may contain markup

LOUISE PENNY

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache returns in the eighteenth book in #1 New York Times bestseller Louise Penny's beloved series.

It’s spring and Three Pines is reemerging after the harsh winter. But not everything buried should come alive again. Not everything lying dormant should reemerge.

But something has.

As the villagers prepare for a special celebration, Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir find themselves increasingly worried. A young man and woman have reappeared in the Sûreté du Québec investigators’ lives after many years. The two were young children when their troubled mother was murdered, leaving them damaged, shattered. Now they’ve arrived in the village of Three Pines.

But to what end?

Gamache and Beauvoir’s memories of that tragic case, the one that first brought them together, come rushing back. Did their mother’s murder hurt them beyond repair? Have those terrible wounds, buried for decades, festered and are now about to erupt?

As Chief Inspector Gamache works to uncover answers, his alarm grows when a letter written by a long dead stone mason is discovered. In it the man describes his terror when bricking up an attic room somewhere in the village. Every word of the 160-year-old letter is filled with dread. When the room is found, the villagers decide to open it up.

As the bricks are removed, Gamache, Beauvoir and the villagers discover a world of curiosities. But the head of homicide soon realizes there’s more in that room than meets the eye. There are puzzles within puzzles, and hidden messages warning of mayhem and revenge.

In unsealing that room, an old enemy is released into their world. Into their lives. And into the very heart of Armand Gamache’s home.

London. Hodder & Stoughton L. 2002. 400p.

MAY CONTAIN MARKUP

By Kathy Reichs

“Down time” is not a phrase in Tempe Brennan’s vocabulary. A string of disturbing cases has put her vacation plans on hold; instead, she heads to the lab to analyze charred remains from a suspicious fire, and a mysterious black residue from a small plane crash. But most troubling of all are the bones. Even more disturbing is the fact that bones turns up on a family picnic in North Carolina—but are they animal or human? X-rays and

London. Arrow Books. 2012. 434p.

MAY CONTAIN MARKUP

BY JULIAN LEATHERDALE

In the murky world of Kings Cross in 1932, aspiring crime writer Joan Linderman and her friend and flatmate Bernice Becker live the wild bohemian life, a carnival of parties and fancy-dress artists' balls.

One Saturday night, Joan is thrown headfirst into a real crime when she finds Ellie, her neighbour, murdered. To prove her worth as a crime writer and bring Ellie's killer to justice, Joan secretly investigates the case in the footsteps of Sergeant Lillian Armfield.

But as Joan digs deeper, her list of suspects grows from the luxury apartment blocks of Sydney's rich to the brothels and nightclubs of the Cross's underclass.

Death in the Ladies' Goddess Club is a riveting noir crime thriller with more surprises than even novelist Joan bargained for: blackmail, kidnapping, drug-peddling, a pagan sex cult, undercover cops, and a shocking confession.

From the shadows of bohemian and underworld Kings Cross, who will emerge to tell the real story?

Sydney - Meldourne• Auckland • London. Allen & Unwin.. 2020. 398P.

MAY CONTAIN MARKUP

By Patricia Cornwell

Forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta has come almost full circle, returning to Virginia, the state where she launched her storied career, as the chief medical examiner. Finding herself the new girl in town once again after being away for many years, she's inherited both an overbearing secretary and a legacy of neglect and potential corruption.

She and her husband, Benton Wesley, now a forensic psychologist with the U.S. Secret Service, have relocated to Old Town Alexandria, where she's headquartered five miles from the Pentagon in a post-pandemic world that's been torn apart by civil and political unrest. After just weeks on the job, she's called to a scene by railroad tracks--a woman's body has been shockingly displayed, her throat cut down to the spine--and as Scarpetta begins to follow the trail, it leads unnervingly close to her own historic neighborhood.

At the same time, a catastrophe occurs in a top secret labo-ratory in outer space, endangering at least two scientists aboard. Appointed to the highly classified Doomsday Commission that specializes in sensitive national security cases, Scarpetta is summoned to the White House and tasked with finding out exactly what happened. But even as she remotely works the first potential crime scene in space, an apparent serial killer strikes again very close to home.

