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Tales of Pirx the Pilot
by Stanislaw LemBrilliant stories of a bumbling astronaut, and the human desire to discover the unknown, by the much-loved author of Solaris. Set in the not-too-distant future, when space flight has evolved to the point where humanity is ready to colonize the solar system, Tales of Pirx the Pilot follows one somewhat-hapless explorer as he struggles though his training as a cadet, his career as a pilot, and his tenure as captain of a merchant ship. In these collected stories, Pirx stumbles his way through various exploits: traveling to the moon; battling mechanical malfunctions; encountering robots; and confronting questions of ambition, evolution, exploration, experimentation, and the nature of humanity itself. And in classic Pirx fashion, he faces down each dilemma with charm, curiosity, courage, and intuition. These early works by revered speculative fiction author Stanislaw Lem are filled with both the sharp insight for which he is known and a childlike innocence, making them an entertaining and thought-provoking read for science fiction fans of all ages.
The Doctors Are In: The Essential and Unofficial Guide to Doctor Who's Greatest Time Lord
by Robert Smith Graeme BurkGet to know the eccentric alien known as the Doctor in this &“out-of-this-world read for both Classic and New Who fans&” (Library Journal). From his beginnings as a crotchety, anti-heroic scientist in 1963 to his current place in pop culture as the mad and dangerous monster-fighting savior of the universe, the character of Doctor Who has metamorphosed in his many years on television. And yet the questions about him remain the same: Who is he? Why does he act the way he does? What motivates him to fight evil across space and time? The Doctors Are In is a guide to television&’s most beloved time traveler from the authors of Who Is the Doctor and Who&’s 50. This is a guide to the Doctor himself—who he is in his myriad forms, how he came to be, how he has changed (within the program itself and behind the scenes) . . . and why he&’s a hero to millions.
The Graham Masterton Collection Volume One: The Manitou, Charnel House, and The Hymn
by Graham MastertonThree nightmare-inducing classics of contemporary horror from the award-winning &“master of the genre&” (Rocky Mountain News). As &“the living inheritor of the realm of Edgar Allan Poe,&” Graham Masterton takes his place alongside Stephen King and Peter Straub in the canon of contemporary horror authors. Here are three of his most memorable novels, all steeped in supernatural shocks, Lovecraftian creepiness, and Masterton&’s own boldly original vision (San Francisco Chronicle). The Manitou: A tumor growing on the back of a young woman&’s neck is in fact a vengeful spirit attempting to reenter the world. This acclaimed debut novel was adapted into a film starring Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, and Burgess Meredith. &“A chilling tale.&” —Kirkus Reviews Charnel House: In this Edgar Award Finalist, a house in San Francisco is possessed by an ancient demon with an insatiable hunger for blood. As it threatens to escape from its prison, the hapless homeowner, a civil servant, and a Native American shaman are the only ones who can stop it. &“[A] horror stalwart . . . Masterton is capable of conjuring a spooky atmosphere and evoking chills from understated terrors.&” —Publishers Weekly The Hymn: In this masterwork of supernatural suspense, a man haunted by his fiancée&’s suicide investigates a mysterious rash of sacrificial deaths in California and descends into a nightmare world of paranormal cults and Nazi terror. Originally published as The Burning.
Orlando: A Biography
by Virginia WoolfAn annotated edition of &“Woolf&’s most intense work,&” a fantastical biography that spans from the court of Elizabeth I to the year 1928 (Jorge Luis Borges). Begun as a &“joke,&” Orlando is Virginia Woolf&’s fantastical biography of a poet who first appears as a sixteen-year-old boy at the court of Elizabeth I, and is left at the novel&’s end a married woman in the year 1928. From Orlando&’s early days as a page in the Elizabethan court, through first love, heartbreak, and gender transformation, we follow Woolf&’s protagonist across centuries, through adventures in Constantinople and friendship with the poet Alexander Pope. All along, Orlando pursues literary success with her long poem, The Oak Tree. Part love letter to Vita Sackville-West, part exploration of the art of biography, Orlando is one of Woolf&’s most enduringly popular and entertaining works. It has inspired a number of adaptions, including a film version starring Tilda Swinton. This edition, annotated and with an introduction by Maria DiBattista, author of Imagining Virginia Woolf, will deepen readers&’ understanding of Woolf&’s brilliant creation.
