It's Memphis,1965. An increasingly withdrawn Elvis passes his evenings at the Memphian movie house, endlessly watching Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove." His friends and hangers-on are starting to worry,and so is his famously hucksterish manager,Colonel Tom Parker. Things only get worse when the King finds out that someone has been disguising himself as Elvis in order to seduce his teenage fans,and that Colonel Tom's been paying off their parents to keep the scandal out of the press. When a photographer who claims to have documented these seductions is murdered...and Colonel Tom is arrested for that murder...the stakes become life and death.

Part one of the epic two-part conclusion to the Ruthless People and Children of Vice series... In the end...we all lose. How well do you think you know the Callahans? Yes, I’m asking you. Because I know you’ve been watching. The chaos, the violence, the love, and the madness—who could look away? Not me, for sure. My grandmother always told me...where you look is where you go. So I ask again, how well do you think you know the Callahans? Do you really think you understand Melody, Liam, or even Ethan? I have to wonder—will your mind be able to handle it? We haven’t met yet, but ready or not, here I come. The true queen of Chicago. For now, you may call me Calliope. Catch up on the Children of Vice Series: CHILDREN OF VICE, Book 1: “From the Ruthless, Vice shall Rise.” CHILDREN OF AMBITION, Book 2: "Show me a strong woman and I’ll show you the scars on her soul that made her so.” CHILDREN OF REDEMPTION, Book 3: “I do not come in peace.”

Calliope I know you hate me. I’ve ruined the family, you say? I’ve led Ethan astray? You say that it’s all my fault. Haven’t you learned by now that the weak are eaten by the strong? Only the most ruthless, the most vicious, can stand at the top. Whatever comes...just know, they deserved it. I told you to bow, didn’t I? It is my time now. With love, Mrs. Callahan Melody Hate You? Little girl, you are not worthy of my hate. Ruined my family? Don’t make me laugh. Hundreds have tried before you and failed. Hundreds will try after you and fail again, Because no matter what, we are strong. You preach about being ruthless or vicious— I am those words personified. The only bowing will be from you to me. Prepare yourself, Mrs. Callahan. The real Mrs. Callahan is coming.

Part two of the epic three-part conclusion to the Ruthless People and Children of Vice series... Do you understand why I asked you last time, how well do you think you knew the Callahans? Because I knew you don't know them. Not in the way I knew them. But don't worry. I'll reintroduce you to them. The real them. I will show you what they are all really, truly, capable of, because I am no longer in the shadows. I am here. In my kingdom, at last. And I do not give a damn about your opinions of me, or the one who came before me. We are doing things my way now. So bow...or be broken. Sincerely, Mrs. Callahan

Part two of the epic three-part conclusion to the Ruthless People and Children of Vice series... Do you understand why I asked you last time, how well do you think you knew the Callahans? Because I knew you don’t know them. Not in the way I knew them. But don’t worry. I’ll reintroduce you to them. The real them. I will show you what they are all really, truly, capable of, because I am no longer in the shadows. I am here. In my kingdom, at last. And I do not give a damn about your opinions of me, or the one who came before me. We are doing things my way now. So bow...or be broken. Sincerely, Mrs. Callahan

Offers a startlingly honest analysis of this country's racial impasse that challenges the comfortable assumptions of both blacks and whites, while sensitively exploring and explaining the experience of each. Illuminates how blacks and whites together unwittingly participate in the perpetuation of our divisions, and offers insight into the ways in which psychological dynamics and larger social, political, and historical forces intersect in maintaining our society's most intractable quandary. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR