaginable is going to shatter her safe world, drawing her into a web of danger and desire. At the center of the storm is a handsome stranger, Robert Marston. The new silent partner at Llewellyn Enterprises, Marston is as formidable as he is intimidating...as mysterious as he is familiar. The connection she feels is bone deep--as if they’ve known each other before.When several bizarre accidents strike Jillian, a chilling fear that someone wants to harm her begins to grow. But who would want her dead? A co-worker? A member of her own close-knit family? Against her will she is drawn to Robert, unsure whether he is her salvation...or her damnation. Now, as the ghosts of the past are resurrected, Jillian and Robert must forge a new destiny as they unlock the timeless secrets of passion and betrayal. At Christmas time, anything is possible...if you believe.Originally published in 2001
A Season of Miracles
by Heather GrahamCenturies ago, in another lifetime, the man Jillian Llewellyn loved tried but failed to save her. Now, in this season of miracles, two lost souls are being given a second chance. Since her husband's death, jewelry designer Jillian Llewellyn has withdrawn, focusing only on her work. But something unimaginable is going to shatter her safe world, drawing her into a web of danger and desire. At the center of the storm is a handsome stranger, Robert Marston. The new silent partner at Llewellyn Enterprises, Marston is as formidable as he is intimidating. . . as mysterious as he is familiar. The connection she feels is bone deep--as if they've known each other before. When several bizzare accidents strike Jillian, a chilling fear that someone wants to harm her begins to grow. But who would want her dead? A co-worker? A member of her own close-knit family? Against her will she is drawn to Robert, unsure whether he is her salvation. . . or her damnation. Now, as the ghosts of the past are resurrected, Jillian and Robert must forge a new destiny as they unlock the timeless secrets of passion and betrayal. . .
A Season Of Murder (The Darling Deli #29)
by Patti BenningSilent night... Deadly night. A peaceful family outing to select a Christmas tree turns into a nightmare when amateur sleuth Moira Darling finds a corpse buried beneath the snow. When she realizes that the body belongs to one of her husband's clients, Moira knows that neither of them will get any rest until the killer is found. Moira realizes that the killer isn't the only one with secrets when she unwittingly uncovers something that her own husband has been keeping from her. Is everything about to change yet again?
Season of Sacrifice: A Maya Malick Mystery (The Maya Mallick Mysteries #1)
by Bharti KirchnerIntroducing feisty Asian-American private investigator Maya Mallick in the first of an intriguing new mystery series. During a morning stroll in Seattle’s Green Lake district, Maya Mallick is horrified to see two young women, shrouded in white, set themselves ablaze in front of the temporary residence of the visiting Chinese foreign minister. She’s even more shocked to recognize one of them: Sylvie Burton, a brilliant Tibetan-American biomedical scientist, who is the adopted sister of Maya’s best friend. An onlooker informs her that the two women are martyrs, protesting the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Yet Maya has a nagging suspicion that all is not as it seems. With so much to live for, why would Sylvie wish to end her life in this horrific way? As Maya gets closer to the shocking truth, she finds her own life on the line.
Season of Secrets
by Marta PerryThe bestselling author “delivers a strong story of tension, fear and trepidation . . . an excellent mystery that’s certain to keep you in constant suspense” (Romantic Times, Top Pick).As a teenager, Dinah Westlake had witnessed the murder of her pregnant cousin, but a concussion blocked her memories of that night. Now, ten years later, her cousin’s widower, Marc Devlin, had returned to Charleston to give his young son a true Southern Christmas.It was a chance to make amends in a family torn apart by the tragedy—and the suspicion that Marc was responsible for his wife’s demise. But when several dangerous “accidents” occurred amid the colorful holiday celebrations, Dinah’s recollections of that past dark night began to resurface. Would she discover a killer inside the man she’d grown to love?“The characters are real, immersed in true southern charm, and the story is as colorful as the season. I enjoyed reading Season of Secrets and look forward to more from this talented author.” —Laura V. Hilton, author of The Amish Wedding Promise
Season of Smoke (The Jack Palace Series #3)
by A.G. PasquellaIt looks like ex-con Jack Palace’s troubles will never end when he is pressured by the mob to kill one of his best friends. Jack Palace is trying to go legit with his own security company — but his old life keeps trying to pull him back in. A mobster named Sammy DiAngelo wants revenge for a killing that happened in Jack’s past. DiAngelo blames Jack’s friend Grover for the murder and gives Jack an ultimatum: kill Grover or be killed himself. Meanwhile, Grover has plans of his own. He wants to rip off the mob, and he needs Jack’s help to do it. Jack is desperate to start a new life with Suzanne, a woman from his past … but is he desperate enough to kill?
