Title search results
Showing 1 - 20 of 21373 items
The Mayfair Dagger: A Novel
By Ava January. 2024
A witty, feminist mystery set in the heart of nineteenth-century London, this daring adventure featuring an intrepid woman detective will…
thrill fans of Deanna Raybourn and Katharine Schellman.London, 1894. Albertine Honeycombe never wanted a husband and certainly not the one with fifteen children that her cousin, Aubrey, is trying to marry her off to. She reinvents herself as Countess Von Dagga, a private detective aiding the upper echelons of women in society. As the Countess, she is a married woman, with a conveniently absent husband who doesn&’t exist, which allows her far more freedom than being single.When Lord Grendel, from whom she has recovered blackmail letters, is murdered, Albertine is suspect number one—having been the last person to see him. And when the Duke of Erleigh comes looking for her utterly fictitious husband, she realizes she has landed herself in hot water, without a tea bag. When Albertine also becomes the prime suspect in her fictional husband&’s death, things are looking grim.Unless Albertine can prove who murdered Lord Grendel and clear her name, her choices are stepmothering enough small children to start a school or hanging from the end of Her Majesty's rope.The Right Wrong Thing (The Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries #2)
By Ellen Kirschman. 2015
&“Highly satisfying . . . Perceptively treats complex racial, feminist, personal, and political issues while providing intimate knowledge of cops&’ shop procedure.&” —Publishers…
Weekly Officer Randy Spelling has always wanted to be a cop. The eager rookie comes from a law enforcement family and, at least as far as police department psychologist Dr. Dot Meyerhoff is concerned, the young woman is up to the challenge. But when Officer Spelling mistakenly shoots and kills a pregnant teen, the community is outraged, and the family of the victim demands justice. Feeling protective of the traumatized cop in her care, Dot tries to stop Officer Spelling from her desperate attempts to apologize to the girl&’s family. But Dot&’s efforts fail, with catastrophic results. Now Dot is taking this into her own hands, despite the police chief demanding that she back off. For Dot, this case feels all too personal for her to walk away, even if it means being in the line of danger herself. Praise for the Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries &“Riveting, compelling and authentic! Ellen Kirschman&’s been-there done-that experience makes this a real standout.&” —Hank Phillippi USA Today-bestselling author of The House Guest &“Psychological thriller writing at its finest.&” —D.P. Lyle, award-wining author of the Jake Longly series &“An inherently absorbing read from beginning to end and marks author Ellen Kirschman as a novelist of exceptional storytelling talent.&” —Midwest Book Review &“Gutsy and emotionally anchored in real life.&” —Hallie Ephron, New York Times–bestselling author of Careful What You Wish For &“Ellen Kirschman is one to watch.&” —Bookreporter.comBurying Ben (The Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries #1)
By Ellen Kirschman. 2015
&“A deftly crafted novel of compelling complexity,&” this first book in the mystery series featuring cop therapist Dr. Dot Meyerhoff is &“absorbing&”…
(Midwest Book Review). As her police department&’s newest hire, police psychologist Dot Meyerhoff has a lot to prove. Especially since everyone on a small-town force doesn&’t see any reason for a shrink on staff. So when the rookie cop commits suicide, everyone&’s looking to blame Dot—even Dot herself. Dot knew Ben Gomez was struggling to adjust to police work, but how had she missed the signs that he was at the end of his rope? Now, with Ben&’s and her reputation on the line, Dot goes looking for answers. What she discovers is the dark underbelly of a town—and a police force—who have very little patience with a woman who asks too many questions. Dot is determined to get to the truth behind the young officer&’s death—even at the risk of losing her job. Or her life. . . . Praise for the Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries &“Riveting, compelling and authentic! Ellen Kirschman&’s been-there done-that experience makes this a real standout.&” —Hank Phillippi USA Today-bestselling author of The House Guest &“Psychological thriller writing at its finest.&” —D.P. Lyle, award-wining author of the Jake Longly series &“Highly satisfying . . . Perceptively treats complex racial, feminist, personal, and political issues while providing intimate knowledge of cops&’ shop procedure.&” —Publishers Weekly &“Gutsy and emotionally anchored in real life.&” —Hallie Ephron, New York Times–bestselling author of Careful What You Wish For &“Ellen Kirschman is one to watch.&” —Bookreporter.comThe Fifth Reflection (The Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries)
