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Carbon Footprint Assessments: Case Studies & Best Practices (Environmental Footprints and Eco-design of Products and Processes)
by Subramanian Senthilkannan MuthuClimate change and its impacts are well known, and it is not hard to see the effects of climate change vulnerability to daily lives in many parts of the world. The need to assess and reduce carbon footprint is not specific to any industrial sector; rather it is an imperative to all aspects of industry. To that end, this book offers case studies detailing methods and best practices toward the assessment of carbon footprint in various industrial spaces. The chapters here highlight the urgency of measuring and alleviating the climate change impacts for various industrial sectors, and together they offer an overview of the current state of research on carbon footprint assessment in different industries ranging from textiles, agriculture, logistics, wine production, and more.
Knowledge Engineering and Knowledge Management: 24th International Conference, EKAW 2024, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, November 26–28, 2024, Proceedings (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #15370)
by Mehwish Alam Marco Rospocher Marieke Van Erp Laura Hollink Genet Asefa GeseseThis book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Knowledge Engineering and Knowledge Management, EKAW 2024, held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, during November 26–28, 2024. The 28 full papers presented together were carefully reviewed and selected from 115 submissions. They focus on all aspects of knowledge in constructing systems and services for the semantic web, knowledge management, knowledge discovery, information integration, natural language processing, intelligent systems, e-business, e-health, humanities, cultural heritage, and beyond.
Computer Vision – ECCV 2024: 18th European Conference, Milan, Italy, September 29–October 4, 2024, Proceedings, Part XXXII (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #15090)
by Aleš Leonardis Elisa Ricci Stefan Roth Olga Russakovsky Torsten Sattler Gül VarolThe multi-volume set of LNCS books with volume numbers 15059 up to 15147 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 18th European Conference on Computer Vision, ECCV 2024, held in Milan, Italy, during September 29–October 4, 2024. The 2387 papers presented in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 8585 submissions. They deal with topics such as computer vision; machine learning; deep neural networks; reinforcement learning; object recognition; image classification; image processing; object detection; semantic segmentation; human pose estimation; 3d reconstruction; stereo vision; computational photography; neural networks; image coding; image reconstruction; motion estimation.
Sustainable Development Seen Through the Lenses of Ethnoeconomics and the Circular Economy
by Walter Leal Filho Vladan KuzmanovićThis book introduces ethnoeconomics, explaining how cultural, social, and historical factors influence economic behavior and decision-making. The book also delves into the principles of the circular economy, emphasizing the importance of designing out waste, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. It explores how these principles can contribute to sustainable economic growth and resilience. The book also explores how insights from ethnoeconomics can inform and enhance the implementation of circular economy principles, with case studies and theoretical frameworks that showcase the benefits of this integration for sustainable development.
Sustainable Education and Development—Green Buildings: Proceedings of the Applied Research Conference in Africa (ARCA), 2023, Volume 2
by Clinton Aigbavboa Wellington Thwala Joseph N. Mojekwu Lawrence Atepor Emmanuel Adinyira Gabriel Nani Emmanuel Bamfo-AgyeiThis book is Volume 2 of the proceedings of 2023 Sustainable Education and Development Research Conference. This volume concentrates on papers in the area of green buildings. Despite considerable progress, more than 700 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity, and around 2.4 billion people continue to use harmful and polluting fuels for cooking. While efforts have been made to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, they have not been fast enough to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7. Adding to the challenge, the ongoing war in Ukraine has contributed to rising global energy prices and heightened energy insecurity in Europe. In response to the energy crisis, some European countries are planning to accelerate the transition to renewables and increase investments in clean energy and energy efficiency. However, others are considering a resurgence of coal, which poses a risk to the overall green transition. Between 2010 and 2020, the percentage of the global population with access to electricity increased from 83% to 91%, with 1.3 billion people gaining access. Nevertheless, this leaves approximately 733 million people still without electricity, and most of them reside in sub-Saharan Africa. Achieving universal access by 2030, the annual growth rate in access needs to accelerate from 0.5 percentage points to 0.9 percentage points, necessitating significant efforts in low-income, fragile, and conflict-affected countries. In 2020, 69% of the global population had access to clean cooking fuels and technologies. While more than half of those without