'Britain's equivalent to Patricia Highsmith, Celia Fremlin wrote psychological thrillers that changed the landscape of crime fiction for ever: her novels are domestic, subtle, penetrating - and quite horribly chilling.' Andrew TaylorThe Spider-Orchid (1977), Celia Fremlin's tenth novel, is among her most unnerving. Peggy has divorced Adrian but she accepts his deep attachment to their fourteen-year-old daughter, Amelia, and hers to him. Rita is Adrian's mistress, and he believes he is in love with her - until her husband Derek agrees to a divorce. Then Adrian is appalled when Rita moves in, destroying his privacy and endangering his relationship with Amelia.'Vintage Fremlin, this is one of the best crime novels of the year... With consummate, subtle skill, the author builds up suspense.' Financial Times'To the very last paragraph we are kept tenterhooked.' Times Views: 11
Lights. Camera…die.
Detective Scarlet Reid has spent the past three months trying to make her alter ego, Ms. December, a ghost of Christmas past. Forced to become the sexy centerfold in a high-stakes undercover assignment, she’s spent more time pulling copies of her naked butt off the bulletin boards at the precinct than she has collaring criminals—and it’s far from over.
A deadly agenda. A gruesome new case has revealed a disturbing trend—one that has placed Scarlet on a list of possible targets. With limited options, she’s going to have to resurrect Ms. December—and her old partnership—which means facing the one man who stole more than just a kiss.
A love worth fighting for. Federal Agent Roman Kinkaid has some explaining to do. His final assignment with Scarlet changed him and he’s been running from her ever since. But he’s ready to make things right—only he’s not alone. His partner and lover, Special Agent Aiden Cross, is just as invested and determined as Roman is to claim Scarlet as theirs. And they aren’t taking no for an answer, especially when their souls—and Scarlet’s life—are on the line.
They have three weeks to catch the stalker before Scarlet’s time runs out and they lose their one chance at a happy ending. Views: 11
Issue #161 of Beneath Ceaseless Skies online magazine, featuring stories by Margaret Ronald and Yosef Lindell. Views: 11
A top Washington journalist recounts the dramatic political battle to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the law that created modern America, on the fiftieth anniversary of its passageIt was a turbulent time in America—a time of sit-ins, freedom rides, a March on Washington and a governor standing in the schoolhouse door—when John F. Kennedy sent Congress a bill to bar racial discrimination in employment, education, and public accommodations. Countless civil rights measures had died on Capitol Hill in the past. But this one was different because, as one influential senator put it, it was “an idea whose time has come.”In a powerful narrative layered with revealing detail, Todd S. Purdum tells the story of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, recreating the legislative maneuvering and the larger-than-life characters who made its passage possible. From the Kennedy brothers to Lyndon Johnson, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Hubert Humphrey and Everett Dirksen, Purdum shows how these all-too-human figures managed, in just over a year, to create a bill that prompted the longest filibuster in the history of the U.S. Senate yet was ultimately adopted with overwhelming bipartisan support. He evokes the high purpose and low dealings that marked the creation of this monumental law, drawing on extensive archival research and dozens of new interviews that bring to life this signal achievement in American history.Often hailed as the most important law of the past century, the Civil Rights Act stands as a lesson for our own troubled times about what is possible when patience, bipartisanship, and decency rule the day. **Review"[A] first-rate narrative … adding useful detail to previous accounts … Authoritative."—The Wall Street Journal"Today’s reader will be startled, if not astonished, by how the bill made its way through Congress."—The Washington Post"Purdum’s version of this story is excellent…. An astute, well-paced, and highly readable play-by-play of the bill’s journey to become a law."—The Atlantic"A lively, informative account of the story behind the Civil Rights Act of 1964…. Purdum conveys a palpable sense of excitement akin to that created by Steven Spielberg in his recent film ‘Lincoln’ in describing how the bill’s backers finally broke the longest filibuster in Senate history."