Season of Snows and Sins: Henry Tibbett #10 (Henry Tibbett #10)
by Patricia MoyesTibbett takes to the slopes. &“A good who-did-do-it mystery, a Swiss ski resort setting, vigorous, professional writing. For a long winter evening: ideal.&” —The Times If I were Scotland Yard, I might be that put-out with Henry Tibbett: He seems never to stay in England for more than about ten minutes, and he&’s always taking vacations! This time around, he and the ever-pleasant Emmy are holidaying in the Alps when a popular ski instructor gets it in the neck. Everybody in town is eager to point a finger—typically at the victim&’s wife, who is widely assumed to have had enough of his philandering. But Henry isn&’t sure, and sure enough, he is soon to be found poking his British bulldog&’s nose into a decidedly French scandale, turning up dirt on some of the swankiest swells on the mountain.Praise for Patricia Moyes &“The author who put the &‘who&’ back in whodunit.&” —Chicago Daily News &“A new queen of crime . . . her name can be mentioned in the same breath as Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh.&” —Daily Herald &“An excellent detective novel in the best British tradition. Superbly handled.&” —Columbus Dispatch&“Intricate plots, ingenious murders, and skillfully drawn, often hilarious, characters distinguish Patricia Moyes&’ writing.&” —Mystery Scene
Season of Strangers: A Novel of Romantic Suspense
by Kat MartinFrom a New York Times–bestselling author and a &“terrific storyteller,&” a paranormal suspense in which a woman abducted by an alien falls for her captor (Booklist). In one fleeting moment, anything—and anyone—can change . . . Real estate agent Julie Ferris is enjoying a day at the beach with her sister Laura when a strange, almost undetectable charge fills the air. Then, under the hot Malibu sun, time stops altogether. Neither sister can explain their &“lost day&” —nor the blinding headaches and horrific nightmares that follow—but Julie chalks it up to the stress she&’s been under since her boss&’s son took over Donovan Real Estate. Patrick Donovan would be a real catch if not for his notorious playboy lifestyle and matching attitude. But when a cocaine-fueled heart attack nearly kills him, Patrick makes an astonishingly fast—and peculiar—recovery. Julie barely recognizes the newly sober Patrick as the same man she once struggled to resist. Maybe it&’s the strange beach experience fueling her paranoia, but she can&’t help sensing something just isn&’t . . . right. As Julie&’s feelings for Patrick intensify, she&’s about to discover how that day at the beach links her newfound happiness with her wildest suspicions. . . .
Season of Strangers
by Kat Martinwww.KatMartin.comIn one fleeting moment, anything-and anyone-can change... Real estate agent Julie Ferris is enjoying a day at the beach with her sister Laura when a strange, almost undetectable charge fills the air. Then, under the hot Malibu sun, time stops altogether. Neither sister can explain their "lost day"-nor the blinding headaches and horrific nightmares that follow-but Julie chalks it up to the stress she's been under since her boss's son took over Donovan Real Estate. Patrick Donovan would be a real catch if not for his notorious playboy lifestyle and matching attitude. But when a cocaine-fueled heart attack nearly kills him, Patrick makes an astonishingly fast-and peculiar-recovery. Julie barely recognizes the newly sober Patrick as the same man she once struggled to resist. Maybe it's the strange beach experience fueling her paranoia, but she can't help sensing something just isn't...right. As Julie's feelings for Patrick intensify, she's about to discover how that day at the beach links her newfound happiness with her wildest suspicions....
Season of the Blood (Diamonds, Blood and Shadows #4)
by Stephanie M FreemanEverything is for sale. Even the screams.’ Secrets drove gifted surgeon, Olivia Calderone, away from Shadow Bay. Now that she’s come home, will something more sinister be the death of her?. Homicide Lieutenant, Gabriel Garrett, is a man well acquainted with shadows and darkness. With the discovery of a mass grave in his hometown that shines a light on an underworld no one realize existed, his second chance with a long lost soulmate hangs in the balance. Will his pursuit of justice restore a love interrupted or will the truth destroy them both?
The Season of the Hyaena: A twisting novel of intrigue, corruption and secrets (Egyptian Mysteries Ser. #Vol. 2)
by Paul DohertyA mysterious stranger appears in the Nile Delta - has the Emperor Akhaten returned to Egypt?Capturing Ancient Egypt in all its beauty and brutality, Paul Doherty's powerful novel, The Season of the Hyaena, brilliantly evokes the atmosphere of the hyaena world, in which the ally standing beside you at one moment may turn the next. Perfect for fans of Christian Jacqs and Wilbur Smith.'An opulent banquet to satisfy the most murderous appetite' - Northern EchoMahu, former Chief of Police and Keeper of the Secrets of the Heart is sitting down to record his memories. He sees uneasy quiet reigning in the Royal Circle at Thebes, after the disappearance of the Pharaoh Akenhaten and the abandonment of his new, sun-worshipping religion. Members of different factions are barely held together by loyalty to the six-year-old Emperor, Tutankhamun. Then extraordinary news reaches the Council: Akenhaten has returned to Egypt.The words are greeted with dismay by all who hear them, for surely Akenhaten is dead? Mahu can certainly vouch that the woman claiming to be the Emperor's wife, Nefertiti, is a fraud. Whoever the man is who has appeared in the Delta, he must be investigated.What readers are saying about Paul Doherty:'Without a shadow of a doubt: 5 stars for the The Season of the Hyaena''The sounds and smells of the period seem to waft from the pages of [Paul Doherty's] books''Doherty again manages to tell the story in a fascinating manner... [you] fly over the pages'
Season of the Machete
by James PattersonThe author of the bestselling Along Came a Spider, Patterson, weaves a superb story of unrelenting suspense about an elegant jet-setting pair of psychopathic killers spearheading a grisly series of machete murders.
