For five hundred years a statue of the Madonna has watched over Venice. Now, dulled by time and pollution, she is prepared for restoration. As Simon Raikes immerses himself in the painstaking task of cleaning and repairing, he is inexorably drawn to the stories of violence and lust which have surrounded this stone virgin.
Simon’s investigations lead him to Chiara Litsov, the wife of a renowned sculptor. A dangerous attraction develops between them and it appears inevitable that once again the stone virgin will bear witness to passion, betrayal and murder. Views: 786
A broken down truck blocking a bridge over the river in rural Holland leads to an unexpected encounter between a Dutch woman and an English holiday maker. Could this middle-aged, bearded man really be the young soldier she had fallen in love with when he dropped from the skies to capture the very same bridge 30 years ago?A broken down truck blocking a bridge over the river in rural Holland leads to an unexpected encounter between a Dutch woman and an English holiday maker. Could this middle-aged, bearded man really be the young soldier she had fallen in love with when he dropped from the skies to capture the very same bridge 30 years ago? A heartbreaking love story set amongst some of the most brutal and devastating scenes of the Second World War written by a man who witnessed it all and lived to tell the tale. Views: 786
In Ariosto's epic 16th-century poem Orlando Furioso, the beautiful Angelica, chained, naked, to a rock and menaced by a sea monster is rescued by the valiant Ruggiero, riding a 'hippogriff', the offspring of a griffin and a mare - an entirely imaginary winged creature (as readers of Harry Potter know). Volatore, as this hippogriff calls himself, has escaped the poem in which he has been confined for centuries and is determined to find his Angelica, even if it takes him to the 21st century and involves some shape-shifting. He lands in contemporary San Francisco and the first person he sets eyes on is Angelica Greenberg, the Jewish owner of a San Franciscan art gallery, who has just dumped her fiance. Volatore rises to her window and they hit it off big-time. But no sooner have they met and fallen in love than events conspire to separate the two so that Volatore must not only seek Angelica but also find the perfect form in which to consummate his undying love. The first is too masculine, the second not enough so, but will the third be just right, and how will Angelica reconcile the imaginary and the real in the perfect lover? Views: 786
**Now an AT&T Audience Original Series**
A masterful, intensely suspenseful novel about a reader whose obsession with a reclusive writer goes much too far—the #1 *New York Times *bestseller about the power of storytelling, starring the same trio of unlikely and winning heroes Stephen King introduced in *Mr. Mercedes*.
“Wake up, genius.” So announces deranged fan Morris Bellamy to iconic author John Rothstein, who once created the famous character Jimmy Gold and hasn’t released anything since. Morris is livid, not just because his favorite writer has stopped publishing, but because Jimmy Gold ended up as a sellout. Morris kills his idol and empties his safe of cash, but the real haul is a collection of notebooks containing John Rothstein’s unpublished work...including at least one more Jimmy Gold novel. Morris hides everything away before being locked up for another horrific crime. But upon Morris’s release thirty-five years later, he’s about to discover that teenager Pete Saubers has already found the stolen treasure—and no one but former police detective Bill Hodges, along with his trusted associates Holly Gibney and Jerome Robinson, stands in the way of his vengeance....
Not since *Misery* has Stephen King played with the notion of a reader and murderous obsession, in this #1 acclaimed bestseller filled with “nail biting suspense that’s the hallmark of [his] best work” (*Publishers Weekly*).
