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The cliffs / by Sullivan, J. Courtney,author.;
"The crumbling Victorian had been abandoned long before Jane ever discovered it as a child. It was painted a sweet violet color, and the gingerbread trim was blue and green, but inside was shambles--broken glass, a dollhouse ravaged by mice, bedsheets twisted as though someone had left in a hurry. Still, the house became a hideaway whenever Jane needed to escape her volatile mother. Twenty years later, now a Harvard archivist, she returns home to Maine following the dissolution of her marriage and is horrified to find the Victorian is barely recognizable. A rich lady from Beacon Hill has gutted it, and in its place stands a glossy white mansion straight out of a shelter magazine. But the home's new owner is unhappy. Her young son claims to have been speaking to the ghost of a child, and she keeps finding marbles on the floor. Troubled that she might have done something to anger the spirit world, a concept Jane dismisses as daffy, the wealthy woman hires her to research the land. The story Jane uncovers--of husbands lost at sea, wives mourning along the cliffs, historical artifacts stolen and sold, lovers secreted away, and, at the center of it all, a tale of colonialism--is as old as Maine itself"--
Subjects: Domestic fiction.; Ghost stories.; Novels.; Haunted houses; Homecoming; Secrecy; Spirit possession; Women archivists; Women;

The cliffs [text (large print)] / by Sullivan, J. Courtney,author.;
"The crumbling Victorian had been abandoned long before Jane ever discovered it as a child. It was painted a sweet violet color, and the gingerbread trim was blue and green, but inside was shambles--broken glass, a dollhouse ravaged by mice, bedsheets twisted as though someone had left in a hurry. Still, the house became a hideaway whenever Jane needed to escape her volatile mother. Twenty years later, now a Harvard archivist, she returns home to Maine following the dissolution of her marriage and is horrified to find the Victorian is barely recognizable. A rich lady from Beacon Hill has gutted it, and in its place stands a glossy white mansion straight out of a shelter magazine. But the home's new owner is unhappy. Her young son claims to have been speaking to the ghost of a child, and she keeps finding marbles on the floor. Troubled that she might have done something to anger the spirit world, a concept Jane dismisses as daffy, the wealthy woman hires her to research the land. The story Jane uncovers--of husbands lost at sea, wives mourning along the cliffs, historical artifacts stolen and sold, lovers secreted away, and, at the center of it all, a tale of colonialism--is as old as Maine itself"--
Subjects: Domestic fiction.; Ghost stories.; Large print books.; Novels.; Haunted houses; Homecoming; Secrecy; Spirit possession; Women archivists; Women;

The Dark Wives Crack the case with Vera Stanhope in a new suspenseful mystery from the Sunday Times Bestseller [electronic resource] : by Cleeves, Ann.aut; cloudLibrary;
'Expertly plotted and mesmerising crime' - Mick Herron A local myth. A deadly threat. Vera Stanhope, star of ITV's Vera, returns for her most shocking case so far . . . I can't see anything. It's as if this house is on its own in the world, as if I'm on my own in the world and nobody would care if I died . . . When a body is found on the common outside Rosebank, an isolated care home for troubled teens, DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate. The victim is Josh, a staff member, who never showed up to work, and her only clue is the disappearance of fourteen-year-old resident Chloe. Vera can’t bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can’t dismiss the possibility. Then, in the wilds of the Northumbrian countryside, near the Three Dark Wives standing stones, a second body is found. As folklore and fact begin to collide, Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get to the truth. But it seems that there are dark secrets in their community - ones that may be far more dangerous than she could ever have believed . . . The Dark Wives is the next thrilling mystery in the Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling series from Ann Cleeves. **** 'Like Rendell and James before her, like McDermid and Rankin today, Ann Cleeves is one of our secret chroniclers, charting – under cover of a series of expertly plotted and mesmerising crime novels – how we live now' - Mick Herron, author of Slow Horses 'Cleeves's Northumberland novels are strong on atmosphere, combing old-fashioned detective work with a modern take on class' - The Sunday Times 'A thoroughly engrossing thriller' - The Mail on Sunday 'One of Britain's best crime writers' - Daily Express 'A story that keeps you guessing until the end where all the clues are pulled together masterfully' - Reader review 'As stunning on the page as on TV' - Reader review 'The storyline, the characters and the atmosphere of North East England all fit together beautifully' - Reader reviewGeneral adult.
Subjects: Electronic books.; Crime; Police Procedural; Women Sleuths;
© 2024., Pan Macmillan,

