Blue Smoke Memoir is the compelling story of a young woman and her involvement with a company that has made her life difficult. As Alexandria Dupri prepares to leave the company, she becomes involved in a very unexpected situation.
Incomparable #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts delivers a tale of gut-level fear, human triumph, and the bonds that carry us through our darkest times… Reena Hale’s destiny was shaped in the destructive—yet fascinatingly beautiful—fire that leveled her family’s pizzeria when she was young. Now an arson investigator, she finds her strength and wits constantly tested, although sometimes the job seems like a snap compared to her love life. But she can’t always blame the men. After all, a soot-caked woman barking orders and smelling of smoke isn’t the biggest turn-on in the world. Then she meets Bo Goodnight, who seems different. He’s been trying to find Reena for years, and now that she’s close enough to touch, he has no intention of letting go. Nor does the man who has begun to haunt Reena’s life—with taunting phone calls and a string of horrifying crimes. And as Reena tries desperately to trace the origins—of the calls, the fires, the hatred aimed in her direction—she will step into the worst inferno she has ever faced...
LaVerne Williams is a failed ballplayer and an ex-felon. He also runs the finest barbecue joint in Kansas City. 'Smoke Meat', as the regulars call it, is frequented by a host of extraordinary characters; all are in search of something: music, money, liquor, love, or just a plate of ribs. LaVerne's restaurant is home-away-from-home to AB Clayton, LaVerne's placid, right-hand man; ailing blues-singer 'Mother' Mary Weaver; and Ferguson Glen, alcoholic priest and fading literary star.
"Morbid and illuminating" (Entertainment Weekly)—a young mortician goes behind the scenes of her curious profession. Armed with a degree in medieval history and a flair for the macabre, Caitlin Doughty took a job at a crematory and turned morbid curiosity into her life’s work. She cared for bodies of every color, shape, and affliction, and became an intrepid explorer in the world of the dead. In this best-selling memoir, brimming with gallows humor and vivid characters, she marvels at the gruesome history of undertaking and relates her unique coming-of-age story with bold curiosity and mordant wit. By turns hilarious, dark, and uplifting, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes reveals how the fear of dying warps our society and "will make you reconsider how our culture treats the dead" (San Francisco Chronicle).
Come up to Paekakariki / in the land of the tiki / where you spend all your days at the beach.' It's another Saturday night in 1950s Auckland. Downtown, nightclubs are banning the jive because the exuberant couples disturb the cautious fox-trotters. Over in Freemans Bay, the Maori Community Centre is the 'jazziest, jumpingest place in the city' where sweaty men in zoot suits feed on Maori bread and huge tubs of potatoes. In Blue Smoke, Chris Bourke recovers the lost dawn of New Zealand popular music in the twentieth century. Bourke brings to life the musical worlds of New Zealanders at home (buying sheet music from Beggs, listening to the radio, learning 'the twist') and out on the town (singing in community choirs, seeing Dave Brubeck on tour, jiving to Johnny Devlin). Beginning with the return of the Kiwi Concert Parties from World War I and the arrival of jazz, Blue Smoke chronicles half a century of change - with the impact of World War II, the rise of swing, country, the Hawaiian sound and then rock'n'roll, the development of a TANZA and a local recording industry, and the impact of tours by overseas stars. From Kiwi concert parties to the Howard Morrison Quartet, from Ruru Karaitiana's 'Blue Smoke' to Ken Avery's 'Tea at Te Kuiti', from swing to folk, from Wellington's Majestic Cabaret to Christchurch's Wintergarden, Bourke brings to life the people, places, and sounds of a world we have lost. It is a world in which Maori and Pakeha New Zealanders gradually developed a melody, a rhythm, and a voice that made sense on these islands.