By Ellen Kirschman. 2017
Dot Meyerhoff is called to help with an abducted child case that is destroying the investigating officer's own family. …
Dr. Dot Meyerhoff is known for putting her personal life aside in the name of duty. But when she&’s brought in on a kidnapping case, she finds herself drawn into a harrowing crime that cuts deep. A toddler is missing. Her mother is a noted local photographer whose work contains photography of nude children. She's also a family friend. Dot is worried that the cop assigned to the case isn't up to the job. She's going to take this one on herself, come hell or high water. The stakes are too high for the missing toddler, her distraught family, and for Dot, who is ready to risk everything including her relationship with the best man she's ever met. Praise for the Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries &“Riveting, compelling and authentic! Ellen Kirschman&’s been-there done-that experience makes this a real standout.&” —Hank Phillippi USA Today-bestselling author of The House Guest &“Psychological thriller writing at its finest.&” —D.P. Lyle, award-wining author of the Jake Longly series &“An inherently absorbing read from beginning to end and marks author Ellen Kirschman as a novelist of exceptional storytelling talent.&” —Midwest Book Review &“Highly satisfying . . . Perceptively treats complex racial, feminist, personal, and political issues while providing intimate knowledge of cops&’ shop procedure.&” —Publishers Weekly &“Gutsy and emotionally anchored in real life.&” —Hallie Ephron, New York Times–bestselling author of Careful What You Wish For &“Ellen Kirschman is one to watch.&” —Bookreporter.comThe Answer to His Prayers (The Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries #4)
By Ellen Kirschman. 2015
In this mystery series featuring cop therapist Dot Meyerhoff, Dot&’s sleuthing after a tragic fire leads her to a former…
client–turned–criminal mastermind. When a trailer park fire takes the life of a lonely, wheelchair-bound man, police psychologist Dr. Dot Meyerhoff is doing double duty counseling the first responders involved, especially the traumatized dispatcher. But talking with the distraught young 9-1-1 operator about the dying man&’s last words leads Dot to wonder if there&’s more to this fire than meets the eye. Soon the department is looking for an arsonist and Dot is doing some investigating on her own. But when she discovers a former patient is orchestrating crimes from behind bars, Dot is suddenly in over her head. Not that a challenge has ever stopped her before. Only this time, she may put her own mental health—and her mother&’s life—on the line. . . . Praise for the Dot Meyerhoff Mysteries &“Riveting, compelling and authentic! Ellen Kirschman&’s been-there done-that experience makes this a real standout.&” —Hank Phillippi USA Today-bestselling author of The House Guest &“Psychological thriller writing at its finest.&” —D.P. Lyle, award-wining author of the Jake Longly series &“An inherently absorbing read from beginning to end and marks author Ellen Kirschman as a novelist of exceptional storytelling talent.&” —Midwest Book Review &“Gutsy and emotionally anchored in real life.&” —Hallie Ephron, New York Times–bestselling author of Careful What You Wish For &“Ellen Kirschman is one to watch.&” —Bookreporter.comTorn Asunder (A Maine Clambake Mystery #12)
By Barbara Ross. 2024
A short boat ride from Busman&’s Harbor, Maine, Morrow Island is a perfect spot for a wedding—and a Snowden Family…