This latest novel in the groundbreaking Kay Scarpetta series captivates readers with the shocking twists, high-wire tension, and forensic detail that Patricia Cornwell is famous for, proving once again why she's the world's #1 bestselling crime writer.

NY. Harper Collins. 2021. 413p

MAY CONRAIN MARKUP

By Chris Bradford

In a dangerous world, everyone needs protection.

Bodyguard: Hostage is the new thriller from Chris Bradford, bestselling author of Young Samurai. Bodyguard is a bulletproof action-adventure series that fans of Cherub and Alex Rider will love. This is Lee Child for younger readers - a teenage Jason Bourne for the next generation.

With the rise of teen stars, the intense media focus onceleb families and a new wave of billionaires, adults are no longer the only target for hostage-taking, blackmail and assassination - kids are too.

That's why they need a young bodyguard like Connor Reeves to protect them.

Recruited into the ranks of a covert young bodyguard squad, 14-year-old Connor Reeves embarks on a rigorous close protection course. Training in surveillance, anti-ambush exercises, hostage survival and unarmed combat, he's put through his paces and wonders if he will actually survive the course.

But when the US President summons Connor to protect his impulsive teenage daughter, Connor's training is put to the ultimate test. For Connor discovers that the First Daughter, Alicia, doesn't want to be guarded. She just wants to have fun. And with no clue Connor is her bodyguard, Alicia tries to elude her Secret Service agents and lead Connor astray. But unknown to her, a terrorist sleeper cell has been activated.

Its mission: to take the president's daughter HOSTAGE...

Penguin UK, May 2, 2013, 432 pages

USED BOOK. MAY CONTAIN MARK-UP

By Jane Shaw

FROM THE COVER FLAP: “It was Imposible for Susan, when she knew someone was needing help, not to do something about it. This incurable habit of hers led her into m any awkward situations when she was staying over Christmas with her cousins, the Carmichaels. Charlotte, Midge and Bill all assured her that they would really prefer her t o stop trying to put everything right, but Susan persisted, and proved, in an exciting climax, that her interference wasmore than justified. Jane Shaw's lively sense of humour makes this a very engaging tale; from Susan herself to the " Plum * and Chang the cat, the characters are real, and your interest in them will be kept and held from the first to the last page…”

London. Children’s Press. 1950. 188p.

USED BOOK. MAY CONTAIN MARK-UP

By Constance M. White

From the cover: “With a father who is a well. known newspaper man and an elder sister a junior reporter, it is hardly surprising that Laurel Chester considers that she had definitely inherited the "Chester nose for news" Andno sooner has she decided to edit the Fourth Form magazine, than things begin to happen which exer- cise all her ingenuity. To begin with, there is the empty man- s i o n next door. Why does nobody live there and why does it intrigue Laurel so much? And what are the activities of the strange old man in the long black cloak? As for the mistress, Miss James, her behaviour, to say the least of it, is distinctly odd. Other events complicate Laurel's detective work even further ….”

London. Hutchinson Co. 1950s. 235p.

By John Meade Falkner

Edited with an Introduction by Edward Wilson who notes: “The detailed apparatus to this edition has been demanded not only by Time, which has altered not just the senses of words but a whole cultural hinterland beyond a modern reader's recognition, but by Falkner himself, who delighted in sowing his novel with literary and antiquarian allusions. Indeed, a character, Mr Gaskell, in The Lost Stradivarius itself, when reading an eighteenth-century diary in pursuit of highly sensational matter cannot resist telling us that "the minute details given were often of high antiquarian interest'“

London. Oxford University Press. 1954. (1895). USED BOOK. CONTAINS MARK-UP.

By Cape. W. E. Johns

Another in the Biggles series glorifying war and vilifying enemies. . “In which Air Detective-Inspector Bigglesworth takes leave from the Special Air Section Scotland Yard to join the Foreign Legion, and has an adventure involving an old friend, an even older enemy and a near fatal trip to the desolate Valley of the Tartars in Kurdistan.”

London. Hodder and Stoughton. 1954. 198p. USED BOOOK

By J. F. C. Westerman

FROM THE COVER: When JohnWentleyunder- took to fly a British Secret Service agent to a forbidden part he little imagined what would result from his escapade. How he foiled an attempt by a dangerous and un- scrupulous enemy to steal the plans of his recently invented aero engine, took part in two thrilling aerial ducls, and fought against terrific odds to regain the safety of the Swiss border--with secrets in his possession on which de-pended the very existence of the British Empireis excitingly told by one of the foremost writers of boys' adventure stories.

