Reporter Hollis Ball wasn't crazy about Judge Findlay S. Fish, who recently gave a convicted wife murderer a light sentence. But she's certain that her old schoolmate didn't bash the judge to death with an antique snow goose decoy. Does she lets her dead ex-husband--that charming ghost Sam Wescott--suck her into finding the real killer?

In a strangely heart-warming story, a duck strikes up an unlikely friendship with Death. Death, Duck and the Tulip will intrigue, haunt and enchant readers of all ages. Simple, warm, and witty, this book deals with a difficult subject in a way that is elegant, straightforward, and life-affirming.

Ben is convinced that his troublemaker brother did not commit murder and investigates what he believes to be a case of mistaken identity. But his key witness refuses to answer his questions. Meanwhile his kid brother is sitting on death row. Written specifically for struggling readers to explore genres, like mysteries and science fiction, these fast-paced books hold student interest until the last page. Questions at the end of each title promote cognitive development by making students think about vocabulary, comprehension, character, and plot.

Trapped in a Masterworks he never made! There were several worthy candidates for the milestone 300th Masterworks edition, but only one waddled away with election victory: Howard the Duck! In Howard, Steve Gerber and his artistic cohorts Val Mayerik, Frank Brunner and Gene Colan delivered one of comics' most iconoclastic and hilarious characters. We kick things off in his inaugural Masterworks with his quirky first appearance as a fowl out of water alongside the macabre Man-Thing, where they team up to protect Cleveland from the Man-Frog and Hellcow. The satirical stories continue with Howard and gal pal Beverly Switzler taking on dire threats such as the Space Turnip, the Beaver and - public transportation??! And then: Howard runs for president! All restored in Masterworks glory! Collecting: Howard The Duck (1976) 1-14; Marvel Treasury Edition (1974) 12; material from Fear (1970) 19; Man-Thing (1974) 1; Giant-Size Man-Thing (1974) 4-5; FOOM (1973) 15

Louisiana Culture Comes Alive! An in-depth discussion of Louisiana and the forces that have shaped it characterize Louisiana: The Land and Its People . Available from Pelican Publishing Company, the 560-page volume provides a comprehensive overview of Louisiana history, from the first Indian inhabitants through the Civil War and Reconstruction to modern times. Some 200 photographs and illustrations, including 45 maps, complement the text and encourage the reader to delve further into the background of Louisiana and its people. Ideal for classroom use (a teacher's guide is also available), Louisiana: The Land and Its People is much more than a textbook. Its detailed discussion of the factors that have molded the state provides insights into current issues and solutions. Everyone interested in understanding Louisiana both today and yesterday will benefit from reading this book. The authors, Dr. Sue Eakin and Mrs. Manie Culbertson, together have more than four decades of experience teaching Louisiana history. Dr. Eakin is a professor of history at Louisiana State University at Alexandria. Mrs. Culbertson served for 25 years with the Louisiana public school system teaching Louisiana history and social studies. Together, they bring a rich, fresh approach to analyzing the factors that have created modern Louisiana life.

From the Eider duck to the Brazilian teal to the familiar mallard, duck species are richly diverse, and in Duck Victoria de Rijke offers a comprehensive overview of their evolutionary history, as well as exploring the numerous roles that the duck plays in literature, art, and religion.