access to clean cooking fuels live in Asia, the 20 countries with the lowest percentage of people having access to clean cooking were predominantly least developed countries in Africa. The share of renewable sources in total final energy consumption reached 17.7% globally in 2019, just slightly higher than the figure for 2015. The electricity sector leads in the adoption of renewables, accounting for 26.2% of total final energy consumption in 2019, while the heat and transport sectors have made limited progress. Global primary energy intensity, defined as global total energy supply per unit of GDP, improved from 5.6 megajoules per dollar (2017 purchasing power parity) in 2010 to 4.7 megajoules in 2019. However, the rate of improvement (1.6% per year on average since 2015) falls short of the 3.2% annual rate needed to reach Sustainable Development Goal 7.3. International financial flows to support clean and renewable energy in developing countries reached $10.9 billion in 2019, a 23.6% decrease from 2018. This decline occurred even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over a longer five-year moving average, average annual commitments decreased for the first time since 2008, from $17.5 billion in 2014-18 to $16.6 billion in 2015-19. Although developing countries achieved a record of 245.7 watts per capita in installed renewable energy-generating capacity in 2020, small island developing States, least developed countries, and landlocked developing countries have lagged behind. It would take least developed countries and landlocked developing countries nearly 40 years and small island developing States almost 15 years to reach the same level of progress as the average developing country in 2020. The 2023 SEDRC conference, titled "Sustainable Development and Education," aims to redefine the understanding of research in the continent's development and the role of researchers. The conference focusses on applied research discussions and its dissemination. Researchers from research institutions, academicians, postgraduate students, politicians, and industry representatives will be the primary audience for the conference proceedings.
Corporate Governance: Theories, Actors, and Control Systems in the Age of New Capitalism
by Salvatore Esposito De FalcoIn an era marked by financial scandals, corporate crises, and rapid technological advancements, this textbook equips readers with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of corporate governance effectively. Divided in three thematic sections, it offers a thorough examination of corporate governance theories, key actors and the systems of control essential in the current era of 'New Capitalism'. The chapters go beyond theoretical concepts, featuring numerous practical case studies drawn from real-world scenarios. Whether used as a textbook in academic settings, a reference guide in professional contexts, or a self-study resource, this textbook caters to diverse learning needs and preferences. Its organized structure and accessible language make it suitable for individuals at various stages of their academic or professional journey.
International Joint Conferences: 17th International Conference on Computational Intelligence in Security for Information Systems (CISIS 2024) and 15th International Conference on European Transnational Education (ICEUTE 2024) (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems #957)
by Héctor Quintián Emilio Corchado Alicia Troncoso Lora Hilde Pérez García Esteban Jove José Luis Calvo Rolle Francisco Javier Martínez de Pisón Pablo García Bringas Francisco Martínez Álvarez Álvaro Herrero Cosío Paolo FosciThis volume of Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems contains accepted papers presented at the 17th International Conference on Computational Intelligence in Security for Information Systems (CISIS 2024) and the 15th International Conference on EUropean Transnational Education (ICEUTE 2024), which were held in the beautiful city of Salamanca, Spain, in October 2024. The aim of the CISIS 2024 conference is to offer a meeting opportunity for academic and industry-related researchers belonging to the various vast communities of Computational Intelligence, Information Security, and Data Mining. The need for intelligent, flexible behavior by large, complex systems, especially in mission-critical domains, is intended to be the catalyst and the aggregation stimulus for the overall event. After peer review, the CISIS 2024 International Program Committee selected 24 papers for publication in these conference proceedings. In this edition, one special session was organized: Artificial Intelligence for Protecting the Internet of Things. The aim of ICEUTE 2024 conference is to offer a stimulating and fruitful meeting point for people working on transnational education within Europe. It provides an exciting forum for presenting and discussing the latest works and advances in transnational education within European countries. In the case of ICEUTE 2024, the International Program Committee selected nine papers, which are also published in these conference proceedings. The selection of papers was extremely rigorous to maintain the high quality of the conferences. We deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication of the members of the Program Committees during the reviewing process. Their contributions are integral to the creation of a high-standard conference; the CISIS and ICEUTE conferences would not exist without their help.
