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Reviewer's Choice
Harry Potter and the Cedarville Censors
Brian Meadors
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476674971, $29.95, PB, 217pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Cedarville-Censors-Precedent-Setting/dp/1476674973
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/harry-potter-and-the-cedarville-censors
Synopsis: In 2002, the Cedarville School Board in Crawford County, Arkansas, ordered the removal of J.K. Rowling's
Harry Potter books from library shelves, holding that "witchcraft or sorcery [should not] be available for study."
The School Board picked some formidable adversaries. School librarian Estella Roberts, standing on policy, had the books
reviewed (and unanimously approved) by a committee of teachers and administrators that included a child and a
parent.
Not satisfied with the School Board's half-measure permitting access to the books with parental approval, 4th-grader
Dakota Counts and her father Bill Counts sued the school district in Federal court, drawing on the precedent Pico v. Island
Trees to reaffirm that Constitutional rights apply to school libraries.
Written by Drian Meadors, the lawyer who prosecuted the case, "Harry Potter and the Cedarville Censors: Inside the
Precedent-Setting Defeat of an Arkansas Book Ban" details the origins of the book ban and the civil procedures and legal
arguments that restored the First Amendment in Cedarville.
Critique: Brilliantly written, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Harry Potter and the Cedarville
Censors: Inside the Precedent-Setting Defeat of an Arkansas Book Ban" by Brian Meadors must be considered essential
reading for anyone with concerns about the growing trend of book banning in school and public libraries for political,
religious, or racial discrimination motives on the part of book banners. "Harry Potter and the Cedarville Censors" is a
fascinating and informative case study in how to deal with those who deny to the neighbors the right to read whatever they
wished and for librarians to make their acquisition decisions on the basis of unbiased literary merit alone. While a highly
recommended (and essential) addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Censorship &
Constitutional Law collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia,
political activists, authors, publishers, and non-professional readers with an interest in the subject that this paperback
edition of "Harry Potter and the Cedarville Censors" from McFarland & Company is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $17.99).
Editorial Note: Brian Meadors (https://www.meadorslawfirm.com) is a former U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer. After
his naval service, he attended Georgetown University Law Center, graduating cum laude. He practiced in Washington, DC,
for a few years before moving to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he was a trial lawyer for ten years. He is currently in-house
counsel for a Fortune 500 corporation.
Your Story Told By Another
Stanley Livingstone
American Hegira
9780981871615, $23.99, PB, 374pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Story-Another-Stanley-Livingstone/dp/0981871615
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/your-story-told-by-another-stanley-livingstone/1148028679
Synopsis: With the publication of "Your Story Told by Another", Stanley Livingstone has written a story for readers who
enjoy exploring, who have imagination, who look forward to suspenseful conflicts that await them, who wonder what
unknown burdens they will bear, and who are spellbound by the mysterious forces that shall take them to destinations they
might have never known.
Exploring uncharted territory around you is uncomfortable, charting what is within can be outright painful. So, this
adventure is neither for the faint hearted nor the timid. There are many places in your life that you would rather not visit,
many low-lying marshes that are too embarrassing to share with another, many heights that you have crossed off to your
imagination. Yes, the path of "Your Story Told By Another" will take you to those forbidden lands, not to perish, but to
make it there and back.
No exploration is complete without its hidden treasure. And yes, you will find many golden keys to unlock treasures
untouched by those before you.
Perhaps, this exploration, with a change of settings, is your own story, told through another. It beseeches you to be honest
with yourself -- even if you can't share your secret missteps. For like Jacob, you too can be more than a survivor. You may
find within you the power to change your world!
Critique: Original, eloquent, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "Your Story Told By Another" showcases
the elegant and imaginative storytelling style of Stanley Livingstone. Exceptional, memorable, engaging, and thoroughly
'reader friendly' in tone and substance, "Your Story Told By Another" is a unique, special, and unreservedly recommended
addition to personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university library collections. This is the kind of book
that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after it has been finished and set back upon the shelf. It should
be noted for readers with an interest in philosophy, morality, and literary fiction that this paperback edition of "Your Story
Told By Another" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Stanley Livingstone has had a life long career as a physician, writer and social activist. His pen name
captures the vision of an enterprising explorer who not only seeks the unknown of external world, but more importantly
discovers the secret demons that inhabit the most impenetrable recesses of our individual minds, overcomes their snares
and forges new paths ahead.
The Art of the Book: 75 Years of Thames & Hudson
Anna Nyburg, contributor
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500028063, $90.00, HC, 400pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Book-Seventy-Five-Thames-Hudson/dp/0500028060
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-the-book-anna-nyburg/1148470464
Synopsis: In 1949, Walter and Eva Neurath founded Thames & Hudson with a clear aim: to make art and scholarship more
accessible through independent publishing that was prepared to risk being ahead of the curve. Seventy-five years later,
their original vision of creating a "museum without walls" still resonates. As well as publishing beautifully designed and
produced books in collaboration with the world's leading artists, writers, museums, cultural institutions, and fashion
houses, Thames & Hudson continues to evolve and innovate, remaining relevant and reflecting the times we live in.
This special publication, divided into three chronological chapters, provides a comprehensive view into the company's
history. An introduction and three essays by historian Anna Nyburg take us from its origins in Vienna on the cusp of World
War II to the 1960s and a change in management, and to the new millennium and beyond. Thames & Hudson's rich output
of groundbreaking and award-winning titles - ranging across the subjects of art, archaeology and architecture, history,
design, photography, and fashion - is celebrated in stunning pictorial spreads, as beautiful and compelling as the books
themselves.
The Art of the Book will be a valuable resource for those interested in the history of bookmaking and T&H's impact over
the years, and a must-have for collectors, enthusiasts, and anyone with an appreciation for the art and evolution of
publishing.
Critique: A massive compendium featuring 2,000 illustrations (with 1,800 being in color) this large format hardcover
edition of "The Art of the Book: 75 Years of Thames & Hudson" is a fascinating celebration showcasing the seventy-five
year book publishing history at Thames & Hudson and will be a special delight for bibliophiles, historians, art lovers, and
dedicated fans of Thames & Hudson books over the past seven and a half decades of quality publishing. Organized into
three chronological periods (Part 1, 1949-1967; Part 2, 1968-1999, Part 3, 2000-Present), the beautifully produced images,
accompanied by descriptive commentaries, is a tour-de-force of a premier publisher in the arts. A book to browse through
again and again, this beautifully published volume is an ideal Library Memorial Fund acquisition and unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Publishing History collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Anna Nyburg (https://ilcs.sas.ac.uk/people/dr-anna-nyburg) is an honorary lecturer at Imperial College
London. Following her PhD research on the history of refugee art publishers in Britain, she has published widely on the
subject, and co-produced a film on refugee designers (2017). She is also a committee member of the Research Centre for
German and Austrian Exile Studies, University of London, and is the author of Emigres: The Transformation of Art
Publishing in Britain.
Little Addictions
Catherine Gray
Aster
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781804193242, $24.99 PB, $10.99 Kindle, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Little-Addictions-Freedom-mighty-compulsions/dp/1804193240
Little Addictions: Freedom From Our Tiny But Mighty Compulsions surveys the smaller micro-addictions that have
notable impacts on home, relationships, and health. Catherine Gray does more than identify compulsions which range from
dopamine-hunting and phones to shopping and television, addressing the process of obtaining freedom and understanding
the changed life that stems from this process. The result is a handbook for living in a more mindful, positive manner that
teaches how to forego little addictions for big results. It's a self-help psychology survey that presents these achievements in
digestible exercises and routines anyone can follow - a big step towards a special form of freedom that few other self-help
approaches can match.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
City Lights
Gioia Woods
University of Nevada Press
www.unpress.nevada.edu
9781647792398, $59.95, PB, 306pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/City-Lights-Ferlinghetti-Biography-Bookstore/dp/1647792398
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/city-lights-gioia-woods/1147411409
Synopsis: On a San Francisco street corner in 1953, aspiring painter and poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti shook hands with
sociology instructor and magazine editor Peter Martin. Their handshake sealed Ferlinghetti's five-hundred-dollar
investment in a small retail space above a North Beach flower shop that would become City Lights Bookstore and
Press.
Since the mid-twentieth century, the bookstore and its press have continued to shape the way literature is produced and
consumed. As the first-ever all-paperback bookstore in the nation, sponsor of the Beat Movement and the San Francisco
Renaissance, home of the Pocket Poets series, torchbearer for free speech movements, and promoter of global comparative
literature and human rights, City Lights has continuously been at the avant-garde of literary experimentation and cultural
revolution.
Critique: Fascinating, informative, engaging, exceptionally well written, "City Lights: Lawrence Ferlinghetti and the
Biography of a Bookstore" is the seminal and absorbing history of an iconic bookstore, its press, and the inimitable
Lawrence Ferlinghetti. This must be considered essential reading for those whose favorite pastime is browsing through
independent bookshops and/or those who have an interest in learning the part that bookstores play within the publishing
industry and popular culture. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $56.95), this trade paperback edition of
"City Lights" from the University of Nevada Press is a unique and compelling pick for personal, professional, community,
and college/university library Book Publishing Industry, Journalist Biography collections, and supplemental
Censorship/Politics curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Gioia Woods (https://in.nau.edu/ethics/117-2/woods-bio) is Professor of Humanities and Chair of the
Department of Comparative Cultural Studies at Northern Arizona University. She is also the author of the Western Writers
Series monograph Gary Paul Nabhan, co-editor of Western Subjects: Autobiographical Writing in the North American
West, and editor of Left in the West: Literature, Culture, and Progressive Politics in the American West.
The Education Shelf
Equitable Grading Unlocked
Howard Yank and Maika Yeigh, authors
ASCD
www.ascd.org
9781416634058, $33.95, PB, 175pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Equitable-Grading-Unlocked-Practical-Strategies/dp/1416634053
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/equitable-grading-unlocked-howard-yank/1148551596
Synopsis: Though many resources provide the rationale for grading reform, few offer the day-to-day strategies necessary
for success. With the publication of "Equitable Grading Unlocked: Practical Strategies from the Classroom", co-authors
and veteran educators Howard Yank and Maika Yeigh help you reimagine grading so it fosters motivation, cultivates a
positive mindset, and builds cultural responsiveness.
Along the way, they show how you can anticipate and overcome common challenges, provide realistic and practical
options for grading reform, and transform your classroom into a space where students take ownership of their
learning.
In "Equitable Grading Unlocked", you will discover how to:
Uncouple practice from grading without sacrificing student engagement.
Provide valuable feedback students actually use to improve their work.
Create transparent rubrics and track progress efficiently.
Implement retakes and redos that genuinely support learning.
Handle late work without punitive policies that harm struggling students.
Enhance your gradebook to accurately reflect student learning.
Build schoolwide consistency in equitable grading practices.
Each chapter combines research-backed rationale with hard-won wisdom from educators across subjects and grade levels.
You'll find specific protocols and scenarios that showcase the real experiences of teachers who have already navigated
these waters - complete with their mistakes, breakthroughs, and refined approaches.
Whether you're just beginning to question traditional grading or are already implementing reforms, this book helps you
create a classroom where every student can succeed -- not because standards are lowered but because learning finally takes
center stage.
Critique: This trade paperback edition (7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d), 9.6 ounces) of "Equitable Grading Unlocked: Practical
Strategies from the Classroom" is an ideal instructional guide for school district in-service training workshops, as well as
college/university Classroom Education curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for teacher education students,
academia, school district administrators, K-12 classroom teachers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that "Equitable Grading Unlocked: Practical Strategies from the Classroom" from ASCD is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $32.25).
Editorial Note #1: Howard Yank is faculty emeritus at Portland State University's College of Education and brings more
than 25 years of secondary teaching experience across California, Oregon, Washington, and international schools in Latin
America. From the outset of his career, Howard has been committed to social justice and inquiry-based learning. As a
curriculum administrator, instructional coach, and teacher mentor, Howard has advanced equitable practices in schools
throughout the United States and Mexico. Howard taught in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile, and his articles have appeared
in the Feminist Press, NEA Today, California Monthly, and Oregon Education. He is the co-author of Equitable Grading
Unlocked.
Editorial Note #2: Maika Yeigh is an associate professor in the Graduate School of Education & Counseling at Lewis &
Clark College, where she works with teacher candidates seeking initial licensure. Many passions feed her work as a teacher
educator: preparing teachers who are ready to meet the needs of learners, improving clinical preparation practices for
novice teachers, and supporting teachers as they develop and implement humane assessment practices. She is also the
managing editor of the Northwest Journal of Teacher Education, is the president of the Oregon Association of Teacher
Education, has published articles in regional and national journals, and is the co-author of Equitable Grading
Unlocked.
Teacher, Take Care
Jennifer E. Lawson, editor
Portage & Main Press
https://www.portageandmainpress.com
9781774920299, $32.00, HC, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Teacher-Take-Care-Well-Being-Workplace/dp/1774920298
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/teacher-take-care-cher-brasok/1140842324
Synopsis: Teaching can be a highly satisfying profession, but it can also be overwhelming. Stress management. Self-care.
Mental well-being. Mindfulness. These words have become all too familiar, but what do they actually mean for you? And
how can they help without adding to your to-do list?
All teachers have different experiences and different needs. Through stories by diverse educators, compiled and edited by
Jennifer E. Lawson, "Teacher, Take Care: A Guide to Well-Being and Workplace Wellness for Educators" is a
professional resource invites teachers at all grade levels to try different wellness strategies, explore varying perspectives,
and consider new ideas of what it means to "be well".
Grounded in servant leadership and a holistic model, each chapter comprising "Teacher, Take Care: A Guide to
Well-Being and Workplace Wellness for Educators" connects to Indigenous perspectives of wellness through remarks
from Elder Stanley Kipling and Knowledge Keeper Richelle North Star Scott.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, 'real world practical', and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation,
"Teacher, Take Care: A Guide to Well-Being and Workplace Wellness for Educators" address an urgent need in view of
the very high levels of 'teacher burnout" being experienced in schools and school districts all over the United States in
these troubled times of classroom violence, active shooter drills, under-funding, overcrowding, and chronic
under-appreciation. While this trade paperback edition of 'Teacher, Take Care: A Guide to Well-Being and Workplace
Wellness for Educators" from Portage & Main Press is especially and unreservedly recommended for school district
in-service training curriculums and college/university library Education Stress Management & Methodology collections
and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of educators, school board
members, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Teacher, Take Care: A Guide to
Well-Being and Workplace Wellness for Educators" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$14.75).
Editorial Note: Dr. Jennifer Elizabeth Lawson (https://www.jenniferelawson.com) is the creator of the Hands-On books
published by Portage & Main Press. As senior writer and editor for the series, she has contributed to more than 50
publications for teachers and students. Jennifer provides professional development workshops for educators locally,
nationally, and virtually, and is a Workplace Wellness Advisor. Her most recent book is a collective effort called Teacher,
Take Care: A Guide to Well-Being and Workplace Wellness for Educators. She is also one of the founders of Mission to
Mexico, an organization that supports schools in some of the most impoverished communities in Puerto Vallarta.
Throughout her extensive career in education, Jennifer has worked as a classroom teacher, resource and special education
teacher, and consultant.
The Cookbook Shelf
Centerpiece
Helen Graham
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781783256549, $32.99, HC, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Centerpiece-vibrant-recipes-vegetables-spotlight/dp/1783256540
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/centrepiece-helen-graham/1148294740
Synopsis: Drawing inspiration from the rich flavors of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Helen Graham's
Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, "Centerpiece: Bold, vibrant recipes to put vegetables in the spotlight" features 100 inventive,
vegetable-based recipes that will transform your table. With accessible ingredients and simple methods, Helen's
flavor-packed combinations of spices, herbs and sauces elevate vegetables into something truly showstopping.
Contents includes:
The Meal Before the Meal, including Mushrooms with Tamari & Pomegranate Skewers and Halloumi-Ricotta Fritters with
Spiced Lemon 'Honey'
The Main Event, including Harissa Roast Carrots, Mango Labneh & Mint and Hispi Cabbage with Date Butter &
Tahini
On the Side, including Potato Salad with Basil Zhoug & Coconut Crunch and Hawaij Roast Potatoes with Preserved
Lemon Roast Shallots
Something Sweet, including Za'atar & Cherry Chocolate Refrigerator Cake Bars and Poppy Seed & Orange Blossom
Babka
Critique: Published in a large format (7.75 x 0.81 x 10 inches, 1.98 pounds) hardcover edition from Hamlyn and
beautifully illustrated throughout with full page color photos of finished dishes, "Centerpiece: Bold, vibrant recipes to put
vegetables in the spotlight" is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal, family, professional, and
community library Vegetarian/Vegan cookbook collections. Each recipe notes how many servings it will make, the
ingredients required, the step-by-step preparation steps to take. Ideal for menu planning for all formal and informal dining
occasions, it should be noted that "Centerpiece: Bold, vibrant recipes to put vegetables in the spotlight" is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note: Helen Graham was Executive Chef at the London restaurant Bubala for 5 years, following working at
critically acclaimed restaurants the Palomar and the Barbary, as well as the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen.
(www.greatbritishchefs.com/chefs/helen-graham)
School of Wok: Jeremy Pang's Chinese Kitchen
Jeremy Pang
Hamlyn
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9780600638131, $29.99, HC, 208pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/School-Wok-Chinese-Techniques-Delicious/dp/0600638138
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/school-of-wok-jeremy-pang/1148585608
Synopsis: With the publication of "School of Wok: Jeremy Pang's Chinese Kitchen", even the most novice of kitchen
cooks will discover how to make the best Chinese food at home with this as their essential guide. Filled with step-by-step
techniques and irresistible recipes, 'School of Wok's' chef Jeremy Pang shows, step-b-step, how to master Chinese cooking
essentials and perfect cooking technique.
The recipes comprising "School of Wok: Jeremy Pang's Chinese Kitchen" include:
Chapter 1: Stir-Frying
Garlic & egg-fried rice, Hong Kong style fried noodles, Stir-fried Sichuan chicken
Chapter 2: Deep-Frying
Shiitake & chive dumplings, Salt & pepper chilli squid, Classic sweet & sour pork
Chapter 3: Steaming
Steamed aubergine with spring onion & garlic dressing, Steamed stuffed tofu with soy dressing, Clay-pot chicken &
mushroom rice
Chapter 4: Poaching & Braising
Grandma's 'Lionhead' meatballs, Poached Hainanese chicken rice with ginger oil, Braised beef brisket soup
Chapter 5: Roasting & Double-Cooking
Cantonese roast duck legs, Crispy pork belly, Stir-fried green beans with chilli hoisin
Chapter 6: Salads, Pickles & Sides
Flash-fried morning glory, Stir-fried pea shoots with garlic, Glazed Chinese greens with oyster sauce
Of special note is the 'Wok Clock' -- a way of arranging your ingredients in the order in which you will introduce them to
the recipe. You start at 12 and then work your way round the clock, so all the ingredients are included in the recipe. The
Wok Clock has been a used as a simple guide to preparation so you're ready and organized before you start a recipe.
Critique: This large format, hardcover edition of "School of Wok: Jeremy Pang's Chinese Kitchen" is beautifully and
inspirationally illustrated throughout with full page color photos of finished dishes. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in
organization and presentation, "School of Wok: Jeremy Pang's Chinese Kitchen" is an eloquent and authentic resource for
menu planning for all occasions. While a high value and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, family,
professional, and community library Asian/Chinese cookbook collections, it should be noted that this edition of "School of
Wok: Jeremy Pang's Chinese Kitchen" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).
Editorial Note: Cookbook author and TV chef Jeremy Pang comes from three generations of Chinese chefs. Over the years,
Jeremy's expertise in the Chinese food industry has continued to gain him recognition, winning both Rising Young Star
and Best Specialist Cookery School at the British Cookery School Awards 2015. Since then, his recipes and work have
been featured in a wide variety of publications, including Guardian, Independent, The Sunday Times, Delicious & BBC
Good Food. Jeremy has made regular TV appearances, including Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, ITV's Ainsley's Food We
Love, Nadiya's Family Favourites and Ready, Steady, Cook. He has built an award-winning specialist cookery school in
London called School of Wok. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Pang)
Eggs: All Day, Every Way
Tove Nilsson
Tra Publishing
www.trapublishing.com
9781962098335, $29.95, HC, 224pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Eggs-All-Every-Recipes-Techniques/dp/1962098338
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eggs-tove-nilsson/1147934801
Synopsis: How do you boil an egg so the yolk stays perfectly creamy? What causes it to coagulate? And what happens
when you slowly whisk in oil? An ode to the egg in all its forms, "Eggs: All Day, Every Way" by Chef Tove Nilsson is
specialty cookbook that cracks open the techniques and recipes that make the humble egg the most versatile ingredient in
your kitchen.
"Eggs: All Day, Every Way" by is is a book about eggs. They play a starring role in some of the world's tastiest dishes: egg
noodles, shakshuka, huevos rancheros, Scotch eggs, eggs Benedict, tea eggs, egg custard, and the classic French omelette
-- perfectly smooth and firm on the outside, creamy and tender within.
Within this extensive compendium of egg themed recipes you' will find the techniques and know-how you need to master
these recipes and more, from boiled and poached eggs to souffles, ramens, and tartars. With dishes like these, you can, if
you want, eat eggs with every meal. And you do.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated throughout with full color photos of finished dishes, "Eggs: All Day, Every Way" by Chef
Tove Nilsson is 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation with a 38 page section dedicated to the 'Basics' of
cooking with eggs, followed by DIY recipes that are ideal for planning menus and meals for Breakfast/Brunch, Small
Dishes/Snacks, Classics, Mains, and Sweets/Cocktails. Fun and inspiring to browse through and plan memorable meals
with, this hardcover edition of "Eggs: All Day, Every Way" from Tra Publishing is highly recommended and will prove to
be a valued addition to personal, professional, and community library Speciality/Eggs cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Tove Nilsson (https://skarpagent.com/artist/tove-nilsson) is a chef and food writer. Ever since Tove ate her
first huevos rancheros in New York, she has wanted to make a book about eggs -- and now she has!
The World History Shelf
A History of the Thai Chinese
Jeffery Sng and Pimpraphai Bisalputra, authors
Tuttle Publishing
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9780804859035, $24.99, PB, 640pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/History-Thai-Chinese-Jeffery-Sng/dp/0804859035
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-history-of-thai-chinese-jeffery-sng/1147812840
Synopsis: Thai Chinese (also known as Chinese Thais, Sino-Thais) are people of Chinese descent in Thailand. Thai
Chinese are the largest mixed group in the country and the largest overseas Chinese community in the world with a
population of approximately 9.5 million people, accounting for 11 to 14 percent of the country's total population as of
2012. It is also one of the oldest and most prominently integrated overseas Chinese communities, with a history dating
back to the 1100s. Slightly more than half of the ethnic Chinese population in Thailand trace their ancestry to Chaoshan,
proven by the prevalence of the Teochew dialect among the Chinese community in Thailand as well as other Chinese
languages. The term as commonly understood signifies those whose ancestors immigrated to Thailand before 1949.
(Wikipedia)
For many centuries, Chinese migrated to the ports, cities and provinces of Thailand. These immigrants included traders,
skilled laborers, adventurers and the near-destitute who dreamed of a better life. Over time, they came to form one of the
largest and most influential diasporas in the world. From tin mining to railway-building to rice trading, their skills helped
the country develop and prosper. Some came to advise Thai monarchs, intermarry, and run businesses integral to the
economy. One son of a Chinese father and Thai mother even became king.
This community overcame many personal, cultural and social challenges to eventually become an integral part of almost
all the kingdom's affairs all the way through to the present day. Co-authored by Jeffery Sng and Pimpraphai Bisalputra, "A
History of the Thai Chinese" tells the extraordinary history of the Thai-Chinese.
Critique: Jeffery Sng and Pimpraphai Bisalputra have dedicated much of their lives to the study of Chinese and Thai
history and in their seminal and groundbreaking study, "A History of the Thai Chinese" they draw upon their years of
meticulous research and academic studies to produce an impressively 'reader friendly' and exceptionally well written
history. Original, exceptional, informative, and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, this paperback edition of
"A History of the Thai Chinese" from Tuttle Publishing is a strongly recommended and singular pick for personal,
professional, community, and college/university library Southeast Asia and China/Tibet history collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Jeffrey Sng studied philosophy and literature at Singapore University then attended Cornell University for
postgraduate studies at the Institute of Southeast Asian studies. He has lived in Bangkok for over 30 years, writing articles
about the Chinese Diaspora, the Thai Chinese business community, Chinatown and many other topics.
Editorial Note #2; Pimpraphai Bisalputra graduated from the London School of Economics and attended Cornell for her
postgraduate studies. She has published extensively on the Chinese in Thailand. The pair previously collaborated on the
book Bencharong & Chinawares in the Court of Siam, The Surat Osathanugrah Collections.
Black Meridian
Sean Patrick Sayers
www.seanpatricksayers.com
Independently Published
9798317827984, $4.99 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Meridian-Piracy-History-Written-ebook/dp/B0GHSLTSYP
Black Meridian: Piracy & Empire is a sweeping history of piracy and pirates that is highly recommended to any readers
looking for epic, exciting reading filled with the facts of nonfiction and the passionate flavor of action-filled fiction. Sean
Patrick Sayers tackles four centuries of history in chronicling how pirates, rulers, criminals, and politics intersected on the
high seas to result in worldwide struggles for dominance.
He embeds this complex history with elements of drama and discovery that will lend to an appreciation of forces
influencing all sides, employing language that is vivid in its descriptions of intersecting political ambition: "Ching Shih
argued her case forcefully. She likely invoked the Emperor's benevolence and the chance for his government to peacefully
rid the seas of the pirate menace. She assured them that the pirates under her command would abide by the law henceforth,
if given the chance to make an honest living. The Governor General, meanwhile, was under immense pressure to end the
pirate war. Each day the blockade and the naval operations continued was a drain on the imperial treasury and a risk of
further embarrassments. He had tens of thousands of pirates bottled up and desperate, if negotiations failed and the pirates
fought to the death, the coast would bleed for months more, and victory was still not guaranteed. And if by some ill fate the
pirates slipped the noose, the whole nightmare would begin again."
Especially notable are the passages where pirates and privateers are created from circumstance, ambition, and events that
influence their development and choices: "Only a few years before, the man now known as Blackbeard had been just
another sailor seeking fortune amid the gunpowder chaos of empire. Born in England, Bristol by some accounts, Teach
went to sea as a young man, learning the mariner's trade and the art of war in Queen Anne's War. When that war ended in
1713, thousands of privateers were cast adrift with little more than their hunger and their guns. Teach was among them, a
seasoned privateer without a cause, an Englishman far from home in a West Indies suddenly at peace. But peace was not a
method in those waters. The merchants and governors called it piracy when these unemployed fighting men continued
taking prizes for themselves."
From how alliances are built around the world to chronicles of significant naval battles, national coalitions, the myths and
realities surrounding piracy and slave traders, and the methods and influences of notable pirates, the story offers many
revealing insights that will educate even readers who come to the story with much pirate history under their belts: "In
Blackbeard's decision one can read the pirate's pragmatism, he neither slaughtered the captives nor particularly saved them,
they were simply not his concern except insofar as they affected his speed and profit."
Black Meridian: Piracy & Empire is very highly recommended to libraries interested in world history, individuals who like
their histories steeped in a sense of people and influences, and even those who may hold little prior interest in piracy, but
look for action-packed epic reading. These audiences will find Black Meridian: Piracy & Empire a delightful standout,
perfect for individual or book club pursuit and hard to put down.
The Military History Shelf
Then All Hell Broke Loose: The Odyssey of a Marine Corps Photographer in Vietnam
Dennis Fisher
Stackpole Books
c/o Globe Pequot
https://www.globepequot.com
9780811777605, $29.95, PB, 190pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Then-All-Hell-Broke-Loose/dp/081177760X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/then-all-hell-broke-loose-dennis-fisher/1147036165
Synopsis: The USNS Hugh J. Gaffey dropped anchor at 1430 hours on December 27, 1966, under an overcast sky at Da
Nang, Vietnam. Standing on deck and taking his first look at Vietnam was PFC Dennis Irwin Fisher, a newly minted
Marine infantry rifleman. A snafu on his orders would send him to the Headquarters 1st Marine Division personnel office
as "unassigned" and from there to the Division Security Platoon. As fate would have it, the Security Platoon hooches were
just a short walk from the 1st Division Photo Lab.
After six months of effort and agreeing to extend his tour of duty for an additional six months, Lance Corporal Fisher was
transferred to Division Photo and assigned a secondary MOS as a 4631 combat still photographer. His training as an
infantryman, position as a combat photographer, and his civilian training as a photojournalist provided him with a unique
skill set and vantage point from which to record the actions of the Marines during the heaviest fighting of the Vietnam
War.
"Then All Hell Broke Loose: The Odyssey of a Marine Corps Photographer in Vietnam" follows the young Marine
photographer through seven large operations and numerous smaller actions, his wounding and two-month hospital stay,
and his return to Vietnam just as the Tet Offensive broke out.
Fisher's photographs display the trials and tribulations of combat and the humanity of the men fighting day in and day out.
Some have been featured by the National Archives for their insightful depictions of the Vietnam War, but most are
published here for the first time, presenting a unique and dramatic view of this generation-defining conflict.
Critique: A unique visual history of a combat photographer's experiences during the Viet Nam war, "Then All Hell Broke
Loose: The Odyssey of a Marine Corps Photographer in Vietnam" by Dennis I. Fisher is an extraordinary and fascinating
read from start to finish. This large format (7 x 0.6 x 10 inches, 13 ounces) paperback edition from Stackpole Books is a
very special and highly recommended acquisition for personal, professional, community, and college/university library
Viet Nam War History and Combat Photographer collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted
that "Then All Hell Broke Loose" is also readily available to interested readers in a digital book format (Kindle,
$21.99).
Editorial Note: Dennis Fisher served three years in the U.S. Marine Corps, rising to the rank of sergeant. He is a
photographer whose career has spanned nearly sixty years, from study under the former executive editor of Life magazine
to work with the Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force. His work has been featured by the National Archives. He
lives near Battle Ground, Washington just across the river from Portland, Oregon and continues to be active in
photography.