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### Amazon.com Review
**An Amazon Best Book of June 2015:** For those of you who spent part of last summer being thrilled by Stephen King’s *Mr. Mercedes*, this worthy sequel arrives just in time for summer 2015. Of course you can read *Finders Keepers* on its own if you’re so-inclined—King takes time to introduce new characters and new crimes in the first half of the book before carting out some familiar faces from the past. The story begins with a murder (of an author) and a robbery (of the author’s notebooks, including at least one unpublished manuscript). The crimes will linger in your mind, but what might linger most is when King explores his obsessions with, well, obsessions: obsession with reading, obsession with writers, even the need to get revenge. The book is well-plotted, but there remains an organic feel to this series, like the characters are writing themselves to some extent. As a character in *Finders Keepers* puts it, “a good novelist does not create events, he watches them happen then writes down what he sees. A good novelist realizes he is a secretary, not God.” Amen. That's why we love you, Stephen King.*--Chris Schluep*
### Review
**Praise for *Finders Keepers***
“Stephen King’s superb new stay-up-all-night thriller, *Finders Keepers*, is a sly,often poignant tale of literary obsession that recalls the themes of his classic 1987 novel *Misery*…a love letter to the joys of reading and to American literature… wonderful, scary, moving.” (Elizabeth Hand, The Washington Post)
“[A] taut thriller about the thin line separating fandom from fanaticism…Bellamy is one of King’s creepiest creations—a literate and intelligent character whom any passionate reader will both identify with and be repelled by. His relentless pursuit of a treasure that his twisted thinking has determined is rightfully his generates the nail biting suspense that’s the hallmark of King’s best work. A sharp closing twist suggests Hodges will be back.” (Publishers Weekly)
“King’s many, many fans will want this, especially those who enjoyed*Misery*, but the second volume in King’s projected trilogy will appeal to anyone who enjoys suspense and action, or anyone who finds enlightenment in reading about the internal struggle between right and wrong. It’s not necessary to have read the previous book to enjoy this one.” (Library Journal)
“As in *Misery* and *TheShining*, King swan dives into the looniness lurking at both ends of thewriter-reader transaction…the narrative hums and roars along like ahigh-performance vehicle…a rip-snortingentertainment; one that also works as a sneaky-smart satire of literarycriticism and how even the most attentive readers can often miss the wholepoint.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
**Praise for *Mr. Mercedes***
"Classic Stephen King. Creepy, yet realistic characters that get under your skin and stay there, a compelling story that twists and turns at breakneck speed, and delightful prose that, once again, proves that one of America’s greatest natural storytellers is also one of its finest writers." (Associated Press)
"On one level, *Mr. Mercedes* is an expertly crafted example of the classic race-against-the-clock thriller. On another, it is a novel of depth and character enriched throughout by the grace notes King provides in such seemingly effortless profusion. It is a rich, resonant, exceptionally readable accomplishment by a man who can write in whatever genre he chooses." (Washington Post)
“A taut, suspenseful race-against-time book . . . [King is] in reliably fine form.” (New York Times)
"A taut, calibrated thriller . . . The majority of the book is merciless and unforgiving, and the scariest thing about it is how plausible the whole scenario is." (Miami Herald)
“Nicely dark, never predictable and altogether entertaining.” (Kirkus Reviews) Views: 786
"An easy and light read, especially for young sci-fi mystery lovers." Kirkus------------------------------"Despite its part in the larger series, The Boy Who Played with Dark Matter makes a fine read all on its own, although a reader will most certainly crave the sequel to find out if Zeddy gets his father back." ForeWord Clarion"In a world where caffeine is distributed only by terrorists and 1000-SPF sunscreen isn't strong enough, scientists long for a discovery that will restore Earth to a greener state. However, the International Government likes to think it has everything under control, especially since it issues twenty to thirty new laws each day to keep its constituents current."Six-year-old Zeddy, whose "IQ is off the charts," soon finds himself racing to avoid capture when his physicist father, Zane, goes missing. His mother, Zadie, suspects that the International Military Police have taken Zane, but Nimueh, the ancient Lady of the Lake, believes that he's in a parallel universe in a neighboring constellation. She also believes that young Zeddy, with a "brain that is exceptionally