The Art of Murder by Don West

The Art of Murder: A Nestor Pike Noir Satire Mystery by Don West

From the Publisher
Welcome to THE ART OF MURDER, a world of high-class art theft, museum high-jinx, high-powered money brokers, foreign intrigue, and, of course, murder. This weighty, smartly plotted little novel is an inventive, intelligent, and hugely entertaining genre-buster--a spirited send-up with contemporary dimensions unusual in noir. It'ss an imaginative blend of sphincter-clenching suspense, clever dialogue, and comic observation. A hard-boiled narrator with a soft-boiled way, Nestor Pike'ss indomitably intuitive character and ever-resourceful wit drives this irresistible page-turner right through the heart from beginning to end. You laugh, you cry, you love these guys. This tale has it all, action, mystery, romance, and transformation. THE ART OF MURDER is distributed through Biblio Distribution, Ingram, and Baker & Taylor.

⇒ Via: BN.com

Aging private detective stumbles into an international conspiracy involving stolen artifacts leading to murder and mayhem. Interspersed with tongue in cheek humor.

Little Faith by Michael Simon

Little Faith by Michael Simon

From the Publisher
In a desperate battle between big business and big religion, Texas homicide detective DanReles must solve a murder—and save himself

A rich stew of murder and corruption connects the state capital, the oil industry, and a powerful evangelical church as Michael Simon returns to the Austin Homicide Squad and Detective Dan Reles, featured in the acclaimed thrillers Dirty Sally and Body Scissors.
Judah Cavanaugh, ejected from the Branch Davidians for excessive zeal, has entrenched herself at the estate of oil heiress and Republican kingmaker Suzanne Addison Wade. Suzanne has big plans for her political party—but Judah has plans for Suzanne, too. Meanwhile, ex-child star Faith Copeland is discovered murdered in her garage apartment, and the wrongful arrest of single mother Carla Ortiz has cast her thirteen-year-old son into Austin’s sinful streets.

Left to fight through the mire is Senior Sergeant Dan Reles. Recently shrugged off by the woman he loves, he partners with Sergeant Cate Mora, a tough woman hiding a secret of her own. Sure to appeal to fans of James Ellroy, Little Faith is a gritty tale of exploitation, child abuse, and the battle between commerce and the religious right for the heart of America.

Via: BN.com

Out of favor cop finds himself in a murder mystery involving corrupt politicians and cops.

The Dead Fathers Club by Matt Haig

The Dead Fathers Club by Matt Haig

From the Publisher
A ghost story with a twist—a suspenseful and poignantly funny update of the Hamlet story

Eleven-year-old Philip Noble has a big problem: His dad, who was killed in a car accident, appears as a bloodstained ghost at his own funeral and introduces Philip to the Dead Fathers Club. The club, whose members were all murdered, gathers outside the Castle and Falcon, the local pub that Philip's family owns and lives above. Philip's father tells him that Uncle Alan killed him and he must avenge his death. When Philip realizes that Uncle Alan has designs on his mom and the family pub, Philip decides that something must be done. But it's a much bigger job than he anticipated, especially when he is caught up by the usual distractions of childhood—a pretty girl, wayward friends, school bullies, and his own self-doubt. The Dead Fathers Club is a riveting, imaginative, and quirky update of Shakespeare's great tragedy that will establish Matt Haig as a young writer of great talent and imagination.

Young 11 year old sees his Father as a Ghost after his Father's death. The Ghost convinces him to take revenge on his death by killing his uncle who is supposedly his killer. Interesting narrative, spoken from young boy's voice..with twists and turns.

Why Pandas Do Handstands by Augustus Brown

Why Pandas Do Handstands: And Other Curious Truths About Animals by Augustus Brown

From the Publisher
In the natural world you are what you are--or more likely who--you eat. Which in the case of rats and cockroaches means you may well be your closest relative.
Not all animals are opportunistic omnivores, however. Some stick to diets that are high in salt or sugar, others crave food that is rich in blood or fat (sucked fresh from their victim's brain, if possible). And while there are those animals for whom fast food is the only option, there are others who can enjoy the luxury of a long, extremely filling lunch. Then, of course, there are animals who like drugs and alcohol, a combination that generally spells one thing: trouble.

Nuggets of curious trivia and facts about animals.