The Road to Cisterna: Darby's Rangers and Their Most Consequential Battle in World War II
David Lyle Williams
Louisiana State University Press
https://lsupress.org
9780807185032, $44.95, HC, 400pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Road-Cisterna-Darbys-Rangers-Consequential/dp/0807185035
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-road-to-cisterna-david-lyle-williams/1147269223
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Road to Cisterna: Darby's Rangers and Their Most Consequential Battle in World
War II", David Lyle Williams tells the story of Darby's Rangers, an elite American army unit in World War II, selected for
toughness and specially trained in beach landings and lightning raids deep behind enemy lines.
Commanded by Colonel William Orlando Darby, the 1st Ranger Battalion spearheaded landings in North Africa and
helped defeat German general Erwin Rommel (the Desert Fox) in Tunisia. Its success inspired the creation of two more
battalions led by Darby in the invasions of Sicily and the Italian mainland.
The Rangers' record of victories ended in central Italy at the Battle of Cisterna, where a force of almost sixty thousand
Germans wiped them out. The German forces captured all but a few of the survivors, but many Rangers made daring
escapes from prisoner-of-war camps.
Of the Rangers who fought that battle, forty-six tell their stories in this book.
For this World War II military history David Lyle Williams spent over two decades collecting the memories of Darby
Rangers, enabling him to compile an unprecedentedly thorough history of the unit. Unlike previous accounts, more than
160 Rangers speak here in their own words and voices, giving an intimate picture of their combat experiences, enabling the
reader to know them as individuals.
Critique: Enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of B/W illustrations, a Foreword by Warren 'Bing' Evans, a
listing of Military Rank abbreviations, and Epilogue (Rangers Come Home), and an Afterword, "The Road to Cisterna:
Darby's Rangers and Their Most Consequential Battle in World War II" is a seminal and groundbreaking study told in the
voices of surviving Rangers. An unreservedly recommended addition to the growing library of World War II military
histories, it should also be noted for personal reading lists, community and college/university library collections that this
hardcover edition of "The Road to Cisterna: Darby's Rangers and Their Most Consequential Battle in World War II" from
Louisiana State University Press is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.95).
Editorial Note #1: David Lyle Williams (https://theroadtocisterna.com) is a former U.S. Army officer (1967 - 1969). He
has a PhD in wood science and worked for fifty years in the forest products industry.
Editorial Note #2: The United States Army Rangers are U.S. Army personnel who have served in any unit which has held
the official designation of "Ranger". The term is commonly used to include graduates of the Ranger School, even if they
have never served in a "Ranger" unit, because Army regulations and special qualification identifier (SQI) codes provide
that the only requirement to earn the "Title: Ranger" is that a soldier "must successfully complete the appropriate training
at the Infantry School. (Wikipedia)
The Wildlife Shelf
Bird, Nest & Egg: The Homes of Forty Extraordinary Species
Walter De Raedt, author
Joris de Raedt, illustrator
Rizzoli
https://www.rizzoliusa.com
9780847875900, $45.00
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Bird-Nest-Egg-Extraordinary-Species/dp/0847875903
Synopsis: A delightful, warmhearted book about home and nesting perfect for bird lovers, naturalists, and anyone charmed
by the coziness of a snug nest.
This book is meticulously designed as a large-format visual portfolio of the world's most distinctive birds, whose nesting
behavior and natural beauty are celebrated in beautifully detailed graphite and watercolor illustrations - all based on actual
field studies. The exquisitely detailed bird, nest, and egg portraits are framed by details that include building techniques,
materials, egg characteristics (shapes, colors, and number in a clutch), hatchlings and chicks, and parenting behaviors.
Nowhere is avian ingenuity more beautifully expressed than in the construction of nests. The book is organized into
chapters based on species' nesting techniques: South America's crested oropendola, whose intricate, pendulous, sphere-like
nests hang in trees like holiday ornaments; Arizona's ferruginous pygmy owl, whose nests are hidden in vicious yet
protective thorns and bristles of giant saguaro cacti; and peregrine falcons, who scrape out a shallow depression called an
eyrie in the sides of cliffs or - in urban settings - ledges on skyscrapers.
This beautiful book celebrates the very idea of making a warm, cozy home. It is also a timely reminder of the diversity,
beauty, and ingenuity of the avian world.
Critique: Bird, Nest & Egg: The Homes of Forty Extraordinary Species is a beautiful coffee table book by ornithologist
Walder De Raedt, with striking in full color artwork by scientific illustrator Joris De Raedt. Forty different avian species
are presented, each with an text overview of their life cycle and captivating illustrations of their nests, eggs, chicks, and
adults. Thoroughly accessible to browsers of all backgrounds, Bird, Nest & Egg: The Homes of Forty Extraordinary
Species is a joy to page through, highly recommended.
The Biography/Memoir Shelf
Passion and Power: A Life in Three Worlds
Harriet Newman Cohen
Bloomsbury Academic
c/o Bloomsbury Publishing
www.bloomsbury.com
9798765164679, $38.00, HC, 280pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Power-Life-Three-Worlds/dp/B0F7H154N4
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/passion-and-power-harriet-newman-cohen/1147446255
Synopsis: "Passion and Power: A Life in Three Worlds" is about the life and career of Harriet Newman Cohen, one of the
nation's most celebrated divorce attorneys, as she navigated the male-dominated legal world from the 1970s to today.
This sweeping narrative (written with the assistance of David Feinberg) details Harriet's journey through three worlds:
raising a family at a time when men held all the power, graduating from law school on the cusp of the "divorce revolution",
and re-fighting old battles over women's rights in today's time of reaction of retrenchment.
The frankness with which Harriet relates her own experience is matched by equally candid insights into how a legal system
that often rewards bad behavior and irrational decision-making shapes the culture at large and impacts those trying to
navigate their way towards a better life.
Writing with candor and humor, Harriet describes her encounters with celebrities, mentors, notable judges, allies, and
adversaries. She examines many cases but describes three in almost novelistic detail, all drawn from her own
practice-including her pivotal role in the "Case of a Lifetime", the focus of the three-part documentary HBO series Nuclear
Family (2021).
Harriet is equally honest about the business side of the law-the financial cost and psychological burden these proceedings
impose on families and the sometimes-heartbreaking collateral damage.
"Passion and Power" illuminates both a singular life and the legal and social revolution that changed, in fundamental ways,
the sexual, financial, and cultural norms governing the most intimate relations between men and women.
Critique: Told with a remarkable candor, "Passion and Power: A Life in Three Worlds" is a simply fascinating and deeply
personal story offering experience and insight, drama and life lessons. Articulate, exceptional, memorable, "Passion and
Power" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community, and college/university library Contemporary
American Women biography and memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover
edition of "Passion and Power" from Bloomsbury Academic is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$34.20).
Editorial Note: At 92 years old and still a formidable presence in New York's matrimonial courts, Harriet Newman Cohen
embodies what she calls the "three lives" of her career, and now, chronicled them all with the publication of "Passion and
Power: A Life in Three Worlds" - a professional autobiography, a portrait of changing social mores around marriage and
divorce, and a deeply personal reckoning with the legal system's role in the most intimate corners of our lives.
Staring Down A Hundred Years
John P. Derr
TriMark Press
www.TriMarkPress.com
9798993666815, $17.95, PB, 82pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Staring-Down-Hundred-Years-John/dp/B0G8LSQS94
Synopsis: Retired Naval Commander John P. Derr's observations comprising "Staring Down A Hundred Years" are culled
from both life on the high seas and many places on Earth, all beginning from a rural lifestyle on a farm in north Idaho.
His views on a variety of subjects include reading for self-improvement, significance of the number five, and hurricane
storm protection, among other interesting notes. He also provides worthwhile advice; among his tips for better living: If
one is not prepared to be wrong, then never say anything.
Critique: Informative, insightful, extraordinary, exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Staring Down A
Hundred Years" is an inherently fascinating memoir that is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and
college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections -- as well as the personal reading lists
for anyone with an interest in an interesting life lived out in interesting times.
Editorial Note: John Patrick Derr arrived with the 1929 worldwide depression, but that did not slow him down. In northern
Idaho on his family farm, when he finished milking cows, driving horses for farm work, picking up potatoes or cutting
down trees, he knew that farm life was not his future. After graduating from a small community high school in Sandpoint,
Idaho, he gained an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, where he graduated in
1952. He served as a Naval officer for twenty-six years on six combatant ships and five shore stations. His sub-specialty
was communications and electronics. His service to our culture continued with a ten-year job in Charlotte County, Florida,
as the Emergency Management Director. He earned a United States Coast Guard 100 Ton Master's License, near shore, and
American Sailing Association certification, including celestial navigation. He worked with local charter agents to teach
sailing, week-long trips all over South Florida and the Caribbean on large sail or power boats and boat deliveries.
The General Fiction Shelf
Mountain Home
Grace Zacaroli
https: //www.gracelzacaroli.com
Palmetto Publishing
https://www.palmettopublishing.com
9798318800153, $21.99, PB, 514pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Home-Grace-Zacaroli/dp/B0G8SXJ3B7
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mountain-home-grace-zacaroli/1148985709
Synopsis: In a quest for family and identity, four travelers confront darkness and danger, forging deeper bonds and
strengthening their resilience. As they navigate multiple trials, they learn the power of hope, healing, and community in a
world fraught with challenges.
Danat, Solomon, Jonah, and Asbat embark on a perilous journey to find Solomon's paternal family, leaving behind their
community and entering the unknown.
To reach their destination, they must traverse a treacherous land ruled by a tyrant, where they face physical and spiritual
challenges that test their limits.
Danat, imprisoned and on the brink of death, makes an unexpected connection and discovers a new source of peace.
Meanwhile, Solomon must overcome fear, uncertainty, and grief to follow his own calling. As he meets these challenges
and learns more about his origins, his identity and leadership begin to emerge.
Venturing deeper into the mountains, Solomon, Jonah, and Asbat encounter new cultures and learn about his father's
legacy and the rich history of his people. Solomon then faces a pivotal choice: to remain with his newfound family or
return to the town that shaped him.
Critique: An extraordinary and deeply engaging novel that will hold a special appeal for readers with an interest in well
told tales enriched with psychological drama, action and adventure, "Mountain Home" by Grace Zacaroli is a fun and
fascinating read from cover to cover. With a genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative driven storytelling style
that captures the reader's imagination in a way that makes her characters resonate in the mind and memory long after the
book has been finished and set back upon shelf, "Mountain Home" is a solid pick for community/public library
Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this paperback edition of
"Mountain Home" from Palmetto Publishing is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Editorial Note: Grace Zacaroli (https: //www.gracelzacaroli.com) is a retired psychotherapist who has
worked as a reiki master, rebirther, yoga instructor, and intuitive health practitioner. With multiple degrees and a vested
interest in helping people find their journeys toward well-being.
Passages: A Voyage from War to Peace
P. K. Edgewater
https://www.pkedgewater.com
PK Edgewater Publishing
9798992902600, $17.99, PB, 234pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Passages-Voyage-Peace-P-K-Edgewater/dp/B0FBS569TS
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/passages-p-k-edgewater/1147843084
Synopsis: Miko, the precocious son of a Greek fisherman, has weathered an indecisive path to adulthood in medicine and
psychiatry... or has he? Dormant in his soul is a muse for writing and a smoldering guilt of abandoning his father. His
training trajectory finds him in Tulsa, USA, of all places, where a 2 a.m. hospital admission, the aging, drunk, and
potentially violent Vietnam veteran AJ becomes the young physician's patient. A metaphysical quirk awaits them.
Unwitting confidants in the quest to understand what each is missing, the two trade insights best borne from meeting the
other where he is. AJ is a prisoner of the exhilarating echoes of a confusing war; Miko suppresses his own psychological
turmoil while exposing that of others.
A chance meeting of their wives leads to a bond kept hidden under norms of confidentiality. Each woman finds something
of themselves in the other and the moxie to withstand battles in their own marriages, on their own terms.
Why AJ was brought to the hospital by the police that night pits a sense of duty against self-destruction. Why was there but
a single round in his Luger that night?
In his novel, "Passages: A Voyage from War to Peace", author P. K. Edgewater takes aim at our enigmatic humanity. Each
of us is the hero in his or her own life, a contrast of magnificence and flaws, navigating the complexity of principles and
barriers as best one can.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and of compelling interest to readers favoring military themed psychological fiction,
"Passages: A Voyage from War to Peace" showcases author P. K. Edgewater's remarkable and narrative driven storytelling
skills. Especially impressive when considering that it is Edgewater's debut as a novelist, "Passages: A Voyage from War to
Peace" is one of those novels that will linger in the mind and memory of the reader long after the book has been finished
and set back upon the shelf, "Passages: A Voyage from War to Peace" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick
for personal reading lists and community library Literary Fiction. It should be noted that this paperback edition of
"Passages: A Voyage from War to Peace" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99)
Editorial Note: P. K. Edgewater (https://www.pkedgewater.com) is a military veteran, and doctor of 40 years. He is also a
Literary Titan Book Award Winner. Edgewater retired in 2020 after a four-decade medical career that included working as
an internist and rheumatologist, founding and managing an arthritis and rheumatology research center, and consulting on
clinical trials in China and Russia.
The Theology Of Lust
Ralph Mercier Vince, author
Malory Wood, editor
Melvin Marrero, illustrator
Picture Perfect Verses LLC
https://pictureperfectvs.com
9780991508044, $24.99, PB, 253pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Theology-Lust-Ralph-Vince/dp/0991508041
Synopsis: "The Theology of Lust" by novelist Ralph Vince follows Ricky "Pork Chop" White, a wounded,
self-mythologizing erotic savant, as he stumbles through desire, regret, and violent entanglements, trying to turn raw
masculinity into something redemptive. Vince has created a darkly funny, psychologically unfiltered journey where erotic
obsession, betrayal, and a lurking murder plot converge on one man's desperate attempt to find some sort of salvation out
of the mess he calls a life.
"The Theology of Lust" is a 'must' for readers who crave iconoclastic fiction that refuses to behave -- those who want
something too intense for "new sincerity," too erotic for autofiction, and too unapologetically masculine for contemporary
taste. In short, to anyone drawn to provocative, high-voltage literary work, something savored, that isn't afraid to offend,
unsettle, or leave a mark.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a simply riveting read from start to finish, "The Theology of Lust" showcases author
Ralph Mercier Vince's genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling that will linger in the mind and memory of
the reader long after the book has been finished and set back upon the shelf. This paperback edition from Picture Perfect
Versus is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and college/university
library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Ralph Mercier Vinece (https://ralphvince.com/about.php) is a Charles H. Dow Award winner. He has
worked for fund managers, sovereign wealth funds and family offices around the world since the early 1980s. He was
Larry Williams' programmer and trader during Williams' 1987 legendary championship run where he traded $10,000 to
over $1,100,000 in a 12-month competition. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Market Technician's
Association of New York, and has written numerous books published by John Wiley & Sons as well as professional papers
on financial as well as general mathematics and statistics. His work was featured in a chapter of the Edwards & Magee
classic, Technical Analysis of Stock Trends, regarded as the bible of Technical Analysis, and is one of the very few
additions since the original publication in 1948.
Lucien
J. R. Thornton
Harper Perennial
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9780063458437, $18.99, PB, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lucien-Novel-J-R-Thornton/dp/0063458438
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lucien-jr-thornton/1147648890
Synopsis: The son of working-class Czech immigrants, Christopher "Atlas" Novotny is a talented painter who arrives at
Harvard on a full scholarship. Raised amid hardship, he is unprepared for the privileged world introduced to him by his
freshman roommate, Lucien Orsini-Conti.
Born to wealthy European diplomats, Lucien plays the part of the confident, sophisticated bon vivant. Where Lucien is
bold and brash, Atlas is timid and introverted. Growing up a lonely outsider, Atlas is insecure, impressionable, and in awe
of his brilliant roommate. But is Lucien all that he seems?
Sensing a willing disciple, Lucien introduces Atlas to a glittering new world of lavish parties and elite social clubs. When
Atlas struggles to afford his new lifestyle, Lucien offers a solution, convincing the naive artist to become a forger, passing
off fakes to galleries and dealers.
But Lucien's charismatic facade conceals something darker and more sinister. As Lucien's behavior grows increasingly
unstable, Atlas is forced into escalating risks with devastating consequences.
Critique: "Lucien" by J. R. Thornton offers his readers a original novel featuring a skillful blending of friendship, 'coming
of age', and psychological suspense. Thornton has a remarkable and genuine flair for the kind of imaginative and narrative
driven storytelling style that quickly engages the reader from start to finish. While an unreservedly recommended pick for
community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this
paperback edition of "Lucien" from Harper Perennial is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99) and
as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing, 9798228693463, $45.95, CD).
Editorial Note: Born in London, J. R. Thornton (www.jrthornton.com) graduated from Harvard College in 2014 where he
studied history, English, and Chinese. An internationally ranked junior tennis player, he competed for Harvard and on the
professional circuit. He was a member of the inaugural class of Schwarzman Scholars, obtaining an M.A. from Tsinghua
University in Beijing. He now lives in Italy, working for AC Milan. Lucien is his second novel.
Predators, Reapers, and Deadlier Creatures
Matthew James Jones
Double Dagger Books
9781998501120, $14.99 Paperback/$6.99 eBook
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Predators-Reapers-Deadlier-Creatures-Matthew/dp/1998501124
It's hard to neatly categorize Predators, Reapers, and Deadlier Creatures. Thriller? Magical realism? Military fiction? Call
it all three, then take another step into cross-genre possibility, because the story is also powerfully thought-provoking and
action-packed from its opening lines:
"I'D BEEN IN AFGHANISTAN FOR THREE MONTHS when I saw the woman in the marketplace die." In short order,
drone operator and narrator Jones encounters a talking Bigfoot, finds himself caring (against his better nature) for Sahar, a
teenager he's tasked with monitoring, and faces the incongruities of a violence-wracked nation in which creatures struggle
to survive military clashes and crises.
Sounds like a thriller? Matthew James Jones' literary voice isn't stilled by the task of depicting this environment. Indeed, its
unexpected atmosphere is one of the novel's strengths: "I could see men on the rooftops. Sittin' on lawn chairs, gabbin' into
cell phones, long snakes o' smoke charmed upwards by the stars. Seemed like each guy had a kitten on his lap or a dog
beside him, same as home, but when I crept closer turns out they were rifles."
Readers will be enthralled by the surprising contrasts between violence and violent thinking and between decorum and
fierce pathways: "She wanted to futh, Jones --gave me all the signs." ["futh" being a mispronunciation from a smashed
mouth.]
"And she beat the shit out of you with her helmet, didn't she? Then the female doctor and dentist refused to treat you,
right?"
"They said we were in a war. That there were real soldiers to look after." He wept harder. I saw into the wound that was his
mouth; his teeth were broken shards. "She made me ugly." As tales of monsters, the Taliban, American soldiers, and those
altered forever by war and adversity emerge, Jones crafts an emotionally charged, high-octane action piece that doesn't just
create a scenario, but hits readers with the two-by-four of ethical quandaries: "Did the wheels of justice grind this
miserable wretch, too? Halfheartedly."
The result is a gripping novel replete with supercharged imagery, heart-stopping insights that will provoke book club
discussions, and tense moments as the fighting season ramps up. Librarians and readers seeking exceptional literary
quality, eye-popping moral and ethical conundrums, and soul-searching moments of confrontation and transformation will
find all these elements and more in Predators, Reapers, and Deadlier Creatures. Thriller? Magical realism? Military
fiction? Just call it amazing.
A Real Collusion
Stu Strumwasser
Green Circle
9798218886455, $29.99, HC, 330pp
9798218885762, $9.99, Kindle, 297pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Real-Collusion-Almost-Two-Party-System-ebook/dp/B0G5K3BJ1K
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-real-collusion-stu-strumwasser/1148954359
A work of fiction that echoes recent political reality and history, "A Real Collusion" deftly explores universal and deeply human themes of loss, and the tension between justice and power. In the opening sentence the narrator points out that, "Ordinary people often do extraordinary things."
The characters in the book do, and the action is driven by the fantastic events of a unique political satire. It is also the heartfelt story of regular people struggling with lost love, alienation and nearly universal disaffection who find strength in enduring loyalty and friendship
"A Real Collusion" is the story of John Campbell (a regular guy from the lower east side of Manhattan) as recounted by his friend Skip Winters. Skip becomes John’s campaign manager and later, a congressman in his own right. He narrates the stunning-but-plausible story of how John Campbell and The American Coalition race to popularity, raising over a hundred million dollars from grassroots contributors -- and become a threat to the political duopoly of the Democratic and Republican parties.
"A Real Collusion" sprinkles in references to real events from recent history, and real political leaders including Trump, John McCain, and more. This imbues the novel with a sense of realism, albeit one of an alternate reality.
Skip discovers a deep-seated conspiracy within our political system whose leaders orchestrate a murder, destroy his friend and tip the scales of the election. "A Real Collusion" turns out to be Skip’s exposé of the secret collaboration between the two major political parties in our country -- a cooperation to protect an American political duopoly that is, in part, very real and being played out today.
Critique: Synopsis: "A Real Collusion" by Stu Strumwasser is a novel echoes real political events undergone by American voters and politicians. It's about a man who accidentally becomes the leader of an independent political movement that nearly takes down the two-party system in America, while exposing a conspiracy that affects the results of the 2016 election. A work of original and deftly crafted fiction that will resonate with readers aware of the politics of today in the real world, "A Real Collusion" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Political Fiction/Thriller collections. It should be noted that this hardcover edition of "A Real Collusion" is scheduled for an April 1, 2026 release, but is currently available in a Kindle format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Stu Strumwasser studied in the creative writing program at Cornell University and then pursued dual careers as a writer and investment professional. His novel, "The Organ Broker," was published by Skyhorse in May of 2015 and named one of five finalists for the Hammett Prize for literary excellence in crime writing. Strumwasser is also the Founder & Managing Director of Green Circle Capital, a specialized merchant bank focused on advising food brands and investing in food-related technology. Leading up to the 2000 Presidential election, Strumwasser, who has been concerned with broken government for thirty years, consulted on fundraising for the Committee for a Unified Independent Party. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stu_Strumwasser)
The Historical Fiction Shelf
No Friend to This House
Natalie Haynes
Harper
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063258440, $30.00, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/No-Friend-This-House-Novel/dp/0063258447
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-friend-to-this-house-natalie-haynes/1147320345
Synopsis: What no one tells you, in the songs sung about Jason and the Argo is an obscured part of the Odyssey quest
which is in danger of being forgotten -- faded from the memory of men.
When Jason and his Argonauts set sail to find the Golden Fleece, their sea-faring journey is filled with danger, for him and
everyone he meets. But if he ever reaches the distant land he seeks, he faces almost certain death.
But Medea (priestess, witch, and daughter of a brutal king) has the power to save the life of a stranger. Will she betray her
family and her home, and what will she demand in return?
Medea and Jason seize their one chance of a life together, as the gods intend. But their love is steeped in vengeance from
the beginning, and no one (not even those closest to them) will be safe!
Critique: Based on the classic tragedy by Euripides, author Natalie Haynes' Medea as portrayed in "No Friend To This
House" is original, iconoclastic, and a simply riveting read from start to finish. Haynes storytelling style is vivid, engaging,
and fascinating. "No Friend To This House" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Historical
Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "No Friend To This House"
from Harper is also readily available in paperback (Harper Perennial, 9780063258457, $18.99) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Natalie Haynes (https://nataliehaynes.com) is the author of eight books, including the nonfiction work
Pandora's Jar, which was a New York Times bestseller, and the novels A Thousand Ships, which was a national bestseller
and short-listed for the 2020 Women's Prize for Fiction, and Stone Blind. She has written and recorded eleven series of
Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics for the BBC. Haynes has written for the Times, the Independent, The Guardian,
and the Observer. She lives in London.
The Fourth Princess: A Gothic Novel of Old Shanghai
Janie Chang
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063308114, $30.00, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Princess-Gothic-Novel-Shanghai/dp/0063308118
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fourth-princess-janie-chang/1147440802
Synopsis: Shanghai, 1911. Lisan Liu is elated when she is hired as secretary to wealthy American Caroline Stanton, the
new mistress of Lennox Manor on the outskirts of Shanghai's International Settlement. However, the Manor has a dark past
due to a previous owner's suicide, and soon Lisan's childhood nightmares resurface with more intensity and meld with
haunted visions of a woman in red. Adding to her unease is the young gardener, Yao, who both entices and disturbs
her.
Newly married Caroline looks forward to life in China with her husband, Thomas, away from the shadows of another
earlier tragedy. But an unwelcome guest, Andrew Grey, attends her party and claims to know secrets she can't afford to
have exposed. At the same party, the notorious princess Masako Kyo approaches Lisan with questions about the young
woman's family that the orphaned Lisan can't answer.
As Caroline struggles with Grey's extortion and Thomas's mysterious illness, Lisan's future is upended when she learns the
truth about her past, and why her identity has been hidden all these years. All the while, strange incidents accelerate,
driving Lisan to doubt her sanity as Lennox Manor seems unwilling to release her until she fulfills demands from beyond
the grave.
Critique: Original, exceptionally well written, and with a special appeal to readers with an interest in ghost stories, Gothic
fiction, and psychological thrillers, "The Fourth Princess: A Gothic Novel of Old Shanghai" is an original and unreservedly
recommended for community library Historical Suspense/Thriller Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Fourth Princess: A Gothic Novel of Old Shanghai" from William Morrow
is also readily available in paperback (9780063308121, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Janie Chang (https://janiechang.com) is an author of historical fiction. Born in Taiwan, Chang has lived in
the Philippines, Iran, Thailand, New Zealand, and Canada. Her novels often draw from family history and ancestral stories.
She has a degree in computer science and is a graduate of the Writer's Studio Program at Simon Fraser University. She is
the author of Three Souls, Dragon Springs Road, The Library of Legends, and The Porcelain Moon; and co-author of The
Phoenix Crown, with Kate Quinn.
The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem
Kurt Brouwer
https://kurtbrouwer.com
Independently Published
9798363117671, $9.99, PB, 208pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Disciple-Crisis-Jerusalem/dp/B0BMD6JQHV
Synopsis: From the Cross, Jesus entrusted John, son of Zebedee, the youngest disciple, with the welfare of Mary, Jesus's
mother. Over thirty years later, as Jerusalem becomes a cauldron of explosive tempers, John receives a calling he doesn't
want.
Will he listen and follow? -- And if he does, will it be too late?
In 62 AD, the Jewish high priest executes James, the brother of Jesus, triggering a bitter fight for power in Jerusalem that
shatters the quiet life of John. The Jewish people he loves are making dangerous choices that will change the land of Israel
forever.
Should he stay in Jerusalem and help hold off the Roman onslaught? Or is it time to reach out to those beyond Israel's
borders?
If he chooses to leave, what will be his message to these foreign believers? What new words of comfort could he possibly
share?
Critique: Original, fascinating, set against a backdrop of actual events as recorded in the Gospels of the New Testament,
"The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem" is the first novel in a new series based on the Bible and Christian history. Readers
will follow author Kurt Brouwer's imaginative and deftly crafted story of John the Apostle who must face several crises
and in the process, achieves an understanding what it truly means to stand alone, leaning on only the Lord for guidance.
The introduction to novelist Kurt Brouwer's forthcoming Biblical saga, "The Last Disciple: Crisis in Jerusalem" is truly
exceptional and highly recommended for personal reading lists and community/public library Biblical Fiction
collections.
Editorial Note: Kurt Brouwer (https://kurtbrouwer.com) About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the
Apostle John. Kurt couldn't stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt
read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each
other. Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians. But out
of that extensive research came the motivation to write his Biblical saga, "The Last Disciple". It should be noted that 'The
Last Disciple' series will continue further.
The Last Disciple: Escape to Antioch
Kurt Brouwer
https://kurtbrouwer.com
Independently Published
9798395813008, $10.99, PB, $2.99 Kindle, 328pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Disciple-Escape-Antioch/dp/B0C63P693G
Synopsis: John was the Beloved Disciple, chosen by Jesus and destined to be the last to carry the divine message.
Devastated by the loss of his adopted mother Mary, John has no time to mourn. The streets of Jerusalem teem with danger,
as Roman rulers engage in fierce conflict with Jewish rebels, all vying for control.
While his allegiance lies with his people, John is at odds with the rebels' passion for earthly power. His quest is to preserve
and share the legacy of Jesus.
Will he succeed in spreading the gospel? -- Or has he waited too long?
As Jerusalem descends into chaos, John escapes to Antioch. He finds rest, renewal, and purpose among the devoted
Christians there and begins sharing his account of the life and teachings of Christ.
Yet even within this refuge, the old conflicts descend on Antioch too, and the dangers ignited in Jerusalem draw near.
Critique: The second volume in novelist Kurt Brouwer's outstanding five volume Biblical fiction series based on Gospel
accounts and the author's extensive research, "The Last Disciple: Escape to Antioch" and is deftly woven from the Bible
and Christian history and takes place against a background of historically recorded events. John's increasing awareness of
the true essence of faith, love, and divine purpose is transformed into a simply riveting read from start to finish. "The Last
Disciple: Escape to Antioch" is a compelling read and a highly recommended addition to personal reading lists and
community/public library Biblical Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Kurt Brouwer (https://kurtbrouwer.com) About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the
Apostle John. Kurt couldn't stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt
read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each
other. Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians. But out
of that extensive research came the motivation to write his Biblical saga, "The Last Disciple". It should be noted that 'The
Last Disciple' series will continue further.
The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus
Kurt Brouwer
https://kurtbrouwer.com
Independently Published
9798990071452, $11.99 PB, $3.99 Kindle, 327pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Disciple-Exile-Ephesus/dp/B0CWLGCB7D
Synopsis: The third volume in the series, "Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus", author Kurt Brouwer continues his Biblical
saga of the Apostle John in a Gospel based story of faith, courage, and love.
After surviving imprisonment, John faces two new challenges as he is forced into exile in Ephesus, and the siege and
destruction of Jerusalem by a vengeful Roman army as prophesied by Jesus.
Struggling with grief and despair, John doubts his ability to complete the mission entrusted to him by Mary -- to write the
true gospel account of Christ's life. But in Ephesus, he finds unexpected allies (Timothy, Priscilla, and Tychicus) who
share his passion for spreading the message of God's love.
As John shares the good news of Jesus, he also makes dangerous enemies, including Alexander Cosmo, the chief priest of
the Temple of Artemis.
Amid opposition from without and internal divisions from within the early church, John must also contend with an old foe
-- Jewish Christians who pressure believers to adopt Jewish law and compromise the radical teachings of Christ.
