A Charlie Woodend Mystery his first . . . - DS Charlie Woodend has a murder to solve. Trouble is, nobody seems to want him to solve it not Eddie, a Liverpudlian thug sent to threaten him; not DCI Bentley; not Deputy Commissioner Naylor, whose word is law in Scotland Yard; not even the dead...  more

A Charlie Woodend Mystery his first . . . - DS Charlie Woodend has a murder to solve. Trouble is, nobody seems to want him to solve it not Eddie, a Liverpudlian thug sent to threaten him; not DCI Bentley; not Deputy Commissioner Naylor, whose word is law in Scotland Yard; not even the dead girl's mother herself. But Woodend cares. He will find the murderer, he promises himself, even if that means putting his career and perhaps even his own life on the line.

Barry Laverty, M.D., can barely find the village of Ballybucklebo on a map when he first sets out to seek gainful employment there, but already he knows that there is nowhere he would rather live than in the emerald hills and dales of Northern Ireland. The proud owner of a spanking-new medical...  more

Barry Laverty, M.D., can barely find the village of Ballybucklebo on a map when he first sets out to seek gainful employment there, but already he knows that there is nowhere he would rather live than in the emerald hills and dales of Northern Ireland. The proud owner of a spanking-new medical degree and little else in the way of worldly possessions, Barry jumps at the chance to secure a position as an assistant in a small rural practice.At least until he meets Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly.The older physician, whose motto is to never let the patients get the upper hand, has his own way of doing things. At first, Barry can't decide if the pugnacious O'Reilly is the biggest charlatan he has ever met, or the best teacher he could ever hope for. Through O'Reilly Barry soon gets to know all of the village's colorful and endearing residents, including: A malingering Major and his equally hypochondriacal wife; An unwed servant girl, who refuses to divulge the father of her upcoming baby; A slightly daft old couple unable to marry for lack of a roof; And a host of other eccentric characters who make every day an education for the inexperienced young doctor. Ballybucklebo is long way from Belfast, and Barry is quick to discover that he still has a lot to learn about the quirks and traditions of country life. But with pluck and compassion and only the slightest touch of blarney, he will find out more about life -- and love -- than he ever imagined back in medical school. An Irish Country Doctor is a charming and engrossing tale that will captivate readers from the very first page -- and leave them yearning to visit the Irish countryside of days gone by. Previously published as The Apprenticeship of Doctor Laverty.

In the Summer of 1963, cultural change was sweeping America, but George Whitmore Jr. was one of the hapless people who was caught in its wheels. On August 28th, the very day that Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington, two young professional...  more

In the Summer of 1963, cultural change was sweeping America, but George Whitmore Jr. was one of the hapless people who was caught in its wheels. On August 28th, the very day that Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington, two young professional women were brutally killed on Manhattan's Upper East Side. The so-called "Career Girl Homicides" plagued police for six months until city officials announced that they had not only solved the case, they had a confession to prove it. The Savage City by T.J. English (Havana Nocturne) focuses on a case of injustice that made legal history, but he places it within the social context of the time.

When her beloved husband of forty-eight years dies, Imogene "Imo" Lavender takes solace in her tomato garden and finds her own life beginning to blossom. Raising two young women -- her rebellious sixteen-year-old daughter, Jeanette, and Lou, the thirteen-year-old niece she has taken in --...  more

When her beloved husband of forty-eight years dies, Imogene "Imo" Lavender takes solace in her tomato garden and finds her own life beginning to blossom. Raising two young women -- her rebellious sixteen-year-old daughter, Jeanette, and Lou, the thirteen-year-old niece she has taken in -- demands most of her time, but a friend insists that a trip to the Kuntry Kut 'n' Kurl and a new man are what Imo really needs. At her prompting, Imo sets off on a hilarious dating spree with a series of unsuitable bachelors. While Jeanette grows increasingly reckless, Lou joins her aunt in the garden, learning lessons about love and life. A shocking announcement from Jeanette and a sudden death then remind them all that life, like a garden, changes with the seasons -- and that the healing of a heart comes with time, love, and patience, just as surely as a new crop of tomatoes rewards a devoted gardener.

In a city full of police controversies, hippie artist punk houses, and overzealous liberals, Portland, Oregon, is a place where even its fiction blurs with its bizarre realities. Brand-new stories by: Gigi Little, Justin Hocking, Christopher Bolton, Jess Walter, Monica Drake, Jamie S. Rich...  more

In a city full of police controversies, hippie artist punk houses, and overzealous liberals, Portland, Oregon, is a place where even its fiction blurs with its bizarre realities. Brand-new stories by: Gigi Little, Justin Hocking, Christopher Bolton, Jess Walter, Monica Drake, Jamie S. Rich (illustrated by Joelle Jones), Dan DeWeese, Zoe Trope, Luciana Lopez, Karen Karbo, Bill Cameron, Ariel Gore, Floyd Skloot, Megan Kruse, Kimberly Warner-Cohen, and Jonathan Selwood. Editor Kevin Sampsell is a bookstore employee and writer. He is the author of a short story collection, Creamy Bullets (Chiasmus Press), and the upcoming memoir The Suitcase (HarperPerennial, summer 2009). He is also the editor of The Insomniac Reader (Manic D Press) and the publisher of the micropress Future Tense Books.

The first novel in the beloved Fairacre series, VILLAGE SCHOOL introduces the remarkable schoolmistress Miss Read and her lovable group of children, who, with a mixture of skinned knees and smiles, are just as likely to lose themselves as their mittens. This is the English village of Fairacre: a...  more

The first novel in the beloved Fairacre series, VILLAGE SCHOOL introduces the remarkable schoolmistress Miss Read and her lovable group of children, who, with a mixture of skinned knees and smiles, are just as likely to lose themselves as their mittens. This is the English village of Fairacre: a handful of thatch-roofed cottages, a church, the school, the promise of fair weather, friendly faces, and good cheer -- at least most of the time. Here everyone knows everyone else's business, and the villagers like each other anyway (even Miss Pringle, the irascible, gloomy cleaner of Fairacre School). With a wise heart and a discerning eye, Miss Read guides us through one crisp, glistening autumn in her village and introduces us to a cast of unforgettable characters and a world of drama, romance, and humor, all within a stone's throw of the school.

McPherson is at it again with this hilarious collection of cartoons about all aspects of marriage, from couples to kids and back again.

Guidance and wisdom from the Book of Proverbs is at your fingertips in the handy vest pocket edition.

A heartwarming story of three generations of Southern women working to mend the rifts of the past and set paths for the future. It is summer in Euharlee, Georgia, and Imogene Lavender's garden is bursting with snap beans, okra, and tomatoes. The household -- made up of Imo; her daughter...  more

A heartwarming story of three generations of Southern women working to mend the rifts of the past and set paths for the future. It is summer in Euharlee, Georgia, and Imogene Lavender's garden is bursting with snap beans, okra, and tomatoes. The household -- made up of Imo; her daughter Jeanette and her new baby; and Lou, Imo's niece -- is about to grow as well. Imo's estranged mother, Mama Jewell, has begun to show signs of senility, and Imo has decided that it is her duty to take her mother in. Mama Jewell brings with her some secrets from the past, including the story of Lou's mother, a revelation that sends Lou in search of her ne'er-do-well father. For Imo, who is feeling the squeeze of being in the middle of the generations, Mama Jewell's temperamental nature stirs up long-buried memories of a difficult childhood. And much to everyone's surprise, wild Jeanette is so determined to find a husband that she joins the church choir to be closer to the handsome and enigmatic young reverend. 'Mater Biscuit is a wonderful evocation of small-town life in the South, a world where hard work and prayers unite the community. Life isn't always easy for Imo and her girls, but they have only to look as far as Imo's beloved garden to be reminded that all things change with the seasons.

The heartwarming saga of Imo Lavender and her spirited family continues in a third installment of the beloved Homegrown series. Life is moving on for Imogene Lavender, and reluctantly she leaves her farm in rural Georgia to follow her new husband, Reverend Peddigrew, into town to live in...  more

The heartwarming saga of Imo Lavender and her spirited family continues in a third installment of the beloved Homegrown series. Life is moving on for Imogene Lavender, and reluctantly she leaves her farm in rural Georgia to follow her new husband, Reverend Peddigrew, into town to live in the parsonage. Her struggle to adjust is not what she expects when she begins feeling the all-too-perfect presence of the Reverend's late wife. The move also leaves Imo's niece Loutishie resentful and stretching her faith to find a way back to her beloved farm. Imo's daughter, Jeanette -- a beautician at the Kuntry Kut 'n' Kurl married to a reverend of her own -- is so afraid of becoming a "church lady" that she secretly enters an erotic bull-riding contest. But a devastating event forces Jeanette to see that beauty is not just skin deep, and when Imo's neighbors suffer a great tragedy, she learns what it really means to be a reverend's wife by helping to restore their faith.

