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The Djinn waits a hundred years / by Khan, Shubnum,author.;
"An ... atmospheric novel about a ruined mansion by the sea, and a young girl who unearths the true story of the tragedy that happened there a hundred years ago ... Akbar Manzil was once a grand estate off the coast of South Africa. Now, nearly a century since it was built, it stands in ruins-a boardinghouse for misfits, where people come to forget or be forgotten. Seeking a new home after a painful tragedy, Sana and her effusive father are Akbar Manzil's newest residents. There they find a community of eccentrics, each suffering their own losses and likewise searching for something-escape, solace, absolution. As Sana becomes increasingly entwined in their stories, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to the history of the mansion itself: to the overgrown garden and its strange assortment of bones; to the eerie and forgotten East Wing, home to a clutter of broken and abandoned objects; and to a dusty old bedroom, unopened for decades, where she finds faded photographs of Akbar Manzil's first residents and a worn diary with entries she cannot translate. As she explores the mansion's whispering corners, she dredges up its longest resident: a djinn, the only remnant of Akbar Manzil's dark past. With its help, she discovers the story of a young woman named Meena from a hundred years prior, the original owner's second wife, who lived in the East Wing at the height of Akbar Manzil's glory, whose tragic fate is the house's ultimate secret-and whose story is the answer that Sana had been searching for all along."--
Subjects: Historical fiction.; Gothic fiction.; Novels.; Boardinghouses; Eccentrics and eccentricities; Family secrets; Fathers and daughters; Haunted houses; Jinn; Mansions; Secrecy; Tragedy;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The Hollywood spy / by MacNeal, Susan Elia,author.;
Includes bibliographical references."Maggie Hope is off to Hollywood to solve a crime that hits too close to home--and confront the very evil she thought she had left behind in Europe--as the acclaimed World War II mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Susan Elia MacNeal continues. Los Angeles, 1943. As the Allies beat back the Nazis in the Mediterranean and the United States military slowly closes in on Tokyo, Walt Disney cranks out wartime propaganda and the Cocoanut Grove is alive with jazz and swing each night. But behind this sunny façade lies a darker reality. Somewhere in the lush foothills of Hollywood, a woman floats, lifeless, in the pool of one of California's trendiest hotels. When American-born secret agent and British spy Maggie Hope learns that this woman was engaged to her old flame, John Sterling, and that he suspects her death was no accident, intuition tells her he's right. Leaving London under siege--not to mention flying thousands of miles--is a lot to ask. But John was once the love of Maggie's life . . . and she won't say no. Maggie is shocked to find Los Angeles as divided as Europe itself--the Zoot Suit Riots loom large and the Ku Klux Klan casts a long shadow. As she marvels at the hatred in her home country, she can't help but wonder what it will be like to see her lost love once again. But there is little time to dwell on memories once she starts digging into the case. As she traces a web of deception from the infamous Garden of Allah Hotel to the iconic Carthay Theater, she discovers things aren't always the way things appear in the movies--and the political situation in America is more complicated, and dangerous, than the newsreels would have them all believe"--
Subjects: Detective and mystery fiction.; Historical fiction.; Spy fiction.; Hope, Maggie (Fictitious character); Women spies; Undercover operations; World War, 1939-1945;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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A dry white season [videorecording] / by Brando, Marlon,actor.; Mokae, Zakes,actor.; Ntshona, Winston,actor.; Palcy, Euzhan,film director.; Palcy, Euzhan,screenwriter,film director.; Prochnow, Jürgen,actor.; Sarandon, Susan,1946-actor.; Sutherland, Donald,1935-actor.; Suzman, Janet,actor.; motion picture adaptation of (work):Brink, André P.(André Philippus),1935-2015.Droë wit seisoen.English.; Criterion Collection (Firm),publisher.; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,film distributor,presenter.;
Donald Sutherland, Janet Suzman, Winston Ntshona, Marlon Brando, Zakes Mokae, Jurgen Prochnow, Susan Sarandon.White schoolteacher Ben Du Toit lives in Johannesburg and remains blissfully incurious about the lives of his black countrymen until a wave of brutal repression comes crashing down on his gardener, bringing Du Toit face-to-face with harsh political realities.Canadian Home Video Rating: 18A.MPAA rating: R.DVD ; widescreen presentation ; Dolby Digital 5.1.
