Englishman Lord Langsford is leaving California after an adventurous visit, but finds more excitement in a Dime Novel that he shares with his two fellow travelers on the train bound to New York: This is the embellished but true tale of Black Bart and Special Agent James B. Hume of Wells Fargo & Company. It's California gold country and the notorious Black Bart robs his twenty-eighth Wells Fargo Stagecoach. The stage driver shoves down the heavy cash box then whips his team into a gallop away from the gunslinger. When the outlaw dismounts his horse to gather up his loot, a rattler slinks onto the road and bites him through his boot. He shoots off its head, but his horse bolts, leaving him snake bit and on foot. The gold from the local mines is heavy. He must carry the bounty out of the Sierra Mountains or die trying. Special Agent James B. Hume of Wells Fargo & Company, a friend of Lord Langsford, has been after Black Bart for eight years. Now for the first time, Hume has some of the outlaw's possessions. He has to use his wits, but the gunslinger has nearly a week's head start. Can Hume catch the outlaw once and for all? Or will Black Bart escape to terrorize again?
For eight years Charles E. Boles lived a double life as Charles Bolton, mine owner and San Francisco man-about-town, and as Black Bart, poetry-writing stagecoach robber.
London’s social season is in full glory when Scotland Yard Inspector Frederick Abberline discovers an unidentified, well-dressed corpse down by the London docks. A widower for three years, Lord Langsford is in a dark place of his own. Although he is shocked by the murder of his gambling acquaintance, Edwin Percy, he is astounded when he realizes all clues point to him. He must solve the crime before Scotland Yard does or he, himself, will be accused. Langsford and Inspector Abberline, at odds with each other, independently race to identify the killer while the aristocrats and social elite attend dinners and balls. Even when Langsford is distracted by Grace Westfield, Percy’s wealthy and beautiful American fiancée, he must turn his attention back to his desperate quest to find the killer and avoid being arrested and hung for a crime he did not commit. In this exciting historical mystery, Lord Langsford must face dire facts about a murder while wrestling with his heart over a lady promised to another. “ ... ‘Expect the unexpected’ because Wasserman, in addition to being a superb writer, is very adept at pulling surprises out of the bag.” – Discovering Diamonds Reviews, UK
Spring 1887. Melting snowpack from the high Sierras will soon turn California’s Central Valley into lush fields, but an armed man with a Sharps rifle shut off a headwater gate to a water-ditch and stood guard. After an unexpected confrontation with Double B Ranch owner, Jake Sanders, along with ranch-hand Kacha, this gunman now lies dead and Jake along with wounded Kacha, are both jailed for murder. The unscrupulous lobbyist who ‘steals to get the office and who gets the office to steal,” Billy “Boss” Carr, claims to know nothing about the man or the situation, in spite of owning the land where the headwater gate is. Water is profitable for Carr, however, and he is aligned with both the prosecutor and judge. It is up to Jake’s wife, Sally, to find a way to prove Jake and Kacha’s innocence; the truth of the matter. But with these powerful men stacking the odds against her, can she? Or will she watch both men hanged? “Few writers can do what Wasserman has done: weave a historical thriller around the early battles over California water rights and the entrenched racism toward Blacks and the region’s Native Americans. Authentic characters enrich this crisp, exciting legal/thriller.” Pamela Sheppard, Publishing Consultant “A thrilling read, with twists and turns up until the very end.” Will Klipstine, Hollywood Screenwriter/Producer
“This is the most authoritative and highly literate account of these pernicious people that I have ever read.”—Patrick O'Brian “[A] wonderfully entertaining history of pirates and piracy . . . a rip-roaring read . . . fascinating and unexpected.”—Men's Journal This rollicking account of the golden age of piracy is packed with vivid history and high seas adventure. David Cordingly, an acclaimed expert on pirates, reveals the spellbinding truth behind the legends of Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Sir Francis Drake, the fierce female brigands Mary Read and Anne Bonny, and others who rode and robbed upon the world's most dangerous waters. Here, in thrilling detail, are the weapons they used, the ships they sailed, and the ways they fought—and were defeated. Under the Black Flag also charts the paths of fictional pirates such as Captain Hook and Long John Silver. The definitive resource on the subject, this book is as captivating as it is supremely entertaining. Praise for Under the Black Flag “[A] lively history . . . If you've ever been seduced by the myth of the cutlass-wielding pirate, consider David Cordingly's Under the Black Flag.”—USA Today, “Best Bets” “Engagingly told . . . a tale of the power of imaginative literature to re-create the past.”—Los Angeles Times “Entirely engaging and informative . . . a witty and spirited book.”—The Washington Post Book World “Plenty of thrills and adventure to satisfy any reader.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer
“A twisty, captivating, edge-of-your-seat read.” —Megan Miranda, bestselling author of All the Missing Girls “Creepy and oh so clever!” —Alice Feeney, bestselling author of Sometimes I Lie A woman is forced to question her own identity in this riveting and emotionally charged thriller by the blockbuster bestselling author of The Good Girl, Mary Kubica Jessie Sloane is on the path to rebuilding her life after years of caring for her ailing mother. She rents a new apartment and applies for college. But when the college informs her that her social security number has raised a red flag, Jessie discovers a shocking detail that causes her to doubt everything she’s ever known. Finding herself suddenly at the center of a bizarre mystery, Jessie tumbles down a rabbit hole, which is only exacerbated by grief and a relentless lack of sleep. As days pass and the insomnia worsens, it plays with Jessie’s mind. Her judgment is blurred, her thoughts are hampered by fatigue. Jessie begins to see things until she can no longer tell the difference between what’s real and what she’s only imagined. Meanwhile, twenty years earlier and two hundred and fifty miles away, another woman’s split-second decision may hold the key to Jessie’s secret past. Has Jessie’s whole life been a lie or have her delusions gotten the best of her? Don't miss Mary Kubica's chilling upcoming novel, She's Not Sorry, where an ICU nurse accidentally uncovers a patient's frightening past... Look for these other edge-of-your-seat thrillers by New York Times bestselling author Mary Kubica: The Good Girl Pretty Baby Don’t You Cry Every Last Lie The Other Mrs. Local Woman Missing Just The Nicest Couple She's Not Sorry
New York Times bestselling author and award-winning historian John Boessenecker separates fact from fiction in the first new biography in decades of Black Bart, the Wild West’s most mysterious gentleman bandit. Black Bart is widely regarded today as not only the most notorious stage robber of the Old West but also the best behaved. Over his lifetime, Black Bart held up at least twenty-nine stagecoaches in California and Oregon with mild, polite commands, stealing from Wells Fargo and the US mail but never robbing a passenger. Such behavior earned him the title of a true “gentleman bandit.” His real name was Charles E. Boles, and in the public eye, Charles lived quietly as a boulevardier in San Francisco, the wealthiest and most exciting city in the American West. Boles was an educated man who traveled among respectable crowds. Because he did not drink, fight or consort with prostitutes, his true calling as America’s greatest stage robber was never suspected until his final capture in 1883. Sheriffs searched and struggled for years to find him, and newspaper editors had a field day reporting his exploits. Legends and rumors trailed his name until his mysterious death, and his ultimate fate remains one of the greatest mysteries of the Old West. Now historian John Boessenecker sheds new light on Black Bart’s beginnings, reputation and exploits, bringing to life the glittering story of the mysterious stage robber who doubled as a rich, genteel socialite in the golden era of the Wild West.
Unleash the Power of Knowledge with Over 2000 Mind-Blowing Facts! Parents, are you looking for a way to spark your child's imagination, enhance their learning, and keep them entertained for hours on end? Look no further! "Amazing Facts Odyssey Vol. 2" is the perfect book to captivate young minds and fuel their thirst for knowledge. Here's why this incredible book is a must-have for your child's bookshelf: 1. An Exciting Journey Through History and Beyond From the pivotal moments of the 20th century to the groundbreaking achievements of the 21st, your child will embark on a fascinating journey through time. They'll discover the stories behind the Titanic's tragic voyage, the mysterious Tunguska event, Amelia Earhart's daring flights, and so much more. "Amazing Facts Odyssey Vol. 2" brings history to life, making learning an adventurous and engaging experience. 2. A World of Weird & Wonderful Records Does your child love the extraordinary and the bizarre? This book is packed with weird and wonderful world records that will leave them awe-struck. From the longest, shortest, biggest, and smallest of everything, these incredible feats will inspire your child to dream big and think outside the box. 3. Uncover the Mysteries of Mythology and Magic Dive into the captivating world of mythology and magic with chapters dedicated to ancient legends, mystical creatures, and magical movies. Your child will explore the fascinating stories of gods and heroes, uncover the secrets of ancient cultures, and be transported to enchanted realms where anything is possible. 4. Explore the Marvels of the Human Body and Animal Kingdom "Amazing Facts Odyssey Vol. 2" delves into the wonders of the human body, revealing astonishing facts about our anatomy and capabilities. Additionally, your child will be amazed by the shocking, weird, and strange facts about animals from around the globe. From the smallest insects to the largest mammals, the animal kingdom is full of surprises! 5. Blast Off to the Space Frontier Ignite your child's passion for space exploration with fascinating facts about the cosmos. They'll learn about pioneering astronauts, incredible space missions, and the mysteries of our universe. Who knows? This book might just inspire the next great astronaut or scientist! 6. Discover Emerging Tech Trends and Natural Phenomena Keep your child ahead of the curve with insights into emerging tech trends and unusual natural phenomena. From the latest advancements in technology to the breathtaking wonders of nature, "Amazing Facts Odyssey Vol. 2" will broaden their horizons and spark their curiosity about the world around them. 7. Encourage Critical Thinking and Intellectual Curiosity This book is not just about facts; it's about engaging your child's mind and encouraging them to think critically. Each chapter is designed to challenge their understanding of the world and inspire them to ask questions. It's a fantastic way to develop their intellectual curiosity and problem-solving skills.
Annotation National Geographic Traveler: California brings you the best of the Golden State, from its flashy film industry to its towering redwood trees. This is the essential guide to the most progressive, dynamic, and visited state in the country.