This insightful novel is the compelling and moving account of the struggles of an ambitious but innocent young woman caught in the practice of "temporary marriage" - a form of religiously and culturally sanctioned prostitution justified by a misinterpretation of the Quran. While traveling...  more

This insightful novel is the compelling and moving account of the struggles of an ambitious but innocent young woman caught in the practice of "temporary marriage" - a form of religiously and culturally sanctioned prostitution justified by a misinterpretation of the Quran. While traveling throughout Iran, Author Nadia shahram, heard hundreds of accounts from women who, in order to survive, fell prey to these temporary marriages. she narrates their stories through a composite fictional character, Ateesh, a beautiful, modern woman with high hopes and ambitions living in Iran. This story chronicles her life from the abusive arranged marriage she escapes at the age of twelve to the ten contractual temporary marriages she engages in, as she struggles for love, education, and most importantly, independence.

Fibromyalgia: A Comprehensive Approach is the first thorough, user-friendly resource that outlines the causes, symptoms, and a full range of treatments for a condition that affects 10 to 12 million Americans. Since fibromyalgia (FM) mimics other illnesses, many people who experience chronic pain...  more

Fibromyalgia: A Comprehensive Approach is the first thorough, user-friendly resource that outlines the causes, symptoms, and a full range of treatments for a condition that affects 10 to 12 million Americans. Since fibromyalgia (FM) mimics other illnesses, many people who experience chronic pain and fatigue don't know that they have FM or think they have something else. Ms. Williamson has gathered information from top medical specialists, research studies, and practical advice form FM sufferers who share their strategies for working around FM's disabling symptoms. You will discover: * How to find the right doctor* Which pain medicines and nondrug therapies work best* The role deep sleep deprivation plays in FM and what you can do to remedy sleep disturbance* How exercise and nutrition affect FM symptoms* Massage, meditation, and relaxation techniques that help* What to watch for in detecting and treating FM in children Anyone who suffers from FM-- and the more than 15 similar or related illnesses-- knows that the pain is not "all in your head." The symptoms are real, and although there is no cure for FM, this book offers realistic, effective ways to live a full life despite FM.

Tall in the Saddle salutes the best-loved of American film genres, the Western, with over 350 great lines culled from nearly 150 classic movies. The spirit of the West in all its grit and glory -- a rugged world of lawmen, outlaws, homestead wives, floozies, and hired guns -- is expertly...  more

Tall in the Saddle salutes the best-loved of American film genres, the Western, with over 350 great lines culled from nearly 150 classic movies. The spirit of the West in all its grit and glory -- a rugged world of lawmen, outlaws, homestead wives, floozies, and hired guns -- is expertly captured in this chronicle of cinematic life on the frontier.  Dramatic stills of memorable moments, vintage advertisements, and flamboyant posters accompany these words to live by. Over 70 color and b&w illustrations.

In The Land of Painted Caves, Jean M. Auel brings her ice-age epic series, Earth’s Children®, to an extraordinary conclusion. As the story opens, Ayla, Jondalar, and their infant daughter, Jonayla, are living with the Zelandonii in the Ninth Cave. Ayla has been chosen as an acolyte to...  more

In The Land of Painted Caves, Jean M. Auel brings her ice-age epic series, Earth’s Children®, to an extraordinary conclusion. As the story opens, Ayla, Jondalar, and their infant daughter, Jonayla, are living with the Zelandonii in the Ninth Cave. Ayla has been chosen as an acolyte to a spiritual leader and begins arduous training tasks. Whatever obstacles she faces, Ayla finds inventive ways to lessen the difficulties of daily life, searching for wild edibles to make meals and experimenting with techniques to ease the long journeys the Zelandonii must take while honing her skills as a healer and a leader. And there are the Sacred Caves that Ayla’s mentor takes her to see. They are filled with remarkable paintings of mammoths, lions, and bears, and their mystical aura at times overwhelms Ayla. But all the time Ayala has spent in training rituals has caused Jondalar to drift away from her. The rituals themselves bring her close to death, but through them Ayla gains A Gift of Knowledge so important that it will change her world. 

Thea Osborne has just lost her beloved father and retreats to housesitting in Lower Slaughter, hoping to find peace. The scenery is beautiful, the tranquility a welcome backdrop to her independent ways, and there's a host of miscellaneous animals to help stave off her loneliness not to...  more

Thea Osborne has just lost her beloved father and retreats to housesitting in Lower Slaughter, hoping to find peace. The scenery is beautiful, the tranquility a welcome backdrop to her independent ways, and there's a host of miscellaneous animals to help stave off her loneliness not to mention the much-needed company of her faithful spaniel Hepzie. As Thea settles down to two weeks of solitude, her biggest challenges are doing jigsaw puzzles and fighting off bats in the bedroom. That is, of course, until reality catches up with her. When Thea's bossy elder sister turns up on her doorstep after witnessing a horrific killing, the rural serenity in Lower Slaughter descends into a web of mutual suspicions, accusations and confrontations.

Mike de Marino chronicles his experience as a New York City Police Officer.

Filled with fond recollections and touching stories, these tales from hundreds of contributors pay tribute to nuns—those monochromatically clad monitors of the right, the wrong, and the holy. Catholic nuns are portrayed as devoted and passionate women who, armed with an arsenal of...  more

Filled with fond recollections and touching stories, these tales from hundreds of contributors pay tribute to nuns—those monochromatically clad monitors of the right, the wrong, and the holy. Catholic nuns are portrayed as devoted and passionate women who, armed with an arsenal of educational weaponry ranging from creative storytelling to psychological terrorism, had the massive responsibility of molding children into model citizens of God. The brief, descriptive anecdotes cover subjects ranging from religious training, habits, and devotion to discipline, pranks, and the always-dicey sex education. Readers are introduced to such legends-in-the-making as baseball-playing nuns, telepathic nuns, gun-toting nuns, and even skinny-dipping nuns. These nuns have seen it all—the silly or the sad, the frightening or sublime—and always keep their gazes directed upward.

"The true stories I've written in this book are my living nightmares. My greatest hope is that the lessons the stories offer will help you make better choices than I did." Stanley "Tookie" Williams, cofounder of the notorious Crips gang, is a death-row inmate. But in his two decades of...  more

"The true stories I've written in this book are my living nightmares. My greatest hope is that the lessons the stories offer will help you make better choices than I did." Stanley "Tookie" Williams, cofounder of the notorious Crips gang, is a death-row inmate. But in his two decades of incarceration, Williams has also become a respected author and activist whose dedication to ending gang warfare in the lives of inner-city children has earned him a 2001 Nobel Peace Prize nomination. In this award-winning book--which has drawn praise from educators, government leaders, and families alike--Williams describes the brutal reality of being an inmate. He debunks myths of prisons as "gladiator schools" with blunt, riveting stories of overwhelming homesickness, the terror of solitary confinement, and the humiliation of strip-searches. Williams' words are a frank challenge to adolescent readers to educate themselves, make intelligent decisions, and above all, not to follow in his footsteps.

Soon after the fall of the Taliban, in 2001, Deborah Rodriguez went to Afghanistan as part of a group offering humanitarian aid to this war-torn nation. Surrounded by men and women whose skills -- as doctors, nurses, and therapists -- seemed eminently more practical than her own, Rodriguez, a...  more

Soon after the fall of the Taliban, in 2001, Deborah Rodriguez went to Afghanistan as part of a group offering humanitarian aid to this war-torn nation. Surrounded by men and women whose skills -- as doctors, nurses, and therapists -- seemed eminently more practical than her own, Rodriguez, a hairdresser and mother of two from Michigan, despaired of being of any real use. Yet she soon found she had a gift for befriending Afghans, and once her profession became known she was eagerly sought out by Westerners desperate for a good haircut and by Afghan women, who have a long and proud tradition of running their own beauty salons. Thus an idea was born. With the help of corporate and international sponsors, the Kabul Beauty School welcomed its first class in 2003. Well meaning but sometimes brazen, Rodriguez stumbled through language barriers, overstepped cultural customs, and constantly juggled the challenges of a postwar nation even as she learned how to empower her students to become their families’ breadwinners by learning the fundamentals of coloring techniques, haircutting, and makeup. Yet within the small haven of the beauty school, the line between teacher and student quickly blurred as these vibrant women shared with Rodriguez their stories and their hearts: the newlywed who faked her virginity on her wedding night, the twelve-year-old bride sold into marriage to pay her family’s debts, the Taliban member’s wife who pursued her training despite her husband’s constant beatings. Through these and other stories, Rodriguez found the strength to leave her own unhealthy marriage and allow herself to love again, Afghan style. With warmth and humor, Rodriguez details the lushness of a seemingly desolate region and reveals the magnificence behind the burqa. Kabul Beauty School is a remarkable tale of an extraordinary community of women who come together and learn the arts of perms, friendship, and freedom.