Healing Her Amish Heart: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (Amish of Lost River)
by null Jo Ann BrownCould a temporary arrangement lead to a lifetime of happiness? Schoolteacher Mollie Lehman loves her job, but there&’s one problem—her family&’s medical debt means she can&’t afford to take school breaks off. The arrival of widower Noah Frye might just be the answer she&’s looking for. Working as a nanny for his two children is the ideal solution…until Mollie and Noah start to fall for each other. But they&’ve both lost too much to trust in love. Will they find the courage to face their fears and realize their perfect arrangement could also be a perfect match?From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.Amish of Lost River Book 1: Healing Her Amish HeartBook 2: Saving Her Amish Baby
The Amish Widower's Surprise: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (Hickory Springs Amish)
by null Laurel BlountThey think they&’re done with love… Will working together change their minds? All widower Eben Miller wants is someone to help him run his general store, but every Amish woman who applies is more interested in marriage than employment. Falling in love again feels impossible for Eben, who needs a worker, not a wife. Straight-talking Lilah Troyer is different. The spinster gave up on finding a husband a long time ago and is desperate for an income to remain independent. She&’s even willing to forget Eben&’s humiliating rejection of her back in their youth. It&’s the perfect solution, until romance comes knocking on their door…From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.Hickory Springs Amish Book 1: The Amish Widower's Surprise
Deception at the Altar (Brides for Greek Brothers)
by null Emmy GraysonDeception at the Altar is an enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, term-of-the-will, billionaire romance from Emmy Grayson. His sworn enemy… and perfect brideGavriil. My childhood taught me love can&’t offer the security my billions can. I poured my soul into the family empire for that reason. If my late father thinks he can take it all away by stipulating I marry or lose my inheritance, he underestimated me…Juliette. I&’ve spent my career as an investigative reporter taking down men corrupted by wealth, so Gavriil Drakos&’s convenient proposal shocked me. I told myself I agreed only because he&’s returning the beloved home his father stole from mine. Yet, at the altar, I surrender to Gavriil&’s dangerously intoxicating kiss…From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.Read all the Brides for Greek Brothers books: Book 1: Deception at the AltarBook 2: Still the Greek's Wife
Boss's Plus-One Demand (Ruthless Rivals)
by null Louise FullerBoss's Plus-One Demand is an enemies to lovers, there was only one bed…, billionaire boss romance from Louise Fuller. In-office demand After-hours chemistry On the edge of destitution, professional hacker Sydney Truitt must accept a lucrative job targeting ruthless New York CEO Tiger McIntyre. Sydney is oh-so close to success…when the boss catches her red-handed! And delivers a shocking ultimatum: face jail time—or masquerade as his girlfriend. Tiger&’s carefully curated playboy image is designed to keep the world at arm&’s length. Having Sydney as his date at a prestigious gala does just that. Except he didn&’t count on the impossible-to-fake, raw need their proximity unleashes… In trying so hard to shut everyone else out, has he let Sydney in?From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds. Read all the Ruthless Rivals books:Book 1: Boss's Plus-One DemandBook 2: Nine-Month Contract
Italian Wife Wanted
by null Lela May WightA marriage of convenience, amnesia, second chance, billionaire romance from Lela May Wight. Her forgotten husband returns… for his runaway bride! Waitress Emma&’s purely-for-passion marriage to Dante Cappetta had no place for love. She&’d seen how chasing it destroyed her mother. So, when Emma realized she wanted more than mutually assured desire, she left. Only, an accident leaves her unable to remember that… Now he&’s found her, cynical CEO Dante plans to remind Emma just how perfectly their arrangement serves them both by whisking her to Japan. But if their unparalleled chemistry wasn&’t enough to make her stay before, how many of his walls must he tear down to win back his wife?From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Queen's Winter Wedding Charade (By Royal Arrangement)
by null Heidi RiceQueen's Winter Wedding Charade is a marriage of convenience, fake relationship, royal romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Heidi Rice. By royal decree… Her Majesty needs a husband! If Queen Isabelle of Androvia wants full control over her kingdom, she must marry at once. Her plan? Proposition the nearest suitor! Yet she hadn&’t anticipated billionaire Travis Lord&’s arrogant and irreverent disregard for imperial protocol… Becoming Prince Consort suits Travis perfectly. Finally, he can rise above his poverty-stricken roots. But saying &“I do&” is one thing. Upholding their newlywed facade while battling to keep their marriage convenient is another. Particularly as he peels back the layers of his flawless royal wife, and discovers the fiery woman underneath… From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.Read all the By Royal Arrangement books: Book 1: Queen's Winter Wedding CharadeBook 2: Princess for the Headlines
The Twins That Bind (Scandalous Heirs)
by null Jackie AshendenA surprise twins, proposal of convenience, rags to riches, billionaire romance from Jackie Ashenden. Claiming his two heirs… with one diamond! Preschool teacher Nell Underwood&’s pulse is racing as she makes an agonizing confession to Aristophanes Katsaros: their intoxicating encounter left her pregnant—with twins! But the Greek&’s marriage demand shocks her to her core. She knows firsthand that babies deserve love, not convenience.No isn&’t a word billionaire Aristophanes is used to. Haunted by his own childhood abandonment, he&’s determined to claim his heirs. Yet using their blistering attraction to persuade Nell to accept his proposal proves futile—she wants more. Can Aristophanes unlock the chains that have forever surrounded his heart?From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.Read all the Scandalous Heirs books: Book 1: Italian Baby ShockBook 2: The Twins That Bind
The Heir Dilemma
by null Abby GreenAn enemies to lovers, amnesia, second chance, billionaire romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Abby Green.Reclaiming her son…means facing their enduring passion!Leaving her newborn baby with his father, Quintano Holt, broke Sadie Ryan. Except to protect them from her terrifyingly dark past, she was forced to leave. Now the danger has finally passed, she&’ll do anything to get her son back. Including confront the Brazilian billionaire primed to hate her…Seeing Sadie again in New York rocks Quintano. He vowed he&’d ruthlessly guard his heir from any more pain and betrayal. But can he really deny his child a relationship with Sadie? Even when it means acknowledging the wildfire between them still rages…From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.Read all the Brazilian Billionaire Brothers books:Book 1: The Heir DilemmaBook 2: On His Bride's Terms
Snowbound Then Pregnant
by null Cathy WilliamsA surprise pregnancy, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, billionaire romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Cathy Williams. Trapped by a snowstorm… Reunited by the consequence! When a blizzard forces Alice Reynolds to shelter in a stranger&’s chalet, her savior&’s ice-cold welcome is unexpected. Mateo Ricci clearly doesn&’t want company. Snowbound together, the friction reaches boiling point. And Alice can&’t resist throwing her usual caution to the wind… Experience has shown Mateo commitment always brings pain. Still, after Alice tracks him down weeks later, the cynical tycoon is tempted to resume his fling with the woman whose eternal optimism left a mark on his hardened heart. Then Alice drops a bombshell: she&’s having the Italian&’s baby!From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Greek's Enemy Bride (Notorious Mediterranean Marriages)
by null Caitlin CrewsGreek's Enemy Bride is an enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, forbidden, billionaire romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Caitlin Crews.From stepmother…to inherited wife!For Greek tycoon Apostolis Adriankis, marrying his father&’s young widow is inconceivable. Yet the clause in the will is watertight; if he wants his birthright, they must wed. So, despite their charged animosity, innocent beauty Jolie Gerard is now his enemy…and his bride.Forced into convenient marriage with the man who despises her most, Jolie can't believe the sparks between her and Apostolis are anything but burning hatred. Until one touch from her husband ignites a blaze neither can deny. They married for family legacy, but will their scorching desire save it…or turn everything to ash?From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.Read all the Notorious Mediterranean Marriages books: Book 1: Greek's Enemy BrideBook 2: Carrying a Sicilian Secret
A Tempest of Desire: A Novel (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #5)
by Lorraine HeathNew York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath returns to the fan favorite series, The Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, with the story of a viscount who has retreated to a small, secluded island only to have a mysterious and beautiful woman wash up on shore.After surviving a horrific railway accident, Viscount Langdon retreats to his private island to recover and conquer the nightmarish memories that continue to haunt him. The very last thing he wants—or expects—is for London’s most infamous courtesan to wash up on his beach. Marlowe is known for her bold flirtations, but her most daring exploits involve flying in her hot air balloon. When a storm blows her off course, she discovers herself alone with the isle’s only inhabitant. The gorgeous, seductive lord tempts her beyond reason, but giving into temptation would lead to her ruination because the all-consuming liaison would demand complete surrender. And she has secrets to protect.Langdon finds the captivating beauty near impossible to resist, but he can’t risk her learning the true reason behind his isolation. However, a powerful tempest of desire is swirling wildly between them, urging them to give in to the perilous passion that could destroy them . . . or perhaps show them the way to love.
The Picture of Dorian Gray (The Norton Library)
by null Oscar WildePart of the Norton Library series The Norton Library edition of The Picture of Dorian Gray features the complete text of the revised and expanded version of the novel, published in 1891. In his insightful introduction, Sean O’Toole sheds new light on the novel’s philosophical and stylistic achievements and on the cultural milieu that shaped Wilde’s groundbreaking exploration of beauty, desire, and the dangers of influence. The Norton Library is a growing collection of high-quality texts and translations—influential works of literature and philosophy—introduced and edited by leading scholars. Norton Library editions prepare readers for their first encounter with the works that they’ll re-read over a lifetime. Inviting introductions highlight the work’s significance and influence, providing the historical and literary context students need to dive in with confidence. Endnotes and an easy-to-read design deliver an uninterrupted reading experience, encouraging students to read the text first and refer to endnotes for more information as needed. An affordable price (most editions are $10 or less) encourages students to buy the book and to come to class with the assigned edition.
I Will Scream to the World: My Story. My Fight. My Hope for Girls Everywhere.
by null Jaha Marie DukurehThis extraordinary memoir details the monumental journey of one young Gambian woman from survivor of FGM and forced child marriage, to global activist and political leader who became UN Women's first Goodwill Ambassador for Africa, one of Time Magazine&’s 100 Most Influential People, and among the youngest people nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.On the wedding night of her first arranged marriage, fifteen-year-old Jaha learned that she had undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as an infant. That painful discovery, coupled with her experiences with a second arranged marriage, set Jaha on her path as an activist—a courageous mission that would require her to brave hostility in her community and family, and even attempts on her life. Despite the challenges, and with ever-growing determination, Jaha founded Safe Hands for Girls, an organization that succeeded in having FGM banned in Gambia. She is now working to eradicate FGM and forced child marriage worldwide by 2030 and running to be the next President of The Gambia. I Will Scream to the World! recounts Jaha&’s ongoing, uphill journey to be seen as a survivor, activist, but most of all as a human. She dives into her childhood to show the root causes of her crusading, shares her personal and professional life, and explores, as only a survivor can, a practice that while violent and troubling, is often culturally misunderstood. Above all, Jaha&’s unflinchingly honest memoir is a story of resilience and extraordinary fearlessness, of the strength that comes with learning to love oneself, and of the power within everyone to create meaningful and lasting change.