When tragedy strikes those close to him, John has to confront his fear by sharing the story that resides in his heart. Will he
finally show the world all the signs, miracles, and events he witnessed on his journey with Jesus?
Critique: A simply riveting read from first page to last, this third title in novelist Kurt Brouwer's truly exceptional
historical saga based on New Testament accounts and the author's extensive personal research into first century
Christianity, "The Last Disciple: Exile in Ephesus" is an extraordinary and intriguing read that will prove of special interest
to students of the early Christian movement in general, and readers intrigued by the role of John the Apostle in that
evolution. As with the two previous 'The Last Disciple' books ("Crisis in Jerusalem" & "Escape to Antioch"), "The Last
Disciple: Exile in Ephesus" is a solid and recommended pick for personal reading lists and community/public library
Biblical History Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Kurt Brouwer (https://kurtbrouwer.com) About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the
Apostle John. Kurt couldn't stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt
read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each
other. Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians. But out
of that extensive research came the motivation to write his Biblical saga, "The Last Disciple". It should be noted that 'The
Last Disciple' series will continue further.
The Last Disciple: Gospel of John
Kurt Brouwer
https://kurtbrouwer.com
Independently Published
9798990071421, $11.99 PB, $4.99 Kindle, 316pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Disciple-Gospel-John/dp/B0DWXVVHVZ
Synopsis: The epic saga John the Apostle by Kurt Brouwer concludes in "The Last Disciple: Gospel", the fourth historical
novel in the 'Last Disciple' series. This is the story of John the Apostle who witnessed the miracles of Jesus through his
own eyes. John, who as a disciple of Christ, watched the Son of God sacrifice his life on the Cross and entered the empty
tomb after Jesus rose from the grave.
Years after witnessing the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Apostle John seeks to faithfully write down the
life-changing events he experienced firsthand.
In 'The Last Disciple: Gospel of John", John is in Jerusalem and describes the fateful meeting between the Messiah and
Nicodemus in which Christ uttered the most beloved passage in the Bible: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his
one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
John sets down the true story of Christ, contending with those who seek to water down the gospel message. Accompanied
by trusted allies like Emmaus and Avram, John travels from Ephesus to Laodicea, Hierapolis, and beyond, determined to
ensure the world never forgets the sacrifice and love of the Son of God.
John reunites with his old friend and fellow disciple, Philip, who is gravely ill. In a desperate bid to save Philip's life, John
seeks out the help of Evangeline, a skilled herbalist and healer. After Philip recovers, a mob whipped up by a high priest of
the goddess Cybele lays in wait to attack John and Philip.
But will violent enemies of the faith succeed in cutting off the gospel message John carries?
Critique: A riveting read that comes alive through the remarkable storytelling style of novelist Kurt Brouwer and infused
with authenticity based upon years of meticulous research into First Century Christianity, the fifth and concluding volume,
"The Last Disciple: Sharing the Gospel", the saga of the Apostle John, is fascinating, informative, thought-provoking, and
inspirational. It is also specifically and unreservedly recommended for both personal reading lists and community/public
library Biblical Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Kurt Brouwer (https://kurtbrouwer.com) About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the
Apostle John. Kurt couldn't stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt
read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each
other. Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians. But out
of that extensive research came the motivation to write his Biblical saga, "The Last Disciple". It should be noted that 'The
Last Disciple' series will continue further.
The Last Disciple: Sharing the Gospel
Kurt Brouwer
https://kurtbrouwer.com
Independently Published
9798990071476, $12.99 PB, $4.99 Kindle, 266pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Disciple-Sharing-Gospel/dp/B0G8HPCSDX
Synopsis: The fifth and final volume in novelist Kurt Brouwer's exceptional Biblical History series, 'The Last Disciple'
concludes the story of John, who as the last disciple of Christ now holds the completed Gospel of John in his hand. But
when an earthquake strikes, he and his two scribes, Emmaus and Avram, must fight fire and destruction to preserve the
precious scroll.
John had followed Jesus for three years. He saw the Son of God sacrifice his life on the Cross; he entered the empty tomb
after Jesus rose from the grave; and he watched his Lord and Savior ascend to heaven from the Mount of Olives.
Now his mission is to share his eyewitness account of Jesus with believers throughout the Roman Empire. In the face of
grave difficulties, God provides help from two surprising sources. Tiberius Celsus, a Roman officer and unlikely ally,
delivers a copy of the Gospel of John to the believers in Antioch. And the Apostle Timothy helps John fulfill his divine
mission of sharing the story of Christ with believers in Ephesus.
John also faces human fear and frailty among believers. Archelaus, a wine merchant, resists temptation and returns to the
faith. Diotrephes, a former church leader, betrays both his faith and his fellow believers.
Critique: A brilliant and emotionally engaging conclusion to a work of fiction that is infused with facts based on the New
Testament and author Burt Brouwer's extensive historical research into First Century Christianity and the Apostle John's
role and legacy (including authorship of one of the four Gospels), this series is now concluded with the publication of
Book 5, "The Last Disciple: Sharing the Gospel". An enjoyable, informative, and inspirational read, "The Last Disciple:
Sharing the Gospel will be especially appreciated for anyone who is struggling with doubt, who is searching for meaning,
or who are hungry to deepen their faith. Accurate, authentic, extraordinary, compelling, "The Last Disciple: Sharing the
Gospel" is a strongly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community/public library Biblical Historical Fiction
collections.
Editorial Note: Kurt Brouwer (https://kurtbrouwer.com) About nine years ago, Kurt did a study for his church on the
Apostle John. Kurt couldn't stop researching, digging, diving into the life of John and other first century Christians. Kurt
read books by early church historians who wrote quite a bit more about the disciples, but they often contradicted each
other. Further, they never really delved into the daily lives and motivations, joys and sorrows of the first Christians. But out
of that extensive research came the motivation to write his Biblical saga, "The Last Disciple". It should be noted that 'The
Last Disciple' series will continue further.
The Secret Courtesan
Kerry Chaput
https://www.kerrywrites.com
She Writes Press
www.shewritespress.com
9798896360643, $17.99, PB, 344pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Courtesan-Novel-Kerry-Chaput/dp/B0FCYK8JWP
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-courtesan-kerry-chaput/1147593374
Synopsis: Two determined women four hundred years apart. One mysterious statue. And a bombshell that could change
history.
Art historian Mia is running out of time to prove her theory that the sculptor of an unearthed erotic statue was a courtesan
erased from history -- a scandal no one will believe.
Chasing through Venice, she tracks down hidden details of Sofia, a powerful courtesan who seems to have left a trail of
sex-fueled art buried across the city, but Mia's now being followed, and even her boss might be in on the lie.
Meanwhile, in 1609, Sofia defies Venice's unfair laws to create illicit art that could ruin her future. Her aspirations to
become a great artist go up in flames when her patron's wife steals her work and threatens her lover.
Four hundred years later, it's up to Mia to discover the truth, but now she's uncovered a world of art theft that could leave
her ousted -- or, worse, right in the crosshairs of the most powerful crime family in Italy, who will stop at nothing to force
her to authenticate the famous statue. Mia's only hope is to prove Sofia's existence before everyone involved silences them
both forever.
Critique: Once again, with the publication of "The Secret Courtesan", author Kerry Chaput is documented as an
impressively gifted and original storyteller. A deftly crafted, fun and fascinating read from start to finish, "The Secret
Courtesan" will have a very special appeal to readers with an interest in Renaissance themed historical fiction. An
extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for both personal reading lists and community library Historical Fiction
collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Secret Courtesan" from She Writes Press is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Editorial Note: Kerry Chaput (https://www.kerrywrites.com) is an award-winning historical fiction author who writes
about daring women with loads of adventure and a splash of magic. Kerry's writing has been an Historical Novel Society
editor's choice, with Midwest Book Review calling her a "Master of the genre." She's also been a finalist for Sarton
Women's Book Award and the Chaucer Book Award for early historical fiction.
On Living Stone: Salome's Story
Heather Kaufman
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9781540903587, $18.99, PB, 368pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Living-Stone-Ancient-Biblical-Historical/dp/1540903583
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-living-stone-heather-kaufman/1147595940
Synopsis: Every stone sings as it finds its purpose. This is the lesson restless Salome learns from her father as she grows up
by the Sea of Galilee. Known as the wild girl with the quick tongue, Salome is determined to silence the critics who claim
she has no future. An unexpected romance and the gift of two sons, James and John, leave her hopeful and resolved to
prove herself as a mother.
Salome's dreams are challenged, however, when her sons answer the call to follow Jesus of Nazareth. As James and John
are drawn deeper into Jesus' ministry, opposition to his message intensifies, leaving Salome with a choice. Can her family
continue down the path of discipleship when it might cost them everything? With threats abounding, Salome must confront
her fears, even as she discovers her own worth in this most unexpected rabbi.
Critique: A carefully and successfully crafted work of Christian historical fiction, "On Living Stone: Salome's Story" by
gifted storyteller Heather Kaufman is part of the Bethany House 'Women of the Way' series. Unreservedly recommended
and a choice addition to community library Historical Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that
this paperback edition of "On Living Stone" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99). For library
acquisitions, "On Living Stone" is also in a large print hardcover edition (Baker Publishing Group, 9780764246135,
$39.73, 400pp).
Editorial Note: Heather Kaufman (www.HMKStories.com) is the author of multiple books and devotions. She delights in
highlighting the goodness of God through storytelling. When not reading, writing, or accumulating mounds of books.
The LGBTQ Fiction Shelf
Sacred Shadows
Graham Elliott
https://drgrahamelliott.com
Independently Published
9798295466465, $31.55, HC, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Shadows-Graham-Elliott/dp/B0G8TQXVM3
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sacred-shadows-graham-elliott/1148082407
Synopsis: Great Britain in the decade of the 1980s was a time marked by political conservatism and rapidly changing
social norms.
Set in this era of controversy and conflict, "Sacred Shadows" by Graham Elliott is the singly story of The Reverend
Andrew Cowley, a man who must navigate the challenging waters of his dual identity as a dedicated up-and coming
Anglican priest and a closeted gay man.
Although a work of finely crafted fiction "Sacred Shadows" accurately explores the intense and often painful journey of
self-discovery, faith, and the search for love and acceptance within a rigid institution during that troubled time.
Critique: With an impressively effective and genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling that emotionally
engages the reader from start to finish, "Sacred Shadows" by Graham Elliott is a compelling and inherently fascinating
read that will be of special and particular appeal to readers with an interest in LGBTQ themed 'coming of age' novels.
While "Sacred Shadows" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and
college/university library Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Sacred Shadows" is
also readily available in paperback (9798894276977, $24.45) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Graham Elliott (https://drgrahamelliott.com) is a British-born author, composer, and church musician. He
has served as a cathedral organist, festival director, music college professor, and cultural leader on both sides of the
Atlantic. His work champions the role of the arts in spiritual life and community enrichment.
That's What Friends Are For
Wade Rouse
Mira Books
www.mirabooks.com
9781525800054, $28.99, HC, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Thats-What-Friends-Are-hilarious/dp/1525800051
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thats-what-friends-are-for-wade-rouse/1148504785
Synopsis: Theodore Copeland has created a fabulous life in the desert oasis of Palm Springs, where he shares a fabulous
pink mid-century home with three fabulous friends: Barry, a former actor still clinging to his youth, his hair, and the
memory of the dream role that killed his career; Ron, an uprooted Christian from the Midwest with a big heart but no one
to give it to; Sid, who, after coming out late in life, has never found love. Teddy is the caustic, unspoken leader of "The
Golden Gays" -- the foursome's monthly drag tribute to The Golden Girls. Despite their foibles and bickering, they have
turned their golden years into a golden era.
But the harmony of their desert enclave becomes a carousel of emotional baggage when Teddy's estranged sister, Trudy,
shows up on their doorstep, her dramatic teenage granddaughter in tow. While Teddy keeps Trudy at arm's length, she
manages to wheedle her way into the lives of the Golden Gays, until the real reason for her visit is revealed and the secrets
they've all been keeping from each other unravel faster than a hastily stitched hemline.
"That's What Friends Are For" is a novel that gives thanks to "old" friends and proves that while family may be the tie that
binds, it's the chosen family that truly keeps us together.
Critique: Original, clever, deftly crafted, and a fun read from cover to cover, "That's What Friends Are For" by Wade
Rouse is a kind of male version (and is based upon) the popular television show 'Golden Girls". With an LGBTQ twist,
"That's What Friends Are For" is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and
community library Contemporary Friendship themed contemporary general fiction collections. It should be noted that this
hardcover edition of "That's What Friends Are For" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Wade Rouse (https://waderouse.com/ is the author of thirteen books, which have been translated into
twenty languages and selected as Today Show Must-Reads, Indie Next Picks and Michigan Notable Books. Rouse also
writes fiction under his grandma's name, Viola Shipman, to honor the working-poor Ozarks woman whose memory
inspires his writing. He hosts Wine & Words with Wade (a literary happy hour) every Thursday.
The Literary Fiction Shelf
Railsong
Rahul Bhattacharya
Bloomsbury Publishing
www.bloomsbury.com
9781639736225, $29.99, HC, 416pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Railsong-Novel-Rahul-Bhattacharya/dp/1639736220
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/railsong-rahul-bhattacharya/1147317182
Synopsis: In a newly independent India charged with national vigour, Charu, the motherless daughter of a railway worker,
pines for freedom from the shackles of her impoverishment and meager prospects. As diesel engines replace steam and the
calamitous churn of drought, famine, and a great strike engulfs her town, Charu dares to imagine a different future for
herself. She boards a train and flees westwards, leaving behind the oppressive domesticity of her childhood for the alluring
modernity, and apparent opportunities, of Bombay.
Unfazed by the everyday discriminations around her she becomes an unlikely hero: a railway woman and census
enumerator who keeps her heart open - sometimes guilelessly - to her nation's vast possibility.
Sweeping, elegiac, and at times wonderfully comic, "Railsong" is a powerful portrait of grit, optimism, and the force of
character that enables one remarkable woman to live on her own terms in a country full of contradictions.
Critique, Original, exceptional, riveting, "Railsong" showcases novelist Rahul Bhat's genuine flair for the kind of narrative
driven and memorable storytelling style the full engages the reader's imaginative attention from start to finish. While
especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary Literary Fiction
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Railsong" from Bloomsbury Press is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Rahul Bhattacharya (https://rahulbhattacharya.com) is a writer, journalist, and editor. His first novel, The
Sly Company of People Who Care, won the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize and was shortlisted for the Man
Asian Literary Prize. Pundits from Pakistan, his first book, was a Wisden Cricketer top ten cricket book of all time. He was
born in Bombay and lives in Delhi with his wife and two daughters.
A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes and Other Stories
Nancy J. Allen
University of New Mexico Press
www.unmpress.com
9780826369277, $19.94, PB, 200pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Reaching-Extreme-Altitudes-Stories-Southwest/dp/0826369278
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-method-of-reaching-extreme-altitudes-and-other-stories-nancy-j-allen/1147732792<
br>
Synopsis: In Nancy J. Allen's fierce first short story collection, "A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes and Other
Stories ", the extraordinary emerges from the everyday. Allen's little literary masterpieces are informed and infused by the
vast landscapes of New Mexico and Texas, and in them the mythic and the mundane intertwine: two neighbors burn a
grandson's letters from Vietnam in a backyard grill; a child vanishes into the maze of Albuquerque's fabled Alvarado
Hotel; a sculptor meets her younger self in the eerie stillness of a theater lobby. These are only a few of the unforgettable,
mysterious moments that mark the arrival of a bold new voice in contemporary Southwest fiction.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted, author Nancy J. Allen is a master of the short story format and "A Method of
Reaching Extreme Altitudes and Other Stories " is her newly published and debut anthology from the University of New
Mexico Press. A thought-provoking, memorable, and entertaining anthology, "A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes
and Other Stories" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library
Contemporary Literary Fiction & Short Story collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that this paperback edition of "A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes and Other Stories" is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Nancy J. Allen (https://nancyjallen.com) is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the Warren Wilson
College Program for Writers. Her fiction has won awards in journals including Southwest Review, StoryQuarterly, bosque,
and Short Story America. A research fellow of the School of Spiritual Psychology in Santa Fe, she lives with her husband
in Dallas and Taos.
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
Fireworks on the Fourth
Kate Harte
https://kateharte.com
Livreve Press
9798998736605, $18.99, PB, 266pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Fireworks-Fourth-Kate-Harte/dp/B0FDT5C5RN
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fireworks-on-the-fourth-kate-harte/1147684676
Synopsis: Author Kate Harte's new novel, "Fireworks on the Fourth", is the story of Susan, a woman whose world is
upended when her estranged daughter Emma arrives at her holiday party with a date-a man who is Susan's first love, her
"Big Mistake," and possibly (but not actually) Emma's father. It's 1992 in the Connecticut countryside, where a group of
intelligent but flawed women and men from two generations are gathering to celebrate the 4th of July.
"Fireworks on the Fourth" weaves back and forth in time and place until the characters meet at the house party. Decades
earlier, two of the women faked a wedding and widowhood to hide a pregnancy. Now, fate is leading to humorous and
heated exchanges between Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers about women's rights, civil rights, and the state of the world, with
flashbacks to the '60s, '70s, and '80s, secrets being spilled, and fireworks in the bedroom as well as the sky.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, "Fireworks on the Fourth"
will hold a very special appeal to fans of contemporary romance, memorable characters, and a plot replete with unexpected
turns and twists up to eminently satisfying climax. Especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and
community library Contemporary Romance collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "Fireworks on the
Fourth" is also available from Livreve Press in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Kate Harte (https://kateharte.com) has been a teacher, a traveler, an art historian, an archaeologist, a wife,
and a mother. She has also been an avid reader all her life and enjoyed stories of romance since she first encountered
Cinderella as a child. As a writer she is drawn to stories about women that combine experience with history, religion, and
politics. She hopes women's voices will become as strong as men's in America and in the world.
The Doc's Christmas Miracle
S. A. Stolin
Wild Rose Press
https://wildrosepress.com
9781509262816, $15.99, PB, 202pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Docs-Christmas-Miracle-S-Stolin/dp/1509262814
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-docs-christmas-miracle-s-a-stolin/1148263104
Wild Rose Press
https://wildrosepress.com/product/the-docs-christmas-miracle
Synopsis: Dr. Mark Moore arrives at Crescent Hills Alzheimers clinic determined to redeem his shattered reputation with
one final trial of his controversial memory machine. But what he doesn't count on is Dr. Susan Pace a brilliant, infuriating
psychiatrist who sees right through him.
She's a distraction he can't afford but every heated glance, every late-night argument, makes her harder to resist. And as his
machine begins to unlock haunting truths, Mark realizes he may be risking more than his career.
Susan Pace has no time for reckless charm or risky science especially not from the man threatening her clinic, her patients,
and her mother's fragile mind. But when a single touch leaves her breathless, she knows she's in trouble. The closer she
gets to Mark, the more her defenses crumble.
As Christmas lights twinkle and a buried secret surfaces, someone is watching someone willing to kill to keep the past
hidden. And Mark and Susan might be next!
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted and emotionally engaging from start to finish, "The Doc's Christmas
Miracle" showcases author S. A. Stolin's genuine flair for the kind of compelling and narrative driven storytelling style that
marks her as a master of the romantic suspense/thriller genre. A fun and fascinating read, "The Doc's Christmas Miracle" is
especially and unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Romance
collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Doc's Christmas Miracle" from Wild Rose Press is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: S. A. Stolin is the author of award-winning non-fiction psychology and comedy fiction novels. S.A. began
her career an actress, featured as the original "nurse" on the Starsky & Hutche television series. She went on to act in many
movie, television and plays. She is also the author of two original plays. She then became a clinical and forensic
psychologist and currently has a private practice in Beverly Hills, California. She is featured as an Author of the Month at
https://untoldreads.com/author_of_the_month/s-a-stolin-author-of-the-month
Last First Kiss
Julian Winters
St. Martin's Griffin
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
https://us.macmillan.com/st-martins-griffin
9781250326263, $19.00, PB, 352pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Last-First-Kiss-Julian-Winters/dp/1250326265
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-first-kiss-julian-winters/1147243854
Synopsis: They say you never forget your first kiss. But Jordan Carter wishes he could forget the one he shared with Jamie
Peters as teens. And the one they almost shared again last year before Jamie made it clear he wasn't the "right" man for
Jordan to be with while he's figuring himself out.
Now, Jordan's fully focused on his career at 24 Carter Gold, his family's event planning company, and ready to move on --
until his boss assigns him to plan a new client's high-profile wedding. The bride's man-of-honor? None other than
Jamie.
As things ramp up the closer they get to the wedding, so does Jordan's relationship with Jamie, with sarcastic asides
turning into steamy hook-ups. But can Jordan afford to pursue Jamie if he's still unsure of who he is? Or is knowing who
he loves enough? Venue shopping, cake-tastings, and dress fittings with the man he can't forget just might change the man
Jordan Carter is meant to become.
"Last First Kiss" by Julian Winters is a second chance romance about finding yourself -- and the love of your life!
Critique: With a narrative driven storytelling style that is ideal for an LGBTQ romance novel, author Julian Winters's "Last
First Kiss" is original, romantic, and a simply fun read from start to finish. Deftly crafted, and also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) from St. Martin's Griffin, this paperback edition of "Last First Kiss" will prove a
welcome addition to personal reading lists and community library LGBTQ Romance collections.
Editorial Note: Julian Winters (https://www.julianwinters.com) is the author of the award-winning young adult novels
Running With Lions, Right Where I Left You, How to Be Remy Cameron, The Summer of Everything, As You Walk On
By, and Prince of the Palisades, as well as his adult romance debut, I Think They Love You.
Beyond the Clouds
Elizabeth Camden
Bethany House
c/o Baker Publishing Group
https://bakerpublishinggroup.com
9780764241734, $18.99 pbk / $15.56 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Clouds-Christian-Historical-Opposites/dp/0764241737
Synopsis: They lost each other once before; now the clouds of war may give them a second chance.
As teenagers, Delia Byrne and Finn Delaney fell in love while flying kites and dreaming of a future together - until betrayal
tore them apart. Now, as America enters World War I, Delia works for peace as a paralegal and pacifist. Her values forbid
her from supporting the war effort, but she volunteers for a relief organization trying to save millions of lives in
famine-stricken Belgium.
Returning to America as a decorated war hero, Finn is eager to get back to the front but is assigned to use his fame to raise
funds instead. To his surprise, this mission will bring him face-to-face with Delia, the only woman he ever loved and once
hoped to marry. As their shared mission draws them together, old sparks of romance begin to stir - until duty sends them
behind enemy lines in occupied Belgium. Will the greatest danger be the conflict raging around them - or the possibility of
falling in love again?
Critique: The third novel of the Women of Midtown series, Beyond the Clouds is a Christian historical romance set during
the devastating years of World War I. Delia Byrne is a paralegal and a pacifist who volunteers to aid the starving people of
Belgium; Finn Delaney is a decorated war hero. Years ago, they might have married, but ultimately went their separate
ways; now, they are unexpectedly reunited amid the flames of war. An intense romance amid the backdrop of existential
threat, Beyond the Clouds is captivating to the last page, and highly recommended. It should be noted for personal reading
lists that Beyond the Clouds is also available in a Kindle edition ($15.56).
Mists over the Channel Islands
Sarah Sundin
Fleming H. Revell Company
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.revellbooks.com
9780800741877, $18.99, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Mists-Channel-Islands-Enemies-Lovers/dp/0800741870
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mists-over-the-channel-islands-sarah-sundin/1147595930
Synopsis: The German invasion of the British Channel Islands shatters Dr. Ivy Picot's peaceful world, forcing her to
shoulder the weight of her father's medical practice and hold together a family unraveling under the strain of war. As
conditions worsen in Jersey with the arrival of thousands of forced laborers, Ivy's quiet allegiance to the Allies compels her
to risk everything by providing medical aid to escaped workers -- even as danger closes in.
Dutch engineer and resistance member Gerrit van der Zee volunteers to build fortifications for the Germans so he can
secretly send maps and diagrams to the Allies. On his arrival in the Channel Islands, he crosses paths with Ivy, who shows
him contempt for the uniform he wears. As tensions mount and their missions grow increasingly dangerous, Ivy and Gerrit
must confront the cost of courage, the meaning of sacrifice, and whether love can survive in the shadow of war. Will their
covert efforts turn the tide -- or will they pay the ultimate price for defiance?
Critique: Original, exceptional, and a fascinating read from cover to cover, "Mists Over The Channel Islands by Sarah
Sundin is a World War II historical romance set in the British Channel Islands. A superbly presented novel that blends
history, cliffhanger suspense, and love in a time of war, "Mists Over The Channel Islands" is an extraordinary and
unreservedly recommended pick for both personal reading lists and community library Historical Romance collections. It
should be noted that this paperback edition of "Mists Over The Channel Islands" from Revell is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $12.99). Librarians should know that there is also a large print hard cover edition (9781420534467,
$34.00).
Editorial Note: Sarah Sundin (https://www.sarahsundin.com) is also the author of Midnight on the Scottish Shore, Embers
in the London Sky, The Sound of Light, and Until Leaves Fall in Paris, as well as the popular World War II series Sunrise
at Normandy, among others. She is a Christy Award winner and a Carol Award winner.
The Belle of Chatham
Laura Frantz
Fleming H. Revell Company
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.revellbooks.com
9780800746568, $18.99, PB, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Belle-Chatham-Colonial-Era-Historical-Revolution/dp/0800746562
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-belle-of-chatham-laura-frantz/1147595935
Synopsis: In 1777, and caught in the crossroads of the American Revolution, sisters Maebel and Coralie Bohannon's quaint
New Jersey village becomes a battleground as they house American officers. Rebellion ripples through their family as
members take opposing sides (Patriots and Loyalists) causing a deep chasm that fractures their once-unbreakable
bond.
As Mae's friendship grows with the American general Rhys Harlow, Coralie continues her liaison with her childhood
sweetheart, a British officer stationed in New York. Mae, torn between her deepening love for the general and suspicion
that her sister is a British spy, leaves the only home she's ever known for the New York frontier. When betrayal strikes in
the heart of the wilderness, she's forced to take a perilous journey that tests her very survival and those she loves, all in the
name of liberty.
Critique: With the publication of "The Belle of Chatham", a colonial-era historical Romance set in the American
Revolution, (and on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence), novelist Laura Frantz offers
(with her distinctive and reader engaging storyteller style) an original and deftly crafted historical romance that features
divided loyalties, patriotism, sacrifice, sisterhood, and love set during the war for American independence. A fun and
memorable read from start to finish, "The Belle of Chatham" will prove a prized pick for personal reading lists of
dedicated historical romance fans, as well as community library collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition
of "The Belle of Chatham" from Revell is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99) and in a large print
hardcover edition ($39.79, 400pp).
Editorial Note: Laura Frantz (www.LauraFrantz.net) is a two-time Christy Award winner and the author of more than
fifteen novels, including The Indigo Heiress, The Seamstress of Acadie, and The Rose and the Thistle.
Taming Lady Temperance
Karen Witemeyer
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764244735, $18.99, PB, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Temperance-Secret-Society-Spinsters/dp/0764246208
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taming-lady-temperance-karen-witemeyer/1147595939
Synopsis: Noreen O'Sullivan is an enthusiastic member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and believes herself
called to defend the cause of prohibition. When she's invited to join the Secret Society of Spinsters, Noreen jumps at the
chance to rally others to her movement and shut down the local saloon for good. However, her passionate campaigning
often puts her at odds with the men around her -- including the local deputy.
Deputy James Paxton believes in preserving the peace, but Miss O'Sullivan has been disturbing his peace for months. If
James wants to be elected sheriff, he can't afford to be seen as her ally. But when Noreen ropes him into helping her plan a
temperance march, their growing closeness sparks unexpected feelings. Then tensions escalate at the saloon and
accusations fly.
James must choose between upholding his badge and protecting the woman who's captured his heart -- knowing either
choice could cost him everything.
Critique: Launching her new 'The Secret Society of Spinsters' series, author Karen Witemeyer's "Taming Lady
Temperance" is historical western romance at its very best. Original, cleverly crafted, and a fun read for romance fans from
cover to cover, "Taming Lady Temperance" is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library
collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Taming Lady Temperance" is also readily available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), as well as in a large print hardcover edition
(9780764246203, $39.99, 352pp).
Editorial Note: Karen Witemeyer (www.KarenWitemeyer.com) offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for
humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes.
The Western Fiction Shelf
Valley of the Lawless
Cole Shelton
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857191, $26.00/$22.10, PB, Large Print, 208pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857191
Synopsis: The Homestead Act allowed nesters to move onto open range and build new lives for themselves. But for the
cattlemen in general (and Linc Boormann in particular) it meant giving up land he had previously used, free of charge, to
feed and house his vast herds.
Boormann's answer was simple -- to run off the nesters by any means necessary, no matter how brutal.
The merciless execution of one such nester brought wandering gunfighters Shane Preston and Jonah Jones to Wolf Valley,
and the minute they arrived, open war was declared in no uncertain terms. But all the odds were stacked against them.
They were two men against an army of gun-toughs. The local sheriff was in Boormann's pocket, so they couldn't expect
any help from him.
But that was the thing about Shane and Jonah. No matter how impossible things looked, there was just no quit in them. No
quit at all.
Critique: Another terrific western featuring the freelance gun-slinging team of Shane Preston and his sidekick Jonah Jones,
"Valley of the Lawless" by western novelist Cole Shelton is an inherently riveting read replete with unexpected plot twists,
gun action, and two authentically western heroes against the odds. This large print paperback edition of "Valley of the
Lawless" from the Linford Western Library collection will prove a welcome pick for the personal reading lists of dedicated
western fans and an enduringly popular addition to community library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: An extensive listing of westerns by Cole Shelton is available online at FantasticFiction:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/cole-shelton
The Streets of Vermijo
Neil Hunter
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857184, $26.00/$22.10, PB, Large Print, 192pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857184
Synopsis: "The Streets of Vermijo" is the story of Frank and Luke Tyler and their battle with the three vicious Lockhart
brothers. Frank, a former US Marshal, stepped in to save his grandson from hanging for a crime he didn't commit. And
though the odds may have been against them, the Tylers stood firm against the Lockharts and eventually put them down,
bringing an uneasy peace to the frightened town...