—The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)"[A] well-crafted narrative … The author’s assessment of the two presidents [JFK and LBJ] is insightful and nuanced." —The Miami Herald"When we think back on the Civil Rights Act we naturally think of the role played by big figures who are familiar to us—such as Lyndon Johnson, Everett Dirksen, Martin Luther King. But one of the great virtues of An Idea Whose Time Has Come is the way it brings some lesser-known people to the fore."—Vanity Fair"An amazingly important book."—Rev. Al Sharpton, Morning Joe"[A] valuable new book."—E.J. Dionne, The Washington Post"A fascinating, blow by blow account."—All Things Considered, NPR"The book reminds the nation that even the best-intentioned leaders remain flawed, because they are still human."—U.S. News & World Report"[A] wonderful new history of the passage of the Civil Rights Act."— John Dickerson, CBSNews.com"[A] great book … recounting the twists and turns that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act…. Todd Purdum’s An Idea Whose Time Has Come … [reads] today like breakneck drama … [and describes] in detail a time when the rules of the political road included bipartisanship, clever backroom dealing, and at the end of the day, moral suasion."—Gwen Ifill, Gwen’s Take, PBS.org "[A] marvelous book."—The Diane Rehm Show, NPR"One of the books of the year."—Mike Allen’s Playbook, Politico"Purdum, a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, skillfully recalls these men and their roles through the three sections of his history, which trace the bill through the administration to the House and finally the Senate."—The Boston Globe"Purdum’s book [is] more necessary now than ever…. Purdum’s book is especially good at recounting how the struggle in the streets …galvanized politicians to push the bill past its last hurdles…. Purdum’s focus on each hard-won step in Congress keeps the story real and true, making the book an excellent resource on the legislation that, as the author says, ‘created the modern world.’"—Washingtonian"Todd S. Purdum’s brisk … chronicle of [the Civil Rights Act of 1964’s] turbulent birth offers a salutary reminder that historic legislation is not easily achieved…As Purdum’s book vividly demonstrates, politics is a tricky, unpredictable, and occasionally dirty business."—The Daily Beast"[Purdum] skillfully retraces the act through a legislative minefield…. Purdum composes portraits of civil rights icons including Martin Luther King Jr….but his most important contribution is reintroducing readers to largely forgotten heroes…. Readers who enjoy modern American historical narratives will be gripped by this title that is an excellent companion to Gary May’s Bending Toward Justice." —Library Journal (starred review)"A riveting account of the hard-fought passage of ‘the most important laws of the twentieth century.’…Insightful and wholly mindful of the calculations that JFK and LBJ made at every step…A must-read."—Kirkus Reviews"As we approach the golden anniversary of this landmark equal-rights and public-accommodations bill, veteran journalist Purdum painstakingly details how its passage came about. In short, not easily…. It is instructive to read about the hard work, passion, intense political negotiation, and collegial respect that went into the enactment of this historic legislation 50 years ago."—Booklist"Purdum’s keen eye for the wide cast of Capitol Hill characters keeps the story lively."— Publishers Weekly"An Idea Whose Time Has Come is brilliantly rendered and emotionally powerful – a riveting account of one of the most dramatic and significant moments in American history. The story Todd Purdum tells is absolutely mesmerizing."—Doris Kearns Goodwin"Todd Purdum’s history of the 1964 Civil Rights Act is a masterful reconstruction of a seminal American event. He brilliantly captures the actors and drama that made this transformation in the country’s social relations a reality. Everyone interested in contemporary America will want to read this book."--Robert Dallek"Todd Purdum brings alive Congress’s great historic achievement: the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The heroes are J.F.K. and L.B.J., but also those Midwest Republicans who stayed true to Lincoln. Those are the quietly eloquent stories here, the profiles in decency and guts, where members of Congress honored values greater than current popularity. An Idea Whose Time Has Come shows once again that the real action in American politics takes place in the back room – and in that quieter place: the beating hearts of the decent and courageous."--Chris Matthews"In Todd Purdum’s gripping account of the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we can see, from nearly every angle, how the federal government began making good on the ‘promissory note’ of equal rights that Dr. King had invoked at the March on Washington. Purdum provides both an invaluable education in the political process and a keen understanding of how personalities (the famous and the unsung) and the best of both parties overcame every roadblock to ‘make real the promises of democracy,’ as Dr. King had challenged."