Clambake. Julia Snowden is busy organizing both—until a mysterious wedding crasher drops dead amid the festivities . . . Julia&’s best friend and business partner, Zoey, is about to marry her policeman boyfriend. Of course, a gorgeous white wedding dress shouldn&’t be within fifty yards of a plate of buttery lobster—so that treat is reserved for the rehearsal dinner. Julia is a little worried about the timing, though, as she works around a predicted storm. When a guest falls to the floor dead, it turns out that no one seems to know who he is, despite the fact that he&’s been actively mingling and handing out business cards. And when an injection mark is spotted on his neck, it&’s clear this wasn&’t caused by a shellfish allergy. Now, as the weather deteriorates and a small group is stranded on the island with the body—and the killer—Julia starts interrogating staff, family members, and Zoey&’s artist friends to find out who turned the clambake into a crime scene . . .A Twinkle of Trouble (A Fairy Garden Mystery #5)
By Daryl Wood Gerber. 2024
Carmel-by-the-Sea garden shop owner Courtney Kelly sees things others can&’t—like fairies, and hidden motives for murder . . . Courtney…
is delighted when her tiny friend Fiona returns from the fairy realm, appearing at the base of a Cypress tree. When her Ragdoll cat, Pixie, emerges from her own portal—aka the cat door—the three set off for a busy day. Busier than usual, since Courtney has rented a small plot of land at the Flower Farm, where she hopes to grow her own supplies for her fairy-garden business. Plus, the annual Summer Blooms Festival is coming up, and Courtney has booked a booth . . . But the murder of Courtney&’s friend, Genevieve, casts a pall over the festival. Ever since Genevieve sold her floral business, she&’d been building a career as an influencer. She was perennially opinionated—but in her new role she&’d become surprisingly vicious, dissing local entrepreneurs with nasty posts and unwarranted bad reviews. That&’s landed a couple of Courtney&’s other friends on the suspect list—including Flower Farm owner Daphne Flores. And when a second victim is discovered, seeds of doubt about Daphne&’s innocence sprout in Courtney&’s mind. With only a germ of a clue, Courtney will have to overturn every rock to get the dirt on the real killer . . .Tree. Table. Book.
By Lois Lowry. 2024
From two-time Newbery medalist Lois Lowry comes this warm and resonant story of an unlikely friendship, which unfolds as a…
revelation on how we hold on to—and pass on—what matters most.Everyone knows the two Sophies are best friends. One is in elementary school, and one is . . . well . . . in a little trouble of late. She’s elderly, sure, but she’s always been on her game, the best friend any girl struggling to fit in could ever have. The Sophies drink tea, have strong opinions about pretty much everything, and love each other dearly. Now it seems the elder Sophie is having memory problems, burning teakettles, and forgetting just about everything. It looks like her son is going to come and get her and steal her away forever. Young Sophie isn’t having that. Not one bit. So she sets out to help elder Sophie’s memory, with the aid of her neighborhood friends Ralphie and Oliver. But when she opens the floodgates of elder Sophie’s memories, she winds up listening to stories that will illustrate just how much there is to know about her dear friend, stories of war, hunger, cruelty, and ultimately love.Murder in Rose Hill (A Gaslight Mystery #27)
By Victoria Thompson. 2024
Midwife Sarah Malloy and her private detective husband Frank discover that the cure is worse than the disease when they…
investigate the death of a promising young woman in this atmospheric, riveting mystery from the USA TODAY bestselling author of Murder on Bedford Street. Sarah Malloy has just helped with the delivery of a bouncing baby girl at her women&’s clinic, when she receives a visit from an engaging and determined young woman writing an article for New Century Magazine. Louisa Rodgers explains that she is researching the dangers of patent remedies. Sarah is only too happy to tell Louisa exactly what she thinks of the so-called medicines whose ingredients include heavy doses of alcohol and other addictive drugs, and hurt much more than they help. A few days later, Sarah receives a visit from a bereft Bernard Rodgers, who explains that his daughter, Louisa, has been found strangled in the lobby of the building where New Century has its offices. The police have decided it was a random attack and have made no attempt to investigate, hinting that Louisa got what she deserved for sticking her nose where it didn&’t belong. Sarah wants justice for the bright young woman but as she and Frank delve deeper into Louisa&’s life, they find that nothing is quite as it seemed and Louisa is not who she claimed to be. The Malloys must first solve the mystery of Louisa&’s life before they can figure out who wanted to see her dead…Circle in the Water (A Sharon McCone Mystery #36)