London. The Children's Press. 1930s. 211p. USED BOOK

By Arthur Catherall

Classic how-to book for Boy Scouts conveying all the skills needed for leadership, survival and success in war. Inspired, of course, by the writings of Baden Powell who cut his war teething the Boer war. FROM THE COVER: “ They were an odd gang, Af,l Joe, Dick, and Gyp; but once they got the idea of Scouting they were the staunchest friends that anyone could ask for. Their Patrol Leader set a high standard of courage and endurance, and the others one by one played a loyal part in the many daring rescues and thrilling episodes that were to follow- adventures which will be the envy of every Scout.

London. Butterworth Press. 1949. 120p. USED BOOK

By Captain W. E. Johns. Illustrated By Alfred Sindall

A boys’ book from the classic series heralding World War 2, and highlighting the excitement and attractiveness of war..

FROM CHAPTER 1: “ PETER FORTYMORE RECEIVES BAD NEWS. THERE was a pensive, almost wistful, expression on the face of the Honourable Peter Fortymore as, with his chin cupped in his hands, he sat at his study window and stared out across the deserted, moonlit playing-fields of Rundell School, where for five years he had been a pupil. The door be- hind him opened, but he did not turn, for he knew from the heavy, deliberate footsteps that the new- comer washis friend and room-mate, Dick Ripley, known throughout the upper school as Rip…”

London. Geoffrey Cumberlege Oxford University Press. 1950. 245p

By Captain W. E. Johns

The classic boys’ books trumpeting the attraction and excitement of war, especially World War 2.

FROM CHAPTER 1: ““Air-Commodore Raymond, Chief of the Air Section of Scotland Yard, greeted his operational staff from behind a paper-littered desk, as, in obedience to his invitation, they filed into his office.

" Pull up some chairs," he requested. "This is only in the nature of a conference, and, strangely enough, for once there's nothing urgent about it. Help yourselves to cigarettes-we may be some time." He pushed the box forward.

London. Holder and Stoughton. 1954. 162p. USED BOOK

By Henry James

From Wikipedia: The Turn of the Screw is an 1898 horror novella by Henry James which first appeared in serial format in Collier's Weekly (January 27 – April 16, 1898). In October 1898, it was collected in The Two Magics, published by Macmillan in New York City and Heinemannin London. The novella follows a governess who, caring for two children at a remote estate, becomes convinced that the grounds are haunted. The Turn of the Screw is considered a work of both Gothic and horror fiction.

In the century following its publication, critical analysis of the novella underwent several major transformations. Initial reviews regarded it only as a frightening ghost story, but, in the 1930s, some critics suggested that the supernatural elements were figments of the governess' imagination. In the early 1970s, the influence of structuralism resulted in an acknowledgement that the text's ambiguity was its key feature. Later approaches incorporated Marxist and feminist thinking.

• Plot...

  On Christmas Eve, an unnamed narrator and some of his friends are gathered around a fire. One of them, Douglas, reads a manuscript written by his sister's late governess. The manuscript tells the story of her being hired by a man who has become responsible for his young niece and nephew following the deaths of their parents. He lives mainly in London and has a country house in Bly, Essex. The boy, Miles, is attending a boarding school, while his younger sister, Flora, is living in Bly, where she is cared for by Mrs. Grose, the housekeeper. Flora's uncle, the governess's new employer, is uninterested in raising the children and gives her full charge, explicitly stating that she is not to bother him with communications of any sort. The governess travels to Bly and begins her duties…………

NY.London. Collier Macmillan. 1898. 118p.

By Charles Dickens

From Wikipedia: “Like nearly all of Dickens's novels, Martin Chuzzlewit was first published in monthly instalments. Early sales of the monthly parts were lower than those of previous works, so Dickens changed the plot to send the title character to the United States.[3] Dickens had visited America in 1842 in part as a failed attempt to get the US publishers to honour international copyright laws. He satirized the country as a place filled with self-promoting hucksters, eager to sell land sight unseen. In later editions, and in his second visit 24 years later to a much-changed US, he made clear it was satire and not a balanced image of the nation in a speech and then included that speech in all future editions. The main theme of the novel, according to Dickens's preface, is selfishness, portrayed in a satirical fashion using all the members of the Chuzzlewit family. The novel is also notable for two of Dickens's great villains, Seth Pecksniff and Jonas Chuzzlewit. Dickens introduced the first private detective character in this novel.”