For the legions of readers who enjoy books that celebrate life’s simple pleasures, eighty-seven-year-old Dorothy Jean Wetstra and her beloved farming town of Partonville, Illinois, will become instant favorites. In this hilarious, touching series, Charlene Ann Baumbich introduces readers...  more

For the legions of readers who enjoy books that celebrate life’s simple pleasures, eighty-seven-year-old Dorothy Jean Wetstra and her beloved farming town of Partonville, Illinois, will become instant favorites. In this hilarious, touching series, Charlene Ann Baumbich introduces readers to Dearest Dorothy, who tools around town in a 1976 Lincoln Continental nicknamed "The Tank," plays bunco regularly with her pals, and grabs a stool at Harry’s counter often enough to stay on top of the latest-breaking news -- which she is often creating. In the series debut, Dearest Dorothy, Are We There Yet?, Dorothy faces a decision that may change her town forever, and her gift for shaking things up comes in handy. So pull up a chair and get ready for fireworks, laughter, and we’ll-get-through-it-all-with-faith friendships.

After she returns to her hometown to learn that her friend, Alex, was found in an ice-cold bath with her wrists slashed, biographer Erica Falck researches her friend's past in hopes of writing a book and joins forces with Detective Patrik Hedstrom, who has his own suspicions about the case.

The English country house was originally designed as a retreat from the hustle and bustle of London life, for cultivating leisure time and sipping afternoon tea, for hunting, fishing, drawing, painting -- it represents the essence of English country living. New from the Architecture & Design...  more

The English country house was originally designed as a retreat from the hustle and bustle of London life, for cultivating leisure time and sipping afternoon tea, for hunting, fishing, drawing, painting -- it represents the essence of English country living. New from the Architecture & Design Library, and with informative text and gorgeous full-color photography that captures the essence of English country style, 'English Country' beautifully portrays this classic style. 

This book collects all the wonderful Bad Baby comics originally published in Parents Magazine by Mutts creator Patrick McDonnell, in his pre-Mutts career.

A day in your hometown-it takes you back to a simpler time, when life was uncomplicated and everyone knew what was right. Now readers who cherished the timeless values Philip Gulley evoked in his bestselling Front Porch Tales can go back home again. Hometown Tales takes them there with even more...  more

A day in your hometown-it takes you back to a simpler time, when life was uncomplicated and everyone knew what was right. Now readers who cherished the timeless values Philip Gulley evoked in his bestselling Front Porch Tales can go back home again. Hometown Tales takes them there with even more insightful stories and enduring virtues. Unforgettably illustrating the nine fruits of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control-these 45 grace-filled stories offer powerful spiritual encouragement. They'll help readers realize that they can go home again, even in today's weary, hope-less world, and discover lasting peace and joy.

In the summer of 1860, the author of these recollections, then six years old, walked beside her parents? handcart from Florence, Nebraska, to Salt Lake City. The family, converts to Mormonism, had left their comfortable home near Bern, Switzerland, to make the long journey to the Mormon Zion....  more

In the summer of 1860, the author of these recollections, then six years old, walked beside her parents? handcart from Florence, Nebraska, to Salt Lake City. The family, converts to Mormonism, had left their comfortable home near Bern, Switzerland, to make the long journey to the Mormon Zion. Nearly eighty years later Mary Ann Hafen published this account of her life, giving an unparalleled, candid, inside view of the Mormon woman?s world. Called to go with the Swiss Company to settle the "Dixieland" region of southern Utah?a hot, dry, inhospitable land?Mary Ann's family lived in thatch, dugout, and adobe houses they built themselves. While still hardly more than a child, Mary Ann cut wheat with a sickle, gleaned cotton fields, made braided straw hats for barter, and spun and dyed cloth for her dresses. Always sustained by her faith in the church, she took part in a millenarian scheme that failed?a communal order?and entered a polygamous marriage, raising almost single-handedly a large family.Like Anne Ellis, Elinore Pruitt Stewart, and a handful of other pioneer women of the West, Mary Ann Hafen has left an authentic, matter-of-fact record of poverty, incredibly hard work, and loss of loved ones, but also of pleasures great and small. It is a unique document of a little-known way of life.

Building on the successful "The World's Shortest Stories", this is an all-new collection of super-short fiction -- each story is a mere 55 words. With nearly 150 contributors (including Charles Schulz and Fannie Flagg), these stories feature topics of love, betrayal, and death. 50...  more

Building on the successful "The World's Shortest Stories", this is an all-new collection of super-short fiction -- each story is a mere 55 words. With nearly 150 contributors (including Charles Schulz and Fannie Flagg), these stories feature topics of love, betrayal, and death. 50 illustrations.

Patrick Taylor first charmed readers with An Irish Country Doctor, a warm and enchanting novel in the tradition of James Herriot and Jan Karon. Now Taylor returns to the colorful Northern Ireland community of Ballybucklebo, where there’s always something brewing beneath the village’s...  more

Patrick Taylor first charmed readers with An Irish Country Doctor, a warm and enchanting novel in the tradition of James Herriot and Jan Karon. Now Taylor returns to the colorful Northern Ireland community of Ballybucklebo, where there’s always something brewing beneath the village’s deceptively sleepy surface. Young Doctor Barry Laverty has only just begun his assistantship under his eccentric mentor, Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly, but he already feels right at home in Ballybucklebo. When the sudden death of a patient casts a cloud over Barry’s reputation, his chances of establishing himself in the village are endangered, especially since the grieving widow is threatening a lawsuit. While he anxiously waits for the postmortem results that he prays will exonerate him, Barry must regain the trust of the gossipy Ulster village, one patient at a time. From a put-upon shop girl with a mysterious rash to the troubled pregnancy of a winsome young lass who’s not quite married yet, Ballybucklebo provides plenty of cases to keep the two country G.P.s busy. Not all their challenges are medical in nature. When a greedy developer sets his sights on the very heart of the community, the village pub, it’s up to the doctors to save the Black Swan (affectionately known to the locals as the “Mucky Duck”) from being turned into an overpriced tourist trap. After all, the good citizens of Ballybucklebo need some place to drink to each other’s health ...

Hallelujah, it's a book! After proving itself to be the "funniest calendar of the year" (according to Gene Shalit), "irresistible" (USA Weekend), and "habit-forming" (Maxim magazine), the Nuns Having Fun calendar has inspired Nuns Having Fun, a book of endearing nuttiness. Catholic kitsch...  more

Hallelujah, it's a book! After proving itself to be the "funniest calendar of the year" (according to Gene Shalit), "irresistible" (USA Weekend), and "habit-forming" (Maxim magazine), the Nuns Having Fun calendar has inspired Nuns Having Fun, a book of endearing nuttiness. Catholic kitsch doesn't get any funnier. Written by Maureen Kelly and Jeffrey Stone, pitch-perfect co-authors of the nuns calendar and the New York Times bestseller Growing Up Catholic, Nuns Having Fun features hundreds of sisters in full habit, cutting loose and having a hoot. Here are nuns in the surf ("This is even more fun than walking on water"), nuns in bumper cars ("We brake for Jesus"), nuns in a beer hall ("Ale Marys"), and nuns in the museum, huddled in front of a study of nudes ("It's okay to open your eyes. Sister Wendy says it's art"). There are nuns on skates, at bat, at the theater, skeet shooting (nuns with guns!), even hitting the slots (you know it's for a good cause). The 125 images are from the 1950s and '60s, black-and-white and possessing a pure retro charm; the written material is all-new. Drawing on their years as parochial school students, the authors explore the lore and legends surrounding nuns, including Favorite Punishments from Nuns, Nuns Say the Darndest Things, How to Recognize a Nun After Vatican II, a Wimple Watch, and List of People Who Could Have Been Nuns. As Sister says, "To err is human. To laugh is divine."

The Book of Bad Habits takes us behind convent walls for a hilarious look at nuns like you've never seen them before. Absolutely authentic, unretouched vintage photos offer glimpses of nuns at ease and in action. Wry, clever captions complete this unholy alliance of words and pictures. Not to...  more

The Book of Bad Habits takes us behind convent walls for a hilarious look at nuns like you've never seen them before. Absolutely authentic, unretouched vintage photos offer glimpses of nuns at ease and in action. Wry, clever captions complete this unholy alliance of words and pictures. Not to worry, Mother Superior¿it's all harmless fun. After all, all pray and no play makes for a very dull day.Nuns with guns! Nuns with pool cues! Nuns with cigarettes, footballs, fire hoses, and flying fists!Holy Mother! Have these sisters lost their religion? Hell, no . . . they're just nuns having fun, and this book catches them in the act.At risk of attracting a lightning bolt from the blue, author Patrick Regan has rifled through the Vatican's photo files and unearthed an eye-opening array of candid snaps of holy sisters doing some rather un-nunlike things. Paired with irreverent (to say the least) text, this book is guaranteed to induce "church giggles" of the highest order.

Brace yourself for Crime Scenes, a collection of stories about the police experience, the street, and both ends of the smoking gun. A cop since 1982, author Gina Gallo has 'walked the walk' in uniform and undercover through Chicago's tough inner city West Side. Guns, gangs, narcotics, and...  more

Brace yourself for Crime Scenes, a collection of stories about the police experience, the street, and both ends of the smoking gun. A cop since 1982, author Gina Gallo has 'walked the walk' in uniform and undercover through Chicago's tough inner city West Side. Guns, gangs, narcotics, and prostitutes are all part of the business du jour in Gallo's world, re-created here in searing images. These gritty tales, as told through the eyes of cops, criminals, and victims, are alternately shocking, heartbreaking, and humorous--a rare cop's-eye view of what's beyond the crime scene tape. Smell the gunpowder, taste the fear, and feel the wide pounding of your own tripping pulse. "I'm ready for whatever comes. Dressed to thrill in blood-red silk, deep as the heart of darkness that exposes my pale skin and bright, ripe promise--both of which might be broken later tonight. He can do that. Diablo is a greedy devil who uses his powers to suit his needs. His desires will orchestrate our dance, though it's my insistence that brings me here, and keeps me waiting... Yet even in this fetid darkness, I know that there are angels around. No undercover cop works without backup, and mine are at this bar, lurking in the shadows. But I'm the designated offering, the bait. Waiting for the man who calls himself Diablo to walk through the door."

This book is a collection of events that I encountered while working for NYPD. I hope you find interesting, informative and humorous incidents that I witnessed or participated in all of them, Enjoy reading.

The critically acclaimed memoirs of one female police officer’s sixteen-year odyssey, beginning with day one at the Police Academy and spanning assignments on Chicago’s West Side, one of the most dangerous areas in the city.The notorious cops’ code of silence is broken as the...  more

The critically acclaimed memoirs of one female police officer’s sixteen-year odyssey, beginning with day one at the Police Academy and spanning assignments on Chicago’s West Side, one of the most dangerous areas in the city.The notorious cops’ code of silence is broken as the author recounts incidents in the West Side projects: shoot-outs, ambushes, and what it feels like to kill a man—just four days out of the Academy.The stories told are sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, often poignant, and always provide the reader with an on the scene feel for life behind the badge. Domestic violence, murdered spouses, abused children, and philandering CPD brass are just some of the topics addressed, topics that officer Gallo dealt with everyday.From her work with gangs, narcotics, the gun task force, and acting as a prostitute, Gina Gallo offers a gritty account of the darker side of the city, giving readers an objective side to the cops, crooks, and victims that comprise a the police cops world.

The author became a member of the NYC Transit Police Department in Nov. 1967. He was assigned to District #1, located at 59th Street on the IND and IRT in mid-Manhattan. Although every police officer feels his precinct or district is the best, it was acknowledged that District #1 was the premier...  more

The author became a member of the NYC Transit Police Department in Nov. 1967. He was assigned to District #1, located at 59th Street on the IND and IRT in mid-Manhattan. Although every police officer feels his precinct or district is the best, it was acknowledged that District #1 was the premier district of the Transit Police Department. The author has a knack for telling a story. On The Job consists of a bunch of vignettes about situations that he and his fellow police officers experienced. For those of you who don't know the author, he is a very funny guy. This is not your typical cops and robbers, shoot 'em up stories. There will be times where you'll find yourself laughing out loud. Suffice it to say, do yourself a favor and get this book; you'll be glad that you did.

In the tradition of Leland Gregory's best-selling Stupid collections, retired NYPD officer Scott Baker and author Tom Philbin present A Lighter Shade of Blue. With authentic tales of life behind the badge, A Lighter Shade of Blue features hilarious anecdotes as told by the cops on the...  more

In the tradition of Leland Gregory's best-selling Stupid collections, retired NYPD officer Scott Baker and author Tom Philbin present A Lighter Shade of Blue. With authentic tales of life behind the badge, A Lighter Shade of Blue features hilarious anecdotes as told by the cops on the scene--everything from stupid crooks and bungled crimes to patrol etiquette, station house banter, and mangled English.From a gun-stealing chimpanzee to the good-natured hazing of a new recruit, A Lighter Shade of Blue mixes the hilarious with the downright unbelievable through more than 100 firsthand accounts from police officers across the United States and Canada. In addition, a handy glossary of funny cop lingo apprises readers of why they would much rather have a fat pill (buttered roll) as opposed to a finger wave (rectal exam). Consider A Lighter Shade of Blue as the ultimate ride-along--a sidesplitting collection rife with real stories from the cops who have seen and heard it all, including:* A rookie who is locked in the back of a cop car during his first patrol and driven, windows down, through an automatic car wash.* A gun-stealing chimpanzee.* A college professor attacked by a wild gang of teenage girls who promptly steal his watch.

Proud To Have Been A New York City Transit Cop is a biographical work describing the journey of Captain John Martin through his thirty-three years of service as a police officer in the City of New York. From the time he joins the New York City Transit Police Department after World War II,...  more

Proud To Have Been A New York City Transit Cop is a biographical work describing the journey of Captain John Martin through his thirty-three years of service as a police officer in the City of New York. From the time he joins the New York City Transit Police Department after World War II, through to his retirement years in the early 1980's, you will read lots of interesting stories and gain valuable insights into what it was like to be a cop serving the riding public of one of the largest Rapid Transit Systems in the world. With all the books and TV shows out there, another cop story? Right, but this one's really different. It's not only a story about police work and policemen; it's a story about all kinds of people. It's a story about a native New Yorker who joined the New York City Transit Police Department after service in the United States Navy during World War II. It's a story about how he and his partner helped to make the Transit Police Force one of the finest, and one of the biggest, in the country. It's a story about how these two guys charmed the Mayor of the City of New York, upset at least two City Police Commissioners, and forced the City of New York to provide improved police protection for the riding and general public. And finally, it's a study in human relations and what it takes to provide effective leadership. You will see what it was like to be a cop trying to protect the riding public as they travel New York City's extensive subway system. You will journey from the days the transit police were not at parity with the city police, through the time when parity was achieved and the stage was set for merging the three police forces of New York City - city, transit and housing. Merging the three forces into today's NYPD took place in 1995. You will re-live some of the very troubled times in the late 1970's when subway crime soared, gaining a better understanding of why that happened and what should have been done to better protect the Public. You will find the stories interesting and through the eyes of Captain Martin, an innovative and intuitive leader, you will see how effective one man could be in gaining the true respect and admiration of his police officers while commanding some of the most challenging districts in the City of New York - and in spite of the personal sacrifices he made to his own career advancement. John Martin served twelve consecutive terms as Transit Police Benevolent Association (PBA) President and two years as State PBA President before stepping down due to an unusual circumstance. He made a difficult, and unusual, career move - going from 1st Grade Detective to Sergeant, with an eye on eventually becoming a Police Captain, the highest uniformed rank achieved through competitive examinations. Superior ranks after that are made by appointment and as it turned out, John Martin paid a price for his previous role as PBA President serving the rank and file.

At Gram's Country Cooking School, Betts and Gram are helping students prepare the perfect dishes for the Southern Missouri Show-Down, the cook-off that draws the first of the summer visitors. Everything is going smoothly until they discover the body of local theater owner Everett Morningside...  more

At Gram's Country Cooking School, Betts and Gram are helping students prepare the perfect dishes for the Southern Missouri Show-Down, the cook-off that draws the first of the summer visitors. Everything is going smoothly until they discover the body of local theater owner Everett Morningside in the school's supply closet, and Everett's widow points an accusatory finger at Gram. Now, Betts has to dig deep into Broken Rope's history to find the modern-day killer -- before the last piece of chicken is served ...

At the age of 23, Stacy Dittrich became the first female officer hired by her town in Ohio. In Stumbling Along the Beat, Dittrich reveals, for the first time, what she really faced when she put on her uniform and badge. In this uncensored account, she takes the reader behind the scenes to show...  more

At the age of 23, Stacy Dittrich became the first female officer hired by her town in Ohio. In Stumbling Along the Beat, Dittrich reveals, for the first time, what she really faced when she put on her uniform and badge. In this uncensored account, she takes the reader behind the scenes to show the realities of life inside a local police department. She lays bare the discrimination she faced, the ugly politics within the department, and how she finally won the respect she deserved. Reflecting on her years of work in the sex crimes unit, Dittrich tells how she learned to keep her composure in the face of some of the most horrifying and heartbreaking crimes imaginable. Finally, she reveals her daily struggle to balance her work with her life as the mother of two young daughters and the wife of a fellow police officer, including the fear that when she kisses her family good-bye to go to work, it might be for the last time. Funny, moving, and fast-paced, Stumbling Along the Beat is as unforgettable as it is eye-opening. Dittrich?s story will obliterate any preconceived notions of what it means to be a cop, especially when you?re also a woman.