Subjects: Feature films.; Fiction films.; Historical films.; Video recordings for the hearing impaired.; Brink, André P. (André Philippus), 1935-2015.; Apartheid; Blacks; Justice;
For private home use only.
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The queen's vow : a novel of Isabella of Castile / by Gortner, C. W.;
Includes bibliographical references."No one believed I was destined for greatness. So begins Isabella's story, in this evocative, vividly imagined novel about one of history's most famous and controversial queens--the warrior who united a fractured country, the champion of the faith whose reign gave rise to the Inquisition, and the visionary who sent Columbus to discover a New World. Acclaimed author C. W. Gortner envisages the turbulent early years of a woman whose mythic rise to power would go on to transform a monarchy, a nation, and the world. Young Isabella is barely a teenager when she and her brother are taken from their mother's home to live under the watchful eye of their half-brother, King Enrique, and his sultry, conniving queen. There, Isabella is thrust into danger when she becomes an unwitting pawn in a plot to dethrone Enrique. Suspected of treason and held captive, she treads a perilous path, torn between loyalties, until at age seventeen she suddenly finds herself heiress of Castile, the largest kingdom in Spain. Plunged into a deadly conflict to secure her crown, she is determined to wed the one man she loves yet who is forbidden to her--Fernando, prince of Aragon. As they unite their two realms under "one crown, one country, one faith," Isabella and Fernando face an impoverished Spain beset by enemies. With the future of her throne at stake, Isabella resists the zealous demands of the inquisitor Torquemada even as she is seduced by the dreams of an enigmatic navigator named Columbus. But when the Moors of the southern domain of Granada declare war, a violent, treacherous battle against an ancient adversary erupts, one that will test all of Isabella's resolve, her courage, and her tenacious belief in her destiny. From the glorious palaces of Segovia to the battlefields of Granada and the intrigue-laden gardens of Seville, The Queen's Vow sweeps us into the tumultuous forging of a nation and the complex, fascinating heart of the woman who overcame all odds to become Isabella of Castile"--Provided by publisher.
Subjects: Biographical fiction.; Historical fiction.; Isabella I, Queen of Spain, 1451-1504;
© c2012., Ballantine Books,
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The mistresses of Cliveden : three centuries of scandal, power, and intrigue in an English stately home / by Livingstone, Natalie,author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."For fans of Downton Abbey comes an immersive historical epic about a lavish English manor and a dynasty of rich and powerful women who ruled the estate over three centuries of misbehavior, scandal, intrigue, and passion. Five miles from Windsor Castle, home of the royal family, sits the Cliveden estate. Overlooking the Thames, the mansion is flanked by two wings and surrounded by lavish gardens. Throughout its storied history, Cliveden has been a setting for misbehavior, intrigue, and passion--from its salacious, deadly beginnings in the seventeenth century to the 1960s Profumo Affair, the sex scandal that toppled the British government. Now, in this immersive chronicle, the manor's current mistress, Natalie Livingstone, opens the doors to this prominent house and lets the walls do the talking. Built during the reign of Charles II by the Duke of Buckingham, Cliveden attracted notoriety as a luxurious retreat in which the duke could conduct his scandalous affair with the ambitious courtesan Anna Maria, Countess of Shrewsbury. In 1668, Anna Maria's cuckolded husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury, challenged Buckingham to a duel. Buckingham killed Shrewsbury and claimed Anna Maria as his prize, making her the first mistress of Cliveden. Through the centuries, other enigmatic and indomitable women would assume stewardship over the estate, including Elizabeth, Countess of Orkney and illicit lover of William III, who became one of England's wealthiest women; Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, the queen that Britain was promised and then denied; Harriet, Duchess of Sutherland, confidante of Queen Victoria and a glittering society hostess turned political activist; and the American-born Nancy Astor, the first female member of Parliament, who described herself as an 'ardent feminist' and welcomed controversy. Though their privileges were extraordinary, in Livingstone's hands, their struggles and sacrifices are universal. Cliveden weathered renovation and restoration, world conflicts and cold wars, societal shifts and technological advances. Rich in historical and architectural detail, The Mistresses of Cliveden is a tale of sex and power, and of the exceptional women who evaded, exploited, and confronted the expectations of their times; Praise for The Mistresses of Cliveden: 'An utterly fascinating and completely beguiling account of three centuries of high living, high politics, and high drama at one of Britain's most famous stately homes."--Provided by publisher.