Irish Soda Bread Murder
by null Carlene O'Connor null Peggy Ehrhart null Liz IrelandIt&’s almost time for the delicious warmth of Irish soda bread, but be careful where you bite–some of these recipes call for murder in this delicious collection of cozy mystery novellas featuring the popular St. Paddy&’s Day treat. IRISH SODA BREAD MURDER by CARLENE O&’CONNOR There&’s very little time left before her wedding, but nonetheless Tara Meehan is helping out at her Uncle Johnny&’s salvage mill for the day. Aunt Rose set up a convention for local psychics, including a bake sale to raise money for charity, but now she&’s sick and available only via an iPad Johnny is carrying. The event promises to deliver a real pot of gold until Rose&’s biggest rival shows up. Before Tara can utter a simple &“top o&’ the morning&” to the man, he drops dead—with Johnny&’s soda bread in his hands. It&’s up to Tara to identify the deadly baker before another victim ends up chasing the rainbow straight into a grave . . .AN IRISH RECIPE FOR MURDER by PEGGY EHRHART To celebrate St. Patrick&’s Day this year, the Arborville, New Jersey, Advocate is sponsoring a soda bread–baking competition. Bettina Fraser is excited—her bake-off idea was the one to get the green light! But when a town councilman acting as a judge keels over after sampling an entry, the party atmosphere dies just as quickly. Now it&’s up to Bettina and her Knit and Nibble knitting club bestie, Pamela Paterson, to find the killer responsible for the murderous morsel. MRS. CLAUS AND THE SINISTER SODA BREAD MAN by LIZ IRELAND When April Claus arrives in Cloudberry Bay, Oregon, to check on her flooded inn, her biggest worry is to keep everyone from realizing her three companions—Jingles, Juniper, and Butterbean—are elves. But soon enough she has more serious worries—it looks like her hapless caretaker Ernie has been storing stolen goods at the inn! Then one of Ernie&’s shady pals is found dead, and the murder weapon turns up in a decorative loaf of soda bread at April&’s craft fair booth. It&’s up to April to uncover the killer before she spends St. Patrick&’s Day in the county jail!
The Case of the Missing Maid (Harriet Morrow Investigates)
by null Rob OslerThe acclaimed author of the Anthony, Agatha, Macavity, and Lefty Award-nominated Devil&’s Chew Toy delights with the first in a new historical mystery series set in turn-of-the-19th-century Chicago, as America is entering its Progressive Era and Harriet Morrow, a bike-riding, trousers-wearing lesbian, has just begun her new job as the first female detective at the Windy City's Prescott Agency . . . Rough-around-the-edges Harriet Morrow has long been drawn to the idea of whizzing around the city on her bicycle as a professional detective, solving crimes for a living without having to take a husband. Just twenty-one with a younger brother to support, she seizes the chance when the prestigious Prescott Agency hires her as its first woman operative. The move sparks controversy—with skeptical male colleagues, a high-strung office secretary, and her boss, Mr. Theodore Prescott, all waiting for her to unravel under the pressure . . . Only an hour into the job, Harriet has an assignment: Discover the whereabouts of a missing maid from one of the most extravagant mansions on Prairie Avenue. Owner Pearl Bartlett has a reputation for sending operatives on wild goose chases around her grand estate, but Harriet believes the stunningly beautiful Agnes Wozniak has indeed vanished under mysterious circumstances—possibly a victim of kidnapping, possibly a victim of something worse . . . With Mr. Prescott pushing a hard deadline, Harriet&’s burgeoning career depends on working through a labyrinth of eccentric characters and murky motives in a race to discover who made Agnes disappear. When her search leads to Chicago&’s Polish community and a new friendship in Agnes&’s charming older sister, Barbara, clues scattered across the city slowly reveal just how much depends on Harriet&’s inexperienced investigation for answers . . . and the deep danger that awaits once she learns the truth.