By Marcia Muller. 2024
In this twisting mystery in a New York Times bestselling series, pranks escalate into a deadly scheme that Private Investigator…
Sharon McCone must unravel—before they claim her life. San Francisco is home to more than 200 privately owned streets. Most are alleyways, but a select few look torn straight from the pages of a magazine. Lined with mansions and elaborate gardens, the properties are luxurious and perfectly maintained; security guards patrol the grounds to keep the curious at bay. Few know of these exclusive enclaves, but those who do prowl for availability, ready to make a grab for the precious real estate if opportunity strikes. When several such streets are targeted in a series of so-called pranks, Sharon is hired by a coalition of concerned owners to investigate. But as things escalate—an attempt on Sharon&’s life, an explosion at a meth lab, and a shocking murder—Sharon realizes far more is at play than a few misdemeanors gone wrong. The case takes a sudden turn when one of McCone & Ripinsky&’s most trusted employees is implicated, and Sharon will have to dig deep to save her agency—and her life.Unto All Men: A Novella
By Taylor Caldwell. 2012
As a Nazi invasion looms, eight men in Czechoslovakia prepare to resist, in this powerful novella by the New York…
Times–bestselling author. Hitler&’s forces are about to close in, but a small group of men is determined to take a stand against the German aggressors. Each of them knows that it will almost certainly be a futile act—but to them, the alternative is unacceptable. This suspenseful story follows the men&’s thoughts, memories, and emotions as they await the inevitable—and steel themselves for a battle that may be the last they ever fight. Originally published decades after Taylor Caldwell&’s death, this is a deeply moving portrait of those who resist tyrants, and of the distinction between a military victory and a moral one. &“A wonderful storyteller.&” —A. Scott Berg, National Book Award–winning author of Maxwell Perkins: Editor of GeniusUnder the Paper Moon
By Shaina Steinberg. 2024
Kate Quinn&’s The Rose Code meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith in this intrigue-filled debut, as two former spies who shared…
more than just missions during WWII reunite in 1948 Los Angeles. Can they let go of heartbreak long enough to team up for one last operation in this tightly-plotted, emotionally rich postwar mystery? It&’s 1942, and as far as her father knows, Evelyn Bishop, heiress to an aeronautics fortune, is working as a translator in London. In truth, Evelyn—daring, beautiful, and as adept with a rifle as she is in five languages—has joined the Office of Strategic Services as a spy. Her goal is personal: to find her brother, who is being held as a POW in a Nazi labor camp. Through one high-risk mission after another she is paired with the reckless and rebellious Nick Gallagher, growing ever close to him until the war&’s end brings with it an act of deep betrayal. Six years later, Evelyn is back home in Los Angeles, working as a private investigator. The war was supposed to change everything, yet Evelyn, contemplating marriage to her childhood sweetheart, feels stifled by convention. Then the suspected cheating husband she&’s tailing is murdered, and suddenly Evelyn is back in Nick&’s orbit again. Teaming up for a final mission, Evelyn and Nick begin to uncover the true nature of her case— and realize that the war has followed them home. For beyond the public horrors waged by nations there are countless secret, desperate acts that still reverberate on both continents, and threaten everything Evelyn holds dear...Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone (A Death by Chocolate Mystery #7)
By Sarah Graves. 2024
Summer guests are eager to sink their teeth into tantalizing desserts at The Chocolate Moose, Jacobia &“Jake&” Tiptree and Ellie…