Why We Love the Dogs We Do by Stanley Coren

Why We Love the Dogs We Do by Stanley Coren

From the Publisher
The author of "The Intelligence of Dogs" offers insight into how the mix of personalities between people and their dogs creates harmonious--or horrendous--relationships.
Synopsis
Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of Dogs , takes an eye-opening look at how the mix of personalities between people and their dogs can create the perfect relationship or a terrible mess. Along with interesting tidbits about the long history of canine-human interaction, Coren offers myth-debunking information about popular breeds and personality tests that will help readers choose the dog that's perfect for them.

Dog behavior and psychology by considering human nature. Find out your dog compatibility by taking a test and determine which dog breeds are best for your personality. Very generalised, concentrates more on celebrities and their dogs, bashes Cats to a large degree.

Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson

Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson

From the Publisher
Walt Longmire returns for his third adventure but this time he is in the City of Brotherly Love, where no act of kindness goes unpunished
Walt has been the sheriff in Wyoming's Absaroka County for twenty-four years, where his wit and charm have helped him solve many crimes. But that can't prepare him for the savage attack on his daughter, Cady, a Philadelphia lawyer who has unwittingly become embroiled in a political cover-up. As Walt and his best friend, Henry Standing Bear, scour the city for clues, he gets help from his deputy Victoria Moretti and her family of Philly police. But Longmire wasn't born yesterday. He's willing to pull out all the stops to find Cady's attacker and show the big city that this old-timer has a few moves left in his saddlebag of tricks. Those who enjoy Tony Hillerman and James Lee Burke will delight in Johnson's newest Sheriff Longmire adventure.

Wyoming sheriff finds himself embroiled in a murder case while visiting his daughter in Philadelphia when his daughter becomes a victim of a savage attack by her would-be fiance.

True Evil by Greg Iles

True Evil by Greg Iles

From the Publisher
If you wanted to kill your spouse and get away with it, you had to do something truly ingenious: something that wouldn't even be perceived as murder. And that was the service that Andrew Rusk had found a way to provide. Like any quality product, it did not come cheap. Nor did it come quickly. And perhaps most important of all, it was not for those with weak constitutions. Demand was high, of course, but few people were truly suitable clients. It took a deep-rooted hatred to watch your spouse die in agony, knowing that you had brought about that pain. But on the other hand, some people bore up remarkably well.
With these words, New York Times bestselling author Greg Iles returns to his trademark Southern milieu in this terrifying thriller, an unnerving tale of evil lurking beneath the veneer of idyllic suburban life. Brimming with the masterful suspense and intense psychological drama that made Turning Angel, Blood Memory, and The Quiet Game bestsellers, True Evil tells the chilling story of a divorce attorney who may be orchestrating the deaths of his clients' spouses, bringing new meaning to the phrase -'til death do us part.
Dr. Chris Shepard is thirty-six years old, newly married, and well on his way to a perfect life. Or so he believes. But that future is forever cast into doubt the day Special Agent Alexandra Morse walks into his office and drops a bombshell: Dr. Shepard's beautiful new wife is plotting his murder. Shepard is so shocked that he almost throws Agent Morse out of his office. Yet once he is alone, doubt begins to gnaw at him. Paranoia magnifies the small cracks in his marital relationship, and soon he can have no peace unless he knows the truth. When Agent Morsereappears, Chris agrees to act as bait to help her unravel the divorce lawyer's scheme, which may already have cost nine unsuspecting spouses their lives.
At the center of the mystery lies a maddeningly simple question: If these people really were murdered, why can't the FBI prove it? Rigorous autopsies have uncovered no forensic evidence of foul play, and the police believe no crimes have occurred. As Dr. Shepard and Agent Morse struggle against an invisible adversary, Shepard realizes that he's working with a desperate woman. The reason: the killer's last known victim was Alex Morse's sister, who from her deathbed accused her husband of murder and extracted a vow that Alex save her ten-year-old nephew from his father. This has driven Alex to risk both her life and her career to fulfill that vow. But Chris Shepard soon feels desperation of his own. As he probes his wife's hidden past, he is confronted by the probability that the woman he loves wants him dead.
He has adopted her son and given her everything he has to give, and yet somewhere out there, a killer with the brilliance to outwit the top forensic scientists in the world is closing in on him.
Who is this merciless assassin? Why is murder an art form for him? And what clues could exist to lead them to a man of such twisted talents? Not even the clients who hire him know his identity, and the lawyer who works with him fears him above all else. Most terrifying, those who choose murder over divorce soon learn a terrible truth: once set in motion, the instrument of their anger cannot be stopped.