rare," is the key to saving Earth."The Boy Who Played with Dark Matter is a charming tale told in the tradition of A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L'Engle. Like young Charles Wallace, who is misunderstood by his teachers and peers, Zeddy finds himself alone and forced to "hide as much as possible in front of others." His only friend is a zutterfly made of dark matter, which proves to be a significant clue to finding his father. Other classic tales influence this story as well, such as The Man of La Mancha, The Count of Monte Cristo, and some King Arthur legends."The postapocalyptic setting is filled with fascinating social reforms, such as newly engaged couples being required to take parenting classes and the International Military Police kidnapping gifted children in order to force them into government service. The story's technologies have plausible explanations, like the transporter device that was supposed to get Zeddy's father to Zamira (a dark-matter planet) or the pretty crystal that contains dark energy."At times, Zeddy's dialogue is overly mature for his age, but his adult-like speech patterns might be attributed to his high IQ. Still, the character's adventures are appropriate for his tender years, like chatting with a dark-matter butterfly, believing in Nimueh's magical gifts, or convincing a nervous professor to divulge information about Zane's last experiment. These scenes are paced in short chapters, making them just the right length for young children with shorterattention spans. Although six-year-olds aren't likely to have the reading abilities to tackle this story, it would make excellent bedtime reading with a parent's help. Even teens might be amused by all the high-tech explanations and the challenge of solving the author's mystery."Known as Holy Ghost Writer, the author has placed clues about his/her identity throughout the series. The first reader who figures out the author's identity will earn a $1,000 reward. Despite its part in the larger series, The Boy Who Played with Dark Matter makes a fine read all on its own, although a reader will most certainly crave the sequel to find out if Zeddy gets his father back." ForeWord Clarion review Views: 785
The daring and magnificent novel from the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of A Visit from the Goon Squad—"propulsive, surprising, ravishing, and revelatory...a profound page-turner that will transport and transform every reader."—Booklist (starred review).Anna Kerrigan, nearly twelve years old, accompanies her father to visit Dexter Styles, a man who, she gleans, is crucial to the survival of her father and her family. She is mesmerized by the sea beyond the house and by some charged mystery between the two men. Years later, her father has disappeared and the country is at war. Anna works at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, where women are allowed to hold jobs that once belonged to men, now soldiers abroad. She becomes the first female diver, the most dangerous and exclusive of occupations, repairing the ships that will help America win the war. One evening at a nightclub, she meets Dexter Styles again, and begins to understand the... Views: 785
On a New England campus, Viennese housewife Utchka and her aspiring writer husband live a rather placid life with their two children.Until, that is, they meet Severin Winter, Professor of German and wrestling coach, and his delicate wife Edith at a faculty party. Utchka and Severin are rather taken with one another, and, conveniently, their spouses appear to be similarly smitten.A bizarre ménage à quatre is the result of these convoluted desires, and what starts out as a bit of fun is soon subject to the darker machinations of obsession,.. Views: 785
Ein Wikinger und seine Eroberung ...
Männer! Elende Idioten! Vor allem diese Wikinger! Prinzessin Drifa schäumt vor Wut, als sie erfährt, dass ihr Verlobter Sidroc sie nur ihres Geldes wegen heiraten will - und weil er eine Mutter für sein Kind braucht. Ihm einen Tonkrug an den Kopf zu werfen, kommt ihr da noch als milde Strafe vor. Sidroc hingegen findet ihre Reaktion völlig übertrieben - und hegt schon bald verführerische Rachepläne ...
Band 10 der Wikinger-Saga von Sandra Hill. Lesen Sie auch die weiteren Liebesromane der Autorin: "Die Sehnsucht des Wikingers" und "Im Bann des Wikingers".
eBooks von beHEARTBEAT - Herzklopfen garantiert. Views: 785
There's nothing straightforward in Lockie Leonard's life right now. Dumped by his girlfriend, he's back to being the loneliest kid in town until, that is, he meets Egg - who turns out to be the weirdest human being he's ever met.
On top of all that, Lockie decides to save the planet; at least the bit of it he lives on. Then he falls in love again, which would be OK except she's younger and surfs better. Can a thirteen-year-old surfrat have a headbanger for a best mate? Will he save the town from vile pollution? Will his love outlast the school term?