Thirteen Stories
by Eudora Welty&“I&’ve read her Thirteen Stories many times, and I&’m always awed by how much comedy, pathos, satire and lyricism she manages to squeeze into her stories.&” —Sue Monk Kidd A strong sense of place—in this case Mississippi—along with often larger-than-life characterizations of ordinary folk with all their glorious eccentricities and foibles, and above all a completely distinctive voice, come together in Eudora Welty&’s fiction to offer us a world that is sometimes sad, sometimes comic, often petty, and always compassionate. Here is a baker&’s dozen of Welty&’s very best, including: &“The Wide Net,&” in which a pregnant wife threatens to drown herself, despite fear of the water, and a communal dragging of the river turns into a celebratory fish-fry; &“Petrified Man,&” revealing the savagery of small-town gossip; &“Powerhouse,&” Welty&’s prose answer to jazz improvisation and the emotional heart of the blues; and &“Why I Live at the P.O.&”, the hilariously one-sided testimony of a postmistress who believes herself wronged by her family. With her highly tuned ear and sharp insight into human behavior, Eudora Welty has crafted stories as vital and unpredictable as they are artful and enduring. &“Miss Welty has written some of the finest short stories of modern times.&” —The New York Times &“Eudora Welty is one of our purest, finest, gentlest voices.&” —Anne Tyler
The Practice of Deceit: A Novel
by Elizabeth BenedictThis smart psychological thriller about a therapist who marries the wrong woman is &“a lot of wicked fun&” (Alan Cheuse, NPR&’s All Things Considered). When Eric Lavender meets the attorney Colleen O&’Brien Golden, his position as one of Manhattan&’s chic psychotherapists and most eligible bachelors suddenly loses its appeal. The sexy, stylish Colleen lures him to live with her and her young daughter in the exclusive suburb of Scarsdale. To his amazement, Eric is besotted and soon settles into the unexpected bliss of marriage and domesticity with their new baby and his loving stepdaughter. He even becomes a local hero when the police turn to him for help in resolving a hostage crisis. But Eric&’s transformation comes to an abrupt halt when the police knock on his door again—this time with handcuffs. He and Colleen are caught up in an explosive conflict of interest involving their clients. When Eric discovers that Colleen has gone to extreme lengths to conceal her secret past, she retaliates with horrendous charges against him. Eric must uncover the truth before his children, his career, and his freedom are taken from him forever. As she did in her bestseller Almost, Elizabeth Benedict navigates the turbulent waters of love, law, psychology, and ethics with biting wit and penetrating insight. The Practice of Deceit is a razor-sharp novel of marriage—and divorce—gone awry.
Mary Barton: And Other Tales...
by Elizabeth GaskellA tale of love, class, and murder during the era of the trade-union movement in nineteenth-century England, from the author of North and South. In Manchester, long-suffering John Barton and his daughter, Mary, both want a better future for each other. John toils away with the trades&’ union for better wages for his fellow workers in the textile mill, while Mary must consider whom she will marry. She decides to leave the working-class Jem Wilson, hoping instead to wed Harry Carson, the wealthy mill owner&’s son. But when Harry is shot down in the street, Jem becomes the prime suspect—and learning the truth may yield a future Mary cannot bear. A portrait of the working class&’s struggles during the Victorian era, Mary Barton was Elizabeth Gaskell&’s first novel. She went on to write classics such as Wives and Daughters and was the creator of the town of Cranford, the setting for several BBC series.
