How many Tappets does it take to solve a murder? When Ellie’s kids surprise her by coming aboard the S.V. Adventurous Spirit she couldn’t be more thrilled. She’s missed them so much, especially her sweet granddaughter Clara. And finally, it's time to introduce the family to the new man in her life. That is, if she can stop chickening out long enough to spill the beans. Meanwhile, Ellie's friend Violet is having a reunion of her own. Violet’s long-lost love has come aboard the ship on the arm of a new beau, and the resulting drama is raising eyebrows all over the ship. But emotional baggage takes second place to murder when a dead body is found on Violet’s ex's doorstep! Does her old flame harbor the heart of a killer? Ellie's on the hunt, but her prey proves elusive. Between the dead woman’s unusual past, an unorthodox murder weapon gone missing, and the involvement of a visiting magician and his parrot, this mystery is starting to feel like a three-ring circus! Make yourself some popcorn and settle in for the show, because Ellie Tappet, along with her family and friends, are about to perform some crime-solving magic of their own.

Tired of fending off street thugs and worried about the day they can no longer take care of themselves, three elderly widows, Josie, Mabel and Mil, concoct the perfect plan for ensuring their safety, which will also guarantee them free room and board for life. As grocery bag-covered bodies begin turning up in Southern California, police and the media are stumped. Detectives assigned to the case, Paige Turner and Mark Wisneski, wonder what weird new serial killer is on the loose. The victims are mostly drug addicts and small-time crooks, but why the grocery bags? The bodies pile up until the widows invite Turner and Wisneski to tea, where they tell all. What they reveal shocks the world and could lead to the widows' master plan seriously backfiring. Life on the streets and in prison will never be the same.

Dont judge a book by its cover, or a bag lady by her appearance. I didnt always look like this, she says. Being barmy doesnt mean Im stupid. Lady Bag does have her problems her close relationship with cheap red wine, for example. When she gets hammered she talks to her dog. When shes extra-hammered her dog talks to her. Guess who makes better sense. She and her rescue greyhound, Electra, wander through the streets of London, seeing a Dickensian side of the capital city thats visible only to the homeless. Together they accept the kindness and unkindness of strangers with the same wry patience. Until, on one dreadful day, they meet the Devil outside the National Portrait Gallery About Anna Lee Electric with suspense, fast and funny Publishers Weekly Loud hurrahs story wonderfully alive, truly tense, dialogue sharp and accurate! HRF Keating, The Times About Eva Wylie A staggering achievement A breath-taking tour de force. Sara Paretsky Eva is a wondrous creation - an incorrigible innocent in a story that crackles with energy. Super Cody. Kirkus Reviews About Gimme More Give me more books like Gimme More. Laura Lippman Probably the greatest rocknroll novel ever. Nick Johnstone, uncut About Ballad of a Dead Nobody I was gripped [told] beautifully, touchingly, sometimes brutally Peter Lovesey Adventurous in form, sparklingly written and with every page more gripping than the last, this bluesy novel may well be the already garlanded Codys best yet. Mat Coward, Morning Star About Miss Terry Compelling warm and amusing, written with the characteristic Cody honesty a terrific read. Peter Lovesey

This book explores a real life transformational process, using a variety of techniques, including psychology, spirituality and life's experiences. That is, any transformed grief-stricken life possesses meaning and usefulness, and can be a powerful approach to positive psychology, vision and leadership.