White&’s bakeshop in the island village of Eastport, Maine. But attracting the wrong kind of attention can be deadly . . . With the August heat strong enough to melt solid chocolate into syrup, Jake and Ellie crave a break from the bakery ovens, despite tourist season promising a sweet payday. But they never envisioned spending the last weeks of summer drifting around Passamaquoddy Bay searching for pirate&’s treasure—and a dead body. Sally Coates believes her husband was murdered off the coast, and begs Ellie, a trusted childhood friend, to locate his remains. It&’s unusual that a skilled fisherman would vanish along with the gold doubloon he inherited from his grandfather. And Sally isn&’t the only one coveting the valuable heirloom for her own. As Jake and Ellie&’s island-hop for answers, they find themselves caught between hungry sharks and hungrier suspects. Can the duo tempt fate and dodge danger before there&’s blood in the water—or are they destined to fall into the jaws of a killer&’s trap?Patchwork Quilt Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery #30)
By Leslie Meier. 2024
During a heatwave in Tinker&’s Cove, Maine, part-time reporter Lucy Stone becomes unseasonably entangled in handmade quilts—and a twisted case…
of murder . . . When a community center opens in town, many embrace it as a space where locals of all ages can gather and create. Others view it as a waste of taxpayer dollars. The director, Darleen Busby-Platt, is no less controversial. Intense and showy, Darleen has huge plans for her new role. But Lucy believes the woman isn&’t exactly as warm hearted—or qualified—as she seems. That hunch deepens when Darleen and a young employee vanish . . . and dismembered remains appear! With lots of clues and few concrete answers, Lucy rushes to connect loose ends. First there&’s the disappearance of Tim Stillings, a troubled twenty-something who endured harsh treatment on the job. Next there&’s Darleen herself, who made fast enemies as the highest-paid resident in Tinker&’s Cove. Finally, there&’s Darleen&’s rich ancestry and ties to heirlooms worth either a fortune or nothing at all. The closer Lucy gets to the facts, the more she realizes that solving this murder depends on the lies. Because the truth rests somewhere between wild rumors, a trusted friend&’s emotional new sewing project, and the authenticity of a mysterious three-hundred-year-old patchwork quilt. And Lucy must piece together the big picture—before she becomes part of crafty killer&’s deadly design . . .Dragon Rider: A Novel (The Soulbound Saga #1)
By Taran Matharu. 2024
New York Times bestselling author Taran Matharu’s debut adult fantasy series introduces an immersive story written in the tradition of the…
viral cultivation genre. Discover a rich world of magic, warriors, and dragons, in which a fearless orphan and an ambitious handmaiden flee from the empire that would imprison them, with a dream to return to their homelands and a determination that’s unbreakable… Can an orphan captive learn the secrets of the Dragon Riders to stand up and avenge his people?Jai lives as a royal hostage in the Sabine Court—ever since his father Rohan, leader of the Steppefolk, led a failed rebellion and was executed by the very emperor Jai now serves.When the emperor’s son and heir is betrothed to Princess Erica of the neighboring Dansk Kingdom, she brings with her a dowry: dragons. Endemic to the northern nation, these powerful beasts come in several forms, but mystery surrounds them. Only Dansk royalty know the secret to soulbonding with these dangerous beasts to draw on their power and strength. This marriage—and the alliance that forms—will change that forever.But conspirators lurk in the shadows, and soon the Sabine Court is in chaos. With his life in danger, Jai uses the opportunity to escape with the Dansk handmaiden, Frida, and a stolen hatchling. Hunted at every turn, he must learn to cultivate magic and become a soulbound warrior if he has any chance of finding safety, seizing his destiny…and seeking his revenge.The Last Word: A Novel
By Elly Griffiths. 2024
Words turn deadly with an unlikely detective duo on the case of a murdered obituary writer in this literary mystery…