A Dead Hand: A Crime in Calcutta: A Novel
by Paul TherouxA travel writer is drawn into a strange criminal case, and an even stranger romantic affair, in a novel that brings India &“brilliantly, blazingly to life&” (The Washington Post). When Jerry Delfont, an aimless, blocked travel writer, receives a letter from an American philanthropist, Mrs. Merrill Unger, he is intrigued. She informs him about a scandal, involving an Indian friend of her son&’s. Who is the dead boy, found on the floor of a cheap hotel room? How and why did he die? And what is Jerry to make of a patch of carpet, and a package containing a human hand? Jerry is swiftly captivated by the beautiful, mysterious Mrs. Unger—and revived by her tantric massages—but the circumstances surrounding the dead boy cause him increasingly to doubt the woman&’s motives and the exact nature of her philanthropy. Without much to go on, Jerry pursues answers from the teeming streets of Calcutta to Uttar Pradesh. It is a dark and twisted trail of obsession and need. From the author of The Great Railway Bazaar, A Dead Hand is offers &“an abundance of richly drawn characters . . . Theroux has used his travel writer&’s eye and ear and his novelist&’s imagination to craft a tense, disturbing, funny and horrifying book around all of them&” (San Francisco Chronicle). &“The real pleasure is Theroux&’s talent for rendering place and his irreverent comments on everything from the British royals to pop culture, aging, and yes, the venerable Mother Teresa.&” —Publishers Weekly
Indiana: A Love Story (Erotic Classics )
by George SandA noblewoman travels from colonial Africa to revolutionary France in search of love in this nineteenth-century romantic classic. On the Île Bourbon off the coast of Madagascar, Indiana is miserable in her marriage to the cold Colonel Delmare. Although she has a friendly companion in the ever-present Englishman Sir Ralph, she yearns to feel passion and desire. When she catches the interest of the handsome young Raymon de Ramiere, Indiana is willing to take any risk, including running away to France as the July Revolution rages in Paris. But after she falls ill, she will begin a transformation that could bring about her happiness—or her downfall. The first novel Amantine Aurore Dupin published under the pseudonym George Sand, Indiana was an auspicious debut from one of the most fascinating and daring women of the early nineteenth century, a rebellious artist who defied societal expectations and went on to become one of the major names in French literature.
My Life in Orange: Growing Up with the Guru
by Tim GuestA memoir of formative years spent on a series of communes: A &“wonderful account of a frankly ghastly childhood . . . Hilarious and heartbreaking&” (Daily Mail). At the age of six, Tim Guest was taken by his mother to a commune modeled on the teachings of the notorious Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. The Bhagwan preached an eclectic doctrine of Eastern mysticism, chaotic therapy, and sexual freedom, and enjoyed inhaling laughing gas, preaching from a dentist's chair, and collecting Rolls Royces. Tim and his mother were given Sanskrit names, dressed entirely in orange, and encouraged to surrender themselves into their new family. While his mother worked tirelessly for the cause, Tim—or Yogesh, as he was now called—lived a life of well-meaning but woefully misguided neglect in various communes in England, Oregon, India, and Germany. In 1985 the movement collapsed amid allegations of mass poisonings, attempted murder, and tax evasion, and Yogesh was once again Tim. In this extraordinary memoir, Tim Guest chronicles the heartbreaking experience of being left alone on earth while his mother hunted heaven. &“An intelligent, wry, openhearted memoir of surviving a childhood and a cultural phenomenon that were both extraordinary.&” —Booklist (starred review)
The Apostrophe Thief (The Marian Larch Mysteries #5)
by Barbara PaulIn her last week on the force, a strange robbery draws Marian Larch into a backstage murder case A madman points a gun at the NYPD&’s Marian Larch, and prepares to pull the trigger. She charges, disarming him before he can fire the shot. The gun skids to the feet of Agent Curt Holland, who presses it against the madman&’s head and blows him away. It was the right move, but that doesn&’t make it legal. To save Holland&’s career, Larch testifies that she was the one who fired the final shot. She doesn&’t care what happens; she doesn&’t want to be a cop anymore. Even when Internal Affairs rules the shooting a righteous kill, Larch plans to quit at the end of the week. But a lot can happen in seven days. When an actress friend asks Larch for help after her Broadway theater is robbed, NYPD&’s toughest female detective stakes out the Great White Way—and discovers a highly theatrical murder.The Apostrophe Thief is the 5th book in the Marian Larch Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Daughter of the Sword
by Jeanne WilliamsA beautiful woman, desired by two very different brothers, fights for the freedom of others in this spellbinding saga set during &“Bleeding Kansas.&” The daughter of abolitionists whose isolated cabin on the Kansas–Missouri border serves as a stop on the Underground Railroad, Deborah Whitlaw is devastated when pro-slavery marauders murder her parents. Yet she can no more extinguish the flame of justice that burns inside her than she can forget her mother and father. She vows to continue their fight, no matter the cost, and joins forces with a runaway black woman and a mission-educated Shawnee girl to spirit many fugitives northward. Deborah&’s fiery personality attracts two aristocratic English brothers. Rolf Hunter is violent and indomitable; he wants to capture Deborah and bend her to his will. Dane is the polar opposite of his sibling. Honest, gentle, and idealistic, he wins Deborah&’s heart, but their tender romance faces staggering obstacles in a state and nation lurching toward civil war. For a blessed interval, Deborah finds solace with Conrad, a German nobleman who has brought his peace-loving Mennonite tenants to Kansas to found a colony. But Rolf, now the head of a gang of pro-slavery bushwhackers, soon shatters Deborah&’s idyll. Can she keep him from crushing not only her, but also her friends and the abolitionist cause they&’ve risked their lives to support? A magnificent tale of love and honor, danger and destiny, Daughter of the Sword takes readers on a thrilling journey into the darkest chapter of American history and pays tribute to the brave men and women who led the nation back into the light.