Out if favor FBI Agent/negotiator uncovers a sinister plot involving a lawyer and doctor to get rid of spouses without arousing suspicion. She recruits a doctor wo himself is a target for murder by his wife.

Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds by D. Caroline Coile

Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds by D. Caroline Coile

From the Publisher
Updated with the latest information on canine breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, this lavishly illustrated volume is a treasure house of information for dog lovers, owners, breeders, and prospective buyers. It begins with a detailed discussion of breed evolution, focusing on the physical and behavioral traits that distinguish one canine breed from another. The book's main section profiles more than 150 breeds, arranged in the general categories specified by the AKC-Sporting Group, Hound Group, Working Group, Terrier Group, Toy Group, Non-Sporting Group, and Herding Group. Each profile tells how and why the breed was developed, and how selection to perpetuate specific traits affects a dog's suitability as a pet. Advice for prospective dog owners will help them be sure they are choosing a breed that is compatible with their own situation and needs. They will also find information on each breed's vulnerability to specific health problems, longevity, exercise needs, compatibility with children, and much more. Profuse illustrations include color photos of all listed breeds.

Compendium of dog breeds recognized by AKC with short summaries for each breed.

Urban Dog: The Ultimate "Street Smarts" Training Manual by Cis Frankel

Urban Dog: The Ultimate "Street Smarts" Training Manual
by Cis Frankel

Book Description
Owning a dog in the city has a completely different set of challenges than owning a dog in a rural or suburban setting. The city is full of distractions for a dog such as congestion, noise, crowds of people, cars, buses, bicycles, rollerbladers, trash, sewers, alleys, roadways and other dogs. Where you can exercise your dog is limited, and maneuvering a dog through city streets and across busy roadways is often hazardous. Rat poison sprinkled in alleyways, garbage on the sidewalk and around bins, and city puddles filled with unknown substances are all threats to any dog's health. In this book, Cis Frankel, an urban dog trainer who has trained thousand of dogs including Oprah Winfrey's cocker Spaniels, Solomon and Sophie, explains how to deal with the specific difficulties of living with a dog in the city. Believing that the best city dog is a well-trained dog, Cis explores the basics of puppy training (housebreaking, obedience, basic commands) and then delves into the particularities of training and owning a dog in the city. The informative and easy-to-access text covers collars and leash handling, navigating the streets, housebreaking in a high-rise, managing parks, crowds and roadways to create street-smart dogs, stressful situations to avoid, and health care specifics for city dogs. This one-of-a-kind book shows how to get the most out of your dog while living in the city, and how to get the most out of the city for your dog.

UUseful information and tips about dog behaviour and training.

DeKok and Murder by Installment by Albert C. Baantjer

DeKok and Murder by Installment
by Albert C. Baantjer, H. G. Smittenaar (Translator)

From the Publisher

"Shrewd, compassionate, and dedicated, DeKok makes a formidable opponent for criminals and a worthwhile competitor for the attention of Simenon's Maigret fans."-Library Journal

"It's easy to understand the appeal of Amsterdam police detective DeKok; he hides his intelligence behind a phlegmatic demeanor, like an old dog that lazes by the fireplace and only shows his teeth when the house is threatened."-Los Angeles Times

Although at first it seemed to be a case for the narcotics division, this latest crime soon evolves into a series of sinister and almost impossible murders. Never before have inspectors DeKok and his partner Vledder been so involved in a case in which murder, drug smuggling, and child prostitution are almost daily occurrences.

Blackmail enters the picture, and bodies continue to be found. DeKok even finds himself allowing one of the suspects in the serial crimes to go free.

To darken the days a bit more, in the past a single murder used to dominate the front pages of the newspapers for weeks, but now they get maybe four or six lines on page fourteen, third column, near the bottom. Death has become commonplace in the news, but never for DeKok.

Murders pile up in Amsterdam as the investigator uncovers a tale of blackmail, betrayal and sex.

Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems by Cesar Millan, Melissa Jo Peltier,

Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems
by Cesar Millan, Melissa Jo Peltier,

From the Publisher
“I rehabilitate dogs. I train people.” —Cesar Millan There are at least 68 million dogs in America, and their owners lavish billions of dollars on them every year. So why do so many pampered pets have problems? In this definitive and accessible guide, Cesar Millan—star of National Geographic Channel’s hit show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan—reveals what dogs truly need to live a happy and fulfilled life.

From his appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show to his roster of celebrity clients to his reality television series, Cesar Millan is America’s most sought-after dog-behavior expert. But Cesar is not a trainer in the traditional sense—his expertise lies in his unique ability to comprehend dog psychology. Tracing his own amazing journey from a clay-walled farm in Mexico to the celebrity palaces of Los Angeles, Cesar recounts how he learned what makes dogs tick. In Cesar’s Way, he shares this wisdom, laying the groundwork for you to have stronger, more satisfying relationships with your canine companions.

Cesar’s formula for a contented and balanced dog seems impossibly simple: exercise, discipline, and affection, in that order. Taking readers through the basics of dog psychology and behavior, Cesar shares the inside details of some of his most fascinating cases, using them to illustrate how common behavior issues develop and, more important, how they can be corrected.

Whether you’re having issues with your dog or just want to make a good bond even stronger, this book will give you a deeper appreciation of how your dog sees the world, and it will help make your relationshipwith your beloved pet a richer and more rewarding one.


Learn what goes on inside your dog’s mind and develop a positive, fulfilling relationship with your best friend In Cesar’s Way, Cesar Millan—nationally recognized dog expert and star of National Geographic Channel’s hit show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan—helps you see the world through the eyes of your dog so you can finally eliminate problem behaviors. You’ll learn: • What your dog really needs may not be what you’re giving him • Why a dog’s natural pack instincts are the key to your happy relationship

• How to relate to your dog on a canine level • There are no “problem breeds,” just problem owners • Why every dog needs a job • How to choose a dog who’s right for you and your family • The difference between discipline and punishment • And much more! Filled with fascinating anecdotes about Cesar’s longtime clients, and including forewords by the president of the International Association of Canine Professionals and Jada Pinkett Smith, this is the only book you’ll need to forge a new, more rewarding connection with your four-legged companion.

Useful information and dog psycholgy from TV show host Cesar Millan who explains dog behaviour and training. Basic premise..dogs are pack animals first and will follow their leader if the owner assumes that role. The owner should be aware of dogs energy and should find a way of channeling it.

The Dead Yard by Adrian McKinty

The Dead Yard by Adrian McKinty

From the Publisher
"In this sequel to Dead I Well May Be, mercenary bad boy Michael Forsythe is forced to infiltrate an Irish terrorist cell on behalf of the FBI, and thus confront murder, mayhem, and the prospect of his own execution. This saga continues with The Dead Yard, a thriller in which Michael Forsythe must insinuate himself into the good graces of a band of calculating political terrorists." As the novel opens, he's on vacation in Spain, but when a soccer riot between Irish and English fans escalates out of control, Michael is suddenly arrested and thrown into a Spanish prison. Enter Samantha, a British intelligence agent as cunning as she is voluptuous. She makes Michael an offer he cannot refuse: instead of being extradited to Mexico to serve time for a prison break, he can help her by infiltrating an IRA sleeper cell in the United States, and she'll see to it that the Spaniards and Mexicans forget all about him. Filled with apprehension about the dangers of the assignment, Michael reluctantly agrees. Within hours he is flown to New York City and thrust into the nightmare world of men known for their distinctive brands of torture and revenge. Michael crosses and double-crosses key players, escapes his own lies by a hairsbreadth, loses his only ally, and falls for the daughter of his enemy - a most inadvisable development.

Undercover FBI agent finds himself infiltrating a extremist IRA gang on behalf of British intelligence which leads to murder and mayhem. A gripping story that holds our attention.

Silence of the Grave by Arnaldur Indridason, Bernard Scudder (Translator)

Silence of the Grave by Arnaldur Indridason, Bernard Scudder (Translator)
From the Publisher
Winner of the CWA Gold Dagger Award

Inspector Erlendur returns in this gripping Icelandic thriller When a skeleton is discovered half-buried in a construction site outside of Reykjavík, Inspector Erlendur finds himself knee-deep in both a crime scene and an archeological dig. Bone by bone, the body is unearthed, and the brutalizing history of a family who lived near the building site comes to light along with it. Was the skeleton a man or a woman, a victim or a killer, and is this a simple case of murder or a long-concealed act of justice? As Erlendur tries to crack this cold case, he must also save his drug-addicted daughter from self destruction and somehow glue his hopelessly fractured family back together.

