Now Jersey has more than one lady solving crimes! Angie Welsh and her best friend Lynn had journeyed to Horizon Beach to check out Vinnie Romano's new club, Crossbones - beckoned by a mysterious package. What she finds on her arrival is the aftermath of a bloody murder and the sister of mob boss Carmine Cabrini swinging by the neck from a ceiling fan. The New Jersey journalist can see the front page headline that just might save her job at the Jersey Times. In a bizarre twist, the journalist-turned-suspect must discover the truth buried somewhere between Captain Kidd's famous treasure, the Jersey cops and the mob. SHEREE PUCCIO is a Jersey girl, born just off exit 10. She's spent her life as a journalist in the state, winning two New Jersey Press awards. Her idea of fun is riding off into the sunset with her husband Mic, on his Harley.
Never trust a pirate. The Blood Bell tolls, marking the death of the pirate king and the start of the Trials—a heart-stopping competition where the reward is the Bone Crown. Only one contender can claim the coveted island throne; each will gamble life and limb to win. Captain. Sister. Maiden. Csilla Abado yearns to prove her strength to the seasoned pirates who balk at her youth and to her elder sister who has always craved Csilla’s captainship. She will risk everything to become the first pirate queen, no matter the cost. Dealer. Son. Legacy. Kane Blackwater wants to leave behind the dirty gold and shady trades he’s made to keep his father’s ship, the Iron Jewel, alive. The Trials represent a new beginning—yet rumors of a secret heir are swirling, threatening his hopes of becoming the pirate king. Stowaway. Daughter. Storm. Lorelei Penny longs for nothing more than to avenge her mother’s death. Stowing away on the Iron Jewel was supposed to get her closer to the killer, but instead she finds herself caught up in the deadly battle where loyalty and desire collide. Csilla. Kane. Lorelei. Each on a mission. The sea, however, has other plans. Dark tides are rising, and if they aren’t careful, they’ll surely drown.
“An atmospheric, smart, often terrifying read” from the author of the Isles of Scilly Mysteries—now optioned for television (Louise Penny, #1 New York Times–bestselling author). Alice Quentin is a psychologist with some painful family secrets, but she has a good job, a good-looking boyfriend, and excellent coping skills, even when that job includes evaluating a convicted killer who’s about to be released from prison. One of the highlights of her day is going for a nice, long run around her beloved London—it’s impossible to fret or feel guilty about your mother or brother when you’re concentrating on your breathing—until she stumbles upon a dead body at a former graveyard for prostitutes, Crossbones Yard. The dead woman’s wounds are alarmingly similar to the signature style of Ray and Marie Benson, who tortured and killed thirteen women before they were caught and sent to jail. Five of their victims were never found. That was six years ago, and the last thing Alice wants to do is to enter the sordid world of the Bensons or anyone like them. But when the police ask for her help in building a psychological profile of the new murderer, she finds that the killer—and the danger to her and the people she cares about—may already be closer than she ever imagined. With gripping suspense and a terrific new heroine, Kate Rhodes’s Crossbones Yard introduces a powerful new voice in crime fiction. “A first novel by the British poet Kate Rhodes is a fast-moving, entertaining mix of sex, suspense and serial killings.” —The Washington Post
Every month, a ragtag group of Londoners gather in the site known as Crossbones Graveyard to commemorate the souls of medieval prostitutes believed to be buried there—the "Winchester Geese," women who were under the protection of the Church but denied Christian burial. In the Borough of Southwark, not far from Shakespeare's Globe, is a pilgrimage site for self-identified misfits, nonconformists, and contemporary sex workers who leave memorials to the outcast dead. Ceremonies combining raucous humor and eclectic spirituality are led by a local playwright, John Constable, also known as John Crow. His interpretation of the history of the site has struck a chord with many who feel alienated in present-day London. Sondra L. Hausner offers a nuanced ethnography of Crossbones that tacks between past and present to look at the historical practices of sex work, the relation of the Church to these professions, and their representation in the present. She draws on anthropological approaches to ritual and time to understand the forms of spiritual healing conveyed by the Crossbones rites. She shows that ritual is a way of creating the present by mobilizing the stories of the past for contemporary purposes.
William Sydney Porter known by his pen name O.Henry, was an American short story writer. His stories are known for their surprise endings. «Heart of the West» is a collection of humorous and sentimental stories of sheepherders, cowpunchers, trail cooks, prospectors, outlaws, and Texas Rangers offer the modern reader a window into the often mythologized American West. Perhaps refl ecting O. Henry’s own experience as a young man in the middle of nowhere, where women were few and far between, many of the stories are comic tales of romantic rivalry.
William Sydney Porter known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American short story writer. His wit and plot twists were adored by his readers, but often panned by the critics. "Collected Short Stories" is a collection of humorous and sentimental stories of sheepherders, cowpunchers, trail cooks, prospectors, outlaws, and Texas Rangers that offer the modern reader a window into American West. Perhaps reflecting O. Henry's own experience as a young man in the middle of nowhere, where women were few and far between, many of the stories are comic tales of romantic rivalry.
O. Henry's stories frequently have surprise endings. In his day, he was called the American answer to Guy de Maupassant. While both authors wrote plot twist endings, O. Henry stories were considerably more playful. His stories are also known for witty narration. Most of O. Henry's stories are set in his own time, the early 20th century. Many take place in New York City and deal for the most part with ordinary people: clerks, policemen, waitresses, etc. O. Henry's work is wide-ranging, and his characters can be found roaming the cattle-lands of Texas, exploring the art of the con-man, or investigating the tensions of class and wealth in turn-of-the-century New York. O. Henry had an inimitable hand for isolating some element of society and describing it with an incredible economy and grace of language. Some of his best and least-known work is contained in Cabbages and Kings, a series of stories each of which explores some individual aspect of life in a paralytically sleepy Central American town, while advancing some aspect of the larger plot and relating back one to another.
The Outlaws of the Wild West: 150+ Westerns in One Edition stands as a monumental anthology that explores the allure and the multifaceted nature of the American West through its most emblematic genre: the Western. Within its pages, readers are treated to a diverse array of literary styles, from the rugged realism of pioneer life to the mythmaking narratives of outlaws and heroes. This collection, unparalleled in its scope, showcases the evolution of Western literature over time, presenting seminal works alongside lesser-known gems, offering a comprehensive insight into the genre's development and its lasting impact on American culture. The inclusion of works by celebrated authors such as Mark Twain and Jack London alongside those by niche writers ensures a rich and varied reading experience, encapsulating the broad expanse of the Western narrative landscape. The collective backgrounds of the anthology's authors provide a vivid tapestry of the American literary canon. From Twains razor-sharp wit to Londons raw depiction of adversity and survival, and Cathers evocative portrayal of frontier life, the anthology spans a critical period in American history. These authors, hailing from diverse walks of life, bring authenticity and depth to their depiction of the West, reflecting the socio-political landscapes and cultural shifts of their respective eras. The anthology not only commemorates the traditional Western but also underscores the genres role in exploring themes of identity, conflict, and the American dream, echoing the complexity and contradictions of American society itself. The Outlaws of the Wild West: 150+ Westerns in One Edition offers readers an unparalleled opportunity to dive deep into the heart of American literary heritage. It appeals not only to aficionados of the Western genre but also to those keen on exploring the narratives that have shaped American identity and mythology. This anthology opens up a dialogue among a wide array of voices, each adding its unique perspective to the vast, untamed landscapes of the American West. As such, it is an essential read for anyone looking to grasp the full spectrum of American literary output, offering an educational journey through time and across the plains, mountains, and deserts that have inspired generations of storytellers.