Life Without Armour: An Autobiography
by Alan SillitoeA candid and surprising memoir of the early life of one of England&’s most acclaimed and enduring post-WWII writers. Born in 1928 into a poverty-stricken family in working-class Nottingham, bestselling British novelist Alan Sillitoe&’s childhood was marked by his father&’s unpredictable and violent rage, as well as a near-certain condemnation to a life of labor on an assembly line. His family relocated frequently to avoid rent collectors, trading in one bug-infested hovel for another. Though intelligent and curious, the young author-to-be failed his grammar school entrance exams, and it seemed he was destined for work in a factory. The onset of Sillitoe&’s teenage years, however, coincided with the advance of Hitler into Russia, and the war offered a chance for the boy to seek out a different fate. At the age of fourteen, Sillitoe used a fake ID to enroll in the Air Training Corps and went on to join the Ministry of Aircraft Production as an air traffic control assistant. He dreamed of becoming a pilot, but the war ended just after he qualified for training and he was instead shipped off to the Malayan jungle during the Communist insurgency as a radio operator for the Royal Air Force (RAF). After two years of living from one wireless watch to the next—taking in bearings and atmospherics though the radio, and exploring dangerous and primal landscapes by foot—Sillitoe finally returned to a prospectless postwar England and was diagnosed with tuberculosis. But this curse soon became a blessing: In the RAF hospital, Sillitoe began to read—everything from Kant to Descartes to Bernard Shaw—and he decided to become a writer. Already a veteran on an RAF disability pension at the age of twenty-one, Sillitoe began writing full-time, neither his physical challenges nor his numerous rejections from publishers deterring him in the least. He joined the Nottingham Writers&’ Club, and his short stories began to achieve some minor local success. Soon after, a chance meeting with the American poet Ruth Fainlight led to full-blown love, and the two set off for France eager to live in a bucolic setting where they could dedicate all of their time to writing. Circumstance and favorable exchange rates then led the couple to Spain where Sillitoe continued his literary pursuits, met many artists and writers, had run-ins with gypsies, and even underwent police interrogations. Four unpublished novels later—and after nearly a decade of honing his craft—Sillitoe finally found staggering success in his working-class novel Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and his collection of short stories The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner. Written with Sillitoe&’s signature simplicity, this in-depth autobiography not only gives insight into the formative years and mental maturation of one of Britain&’s most influential writers, but also tells a great story of an underprivileged man who, with perseverance, made the most of his particular fate.