--Henry Louis Gates, Jr."The story behind the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Bill of 1964 is one that all Americans should know. An Idea Whose Time Has Come, Todd Purdum’s insightful and elegantly written narrative, brings this history to life with deft portraits of the people who made the law and those who fought against it. It is a must read for all who are interested in the transformative power of the law and government to make positive changes in the lives of citizens."--Annette Gordon-Reed"Todd Purdum’s remarkable An Idea Whose Time Has Come brings back to life the historic fight waged on behalf of civil rights by JFK and LBJ. Purdum is a superb writer, never dull, and his grasp of the Sixties milieu is foolproof. This is a marvelous and much needed book of lasting importance."--Douglas Brinkley"Todd Purdum’s fascinating behind-the-scenes account of the birth of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a timely and hopeful reminder that sometimes the good guys do win, even in Washington."--Jeffrey Toobin About the AuthorTodd S. Purdum is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and senior writer at Politico. He previously spent more than twenty years at The New York Times, where he served as diplomatic correspondent, White House correspondent, and Los Angeles bureau chief. A graduate of Princeton University, he lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Dee Dee Myers, the political commentator and former White House press secretary, and their two children. Views: 11
An old flame, former police officer Glen Withers, is back in Cliff Hardy's life - but it's strictly business as Glen is now also a private investigator, with a wealthy family for a client. She and Hardy join forces to take on the case of Rodney St John Harkness, a recovering alcoholic with a murky past.Hardy's digging into Harkness's past becomes urgent when Rodney and Glen disappear, and the trail leads to the beaches of the Central Coast. The plot tangles and the danger grows as Hardy tries to stay one step ahead of some desperate players. Views: 11
The annual collection celebrating the finest Australian science writing of the year. Why are Sydney's golden orb weaver spiders getting fatter and fitter? Could sociology explain the recent upsurge in prostate cancer diagnoses? Why were Darwinites craving a good storm during 'The Angry Summer'? Is it true that tuberculosis has become deadlier over time? And are jellyfish really taking over the world? Now in its fourth year, this popular and acclaimed anthology steps inside the nation's laboratories and its finest scientific and literary minds. Featuring prominent authors such as Tim Flannery, Jo Chandler, Frank Bowden and Iain McCalman, as well as many new voices, it covers topics as diverse and wondrous as our 'lumpy' universe, the creation of dragons and the frontiers of climate science. Views: 11
When Cora’s mother whisks the family away for the summer, Cora must
decide between forging her future in the glimmering world of second
homes where her parents belong, or getting lost in the bewitching world
of the locals and the mystery surrounding a lonely old woman who claims
to be a selkie creature—and who probably needs Cora more than anyone
else.Through the fantastical tales and anguished stories
of the batty Mrs. O’Leary, as well as the company of a particularly
gorgeous local boy called Ronan, Cora finds an escape from the reality
of planning her life after high school. But will it come at the cost of
alienating Cora’s mother, who struggles with her own tragic memories?As the summer wanes, it becomes apparent that Ronan just may hold the answer to Mrs. O’Leary’s tragic past—and Cora’s future. Views: 11
The page-turning, heart-wrenching true story of one young woman willing to risk her safety and even her life for a chance at freedom in the largest slave escape attempt in American history. In 1848, thirteen-year-old Emily Edmonson, five of her siblings, and seventy other enslaved people boarded the Pearl under cover of night in Washington, D.C., hoping to sail north to freedom. Within a day, the schooner was captured, and the Edmonsons were sent to New Orleans to be sold into even crueler conditions. Passenger on the Pearl is the story of this thwarted escape, of the ramifications of its attempt, and of a family for whom freedom was the ultimate goal. Through an engaging narrative, informative sidebars, and more than fifty period photographs and illustrations, Winifred Conkling takes readers on Emily Edmonson's journey from enslaved person to teacher at a school for African American young women. Conkling illuminates a turbulent time in American... Views: 11