Season of the Wolf
by Jeffrey J. MariotteSeason of the Wolf is a heart-stopping supernatural thriller about the nature of evil, the evils of nature, and the epic struggle between a small town&’s residents and impossible creatures from the dawn of history. In the mountains around the small town of Silver Gap, Colorado, bark beetles—aided by a warming climate—are decimating the pine forests. That environmental degradation has brought Alex Converse, wealthy heir and would-be documentary filmmaker, to town. And his arrival coincides with another—the reappearance of wolves, long thought to be extinct in the state. But these are no ordinary wolves. They&’re big, cunning, ferocious, and very, very hungry. As the town grapples with that danger, an even more terrifying predator emerges, one without fur and fangs…one wearing a human face.
A Season to Lie: A Detective Gemma Monroe Mystery (Detective Gemma Monroe Novels #2)
by Emily Littlejohn“Small town Colorado police detective Gemma Monroe is a human and fallible heroine I can't wait to meet again, and Littlejohn's prose is lyrical and gripping.”—Deborah CrombieIn Emily Littlejohn's follow-up to her acclaimed debut Inherit the Bones, a twisted killer stalks his prey in the dead of winter. On a cold dark night in February, as a blizzard shrieks through Cedar Valley, police officer and new mother Gemma Monroe responds to an anonymous report of a prowler at the local private high school, The Valley Academy. In her idyllic Colorado small town, Gemma expects the call was just a prank by a bored teenager. But there in the snow lies the savaged body of a man whose presence in town was meant to be a secret. And a disturbing message left by his killer promises more death to come. This is only the beginning . . . Nothing is as it seems in Cedar Valley and stories, both fact and fiction, ensnare Gemma as her investigation moves from the halls of an elite academy to the forests that surround Cedar Valley.Against a backdrop of bleak winter weather, stymied by those who would lie to protect what is dearest to them, Gemma hunts a ruthless killer before he strikes again in A Season to Lie.
The Seasonaires: A Novel (The Seasonaires #1)
by Janna KingFor a twenty-something, there is no summer job better than being a seasonaire. No responsibilities, college is barely a thought, and you’re surrounded by glamorous, beautiful people. Intoxicating and seemingly carefree, what could possibly go wrong? An idyllic Nantucket summer begins like a dream for scrappy Mia from South Boston; Presley, a gorgeous Southern beauty queen; Cole, a handsome introvert; Jade, the sultry daughter of a model and music mogul; J.P., an energetic young designer; and Grant, a playful party-boy. Tese six are working as seasonaires—influential brand ambassadors—for the clothing line Lyndon Wyld. But like all things that look too good to be true, the darkness lurking underneath slowly rises to the surface. Lyndon Wyld, the chic tigress who owns the eponymous business, rules their daily life by curating their every move, which the seasonaires are obligated to post on social media for their growing throngs of followers. Corporate greed, professional rivalries, and personal conflicts mix with sex, drugs, and the naiveté of youth, exploding in a murder that sullies their catalog-perfect lives. The Seasonaires is a fresh and stylish debut that perfectly captures today’s zeitgeist, promising to thrill until the very last page.
Seasonal Work: Stories
by Laura LippmanIn a suspenseful collection of stories featuring fierce women—including one never-before-published novella—New York Times bestseller Laura Lippman showcases why she is one of today’s top crime writers.The award-winning master of psychological suspense is in top form in this collection of diverse and diabolically clever stories.In the never-before-published “Just One More,” a married couple—longing for that old romantic spark—creates a playful diversion that comes with unexpected consequences.Lippman’s beloved Baltimore PI Tess Monaghan keeps a watchful eye on a criminally resourceful single father in “Seasonal Work,” while her mother, Judith, realizes that the life of “The Everyday Housewife” is an excellent cover for all kinds of secrets.In “Slow Burner,” a husband’s secret cell phone proves to be a dicey temptation for a suspicious wife.A father’s hidden past piques the curiosity of a young snoop in “The Last of Sheila-Locke Holmes.”Plus seven other brilliantly crafted stories of deception, murder, dangerous games, and love gone wrong—irrefutable evidence that Laura Lippman’s riveting fiction will more than satisfy any crime reader.