from the internationally bestselling author of the Ruth Galloway series. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman and the Thursday Murder Club. Natalka and Edwin are perfect if improbable partners in a detective agency. At eighty-four, Edwin regularly claims that he’s the oldest detective in England. He is a master at surveillance, deploying his age as a cloak of invisibility. Natalka, Ukrainian-born and more than fifty years his junior, is a math whizz, who takes any cases concerning fraud or deception. Despite a steady stream of minor cases, Natalka is frustrated. She loves a murder, as she’s fond of saying, and none have come the agency’s way. That is until local writer Melody Chambers dies.Melody’s daughters are convinced that their mother was murdered. Edwin thinks that Melody’s death is linked to that of an obituary writer who predeceased many of his subjects. Edwin and Benedict go undercover to investigate and are on a creative writing weekend at isolated Battle House when another murder occurs. Are the cases linked and what is the role of a distinctly sinister book group attended by many of writers involved? By the time Edwin has infiltrated the group, he is in serious danger…Seeking professional help, the investigators turn to their friend, detective Harbinder Kaur, and find that they have stumbled on a plot that is stranger than fiction.'Fabulous, full of wit, mystery, romance and small town politics... The characters are witty, quirky... The plot is twisty and…
engaging with lots of red herrings... I enjoyed hunting through the puzzle pieces alongside Maisie and Jack, but despite my best intentions, I couldn't guess the culprit' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Something is afoot in the little village of Bunting and someone is trying to kill the lady of the manor. Luckily, amateur sleuth Maisie Cooper is on the case. Maisie Cooper is done catching murderers, thank you very much. Having recently brought her brother's killers to justice, she's ready to go back to her glamorous life in Paris. But little does she know that the idyllic Sussex countryside is home to more than one criminal... When Maisie receives a letter asking for her help in the little village of Bunting from the lady of the manor, she is curious enough to accept. She is then shocked to discover that the very woman requesting her assistance is her estranged Aunt Phyllis, who believes that someone is out to kill her. Maisie must follow the clues to find the culprit before they strike again. As Maisie investigates alongside handsome Sergeant Wingard, she starts to wonder.:Why would someone want Aunt Phyllis dead? What could her eccentric aunt have possibly done to be the target for a killer? And does Maisie quite like all this detective business after all?Readers are gripped by Murder at Bunting Manor:'I loved the way that I was pulled into the mystery of the plot. I found myself constantly looking for potential clues which made it feel like a real puzzle to get stuck into. I had a lot of fun reading this book' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Mixes classic whodunnit with cozy mystery elements... Kept me guessing... I thoroughly enjoyed it' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Dazzle Me Dead (A Dead is the New Fabulous Mystery #2)
By Lindsay Maracotta. 1996
A “Dead is the New Fabulous” Mystery (#2) “Lindsay Maracotta has created in Lucy an exhilarating smart and sassy character.…
Her insider’s take crackles with fresh insight and laugh-out-loud one-liners.” —Janet Evanovich, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author “Killingly amusing. Lindsay Maracotta wields the sharpest tongue since Nora Ephron banged out Heartburn. The book’s social observations are right on the money.” —The Chicago Tribune Lucy Frampton just wants to make animated movies and to raise as functional a family as possible in the midst of Hollywood’s special brand of madness. Unfortunately, when her producer-husband Kit scores his first blockbuster movie, he is stricken with dreaded "Mogus Virus"—(a common ailment!), which compels seemingly down-to-earth people to hire personal chefs and trainers and share enough air-kisses to inflate the Hindenburg. And adding to the crazy is the suspicious on-location death of his director, the much-despised whiz-kid Jeremy Lord. What’s a rational wife to do? Suddenly Lucy's only hope of maintaining some semblance of domestic bliss is to dive alone into the Pacific Palisades shark pool of actors, agents, industry honchos, lavish spenders, spoiled brats, ex-wives and voluptuous nannies, and surface with the killer. Her only weapon in this ocean of sex, lies, and camera phones is her irreverence and smarts —and they may not be formidable enough to protect Lucy from the dangerous predator who's circling....A terminally ill doctor battles crime and corruption in this medical thriller trilogy by the New York Times–bestselling author of…