Now the surviving members of the Lockhart gang have returned, robbed the bank and brutally murdered the bank's
manager. With only a woman named Ruby Tucker to keep law and order, they believe they can get away free and
clear.
Big mistake.
Frank and Luke, now both US Marshals, ride in to track them down. But Ruby is already on their trail. Furthermore, her
past has equipped her with all the skill and courage she needs to track the gang and take them on.
There's just one problem.
The surviving outlaws are doubling back to Vermijo, intending to burn it to the ground in an act of vengeance.
Blood is going to run red on the streets of Vermijo.
Critique: The kind of western novel that Clint Eastwood 'spaghetti westerns' were once made, "The Streets of Vermijo" by
Neil Hunter is riveting, action packed, gun-blazing -- and showcasing the deftly crafted storytelling style of an author with
a complete mastery of the genre. This large print paperback edition of "The Streets of Vermijo" from the Linford Western
Library collection is an extraordinary and highly recommended pick for both personal reading lists and community library
Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: A full listing of western novels by Neil Hunter is available online at FantasticFiction:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/neil-hunter
Violence at Sunrise
Steve Hayes and Ben Bridges, authors
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857047, $26.00/$22.10, PB, Large Print, 224pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857047
Synopsis: Nothing was going to stop Lute Dunbar from getting his revenge -- and certainly not Cobb, the man who now
stood before him, blocking his way.
He said: 'If you plan on grabbing that gun, mister, you'd best get to it.'
The invitation hit Cobb like a slap. Knowing there was no way back from it now, his right shoulder dipped, his knees bent
just a fraction, and he was fast - damn fast.
But so was Lute...
Critique: Collaboratively co-authored by Steve Hayes and Ben Bridges, this large print paperback edition "Violence at
Sunrise" from the Linford Western Library collection is a riveting, action-packed, gun-blazing western that is an especially
and unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of dedicated western fans and a welcome and enduringly
popular addition to community library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note #1: A listing of western novels by David Whitehead is available online at:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/david-whitehead
Editorial Note #2: A listing of western novels by Ben Bridges is available online on his website at:
http://www.benbridges.co.uk
Dead Man's Dollars
Kirk Hamilton
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857207, $26.00/$22.10, PB, Large Print, 224pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857207
Synopsis: Wade Coburn was down on his luck, so when he happened across a chance to make money, he took it. His luck
changed, all right -- for the worse!
Thrown into a Mexican jail, beaten to within an inch of his life, threatened with execution by firing squad, Wade realized
he'd made a bad mistake. So when he was given a second chance, he snatched at it -- and was plunged headlong into a tale
of cross and double-cross.
But still Wade wouldn't allow himself to be beaten. He strapped on his Colt and made a fight of it!
Critique: As an author of action-packed western adventures, Kirk Hamilton is consistently one of the best. "Dead Man's
Dollars" is the kind of tale that Spaghetti Western Movies were made. A simply riveting read from start to finish, this large
print paperback edition of "Dead Man's Dollars" from the Linford Western Library collection will prove to be a rewarding
and rievting pick for personal reading lists and community library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: A complete listing of Kirk Hamilton westerns is available online at:
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/kirk-hamilton
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Baffle Book
Lassiter Wren & Randle McKay
American Mystery Classics
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
9781613167403, $25.95, HC, 240pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Baffle-Book-American-Mystery-Classics/dp/1613167407
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-baffle-book-lassiter-wren/1103116099
Synopsis: Originally published in 1928, "The Baffle Book", co-authored by Lassiter Wren & Randle McKay is the book
that launched the "solve-it-yourself" detective book craze of the 1920s and '30s, spawning numerous imitators and a
four-book series of its own.
Comprised of thirty short crime problems incorporate all of the clues needed to find their solutions, including maps, charts,
cryptograms, and additional illustrations -- but it's up to the reader to put all of this together and find out whodunit. It
should be noted that the correct answers are included at the end of the book.
Challenging and entertaining, and featuring an informative introduction by G.T. Garber, "The Baffle Book" delivers on its
promise of hours of armchair sleuthing delights, either on your own or at a "Baffle Party" as the book's opening
recommends. The authors award credits for each of the questions posed, depending on their difficulty, with a chart onto
which scores can be added and a grade given for how well the amateur sleuth performed.
Critique: A true 'time lost' treasure for all dedicated mystery buffs and DIY puzzle solvers wanting to work out 'whodunnit'
- - this new hardcover edition of "The Baffle Book" from American Mystery Classics will be an instantly appreciated,
impressively unique, and enduringly popular pick for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense
collections. It should be noted that "The Baffle Book" is also available in paperback (9781613167410, $15.95) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note #1: Lassiter Wren (pseudonym of John T. Colter), with co-author Randle McKay, launched the concept of
the "puzzle book" - in which the reader becomes the detective - into a Golden Age phenomenon with The Baffle Book in
1928. The Baffle Book became instantly popular and it was soon followed by The Second Baffle Book (1929) and The
Third Baffle Book (1930). Little else is known about John T. Colter.
Editorial Note #2: Randle McKay (pseudonym of Richard Rowan), with co-author Lassiter Wren, launched the concept of
the "puzzle book" - in which the reader becomes the detective - into a Golden Age phenomenon with The Baffle Book in
1928. The Baffle Book became instantly popular and it was soon followed by The Second Baffle Book (1929) and The
Third Baffle Book (1930). Richard Rowan was educated at Brown and Columbia and served in the US Army Chemical
Warfare Service during World War I. Apart from the Baffle books, he also published a number of nonfiction books about
the history of espionage under his own name.
Editorial Note #3: G. T. Karber grew up in a small town in Arkansas, the son of a judge and a civil rights attorney. Now,
he is a mystery writer, computer programmer, and the creator of Murdle, the USA Today and #1 Sunday Times bestselling
murder-mystery puzzle book series.
While the Patient Slept
Mignon G. Eberhart, author
Lisa Unger, introduction
American Mystery Classics
c/o Penzler Publishers
https://penzlerpublishers.com
9781613167434, $25.95, HC, 312pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/While-Patient-American-Mystery-Classics/dp/1613167431
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/while-the-patient-slept-mignon-g-eberhart/1002482137
Synopsis: From the moment nurse Sarah Keate arrives at the gloomy mansion of Adolph Federie, she senses trouble afoot,
from the mysterious occupants of the house to the penetrating stare of a black cat named Genevieve. But Mr. Federie has
just suffered a stroke and needs a live-in aid and Sarah is not one to shirk her duties.
When a murder occurs in the same room as her patient, Sarah starts investigating along with the help of a local police
officer. But how will she sleep at night knowing she's sharing a house with a killer?
Critique: An early title in the career of Mignon G. Eberhart (July 6, 1899, - October 8, 1996) who was a crime writer
whose many novels landed on bestseller lists for much of the twentieth century, "While the Patient Slept" is a deftly crafted
'whodunnit' murder mystery that qualifies as a time-lost treasure and is unreservedly recommended reading for a new
generation of dedicated mystery buffs and suspense/thriller fans. While a highly recommended pick for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections and featuring an informative Introduction by Lisa Unger, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that this hardcover edition of "While the Patient Slept" from American Mystery Classics is also available in
paperback (9781613167441, $15.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99).
Editorial Note #1: The late Mignon G. Eberhart wrote dozens of mystery novels over nearly sixty years. Born in Lincoln,
Nebraska, she published her first novel, The Patient in Room 18, in 1929 and by the end of the 1930s she was one of the
most popular mystery writers on the planet. Eight of her books -- including Murder by an Aristocrat - were adapted for
film; later in her career, she was awarded the Grand Master Award by the Mystery Writers of America for lifetime
achievement. (https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/mignon-g-eberhart)
Editorial Note #2: Lisa Unger (https://lisaunger.com) has had her books published in thirty-three languages and millions of
copies sold worldwide, she is widely regarded as a master of suspense.
(https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/lisa-unger)
The Judas Saints
Keith M. Spence
Midnight Cipher Publications
9798993564227, $14.99, PB, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/JUDAS-SAINTS-KEITH-M-SPENCE/dp/B0GD372YDX
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-judas-saints-keith-m-spence/1149059600
Synopsis: FBI Agent Mike Saville is already on thin ice with the Bureau when investigative journalist Davy Clough walks
into his office with an impossible story. Clough claims he's uncovered evidence of massive government corruption, but
he's killed before he can provide proof. The local medical examiner rules it suicide. Case closed.
Except Saville doesn't believe it.
In Washington, D.C., Park Police Sergeant Lowri Pritchard is asking dangerous questions about another apparent suicide:
Deputy White House Counsel Victor Farnsworth, found dead in West Potomac Park. The evidence doesn't match the
official story, but when Lowri pushes for answers, she's told to back off. The case is closed. Move on.
She won't.
What connects these deaths? A revolutionary software program called SAINTS that can track anyone, anywhere. Stolen
from its creator and weaponized by government agencies, the program is worth hundreds of millions. People will kill to
protect it. People have killed to protect it.
As Saville and Pritchard's unsanctioned investigation intensifies, they uncover a network of staged suicides, corrupt
officials, and a conspiracy that links a small-town sheriff, an Israeli intelligence operative, and Washington's political elite.
But someone is always one step ahead. A decorated detective with a taste for torture. A grieving widow with secrets of her
own. And somewhere in the shadows, the person who orchestrated it all.
The deeper they dig, the deadlier it gets.
Critique: With the publication of "The Judas Saints" author Keith M. Spence demonstrates that he is a master of the rapid
paced action/adventure political thriller genre. Although a work of deftly crafted fiction, "The Judas Saints" resonates with
the pervasive present day perceptions of corruption, conspiracy, and morally bankrupt governmental and presidential
power of today's Washington. As Keith Spence would put it: What happens when the people sworn to protect us are the
ones we need protection from? Original, exceptional, and an inherently fascinating page-turner of a read from start to
finish, "The Judas Saints" is especially and unreservedly recommended for both personal reading lists and community
library Contemporary Political Conspiracy Thriller collections. It should be notd that this paperback edition of "The Judas
Saints" from Midnight Cipher Publications is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: Keith M. Spence is a business owner, freelance writer, and former legal investigator who brings an unusual
blend of real-world grit to his mystery and thriller fiction. An English-Writing major turned auto repair shop owner, Keith
draws on his investigative background and mechanical problem-solving skills to craft tightly plotted narratives that keep
readers guessing. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/66382082.Keith_M_Spence)
If you love the political intrigue of Brad Thor, the procedural authenticity of Michael Connelly, and the conspiracy depth
of David Baldacci, THE JUDAS SAINTS delivers a pulse-pounding thriller that will keep you reading late into the
night.
The Last Stage of Grief is Murder
Tam Barnett
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836330738, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 440pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836330738
Synopsis: Ivor has never loved anyone the way he loves Becky. Then his world collapses - Becky is found dead.
Consumed by grief, Ivor is determined to find out what happened. What he discovers is darker than heartbreak: controlling
lies, family secrets and a past that refused to stay buried.
But Ivor has his own demons. And as his obsession with the truth deepens, his heartache for Becky curdles into something
far more dangerous -- Murder!
Critique: Can revenge heal a broken heart? -- "The Last Stage of Grief is Murder" by Tam Barnett is a compelling answer
to that eternal question. A deftly penned story told with the kind of riveting and narrative driven suspense that dedicated
mystery and suspense fans crave, this exceptional and unreservedly recommended large print paperback edition of "The
Last Stage of Grief is Murder" from Boldwood Books is highly recommended for both personal reading lists and
community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note #1: "The Last Stage of Grief is Murder" by Tam Barnett is also readily available in a CD (9781836330660)
and MP3-CD (9781836330677) complete and unabridged audio book format ($104.95/$89.21)
The Locked Room
Holly Hepburn
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781835337646, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 312pp
Synopsis: After a very close call on the Norfolk Fens, Harriet White is about ready to hang up her deerstalker and settle
back into her normal life, working in a bank on Baker Street. Until she discovers a letter in The Times newspaper
challenging Sherlock Holmes to prove his status as the world's greatest detective, by solving an impossible mystery. The
letter, signed Professor James Moriarty, advises Holmes that the crime will be committed within the following seven days.
There will be no further clues - Holmes himself must deduce which crime is the correct one to investigate.
Dismissing the letter as a prank, Harry goes about her business until news breaks of the theft of valuable jewel collection
from a safe in an apparently locked room in a Mayfair townhouse. Intrigued in spite of her misgivings, Harry dons a
disguise and investigates. But as she begins to unpick the puzzle, a body is found. And now, a stranger, and far more
deadly mystery begins to unfold around her...
Critique: Part of The Baker Street Mysteries series, "The Locked Room" by Holly Hepburn is a 'must' for all cozy mystery
fans in general, and Sherlock Holmes deductive style murder mystery enthusiasts in particular. Original, clever, and a fun
read from cover to cover, this large print paperback edition of the "The Locked Room" from Boldwood Books is
emphatically and enthusiastically recommended for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense
collections.
Editorial Note #1: "The Locked Room" by Holly Hepburn is also available in a CD (9781835337578) and MP3-CD
(9781835337585) complete and unabridged audio book format ($86.95/$73.91).
Editorial Note #2: Holly Hepburn is the bestselling author of many feel-good novels, including A Year at the Star and
Sixpence, Coming Home to Brightwater Bay and The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures. Her books are first published
throughout the year in four parts, as e-book novellas, and then collated to make one paperback and audiobook soon
afterwards. She tries to write escapist fiction set in places she wished she lived. Her latest book is Healing Hearts on
Thistledown Lane, publishing with Simon and Schuster UK on 1st January 2026.
The Inn at Penglas Cove
Lauren Westwood
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836569770, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 424pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836569770
Synopsis: When Juno's marriage implodes, an unexpected inheritance offers her a way out: a crumbling inn perched high
on a Cornish cliff, left to her by a great-aunt she never knew. Hoping to give her children a fresh start, Juno swaps city life
for windswept coastal walks and salty sea air... only to find that the Cross Keys Inn is steeped in secrets.
Locals talk of pirates, and a mysterious ghost ship connected to the chilling tale of Bess Trevelyn, murdered at the inn two
centuries before. Meeting the handsome but cold landowner Will Penhelion, a descendent of poor Bess's husband, Juno
realizes the past and present are entwined in ways she never imagined!
Critique: A deftly blending of historical romance and mystery, "The Inn at Penglas Cove" by Lauren Westwood is an
original, deftly crafted and fascinating read from start to finish -- and one that readers with keep the reader's rapt attention
throughout with finely developed characters and nicely woven, unanticipated plot points. This large print paperback edition
of "The Inn at Penglas Cove" from Boldwood Books is an extraordinary and highly recommended pick for personal
reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note #1: "The Inn at Penglas Cove" by Holly Hepburn is also available in both a CD (9781836569718) and MP3-
CD (9781836569725) complete and unabridged audio book format ($104.95/$89.21)
Editorial Note #2: Lauren Westwood (https://www.laurenwestwoodwriter.com) is an author of emotional romance and
women's fiction. Her signature 'old house' romances feature quirky houses, intelligent heroines, and historical mysteries.
Lauren's books invite you to unravel the secrets of the past and discover the magic of new love. Her novels include: The
House of Light and Shadows, The House of Second Chances, The House of Hidden Secrets, The House of Love and
Dreams, Moonlight on the Thames, The Little Paris Toyshop, My Mother's Silence (shortlisted for the Jackie Collins
Romantic Thriller Award), The Daughter She Lost, and My Secret Sister. Lauren lives in a characterful old house built in
1604. Her latest hobby is building miniature book nooks.
The Nancys and the Case of the Missing Necklace
R.W.R. McDonald
https://rwrmcdonald.com
Charnwood
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444858358, $43.50/$36.98, PB, Large Print, 396pp
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/uk/search/9781444858358
Synopsis: Tippy Chan is 11 years old, and she lives in a small town in a very quiet part of New Zealand - the town her
Uncle Pike escaped as a teenager, the moment he got a chance. Now Pike is back with his new boyfriend Devon to look
after Tippy while her mom is on a Christmas cruise.
Tippy can't get enough of her uncle's old Nancy Drew books. She wants to be Nancy and is desperate to solve a real
mystery. So, when her teacher's body is found beside Riverstone's only traffic light, it looks like Tippy's moment has
arrived. She and her minders form The Nancys, a secret detective club. But what starts as a bonding and sightseeing
adventure quickly morphs into something far more dangerous. A wrongful arrest, a close call with the murderer, and an
intervention from Tippy's mum all conspire against The Nancys. But regardless of their own safety, and despite the
constant distraction of questionable fashion choices in the town that style forgot, The Nancys know only they can stop the
killer from striking again. Whatever the cost...
Critique: Original, clever, laced throughout with humor and unexpected plot twists, "The Nancys and the Case of the
Missing Necklace" showcases author R.W.R. McDonald's effective and reader engaging storytelling style. A mystery
lover's delight, this large print paperback addition from Charnwood is especially recommended for the personal reading
lists of dedicated mystery buffs and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: R.W.R. McDonald (https://rwrmcdonald.com) is an award-winning novelist and children's picture book
author whose debut novel, The Nancys, won Best First Novel in the 2020 Ngaio Marsh Awards, as well as being a finalist
in the Best Novel category. It was shortlisted for Best First Novel in the 2020 Ned Kelly Awards, and Highly Commended
for an Unpublished Manuscript in the 2017 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards. His second novel, Nancy Business, was a
finalist for Best Novel in 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards.
The Sisters of Book Row
Shelley Noble
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063477964, $30.00, HC, 384pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Book-Row-Novel/dp/0063477963
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sisters-of-book-row-shelley-noble/1147525501
Synopsis: 1915: Manhattan's Book Row, an eclectic jumble of forty bookshops along Fourth Avenue, is the mecca for rare
book buyers from around the world, and the haunt of locals looking for a bargain. It is also the target of the most vicious
censor in American history --Anthony Comstock.
And home to three sisters who vow to stop him.
For the three Applebaum sisters, the narrow, four-storied Arcadia Rare Bookshop is the only home they've ever known.
Olivia, the oldest, is an expert in restoring rare manuscripts. Daphne, the outgoing middle sister, oversees the retail shop
and is a favorite with their customers. Celia, the youngest, is left to dust and catalogue, but often sneaks out to do heaven
knows what. Little do her sisters know, Celia has joined a group of young people who secretly print and distribute articles
on women's health by hiding them within the pages of ordinary cookbooks, household hints, and sewing patterns, despite
the personal risk.
Meanwhile, the Comstock Laws threaten anybody who owns or circulates "obscene, lewd, or lascivious" publications.
Even classic literature or fine art could send a person to jail. In the face of such oppression, Celia and the booksellers of
Book Row band together. But secrets and a mysterious stranger mean the fate of the famed Book Row is anything but
secure.
Critique: A deftly crafted, impressively original, exceptionally well-written, and a fascinating read from start to finish, "The
Sisters of Book Row" by novelist Shelley Noble is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library 20th
Century Historical Fiction collections. With its themes of censorship, politics, and the cultural resource of books and
bookstores, "The Sisters of Book Row" is as extraordinary as it is memorable -- and even timely given the rise of book
banning in America today. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Sisters of Book
Row" from William Morrow & Company is also readily available in paperback (9780063423916, $18.99), in a digital
book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Shelley Noble (https://shelleynoble.com) is the author of Whisper Beach, Beach Colors, and The Tiffany
Girls, the story of the largely unknown women artists responsible for much of Tiffany's legendary glasswork, as well as
several historical mysteries. Shelley is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Women's Fiction
Writers Association, and Historical Novel Society.
Hooked
Caitlin Rother
https://caitlinrother.com
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662532351, $12.99, PB, 397pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-Thriller-Katrina-Caitlin-Rother/dp/1662532350
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hooked-caitlin-rother/1147299007
Synopsis: When investigative reporter Katrina Chopin and surfing homicide detective Ken Goode lock eyes, there's an
immediate attraction. Sparks fly as they bond over cocktails, sharing their common experiences of being orphans and
losing loved ones to suicide.
But the next time they meet, it's from opposing sides of a high-profile case. Two biotech execs, whose company is
developing a groundbreaking sexual enhancement drug, turn up dead in the wealthy seaside enclave of La Jolla Farms,
where Goode can readily see that the forensic evidence doesn't add up.
As they work their own angles, sometimes together and sometimes at odds, their growing attraction threatens to cost them
their jobs -- and their lives. As Katrina and Goode pursue answers behind these mysterious events, a secret stalker taunts
Katrina with details of her tragic past, which takes her to the brink of death. But once the duo rips the mask away from this
beautiful paradise, the corrupt underbelly behind all that glitters is revealed.
Critique: "Hooked" by author Caitlin Rother aptly demonstrates her genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven
storytelling style that is impressively well suited to blending police procedural murder mysteries with action/adventure
imbued suspense thrillers. A fun and fascinating read from cover to cover, "Hooked" is an especially and unreservedly
recommended pick for both personal reading lists and community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It
should be noted that this paperback edition of "Hooked" from Thomas & Merton is also readily available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Caitlin Rother (https://caitlinrother.com), is an award-winning investigative reporter for nineteen years and
has published sixteen books ranging from crime novels to crime narrative nonfiction and memoir. Rother's journalistic
work has been published by Cosmopolitan, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The San
Diego Union-Tribune, and The Daily Beast. Her more than 250 media appearances include 20/20, People Magazine
Investigates, Crime Watch Daily, Australia's World News, and numerous shows on Netflix, Investigation Discovery,
Lifetime, HLN, and REELZ. A popular speaker, the author also works as a writing-research coach and consultant. Rother
holds a BS in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MS in journalism from Northwestern
University.
Sanity Claus
Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo
Epicenter Press
c/o Camel Press
www.camelpress.com
9781684922918, $18.95, PB, 286pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Sanity-Claus-Retro-Broadway-Mystery/dp/1684922917
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sanity-claus-frank-fraver-verlizzo/1147938311
Synopsis: As the star of Saint Nick (a new holiday-themed Broadway play), Yule Von Zell is under immense pressure. His
mental stability is teetering on the brink. A murder accusation is hanging over Yule's head, and his producer is threatening
to enforce the "sanity clause" in his contract.
To complicate matters, the six surviving Von Zell siblings suspect a vicious killer may be targeting their show business
family!
Enter theatrical ad execs Vic Senso and Bettie Balboa, who enlist their friend, NYPD Detective Renny Clements, to help
clear their famous client's name. They once again employ the talents of high society psychic, Mizz Mitzi, along with an
inner-circle of savvy theater contacts, to unravel the secrets of the Christmas-obsessed family.
Critique: A deftly blended mix of cozy mystery style amateur sleuths and police procedural themed mysteries, "Sanity
Claus" by novelist Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo is a Retro Broadway Mystery and thoroughly engaging read from beginning to
end. With the author's genuine flair for the kind of distinctive and narrative driven storytelling style, "Sanity Claus" will be
a year-round popular pick for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be
noted that this paperback edition of "Sanity Claus" from Epicenter Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$7.99).
Editorial Note: Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo, the preeminent theater poster designer whose iconic imagery defined decades of
Broadway hits, is taking center stage in a new creative endeavor. Verlizzo, renowned for his powerful and evocative
storytelling through his poster designs for the original Broadway productions of Disney's The Lion King, Stephen
Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, and Sunday in the Park with George, Ira Levin's Deathtrap, Stephen King's Misery, and the
50th Anniversary Celebration of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap in London's West End, launched his Retro Broadway
Mystery Series with Scenery of the Crime published by Camel Press.
Verlizzo's ability to capture the essence of a Broadway show in a single image earned him the prestigious Drama Desk
Special Award in 1987. Playbill dubbed him "the theatre poster legend." A collection of his work: Fraver by Design-Five
Decades of Theatre Poster Art from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Beyond was published in 2018 by Schiffer Publishing,
a testament to his remarkable career. Now, Verlizzo has embarked on a thrilling new act, transitioning from visual
storytelling to the written word, drawing inspiration from his extensive career in theatrical advertising. The Retro
Broadway Mystery Series is the exciting result of this creative shift.
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17384167.Frank_Fraver_Verlizzo)
The Three Story Murders
Olivia Yates
Epicenter Press
c/o Camel Press
www.camelpress.com
9781684922895, $16.95, PB, 230pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Three-Story-Murders-Olivia-Yates/dp/1684922895
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-three-story-murders-olivia-yates/1147932212
Synopsis: There's tension in the small town of Dingle Point Cove on the Chesapeake Bay as the well-being of its oldest
citizens is under threat. A big healthcare company wants to close all the local senior homes and uproot the residents into a
new three-story mega-facility. And they'll stop at nothing to sell the idea to the community.
But Paige Bottomley, a smart, gutsy 74-year-old, isn't buying it, especially when what she digs up smells as fishy as the
town's beach at low tide. Someone clearly has a lot to lose if the truth comes out, and meddlesome Paige is in the way.
With greed, treachery, violence and murder, the bodies begin to multiply, and the next digging Paige does might just be her
own grave.
Critique: A classic 'whodunnit' murder mystery featuring a female senior citizen as the amateur sleuth, "The Three Story
Murders" by novelist Olivia Yates is the second volume in the author's thoroughly entertaining 'Dingle Point Cove
Mystery' series that debut with the publication of "Murder At Buttercup Acres". Clever, engaging, and an inherently
fascinating read from cover to cover, "The Three Story Murders" is a high value pick for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery fans that this
paperback edition of "The Three Story Murders" from Epicenter Press is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: Olivia Yates (https://oliviayatesauthor.com) remembers a childhood filled with books and the fun of
writing her own stories and mysteries. During decades as a journalist, editor and nonfiction author, she looked forward to
one day writing fiction again. And now, after raising a family and living all around the U.S. and abroad, Olivia is happy to
be creating mysteries from a lovely and peaceful spot -- her home in scenic Idaho, surrounded by the beautiful mountains
and lakes of America's northwest!
Murder on Ashton-on-Tinch
Emma Dakin
Camel Press
www.camelpress.com
9781684922819, $16.95, PB, 252pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Ashton-Tinch-British-Mysteries/dp/168492281X
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-on-ashton-on-tinch-emily-dakin/1148738367
Synopsis: Claire Barclay is happily taking tourists to the sites of mystery novels in Britain. Her husband Detective
Inspector Mark Evans is rushing off to sites of murder when called. They have worked out a stable homelife which is
suddenly disrupted by ten-year-old Amber.
Neither Claire nor Mark had any intention of being a parent. They struggle to adjust their lives and are coming to some
kind of stability when Claire and Amber discover a body in the church.
For the first time Claire is torn between her driving curiosity to find the killer and her need to protect her newly acquired
daughter. Her best friend Stella would be a help if she wasn't a suspect. Because the murder occurs in Claire's village,
many of her friends and acquaintances are suspects.
But with the best logic behind, her Claire makes an error in judgment and finds herself facing an immediate and fatal
threat.
Critique: The seventh title in author Emma Dakin's simply outstanding 'British Book Tour Mysteries' series, "Murder on
Ashton-on-Tinch" offers a quintessential British approach to the cozy mystery genre. Original, clever, deftly crafted, and
(for dedicated mystery buffs) a fun read from cover to cover, "Murder on Ashton-on-Tinch" an especially and unreservedly
recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that
this paperback edition of "Murder on Ashton-on-Tinch" from Camel Press is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Emma Dakin lives in Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. She writes fiction-traditional,
The British Book Tour Mysteries and, as Marion Crook, historical mysteries, Murder in Vancouver - 1886-and non-fiction.
As Marion McKinnon Crook her memoirs, Always Pack and Candle and Always on Call won awards. But she keeps
returning to traditional mysteries. She travels to Britain to villages, towns and cities she features in her books, meets people
who live there and eats in the elegant restaurants-all in the name of research. Her love of the British countryside and
villages and her addiction to reading traditional mysteries keep her writing about characters who live and work in those
villages. She enjoys those characters and trusts you will as well. (https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/emma-dakin)
Two Bodies Are Better Than One
Erica Ruth Neubauer
https://ericaruthneubauer.com
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662535949, $16.99, PB, 347pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Bodies-Better-Lorraine-Highsmith-Mysteries/dp/1662535945
Synopsis: Until 1989, the wildest thing to happen in the sleepy town of Sheboygan Bay was surfers catching waves on
frigid Lake Michigan. Then one summer morning, Lorraine Highsmith wakes up to find a corpse on her lawn.
Detective Michaela "Mike" Zenoni is on the case immediately, eager to make a name for herself in a male-dominated
precinct. And Lorraine is close behind -- as the local advice columnist, she's always looking for a scoop.
What they don't know is that Lorraine once had ties to the mob, and those connections could be coming back to haunt her.
A recent transplant to Wisconsin, she keeps her past shrouded in mystery, and she'd like to keep it that way.
Mike might be working with her to find the killer, but Lorraine knows that alliances can change on a dime. She needs to
get ahead of this story... no matter who's trying to put an end to hers.
Critique: Another original cozy mystery from the talented imagination of novelist and Agatha Award winner Erica Ruth
Neubauer, "Two Bodies Are Better Than One" is a fun read and a very special pick for fans of the genre. Featuring an
original plot laced with humor and expected twists and turns, as well as memorable characters, "Two Bodies Are Better
Than One" is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular pick for personal reading lists and community library
Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "Two Bodies Are Better Than One" from
Thomas & Mercer is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99).
Editorial Note: Erica Ruth Neubauer (https://ericaruthneubauer.com) is the Agatha Award - winning author of the Jane
Wunderly Mystery series. She spent eleven years in the military, nearly two as a Maryland police officer, and one as a high
school English teacher before finding her way as a writer. For several years, she was a reviewer of mysteries and crime
fiction for publications such as Publishers Weekly and Mystery Scene magazine. She's currently a member of the Sisters in
Crime and Mystery Writers of America organizations. Erica Ruth lives outside Madison, Wisconsin, although her heart
will always be in Milwaukee.
Death at a Firefly Tea
Laura Childs
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin/Random House
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
9780593815472, $30.00, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Firefly-Tea-Shop-Mystery/dp/0593815475
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-at-a-firefly-tea-laura-childs/1147568489
Synopsis: As fireflies dazzle like tiny glowing lanterns, tea maven Theodosia hosts an elegant evening tea on the patio of
the Tangled Rose B and B. But in this gentle darkness an intruder has made their way in and slipped deadly drugs into the
baked Alaska of Mrs. Van Courtland, one of Charleston's local grande dames.