Inspector's Holiday: An Inspector Heimrich Mystery (The Captain Heimrich Mysteries)
by Richard LockridgeInspector Heimrich takes a vacation and ends up in troubled waters in this mystery from the coauthor of the &“excellent&” Mr. and Mrs. North series (The New Yorker). Inspector M. L. Heimrich of the New York State Police may not have the flash of hard-boiled city detectives, but there&’s no lead the intrepid investigator won&’t follow until his every hunch is satisfied . . . Over his many years on the force, Inspector Heimrich has more than earned his reputation for getting the job done. But when his wife, Susan, takes ill with pneumonia, Heimrich doesn&’t hesitate to put police work aside. Following her doctor&’s orders, Heimrich books a vacation to allow Susan to recuperate in a warmer climate. But while their Mediterranean cruise is a welcome change from the harsh winters of rural New York, Heimrich soon learns that even at sea, murder refuses to take a holiday. A British diplomat has disappeared from the ship, and the captain would like Heimrich to investigate. Now, as he observes the luxury liner&’s occupants and attempts to discern a motive—all while tending to his wife—Heimrich must fish for a killer, in this murderous case of international intrigue. Inspector&’s Holiday is the 20th book in the Captain Heimrich Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order. &“Lockridge&’s audience will enjoy the leisurely turns about the decks.&” —Kirkus Reviews
The Garden of the Gods: My Family And Other Animals; Birds, Beasts And Relatives; And The Garden Of The Gods (The Corfu Trilogy #3)
by Gerald DurrellPart of the trilogy of memoirs that inspired the television show The Durrells in Corfu: A naturalist&’s adventures with animals—and humans—on a Greek island. When his family moved to a Greek island, young naturalist Gerald Durrell was able to indulge his passion for wildlife of all sorts as he discovered the new world around him—and the creatures and people who inhabited it. Indeed, Durrell&’s years growing up on Corfu would inspire the rest of his life. In addition to his tales of wild animals, Durrell recounts stories about his even wilder family—including his widowed mother, Louisa, and elder siblings Lawrence, Leslie, and Margo—with undeniable wit and humor. The final chapter in Durrell&’s reflections on his family&’s time in Greece before the start of World War II, The Garden of the Gods is a fascinating look at the childhood of a naturalist who was ahead of his time. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Gerald Durrell including rare photos from the author&’s estate.
Great Lion of God: A Novel About Saint Paul
by Taylor CaldwellNew York Times Bestseller: A &“beautifully written&” and &“truly outstanding&” novel based on the life of Paul the Apostle (The Cincinnati Enquirer). Born a veritable great lion of God to a devout Jewish family, Saul of Tarsus is raised by his parents to embrace their love of humanity. Dogged by what he perceives as a lack of true faith, he embarks on a journey to save his people from sacrilege. But on the road to Damascus a vision of the resurrected Jesus changes the course of his life. Converting to Christianity, the newly christened Paul transforms from persecutor of blasphemers into apostle to the gentiles, becoming one of the supreme influences on the Catholic Church and the Western world. Great Lion of God paints a unique and very human portrait of Saint Paul, one of the most passionate, dauntless, and complex figures of early Christianity—Pharisee, lawyer, theologian, and above all, a &“man like ourselves with our own despairs, doubts, anxieties and angers and intolerances, and &‘lusts of the flesh.&’&” The central novel in author Taylor Caldwell&’s biblical trilogy, which also includes Dear and Glorious Physician and I, Judas, Great Lion of God is both &“sheer entertainment&” and a moving tribute to the majesty and power of the Christian faith (Fort Worth Star-Telegram). This ebook features an illustrated biography of Taylor Caldwell including rare images from the author&’s estate.
Memoir of Col. Benjamin Tallmadge: Prepared By Himself, At The Request Of His Children (classic Reprint)
by Col. Benjamin TallmadgeThe Revolutionary War colonel—and leader of the famed Culper Spy Ring—tells his story in this fascinating historical autobiography. When British troops defeated the Continental Army on Long Island, General George Washington was forced to abandon New York in order to save the revolution. The British established their headquarters in New York City—beginning an occupation that would last the length of the war. Priceless intelligence flowed through the city&’s harbor, and Washington wanted to claim it as his own. To Benjamin Tallmadge, a young officer of the Continental Army, the general assigned an impossible mission: Infiltrate New York, establish a spy network, and report everything the British know. Throughout the war, Tallmadge and his spies collected intelligence on troop movements, sneak attacks, and the treachery of Benedict Arnold. Nearly two and a half centuries later, the heroic exploits of the Culper Spy Ring have served as the inspiration for the acclaimed TV series Turn: Washington&’s Spies and the video game Assassin&’s Creed III. In this lively and engaging memoir, the days of revolution are remembered by a patriot who fought in the shadows—and helped redefine the nature of espionage.This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
Black Sand
by William J. CaunitzA massacre at a Greek resort leads to an unlikely transatlantic partnership On a long overdue vacation, Maj. Andreas Vassos takes his family from Athens to a resort village on the Grecian coast, hoping for sun, surf, and a few days without worry. It&’s just the holiday he needs—until the family goes to get a treat and the crowded café is raked with gunfire. Acting on instinct, Vassos grabs a pistol from a murdered cop and chases after the killers. He&’s able to take one down, but the other escapes. The hunt is on. The deaths are tied to the search for a priceless Greek artifact. And finding the killers and saving the relic takes Vassos to New York City, where he forms a partnership with the NYPD&’s Teddy Lucas, a Greek immigrant once known as Theodorous Loucopolous. They may not speak the same language, but cops are cops, and either of these men would lay down his life to save his brother in blue.