In her bestselling historical romances Tamar and White Feathers, Deborah Challinor introduced feisty Tamar Deane, the Cornish seamstress who became the owner of Auckland's most successful brothel, and whose scandalous affair with Kepa, handsome son of a rangatira, resulted in the birth of her illegitimate son, Joseph.White Feathers, which continued the story of Tamar and her children against the backdrop of the First World War, ended with the death of her beloved husband Andrew. In her bestselling historical romances tamar and White Feathers, Deborah Challinor introduced feisty tamar Deane, the Cornish seamstress who became the owner of Auckland's most successful brothel, and whose scandalous affair with Kepa, handsome son of a rangatira, resulted in the birth of her illegitimate son, Joseph.White Feathers, which continued the story of tamar and her children against the backdrop of the First World War, ended with the death of her beloved husband Andrew. In the third and concluding volume of the tamar trilogy, tamar is now a wealthy widow with an extensive and prosperous estate in the Hawke's Bay, with her children settling into their own relationships, some more happily than others.In the years leading up to and including World War two, tamar struggles to lead her growing family through the economic slump that became the Great Depression. the resulting years of social upheaval, including violent strikes, hunger marches and the Napier Earthquake, leave none of them untouched. When a riding accident almost ends her life, tamar is forced to draw on her iron will to survive. Left with a permanent limp and a growing awareness of her own mortality, she is forced into ruthless decisions to protect her family and Andrew's dearly loved Kenmore. At the same time, her son James' racist disapproval of her relationship with Kepa and growing flirtation with fascism tests her to the core.the war wreaks havoc on the extended Murdoch family, and through the eyes of tamar's grandchildren, we see its awful effect on a generation facing the enemy in both Europe and the Pacific. At the same time, battles are also being fought on the homefront, which don't end when peace finally prevails. In a powerful and wide-reaching conclusion to this compelling family saga, Deborah Challinor explores the effects of war on three generations of a passionate and fiery New Zealand family
The biggest collection of Sherlock Holmes stories ever assembled! Arguably no other character in history has been so enduringly popular as Sherlock Holmes. Ever since his first appearance, in Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1887 novella A Study in Scarlet, readers have loved reading about him almost as much as writers have loved writing about him. Here, Otto Penzler collects eighty-three wonderful stories about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, published over a span of more than a hundred years. Featuring pitch-perfect cases by acclaimed modern-day Sherlockians Leslie S. Klinger, Laurie R. King, Lyndsay Faye and Daniel Stashower; pastiches by literary luminaries both classic (P. G. Wodehouse, Dorothy B. Hughes, Kingsley Amis) and current (Anne Perry, Stephen King, Colin Dexter); and parodies by Conan Doyle’s contemporaries A. A. Milne, James M. Barrie, and O. Henry, not to mention genre-bending cases by science-fiction greats Poul Anderson and Michael Moorcock. No matter if your favorite Holmes is Basil Rathbone, Jeremy Brett, Robert Downey, Jr., or Benedict Cumberbatch, whether you are a lifelong fan or only recently acquainted with the Great Detective, readers of all ages are sure to enjoy The Big Book of Sherlock Holmes Stories. Including - Over a century’s worth of cases, from Conan Doyle’s 1890s parodies of his own creation to Neil Gaiman’s “The Case of Death and Honey” (2011) - Appearances by those other great detectives Hercule Poirot and C. Auguste Dupin - 15 Edgar Award–winning authors and 5 Mystery Writers of America Grand Masters - Stories by Laurie R. King, Colin Dexter, Anthony Burgess, Anne Perry, Stephen King, P.G. Wodehouse, Kingsley Amis, and many, many more.
Edgar Wallace's 'Ultimate Collection: Crime Novels, Detective Stories, Historical Works & Memoirs' showcases the diverse talents of this prolific author known for his gripping tales of crime and mystery. Spanning various genres, from classic detective stories to historical novels, Wallace's works are characterized by their fast-paced plots, intricate twists, and engaging characters. His writing style is both accessible and suspenseful, making his books popular among readers of all ages. In the context of early 20th-century British literature, Wallace's contributions to the detective fiction genre are highly regarded for their innovative storytelling techniques and vivid descriptions. This comprehensive collection offers a glimpse into the genius of one of the foremost crime writers of his time. Edgar Wallace's own experiences as a journalist and war correspondent greatly influenced his writing career, providing him with a unique perspective on crime and intrigue. His keen observations of human behavior and astute investigations served as the inspiration for many of his iconic characters and plotlines. As a prominent figure in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, Wallace's work continues to captivate audiences worldwide. For fans of classic crime fiction and historical mysteries, Edgar Wallace's 'Ultimate Collection' is a must-read. With its intriguing narratives and captivating storytelling, this anthology is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Whether you are a seasoned mystery enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, Wallace's timeless tales offer something for everyone.