Four troubled people meet beneath Chicago’s shadowy streets and discover a woman who changes their lives forever in this powerful, haunting novel of magic and miracles, from the New York Times bestselling author of the V.I. Warshawski series “Truly remarkable.”—San Francisco Chronicle “Rich, imaginative, [and] intensely moving.”—Chicago Tribune “Astonishing and affecting.”—Booklist They come from different worlds and meet at a time of crisis for all of them. Luisa, a drunken diva fallen on hard times, discovers on Chicago's streets a drama greater than any she has experienced onstage. Madeleine, a homeless woman, sees the Virgin Mary’s blood seeping through a concrete wall beneath a luxury hotel. Mara, a rebellious adolescent cast out by her wealthy grandfather, becomes the catalyst for a war between the haves and have-nots as she searches among society’s castoffs for the mother she never knew. As the three women fight for their right to live and worship beneath the hotel, they find an ally in Hector Tammuz, an idealistic young psychiatrist risking his career to treat the homeless regardless of the cost. Tensions in the city are escalating when a mysterious woman appears during a violent storm. Alluring to some, repellent to others, she never speaks; the street people call her Starr. And as she slowly transforms their lives, miracles begin to happen in a city completely unprepared for the outcome. In this extraordinary novel, Sara Paretsky gives voice to the dispossessed, to men and women struggling to bury the ghosts of the past, fighting for their lives in a world hungry for miracles, terrified of change.

Challenging the prevailing view of a modern English culture besotted with its history and aristocracy, Mandler portrays instead a continuously changing society where both intellectual and popular attitudes have only recently turned to admiration.

"Fantastic! I've learned there's much more to this valley than first meets the eye. I had no idea the dead population was so lively here. Truly, Dwyer brings the past to life." --Mick Winter, author of The Napa Valley Book "Filled with fascinating historical details that few locals even know, the book is eerily convincing in its convictions."--Santa Rosa (CA) Press Democrat "A handy guide to curdling your blood and raising your hair."--Napa Valley Register Serving as a guide to one of America's most treasured lands, the Ghost Hunter's Guide to California's Wine Country takes readers to the rolling hills, old wineries, and beautiful vineyards of the California Wine Country. With more than eighty haunted locations described in great historical detail, experienced and novice ghost hunters alike can search this famous region for encounters with ghosts of explorers, Indians, soldiers, and others. Recommended locations include the famous novelist Jack London's homestead, where apparitions and other phenomena have been experienced. Many believe London's ghost still haunts his beloved ranch. After traveling the vineyards and wineries, the counties of Napa and Sonoma offer more ghostly adventures. The Cinedome movie house in Napa is said to hold the ghosts of an older couple who were often found cuddling in the back of the theatre. In Sonoma, hauntings have occurred in the popular park known as the Plaza. Sem-Yeto, one of the last Pomo Indian chiefs, is buried in the park's northwest corner, and some have witnessed the spirit of his ghost wandering the site. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ghost hunting guru Jeff Dwyer, a resident of the California Wine Country, has been fascinated with ghosts since childhood. He is an experienced paranormal investigator and the author of Ghost Hunter's Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area, Ghost Hunter's Guide to Los Angeles, Ghost Hunter's Guide to New Orleans, and Ghost Hunters Guide to Seattle and Puget Sound, all published by Pelican.

India: it's a nation of geeks, swots and nerds. Almost one in five of all medical and dental staff in the UK is of Indian origin, and one in six employed scientists with science or engineering doctorates in the US is Asian. By the turn of the millennium, there were even claims that a third of all engineers in Silicon Valley were of Indian origin, with Indians running 750 of its tech companies. At the dawn of this scientific revolution, Geek Nation is a journey to meet the inventors, engineers and young scientists helping to give birth to the world’s next scientific superpower – a nation built not on conquest, oil or minerals, but on the scientific ingenuity of its people. Angela Saini explains how ancient science is giving way to new, and how the technology of the wealthy are passing on to the poor. Delving inside the psyche of India’s science-hungry citizens, she explores the reason why the government of the most religious country on earth has put its faith in science and technology. Through witty first-hand reportage and penetrative analysis, Geek Nation explains what this means for the rest of the world, and how a spiritual nation squares its soul with hard rationality. Full of curious, colourful characters and gripping stories, it describes India through its people – a nation of geeks. curious, colourful characters and gripping stories, it describes India through its people – a nation of geeks.

"True West Virginia Ghost Stories" is a collection of over 400 hair raising stories, all true, that have been passed down for many generations in the mountain state. Over the past twelve years these stories have been archived by 'West Virginia Ghosts' and for the first time are being offered in anthology, full book form. The stories, written by different individuals, cover the entire spectrum of paranormal phenomena; ghosts, UFO's, Bigfoot, strange animals and creatures, and many more. There are many unexplained events cataloged throughout the work. If you love the paranormal and are fond of the mountain state or Appalachia in general, take a trip down these haunted country roads with "True West Virginia Ghost Stories!"