In Pennsylvania's Amish country, New York author Toni Miracle investigates the death of a landowner, poisoned after he agreed to the construction of a nuclear waste dump on his land. The dump is oppposed by environmentalists.

Mad, bad, and dangerous to know. Theater of the Absurd takes on a whole new meaning when former teacher and Byron scholar Grace Hollister is hired as a script doctor for a cable film production. Hollywood wants to film the book Grace wrote about her her past academic (and extracurricular) exploits on location in the Lake District. At first Grace revels in reflected Hollywood glamor and her reunion with boyfriend Peter Fox, antiques dealer and former jewel thief. However, although the film's budget seems boundless, almost no one in the cast or crew seems to have much experience making movies. It's almost comical...until history begins to repeat itself for real, and then it's curtains for more than one of the cast.

When a landslide kills six people and destroys several expensive homes, Madeline Thomas, principal chief of the Klalos, and geologist Charlie O Neill know something is rotten in Latouche County: the land should never have been built on. Sheriff s investigator Rob Neill uncovers a suppressed hazard warning and evidence of payoffs to county government, with the help of librarian Meg McLean. Rob leads an investigation that implicates local development bigwigs and county personnel, including his boss and mentor, the sheriff. Meanwhile someone will stop at nothing, even murder, to keep the cover-up covered up. Cop, librarian, nurse, sheriff, and even an Indian chief they are all viewpoint characters in Sheila Simonson s engrossing new mystery, An Old Chaos. Expanding our view of the microcosm of a rural Columbia Gorge town introduced in the critically praised Buffalo Bill s Defunct, Simonson portrays heroism as well as corruption in high and low places. And human fallibility s potential for diasaster is joined by the landscape s; as the eponymous Wallace Stevens poem says, We live in an old chaos of the sun.

Like other fictional characters, female sleuths may live in the past or the future. They may represent current times with some level of reality or shape their settings to suit an agenda. There are audiences for both realism and escapism in the mystery novel. It is interesting, however, to compare the fictional world of the mystery sleuth with the world in which readers live. Of course, mystery readers do not share one simplistic world. They live in urban, suburban, and rural areas, as do the female heroines in the books they read. They may choose a book because it has a familiar background or because it takes them to places they long to visit. Readers may be rich or poor; young or old; conservative or liberal. So are the heroines. What incredible choices there are today in mystery series! This three-volume encyclopedia of women characters in the mystery novel is like a gigantic menu. Like a menu, the descriptions of the items that are provided are subjective. Volume 3 of Mystery Women as currently updated adds an additional 42 sleuths to the 500 plus who were covered in the initial Volume 3. These are more recently discovered sleuths who were introduced during the period from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 1999. This more than doubles the number of sleuths introduced in the 1980s (298 of whom were covered in Volume 2) and easily exceeded the 347 series (and some outstanding individuals) described in Volume 1, which covered a 130-year period from 1860-1979. It also includes updates on those individuals covered in the first edition; changes in status, short reviews of books published since the first edition through December 31, 2008.

Reproduction of the original: The Stately Homes of England by Llewellynn Frederick William Jewitt, Samuel Carter Hall

A pleasure cruise, a treasure hunt, swing music, and murder-who could ask for anything more? In late November 1941, swing musician Katy Green joins two old friends in a dance band on the SS Lurline en route to Honolulu. Hidden treasure at their destination could make them rich, but murder--as well as World War II--is in the offing. Swing music fans, nostalgia buffs and history enthusiasts will enjoy the authentic period and musical detail in this delightful historical mystery. And Stanford and Cal graduates will enjoy the traditional Big Game rivalry aboard ship! A vintage postcard of the SS Lurline introduces each of the 13 chapters, as well as cover and frontispiece illustrations.

Within the pages of 'The Stately Homes of England', a vivid tapestry of architecture, history, and culture is unfurled, showcasing the grandeur and legacy of England's noble residences. Llewellynn Frederick William Jewitt and S. C. Hall curate a collection that is as rich in literary diversity as it is in its portrayal of architectural magnificence. The anthology traverses a wide array of stylistic approaches, from detailed historical recountings to passionate lyrical odes, capturing the essence and spirit of these storied estates. The works stand as a testament to the significance of England's stately homes, not only as architectural marvels but also as emblematic of the nation's heritage. The contributing authors, Jewitt and Hall, bring forth a blend of expertise in art, culture, and history, making their collaborative efforts resonate with authenticity and scholarly rigor. Their backgrounds provide a solid foundation for an exploration that aligns with both the Victorian fascination with medievalism and the broader cultural movement of romanticism. Through their curated collection, they invite the reader to traverse centuries of architectural evolution and societal change, offering a comprehensive insight into the epochal shifts that shaped these grand residences and, by extension, English society itself. 'Recommendation: 'The Stately Homes of England'' is not merely an invitation to appreciate the visual and architectural beauty of these historic houses but also a profound journey through the passages of time that these edifices have silently witnessed. For enthusiasts of architecture, history, and the intricate narrative of Englands sociopolitical evolution, this anthology presents a unique opportunity to engage with the past through a lens of beauty and scholarship. Readers are encouraged to delve into this rich assemblage of works, where each stately home emerges as a chapter in England's grand narrative, promising an educational venture into the heart of English culture and history.