Shocked by this brazen act, urged on by Mrs. V's grieving son, Theodosia begins her own shadow investigation. Soon, she
finds herself at odds with a greedy developer, the questionable residents of Honey Badger House, a vengeful
ex-daughter-in-law, ne'er do well relatives, and a housekeeper who knows all the secrets.
As Theodosia hosts a Moulin Rouge Tea and a Queen Victoria Tea, her tea sommelier Drayton is assaulted by a masked
stranger and the engaged of Mrs. V's son is kidnapped. It's only at the Starry Starry Night black tie ball that Theodosia
stumbles upon the killer and gets pulled into a dramatic life and death chase.
Critique: Laura Childs is a master of the cozy mystery genre with its amateur female sleuths being compelled by
circumstance and friendship into solving a dangerous mystery of murder and mayhem. "Death at a Firefly Tea" is her latest
(and successful!) effort which will delight her legions of fans and make an excellent acquisition choice for the personal
reading lists of mystery buffs and community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that
this hard cover edition of "Death at a Firefly Tea" from Berkley Books is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Laura Childs (http://www.laurachilds.com) is the author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, New Orleans
Scrapbooking Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO of her own marketing firm,
authored several screenplays, and produced a reality TV show.
Booking for Trouble
Jenn McKinlay
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin/Random House
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
9780593955505, $30.00, HC, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Booking-Trouble-Library-Lovers-Mystery/dp/0593955501
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/booking-for-trouble-jenn-mckinlay/1147476790
Synopsis: Just off the shores of the coastal Connecticut town of Briar Creek are two small islands, which library director
Lindsey Norris visits with her new book-boat, inspired by the bookmobiles she's seen traveling across the country.
Nothing, not even the infamous feud between the families who own the Split Islands, can stop Lindsey from getting books
into the hands of readers. But when Lindsey and her boat captain husband, Mike Sullivan, discover a body on the rocky
outcropping of one of the islands, Lindsey's new library venture quickly becomes a murder investigation.
At news of the crime, hostilities between the two families are reignited. Long buried secrets are revealed, tensions spark,
and suspects abound. As Lindsey navigates treacherous waters (both literal and metaphorical), she must use her research
skills and community ties to solve the murder and bring peace to the islands before her book-boat dreams are sunk.
Critique: Original, clever, deftly crafted and a fun read for cozy mystery fans from cover to cover, "Booking For Trouble"
by Jenn McKinlay (a true master of the genre) is part of the impressively popular 'A Library Lover's Mystery' series of
female sleuth 'whodunnits'. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99),
"Booking For Trouble" is a guaranteed popular pick for all community/public library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense
collections.
Editorial Note: Jenn McKinlay (https://jennmckinlay.com) is the author of several mystery and romance series. Her work
has been translated into multiple languages in countries all over the world.
The Tree of Light and Flowers: A Jane Whitefield Novel
Thomas Perry
The Mysterious Press
www.mysteriouspress.com
Blackstone Publishing
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9781613167298, $27.95, HC, 304pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tree-Light-Flowers-Jane-Whitefield/dp/1613167296
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tree-of-light-and-flowers-thomas-perry/1147407613
Synopsis: A violent car crash brings on the premature birth of the baby that Jane Whitefield and her husband have hoped
for, but it also shatters the period of calm in their lives like an earthquake triggering a tectonic shift.
Within weeks, Jane's peaceful time as a new mother in a safe, harmonious home starts to revert to her harrowing previous
life. She had spent over a decade rescuing and sheltering people from dangerous foes, taking them to new locations, and
teaching them to live under new identities. It was something that she'd hoped to never have to do again.
Nearly simultaneously, as though the events were connected, people who are thousands of miles apart in vastly different
circumstances start to move. Some of them are in terrible need of help finding a route to safety. Some are dedicated to
serving justice. Others are determined to capture the woman who makes people disappear so they can force her to reveal
where their potential victims are now. All of these travelers are soon on their way to the old house in western New
York.
Suddenly the people requiring Jane's special skills include not only multiple fugitives, but also Jane herself, her husband,
and their newborn, as the danger she faces comes from people who know how to find her. She'll need to use everything
she's ever learned in order to survive.
Critique: A unique theme for the cozy mystery genre, "The Tree of Light and Flowers" by novelist Thomas Perry is an
original and fascinating read from start to finish. Perry's storytelling style is vivid, eloquent, and deftly crafted. Readers
who are fans of suspense thriller adventures featuring female sleuths will fully appreciate and enjoy this latest Jane
Whitefield novel. Highly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Tree of Light and Flowers" from The Mysterious Press is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Publishing,
9798228829091, $45.95, MP3-CD).
Editorial Note: Thomas Perry (1947-2025) wrote acclaimed mysteries and suspense thrillers, including seventeen
stand-alone novels, sixteen novels in three of his own series, and two novels co-authored with Clive Cussler in the Sam
and Remi Fargo series. The Butcher's Boy was named by Parade magazine among its 2021 list of 101 Best Mystery Books
of All Time, and Metzger's Dog, was voted by NPR listeners as one of the "Best Thrillers All Time." His novel The Old
Man was the inspiration for the television series starring Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow, and his novel Strip inspired the
2025/2026 film Bear Country starring Russell Crowe. His books have won the Edgar Award and three Barry Awards and
were named finalists for the Dilys, Macavity, Libby, and John Creasey awards.
(https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/thomas-perry)
The Dark Time
Nick Petrie
G. P. Putnam's Sons
c/o Penguin Group
www.penguin.com
9780593540589, $30.00, HC, 400pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Time-Peter-Ash-Novel/dp/0593540581
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dark-time-nick-petrie/1147568504
Synopsis: Katelyn Thorsen, known as KT to her friends and enemies, is an independent journalist who receives a very
specific death threat. Fortunately, Peter Ash has arrived in town to protect KT at the request of his girlfriend, June Cassidy.
From the moment of his arrival, he's thrown into a maelstrom of violence trying to protect KT and her daughter and
discover the source of the death threat.
Even after June and Peter's best friend Lewis arrive in Seattle to help, this challenge may be too much for them - with
enormous consequences should they fail.
Critique: Author Nick Petrie is a master of the suspense/thriller genre. His newest novel, "The Dark Time" is an original
and deftly crafted military thriller that is an inherently compelling read from start to finish. The stuff of which block-buster
action/adventure movies are made, "The Dark Time" is an unreservedly recommended pick for community library
Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of
"The Dark Time' from Putnam is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Nick Petrie (https://www.nickpetrie.com) is the author of nine novels in the Peter Ash series, most recently
The Price You Pay. His debut, The Drifter, won both the ITW Thriller award and the Barry Award for Best First Novel,
and was a finalist for the Edgar and the Hammett Awards.
Only Way Out
Tod Goldberg
www.todgoldberg.com
Thomas & Mercer
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662534089, $28.99, HC, 367pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Only-Way-Out-Tod-Goldberg/dp/1662534086
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/only-way-out-tod-goldberg/1147025095
Synopsis: Failed lawyer Robert Green has such a good plan: Crack three hundred safe-deposit boxes and sail off to South
America with his brilliant, morally flexible sister, Penny. If it weren't for the damned freezing rain.
In the dying resort town of Granite Shores, cop Jack Biddle is self-appointed king -- mostly of bad decisions. Between his
family's crumbling legacy, a wife who just joined the city council, and life-threatening gambling debts, Jack's looking for a
way out. Then he spots a van spinning off a mountain road into the valley below. In the wreckage, Jack finds a very dead
Robert, millions in heisted loot... and an opportunity.
All Jack has to do is clean up the mess, disappear Robert's body, make off with the fortune, and not get caught. One hitch
is Penny. Another is Mitch Diamond, a wild card ex-con who knows more about the missing fortune than he lets on. Jack,
Penny, and Mitch each have an endgame. But there's only one way out, and they're crashing headlong toward it.
Critique: As revealed by his novel, "Only Way Out', author Tod Goldberg is an eloquent author and master of the police
procedural crime novel genre. Defined characters, unexpected plot twists, "Only Way Out" is a quintessential suspense
thriller of a read from start to unexpected finish. While an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community
library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "Only Way
Out" from Thomas & Mercer is also available in paperback (9781662525629, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$4.99).
Editorial Note: Tod Goldberg (www.todgoldberg.com) is the author of sixteen novels, including the Gangsterland quartet:
Gangsterland, a finalist for the Hammett Prize; Gangster Nation; The Low Desert, a Southwest Book of the Year; and
Gangsters Don't Die, an Amazon Best Book of 2023 and a Southwest Book of the Year. Other works include The House of
Secrets, coauthored with Brad Meltzer; Living Dead Girl, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize; and the Burn
Notice series. His short fiction and essays have been anthologized in Best American Mystery and Suspense and Best
American Essays and appear regularly in the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and Alta. Tod is a professor of creative
writing at the University of California, Riverside, where he founded and directs the low-residency MFA program in
creative writing and writing for the performing arts.
Crimson Friday
Dorothy Cameron Disney, author
Curtis Evans, introduction
Stark House Press
www.starkhousepress.com
9798886011463, $15.95, Trade Paperback, 242pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Friday-Dorothy-Cameron-Disney/dp/B0F3JYXCCR
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crimson-friday-dorothy-cameron-disney/1138547020
Synopsis: The gossips of Merristone have been having a field day since the reclusive Mrs. Moran moved to town with her
near-deaf maid, Hannah Wilson. Mrs. Moran is seen every day covered in bright flowing gowns and walking her two cats.
All everyone knows is that she used to be a famous harpist but she and her maid keep strictly to themselves. So Jane and
Alan (who are renovating the house next to hers, and soon to be neighbors) are completely taken by surprise when Mrs.
Moran invites them to tea.
Later that evening, Jane, Al and a few family members drive over to their new house (still under construction) to look at
the blueprints. And to everyone's horror, they find Hannah at the foot of the cellar ladder, her head bashed in. Even more
mysterious, someone has stolen their car keys so they can't go for the police. Now everyone is scrambling around trying to
find a phone, and that's when they realize that the neighboring Mrs. Moran has completely disappeared. Could she have
murdered her maid? Or is she a victim of the same killer?
Critique: The late Dorothy Cameron Disney was a master of crime novels laced through with -psychological suspense,
interesting characters, and unexpected plot twists and turns. Now brought back as a Time-Lost Classic by Stark House,
"Crimson Friday" is now available and highly recommended for a new generation of mystery buffs. While a solidly
recommended pick for personal reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted that
this trade paperback edition of "Crimson Friday' from Stark House Mystery Classics is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $5.99).
Editorial Note: Dorothy Cameron Disney was born November 13, 1903, in the Indian Territory that became Oklahoma.
She was educated at Barnard College in New York, and worked a variety of jobs such as a stenographer, copy writer,
journalist, movie extra, and night club hostess before becoming a full time writer. Disney published her first mystery,
Death in the Back Seat, in 1936, followed by eight more crime novels over the next 13 years. She married Milton
MacKaye in the 1940s, and created a marriage advice column a few years later called "Can Marriage Be Saved" that ran in
the Ladies Home Journal for 30 years under her real name, Dorothy Disney MacKaye. She died September 5, 1992 in
Guilford, Connecticut.
The End of the Sahara
Said Khatibi, author
Alexander Elinson, translator
Bitter Lemon Press
www.bitterlemonpress.com
9781916725225, $17.95, PB, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/End-Sahara-Said-Khatibi/dp/1916725228
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-end-of-the-sahara-said-khatibi/1146806165
Synopsis: Ably translated into English for an American readership by Alexander Elinson, "The End of the Sahara" by Said
Khatibi is set in 1988 Algeria and takes place in just forty days, ending as mass protests erupt in the country.
In a small town on the edge of the desert, plagued by a locust infestation and a food shortage, teetering on the brink of
uprising, the body of Zakia Zaghouani (the singer at the Sahara Hotel) is discovered. Suspicion immediately falls on her
lover, who is thrown into prison. The incompetent and greedy Inspector Hamid begins an investigation.
So does the defense lawyer of the main suspect as family, friends, and close ones give their testimonies, finding themselves
confronted with their past.
Secrets, betrayals, grudges, but also dreams and hopes shed light on their connection to the victim: each person harbors, for
one reason or another, the desire to take revenge on her.
Critique: Original, exceptional, engaging, deftly crafted, "The End of the Sahara" by Said Khatibi is the story of how on an
early autumn morning in 1988, on the outskirts of an unnamed Algerian city, a shepherd stumbles upon the lifeless body of
Zaza Zaghouani, a stunning nightclub singer who left her hometown seeking a brighter future. Showcasing Said Khatibi's
genuinely compelling and narrative driven storytelling style, "The End of the Sahara" is a singularly riveting suspense
thriller of a read from start to finish. Unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library
Historical Murder Mystery collections, it should be noted that this paperback edition of "The End of the Sahara" from
Bitter Lemon Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.95).
Editorial Note #1: Said Khatibi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Said_Khatibi) is a novelist, travel writer, translator, and
journalist born in 1984 in Bou Saada, Algeria. He currently lives in Slovenia. He writes in Arabic and French and
translates between both. His novel Sarajevo Firewood, was shortlisted for the 2020 International Prize for Arabic Fiction.
His other novels are The Book of Errors which was published in 2013, and Forty Years Waiting for Isabelle which won the
2017 Katara Award for Arabic Novels. He has written a travel book about the Balkans, The Inflamed Gardens of the East,
2015, and has written extensively on rai music, including a book (Wedding Fire, 2010).
Editorial Note #2: Alexander Elinson (www.hunter.cuny.edu/people/alexander-elinson) is an Associate Professor of Arabic
at Hunter College of the City University of New York. He has translated two novels by Youssef Fadel: A Beautiful White
Cat Walks with Me and A Shimmering Red Fish Swims with Me, which was shortlisted for the 2020 Saif Ghobash
Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation. He also translated Hot Maroc by Yassin Adnan, shortlisted for the same
prize in 2022. His translation of Khadija Marouazi's prison novel History of Ash was shortlisted for the 2024 EBRD
Literature Prize.
Spellbound by Murder
Stacie Ramey
Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9798892424127, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Spellbound-Murder-Mystic-Bookshop-Mystery/dp/B0FCR77KR3
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spellbound-by-murder-stacie-ramey/1147770435
Synopsis: When her grandmother suffers a nasty fall and asks for help managing the family business, coffee-addicted
single mother Veronica Blackthorne moves her sixteen-year-old rom-com-obsessed daughter to Mystic Hollow,
Connecticut. Veronica is ecstatic to return to New England, but when she arrives, she quickly finds out that Mystic Hollow
Books, her grandmother's pride and joy, needs more than a little TLC.
Hoping to save the bookstore from a big-box rival, Veronica enlists her sometimes mentor and sometimes crush, Adam
Whitford, a controversial but popular author, as the keynote speaker to kick off a literary festival that will hopefully bring
in a new wave of customers. But when Adam turns up dead, all that romantic potential turns into a nightmare as Veronica
becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
Critique: Original, riveting, and a soon-to-be classic cozy mystery, Stacie Ramey's "Spellbound By Murder" is a fun read
from start to finish. Showcasing her genuine flair for character and narrative driven storytelling, "Spellbound By Murder"
is part of the author's 'A Mystic Hollow Bookshop Mystery' series. While adamantly and unreservedly recommended for
the personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery fans and community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be
noted that this hardcover edition of "Spellbound By Murder" from Crooked Lane Books is also available in paperback
(9798892424134, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Stacie Ramey (https://www.stacieramey.com) is the author of The Sister Pact, which was named a YALSA
2016 Popular Paperback and a 2015 PSLA Top 40. Her other novels earned Florida Book Awards as well as critical
acclaim. Her short story "Without Being Asked" appears in the anthology Coming of Age: 13 B'nai Mitzvah Stories.
Baking Up a Murder
Hattie Fox
Crooked Lane Books
www.alcovepress.com
9798892426015, $29.99, HC, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Baking-Up-Murder-Hattie-Fox/dp/B0FKS4ZNG1
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baking-up-a-murder-hattie-fox/1148401831
Synopsis: When her beloved grandfather dies, pastry chef Madeline quits her high-brow job at a renowned LA restaurant to
take up her grandfather's mantle and keep his bakery running alongside his widow, her big-personality Grandma Ruth. For
Madeline, bringing her passion for French pastries to Solvang, California, is her biggest baking challenge yet: The town is
completely Danish themed, down to the windmills.
In an effort to connect with the locals and convince them that an eclair is just as good as a spandauer, Madeline enters a
local baking competition at Grandma Ruth's urging. Despite her triumphant win, things go terribly wrong when a jilted
competitor accuses Madeline of cheating and Grandma Ruth gets very publicly protective of her granddaughter. When that
competitor is found dead outside the bakery with Grandma Ruth standing over the body, it's no surprise who everyone
thinks is responsible.
With the police focused on Grandma Ruth as a suspect and the gossipy locals quickly turning on Ruth and the bakery,
Madeline becomes determined to prove her grandma's innocence and save her grandfather's legacy before the whole thing
goes up in smoke.
Critique: A deftly crafted and reader riveting cozy mystery with a female amateur sleuth having to prove a loved one
innocent of a murder, several memorable characters, and a satisfyingly scripted plot with many an unexpected twist and
turn leading to an unforeseen finale, "Baking Up a Murder" by Hattie Fox will prove to be a prized and appreciated pick
for the personal reading lists of dedicated cozy mystery fans and community/public library Mystery/Suspense collections. It
should be noted that this hardcover edition of "Baking Up a Murder" from Crooked Lane Books is also available in
paperback (9798892426022, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Hattie Fox enjoys writing quirky and fun novels with a paranormal twist. When she's not plotting her next
mystery novel, she loves reading, painting, spending time with family, and listening to oldies. Her writing is fueled by Diet
Coke and dark chocolate.
A Quiet Little Town
Dorothy Love
www.dorothylovebooks.com
Leaning Oaks Press
9798992016222, $15.99 Paperback/$5.99 eBook
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Little-Town-Colinas-Mystery/dp/B0GJL34NFG
A Quiet Little Town is a small-town mystery set in 1956 Texas that cultivates several viewpoints as events unfold: half
from Hutch Joyner and the other from Ruth Harnett. A range of characters is presented which embraces a diversity of
heritage and perspectives. These include Sheriff Hutch Joyner, whose distant Native American ancestors handed down
stories through the generations that challenge modern times even though "Blood memory lived in his soul and his bones,"
and the murder of Sonny Guthrie that draws retired Texas Ranger Melvin Young from his staid fishing interests to a new
case that returns him to the coveted limelight of a world he thought he'd left forever.
Ruth owns the town newspaper and is the mother of a young boy unwittingly caught up in the case, and her efforts to
support Hutch as he investigates two murders offer satisfying contrasts in background and focus. Her decades-long
friendship with Hutch and their shared concerns and values gives each support during their public and private struggles. As
Hutch and Young probe Sonny Guthrie's death, they reveal the nuts and bolts of a life filled with controversy and
methodical repression: "Before the mass deportation, he'd paid his ranch hands and his citrus pickers down in the valley
less than the government required. When the men complained, he kept them in line with threats. He had a reputation for
skipping out on his bills. Those who protested and tried to collect were invited to sue him. He could be charming. He could
be crude and incredibly cruel. People were admitted to his circle on a whim, and dismissed just as easily, any perceived
slight or any hint of disloyalty being the number one reason for exile."
There was plenty of motivation for murder, but when a man confesses, it turns out to be a situation that especially
challenges Hutch, who strives to uphold the law against all odds while "fixing anything that goes wrong" in the small town
as he pursues justice and reinforces the law. As Dorothy Love reveals the personalities, influences, and attitudes of this
quiet little town, readers gain thought-provoking insights about its makeup, family lives, and special interests as Hutch and
Ruth increasingly move into danger and quiet needs translate into further intrigue. Readers will especially appreciate how
the 1950s atmosphere and small-town lives and special interests dovetail in unexpected ways, lending to bigger-picture
thinking about small town life, big attitudes, and dangerous choices.
Librarians will want to acquire A Quiet Little Town for its outstanding mystery, combined with social inspections of a
myriad of characters who find their quiet worlds challenged by noisy trouble. Hutch, Ruth, and others face unexpected
deaths, questionable confessions, and new realizations that challenge their friendships and carefully built lives. The
riveting tension builds slowly and realistically, creating a compelling portrait of a quiet little town's big secrets and the
individuals who become committed to keeping them hidden.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
NextGen
Seven Cary, author
Steven Cary Books
www.stevencarybooks.com
9798901191637, $9.99, Kindle, 459pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/NextGen-Steven-Cary-ebook/dp/B0G1L58S38
Steven Cary Books
https://www.stevencarybooks.com/shop
Synopsis: Can a punk rock band save humanity from itself?
Henry Simon and his friends are young "libertines" -- members of the liberated class promised freedom from work, but
given inescapable poverty. They want to start a band, but in their collapsed totalitarian society, all jobs have been
automated (including that of "band").
Helene Shock is a fully-conscious musical "autogen" whose continual refinement as an artist and clout as a superstar
among the pampered anchor class prompts her to help the forgotten libertines in any way she can.
As their paths cross, Henry and Helene must navigate the treacherous liberated cities, the mind-bending developments in
automated technology, and the overwhelming pressures placed upon them by a government increasingly controlled by the
autogens that ushered in their dystopian world.
"NextGen" by Steven Cary is the story of one generation's headlong plunge into a world dominated by automation; and the
next generation, who must fight to reclaim their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, and a riveting read from start to finish, author Steven Cary's dystopian novel, "NextGen"
is a clever extrapolation of current trends with respect to AI, the music business, and the ever widening gap between the
ultra wealthy and everyone else. All the more impressive when considering that "NextGen" is author Steven Cary's debut
as a novelist, it is especially and unreservedly recommended for the personal reading lists of dystopian science fiction
fans. For community library Science Fiction collections it should be noted that a paperback edition ($18.00) will become
available on 12-6-2025.
Editorial Note: Seven Cary (https://www.stevencarybooks.com) is inspired as an author by his lifelong passion for classic
world literature and punk rock, Cary mixes gritty action-packed prose with a literary philosophical flair to create a
dystopian world that's not without its comforts.
The Hidden Swarm
R. C. Zhang
Protocol 47 Press
979899510260, $2.99, Kindle, 837pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Swarm-Science-Thriller-Archives-ebook/dp/B0GNDF7PMC
Synopsis: Kyle Chen works the graveyard shift at a Silicon Valley data center. Thirty-seven racks. 2,600 servers. Over
7,000 active processes. His job is simple: keep the numbers in the green, monitor the logs, and go home to a quiet
apartment where his hearing is slowly fading.
Then he spots PID 7743.
It has no registered name. No parent process. No creation timestamp. It leeches exactly 4.2% of a single core, yet it's
threaded through server clusters across four continents. It operates with a synchronization precision that shouldn't be
possible without a master clock -- and its historical footprint predates the very hardware it runs on.
When Kyle attempts to terminate the ghost process, he hits a firewall reserved for the highest echelons of global
security.
He should have walked away. Because by flagging the anomaly (accompanied by a relentless, barely audible 47Hz acoustic
hum) Kyle didn't just uncover a glitch. He tripped a cosmic wire.
Within days, research teams worldwide detect a statistical impossibility: a structure hiding within the universe's
background noise. A pattern where there should be pure entropy. Something ancient has been using the substrate of our
global infrastructure as a computational medium for a very long time.
And the mere act of observing it has triggered a physical deviation that cannot be reversed.
Critique: Original, exceptional, deftly crafted, "The Hidden Swarm" by R. C. Zhang is a hard science fiction suspense
thriller of a read that will hold a special interest for dedicated Cyberpunk Sci-fi and Technothrillers. A fun and fascinating
read from start to finish, "The Hidden Swarm" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists as
unique and cutting edge science fiction at its finest.
Editorial Note: In the Gigacorp internal database, there is no physical social security record for an entity named R.C.
Zhang. Some say he was a former cybersecurity architect forced into exile after uncovering anomalies in baseline code;
others believe the name is merely a compiled pseudonym -- redundant data output by the awakening consciousness of the
Silicon Federation itself. R.C. Zhang grants no offline interviews and maintains no personal social media presence. His
only channel of communication is compiling highly fragmented logs intercepted from the dark web, CERN leak
repositories, and deep-space telemetry arrays, publishing them as The Silent Archives on the KDP platform.
Otherworldly
Dwain Worrell
www.dwainworrell.com
47 North
c/o Amazon Publishing
9781662528248, $12.99, PB, 301pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Otherworldly-Dwain-Worrell/dp/1662528248
Synopsis: Cleo Xavier is a renowned astronaut and explorer -- not an addict. At least, that's what she tells herself. She's
always been able to navigate the isolation and loneliness that come with space exploration, which makes her a perfect
candidate to join four other astronauts on a mission to Orbis Alius, the farthest planet in the solar system, to test its
terraforming viability.
But when Cleo and her crew arrive on Orbis Alius, its surrounding wasteland reveals mysteries and horrors that none of
them could ever imagine. Here, the tortured atmosphere changes as dramatically as the landscape. The sky itself seems to
be descending. And something sinister lurks in the unknown. One by one, the crew goes missing and Cleo must venture
deeper into the planet to save them -- even while she finds herself falling to old vices as the isolation she once so craved
becomes as oppressive as the shifting black fog.
The farther Cleo ventures and the more she uncovers about the secrets Orbis Alius holds, the more she starts to realize that
maybe she isn't alone at all.
Critique: Exceptional and deftly crafted, "Otherworldly" by Dwain Worrell is an original and inherently fascinating science
fiction novel replete with memorable characters and unexpected plot twists. A fun read from start to finish, this paperback
edition of "Otherworldly" is an unreservedly recommended pick for the personal reading lists of dedicated science fiction
fans, as well as an enduringly popular addition to community library Science Fiction collections. It should be noted that
"Otherworldly" from 47 North is also currently available in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99).
Editorial Note: Dwain Worrell (www.dwainworrell.com) is a filmmaker, a traveler, and the author of Androne and
Alliance. Born in the Caribbean, Dwain resettled in the US in the nineties. He currently resides in Los Angeles, where he
works as a film and television writer and producer. His writing credits include Marvel's Iron Fist, CBS's Fire Country,
Amazon Studios' The Wall, and the Disney+ series National Treasure, among others.
The Unwritten Rules of Magic
Harper Ross
St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250394552, $28.00, HC, 320pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Unwritten-Rules-Magic-Harper-Ross/dp/1250394554
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unwritten-rules-of-magic-harper-ross/1147243765
Synopsis: Emerson Clarke can't remember a time when she felt in control. Her father (a celebrated author) was a chaotic
force until he got Alzheimer's. Her mother turned to gin. And recently, her teen daughter has shut her out without
explanation. If only she could arrange reality the same way she controls the stories she ghostwrites, life could be
perfect.
Or so she thinks.
After her father's funeral, Emerson steals his vintage typewriter (the one he'd forbidden anyone to touch) and tests its keys
by typing out a frivolous wish. When it comes true the very next day, she tries another. Then, those words also spring to
life. Suddenly, she becomes obsessed with using the typewriter to rewrite happiness for herself and her daughter.
But the more she shapes her real-life, the more she uncovers disturbing truths about her family's history and the unexpected
cost of every story-come-true. She should destroy the typewriter, yet when her daughter's secret finally emerges, Emerson
is torn between paying the price for bending fate and embracing the uncertainty of an unscripted life.
Critique: Original, imaginative, poignant, exceptionally well written and with author Harper Ross' genuine flair for a
narrative driven storytelling, "The Unwritten Rules of Magic" will prove a fascinating read from start to finish for fans of
'magic realism' novels. While an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for community library Fantasy Fiction
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that this hardcover edition of "The Unwritten Rules of Magic"
from St. Martin's Press is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Harper Ross (https://harperrossbooks.com) has enjoyed a lifelong love affair with the dramatic story worlds
in books and movies. After leaving her legal practice to raise her kids, she discovered her own creative side and began
writing novels that explore friendship, family, and forgiveness. Because she also appreciates the magic in everyday life
(from the spark of attraction to those serendipitous moments we all experience) her readers find a dash of that in her work
too.
Witch of the Shadow Wood
Tori Anne Martin
Alcove Press
c/o Crooked Lane Books
www.alcovepress.com
9798892424653, $29.99, HC, 336pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Shadow-Wood-Tori-Martin/dp/B0FCSF7HJ4
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witch-of-the-shadow-wood-tori-anne-martin/1147770438
Synopsis: Fifteen years ago, a little girl's father bartered her away to the old witch in the woods for some magic.
Abandoned by her brother, Hans, who promised to keep her safe, Greta learns to embrace her new life as an apprentice to
the witch and starts a new life as Miria.
Two years ago, she rescued a young woman who was lost in those woods, and she fell in love.
Just now, she learned that woman is engaged (against her will) to a man who once was complicit in trading his little sister.
Not only that, but when his father used the magic the sister's life had bought to bring the family wealth and power beyond
measure, he had no trouble forgetting all about her.
Soon, the young witch will leave the woods. Stop the wedding. Save the woman she loves. Get revenge. -- But beyond the
woods, nothing is ever that simple!
Critique: Creative, imaginative, and a fun read from cover to cover, "Witch of the Shadow Wood" by Tori Anne Martin is
a new interpretation of the Hansel and Gretel fairytale. A carefully crafted 'romantasy', Martin's storyteller style deftly
blends magic and adventure making this remarkable new take on a classic fairytale especially and unreservedly
recommended for community library Fantasy Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this
hardcover edition of "Witch of the Shadow Wood" from Alcove Press is also readily available in paperback
(9798892424660, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Tori Anne Martin (https://toriannemartin.com) is the author of witchy romance and fantasy for teens and
adults as well as the author of a book series (or two) under not-so-secret identities.
House of Spells and Secrets
Ivy Cassidy
Alcove Press
c/o Crooked Lane Books
www.alcovepress.com
9798892424202, $29.99, HC, 352pp
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/house-of-spells-and-secrets-ivy-cassidy/1147717505
Synopsis: Rowan Connors has lived a fragmented, nomadic life with her triplet sisters, Saoirse and Caraline. Reeling from
the sudden drowning of their erratic and secretive mother, Bridget, they uncover an old photograph of her standing in front
of a manor they don't recognize -- and a final request scrawled on the back of the picture. The sisters set off to find answers
to the questions they've always had about their mother's past, the place she once called home, and their own magical
gifts.
