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From Publishers Weekly

In the latest installment of the Glitsky-Hardy crime-solving series (The 13th Juror; The Second Chair; etc.), San Francisco–based Lescroart again demonstrates his mastery of how things work in the city by the bay. Arson investigators at a Victorian townhouse fire do not call in Abe Glitsky or Dismas Hardy when they discover two bodies believed to be the remains of influential businessman Paul Hanover and his girlfriend, Missy D'Amiens. Glitsky, now deputy chief of inspectors, doesn't handle individual cases, and attorney Dismas Hardy has long since left the police force. Sgt. Dan Cuneo takes charge, quickly jumping to conclusions and slowly rekindling his grudge against the detecting duo. Unhappy with Cuneo's approach, the mayor puts Glitsky on the job, while Hardy is hired by Hanover's daughter-in-law, who was also Hardy's college sweetheart and is now a murder defendant with no alibi but plenty of motive. Parallel inquiries uncover contradictory evidence as well as loose ends: at the time of his death, Hanover was up for a federal appointment, his company was up for a city contract and his girlfriend has a mysterious past. Lescroart draws the reader in with a step-by-step description of the fire, mesmerizes with an account of the intricacies of the auto-towing business and winds up with a disturbing parable of intrigue abroad, adding the wistful touch of a new baby in the Glitsky household. Lescroart may be testing the waters for fiction with an international flavor. For now, the winningly ironic author remains more credible on urban and legal ground than spy craft, but his authentic voice, methodical presentation and ability to juggle red herrings until all pieces fall into place will keep fans following wherever his cop-lawyer friends-heroes lead.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Success has its disadvantages. Abe Glitzky, once a homicide cop and now a high-level administrator in the San Francisco Police Department, is none too thrilled to be called upon by the mayor, his longtime friend Kathy West, to help investigate a case. Both Paul Hanover, a wealthy businessman and significant contributor to West's campaign coffers, and a woman were found dead in Hanover's home, and the fire that leveled the house wasn't the cause: both victims died of gunshot wounds. Although it looks like a "clean" murder-suicide, forensics proves otherwise, much to the mayor's relief. But now there's a double-homicide to solve. Normally, Glitzky wouldn't mind helping out his old department, but the lead investigator on the case is Dan Cuneo, someone Glitzky, along with his friend, attorney Dismas "Diz" Hardy, had locked horns with some time ago. The likelihood of Glitzky and Cuneo working together amicably is remote, especially when it turns out that the chief suspect is Diz's ex-girlfriend. In typical Lescroart fashion, personal conflicts, political favors, and top-notch courtroom drama converge for a gripping, page-turning drama. Mary Frances Wilkens
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Mr. Popper has penguins in his fridge, an ice rink in the basement, and a family for whom life will never be the same

How many penguins in the house is too many? Mr. Popper is a humble house painter living in Stillwater who dreams of faraway places like the South Pole. When an explorer responds to his letter by sending him a penguin named Captain Cook, Mr. Popper and his family's lives change forever. Soon one penguin becomes twelve, and the Poppers must set out on their own adventure to preserve their home.

First published in 1932, Mr. Popper's Penguins is a classic tale that has enchanted young readers for generations. 

This ebook features an illustrated biography of Richard and Florence Atwater including rare photos from the authors' estate.<

A ranch girl becomes a Cinderella when her brother's future in-laws take over her house for a month to plan a wedding. Losing her mother at birth, hasn't prepared Winifred to cope with the rat, the brat, the cat or the usher who sends chills up her spine. Then she gets a Fairy Godmonster by mistake. One who flies a Harley, has a magic whip and insists on staying in the attic with her.<

Review

An incredibly fun and funny story.
--Tea and Tomes

One of the reasons the book is so enjoyable is because you never quite know where the plot is going. You are continually surprised. --The Literary Lioness

What a nasty, dreadful, and cruel villain Arkus is. Oh, and don't forget funny. Yes, I said funny! With author Laura Lond's crisp, wry sense of humor, you'll be laughing right along with the scoundrel on almost every page. --The Feathered Quill

Interesting characters and unique twists in the traditional hero/villain stereotypes made for an entertaining reading experience."  --Dark Wyrm Reads

The author manages to pack in an epic's worth of action, adventure, and humor. ... It is one of those rare, great stories when you find yourself rooting wholeheartedly for the villain of the piece. --A Myriad of Books

Product Description

1st place winner of the Reader Views Literary Award 2010 in the Young Reader category

Lord Arkus of Blackriver Castle readily admits that he is a villain and sees no reason why it should stop him from being the protagonist of this book. After all, Prince Kellemar, an aspiring hero, has defeated him in a rather questionable way. Bent on revenge, Arkus attempts to capture a powerful evil spirit who would make him nearly invincible, but a last-minute mistake leaves him with a Sparkling instead—“a goody-goody spirit that helps heroes, watches over little children, and messes up villains’ plans.” Bound to Lord Arkus for five years of service and sworn to act in his best interests, the Sparkling is not easy to get rid of, and of course his understanding of “best interests” is quite different from what Lord Arkus has in mind.

My Sparkling Misfortune is approximately 33,000 words (126 pages in the printed edition). Includes 10 black-and-white illustrations.

*Update: Lord Arkus has his own Facebook page! Come check what His Lordship has been up to and enjoy snippets of villainous wisdom and wit:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lord-Arkus/130618950289934

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Narnia...the land beyond the wardrobe, the secret country known only to Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy...the place where the adventure begins. Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor's mysterious old house. At first, no one believes her when she tells of her adventure in the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund and then Peter and Susan discover the Magic and meet Aslan, the Great Lion, for themselves. In the blink of an eye, their lives are changes forever.<

SUMMARY: The days of peace an freedom have left Narnia. Civil War is dividing the Kingdom and final destruction is at hand. Prince Caspian summons Peter, Susan, Lucy and Edmund to help save Narnia and free its persecuted animals, dwarfs and spirits.<

SUMMARY: Join Lucy, Edmund, and Eustace on an exciting sea voyage that will take you to an encounter with a gigantic sea serpent, to a land of darkness where nightmares come true, and even to an island where a boy is turned into a dragon! This is a faithful adaptation of the classic Chronicles of Narnia novel by C. S. Lewis. Recorded in London with some of England's finest actors, it includes film-style sound effects and a rich musical score.<

SUMMARY: Two English children undergo hair-raising adventures as they go on a search and rescue mission for the missing Prince Rilian, who is held captive in the underground kingdom of the Emerald Witch.<

SUMMARY: Narnia ... where horses talk ... where treachery is brewing ... where destiny awaits. On a desperate journey, two runaways meet and join forces. Though they are only looking to escape their harsh and narrow lives, they soon find themselves at the center of a terrible battle. It is a battle that will decide their fate and the fate of Narnia itself. Performed by Alex Jennings<

When Diggory and Polly try to return the wicked witch Jadis to her own world, the magic gets mixed up and they all land in Narnia where they witness Aslan blessing the animals with human speech.<

SUMMARY: During the last days of Narnia, good King Tirian faces the firecest challenge to any Narnian King's rule ever. Many Narnians think they have seen the great Aslan, but he doesn't behave the way they had expected. The ugly Ape who guards this false Aslan allows him to be seen for only moments at a time, and says that all Narnians have been commanded by the Lion to work for the cruel Calormenes.<