Seasons
by Bonnie HopkinsThis wonderfully-written and compelling book looks at the life of a single woman's seasons, from the raging storms of her life's winters to the sun-drenched days of her summers and how she endures it all with God's love. After graduating from college, Jacetta Winters made the mistake of falling in love with Maxie Jackson, an older married man. But when he discovers that she's pregnant with his child, he promptly dumps her, leaving her alone to raise their child and abandoned by her family and church. When Jaci least expects it, she stumbles upon J.P. Gilmore, a man she has prayed for and who loves God as well as loving her. Now, moments before their marriage, Jaci retraces the mistakes she has made. But even though her life seems to be heading in the direction she has prayed for, Jaci is facing new challenges: Maxie has reappeared and wants to rekindle the relationship they had almost 20 years ago; her fiance is being stalked by his receptionist, Linda, who is in love with him; and Wynola, Linda's sister, wishes Jaci was dead after she lost her job to her. Add an unwanted middle-age pregnancy, and Jaci is praying to God for guidance.
Seasons of Mist: This chilling, evocative omnibus includes the Richard and Judy bestseller A Cold Season
by Alison LittlewoodFrom Richard and Judy bestselling author Alison Littlewood, a genre-defying master of subtle horror, comes a perfectly horrifying omnibus. Containing A Cold Season, Path of Needles and The Unquiet House, as well an exclusive preview of A Cold Silence.A broken family. A dark secret. The cold season has begun . . .In A Cold Season, newly widowed Cass buys a renovated mill in the remove Lancashire village of Darnshaw, hoping that it will give her and her son, Ben, a fresh start. But it quickly becomes clear that outsiders are not welcome in the village and Ben begins displaying a hostility Cass can't understand. As darker events unfold, Cass starts to question her son's sanity. Then a blizzard blows in and Darnshaw is marooned in a sea of snow. Threatened on all sides, Cass finds herself pitted against forces she can barely comprehend . . .Some fairy tales are born of dreams . . . and some are born of nightmares.In A Path of Needles, a body is found in a shallow grave in the trees near Newmillerdam. The victim is a young girl, and the gruesome way in which the body has been posed has the police at a loss. Until Alice Hyland, an expert in fairytales is brought into the investigation and discovers a connection between the victim and an obscure Italian version of Snow White. It seems a fairytale has taken a twisted, nightmarish turn.Then another body is found in a similarly shocking state. Now Alice must fight, not just to prove her innocence, but to protect herself from what lies in wait in the woods . . .What is lurking in the corners of Mire House? In The Unquiet House, Emma Dean is desperately seeking a fresh start - so when she inherits an old house in the depths of the Yorkshire countryside, she realises that this could be her chance. Mire House is dreary, dark and cold - yet when Emma walks inside, she feels an immediate sense of belonging.It isn't long before Charlie Mitchell, grandson of the original owner, appears, claiming that he wants to get to know her as they are the last of their family. But Emma suspects he's more interested in the house than his long-lost relatives.And when she starts seeing ghostly figures, Emma begins to wonder: is Charlie trying to scare her away, or are there darker secrets lurking in the corners of Mire House?
The Seat Beside Me
by Nancy MoserThat strange, snoring, legroom-invading person next to you on the airplane -- have you ever imagined owing your life to him? Nancy Moser tells the gripping story of five passengers and their seatmates who get casually acquainted -- then plunge headlong into an icy river in a sudden plane crash. The moments that follow are more intense than any they have ever lived, changing the way the passengers see God and the meaning of life itself. This book reveals the eternal impact a brief interaction can have and the drastic measures it takes for some to reexamine their souls.From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Seat of the Scornful: A Devon Mystery (British Library Crime Classics)
by John Dickson Carr"[John Dickson Carr] is the supreme conjuror; the king of the art of misdirection...once you begin a book of his, you simply cannot put it down."—Agatha ChristieFirst published in 1942, this reissue is one of Carr's most tense and enjoyable game of cat and mouse pitting detective Gideon Fell against the "chief" suspect.When police arrive at Justice Ireton's holiday bungalow to find a man killed by gunshot and the high court justice brandishing a pistol, the case seems as straightforward as it is scandalous. But, with physical evidence that doesn't add up, the justice's vehement denial of wrong doing, and recent events in his daughter's love life turns the deceptively simple case on its head.Stumped, the local force calls in the larger-than-life sleuth Dr. Gideon Fell, who just yesterday contended with Ireton over a brutally challenging game of chess. With Fell and the judge now facing off as detective and suspect, a new battle of wits begins in this fiendishly plotted masterclass of the mystery genre.