For the legions of readers who enjoy books that celebrate life’s simple pleasures, eighty-seven-year-old Dorothy Jean Wetstra and her beloved farming town of Partonville, Illinois, will become instant favorites. In this hilarious, touching series, Charlene Ann Baumbich introduces readers...  more

For the legions of readers who enjoy books that celebrate life’s simple pleasures, eighty-seven-year-old Dorothy Jean Wetstra and her beloved farming town of Partonville, Illinois, will become instant favorites. In this hilarious, touching series, Charlene Ann Baumbich introduces readers to Dearest Dorothy, who tools around town in a 1976 Lincoln Continental nicknamed "The Tank," plays bunco regularly with her pals, and grabs a stool at Harry’s counter often enough to stay on top of the latest-breaking news -- which she is often creating. In the second book, Dearest Dorothy, Slow Down, You're Wearing Us Out!, the town’s irresistible cast of characters is back in full swing as they confront some of the many surprises life sends their way. So pull up a chair and get ready for fireworks, laughter, and we’ll-get-through-it-all-with-faith friendships.

This is an exciting and entertaining collection that gives true-crime aficionados everywhere something a little different - a look at some of the weirdest, often hilarious, and mysterious cases to turn up in police files."Wild Tales From the Police Blotter" features tales of: haunting missing...  more

This is an exciting and entertaining collection that gives true-crime aficionados everywhere something a little different - a look at some of the weirdest, often hilarious, and mysterious cases to turn up in police files."Wild Tales From the Police Blotter" features tales of: haunting missing persons cases; serial killers who won't die; incredible animal attacks; extreme shoot-outs; absurd criminal and cop mistakes; celebrity lawbreakers; and much more.

"I shot him in the left temple; the gun dropped from his hands; he quivered one instant, and Andy McGinnis climbed the Golden Stairs...." This was Chris Evans speaking. Evans, the killer, train robber and fugitive, was describing the famous shootout at Young's cabin when he and his partner John...  more

"I shot him in the left temple; the gun dropped from his hands; he quivered one instant, and Andy McGinnis climbed the Golden Stairs...." This was Chris Evans speaking. Evans, the killer, train robber and fugitive, was describing the famous shootout at Young's cabin when he and his partner John Sontag ambushed and killed two members of a posse that was pursuing them. In California Desperadoes, Evans and seven other early outlaws tell their own raw stories-tales of holdups, shootouts and desperate flights from the law. Witness the cruel confessions of the ruthless gang of California bandits who murdered a whole family-men, women, and children-in the opening days of the Gold Rush. Stand on the gallows with the notorious Jim Stuart as he is hanged by San Francisco vigilantes determined to retake their city from hordes of Australian convicts, robbers and killers. The ill-starred adventures of Tom Bell, Tiburcio Vasquez and Charles Dorsey will hold you spellbound as the outlaws themselves take you along the dangerous trails they rode. And stage robbers Jim Smith and Dick Fellows will shock you with their own tales of the harrowing and sometimes hilarious antics of the California highwaymen of another day. These are true stories told by true desperadoes and illustrated with many rare photographs. Here are first-person accounts you will not soon forget!

In turns funny, poignant, and wise, these nine lively stories are peopled with an array of unusual characters, including a young woman raised as a boy who is then faced with the complicated business of marriage; a carp-fish spirit who changes herself into a young woman for love's sake; a...  more

In turns funny, poignant, and wise, these nine lively stories are peopled with an array of unusual characters, including a young woman raised as a boy who is then faced with the complicated business of marriage; a carp-fish spirit who changes herself into a young woman for love's sake; a Miracle Doctor who can cure all illnesses except one; and a shopkeeper who learns the hard way the true meaning of justice. The Chi-lin purse -- Dog steals and Rooster crows -- Two Miss Peonys -- The Ho Shi jade -- The Prime Minister and the General -- The clever magistrate -- Mr. Yeh's New Year -- The miracle doctor -- The royal bridegroom

Past and present intertwine in this rare stand-alone novel of taut psychological drama -- a brilliant exploration of loyalty and greed from the bestselling mistress of suspense. Fife, Scotland, 1985. Heiress Catriona Maclennan Grant and her baby son are kidnapped. The ransom payoff goes...  more

Past and present intertwine in this rare stand-alone novel of taut psychological drama -- a brilliant exploration of loyalty and greed from the bestselling mistress of suspense. Fife, Scotland, 1985. Heiress Catriona Maclennan Grant and her baby son are kidnapped. The ransom payoff goes horribly wrong and Grant is killed. Her son disappears without a trace -- until 2008, when a tourist in Tuscany stumbles upon dramatic new evidence that reopens the investigation. Fife, 1984. At the height of the politically charged national miners' strike, Mick Prentice abandons his family to join the strikebreakers down south. Labelled a blackleg scab, he's as good as dead as far as his friends and relatives care. Twenty-three years later, a young woman walks into a police station to report Mick Prentice missing. Detective Karen Pirie, head of the Cold Case Review Team, wants to know why it's taken so long for anyone to notice. For Pirie, already immersed in the Prentice investigation, a second foray into a 1980s investigation gone cold--this time, the Grant kidnapping -- offers an opportunity to make her mark. But it's sure to come at an extremely high price. As she works to unravel these mysteries, two decades of secrets will lead Karen Pirie into a dark domain of violence and betrayal -- darker than any she has yet encountered.

Soiled Doves tells of the grey world of prostitution and the women who participated in the oldest profession. Colorful, if not socially acceptable, these ladies of easy virtue were a definite part of the early West. Wearing ruffled petticoats with fancy bows, they were glamorous and plain, good...  more

Soiled Doves tells of the grey world of prostitution and the women who participated in the oldest profession. Colorful, if not socially acceptable, these ladies of easy virtue were a definite part of the early West. Wearing ruffled petticoats with fancy bows, they were glamorous and plain, good and bad and many were as wild as the land they came to tame. Women like "Molly b' Dam", Mattie Silks, and "Chicago Joe" blended into the fabric of the American Frontier with an easy familiarity. Others, such as "Sorrel Mike", escaped through suicide, Lottie Johl chose marriage and the Chinese slave girls lived a life without hope. Illustrated with rare photos, this strong book provides a touching insight into the lives of the ladies of the night.

Four generations of Japanese American women make their home in a large house in San Francisco, united by the obligations of family and tradition and, perhaps, by love. In alternating chapters, the four women -- Reiko, Rio, Tomoe, and Nomi Hito -- speak with unflinching honesty about their lives,...  more

Four generations of Japanese American women make their home in a large house in San Francisco, united by the obligations of family and tradition and, perhaps, by love. In alternating chapters, the four women -- Reiko, Rio, Tomoe, and Nomi Hito -- speak with unflinching honesty about their lives, the secrets that have separated mother and daughter, and the fierce ties of intimacy that form an inextricable bridge between them. With the touch and power of a master storyteller, Julie Shigekuni gracefully interweaves four distinctive voices to shape a moving story of love and the courage it requires. In baring the heart of one family, she illuminates the truths about families, real and imagined, we all create.

A satire picture book -- just photos of grumpy-appearing wet cats School-age children through adults up will just howl with laughter at these 'wet cats'... just plain funny pictures. Presented by "Stuff On My Cat"

Cooper Lee has a new outlook on life, thanks to her friends at Hope Street Church. Spending time with the Sunrise Bible Study Group nourishes her mind and soul. But home is where the heart is -- along with Mrs. Lee's baked treats -- and Cooper is indeed happy to have such a great family to...  more

Cooper Lee has a new outlook on life, thanks to her friends at Hope Street Church. Spending time with the Sunrise Bible Study Group nourishes her mind and soul. But home is where the heart is -- along with Mrs. Lee's baked treats -- and Cooper is indeed happy to have such a great family to come home to when not spending time with Nathan, a friend from the group who just might be (fingers crossed) The One. So when her sister, Ashley, is implicated in a gruesome murder, Cooper snaps into action. Along with Nathan and her friends from Hope Street, Cooper vows to solve this unholy mess -- with a wing, a prayer, and a small dose of snooping...

More than thirty years ago, Tom Walker published Fort Apache: New York's Most Violent Precinct, introducing the world to the 4-1, a South Bronx precinct that was home to more murders than the entire city of San Francisco. To this day, his story about life as police lieutenant in the 4-1 precinct...  more

More than thirty years ago, Tom Walker published Fort Apache: New York's Most Violent Precinct, introducing the world to the 4-1, a South Bronx precinct that was home to more murders than the entire city of San Francisco. To this day, his story about life as police lieutenant in the 4-1 precinct remains the definitive account of the vicious cycle of violence that griped urban America in the late twentieth century. The battle between criminals and law enforcement did not end in 1971, but massive controversy over the book's publication precluded the release of a sequel-until now. With Return to Fort Apache: Memoir of an NYPD Captain, Walker finally tells the rest of his fascinating life story. Return to Fort Apache was written to counter the prevailing politically correct opinion that the officers in Fort Apache used their weapons first and their wits last. In addition, Walker hopes to memorialize the courageous officers he served with in the 4-1, to remember forever their sacrifices, their courage, and their daily brushes with death and violence.

Most animals steal. They take food from the weak. The big attack the small and rob them. It has been the same with humans for thousands of years. Some people use power to snatch what others have. They use threats or weapons to get what they want. Find out more about crime in this exciting...  more

Most animals steal. They take food from the weak. The big attack the small and rob them. It has been the same with humans for thousands of years. Some people use power to snatch what others have. They use threats or weapons to get what they want. Find out more about crime in this exciting title.