Another ripper set of circumstances to carry us through the life of Lockie Leonard; Scumbuster! Views: 784
'James Herbert comes at us with both hands, not willing to simply engage our attention, he seizes us by the lapels and begins to scream in our faces' - STEPHEN KING
The peaceful life of a village in Wiltshire is suddenly shattered by a disaster which strikes without reason or explanation, leaving behind it a trail of misery and horror. A yawning, bottomless crack spreads through the earth, out of which creeps a fog that resembles no other. Whatever it is, it must be controlled; for wherever it goes it leaves behind a trail of disaster as hideous as the tragedy that marked its entry into the world. The fog, quite simple, drives people insane. Views: 784
Anna Quindlen first visited London from a chair in her suburban Philadelphia home--in one of her beloved childhood mystery novels. She has been back to London countless times since, through the pages of books and in person, and now, in Imagined London, she takes her own readers on a tour of this greatest of literary cities.
While New York, Paris, and Dublin are also vividly portrayed in fiction, it is London, Quindlen argues, that has always been the star, both because of the primacy of English literature and the specificity of city descriptions. She bases her view of the city on her own detailed literary map, tracking the footsteps of her favorite characters: the places where Evelyn Waugh's bright young things danced until dawn, or where Lydia Bennett eloped with the dastardly Wickham.
In *Imagined London, * Quindlen walks through the city, moving within blocks from the great books of the 19th century to the detective novels of the 20th to the new modernist tradition of the 21st. With wit and charm, Imagined London gives this splendid city its full due in the landscape of the literary imagination.
Praise for *Imagined London: *
"Shows just how much a reading experience can enrich a physical journey." --New York Times Book Review
"An elegant new work of nonfiction... People will be inspired by this book." --Ann Curry, Today
"An affectionate, richly allusive tribute to the city." --Kirkus Reviews Views: 784
Fairy tales for our times from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The HoursA poisoned apple and a monkey's paw with the power to change fate; a girl whose extraordinarily long hair causes catastrophe; a man with one human arm and one swan's wing; and a house deep in the forest, constructed of gumdrops and gingerbread, vanilla frosting and boiled sugar. In A Wild Swan and Other Tales, the people and the talismans of lands far, far away—the mythic figures of our childhoods and the source of so much of our wonder—are transformed by Michael Cunningham into stories of sublime revelation. Here are the moments that our fairy tales forgot or deliberately concealed: the years after a spell is broken, the rapturous instant of a miracle unexpectedly realized, or the fate of a prince only half cured of a curse. The Beast stands ahead of you in line at the convenience store, buying smokes and a Slim Jim, his... Views: 784
In the second book of the Midnight Twins trilogy, Meredith and Mallory Brynn are finally coming to terms with their special gifts: Meredith to see into the past, Mallory to see into the future. But they never expect that their powers will reveal danger so close to home. Mallory must help her best friend, Eden, find the strength to defy her destiny as a shape-shifter, before Eden gets hurt, or hurts somebody else. And Merry has her own friends to worry about when her visions reveal trouble brewing on the cheerleading squad in the form of Kim Jellico.
Both Mallory and Meredith must join together to rescue their friends before it's too late. Views: 784
The body of a teenage boy is discovered in a Kansas field. The murder haunts Donna—a recent widow battling cancer—calling forth troubling details from long-suppressed memories of her past. Hoping to discover more about "disappeared" people, she turns to her son, Scott, who is fighting demons of his own. Addicted to methamphetamines and sleeping pills, Scott is barely holding on—though the chance to help his mother in her strange and desperate search holds out a slim promise of some small salvation.
But what he finds is a boy named Otis handcuffed in a secret basement room, and the questions that arise seem too disturbing even to contemplate. With his mother's health rapidly deteriorating, he must surrender to his own obsession, and unravel Otis's unsettling connections to other missing teens . . . and, ultimately, to Scott himself. Views: 784