Autobiography of a Yogi: Reprint Of The Philosophical Library 1946 First Edition
by Paramhansa YoganandaThe spiritual journey of the man who introduced yoga to the West, and inspired practitioners from George Harrison to Steve Jobs. The remarkable life story of Paramhansa Yogananda is the groundbreaking work that introduced millions of Westerners to the practices of meditation and Kriya Yoga. Yogananda tells of his childhood in Gorakhpur, India, with his Bengali family, and his quest to find a guru who could satiate his desire for wisdom. After becoming a monk, he began his teachings of Kriya Yoga. But when he accepted an invitation to speak at a religious congress in Boston in 1920, his knowledge found an entirely new audience, as he then traveled across America lecturing and finally establishing the Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles, where he was able to complete this classic work of spiritual expression. Autobiography of a Yogi has been in print for over seventy years, sold over four million copies, and been translated into forty-six languages, spreading the wisdom of one of the most highly revered teachers of the Hindu religion and philosophy. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
In the House of Secret Enemies: A Mongo Collection (The Mongo Mysteries #9)
by George C. ChesbroTen novellas featuring circus-performer-turned-private-eye Mongo—&“one of the greatest characters of recent mystery fiction&” (Ellery Queen&’s Mystery Magazine). With a genius IQ, a past career as a circus acrobat, and a black belt in karate, criminology professor Dr. Robert Frederickson—better known as &“Mongo the Magnificent&”—has a decidedly unusual background for a private investigator. He also just so happens to be a dwarf. Originally published in leading mystery magazines in the 1970s, these ten novellas—each introduced with notes from the author—offer new readers and diehard fans alike a tantalizing taste of the unique blend of hardboiled mystery, science fiction, and explosive action of this acclaimed series. In the House of Secret Enemies—which includes The Drop, High Wire, Rage, Country for Sale, Dark Hole on a Silent Planet, The Healer, Falling Star, Book of Shadows, Tiger in the Snow, and Candala—is the 9th book in the Mongo Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
The Other Side of the Sun: A Novel
by Madeleine L'EngleFrom the National Book Award–winning author of A Wrinkle in Time, an atmospheric novel of a young British bride in the American South after the Civil War. When nineteen-year-old Stella marries Theron Renier, she has no idea what kind of clan she&’s joined. Soon after their arrival at Illyria, the Reniers&’ rambling beachside home, Theron is sent on a diplomatic mission, leaving Stella alone with his family. As she tries to settle into her new life, Stella quickly discovers that the Reniers are not what they seem. Trapped in a world unlike anything she&’s ever known, vulnerable Stella attempts to uncover her new family&’s dangerous secrets—and stirs up a darkness that was meant to stay buried. From the beloved, National Book Award–winning author of A Wrinkle in Time, The Other Side of the Sun showcases Madeleine L&’Engle&’s talent for involving and suspenseful storytelling. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Madeleine L&’Engle including rare images from the author&’s estate.