The Matter of the Secret Bride (A Useful Woman Mystery)
by null Darcie WildeSet in Regency London, this charming Jane Austen-inspired mystery series features Rosalind Thorne, a resourceful young woman with a talent for helping ladies of the ton with their most delicate and pressing predicaments. But now she&’s faced with a task of royal proportions. Literally. KingGeorge IV is petitioning Parliament for a divorce from his queen on the grounds of her adultery. But rumor has it that the king secretly married Maria Fitzherbert—long before he married the queen. Now Mrs. Fitzherbert has been robbed—and she&’s frantically calling on Rosalind for help. Because what those thieves took is proof that she and King George did really marry. That single piece of paper could destroy Mrs. Fitzherbert and her family—or it could prove the king guilty of bigamy. Rosalind races to investigate. With her is ex-Bow Street officer, Adam Harkness, with whom Rosalind shares a complex and rapidly intensifying bond. But a case of theft soon turns to murder . . . Josiah Poole, a disreputable attorney specializing in helping debtors—and who was seen entering Mrs. Fitzherbert&’s house—is found brutally murdered. Mrs. Fitzherbert has debts. Could she have staged the theft, and employed Mr. Poole to sell the marriage certificate? Or is the truth even more complicated? Mrs. Fitzherbert&’s daughters have secrets of their own. And Poole himself had no shortage of enemies. With suspicious coincidences mounting, and more danger encroaching, Rosalind and Adam must move quickly to unravel a history-making mystery that might just lead them straight to the palace itself . . .
Knife Skills for Beginners
by null Orlando MurrinThe Maid meets Knives Out with a dash of Top Chef in the debut locked room culinary mystery set in a London cooking school by Masterchef semi-finalist and cookbook writer Orlando Murrin.&“Some people are natural dancers, others marvelous in bed, but—not wishing to boast—I&’m good with a knife. Most chefs are.&” The Chester Square Cookery School in the heart of London offers students a refined setting in which to master the fine art of choux pastry and hone their hollandaise. True, the ornate mansion doesn&’t quite sparkle the way it used to—a feeling chef Paul Delamare is familiar with these days. Worn out and newly broke, he&’d be tempted to turn down the request to fill in as teacher for a week-long residential course, if anyone other than Christian Wagner were asking. Christian is one of Paul&’s oldest friends, as well as the former recipient of two Michelin stars and host of Pass the Gravy! Thanks to a broken arm, he&’s unable to teach the upcoming session himself, and recruits Paul as stand-in. The students are a motley crew, most of whom seem more interested in ogling the surroundings (including handsome Christian) than learning the best ways to temper chocolate. Yet despite his misgivings, Paul starts to enjoy imparting his extensive knowledge to the recruits—until someone turns up dead, murdered with a cleaver Paul used earlier that day to prep a pair of squabs. Did one of his students take the lesson on knife techniques too much to heart, or was this the result of a long-simmering grudge? In between clearing his own name and teaching his class how to perfectly poach a chicken, he&’ll have to figure out who&’s the killer, and avoid being the next one to get butchered . . .
Backwater Justice (Sisterhood)
by null Fern MichaelsThe Sisterhood: a group of women from all walks of life bound by friendship and years of adventure. Armed with vast resources, top-notch expertise, and a loyal network of allies around the globe, the Sisterhood will not rest until every wrong is made right. The small Oregon town of Mountain Valley seems like the perfect place to safely raise a family, away from the dangers of the big city. Vanessa&’s parents think so, until the day their fourteen-year-old daughter doesn&’t come home for dinner. They call her cell. Straight to voice mail. They call her friends. Nothing. An attendant at the local gas station mentions seeing a girl fitting Vanessa&’s description getting into a pick-up truck that he thinks belongs to one of the Spanglers. Everyone knows the Spanglers—the richest, most influential family for miles around. Patriarch Milton Spangler offers a $50,000 reward, determined to quash any notion that his family might be involved. But as search parties fail to yield any clues, another young woman goes missing. Are these simply disillusioned runaways[CC1] ? Or does the Spangler family have something to hide? Myra Rutledge has honed her instincts over scores of missions, and the news stories about missing young women set her internal alarms ringing, especially when it involved her old friend, Milton Spangler. . She shares her concerns with other women of the Sisterhood, and they agree to look into the goings-on in Mountain Valley. But a small town like this can have deep secrets, especially when one family holds so much power. Praise for Fern Michaels and her Sisterhood novels &“Readers will enjoy seeing what happens when well-funded, very angry women take the law into their own hands.&” —Booklist on Weekend Warriors &“Delectable . . . deliver[s] revenge that&’s creatively swift and sweet, Michaels-style.&” —Publishers Weekly on Hokus Pokus