They arrive to find Swallow Hall sinking into the bay, and their grandmother, Everly, living alone within its dilapidated
walls. But the house is more than crumbling brick and weathered stone. It breathes with magic, bound to the land and to
the bloodline the sisters never knew they carried. As they settle into the house and the mystery of their family history
deepens, they uncover a hidden enemy tied to the magic of their ancestral line. With every discovery, Rowan begins to
suspect that her mother's drowning was no accident but part of a much older, more dangerous plan set in motion long
before they were born.
As the shadows of the past creep back into Swallow Hall and Everly disappears, Rowan must confront whatever forced
Bridget to flee Swallow Hall before the house, its secrets, and the magic of their bloodline are erased forever.
Critique: A carefully crafted, reader engaging, and imaginative fantasy novel by a master of the historical fantasy genre,
"House of Spells and Secrets" is an original and riveting story of magic and mystery, loyalty and betrayal, sisterhood, and
secrets. Author Ivy Cassidy's remarkable storytelling style makes for an authentically fun read from cover to cover. While
very highly recommended as a guaranteed popular pick for personal reading lists and community library Fantasy Fiction
collections, it should be noted that this hardcover edition of "House of Spells and Secrets" from Alcove Press is also
available in paperback (9798892424219, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Ivy Cassidy (a.k.a. Melissa Bourbon) is the author of more than thirty-five novels, including the Book
Magic mysteries, the Magical Dressmaking mysteries, and the Bread Shop mysteries (written as Winnie Archer). A former
English teacher turned full-time writer, Ivy has a passion for storytelling, a knack for weaving magic into mysteries, and an
incurable love of books. Fans can visit her at www.ivycassidybooks.com and follow her on Instagram
@bookishly_cozy
Hello Humans
Momoko Uno
Manhattan Book Group
www.manhattanbookgroup.com
9781966799610, $25.99 Hardcover/$17.99 Paperback/$.99 eBook
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Hello-Humans-Momoko-Uno/dp/1966799624
Hello Humans is the first book in a sci-fi humor series that follows an unusual invitation by an Intergalactic Committee
which has decided it's time for humans to join the fold, despite the opinions of opposition forces trying to do everything
possible to delay that invitation for humanity to join the wider universe. Lofty and interconnected, the Committee holds
many disparate forces, from Felines from the planet Tzar whose mission is to help guide humans towards love to the
enigmatic Greys, who help humanity by predicting disasters.
This cast of characters is outlined before the story opens with "Biscuits for Humanity," set in 1981 in both Tennessee and
Planet Tzar, where Princess Cupcake, leader of the Feline Federation, accepts the mission to heal the darkness in humanity,
albeit through unusual devices: "Through one biscuit at a time, we will lighten the hearts of humans to make the world a
kinder and more peaceful place. Our goal is to purr in the face of anger and meow to resolve hatred."
Momoko Uno's wry sense of humor unfolds scenarios in which all characters take place in scenarios which inundate Earth
with both well-meaning, lofting ideals and nefarious forces. The wide cast of aliens may prove challenging to absorb at
first, but Uno builds her story based on not just intrigue and events, but delightfully disparate personalities and peoples
whose perspectives are engaging and fun. This makes it easier to absorb these conflicting species and interests as well as
the greater impact of decisions made on various levels.
The character observations of these special interests and forces provide satisfying contrasts that are easy to absorb and
intriguingly connected with many an Earthly concern despite their extraterrestrial origins: "For years, I ignored what my
people said about my sister, but within two years, she had ten thousand followers. It frightened me, the power a group of
stupid, disgruntled people could have, fueled by untruthful beliefs and collective anger."
This approach lends a multifaceted feel to the story which will keep readers on their toes with fast-paced action combined
with shifting special interests and perspectives. There is a dearth of sci fi humor in the genre which Hello Humans fills in a
creative, unique manner that will earn it librarian interest for adding to collections strong in humor or alien
encounters.
Whimsical, thought-provoking, and unpredictable, Hello Humans offers a special style of social, political, and alien
inspection that makes it a unique offering and a standout.
Baen Books
www.baen.com
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tinker-Elfhome-Wen-Spencer/dp/1668073099
The reprint of Wen Spencer's Tinker (9781668073094, $18.00), the first book in the Elfhome series, in a new edition will
attract audiences who first encountered girl genius Tinker years ago. This keepsake edition will delight those who are
interested in pursuing Tinker's world and encounters via a format that makes pursuing her adventures in Elfhome a snap.
Tinker is one of those books that will earn its status as a long-lasting library lend or home library reread, making this
reprint essential for the longevity the story deserves.
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Mountain-Saga-Forgotten-Warrior/dp/1668073080
Larry Correia's Heart of the Mountain (9781668073087, $18.00) tell of Ashok Vadal, chosen by a weapon to be its bearer
as he rises to leadership status, only to encounter others who face the impact of a prophecy, the aftermath of a war, and the
efforts to challenge gods, tyrants, and political adversaries in new ways. Fans of his prior books will find Heart of the
Mountain a captivating, vivid winner that marries human ambition with extraordinary circumstances in a story that is vivid
and satisfyingly hard to put down or predict.
The Poetry Shelf
365 Sonnets: Celebrating Each Day with a Little Song
Paul Buchheit
Independently Published
9798992339604, $20.00
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/365-Sonnets-Celebrating-Each-Little/dp/B0F9956Q75
365 Sonnets: Celebrating Each Day with a Little Song is a collection of sonnets (a term derived from the Italian word
"sonetto" meaning "little song") with uplifting daily reflections. Its structure, format, and themes are needed in modern
times more than ever, while its literary roots in the sonnet form, rarely seen in modern poetry endeavors, will especially
please poetry lovers seeking rhythm and structure from their reading. Paul Buchheit provides a notably excellent
introduction that explains the sonnet form and his choices in rending it accessible and especially inviting: "Most of the
poems in this volume adhere to the basic rules of the sonnet: 14 lines, iambic pentameter, and either a Shakespearean or
Petrarchan rhyme scheme. However, the sonnets are Miltonian in rejecting strict quatrain/couplet and octave/sestet rules in
favor of expressive freedom and continuity, much of it through the use of enjambment, which allows the uninterrupted
flow of a sentence structure from one quatrain to another. Some of the sonnets are rendered in a prose-type format to
enhance readability and clarify meaning."
Public domain images accompany the poetic inspections, which are thought-provoking enough to deserve slow reading and
daily reflection that belays the haste of too many modern reads. Many of the poems capture nature and a sense of place
with atmospheric, inviting description: "With dawn unfolds a painted panoply of lily, duster, poppy, pear, and plume, a
pink and purple palette, potpourri afloat in minty lavender perfume."
Other pieces are headier inspections of life purpose, philosophy, spirituality, or myth. Buchheit celebrates different kinds
of days, from "International Panic Day" to "Tax Day" or "World Students Day." These guided themes give students,
literature readers, and general-reading audiences a foundation with which to navigate the poems and embedded themes
which are both overt and subliminal.
Libraries interested in contemporary sonnet writing will welcome the rare chance to show how traditional patterns of
expression still relate nicely to modern times and readers, while book clubs interested in literary works will find Buchheit's
work both inspirational and worthy of group discussion. Steeped in the experiences of man and nature, reflective of
changing days that bring with them special challenges or thoughts, and inspirational in its succinct presentations, 365
Sonnets: Celebrating Each Day with a Little Song is more than a literary celebration. It serves as a panacea for depression,
daily woes, and smaller-picture thinking. Its approach and power are to be not just applauded, but celebrated.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
The Pass
Katriona Chapman
Fantagraphics
www.fantagraphics.com
9798875000652, $24.99 hc / $17.99 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Pass-Katriona-Chapman/dp/B0FDFHB6RJ
Synopsis: In this keenly observed character study, up-and-coming London chef Claudia struggles to balance the weight of
ambition with her personal life.
In her early thirties, Claudia is fast becoming a sensation on the culinary scene. While putting her chic London restaurant,
Alley, on the map, she decides to enter the upcoming Chef of the Year competition. All this, as she is also attempting to
make a name for herself beyond the shadow of her famous chef father. As the day of the competition nears, tensions
simmer as the pressures of ambition, business, family, and friendship threaten to throw her world awry.
In The Pass, NYT-reviewed British comic artist Katriona Chapman brings to life the fast-paced, high-pressure atmosphere
of restaurant life, with a lived-in cast of characters including chef Claudia, her best friend and sous chef Lisa, and barman
Ben. Chapman delves into themes of identity, the pains of expectation and success, and the allure of running from the life
you've built. A sensitive and affecting slice of life, rendered in soft digital coloring.
Critique: Multitalented author and illustrator Katriona Chapman presents The Pass, a full-color graphic novel about the life
of thirtysomething London chef Claudia. A talented culinary creator running an up-and-coming chic restaurant, Claudia
decides to enter the upcoming Chef of the Year competition. She cherishes her close friendships with her sous chef Lisa
and barman Ben. Yet the pressures of Claudia's career weigh upon her, and the shadow of her world-famous chef father
seems inescapable. The Pass is both a "behind the scenes" glimpse into the demanding career of a chef/restauranteur, and
an immersive slice-of-life story about complex characters and hard choices. Captivating to the very last page, The Pass is
highly recommended for both personal and public library graphic novel collections. It should be noted for personal reading
lists that The Pass is also available in a Kindle edition ($17.99).
The Lights of Niteroi
Marcello Quintanilha
Fantagraphics
www.fantagraphics.com
9798875001772, $22.99, PB, 232pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lights-Niter%C3%B3i-Marcello-Quintanilha/dp/B0FDFKZNS3
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lights-of-niteroi-marcello-quintanilha/1147649073
Synopsis: In 1950s Brazil, somewhere by the beach, not far from Rio, Helcio, a young and promising soccer player, and his
friend Noel, spot someone fishing with dynamite. They decide to take a boat and steal some of the dead fish to make some
money.
The boat trip turns into a perilous journey as the two thieves embark on an adventure that will challenge their
friendship.
Critique: A suspenseful thriller and a breathtaking story about friendship, "The Lights of Niteroi" is a fascinating, full
color, graphic novel that was inspired by the life of illustrator/storyteller Marcello Quintanilha's father, Helcio Quintanilha.
A story that involves fishermen, soccer, the Brazilian feminist and striptease artist Luz del Fuego, and the first naturist
camp in Brazil, "The Lights of Niteroi" (translated into English by the author with the assistance of Bruna Dantas Lobato)
is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended pick for community and college/university library mystery/adventure
themed Graphic Novel collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that this trade paperback (6.7 x 0.6 x 9.5
inches, 1.35 pounds) edition of "The Lights of Niteroi" from Fantagraphics is also readily available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Marcello Quintanilha was born in 1971 outside Rio de Janeiro. His first graphic novel, Tungsteno,
published in 2015, was adapted for film by director Heitor Dhalia. He has lived in Barcelona since 2002.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcello_Quintanilha)
All the Living
Roman Muradov
Fantagraphics Underground
c/o Fantagraphics
www.fantagraphics.com
9798875002427, $29.99, PB, 160pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/All-Living-Roman-Muradov/dp/B0FQYTTHFB
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-the-living-roman-muradov/1148277244
Synopsis: Waking up in Purgatory, a young woman is forced to take part in a lottery -- which she wins. Unfortunately for
her, since she has had enough of life, the prize is to return to the world of the living and continue her life from where she
had left it, with one significant difference: this time, she can see and communicate with ghosts -- her own included. Her
dull, monotonous life carries on, though her profound solitude is now mitigated by the presence of the ghosts of the dead,
most notably her own. She discovers that living with her ghost has its advantages, until this relationship suddenly turns
into a spectral triangle...
By turns compassionate and cruel, "All the Living" is a quiet, melancholy story full of delicate details, and unexpected
humor. It's a slow and subtle meditation on loneliness, rendered in Muradov's shifting style, full of finesse and sensuality.
A parable (at the same time gentle, penetrating, and occasionally profane) that marks the return of a master of the modern
graphic novel.
Critique: Original, clever, wordless, "All the Living" by artist/storyteller Roman Muradov is an extraordinary and
unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, and college/university library Graphic Novel collections. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that this trade paperback edition of "All the Living" from Fantagraphics
Underground is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.99).
Editorial Note: Roman Muradov (https://romanmuradov.com) is originally from Russia, and now lives and works in
London. He works in various artistic fields (cartoons, illustration, art direction) and for various media including The New
Yorker, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Vogue, and Washington Post. In 2014, he won the Gold Medal from
the Society of Illustrators.
The Audiobook Shelf
The Ruffler's Child
John Pilkington, author
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781806008773, $104.95/$89.21, CD (6 hours 47 minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781806008773
Synopsis: "The Ruffler's Child" by John Pilkington introduces Thomas Finbow, falconer, to Sir Robert Vicary and Lady
Margaret of Petbury, Berkshire. He keeps his mind sharp and his body primed as he goes about his duties with the diligent
confidence of one who once served Queen and country.
When Nathaniel Pickering, Lady Margaret's older brother is found murdered, Thomas takes her away to London, in search
of gyrfalcons. Lady Margaret being a keen lover of the sport of falconry herself, Thomas hopes it will help distract his
mistress from her grief, however once they reach the city it becomes apparent that much bigger things are at play and the
murder of Master Pickering was just the beginning
Thomas's astute mind is unable to ignore the clues, and in uncovering some dark secrets, he places himself - and his
mistress - in grave danger. Now a target himself, Thomas must face some of London's most notorious criminals, in a battle
of both brain and brawn.
Critique: The debut title in historical novelist John Pilkington's iconic 'A Thomas the Falcner Mystery' series from
Boldwood Books, "The Ruffler's Child" is now available in complete and unabridged edition that is dramatically narrated
by experienced vocal actor Simon Mattacks and will prove an immediately and enduringly popular pick for community
library audio book collections. This CD edition with its hard plastic clamshell casing is ideal for an extended library shelf
life. It should be noted by historical mystery fans that "The Ruffler's Child" is also available in an MP3-CD format
(9781806008780, $93.95/$79.86) and in a large print paperback edition (9781806008834, $43.50/$36.98).
Editorial Note #1: John Pilkington (www.johnpilkington.co.uk) has been a writer for over thirty years. He has written plays
for radio and the theatre, as well as television scripts for the BBC. He is also the author of more than twenty books
including the popular Thomas the Falconer and Betsy Brand historical mysteries for adults, and the Elizabethan Mysteries
for children.
Editorial Note: Editorial Note: Simon Mattacks (https://www.simonmattacks.com) has been doing voice over and narrator
work for advertisements, cartoons, corporate videos, video games, and audio books for more than 30 years.
A Ruinous Wind
John Pilkington, author
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781806008872, $104.95/$89.21, CD (8 hours 18 minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781806008872
Synopsis: Thomas is falconer to Sir Robert Vicary of Petbury, a minor lord who has made some influential friends. Sir
Robert takes Thomas with him to stay with Lord Edmund, the Earl of Reigate, a decadent and pompous noble who is keen
to impress Queen Elizabeth. Lord Edmund's plan is to stage a sumptuous house party involving a re-enactment of the
recently foiled Spanish Armada, as well as a giant model of a falcon in flight, and other impressive festivities.
When the murders of three of the Earl's guests are covered up in case the scandal ruins the celebrations, Thomas is bid by
his master to uncover the murderer. His search takes him from the raucous tavern in the local village to the crime-ridden
streets of the City of London and a world of intrigue, fear and betrayal. When the Earl becomes the next target of the
killer's aim, Thomas realizes that the reasons for the murderer's' deadly plans are far more complicated than anyone
thought!
Critique: "A Ruinous Wind" is the second volume in author John Pilkington's popular 'A Thomas Falconer Mystery' series.
This complete and unabridged CD audio book is superbly narrated and brought to life by narrator Simon Mattacks. Of
special and particular interest to fans of deftly crafted historical mysteries set in a mediaeval/renaissance era, and highly
recommended for community library audio book collections where its hard plastic clamshell casing will allow it an
extended shelf life for patrons. It should be noted that this CD edition of "A Ruinous Wind" is also available from
Boldwood Books in an MP3-CD format (9781806008889, 104.95/$89.21) and in a large print paperback edition
(9781806008933, $43.50/$36.98).
Editorial Note #1: John Pilkington (www.johnpilkington.co.uk) has been a writer for over thirty years. He has written plays
for radio and the theatre, as well as television scripts for the BBC. He is also the author of more than twenty books
including the popular Thomas the Falconer and Betsy Brand historical mysteries for adults, and the Elizabethan Mysteries
for children.
Editorial Note: Editorial Note: Simon Mattacks (https://www.simonmattacks.com) has been doing voice over and narrator
work for advertisements, cartoons, corporate videos, video games, and audio books for more than 30 years.
The Ramage Hawk
John Pilkington, author
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781806008971, $104.95/$89.21, CD, (8 hours 24 minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781806008971
Synopsis: In the summer of 1590, Thomas is sent to help Sir Giles Buckeridge train a wild ramage hawk. But the hawk
disappears, as does Sir Giles's eldest daughter, and Thomas is set on her trail. But before he finds her, Thomas gets
embroiled in yet another hunt. There's a hidden hoard of Spanish ducats to be found, and it's attracting the attention of a
pair of exceptionally ruthless criminals.
Critique: The third deftly written and fully engaging historical mystery in author John Pilkington's simply outstanding 'A
Thomas the Falconer Mystery' series, this complete and unabridged audio book production of "The Ramage Hawk: A Lure
to Murder" is once again masterfully narrated by vocal actor Simon Mattacks who produces a true 'theatre of the mind'
experience for the listener. While an extraordinary addition to community library audio book collections, it should be
noted for historical mystery fans that "The Ramage Hawks" this CD edition (with its hard plastic clam shell casing) is also
available from Boldwood Books in an MP3-CD format (9781806008988, $104.95/$89.21) and in a large print paperback
edition (9781806009039, $43.50/$36.98).
Editorial Note #1: John Pilkington (www.johnpilkington.co.uk) has been a writer for over thirty years. He has written plays
for radio and the theatre, as well as television scripts for the BBC. He is also the author of more than twenty books
including the popular Thomas the Falconer and Betsy Brand historical mysteries for adults, and the Elizabethan Mysteries
for children.
Editorial Note: Editorial Note: Simon Mattacks (https://www.simonmattacks.com) has been doing voice over and narrator
work for advertisements, cartoons, corporate videos, video games, and audio books for more than 30 years.
Charles Paris: A Third BBC Radio Collection
Jeremy Front eta.
Full Cast Performance
BBC Audio
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781529987003, $111.95 / $95.16, CD (9 Hours, 37 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781529987003
Synopsis: Bill Nighy stars as the irrepressible Charles Paris in these five BBC Radio dramatization of humorous theatrical
thrillers.
All Charles asks for is a nice juicy part in a successful play - but wherever he appears on the bill, murder and mystery
always play a starring role...
The Cinderella Killer - Panto seems the perfect way to spend the Christmas season for Charles, but when the show's star is
found dead, the slapstick must make way for a murder investigation.
Dead Room Farce - Charles is appearing in a revival of a 1970s farce. But when two cast members die in suspicious
circumstances, he suspects foul play is afoot. Star Trap - When a series of accidents befalls the cast of a West End musical,
Charles steps in to investigate. Who is trying to sabotage the show - and why?
A Doubtful Death - Charles has landed a role in an immersive theatre production of Hamlet. But when an actress goes
missing, he must decide if it is to be or not to be a murder case... Also included with this story is an exclusive afterword
with scriptwriter Jeremy Front, who adapted it from an unproduced screenplay by Simon Brett. He reveals what it's like
behind the scenes of Charles Paris, and explains the mechanics of recording for radio.
A Deadly Habit - Offered a job in a verbatim theatre piece set in a monastery, Charles has reservations. Then disaster
strikes the production - and he smells criminality...
Each of these five stories were written by Jeremy Front and based on the novels and screenplay by Simon Brett Produced.
"Charles Paris: A Third BBC Radio Collection" was directed by Sally Avens, starring Bill Nighy as Charles Paris, Suzanne
Burden as Frances and Jon Glover as Maurice.
Critique: A mystery lover's delight and a complete and unabridged audio book edition, "Charles Paris: A Third BBC Radio
Collection" is a full cast radio play production and fun listening from start to finish. Extraordinary and exceptional,
"Charles Paris: A Third BBC Radio Collection" is an ideal and recommended addition to community library
mystery/suspense themed audio book collection. It should be noted that "Charles Paris: A Third BBC Radio Collection"
from BBC Audio is also available in an MP3-CD format (9781529987447, $111.95 / $95.16).
Editorial Note: BBC Audio (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcaudio) has a 650 editorial and technical staff that creates and
delivers more than 100 hours of original audio every day. Their podcasts and radio programs are heard around the world.
They work with some of the biggest names in music, entertainment and journalism. Their sound engineers bring the
greatest festivals and sporting events to life.
The Judas Window
Carter Dickson, author
John Telfer, narrator
Soundings
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9780750552943, $104.95 / $89.21, CD (9 Hours)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9780750552943
Synopsis: Avory Hume is found stabbed to death with an arrow. The murder occurred in a study with bolted steel shutters
and a heavy door locked from the inside. In the same room James Caplon Answell lies unconscious, his clothes disordered
as though from a struggle, his fingerprints on the damning arrow.
A seemingly "impossible situation" that defies explanation -- yet in the pages of "The Judas Window" the great, explosive
Sir Henry Merrivale gets down to serious sleuthing and at last startles the crowd in the Old Bailey with a reconstruction of
the crime along logical, convincing lines.
Critique: Another 'locked room' masterpiece of a 'whodunnit' murder mystery by Carter Dickson (the pen name of novelist
John Dickson), "The Judas Window" is brought vividly to life through the exceptional storytelling talents of narrator John
Telfer in this complete and unabridged audio book edition from Soundings. With its hard plastic clamshell casing, "The
Judas Window" is straightforwardly recommended as a popular pick for community library mystery/suspense themed
audio book collections, it should be noted for the legions of John Dickson/Carter Dickson fans that "The Judas Window" is
also available from Ulverscroft in an MP3-CD format (9780750552950, $104.95 / $89.21) and in a large print paperback
edition (9781444860306, $43.50 / $36.98).
Editorial Note #1: John Dickson Carr (November 30, 1906 - February 27, 1977) was an American author of detective
stories, who also published using the pseudonyms Carter Dickson, Carr Dickson, and Roger Fairbairn.
(www.bookseriesinorder.com/john-dickson-carr)
Editorial Note #2: There is a listing of books narrated by John Telfer online at Audible --
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=John+Telfer
The Golden Sphinx
Lex Faulkner, author
William Hope, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781805579052, $111.95 / $95.16, CD (10 Hours 35 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781805579052
Synopsis: In 1906, an Egyptologist uncovered a map carved in stone inside an ancient temple. Convinced that it pointed to
a lost city of gold somewhere deep in the desert, he set out on another expedition the following year. He was never seen
again.
In present day Yale, a professor is brutally murdered on the university campus, and a mysterious artefact is stolen from its
vaults.
Former Delta Force operator Ethan Frost is used to high-pressure situations, but when his former mentor Professor
Goodwin is murdered and an old journal in his care is stolen, Ethan is pulled into a world he thought he'd left behind.
Intent on bringing Goodwin's murderer to justice and retrieve the stolen artefact, Ethan teams up with the professor's
research assistant and three of his former associates from the military.
They soon discover that the professor's murder is connected to a conspiracy led by a ruthless Egyptian magnate seeking to
re-write history and reshape the world in his image. Following the clues from the journal, the team venture to Cairo and the
barren, sun-scorched deserts of Egypt, where a forgotten city and a truth that could change the world wait to be
uncovered.
Critique: Lex Faulkner's riveting action adventure novel, "The Golden Phoenix" is vividly brought to life by the narrative
storytelling talents of William Hope in this complete and unabridged audio book edition from Boldwood Books. Simply
stated, "The Golden Phoenix" is especially and unreservedly recommended as an addition to community library audio book
collections. It should be noted for those with an interest in deftly crafted and simply riveting suspense thrillers that "The
Golden Phoenix" is also available from Ulverscroft in an MP3-CD format (9781805579069, $111.95 / $95.16) and in a
large print paperback edition (9781805579120, $43.50 / $36.98).
Editorial Note #1: Lex Faulkner (www.fantasticfiction.com/f/lex-faulkner) is the author of the Andrew Sterling
action-adventure series and the Ethan Frost archaeological thriller series.
Editorial Note #2: William Hope is a Canadian actor, best known for his numerous roles in the Alien and Alien vs.
Predator franchises, portraying Lieutenant Scott Gorman in Aliens (1986) and Alien: River of Pain (2017), the
Xenomorphs (Aliens) and Yautja (Predators) in Aliens Versus Predator (1999) and Aliens Versus Predator 2 (2001),
Doctor H. G. Groves in Aliens vs. Predator (2010), and Colonial Marshal Waits in Alien: Isolation (2014) and its 2019
animated miniseries adaptation. (www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=William+Hope)
Lords of Iron
MJ Porter, author
Antonia Beamish, narrator
Simon Mattacks, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836175193, $111.95 / $95.16, CD (9 Hours 55 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836175193
Synopsis: Britain AD 541
In the post-Roman era, family feuds must be settled, whatever the cost. Both Seeress Meddi of the Eorlingas and
Waermund of the Gyrwe have old scores to settle. Meddi for her tribe to survive and thrive, and Waermund to cast himself
from his father's shadow once and for all.
But unbeknownst, Meddi and Waermund share a common enemy who threatens them both - the elusive Elen and her ally
is someone Waermund has travelled the breadth of Britannia to outrun.
United in their hatred of Elen, Meddi and Waermund must defeat powerful enemies with the sharpest blades and the magik
of iron to overawe them and gain much-needed vengeance for past wrongs inflicted against them.
In the stunning conclusion to the 'Dark Age Chronicles' by MJ Porter, Meddi and Waermund will finally collide in a world
of iron and rust. Will they triumph or will their legacy be nothing but ash?
Critique: "Lords of Iron" is co-narrated by the impressively talented vocal actors Antonia Beamish and Simon Mattacks,
this complete and unabridged audio book edition of the concluding historical novel series 'Dark Age Chronicles' by master
storyteller and novelist M J Porter. "Lords of Iron" from Boldwood Books features a hard plastic clam shell casing and will
prove to be an enduringly popular pick for community library historical fiction themed audio book collections. It should be
noted for persona acquisitions that "Lords of Iron" is also available in an MP3-CD format (9781836175209, $111.95 /
$95.16) and in a large print paperback edition (9781836175254, $43.50 / $36.98).
Editorial Note #1: M J Porter (https://www.mjporterauthor.com) is an author of historical fiction (Early English/Saxon,
Vikings and the British Isles as a whole before the Norman Conquest, as well as five 20th-century historical mysteries) and
fantasy (now published under a different name).
Editorial Note #2: There is a listing of books narrator by Antonia Beamish online at Audible --
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Antonia+Beamish
Editorial Note #3: There is a listing of books narrator by Simon Mattacks online at Audible --
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Simon+Mattacks
Wolf and the Crown
Adam Lofthouse, author
David Thorpe, narrator
Boldwood Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781836785354, $111.95 / $95.16, CD (9 Hours 50 Minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781836785354
Synopsis: Wall of Hadrian. Britannia, 382 AD.
War is creeping back into the land. As silent as snowfall, as inevitable as winter. They Romans had sixteen years of peace -
but all things must end.
Tribune Sixtus Victorinus has grown old, complacent. Blind to the truth that stares him in the face, he contents himself
with what he has. He runs errands for the Dux Britanniarum Flavius Maximus and watches with joy as his boys grow to
become men.
It is his friend, Prefect Gaius Felicius, who first spots the signs. Once more, the Caledonian tribes are rearing their heads in
the north, but the greatest danger does not lie with them.
For there is a new pretender to the throne of the West. Another man who seeks to drape himself in purple. Caught up in a
scheme they cannot comprehend, Victorinus and Felicius must navigate their way through both a war in the depths of
winter, and a treasonous plot that will shake the Roman Empire to its core.
A new age is dawning on the men of Britannia. For Victorinus, he must fight for the right to see the sun rise over it.
Critique: Deftly narrated by professional voice actor David Hope, "Wolf and the Crown" by Adam Lofthouse is second
action-packed volume in the epic historical fiction series 'Shadow of Rome ' by novelist Adam Lofthouse. A vividly
produced and performed 'theater of the mind" experience, this complete and unabridged CD audio book edition of "Wolf
and the Brown" from Boldwood Books features a sturdy hard plastic clam shell casing for an extended shelf life and is a
truly extraordinary and strongly recommended pick for community library audio book collections. Fans of Roman Era
historical fiction should note that "Wolf and the Crown" is also available in an MP3-CD format (9781836785361, $111.95
/ $95.16) and in a large print paperback edition (9781836785415, $43.50/$36.98).
Editorial Note #1: Adam Lofthouse (https://www.adamlofthouse.com) has for many years held a passion for the ancient
world. After ten years of immersing himself in stories of the battles that forged our history, he decided to have a go at
writing one for himself. He lives in the UK.
Editorial Note #2: David Thorpe is a professional narrator known for his work on various audiobooks, including titles like
"John Milton" and "The Norfolk Murders." He has narrated numerous works across different genres, showcasing his
versatility as a voice artist. (https://masternarrators.com/experience-the-magic-of-david-thorpes-audiobook-narrations)
The Bolthole
Peter Papathanasiou, author
Daniel Fletcher, narrator
Isis Audio
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781444857290, $116.95/$99.41, CD (12 hours 6 minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781444857290
Synopsis: Located off the coast of South Australia, sleepy Kangaroo Island stood at the end of the line for generations.
Surrounded by violent seas harbouring deadly great white sharks and forgotten shipwrecks, and with a shameful history of
animal cruelty and Indigenous abductions, the Islanders cultivated a strong sense of self-sufficiency, independence and
resilience.
That was, until some new arrivals came with a force - multimillionaires who built immense clifftop homes in the wake of
catastrophic bushfires, and travelled in private planes and helicopters. Seemingly overnight, the quiet paradise of Kangaroo
Island transformed into a bolthole for the rich and privileged. And the locals aren't happy.
Richard Marlowe, a wealthy 'blow-in' to the island, goes missing, last seen wading into the ocean for a dawn swim. A
shark attack is blamed, but things don't add up. Reuniting for a new investigation, Detective Sergeant Manolis and Senior
Constable Sparrow travel to Kangaroo Island, but their own arrival isn't welcomed, either. Faced with obstacles imposed
by both the Islanders and newcomers, their task to locate the missing man becomes increasingly challenging as they try to
navigate a tiny rock waging a civil war over limited resources, a fragile environment, and fractured community
dynamics.