The Horn of Roland
by Ellis PetersA famous composer&’s post-WWII homecoming is marred by death threats in a gripping tale of suspense from the Edgar Award–winning creator of Brother Cadfael. Three decades ago, a teenaged Lucas Cornith joined the Austrian Resistance, helping to lead escapees from German oppression across the Alps to Switzerland and safety. But when Hitler&’s storm troopers got too close, Lucas fled his homeland, leaving his compatriots behind to face the Nazi&’s wrath. Many years later, Cornith is returning to his hometown for the first time since the war&’s end. Now a world-renowned classical composer, he&’s premiering a new musical work, The Horn of Roland, at a festival in Gries-am-See, the tiny Alpine village of his birth. But not everyone wants to welcome him home with open arms. Someone here refuses to forgive and will never forget the past. And unless Cornith can unmask his mystery antagonist in time, the premier of his new composition might well be the composer&’s swan song. The Edgar, Agatha, and Gold Dagger Award–winning author of the Brother Cadfael medieval mysteries and &“beguiling writer&” perfectly blends intrigue and suspense in this novel of a man haunted by his past (The Daily Telegraph).
Holiday with Violence
by Ellis PetersEnglish teens on vacation in Italy are caught up in a murderous conspiracy, from the Edgar Award–winning author of the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael. On a train ride across Northern Italy, a quartet of young English tourists en route to Venice are charmed by a kindly older fellow passenger. Inviting them into his first-class compartment, their new friend, Signore Galassi, beguiles them with stories, anecdotes, and fascinating facts about the lush Italian countryside. But once the train deposits them all in Turin, a dark cloud settles over the Brits&’ carefree holiday. After discovering that their elderly traveling companion has been brutally attacked and robbed, the distraught students vow to scour this unfamiliar city and find his assailant. Unbeknownst to the young British visitors, they have something in their possession that ties into a greater, even more terrible crime. Their hunt could have unexpected and very deadly consequences, for now their quarry is hunting them. The Edgar, Agatha, and Gold Dagger Award–winning author of the Brother Cadfael Mysteries is &“highly recommended for those who still like a proper five course whodunit with all the trimmings&” (The Sunday Times).
O Shepherd, Speak! (The Lanny Budd Novels #10)
by Upton SinclairAs Presidential Agent 103, Lanny Budd witnesses the collapse of the Nazis, the bombing of Hiroshima, and the Nuremberg Trials in this novel in the Pulitzer Prize–winning saga. As a spy for President Franklin Roosevelt, Lanny Budd was able to infiltrate the inner circle of the Nazi high command and glean essential information on behalf of the Allied cause. Now, as the terrible global conflict approaches its long-awaited conclusion, the newly commissioned Captain Budd of the US Army is on hand to witness the final collapse of the Third Reich in the aftermath of the Battle of the Bulge. The nuclear destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki brings World War II to an end, but not even the death of Franklin Roosevelt can release Lanny from his obligations as Presidential Agent 103. A devastated Europe needs to be rebuilt, and there is a necessary reckoning still to come in the heart of defeated Germany, where the fanatics who murdered countless millions will stand trial for their crimes. O Shepherd, Speak! is the penultimate volume of Upton Sinclair&’s Pulitzer Prize–winning dramatization of twentieth-century world history. An astonishing mix of adventure, romance, and political intrigue, the Lanny Budd Novels are a testament to the breathtaking scope of the author&’s vision and his singular talents as a storyteller.
The Complete Poems (Cambridge Editions Ser.)
by Anne SextonThe collected works of Anne Sexton showcase the astonishing career of one of the twentieth century&’s most influential poets For Anne Sexton, writing served as both a means of expressing the inner turmoil she experienced for most of her life and as a therapeutic force through which she exorcised her demons. Some of the richest poetic descriptions of depression, anxiety, and desperate hope can be found within Sexton&’s work. The Complete Poems, which includes the eight collections published during her life, two posthumously published books, and other poems collected after her death, brings together her remarkable body of work with all of its range of emotion. With her first collection, the haunting To Bedlam and Part Way Back, Sexton stunned critics with her frank treatment of subjects like masturbation, incest, and abortion, blazing a trail for representations of the body, particularly the female body, in poetry. She documented four years of mental illness in her moving Pulitzer Prize–winning collection Live or Die, and reimagined classic fairy tales as macabre and sardonic poems in Transformations. The Awful Rowing Toward God, the last book finished in her lifetime, is an earnest and affecting meditation on the existence of God. As a whole, The Complete Poems reveals a brilliant yet tormented poet who bared her deepest urges, fears, and desires in order to create extraordinarily striking and enduring art.