Subjects: Biographies.; Augusta, Princess of Wales, 1719-1772.; Astor, Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, Viscountess, 1879-1964.; Shrewsbury, Anna Maria Brudenell Talbot, Countess of, 1642-1702.; Sutherland, Harriet Elizabeth Georgiana Leveson-Gower, Duchess of, 1806-1868.; Villiers, Elizabeth, Countess of Orkney, 1657?-1733.; Cliveden (England); Cliveden (England); Nobility; Rich people; Women;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The secrets of Hartwood Hall : a novel / by Lumsden, Katie,author.;
"A gripping and atmospheric debut that is at once a chilling gothic mystery and a love letter to Victorian fiction. It's 1852 and Margaret Lennox, a young widow, attempts to escape the shadows of her past by taking a position as governess to an only child at an isolated country house in West Country, England. Isolated from the village, Margaret soon starts to feel that something isn't quite right. There are strange figures in the dark, tensions between servants and an abandoned east wing that sometimes has a light on. Even stranger are the repeated trips away on business by Mrs. Eversham, the child's mother. Lonely, and unsure who to trust, Margaret soon finds distraction in a forbidden relationship with the gardener, Paul. But as Margaret's history threatens to catch up with her, it isn't long before she learns the frightening truth behind the secrets of Hartwood Hall"--
Subjects: Detective and mystery fiction.; Gothic fiction.; Historical fiction.; Novels.; Governesses; Mansions; Man-woman relationships; Secrecy; Widows;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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A Gamble at Sunset [electronic resource] : by Riley, Vanessa.aut; cloudLibrary;
Award-winning author Vanessa Riley turns all convention on its head for the first in an enchanting, dazzlingly diverse new Regency romance trilogy featuring a duke, three sisters, and a tantalizing bet with a most desirable reward... “The perfect historical read.”   —Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author When a duke discovers the woman he loves was tricked into marrying another, the master chess player makes the now-widowed Viscountess the highest-stakes wager of his life in a last-ditch effort to win her affection: he will find husbands for her two sisters—or depart forever. Thus begins a sparkling new series from acclaimed author Vanessa Riley. Georgina Wilcox, a wallflower with hidden musical talents, is furious when her reclusive older sister—the recently widowed Viscountess—refuses sorely needed help from the Duke of Torrance, the only gentleman who has shown kindness to the bereft Wilcox sisters. Georgina decides to get back at her sister and shock the Viscountess by kissing the first willing stranger she meets in the enchanting gardens of Anya House. Unfortunately, her sister is not the sole witness. A group of reporters and the ton’s leading gossips catch Georgina in a passionate embrace with a reticent composer, Lord Mark Sebastian. The third son of an influential marquis, the tongue-tied Mark is determined to keep the scandal from ruining Georgina’s reputation and his own prospects of winning the celebrated Harlbert’s Prize for music. Under the guise of private voice lessons, the two embark on a daring gamble to fool the ton into believing that their feigned courtship is honorable while bolstering Georgina’s singing genius to captivate potential suitors. Sexist cartoons, family rivalries, and an upcoming ball test the fake couple’s resolve. Will their sudden fiery collaboration—and growing attraction—prove there’s nothing false about a first kiss and scandalously irresistible temptation?General adult.