The original weird history book of the Black Hills; contains over fifty zany but true tales of the Old West.  Fifty vignettes matched with fifty original pen & ink drawings.

Circle of Six is the true story of what is perhaps the most notorious case in the history of the New York Police Department. It details Randy Jurgensen's determined effort to bring to justice the murderer of Patrolman Phillip Cardillo. Cardillo was shot and killed inside Harlem's Mosque #7 in...  more

Circle of Six is the true story of what is perhaps the most notorious case in the history of the New York Police Department. It details Randy Jurgensen's determined effort to bring to justice the murderer of Patrolman Phillip Cardillo. Cardillo was shot and killed inside Harlem's Mosque #7 in 1972, in the midst of an all-out assault on the NYPD from the Black Liberation Army. The New York of this era was a place not unlike the Wild West, in which cops and criminals shot it out on a daily basis. Despite the mayhem on the streets and the Machiavellian corridors of Mayor Lindsay's City Hall, Detective Jurgensen single-handedly took on the Black Liberation Army, the Nation of Islam, NYPD brass, and City Hall, capturing Cardillo's killer, Lewis 17X Dupree. He broke the case with an unlikely accomplice, Foster 2X Thomas, a member of the Nation of Islam who became Jurgensen's witness. The relationship they formed during the time before trial gave each of the two men a greater perspective of the two sides in the street war and changed them forever. In the end, Jurgensen had to settle for a conviction on other charges, and Dupree served a number of years. The murder case is still officially unsolved. In 2006 the NYPD re-opened the case, and it is once again an active investigation with full media attention. The book has received acclaim from current New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, as well as former Commissioner William Bratton. Randy Jurgensen's co-author is Robert Cea (No Lights, No Sirens), also a former NYPD detective.

If you drop a raw egg, what's the fastest way to clean it up? With a turkey baster. What's the easiest way to clean a shower door? Wipe it with a fabric softener sheet. This new edition features practical, useful tips like these and dozens more.

As a young girl growing up in Spain, Ana Larragoity Cubillas is powerfully drawn to Puerto Rico by the diaries of an ancestor who traveled there with Ponce de Leon. And in handsome twin brothers Ramon and Inocente -- both in love with Ana -- she finds a way to get there. She marries Ramon, and...  more

As a young girl growing up in Spain, Ana Larragoity Cubillas is powerfully drawn to Puerto Rico by the diaries of an ancestor who traveled there with Ponce de Leon. And in handsome twin brothers Ramon and Inocente -- both in love with Ana -- she finds a way to get there. She marries Ramon, and in 1844, just eighteen, she travels across the ocean to a remote sugar plantation the brothers have inherited on the island. Ana faces unrelenting heat, disease and isolation, and the dangers of the untamed countryside even as she relishes the challenge of running Hacienda los Gemelos. But when the Civil War breaks out in the United States, Ana finds her livelihood, and perhaps even her life, threatened by the very people on whose backs her wealth has been built: the hacienda's slaves, whose richly drawn stories unfold alongside her own. And when at last Ana falls for a man who may be her destiny -- a once-forbidden love -- she will sacrifice nearly everything to keep hold of the land that has become her true home.

In 1972, when she was seven, the author and her family moved from Iran to Southern California, arriving with no firsthand knowledge of this country beyond Firoozeh's father's glowing memories of his graduate school years here. In a series of deftly drawn scenes, Funny in...  more

In 1972, when she was seven, the author and her family moved from Iran to Southern California, arriving with no firsthand knowledge of this country beyond Firoozeh's father's glowing memories of his graduate school years here. In a series of deftly drawn scenes, Funny in Farsi chronicles the American journey of Dumas's wonderfully engaging family: her engineer father, a sweetly quixotic dreamer who first sought riches on Bowling for Dollars and in Las Vegas; her elegant mother, who never fully mastered English (or cared to); her uncle, who combated the effects of American fast food with an array of miraculous American weight-loss gadgets; and Firoozeh herself, who as a girl changed her name to Julie and who encountered a second wave of culture shock when she met and married a Frenchman, becoming part of a one-couple melting pot. An unforgettable story of identity, discovery, and the power of family love, Funny in Farsi will leave us all laughing -- without an accent.  Publisher's note: Includes reader's guide, and an interview with Firoozeh Dumas by Khaled Hossini, author of The Kite Runner.

This book recounts the lives of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

This is a "Pocket Penguin 60" edition of "Village Christmas".

Fenella, great-niece to the unorthodox psychoanalyst and sleuth Mrs Bradley, unwittingly stumbles upon a pagan ritual in the sleepy village of Seven Wells. When the village's pub landlord disappears, Fenella calls on her great aunt's expert advice to help her unravel the developing...  more

Fenella, great-niece to the unorthodox psychoanalyst and sleuth Mrs Bradley, unwittingly stumbles upon a pagan ritual in the sleepy village of Seven Wells. When the village's pub landlord disappears, Fenella calls on her great aunt's expert advice to help her unravel the developing mysteries. Why was the squire of the village stabbed in the back? And what is the secret of the five skeletons in the crypt?

For more than twenty years, Joseph "Big Joey" Massino ran what was called the largest criminal network in the U.S., employing over two hundred and fifty made men and untold numbers of associates. The Bonanno family was responsible for over thirty murders, even killing a dozen of its...  more

For more than twenty years, Joseph "Big Joey" Massino ran what was called the largest criminal network in the U.S., employing over two hundred and fifty made men and untold numbers of associates. The Bonanno family was responsible for over thirty murders, even killing a dozen of its own members to enforce discipline and settle scores. He would be brought down by Salvatore "Good Looking Sal" Vitale, the underboss who was not only Massino's closest and most trusted friend, but also his brother-in-law. In the end, facing the death penalty and the prospect of leaving his family penniless, Massino started talking to the FBI -- the first Mafia Godfather to break the sacred code of omerta, and the end of a centuries-old tradition.

BE SOFT. BE COOL. BE MYSTERIOUS. KNOW ALL THE SUNNY PLACES. Here are the illustrated teachings of one wise cat in a book that may, very possibly, change your life. Or at least let you know there's always time for a nap. Humorist Suzy Becker shares the insights of her sage cat in...  more

BE SOFT. BE COOL. BE MYSTERIOUS. KNOW ALL THE SUNNY PLACES. Here are the illustrated teachings of one wise cat in a book that may, very possibly, change your life. Or at least let you know there's always time for a nap. Humorist Suzy Becker shares the insights of her sage cat in the form of irresistible full-color cartoons. Proving what all cat fanciers suspect about their own pets, Becker's perspicacious and penetrating cat is fount of wisdom. The book covers everything from grooming, health, and diet to being completely well-adjusted. Full-color throughout. In a volume of colorful cartoons, the author's sage cat offers more than ninety simple but profound lessons for happy, guilt-free living, such as "it's okay to wear the same thing every day".

Northern Reflection is a collection of wild, wacky, and nostalgic short stories based on the author Jerry Harju's childhood in Upper Michigan in the 1940's. His youthful adventures include standing on the railroad tracks to play chicken with an oncoming ore train, riding on a fire truck to a...  more

Northern Reflection is a collection of wild, wacky, and nostalgic short stories based on the author Jerry Harju's childhood in Upper Michigan in the 1940's. His youthful adventures include standing on the railroad tracks to play chicken with an oncoming ore train, riding on a fire truck to a blaze at his own house, and the difficulties of picking up girls in the midst of a frigid Michigan winter.

This book takes a hilariously irreverent look at our legal system, featuring downright logic-defying decisions, preposterous defenses, and scores of silly statutes.

It is the trial - and scandal - of the decade: Greta Grahame, the beautiful young wife of Sir Peter Robinson MP, is accused of conspiring to murder her predecessor, Peter's first wife Lady Anne. The prosecution depends heavily on one witness - Greta's 16-year-old stepson Thomas.

The chilling new medical thriller from Priscilla Masters. His patient was ready. He stood for a moment staring down at her his mind working out the correct incision. Then the first cut...' A body has been discovered in undergrowth in the grounds of a Birmingham hospital, wrapped in a clinical...  more

The chilling new medical thriller from Priscilla Masters. His patient was ready. He stood for a moment staring down at her his mind working out the correct incision. Then the first cut...' A body has been discovered in undergrowth in the grounds of a Birmingham hospital, wrapped in a clinical waste bag and even more bizarrely, wearing little but a garish Disney tie. The scar and stitches evident on the dead man's groin suggest he may have recently been a patient at the hospital. But when pathologist Karys Harper is brought in to examine the body she makes a discovery that is more grotesque still. For the surgery wound was inflicted after death. Clearly this is no ordinary killer. And he's about to strike again.