By Bryce Courtenay

"The Potato Factory" is a novel written by Bryce Courtenay, an Australian author. It was published in 1995 and is the first book in a trilogy, followed by "Tommo & Hawk" and "Solomon's Song".

The novel is set in the mid-19th century and follows the life of Ikey Solomon, a notorious London criminal who is arrested and transported to Australia. There, he becomes involved in the potato trade, opening a factory to process and export potatoes to England.

The story also focuses on the relationship between Ikey and his wife, Hannah, who remains in London and eventually joins him in Australia. It explores the themes of survival, redemption, and the struggle for power and control.

Penguin Random House. 1995. 696p.

By Denis Lehane

London. Transworld Publishers. 2008. 702p.

"The Given Day" is a historical novel by American author Dennis Lehane, published in 2008. The book is set in Boston in the years following World War I, and tells the story of two families from different backgrounds whose lives become intertwined in the tumultuous years of the early 20th century.

The novel explores themes of race, class, and politics, and features a cast of characters that includes police officers, labor organizers, politicians, and ordinary citizens. At the heart of the story are two men, one black and one white, who find themselves drawn into the same struggle for justice and equality in a city that is deeply divided by race and class.

"The Given Day" is notable for its vivid and immersive depiction of Boston during a period of significant social and political change. Lehane's meticulous research and attention to historical detail help to bring the city to life, and his skill as a storyteller keeps the reader engaged throughout the book's sprawling narrative.

By Hjorth and Rosenfeldt. Trans. Marlaine Delargy.

London. Penguin Arrow Books. 2014. 458p.

"The Silent Girl" is actually a crime thriller novel by Swedish authors Michael Hjorth and Hans Rosenfeldt, originally published in Swedish in 2011 and translated into English by Marlaine Delargy.

The novel follows the investigation of a brutal murder in Stockholm, Sweden, and the subsequent discovery of a string of similar killings. The detective in charge of the case, Sebastian Bergman, is a troubled and emotionally complex character who is forced to confront his own demons as he races against time to catch the killer.

"The Silent Girl" is the fourth novel in Hjorth and Rosenfeldt's Sebastian Bergman series. The book has been praised for its well-crafted plot, nuanced characterization, and atmospheric setting. The authors' background in screenwriting is evident in the book's cinematic pacing and tension, which keep the reader engaged from start to finish.

By John Le Carre

Sydney. Holder Headline. 1995. 405p.

"Our Game" is a novel by John le Carré, published in 1995. The book follows the story of a retired British spy named Tim Cranmer, who is pulled back into the world of espionage when his former lover, Emma, and his former colleague, Larry Pettifer, reemerge in his life.

The novel is set in the aftermath of the Cold War and explores the changing landscape of international politics and espionage. As Tim tries to navigate his relationships with Emma and Larry, he becomes embroiled in a web of conspiracy and betrayal that threatens to upend his life and career.

Through its intricate plot and nuanced characterization, "Our Game" offers a complex portrait of the world of espionage and the personal and political costs of the spy game. The novel also touches on themes of loyalty, trust, and the shifting alliances of the post-Cold War era.

By Ken Follett

NY. Signet. 1990. 1,020p.

"The Pillars of the Earth" is a historical novel by British author Ken Follett, published in 1989. Set in 12th-century England, the novel follows the story of the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge.

The novel weaves together the lives of several characters, including the master builder Tom, the noblewoman Aliena, and the monk Prior Philip, as they work to realize their vision of building a great cathedral. Along the way, they must confront numerous challenges, including political strife, personal vendettas, and the technical difficulties of constructing a building of such magnitude.

Through its sweeping scope and vivid characterization, "The Pillars of the Earth" offers a richly detailed portrait of medieval life and society. The novel explores themes of power, faith, and love, and it illuminates the complex interplay between religion, politics, and economics in medieval Europe.