Like the chilly Nordic mysteries of Henning Mankell and Karen Fossum, Arnaldur Indridason delivers a stark police procedural full of humanity and pathos, a classic noir from a very cold place.

Agripping police procedural set in Iceland. A skeleton uncovered in a construction site sets in motion an investigation that uncovers a story of suffering and dometsic abuse.

Swag by Elmore Leonard

Swag by Elmore Leonard
From the Publisher
The author of Get Shorty, Elmore Leonard writes of a world that is all-too-real, too frighteningly formidable. In Swag, he takes us down the streets of summertime Detroit where life is not so sweet - unless you're handy at crime.
His three "heroes" boast an expertise in things illegal. They conjure up a plan that will reap a tax-free $100,000. All it takes is an armed robbery and the street-savvy to get away with it. It's a brilliant caper with a finely timed finale.

Used car salesman recruits a car thief in his gran plan to be sucessfull in armed robbery by following his set of rules which works for a while till they are double crossed by another group in a heist.

Riding the Rap by Elmore Leonard

Riding the Rap
by Elmore Leonard

From the Publisher
Now that his mom's gravy train has derailed, gambling, debt-ridden Palm Beach playboy Warren "Chip" Ganz has decided to take somebody rich hostage—with the help of a Bahamian ex-con, a psycho gardener/enforcer, and the beautiful, if underfed, psychic Reverend Dawn. The trouble is they choose bookmaker Harry Arno as their victim, and Harry can scam with the best. The BIG trouble is ace manhunter U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens is sleeping with Harry's ex-exotic dancer ex-girlfriend, and Joyce wants Harry found. And since nearly everyone has guns, locating and springing the captive bookie most probably can't happen without some measure of lethal difficulty.

Manhunter U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens goes after a Bahamian ex-con, a psycho gardener/enforcer, and the beautiful, if underfed, psychic Reverend Dawn when they conspire to kidnap a bookie who happens to be his girlfriends boss.

Freaky Deaky by Elmore Leonard

Freaky Deaky by Elmore Leonard

From the Publisher
He used to be on the bomb squad, but it's not until he transfers out that Chris Mankowski really begins juggling with dynamite. Rape and revenge are just the tip of the iceberg in a twisty tale that brings Detroit's denizens to life -- and occasional death -- in all their seedy glory. Electrifying, explosive, and unexpected, this is Elmore Leonard at his suspenseful best.

Bomb squad disposal expert tangles with bunch of extortionists who are out to fleece a millionaire who they think has wronged them in the past

Blitz by Ken Bruen

Blitz by Ken Bruen

The Barnes & Noble Review
Noir with edge and attitude is is the best way to describe Ken Bruen's engrossing British crime novels, including this one featuring the return of cheerfully brutal and undeniably corrupt Detective Sergeant Brant. There's a new killer in town, and he's targeting cops. This time out, Brant has the help of two characters familiar from Bruen's acclaimed White Trilogy: woman Police Constable Falls, who is slipping into drug addiction, and Chief Inspector Roberts, who is reeling from the recent death of his wife. Joining this notorious trio in the hunt for the crazed killer calling himself Blitz are two newcomers -- an openly gay sergeant whom everyone, except the man himself, expects Brant to bash -- and a favored police constable Brant is determined to see fall from grace.
With his distinctive staccato style, Bruen tracks the action from several viewpoints, giving the reader vivid glimpses into the workings of both the police investigation and the chaotically cruel mind of Blitz as he strives to emulate his heroes -- serial killers all. The mayhem starts with the practice killing of a traffic warden, followed by boastful calls to a crime writer that seven "pigs" will die -- including Brant, who is targeted for the most horrific death of all. Blitz is a psychological duel between two men on opposite sides of the law -- men who are more alike that anyone would care to think. Sue Stone

Cynical, Hardened Sergeant Brant goes after a self proclaimed serial killer targetting policemen not realizing he himself is one of his intended victims.