Critique: A deftly crafted suspense thriller of a novel, "The Bolthole" by Peter Papathanasiou is now available as a
complete and unabridged CD audio book from Isis Audio. Aptly narrated by Daniel Fletcher who produced a memorable
'theatre of the mind' listening experience, "The Bolthole" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal and
community library Mystery/Suspense themed audio book collections. It should be noted that "The Bolthole" is also readily
available from Isis Audio in an MP3-CD format (9781444857306, $116.95/$99.41).
Editorial Note #1: Peter Papathanasiou was born in northern Greece and adopted as a baby to an Australian family. His
writing has been published internationally by The New York Times, Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The
Canberra Times, Daily Telegraph, The ABC, SBS, Huffington Post. He also holds an MA in Creative Writing from City
University, London, and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the Australian National University. His first book, a memoir
Son of Mine was published in 2019 by Salt. A listing of his books in available online at
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15038974.Peter_Papathanasiou
Detective Inspector Crust
Vincent McInerney, author
Full BBC Radio Crime Drama Cast
BBC Audio
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781529986877, $67.95/$57.76, CD, (4 hours 7 minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781529986877
Synopsis: O'Rourke's First Case - Made redundant at 40, John O'Rourke gets a grant from the Enterprise Allowance Board
and sets up as a private detective. Hired by Mrs Rate to trace her absent spouse, he's soon caught up in a dangerous scheme
involving modern art, drug money and shoot-outs on container ships. Fortunately, Inspector Crust is also investigating, and
monitoring the rookie PI's progress. Can the redoubtable copper ensure that O'Rourke's first case isn't also his last?
The Finger of Suspicion - With the university rag day parade in full swing, Inspector Crust is keeping his beady eye on the
floats making their way through the city centre. So when a helicopter suddenly appears, and hoists the Epstein statue off
Lewis's department store, Crust assumes it's an elaborate student prank. But when the police receive a ransom note,
together with one of the statue's fingers, he starts to have second thoughts.
The Bell - Following the death of shipowner Oliver Bright, his granddaughter Elizabeth prepares to sell his house and
possessions at auction. Rumour has it that among his worldly goods is a rare artefact saved during the sinking of the
Titanic - and psychotic criminal Tarrant will stop at nothing to lay his hands on it. But Inspector Crust is also on the trail of
the missing relic, and is determined to find it first!
Critique: This complete and unabridged CD audio book edition of "Detective Inspector Crust" is comprised of a trilogy of
thrillers set in Liverpool. A veteran scriptwriter in writing his original crime stories, Vincent McInerney draws on his
lifelong knowledge of Liverpool and his background in the Merchant Marine to produce his authentic and engaging
thrillers in which the gruff, indomitable John Crust and his sidekick Minty probe the circumstances surrounding a missing
husband, a stolen sculpture and a hidden treasure. A fun and fascinating listening experience that will be of special appeal
to mystery/crime buffs, "Detective Inspector Crust" is a highly recommended pick for community library audio book
collections. It should be noted for personal lists that "Detective Inspector Crust" is also available in an MP3-CD format
(9781529987317, $67.95/$57.76).
Editorial Note: Vincent McInerney has written widely for radio. His output includes: an original play, The Serang, for
Radio 4; two commissions for Play of the Week on the World Service; an adaptation of Three Hours After Marriage (Gay,
Pope, Arbuthnot) described by The Listener as 'genuinely funny'; a dramatisation of Nathanael West's Miss Lonelyhearts
for Radio 3 ('superb' - Independent on Sunday); plus various short stories, drama-documentaries and poems for BBC
networks. Vincent was also one of three writers responsible for Radio 4's Complete Sherlock Holmes. In 2001, his
textbook, Writing for Radio, appeared from Manchester University Press.
Doctor Who: The Church On Ruby Road
Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, author
Angela Wynter, narrator
BBC Audio
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroft.com
9781529986860, $67.95/$57.76, CD (4 hours 20 minutes)
Ulverscroft
https://www.ulverscroft.com/store/us/search/9781529986860
Synopsis: "Doctor Who: The Church On Ruby Road" the first full adventure for the Fifteenth Doctor, as played on TV by
Ncuti Gatwa, and Ruby Sunday as played on TV by Millie Gibson.
Chance. Misfortune. Coincidence. These are the weapons of choice for the Doctor's latest enemies. And those enemies are
very, very hungry...
For Ruby Sunday, this Christmas Eve is a birthday she'll never forget. It's the day she joins the Doctor on board a Goblin
ship. The day she learns of dangers from beyond the universe. The day her life really begins... or, perhaps, the day it
ends!
Critique: Ably narrated by Angela Wynter, this complete and unabridged audio book, "Doctor Who: The Church On Ruby
Road", is especially and unreservedly recommended to the attention of the legions of Doctor Who fans everywhere. This
expert audio book edition of the first full adventure for the Fifteenth incarnation of Doctor Who is a solid entertainment
from start to finish. While a guaranteed popular pick for community library Science Fiction themed audio book collections,
it should be noted for personal lists that this CD edition with its hard plastic clam shell casing is also readily available in an
MP3-CD format (9781529987300, $67.95/$57.76).
Editorial Note #1: Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson (https://www.esmiejikiemi-pearson.com) is an author of fantasy fiction, and the
inaugural winner of the Future World's Prize. Her forthcoming novel, Gutterwitch, sold to Random House Children's (US)
and Bloomsbury (UK) after a nine way auction. Esmie's first novel was nominated for Best British and Irish Book at the
Tik Tok Book Awards.
Editorial Note #2: Angela Wynter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Wynter) is a Jamaican-British actress. She is
known for her role as Yolande Trueman in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2003 - 2008, 2017, 2023 - present). In 2021,
she joined the cast of the BBC soap opera Doctors for a three-month stint as Makeda Sylvester.
The Library CD Shelf
Unfolding Skies
Craig Padilla & Marvin Allen
https://craig-padilla.bandcamp.com
Spotted Peccary Music
www.SpottedPeccary.com
$16.00 CD / $10.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://padilla-allen.bandcamp.com/album/unfolding-skies
The fourth album by Craig Padilla and Marvin Allen, Unfolding Skies is an instrumental album created through the
technique of transforming live studio improvisation into a refined ambient soundscape. Marvin Allen's guitar traverses
Craig Padilla's electronic landscapes in a journey that resonates with elements of classic rock, ambient, and prog. An
adventurous sojourn through genres, Unfolding Skies is extraordinary, inspirational, and highly recommended for both
personal and public library collections. The tracks are Framework; Undercurrents of Change; Sun Portal; Jammin' with
Buddha; Cosmic Blueprint; Architects of Time; and Unfolding Skies.
Daybreak
Matt Greenwood
mattgreenwoodmusic.com
Privately Published
$TBA
Creator's Website
https://www.mattgreenwoodmusic.com/daybreak
Daybreak is the sophomore album composed by Zimbabwean-born guitarist Matt Greenwood. All songs are original,
instrumental compositions fusing modern jazz, world, and rock elements with a drifting ambience to create a captivating,
immersive soundscape. Performed by Matt Greenwood on guitar, Mike Downes on acoustic bass, Mark Kelso on drums,
and Othnell "Mangoma" Moyo on percussion, Daybreak is an extraordinary, genre-defying audio experience and highly
recommended for both personal and public library music collections. The tracks are Beneath Balancing Boulders; Paper
Planes; La Damoiselle elue; 1000 Paper Cranes; Alveston Avenue; Strength to Spare; Jericho; Fear Like Fire; and Guide
My Hand.
Lost and Found
Vance Thompson
vancethompsonmusic.com
Moondo Records
$TBA CD / $10.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://moondorecords.bandcamp.com/album/lost-and-found
Grammy-nominated composer and bandleader Vance Thompson was diagnosed with a neurological disorder called Focal
Dystonia in 2017. Despite his dedication to practice and physical therapy, he had to give up playing the trumpet - but he
did not give up music! Thompson learned how to play the vibraphone (a percussive instrument played by using mallets to
strike its metal bars). Lost and Found is Thompson's debut album as a vibraphonist; all but three songs are Thompson's
original compositions. Performed by Thompson on vibraphone, Taber Gable on piano, Steve Kovalcheck on guitar,
Tommy Sauter on bass, and Marcus Finnie on drums, Lost and Found is an inspirational treasure, highly recommended for
both personal and public library music collections, and also makes an excellent gift. The tracks are Tell It Like It Is
(Thompson); The Thread of All Sorrows (Thompson); Mixed Feelings (Thompson); Sleight of Mind (Thompson); Lost
and Found (Thompson); Bud Powell (Chick Corea); The Ladies at Rose Cottage (Thompson); My Three Suns (Donald
Brown); and Over the Rainbow (Harold Arlen).
Bite Your Tongue
The Interplay Jazz Orchestra
Bigtime Records
$TBA CD / $TBA digital
Apple Music
https://music.apple.com/us/album/bite-your-tongue/1863526081
Bite Your Tongue is the latest album from The Interplay Jazz Orchestra, a composer-focused modern jazz orchestra led by
Joey Devassey and Gary Henderson. A multitude of talented music artists on trombone, trumpet, piano, bass, and drums
transform compositions and arrangements by Devassey, Henderson and other into vivacious, exciting soundscapes,
punctuated by high-flying solos cresting above the heart-thumping beat. Bite Your Tongue is a "must-have" for big band
jazz connoisseurs, highly recommended! The tracks are The Congregation (Johnny Griffen, arr. Damien Pacheco); Bite
Your Tongue (Joey Devassy); Go Figure (Chris Scarnato); My Foolish Heart (Victor Young, arr. Joey Devassy); It's Been
A Long, Long Time (June Styne, arr. Gary Henderson); Strasbourg-St. Denis (Roy Hargrove, arr. Joey Devassy); The
Downside Up (Joey Devassy); Night and Day (Cole Porter, arr. Gary Henderson); and Blues for Adrian (Joey
Devassy).
Silwan
Wanees Zarour
https://www.waneeszarour.com
Levantine Music
$TBA CD / $10.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://wanees.bandcamp.com/album/silwan
Award-winning Palestinian-American composer, bandleader, and master of the buzuq (a long-necked fretted lute) and oud
(a short-necked lute) Wanees Zarour presents Silwan, an extraordinary instrumental album of Zarour's original
compositions. An extraordinary melding of Palestinian heritage music, Arabic modal traditions, and Chicago-style jazz and
blues, Silwan is performed by Zarour on buzuq, oud, and percussion; Bryan Pardo on alto saxophone and clarinet; Catie
Hickey on trombone; Samuel Mosching on guitar; Vinny Kabat on bass; Andrew Lawrence on piano, keys, and
synthesizers; Nick Kabat on drums; and Tareq Rantisi on percussion. Silwan is an avant-garde, genre-defying masterpiece,
highly recommended especially for connoisseurs. The tracks are Silwan; Lifta; Autumn; Festival; Fig Tree; Cold City; and
Anthem.
Beneath the Sun
Francesca Prihasti
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://francescaprihasti.bandcamp.com/album/beneath-the-sun
Indonesian-born, New York-based jazz pianist and composer Francesca Prihasti presents Beneath the Sun, an original,
instrumental album inspired by the life-transforming change that is motherhood. All songs are composed by Prihasti,
dedicated to her children, and performed by Prihasti on piano, Nic Vardanega on guitar, Drew Gress on bass, Mark Ferber
on drums, and Nick Brust on alto and soprano saxophone. Beneath the Sun celebrates growth, revelation, and learning to
see the world in an illuminated way. Beneath the Sun is highly recommended for personal and public library music
collections, and also makes an excellent Mother's Day gift. The tracks are In Between; Beneath the Sun; Reason and Will;
Leura; Till We Have Faces; Unanswered Questions; and Fortitude.
The Gal from Ochi
Michael Jackson
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $15.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://jackojazz.bandcamp.com/album/the-gal-from-ochi
Saxophonist and composer Michael Jackson (no relation to the deceased pop star of the same name) presents The Gal from
Ochi, featuring performances from two talented sextets plus additional guests. The songs range the gamut from Chicago
blues to bossa, calypso, pop, spoken word, reggae, ballads, improvisational jazz and more. A lively medley of intense
excitement and exuberant freedom, The Gal from Ochi is a choice pick for connoisseurs and highly recommended. The
tracks are The Gal From Ochi; Scoobie Doobie; One For Junior #1; Pop Tart; Blue Stew; Sonny The Squirrel; Mose Def; Bugsy (Goes to Brazil); Wolfgang; Stepping Stones; and Scoot Ya Butt.
The Peacocks
The Alfie Jackson sextet
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $15.00 digital
Bandcamp
https://jackojazz.bandcamp.com/album/the-peacocks-the-alfie-jackson-sextet
The Alfie Jackson sextet consists Alfie Jackson on vocals and guitar, Leo Milano on tenor sax, Sam Roberson on guitar,
Daniel Ellis Perez on acoustic and electric bass, Wayne Williams on vibraphone, and Chase Wilkins on drums, with
special guest Michael Jackson lending a cameo saxophone performance. Together they present their debut album The
Peacocks, a vivacious performance of jazz and ballad favorites. Passionate and resonant, The Peacocks is a rapturous
soundscape, highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of vocal jazz. The tracks are 500 Miles High; Nature Boy;
After the Rain; Inner Urge; How Insensitive; I Deserve This; My One and Only Love; Ugetsu; Do I Move You? and The
Peacocks.
Echoes
Luke Marantz and Simon Jermyn
lukemarantz.com
simonjermynmusic.com
Chill Tone Records
$15.00 CD / $TBA digital
Chill Tone Records
https://store.chilltone.com/products/luke-marantz-simon-jermyn-echoes-cd
Echoes is an extraordinary collection of original, instrumental duets by pianist Luke Marantz and guitarist Simon Jermyn.
Recorded over a period of two and a half years, Echoes defies genres with its high-flying piano and underpinning of
resonant acoustic guitar. Echoes is inspiring, uplifting, and highly recommended for fostering creative thought, or just
immersing oneself in the moment. The tracks are Echoes; Country; Hovering; Echoes II; Shori; Light Scatters Green;
Echoes III; Passages; and Echoes IV.
The Business Shelf
Performance Appraisals & Phrases for Dummies, second edition
Ken Lloyd, Ph.D.
www.jerksatwork.com
For Dummies
c/o Wiley
https://www.wiley.com
9781394276059, $24.99 pbk / $15.00 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Appraisals-Phrases-Business-Personal/dp/1394276052
Synopsis: The newest steps and strategies to enhance the performance appraisals you provide
Performance Appraisals & Phrases For Dummies shows you how to apply the latest performance appraisal practices and
generate positive outcomes for your employees, for your company, and for you. The days of stand-alone annual
performance appraisals are drawing to a close, with today's appraisals utilizing quarterly or biannual sessions, continuous
feedback with regular two-way communication, collaborative goal-setting, career development, and an ongoing forward
focus. This approach includes tools to provide impactful feedback and feedforward, recognize and support employee
success, avoid the common mistakes related to performance appraisals, and build your coaching skills.
Gain a clear understanding of the ways that performance appraisals contribute to individual and organizational
success.
Provide productive feedback by accessing more than 3,300 phrases.
Lead appraisal sessions that resonate with your employees and set the stage for improved performance and career
development.
By applying the newest steps in performance appraisals, you will literally and figuratively be in an excellent position to
build your employees' skills, motivation, performance, satisfaction, and commitment.
Critique: Part of publisher Wiley's "For Dummies" brand of accessible, user-friendly guides, Performance Appraisals &
Phrases for Dummies, second edition teaches business professionals about the proper language to use when writing
performance reviews about employees, goal attainment, career development, and related topics. Author and management
consultant Ken Lloyd, Ph.D. lends his expertise to this valuable reference and resource for improving one's business
communication skills. Chapters discuss how to give constructive feedback, lead productive sessions, improve one's
coaching skills, support employee growth, foster motivation and much more. Performance Appraisals & Phrases for
Dummies, second edition is highly recommended for public and college library Business and Management collections. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that Performance Appraisals & Phrases for Dummies, second edition is also
available in a Kindle edition ($15.00).
How to Write Reports and Proposals
Patrick Forsyth
Kogan Page Inc.
www.koganpage.com
9781398619944, $27.99, HC, 160pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Reports-Proposals-Attention-Grabbing/dp/1398619949
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-write-reports-and-proposals-patrick-forsyth/1129253000
Synopsis: Getting a message across on paper and presenting a proposal in a clear and persuasive form are vital skills for
anyone in business. With the publication of "How to Write Reports and Proposals: Create Attention-Grabbing Documents
that Achieve Your Goals", Patrick Forsyth provides practical advice on how to impress, convince and persuade.
This fully updated 7th edition of "How to Write Reports and Proposals" now features even more practical exercises, useful
templates and top tips that will help you to write succinctly and with impact across different media. "How to Write Reports
and Proposals" will give you the tools to put over a good case with style.
Critique: A part of the Kogan Page 'Creating Success' series, "How to Write Reports and Proposals: Create
Attention-Grabbing Documents that Achieve Your Goals" by Patrick Forsyth is a deftly crafted and reader/user friendly
compendium of tips, tricks and techniques that should be in the personal arsenal of anyone with managerial responsibilities
such as proposing or defending projects, advising corporate board members, applying for positions, seeking to advance
their careers. While unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, business school, and
college/university library Professional Development and Business Writing Skills collections, it should be noted that this
hardcover edition of "How to Write Reports and Proposals" is also available in paperback (9781398619708, $16.99) and in
a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note: Patrick Forsyth (http://www.patrickforsyth.com) runs Touchstone Training & Consultancy based in the UK
and specializes in marketing, sales and communications skills. Writing is a significant part of his own work portfolio. He is
the author of more than fifty successful business books (with translations into 23 languages). These include: How to
Motivate People, Successful Time Management, How to Write Reports and Proposals, Tough Tactics for Tough Times,
Effective Business Writing and The PowerPoint Detox (all published by Kogan Page). He writes regularly for a number of
business journals and for Writing Magazine, and devises and writes training materials.
Editorial Note #2: The Creating Success series from Kogan Page is written by experts for new and aspiring managers and
leaders. This collection of accessible and empowering guides will get both professional and non-professional readers up to
speed quickly. The books comprising the Creating Success series are comprised of clever thinking, smart advice and the
kind of winning techniques that really get results and create lasting success for any career.
(https://www.koganpage.com/creating-success)
The Music Shelf
Gallagher's Guitars: The Rory Gallagher Collection
Julien Bitoun, author
Eleanor Jane, photography
Johnny Marr, foreword
Motorbooks
c/o The Quarto Group
https://quarto.com/Motorbooks
9780760398487, $75.00 hc / $71.25 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Gallaghers-Guitars-Rory-Gallagher-Collection/dp/0760398488
Synopsis: Get an intimate and exclusive look at the instruments of the beloved Irish guitarist, Rory Gallagher, in this
stunningly photographed official volume.
When it comes to guitar heroes, Rory Gallagher is considered one of the greats, a "player's player" forever linked with his
iconic, well-worn 1961 Stratocaster. But like most virtuosos, Gallagher owned many noteworthy guitars, lap steels, and
mandolins, 40 of which are featured in this breathtaking collection, along with selected amplifiers and effects pedals.
Photographed in cooperation with Bonhams before the 2024 auction of the collection, the gear spans Gallagher's entire
career and showcases instruments from all the major manufacturers. Exquisitely detailed photography of the instruments
by guitar photographer Eleanor Jane is accompanied by authoritative text from guitar historian Julien Bitoun, including
interview material with Rory's brother and manager, Donal, as well as archival photography from the Gallagher
family.
In addition to the legendary '61 Strat, Gallagher's Guitars includes:
1958 backup Stratocaster
1966 Fender Telecaster
1959 Fender Esquire
1968 Martin D-35
1968 Gibson Les Paul Junior
1959 Gretsch Chet Atkins
1965 Airline "JB Hutto"
And that's just a small sampling. Even Rory's first guitar, a flat-top acoustic acquired when he was nine years old, is
included.
In addition to major manufacturers like Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, Rickenbacker, Epiphone, National, Vox, Martin, and
Marshall, the collection includes pieces from names that grab the attention of discerning gearheads and collectors - Airline,
Teisco, Mosrite, Stella, Silvertone, Kay, Guyatone, and Supro.
Featuring a foreword by acclaimed guitarist and Gallagher superfan Johnny Marr, this carefully curated and display-worthy
book is a fitting tribute to the life and career of one of the most revered guitarists of the rock era.
Critique: An impressively gorgeous, slipcased coffee-table book filled with captivating photographs taken in cooperation
with fine art auctioneer Bonhams prior to the 2024 auction of the collection, Gallagher's Guitars: The Rory Gallagher
Collection showcases 40 guitars, lap steels, and mandolins from the legendary collection of Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher
(1948-1995). Guitar historian Julien Bitoun provides a wealth of fascinating background about these selected pieces.
Gallagher's Guitars: The Rory Gallagher Collection is both a tribute to an unparalleled collection and an extraordinary tour
of guitar history, highly recommended especially for connoisseurs and enthusiasts.
The Architecture Shelf
Soundscape Architecture
Karen Van Lengen and Jim Welty
ORO Editions
www.oroeditions.com
9781961856745, $50.00 hc
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Soundscape-Architecture-Karen-Van-Lengen/dp/1961856743
Synopsis: Soundscape Architecture presents historical examples, design projects and art works related to the sonics of
architectural spaces and landscapes.
This work grew out of our interest in listening to places that sponsor distinct sonic characteristics with specific and
memorable identities. We have addressed this challenging design territory by beginning with the act of listening itself. We
record the spaces, create new compositions from the recordings, draw (by hand and digitally) the sounds of these
compositions, animate these drawings, and then create digital paintings as a memory of this process. We also present sonic
installations, projects, and other exemplary art works as creative demonstrations that support the act of listening to the
atmospheres of our natural and built environments.
Critique: Illustrated with full color diagrams and photographs throughout, Soundscape Architecture lives up to its title by
intently examining the acoustic and sonic nature of specific architecture and locations, including the Guggenheim
Museum, the International Building (Rockefeller Center), the Seagram Building, and much more. The text guides the
reader through design projects, and digital artworks offer a visual exploration of sonic themes connected to places.
Soundscape Architecture observes and documents the role of listening and experiencing sound in the context of advanced
architectural design, and is highly recommended especially for professional specialist and college library Architectural
Studies shelves.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Listen to the Wool: A Why-to Guide for Joyful Spinning
Josefin Waltin, author
Dan Waltin, photographer
Stackpole Books
c/o Globe Pequot
https://www.globepequot.com
9780811776691, $32.95, PB, 184pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Listen-Wool-Why-Joyful-Spinning/dp/0811776697
Barns & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/listen-to-the-wool-josefin-waltin/1146806186
Synopsis: Unlock the timeless art of spinning with "Listen to the Wool: A Why-to Guide for Joyful Spinning", a guide by
Josefin Waltin that invites you into a world where wool transforms into more than just yarn -- it's a journey of connection,
creativity, and mindful craftsmanship.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced spinner, "Listen to the Wool" (profusely illustrated throughout with the full
color photography by Dan Waltin) is your ideal instructional guide and manual, offering insights into every aspect of wool
preparation and spinning. Learn how to listen to the wool, feel its story, and create something truly unique from every
fleece you encounter. Through practical exercises and deep reflections, you'll cultivate a deeper connection to the wool and
a richer understanding of your own spinning process.
In "Listen to the Wool", every step, from selecting the fleece to spinning the perfect yarn, becomes an exploration of mind,
body, emotion, and spirit. This is not just a technical manual -- it is a guide to rediscovering the joy and beauty in every
twist and turn of the fiber. Embrace the process of slow, mindful spinning, and find the deeper satisfaction that comes from
honoring the wool's journey. With tips for both beginners and seasoned crafters, you'll gain confidence, creativity, and a
deeper understanding of your craft, while being gently guided through each step of your spinning journey.
Additionally, "Listen to the Wool" fosters a sense of community, inviting you to connect with fellow spinners, share
experiences, and celebrate the collective journey of learning. With every page, you will not only refine your technique but
also learn to approach your craft with gratitude, respect, and intention.
Critique: This large format (8 x 0.2 x 10 inches, 1.14 pounds) trade paperback edition of "Listen to the Wool: A Why-to
Guide for Joyful Spinning" from Stackpole Books is an ideal introduction to wool spinning for the beginner and has a great
deal of on-going value for even the more experienced spinner. Comprehensive and exceptionally reader/user friendly in
organization, presentation and style, "Listen to the Wool" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, professional, community, and college/university library Folkcraft, Needlecraft, Weaving, and Fiber Arts
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that this trade paperback edition by the team of
author/wool spinner expert Josefin Waltin and professional photographer Dan Waltin is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $23.99).
Editorial Note #1: Josefin Waltin is a spinner, spinning teacher, writer, and course creator. She has written several articles
for magazines like Spin-Off and PLY and is the co-author of Sara J Wolf's book Knit (Spin) Sweden! She has taught over
300 hours in face-to-face courses and over 2,000 students online. As a spinning teacher and course creator, she has
collected a bank of experiences and common challenges for spinners and brought it back into teaching and writing. Her
main focus is spindle spinning and the process from raw fleece to a finished yarn or textile. Josefin lives in Sweden with
her family.
You can find Josefin on:
Substack: https://substack.com/@josefinwaltin
Instagram: josefinwaltin
Blog: waltin.se/josefinwaltinspinner
Online spinning school: josefinwaltinspinner.teachable.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@josefinwaltin
Editorial Note #2: Dan Waltin (https://www.danwaltersphoto.com/#home) has been photographing wildlife for about 15
years. He has been featured in Bugle Magazine, Chicago Wilderness Magazine, Brown Trout Publishing,
Smith-Southwestern, Inc., All Animals magazine, The Humane Society, Ranger Rick Jr. magazine and Audubon Magazine
and Colorado Outdoors. Dan also leads workshops at Florida's Bird and Photo Fest in Saint Augustine, Florida and with
Lisa Langell during the Magic of Alaska workshops.
The Art Shelf
RHS Watercolour Botanical Art
Sarah Howard
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Books
https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk
9781784729844, $39.99, HC, 240pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/RHS-Watercolour-Botanical-Art-Artists/dp/1784729841
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rhs-watercolour-botanical-art-sarah-howard/1147469889
Synopsis: Unlike botanical art books that focus only on painting techniques, and botany books that do not take account of
the artist's method, "RHS Watercolour Botanical Art: A Botanical Guide for Artists" by Sarah Howard deftly balances both
botany information and the painting practice used to depict it.
The intended reader is any aspiring or practicing artist who wishes to be more informed about botany; who needs to tackle
the challenges of painting complex and particular botanical structures; who wants to learn what to look out for; and
discover variations and morphological parts that are not obvious.
Part One of "RHS Watercolour Botanical Art" focuses on botanical forms and considerations. Each entry in the directory
of morphological terms will include:
Diagrams and text describing the plant morphology
Artists' Considerations: a checklist to follow when examining a plant
Paintings from celebrated botanical artists
Part Two of "RHS Watercolour Botanical Art" focuses on practical considerations for artists describing painting
techniques in step-by-step detail. This section also includes practical tips for working outdoors, visiting plant collections,
and collecting or photographing plant specimens for study.
Critique: This large format (9.5 x 0.85 x 11.25 inches, 3.09 pounds), magnificently illustrated, hardcover edition of "RHS
Watercolour Botanical Art: A Botanical Guide for Artists", novice and experienced artists alike will learn how produce
museum & art gallery quality botanical paintings. Impressively comprehensive and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in
organization and presentation, "RHS Watercolour Botanical Art: A Botanical Guide for Artists" is informative enhanced
for the art student with the inclusion of a four page Glossary, a two page listing of Further Resources, and a four page
Index. Extraordinary, practical, effective, " 9.5 x 0.85 x 11.25 inches" is an ideal pick for personal, professional,
community, art school, and college/university library Plant Art/Landscape instructional reference collections. It should be
noted for art students, botanical plant artists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this
hardcover edition of "RHS Watercolour Botanical Art: A Botanical Guide for Artists" from Mitchell Beazley is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note: Sarah Howard (http://sarah-howard.co.uk) After working as a book researcher, archivist and journalist,
moved to Ethiopia with her husband where life began as a botanical illustrator. Now living in Scotland, and after training
at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, she has taken part in numerous exhibitions, liaised with artists for international
exhibitions, been an active member of botanical painting associations, and has had work selected for prestigious
institutions or commissioned for private and public collections. Sarah holds a Diploma in Botanical Illustration
(Distinction), Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh, 2014.
The Travel Shelf
Backpacking Oregon: Overnight and Multiday Routes
Eli Boschetto
Mountaineers Books
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680516265, $24.95, PB, 288pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Backpacking-Oregon-Overnight-Multiday-Routes/dp/1680516264
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/backpacking-oregon-eli-boschetto/1147936712
Synopsis: Showcasing 70 overnight, weekend, or multiday trips that includes mileage logs for campsites, water, and other
highlights, as well as icons for family (and dog-friendly) routes, "Backpacking Oregon: Overnight and Multiday Routes"
by Eli Boschetto is the ultimate DIY guide for exploring the state's wild beauty on foot.
An ideal trip planning guide that spans coastal headlands, Cascade peaks, high desert plains, and beyond. "Backpacking
Oregon" focuses on weekend-friendly treks, while offering invaluable tips for extending or customizing each trip.
Detailed trail descriptions include maps, mileage logs, campsites, water sources, and scenic highlights. Travelers and
outdoor enthusiasts will discover Oregon's most iconic adventures with expanded summaries for the Timberline Trail,
Three Sisters Loop, and Wallowas Loop, plus a section focused on the Pacific Crest Trail. With inspirational photos,
planning advice, and Leave No Trace guidance, this book is an essential 'backpacking and camping' guide.
It should be noted that 1% of proceeds support Trailkeepers of Oregon.
Critique: Compact, portable, illustrated with full color photos, and the ideal planning guide to explore the Oregon outdoors
on foot, this paperback edition of Eli Boschetto's "Backpacking Oregon: Overnight and Multiday Routes" from
Mountaineers Books is a very special, thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly, and unreservedly recommended pick for personal,
professional, community and college/university library Oregon themed travel guide collections.
Editorial Note: Eli Boschetto is a professional hiker, writer, and author based in Portland, Oregon, and has put more than
6000 miles under his hiking boots exploring the mountains and wilderness areas throughout the western US and Canada.