A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN BROOKLYN is the poetic tale of author Frank Crocitto's childhood growing up in Brooklyn in the 1940's. Reminiscent of Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales," the book poignantly captures the true spirit of the Christmas season...  more

A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN BROOKLYN is the poetic tale of author Frank Crocitto's childhood growing up in Brooklyn in the 1940's. Reminiscent of Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales," the book poignantly captures the true spirit of the Christmas season reflected in the traditions of a large Italian-American family and the love and respect that binds it together. Crocitto's story begins just prior to Christmas, as the anticipation begins to mount for the 'big day.' The holiday season officially commences as school lets out for the holiday. Snow begins to blanket the streets of Crocitto's 81st Street. The colorful house lights are brought out and hung with Grandpa. As Grandma mobilizes her tyrannical reign in the kitchen to prepare for the ultimate holiday meal, there are snowball fights with "the gang," and there is the search to find the perfect tree with Mom and Dad. As the family traditions are carried on, the night before Christmas brings a life-changing encounter with Santa Claus. Christmas Day culminates in present-opening, church-going, raucous family bingo games, dancing in the parlor and the profound realization of just how fortunate one boy can be. Grady Kane-Horrigan's sepia-toned illustrations are the perfect complement, each one providing an snapshot of Crocitto's finely written details: a wreath on frozen fence post, a snake-like tangle of lights, the twinkle in Santa's eye. A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN BROOKLYN brings you into the family, and Crocitto's warmhearted Christmas memories of a sweeter, simpler time will resonate with readers of all ages.

When irascible farmer Guy Beardon meets a very dirty death in his own farmyard, it seems like an accident at first, despite the fact that he was widely disliked. But when his daughter Lilah slowly begins to suspect foul play, no one is eager to help her investigation. Suspicion becomes...  more

When irascible farmer Guy Beardon meets a very dirty death in his own farmyard, it seems like an accident at first, despite the fact that he was widely disliked. But when his daughter Lilah slowly begins to suspect foul play, no one is eager to help her investigation. Suspicion becomes certainty when two more deaths occur, both of which are unmistakably murder... The difficulty lies in discovering who among the farmer's many enemies hated him enough to want him dead and then went on killing to conceal the truth. Could it be the disagreeable vicar? The self-absorbed widow? The crusty Wing Commander? The too-good-to-be-true freelance computer whiz? No one wants to get involved, and even the ubiquitous village gossip seems to know more than she will admit... Set amidst the muck and mayhem of contemporary farming life, A Dirty Death is an entertaining and authentic crime debut.

Jack the Ripper may be more notorious, but while he was busy killing five prostitutes in the alleyways of Victorian London, another Victorian murderer, Jane Toppan, was brought in on charges of having killed close to 100 people in Connecticut. Toppan said in court, "That is my ambition, to...  more

Jack the Ripper may be more notorious, but while he was busy killing five prostitutes in the alleyways of Victorian London, another Victorian murderer, Jane Toppan, was brought in on charges of having killed close to 100 people in Connecticut. Toppan said in court, "That is my ambition, to have killed more people -- more helpless people -- than any man or woman who has ever lived." Bad Girls Do It! has a jocular title and cover illustration, and Michael Newton (author of Hunting Humans) occasionally indulges in macabre humor. Nonetheless, these 182 case histories of female multiple murderers are packed with well-researched details. You will read about "angels of death" (nurses who kill), "black widows," lethal landladies, and murderous moms. Many of them are little known, such as Rachal David, a religious fanatic who tossed her seven children off an 11th-story hotel balcony in Salt Lake City in 1978, while a screaming crowd watched from below.

If any book can make its readers feel nostalgic for a TV show whose main character hacks one of his enemies into pieces, it is this gorgeously designed and smartly written tribute to The Sopranos and its conflicted hero, Tony, the mob boss torn between loyalty to his crime family and his own...  more

If any book can make its readers feel nostalgic for a TV show whose main character hacks one of his enemies into pieces, it is this gorgeously designed and smartly written tribute to The Sopranos and its conflicted hero, Tony, the mob boss torn between loyalty to his crime family and his own family. Scheduled to be published in conjunction with the series' final nine episodes in its six-season, eight-year-long run, the book is a success primarily due to Martin's enthusiastic but never fawning insider's look at everything from the initial casting of the series, the show's use of New Jersey's "suburbo-industrial landscapes" as a backdrop to various thematic elements, and the characters' large appetites for sex and food. He gets great insights from his interviews with all of the show's production staff, such as series creator David Chase, who was influenced by his work on The Rockford Files ("TV's first postmodern, ironic detective"). The book is also lavishly illustrated with wonderful photos of various sets, a superb short episode guide to each show, page-long descriptions on how each actor views the characters they play (Robert Iler wants to step outside of his character, Tony's son, A.J., "and smack myself in the face").

Following a string of disastrous house-sitting assignments, and with troubles in her recent personal life, Thea Osborne is understandably apprehensive about her latest commission: a wintry month in an isolated farmhouse with only an assortment of animals, including her loyal spaniel Hepzie, for...  more

Following a string of disastrous house-sitting assignments, and with troubles in her recent personal life, Thea Osborne is understandably apprehensive about her latest commission: a wintry month in an isolated farmhouse with only an assortment of animals, including her loyal spaniel Hepzie, for company. With the summer lushness of the Cotswolds turned icy grey, Thea spends her first few days exploring the tiny but beautiful hamlet of Hampnett, and the nearby town of Northleach. While discovering more of the surrounding area she meets some of the mysterious local characters: the unappreciated au pair from Bulgaria and the elusive Kate from a neighboring farm. But then the weather turns extreme, and so do events. When she stumbles across a man lying dead in a snow-filled field, Thea is once again at the heart of a mystery in the gorgeous Cotswold countryside?

Many of the women who arrived in the Klondike longed for the thrill of adventure and an end to the tedium of everyday life, while others sought riches. At a time when women were expected to conform to societys strict rules, the rebel women of the Klondike broke them with gusto, turning dreams...  more

Many of the women who arrived in the Klondike longed for the thrill of adventure and an end to the tedium of everyday life, while others sought riches. At a time when women were expected to conform to societys strict rules, the rebel women of the Klondike broke them with gusto, turning dreams into realities. They became millionaires, entrepreneurs, prostitutes, widows, wives, rebels and even murderers, scandalizing society in the process. Often on a trail of heartbreak and false hopes, they came to love the vast, untamed land that played a starring role in their own inspiring stories.

Here at the BRI, the only thing we love more than puzzles is words. So we put it all together and came up with the cleverest, funniest, trickiest crossword puzzles on all the topics the Bathroom Readers are famous for: forgotten history, the world?s weirdest news items, robots, fads, flops,...  more

Here at the BRI, the only thing we love more than puzzles is words. So we put it all together and came up with the cleverest, funniest, trickiest crossword puzzles on all the topics the Bathroom Readers are famous for: forgotten history, the world?s weirdest news items, robots, fads, flops, profound (and profoundly funny) quotes, animals, vegetables, minerals, and things you can do with a coconut.

New York's Citywide Anti-Crime Unit (CWACU) was formed in 1970 to combat a crime wave that had transformed Manhattan into a city of unbridled violence, licentiousness, and corruption. The Unit was authorized to fight crime with whatever means necessary.  In other words, to uphold the...  more

New York's Citywide Anti-Crime Unit (CWACU) was formed in 1970 to combat a crime wave that had transformed Manhattan into a city of unbridled violence, licentiousness, and corruption. The Unit was authorized to fight crime with whatever means necessary.  In other words, to uphold the law by sometimes going outside the law. The Unit was thought of as the elite of New York City's cops -- just 250 out of the 28,000 cops in the Department. But among them were also the most trigger-happy and outrageous cops in the NYPD. Some were heroic, others were criminal. THE INNER SHIELD tells the true story of John (JP) Pomposello, a CWACU police officer who confronts crime and corruption and his own demons in the New York City of the 1960s and 1970s, when he, the city, and the country are falling apart. After 15 years of service, JP was awarded a total of 20 medals, including the Medal of Valor.

She is called Nurdane, the famed weaver of Mavisu. From her remote mountain village in southwestern Turkey, she creates dowries for young brides: dazzling rugs that are marvels of shape and color, texture and light. Her unique rugs possess remarkable healing qualities that have inspired local...  more

She is called Nurdane, the famed weaver of Mavisu. From her remote mountain village in southwestern Turkey, she creates dowries for young brides: dazzling rugs that are marvels of shape and color, texture and light. Her unique rugs possess remarkable healing qualities that have inspired local legend, but it is her hands that are at the heart of her mystery. An artist's hands. A virgin's hands. An extraordinary series of events drives Nurdane to question the limitations of her faith and culture as she is caught between the cost of remaining pure in body and spirit...or risking everything for the chance to live a loving life.