Subjects: Electronic books.; African American; Regency; Multicultural & Interracial;
© 2024., Zebra Books,
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A taste for poison : eleven deadly molecules and the killers who used them / by Bradbury, Neil,author.;
Includes bibliographical references."A brilliant blend of science and crime, A Taste For Poison reveals how eleven notorious poisons affect the body--through the murders in which they were used. As any reader of murder mysteries can tell you, poison is one of the most enduring-and popular-weapons of choice for a scheming murderer. It can be slipped into a drink, smeared onto the tip of an arrow or the handle of a door, even filtered through the air we breathe. But how exactly do these poisons work to break our bodies down, and what can we learn from the damage they inflict? In a fascinating blend of popular science, medical history, and true crime, Dr. Neil Bradbury explores this most morbidly captivating method of murder from a cellular level. Alongside real-life accounts of murderers and their crimes-some notorious, some forgotten, some still unsolved-are the equally compelling stories of the poisons involved: eleven molecules of death that work their way through the human body and, paradoxically, illuminate the way in which our bodies function. Drawn from historical records and current news headlines, A Taste for Poison weaves together the tales of spurned lovers, shady scientists, medical professionals and political assassins to show how the precise systems of the body can be impaired to lethal effect through the use of poison. From the deadly origins of the gin & tonic cocktail to the arsenic-laced wallpaper in Napoleon's bedroom, A Taste for Poison leads readers on a riveting tour of the intricate, complex systems that keep us alive-or don't"--
Subjects: True crime stories.; Poisoners; Poisoning; Poisons;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Lady Tan's circle of women [sound recording] : a novel / by See, Lisa,author.; Chien, Justin,narrator.; Lim, Jennifer,narrator.; Simon & Schuster Audio (Firm),publisher.;
Read by Jennifer Lim, Justin Chien.According to Confucius, "an educated woman is a worthless woman," but Tan Yunxian--born into an elite family, yet haunted by death, separations, and loneliness--is being raised by her grandparents to be of use. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinations--looking, listening, touching, and asking--something a man can never do with a female patient. From a young age, Yunxian learns about women's illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purpose--despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with it--and they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each other's joys and struggles. No mud, no lotus, they tell themselves: from adversity beauty can bloom. But when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from seeing Meiling and from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wife--embroider bound-foot slippers, pluck instruments, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound, the Garden of Fragrant Delights. How might a woman like Yunxian break free of these traditions, go on to treat women and girls from every level of society, and lead a life of such importance that many of her remedies are still used five centuries later? How might the power of friendship support or complicate these efforts? Lady Tan's Circle of Women is a captivating story of women helping other women. It is also a triumphant reimagining of the life of a woman who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today.
Subjects: Audiobooks.; Historical fiction.; Novels.; Aristocracy (Social class); Arranged marriage; Female friendship; Midwives; Women physicians;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Undersong / by Winter, Kathleen,author.;
When young James Dixon, a local jack-of-all-trades recently returned from the Battle of Waterloo, meets writer Dorothy Wordsworth, he quickly realizes he's never met another woman anything like her. In her early thirties at the time of the meeting, Dorothy has already lived a wildly unconventional life. As her famous brother William Wordsworth's confidante and creative collaborator--considered by some in their circle to be the secret to his success as a poet--she has carved a seemingly idyllic existence for herself, alongside William and his wife, in England's Lake District. One day, Dixon is approached by William to do some handiwork around the Wordsworth estate. At William's urging, he takes on more and more chores--and quickly understands that his real, unspoken responsibility is to keep an eye on Dorothy, who is growing frail and melancholic. The unlikely pair of misfits form a sympathetic bond despite the sometimes troubling chasm in social class between them, and soon Dixon is the quiet witness to everyday life in Dorothy's family and glittering social circle, which includes literary legends Samuel Coleridge, Thomas de Quincy, William Blake, and Charles and Mary Lamb. Through the fictional James Dixon--a gentle but troubled soul, more attuned to the wonders of the garden he faithfully tends than to vexing worldly matters--we step inside the Wordsworth family, witnessing their dramatic emotional and artistic struggles, hidden traumas, private betrayals and triumphs. At the same time, Winter slowly weaves a darker, complex "undersong" through the novel, one as earthy and elemental as flower and tree, gradually revealing the pattern of Dorothy's rich, hidden life--that of a woman determined, against all odds, to exist on her own terms despite societal norms. But the unsettling effects of Dorothy's tragically repressed brilliance take their toll, and when at last her true voice finally sings out, it is so searing and bright that Dixon, compelled equally by love and grief and fear, must make an impossible choice.
Subjects: Biographical fiction.; Historical fiction.; Wordsworth, Dorothy, 1771-1855; Wordsworth, William, 1770-1850; Families; Man-woman relationships; Poets; Social classes; Veterans;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 2
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