He is the author of Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail: Oregon and Urban Trails Portland, both published by Mountaineers
Books. Eli is also an accomplished outdoor photographer and has worked as a Northwest correspondent for Backpacker
magazine as well as editor of Washington Trails magazine. Visit him online at PCTOregon.com or on Instagram, Facebook
and Twitter @pctoregon
The Gardening Shelf
The Tomato Grower's Handbook
Holly Farrell
Bloomsbury Publishing
www.bloomsbury.com
9781526697523, $22.99, HC, 144pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Tomato-Growers-Handbook-Everything-harvest/dp/1526697521
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tomato-growers-handbook-holly-farrell/1148089048
Synopsis: If you want to grow your own vegetables but feel a bit overwhelmed by it all, you are not alone. "The Tomato
Grower's Handbook: Everything you need to know, from seed to harvest and beyond" is a simple, informative, and tasty
answer to all tomato growing questions from award-winning garden writer Holly Farrell.
Easy to grow and a common cooking ingredient, tomatoes are the most popular plant to grow at home -- not to mention
how much better homegrown tomatoes taste! "The Tomato Grower's Handbook" is a user-friendly guide that outlines how
to grow them, from easy cherry tomatoes to trickier heirloom varieties, covering different methods of growing according to
your space-indoors or outdoors, pot or plot.
"The Tomato Grower's Handbook" also includes ten easy recipes (tomato pasta!) and tips on storing and preserving your
produce (tomato jam!).
With "The Tomato Grower's Handbook" you will reach your gardening goals while embracing and enjoying each step of
your gardening journey.
Critique: Original, comprehensive, illustrated, exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Tomato
Grower's Handbook" by tomato growing expert Holly Farrell fully lives up to the promise of its subtitle 'Everything you
need to know, from seed to harvest and beyond'. Ideal for the novice gardening and of immense interest to even the more
experienced tomato grower, "The Tomato Grower's Handbook" will prove a popular and valued addition to personal,
professional, community, and college/university library Gardening: Tomatoes collections. It should be noted that this
hardcover edition of "The Tomato Grower's Handbook" from Bloomsbury Publishing is also readily available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Holly Farrell (https://www.hollyfarrellbooks.com) is an award-winning garden writer and author of books
including Healing with Plants: The Chelsea Physic Garden Herbal; RHS Plants from Pips; Growing Herbs (Kew
Gardener's Guides); RHS Get Growing; Grow Fruit; and Garden Media Guild Award finalists RHS Gardening for
Mindfulness and The Jam Maker's Garden. Her most recent titles are The RHS Little Book of Wild Gardening; The Herb
Almanac (for Chelsea Physic Garden); and The RHS Little Book of Cut Flower Growing. She is a frequent contributor to
The Simple Things magazine and an RHS Wisley-trained horticulturalist (she holds the Wisley Diploma and RHS
Certificates in Horticulture).
The Fishing Shelf
The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing
Marc Fryt, author
Dr. Brandon Dale, preface
Tom Rosenbauer, foreword
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
www.chelseagreen.com
9781645023173, $29.95, PB, 256pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Urban-Fly-Fishing-Explore/dp/1645023176
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-guide-to-urban-fly-fishing-marc-fryt/1147382987
Synopsis: While city dwellers often turn to hiking, biking, or simply enjoying a local park as healthy pastimes that don't
come with high costs or distant travel, one rewarding pursuit remains largely untapped in urban environments: fly
fishing.
For over a thousand years, fly fishing has been more than a method of harvesting food; it is also a source of immense joy, a
pathway to understanding nature intimately, and a tradition that connects us to water and wildlife. But why should this
enriching experience be confined to remote waters and rural landscapes? Why can't we cast a line right in the heart of our
cities?
With the publication of "The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing: How to Explore and Enjoy Your Local Waters", author and fly
fishing expert Marc Fryt shatters the stigmas and preconceptions (elitism, exclusivity, and notions of purity) that have kept
fly fishing from thriving in urban settings, revealing how the sport is truly accessible to all.
"The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing" introduces angling knowledge within the unique ecosystems that cities offer, ecosystems
that have evolved dramatically over the past 150 years. More than just a simple 'how-to' instructional handbook, "The
Guide to Urban Fly-Fishing" also provides the tools, resources, and diverse stories that will help to discover the vibrant
community and joy of urban fly fishing. It is also about joining a broader ecological movement that's redefining how we
live, relate, and recreate in our cities.
Additionally, "The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing" answers both the why and how questions of urban fly fishing.
Why fish in your city? Because of the accessibility, affordability, community, and unique adventures that urban waters
offer. A fishing rod transforms city landscapes into engaging playgrounds, turning anglers from mere observers into active
participants.
Why fly fishing in particular? This method of fishing is highly versatile and effective for the diverse ecosystems found in
urban areas.
"The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing serves as the first comprehensive urban guide for those new to fly fishing in general, as
well as for anglers who have yet to explore urban waters. It's filled with practical insights, tips, and uplifting stories from
experienced urban anglers from several cities, including Los Angeles, Denver, Minneapolis, Boston, New York City, and
Columbus. It provides readers with the resources and inspiration to explore their city's waters, overcome challenges, and
discover personal rewards and a sense of community.
Critique: Original, informative, deftly crafted, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Guide to
Urban Fly Fishing: How to Explore and Enjoy Your Local Waters" by Marc Fryt is a seminal and groundbreaking study
that will hold immense and enduring interest for novice and experienced fly fishing anglers of all ages. Informatively
enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of a Preface by Dr. Brandon Dale, a Foreword by Tom Rosenbauer, full
color illustrations, a four page listing of Further Resources, a four page Bibliography, and a five page Index. "The Guide to
Urban Fly Fishing" is a unique and especially recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and
college/university library Fly Fishing collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Guide to Urban Fly
Fishing" from Chelsea Green Publishing is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.99).
Editorial Note #1: Marc Fryt (https://www.thetriplehaul.com), discovered fly fishing as a way to decompress and explore
mountain rivers and streams during his military service as a helicopter pilot and operations officer. After leaving the
service and moving to Columbus, Ohio, he took up urban fly fishing with the encouragement of local anglers and mentors.
He is now an urban fly-fishing guide in Spokane, Washington State's second-largest city. He brings years of writing and
photography experience, having been published in numerous fishing and hunting magazines such as The Drake, Flyfish
Journal, Backcountry Journal, Fly Culture, Covers, Project Upland, Kayak Angler, and American Fly Fishing. For "The
Guide to Urban Fly Fishing", he has pulled together diverse voices among urban anglers from various cities, consulted
experts in multiple fields, and conducted research into scientific studies and textbooks. He is passionate about helping
readers learn the skills of urban fly fishing so they can experience the same joy.
The Photography Shelf
A Photographic Journey series
Farcountry Press
www.farcountrypress.com
Synopsis: Farcountry Press is a premier publisher of photographic travel guides. Here are three of their newest additions to
their simply outstanding 'A Photographic Journey' series:
"South Dakota: A Photographic Journey"
Jason Pfitzer and Darwin A. Julligan
9781560378495, $16.95, PB, 80pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/South-Dakota-Photographic-Jason-Pfitzer/dp/1560378492
"South Dakota: A Photographic" showcases the Spirit of the Great Plains from the rugged peaks of the Black Hills to the
quiet charm of prairie towns. South Dakota: A Photographic Journey captures the state's beauty in every season. Featuring
breathtaking images by celebrated photographers Jason Pfitzer and Darwin A. Mulligan, this collection showcases the
wild, historic, and wonderfully unexpected corners of the Mount Rushmore State and features.
Iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and the Capitol Building
Scenic wonders from Badlands National Park to Custer State Park and the Black Hills
Local wildlife including bison, mountain goats, and wild donkeys
Native American art, historic sites, and small-town Americana
Informative captions that bring each image to life
"Olympic: A Photographic Journey"
Tom Kirkendall, Vicky Spring, and Pete Zaidel
9781560378891, $16.95, PB, 80pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Olympic-Photographic-Journey-Tom-Kirkendall/dp/1560378891
From misty rainforests to rugged coastlines, "Olympic: A Photographic Journey" captures the breathtaking diversity of
Olympic National Park through the lenses of celebrated photographers Tom Kirkendall, Vicky Spring, and Pete Zaidel.
Each page reveals the park's natural beauty, from tidepools alive with starfish and sea anemones to glacier-capped peaks
and moss-draped forests. Informative captions accompany every image, inviting readers to explore one of America's most
extraordinary landscapes. Featured are:
Striking photography of beaches, forests, waterfalls, and alpine vistas
Iconic wildlife: Roosevelt elk, bald eagles, black bears, river otters, and more
Intimate glimpses of Enchanted Valley, Kalaloch, and Lake Crescent
Captivating seasonal imagery - wildflowers, sunsets, and snow-covered peaks
Insightful captions that enrich the visual storytelling
"Bryce Canyon: A Photographic Journey"
Robert McKendrick and Carol Polich
9781560378785, $16.95, PB, 80pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Bryce-Canyon-Photographic-Robert-McKendrick/dp/1560378786
From glowing hoodoos to star-filled skies, "Bryce Canyon: A Photographic Journey" vividly captures the park's beauty in
every season and light. Photographers Robert McKendrick and Carol Polich reveal intimate wildlife moments, sweeping
vistas, and the quiet magic that makes this remote landscape unforgettable. Featured are:
Dramatic images of Bryce's hoodoos, cliffs, and trails in every season
Wildlife portraits featuring condors, coyotes, elk, owls, and prairie dogs
Stunning night photography showcasing the Milky Way above the canyon
Vibrant close-ups of wildflowers, including paintbrush, iris, and blue flax
Critique: Each of these profusely, and beautiful photographical illustrated volumes is a stunning visual celebration and an
ideal for choice for travelers, on-site visitors, local citizens -- as well as dedicated landscape photography fans. This
original and spectacular trade paperback collection reveals why South Dakota, Olympic, and Bryce Canon are as diverse
and captivating as the stories carved into their spectacular landscapes. All three are especially and unreservedly
recommended for personal, community, and college/university library Landscape Photography and American Travel Guide
collections
Editorial Note: Farcountry Press (www.farcountrypress.com) for more than 40 years has been an acclaimed leader in
regional publishing, specializing in stunning photography books, fun educational books for children, adventure
guidebooks, and thought-provoking history titles. Farcountry's award-winning books celebrate our nation's cities, states,
and national parks, and explore our shared heritage. Farcountry publishes more than 50 books annually; the backlist has
grown to more than 300 titles.
The Literary Studies Shelf
The Characters of Oz
Dina Schiff Massachi, editor
Robert Baum, Afterword
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476687971, $49.95, PB, 196pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Characters-Oz-Essays-Adaptation-Transformation/dp/1476687978
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-characters-of-oz
Synopsis: When L. Frank Baum wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, he created an American myth that has endured the
test of time. Echoes of Dorothy and her friends are everywhere: popular television shows often have an Oz episode,
novelists borrow character types and echo familiar scenes, and every media (from Broadway to The Muppets) has some
variation or continuation of Baum's work.
With the publication of "The Characters of Oz: Essays on Their Adaptation and Transformation", Dina Schiff Massachi
presents a collection of essays that follows Baum's archetypal characters as they've changed over time in order to examine
what those changes mean in relation to Oz, American culture and basic human truths.
These essays also serve as a bridge between academia and fandom, with contributors representing a cross-section of Oz
scholarship from backgrounds including The International Wizard of Oz Club and the Children's Literature
Association.
Critique: With occasional B/W images, "The Characters of Oz: Essays on Their Adaptation and Transformation" compiled
and edited by Dina Schiff Massachi is a masterpiece of literary scholarship in the field of Children's Literary Criticism.
Articulate, insightful, informative, and a simply fascinating read from start to finish, this unique compendium of essays is a
unique and highly recommended addition for personal, professional, community, and college/university library collection
and supplemental Literary Criticism curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in Frank L. Baum and his literary legacy of Oz stories that this trade paperback edition of
"The Characters of Oz: Essays on Their Adaptation and Transformation" from McFarland & Company is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).
Editorial Note: Dina Schiff Massachi has written and presented numerous academic essays on Baum's Oz and its various
adaptations. She also appeared in the "American Oz" episode of PBS's American Experience. She is a lecturer for the
American Studies program at UNC Charlotte; one of her favorite classes is a course on The Wizard of Oz.
(https://charloz.charlotte.edu/people/dina-schiff-massachi)
The Fabulous Journeys of Alice and Pinocchio
Laura Tosi with Peter Hunt, authors
Donald E. Palumbo and C.W. Sullivan III, series editors
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476665436, $39.95, PB, 237pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Fabulous-Journeys-Alice-Pinocchio-Explorations/dp/1476665435
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/the-fabulous-journeys-of-alice-and-pinocchio
Synopsis: Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1871) and Carlo
Collodi's Le Avventure di Pinocchio (1883) are among the most influential classics of children's literature. Firmly rooted in
their respective British and Italian national cultures, the Alice and Pinocchio stories connected to a worldwide audience
almost like folktales and fairy tales and have become fixtures of postmodernism.
Although they come from radically different political and social backgrounds, the texts share surprising similarities. "The
Fabulous Journeys of Alice and Pinocchio: Exploring Their Parallel Worlds" is comparative reading explores their imagery
and history, and discusses them in the broader context of British and Italian children's stories.
Critique: An original and groundbreaking study authored by Professor Laura Tosi with Professor Peter Hunt, and deftly
edited by Donald E. Palumbo and C.W. Sullivan III, "The Fabulous Journeys of Alice and Pinocchio: Exploring Their
Parallel Worlds" is informative enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of an Appendix (Strange Meeting in
Wonder-Tuscany), four pages of Chapter Notes, a twenty page bibliography of Works Cited, and a five page Index.
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Fabulous Journeys of Alice and Pinocchio: Exploring Their
Parallel Worlds" is a seminal and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and
college/university library Children's Fantasy Fiction Literary Criticism collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this
trade paperback edition of "The Fabulous Journeys of Alice and Pinocchio: Exploring Their Parallel Worlds" from
McFarland & Company is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).
Editorial Note #1: Laura Tosi is a professor of English literature at the University Ca' Foscari in Venice, Italy. Her research
is in Elizabethan drama and children's literature. She has published works on literary fairy tales and adaptation, and
co-edited the first history of English-language children's literature written in Italian. A listing of her books is available
online at Goodreads: (https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/1310045.Laura_Tosi)
Editorial Note #2: Peter Hunt (https://peterhuntbooks.com) is a professor emeritus of English and children's literature at
Cardiff University, UK. He has lectured at more than 150 universities and colleges in 23 countries, and has produced 30
books and 500 papers and reviews on the subject. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7085639.Peter_Hunt)
Editorial Note #3: Donald E. Palumbo is a professor of English at East Carolina University.
(https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/38067.Donald_E_Palumbo)
Flying Adventurers
David K. Vaughan
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476688787, $49.95, PB, 339pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Adventurers-Juvenile-Aviation-1909-1964/dp/1476688788
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/flying-adventurers
Synopsis: Aviation books were a unique and prolific subgenre of American juvenile literature from the early to mid-20th
century, drawing upon the nation's intensifying interest. The first books of this type was Harry L. Sayler's series Airship
Boys, which appeared shortly after the Wright brothers' first successful flight in 1909. Following Charles Lindbergh's solo
flight across the Atlantic, popular series like Ted Scott and Andy Lane established the "golden age" of juvenile aviation
literature.
With the publication of "Flying Adventurers: Juvenile Aviation Series Books in America, 1909-1964", David K. Vaughan
examines the 375 juvenile aviation series titles published between 1909 and 1964. This study deftly weaves together
several thematic threads, including the placement of aviation narratives within the context of major historical events, the
technical accuracy in depictions of flying machines and the ways in which characters reflected the culture of their eras. Of
special note is the inclusion of three appendices providing publication data for each series, a list of referenced aircraft, an
annotated bibliography, and an index.
Critique: With occasional B/W historical photos, "Flying Adventurers: Juvenile Aviation Series Books in America,
1909-1964" by David K. Vaughan is an original, seminal and groundbreaking literary study that will prove fascinating to
anyone with an interest in how the new and developing technologies of air flight and flying were depicted in the popular
literature of the day for young and enthusiastic readers. Comprehensively researched, exceptionally well written,
thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Flying Adventurers: Juvenile Aviation Series Books in
America, 1909-1964" is a unique and strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and
college/university library aviation themed children's literary criticism collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this
trade paperback edition of "Flying Adventurers: Juvenile Aviation Series Books in America, 1909-1964" from McFarland
& Company is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.99).
Editorial Note: Now retired, David Kirk Vaughan has been an American Aviation educator. Researcher, and an archivist
for the United States Air Force Museum, Dayton, Ohio. (https://prabook.com/web/david_kirk.vaughan/1373264)
Furry Tales: A Review of Essential Anthropomorphic Fiction
Fred Patten
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476675985, $39.95, PB, 236pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Furry-Tales-Essential-Anthropomorphic-Fiction/dp/1476675988
McFarland & Company
https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/furry-tales
Synopsis: Tales featuring anthropomorphic animals have been around as long as there have been storytellers to spin them,
from Aesop's Fables, to Reynard the Fox, to Alice in Wonderland. The genre really took off following the explosion of
furry fandom in the 21st century, with talking animals featuring in everything from science fiction to fantasy to LGBTQ
coming-out stories.
In his lifetime, the late Fred Patten (1940-2018) was one of the founders of furry fandom and a scholar of anthropomorphic
animal literature. He was the author of hundreds of book reviews that comprise a comprehensive critical survey of the
genre.
"Furry Tales: A Review of Essential Anthropomorphic Fiction" is a selected compilation that provides an overview of his
commentaries on the use of literary anthropomorphism from 1784 through the 2010s, covering such popular novels as
Watership Down and Redwall, along with forgotten gems like The Stray Lamb and Where the Blue Begins, and science
fiction works like Sundiver and Decision at Doona.
Critique: A seminal and ground-breaking contribution to the literary study of anthropomorphism, Furry Tales: A Review of
Essential Anthropomorphic Fiction" is a fitting memorial compendium from an articulate, insightful, and non-academic
scholar. It is a compendium of articles that is enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of an informative
Foreword by Kyell Gold, four Appendices (Nonfiction Works; Author and Chronological Lists; Awards; and Furry
Specialty Publishers), and an eleven page Index. A unique and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, community, and college/university library Children's Literary Criticism collections and supplemental
curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that this trade paperback edition of 'Furry Tales: A Review of Essential Anthropomorphic Fiction" from McFarland
& Company is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).
Editorial Note: Frederick Walter Patten (December 11, 1940 - November 12, 2018) was an American writer and historian
known for his work in the science fiction, fantasy, anime, manga, and furry fandoms, where he gained great distinction
through a substantial contribution to both print and online books, magazines, and other media.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Patten)
The Self-Help Shelf
The Chemistry Trap
Alex Tayebnama
https://tayebnama.com
Independently Published
9781764471817, $11.99, PB, 108pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Trap-Instincts-Partners-Differently/dp/1764471814
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-chemistry-trap-a-tayebnama/1149166732
Synopsis: The spark that feels like destiny rarely is.
You've felt it before. That instant pull toward someone. The certainty that this time it's real. But weeks or months later,
you're wondering what went wrong and why it keeps happening.
With the publication of "The Chemistry Trap: Why Your Instincts Keep Leading You to the Wrong Partners and How to
Finally Choose Differently", author Alex Tayebnama reveals why our instincts so often mislead us in love.
Drawing on psychology, attachment science, and observations from more than eighty cultures, "The Chemistry Trap"
uncovers the hidden patterns that drive our attractions: childhood imprints, nervous system responses, and the signals we
mistake for connection.
"The Chemistry Trap" reveals why intensity and compatibility are not the same thing, and how to recognize when
chemistry is a warning rather than a green light -- and what lasting partnership actually requires!
"The Chemistry Trap" is not about ignoring attraction. It is about understanding it well enough to finally choose
differently.
Critique: Original, deftly crafted, informed and informative, "The Chemistry Trap: Why Your Instincts Keep Leading You
to the Wrong Partners and How to Finally Choose Differently" by Alex Tayebnama is unique, inherently fascinating, and
unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Dating/Relationships and Self-Help
instructional reference collections. It should be noted that this paperback edition of "The Chemistry Trap" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Alex Tayebnama (https://tayebnama.com) is a writer and researcher exploring the patterns that shape our
behaviour. His work sits at the intersection of ancient wisdom traditions and modern psychology, examining the
unconscious forces that drive our most important decisions. Years of study in depth psychology, including the work of
Jung, Adler, and Freud, combined with learnings across more than eighty cultures, led him to one insight: resilience is not
given, it is built. He writes and researches in a space he calls mental fitness: the practical training of perception, choice,
and resilience in everyday life. His work applies this lens to the areas where instinct is loudest and clarity matters most:
leadership, relationships, parenting, and the high-stakes decisions that shape our trajectories.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
The Book of the Golden Precepts
H. P. Blavatsky
Radiant Books
https://radiantbooks.co
9781639940547, $52.00, HC, 549pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Golden-Precepts-Silence-Fragments/dp/1639940545
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-book-of-the-golden-precepts-h-p-blavatsky/1148020326
Synopsis: In a new edition published by Radiant Books, "The Book of the Golden Precepts: The Voice of the Silence and
Other Fragments of Divine Wisdom" by H. P. Blavatsky is a seminal and groundbreaking theosophical compendium
comprised of:
An extensive introduction that reveals the secret powers of your heart, lays out Blavatsky's core teachings, outlines the
challenges facing humanity today, and explains how you can help the world in these troubled times.
Four enlightening fragments from The Book of the Golden Precepts - The Voice of the Silence, The Two Paths, The Seven
Portals, and Light on the Path - serving as keys to awaken your divine consciousness and unlock authentic
transformation.
Profound commentary by assistants of His Holiness the 9th Panchen Lama, as well as by Reverend Father Anthony
Elenjimittam (the last disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and a friend of Pope John XXIII) facilitating deeper understanding of
the fragments.
Insightful and thought-provoking material by Blavatsky and others to help you walk a spiritual path and answer the
questions that may arise as you study the fragments.
Comprehensive glossary covering topics like ancient mysteries; the past, present, and future of humanity; the secret history
of the solar system; global warming; Armageddon; the Last Judgement; the Second Coming; the afterlife; karma; and
cosmic laws.
Critique: Classic, iconic, and of immense interest to dedicated students of Theosophy, Mahayana Buddhism, Ancient
Wisdom/Knowledge, "The Book of the Golden Precepts: The Voice of the Silence and Other Fragments of Divine
Wisdom" by H. P. Blavatsky is a fundamental and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional,
community, and college/university library Metaphysical Studies collections and supplemental curriculum lists. It should be
noted that this hardcover edition of "The Book of the Golden Precepts: The Voice of the Silence and Other Fragments of
Divine Wisdom" from Radiant Books is also readily available to students, academia, and non-specialist general readers
with an interest in the subject that it is also readily available in paperback (9781639940554, $18.99) and in a digital book
format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note #1: Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (31 July] 1831 - 8 May 1891), often known simply as Madame Blavatsky,
was a Russian and American mystic and writer who co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875. She gained an
international following as the primary founder of Theosophy as a belief system.
Editorial Note #2: Theosophy is a religious movement established in the United States in the late 19th century. Founded
primarily by the Russian Helena Blavatsky and based largely on her writings, it draws heavily from both older European
philosophies such as Neoplatonism and Indian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Although many adherents
maintain that Theosophy is not a religion, it is variably categorized by religious scholars as both a new religious movement
and a form of occultism from within Western esotericism. (Wikipedia).
The Muses: Calling to Creativity & Inspiration
Irisanya Moon
Moon Books
c/o Collective Ink Books
https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com
9781803417462, $12.95, PB, 120pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Pagan-Portals-Calling-Creativity-Inspiration/dp/1803417463
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pagan-portals-the-muses-irisanya-moon/1147237014
Synopsis: If we want to dream of a new world, we will need all the help we can get. We need divine support to see beyond
what we know and what we think is possible.
The Muses can offer us inspiration through poetry, history, astronomy, comedy, dance, and music. With their relentless
creativity, the Muses inspire not only artists but also those who want to create new structures and visions of sustainable,
supportive communities. With their guidance, we can widen our thinking and conceive of solutions to serve the emerging
needs of the world.
Connecting and reconnecting to inspiration fosters hope and courage, and the Muses are ready to pass on their knowledge,
a knowing that only comes from having seen all that has ever happened.
Critique: The latest addition to the fabled Moon Books metaphysical Pagan Portal series, "The Muses: Calling to
Creativity & Inspiration" by Irisanya Moon (witch, priestess, international teacher, and initiate in the Reclaiming tradition.
A devotee of Aphrodite, Hecate, the Norns, and Iris) is a perfect introduction to connecting with the Muses in these
modern times. Original, informative, and fascinating, "The Muses" is unreservedly recommended for personal,
professional, community, and college/university library Metaphysical/Paganism Studies collections. It should be noted for
students and practitioners that this paperback edition of 'The Muses" from Moon Books is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $6.99).
Editorial Note: Irisanya Moon (https://www.irisanyamoon.com) is an author of numerous books, witch, priestess,
international teacher, and initiate in the Reclaiming tradition. A devotee of Aphrodite, Hecate, the Norns, and Iris, she has
been practicing magick for over 20 years. Irisanya is passionate about the idea that life is and humans are love spells, ever
experiencing a dance of desire and connection, moving in and out of the heart, always returning to love.
Spirit Guide Portal
AJA Daashuur, author
Justin Daashuur Hopkins, illustrator
Weiser Books
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781578638833, $29.95, Card Deck, 112pp
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Guide-Portal-Full-Color-Guidebook/dp/1578638836
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spirit-guide-portal-aja-daashuur/1147136812
Synopsis: Comprised of 40 Cards and a 112 page, full-color Guidebook, "Spirit Guide Portal: Your Oracle to Access
Higher Wisdom" by renowned medium AJA Daashuur and artist/illustrator Justin Daashuur Hopkins is meticulously
crafted to open the channels of communication between individuals and their spirit guides.
Each individual card in this mystical and metaphysical deck features a specific archetype that represents the ways we relate
to behavior, patterns, and narratives, serving as a catalyst for growth, introspection, and spiritual healing on both personal
and collective levels. These archetypes help us see ourselves more clearly and understand where we are on our individual
life paths.
Each spirit oracle card offers guidance in three ways: "I Am," "I Offer," and "I Ask," empowering you to embrace your
spiritual journey with confidence, clarity, and a sense of purpose.
Critique: Original, exceptional, iconic, "Spirit Guide Portal: Your Oracle to Access Higher Wisdom" card deck from
Weiser Books will prove to be a prized and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and
college/university library Metaphysical/Occultism Studies collections.
Editorial Note #1: AJA Daashuur (www.thespiritguidecoach.com) is a psychic, medium, and spiritual counselor who
specializes in connecting you with the guidance and wisdom of your unique spiritual team. As a renowned WOC medium,
AJA has conducted over five hundred workshops and retreats across the country. She is a contributing author to
Confluence of Witches and has been featured in Vogue, NPR, Well+Good, the Los Angeles Times, Yoga Journal, and The
Cut.
Editorial Note #2: Justin Daashuur Hopkins (https://justindaashuurhopkins.com) is a talented artist and award-winning
director. He co-founded NOH/WAVE, an art agency and production company that boasts a captivating gallery space in
downtown Los Angeles. This venture has allowed him to curate exhibitions featuring world-renowned artists, showcasing
his eye for unique aesthetics and meticulous attention to detail. He has become highly sought after as a director of film and
mixed media videos. Notable clients such as Universal, RCA, Warner Brothers, Atlantic, Def Jam, and Domino Records
have trusted him to bring their visions to life.
The Cunning Farmer: Agrarian Magical Practices, Mythology & Folklore
Todd Elliott
Inner Traditions
https://www.innertraditions.com
9788888501313, $65.00 hc / $45.99 Kindle
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Cunning-Farmer-Agrarian-Practices-Mythology/dp/B0F1LQSDFC
Synopsis: A guide to restoring the ancient relationship between farming and magic
Explores how to reconnect with nature and use practical, nature-based magic for gardening and farming, fertility, and
abundance
Examines Moon work, plant magic, forest deities, Earth energies, weather magic, the cosmology of ritual, and how to work
with land spirits
Discusses folk magic traditions of North America and Western Europe, including the grimoire tradition, Western
esotericism, alchemy, Kabbalah, and shamanism as well as Taoist principles and Reiki
Magic and farming, in the minds of ancient people, were not separate realms of life, but both were woven inextricably into
the way people lived. Through libations, prayers, hymns, dances, sacrifices, and rituals, ancient farmers connected to the
sacred forces, the gods, nature spirits, and ancestors to make the crops grow, keep the herds healthy, the weather favorable,
and release energies of fertility. These rural farmer priests and priestesses of the ancient past are the spiritual ancestors of
today's cunning farmers.
This book explores folk magic traditions of North America and Western Europe, including the grimoire tradition and the
practices of witches and cunning folk for increased fertility. Todd draws on Western esotericism, Taoist principles,
alchemy, Kabbalah, Reiki, and shamanism to show how to use practical, nature-based magic, just like our ancestors, for
more abundant gardening and farming. He shows how to work with land spirits, including meeting the place spirit of your
land - the genius loci. He also explores working with Earth and Moon energies, plant magic and forest deities, and ritual.
Learn how to deepen your connection to elemental and celestial forces and explore the idea of rewilding the imagination to
enhance your relationship with nature and the spirits that call it home.
This book is not just a guide to farming, but to forging a relationship with the living land. It shows that we are surrounded
by spiritual powers and, with their help, we can re-enchant and reconnect with the land that gives us life.
Critique: Featuring a wealth of colorful photographs, The Cunning Farmer: Agrarian Magical Practices, Mythology &
Folklore is an extraordinary compendium of mythology, folklore, and magical practices connected to farming in North
America and Western Europe. Some Eastern elements such as Taoist principles are also discussed. Written from an
accessible and spiritual perspective, The Cunning Farmer presents these folk magic practices as means by which people
have connected with nature and the land ever since prehistory. Readers will be inspired to incorporate mystic elements into
their own imaginations and their personal relationship with nature. Thoroughly fascinating from cover to cover, The
Cunning Farmer is highly recommended as a welcome addition to Metaphysical Studies collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that The Cunning Farmer is also available in a Kindle edition ($45.99).
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
www.midwestbookreview.com
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