Introducing the NLT Study Bible. The product of over forty Bible scholars and seven years' work, it is the most comprehensive study Bible ever created. The notes focus on bringing out the full meaning of the text, allowing the reader to understand the Bible more deeply than ever. Features...  more

Introducing the NLT Study Bible. The product of over forty Bible scholars and seven years' work, it is the most comprehensive study Bible ever created. The notes focus on bringing out the full meaning of the text, allowing the reader to understand the Bible more deeply than ever. Features include 25,900 study notes (over 820,000 words), maps, charts, illustrations, a word-study system, and much more. Feature details: Ten section introductions provide an overview of the literature and history of each section of the Bible, showing how the books are related to each other and to the rest of Scripture. Theme articles and person profiles (406 total) highlight recurring ideas and describe the lives of those who inhabit the pages of scripture. Also includes 100 Greek and 100 Hebrew word studies, 100 quotations from modern and ancient writers, and words of Christ in red. Another unique feature is that further reading is recommended at the end of each book and section introduction.

Dr. Charles F. Stanley understands it can be difficult to walk the dimly lit paths of life with the lantern of God's guidance shining only a few steps ahead of us. But God's Word provides the spiritual guidance to lead us-it is the pathway to His presence. Pathways to His Presence focuses on 12...  more

Dr. Charles F. Stanley understands it can be difficult to walk the dimly lit paths of life with the lantern of God's guidance shining only a few steps ahead of us. But God's Word provides the spiritual guidance to lead us-it is the pathway to His presence. Pathways to His Presence focuses on 12 spiritual pathways that will guide you confidently into the presence of God, including: The Pathway to God's Will The Pathway to Forgiveness The Pathway to Victory The Pathway to Freedom The Pathway to the Future As you walk these pathways, you will join a long list of biblical heroes who were called to move forward into impossible situations armed only with their trust in God. He has promised that when we do so, He will provide us with the guidance we long for.

An entertaining collection from the author's syndicated column, The Back Forty. This book revisits the fields and woods of The Back Forty, where cows where kickers, kids hate cameras, and a car full of sheep seems almost normal. This is fun reading for anyone with an appetite for humor and a...  more

An entertaining collection from the author's syndicated column, The Back Forty. This book revisits the fields and woods of The Back Forty, where cows where kickers, kids hate cameras, and a car full of sheep seems almost normal. This is fun reading for anyone with an appetite for humor and a taste for the country. This book will bring chuckles to the most sober individual and shameless laughter for the less inhibited.

It began with a handful of digital photographs of office supplies, toys, and spare computer parts thoughtfully placed on Mario Garza's snoozing cat, Love. Over time, the objects became bigger: remote controls, shoes, empty pizza boxes. And then cat owners everywhere were sucked into the Internet...  more

It began with a handful of digital photographs of office supplies, toys, and spare computer parts thoughtfully placed on Mario Garza's snoozing cat, Love. Over time, the objects became bigger: remote controls, shoes, empty pizza boxes. And then cat owners everywhere were sucked into the Internet phenomenon that is defined by a simple motto: stuff + cats = awesome. From Stuffonmycat.com (the amazingly popular website that redefines hilarious and that was named one of the coolest sites of the year by Yahoo! And GQ magazine) comes Stuff On My Cat: The Book. Culled from the thousands of outrageous photographs submitted by mischievous animal lovers, here are 200 of the most unbelievably entertaining images of cats with all manner of things on them: wigs, Easter eggs, dogs, cheeseburgers, cookware, gummi bears, action figures, tiaras, beer cans, pinecones, a statue of the Buddha, and much more. An introduction by the site's creator explains the Stuff on My Cat philosophy, and playful illustrations and graphics are sprinkled throughout. Just try to keep a straight face. Win a spot in the 2008 daily calendar! Submit stuff on YOUR cat at www.stuffonmycat.com.

The Earl of Burford hosts another slightly batty, thoroughly baffling house party.... George Henry Alwyn Saunders, 12th in his line, has taken a fancy to films. He's nearly killed with delight when a movie mogul wants Alderly, the Burfords' 17th century country estate, for the set of a...  more

The Earl of Burford hosts another slightly batty, thoroughly baffling house party.... George Henry Alwyn Saunders, 12th in his line, has taken a fancy to films. He's nearly killed with delight when a movie mogul wants Alderly, the Burfords' 17th century country estate, for the set of a new "Rex Ransom" epic. The bronzed, handsome star has long thrilled the loopy lord with dazzling deeds on the silver screen. Less than thrilled is the Countess, who's suddenly playing hostess to a Hollywood crowd and a growing guest list that includes a long-lost cousin and a shady second spouse, two suitors for the Burford's willful daughter Lady Geraldine, an eccentric screenwriter protesting the pirating of his work, a sultry, sparky femme fatale, a professional blackmailer.... Oh yes, roles from James L. Anderson's first zany whodunit, The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy, are reprised by Merryweather, their imperturbable family butler, and the perspicacious Inspector Wilkins of the Westshire constabulary. And what does a mutilated mink coat have to do with anything?.... Nothing can top the merrily murderous 1930's house party for a puzzler!  

What English village would be complete without a country pub? No other nation has anything quite comparable to these cozy, convivial meeting places that are the heart of English social life. Some pubs have historical connections, others enjoy literary associations, and still more are famous...  more

What English village would be complete without a country pub? No other nation has anything quite comparable to these cozy, convivial meeting places that are the heart of English social life. Some pubs have historical connections, others enjoy literary associations, and still more are famous simply for their own sake. Through delightful photographs and personal stories, the diversity of this cherished feature of Britain's rural landscape comes shining through.

Caught and injured in Pa' bear trap, an Indian and his daughter are forced to stay with pioneer family, where hatred finally gives way to friendship due to young Mary and her cornhusk doll.

Helpful hints of choosing, cultivating, and caring for a variety of plants in shady environments are accompanied by 275 full-color photographs, an encyclopedia of more than 250 shade-loving plants, plant lists, and tips on design fundamentals, color schemes, seasonal gardens, and more.

Dolly Clare and her childhood friend Emily Davis are both retired teachers in the village school. The two women remained deeply involved with the life of their village and since its children were in thier charge, they met many complexities beneath the quiet surface. Even in Fairacre human...  more

Dolly Clare and her childhood friend Emily Davis are both retired teachers in the village school. The two women remained deeply involved with the life of their village and since its children were in thier charge, they met many complexities beneath the quiet surface. Even in Fairacre human trouble ran deep. Dolly Clare and Emily Davis had their share, but they were never too poor or too busy or too tired to offer help.

A brand-new anthology of all-original Alaskan mystery tales. Also includes stories by Kate Grilley, Michael Armstrong, Donna Andrews, Mike Doogan, Brad Reynolds, Kim Rich, James Sarafin. Introduction / Dana Stabenow -- Unkindness of ravens / Donna Andrews -- Little walk home / Michael...  more

A brand-new anthology of all-original Alaskan mystery tales. Also includes stories by Kate Grilley, Michael Armstrong, Donna Andrews, Mike Doogan, Brad Reynolds, Kim Rich, James Sarafin. Introduction / Dana Stabenow -- Unkindness of ravens / Donna Andrews -- Little walk home / Michael Armstrong -- War can be murder / Mike Doogan -- All that glitters / Kate Grilley -- Losing streak / Sue Henry -- Rearrangements / Anne Perry -- Twin / Brad Reynolds -- Terminal / Kim Rich -- Going home / S.J. Rozan -- Word for breaking August sky / James Sarafin -- Cheechako / Dana Stabenow -- Finding Lou / John Straley

When The Oxford Dictionary of Music first appeared, it was hailed by Music and Musicians as "without question the most comprehensive, detailed, reliable one-volume reference work on music now available in the English language." Fully revised and updated for this new edition, The...  more

When The Oxford Dictionary of Music first appeared, it was hailed by Music and Musicians as "without question the most comprehensive, detailed, reliable one-volume reference work on music now available in the English language." Fully revised and updated for this new edition, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music, Fourth Edition is a rich mine of information for lovers of music of all periods and styles, providing over 10,000 entries on musical terms, works, composers, librettists, musicians, singers, and orchestras. The dictionary's coverage is exceptional, providing comprehensive work-lists for major composers, detailed entries on living composers and performers, important ballets and operas, as well as descriptions of musical instruments and their histories. Written to appeal to general readers, musicians and musicologists alike, this volume is an indispensable addition to the reference shelf of the concert goer, the opera buff, the record buyer, or anyone involved in music, whether amateur or professional.

Outside, the last-minute shoppers throng. Inside, Maude Daneson's rooming house is festive and cozy, the perfect setting for an old-fashioned Christmas. But someone has been very, very bad...and another victim is about to die. Each killing on the streets of London is more senseless -...  more

Outside, the last-minute shoppers throng. Inside, Maude Daneson's rooming house is festive and cozy, the perfect setting for an old-fashioned Christmas. But someone has been very, very bad...and another victim is about to die. Each killing on the streets of London is more senseless - and bizarre - than the one before it. While the police scramble to find their man, Maude's unsuspecting lodgers are about to get a most unwelcome present: the killer is far closer than they know...and Christmas has only just begun.

When Elspeth Bradbury moved from rural New Brunswick to West Vancouver she initiated a lively correspondence with her friend and former neighbor, Judy Maddocks. This charming collection of letters reveals as much about the seasons in a woman's life as it does the growing cycles of a garden.