Critical Condition. Farewell to Dreams: ER doctor Angela Rossi is struggling with insomnia when she receives a ghostly plea to save a missing girl. Aided by a police detective fallen from grace, Angela searches the midnight catacombs beneath the city, facing down a ruthless gang leader and stumbling onto a serial killer&’s lair. Her desperate quest to rescue the girl leads her to the one thing she least expected to find: a last chance for love. As her symptoms escalate in bizarre and disturbing ways, Angie realizes exactly how serious her illness is. She might be dying, but she&’s finally choosing how to live . . . A Raging Dawn: Dr. Rossi is diagnosed with Fatal Insomnia and given only a few months to live. She&’d like to say her goodbyes to everyone and spend her last days on a deserted island. But first she must provide testimony in a rape case. However, on the day of the trial, the victim is murdered, allowing the rapist to go free—and motivating Angela to bring him to justice. With nothing left to lose or fear, she makes for a perfect vigilante . . . The Sleepless Stars: When Dr. Rossi discovers that her disease—and the disease she&’s discovered in dozens of young children—is the creation of a mysterious cabal, she begins investigating the lies and betrayal that led the terrible epidemic. Meanwhile, Devon Price, a father of one of those children, is on the hunt for those responsible. He is willing to lie, cheat, steal, or even kill to ensure his daughter&’s safety. But in the end, their only hope might be a desperate deal with the devil: the faction behind the epidemic. A deal paid with blood. A deal not everyone will survive. Praise for the Fatal Insomnia series &“A remarkable medical thriller equal to the very best of Robin Cook or Michael Crichton. This intelligent, well-crafted novel, based on a startlingly original premise, builds up tension to the breaking point and beyond, delivering plenty of surprises along the way. Totally absorbing and impossible to put down.&” —Douglas Preston, #1 New York Times–bestselling author &“Farewell to Dreams has it all: a heroine you&’ll never forget and a story that whips by at bullet speed.&” —Tess Gerritsen, New York Times–bestselling authorThe Secret Language of Stones: A Novel (The Daughters of La Lune #2)
By M. J. Rose. 2016
As World War I rages and the Romanov dynasty reaches its sudden, brutal end, a young jewelry maker discovers love,…
passion, and her own healing powers in this “dazzling” (Library Journal, starred review) and romantic ghost story, the perfect follow-up to M. J. Rose’s “brilliantly crafted” (Providence Journal) novel The Witch of Painted Sorrows.Nestled within Paris’s historic Palais Royal is a jewelry store unlike any other. La Fantasie Russie is owned by Pavel Orloff, protégé to the famous Faberge, and is known to the city’s fashion elite as the place to find the rarest of gemstones and the most unique designs. But in the summer of 1918, war has transformed Paris from a city of style and romance to a place of fear and mourning. It is in La Fantasie Russie’s workshop that young, ambitious Opaline Duplessi now spends her time making trench watches for soldiers at the front, as well as mourning jewelry for the mothers, wives, and lovers of those who have fallen. People say that Opaline’s creations are magical. Magic is a word Opaline would rather not use, although even she can't deny she possesses a rare gift. Certain gemstones enable her to receive messages from beyond the grave. In her mind, she is no mystic, merely a messenger, giving voice to soldiers who died before they were able to properly express themselves to loved ones. Until one day, when one of these fallen soldiers communicates a message—directly to her. So begins a dangerous journey that will take Opaline into the darkest corners of wartime Paris and across the English Channel, where the exiled Romanov dowager empress is waiting to discover the fate of her family. Full of romance, seduction, and a love so powerful it reaches beyond the grave, The Secret Language of Stones is a “fantastic historical tale of war, love, loss, and intrigue, enhanced by vivid period detail” (Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator’s Wife).