Aunt Dimity and the enchanted cottage / by Atherton, Nancy,author.;
"It's early May in the small English village of Finch and the air is crackling with excitement: a newcomer is about to move into Pussywillows, a riverside cottage with a romantic reputation. Will the cottage's newest resident prove yet again its enchanting ability to matchmake? But when Crispin Windle arrives, no one knows what to make of him: seemingly a loner, he repels every welcoming gesture and appears altogether uninterested in being a part of the community. Soon, the townspeople have all but dismissed him. Only Lori and Tommy Prescott, a young army veteran who recently moved to Finch, refuse to give up. They orchestrate a chance meeting that leads to a startling discovery: a set of overgrown ruins. They are, Aunt Dimity shares, the remains of a Victorian woolen mill that once brought prosperity to Finch. As the three explore, they stumble upon the unmarked graves of children who died working at the mill. Heartbroken, Lori, Tommy, and Mr. Windle get to work on the seemingly impossible task of identifying the children to give them a proper burial. And as Mr. Windle works tirelessly to name the forgotten children, he slowly begins to open up--giving the romantic cottage a chance to heal his heart as well"--
Subjects: Detective and mystery fiction.; Ghost stories.; Novels.; Dimity, Aunt (Fictitious character); Abandoned buildings; Burial; Cemeteries; Child labor; Mills and mill-work; Recluses; Villages; Women detectives;

Victim F : from crime victims to suspects to survivors / by Huskins, Denise,author.; Quinn, Aaron,author.; Egan, Nicole Weisensee,author.;
"The shocking true story of a bizarre kidnapping and the victims' revictimization by the justice system In March 2015, Denise Huskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, awoke from sound sleep to a nightmare. Armed men bound and drugged them, then abducted Denise and warned Aaron not to call the police or she would be killed. Aaron agonized about what to do. Finally he put his trust in law enforcement and dialed 911. But instead of searching for Denise, the police accused Aaron of her murder. His story, they told him, was just unbelievable. When Denise was let go, the police turned on her, dubbing her the "real-life Gone Girl," saying she had faked her own kidnapping. In Victim F, Aaron and Denise recount the horrific ordeal that almost cost them everything. Like too many victims of sexual violence, they were dismissed, disbelieved, and dragged through the mud. With no one to rely on except each other, they took on the victim blaming, harassment, misogyny, and abuse of power running rife in the criminal justice system. Their story is, in the end, a love story, but one that sheds necessary light on sexual assault and the abuse by law enforcement that all too frequently compounds crime victims' suffering"--
Subjects: Biographies.; True crime stories.; Huskins, Denise.; Quinn, Aaron.; Victims of crimes; Criminal investigation; False arrest; Police misconduct;

A magic deep and drowning / by Fox, Hester,author.;
"The Dutch Republic, 1650. One fine spring day in Friesland, twenty-year-old Clara van Wieren is faced with an ill omen: a whale, beached and rotting in the noonday sun. But Clara doesn't believe in magic and superstition, and this portent is quickly dismissed when a proposal from a wealthy merchant arrives, promising Clara the freedom she seeks from her mother's overbearing rule. When her attempts at overseeing the household at the family's estate lead to her chance encounter with a young man with russet hair and sparkling eyes the color of the sea, she finds herself strangely drawn to him. As Clara grows closer to Maurits, she must choose between the steady, gentle life she has been raised for and the man who makes her blood sing. But Maurits isn't who he seems to be, and his secrets, once hidden beneath the waves, threaten to rise up and drown them both. And when an ancient bargain, forged in blood between the mythical people of the sea and the rulers of the land, begins to unravel, Clara finds herself at the heart of a deadly struggle for power."--
Subjects: Fantasy fiction.; Novels.; Blessing and cursing; Magic; Man-woman relationships; Secrecy; Young women;

The Dollhouse Academy A Novel [electronic resource] : by Montimore, Margarita.aut; Pressley, Brittany.nrt; Sands, Xe.nrt; cloudLibrary;
" ... audio readers are guaranteed an enthralling delight here." —Booklist on Acts of Violet (starred review) " ... an absolutely delightful audiobook, essential for all contemporary fiction collections." —Library Journal on Acts of Violet From the NATIONAL BESTSELLING author of GMA Book Club Pick OONA OUT OF ORDER, a novel about two best friends and aspiring actresses who join the Dollhouse Academy, where stars are made and dangerous secrets are hidden “Deliciously sensational…What could be more fun? As if the wives of Stepford went to the Valley of the Dolls.” —Kirkus Ivy Gordon is living on borrowed time. For the past eighteen years, she has been the most famous star at the Dollhouse Academy, the elite boarding school and talent incubator that every aspiring performer dreams of attending. But now, at age thirty-four, she is tired of pretending everything is fine. In secret diary entries, Ivy begins to reveal the truth of her life at the Dollhouse: strange medical exams, mysterious supplements, and something unspeakable that’s left Ivy terrified and feeling like a prisoner. Ramona Halloway and her best friend, Grace Ludlow, grew up idolizing Ivy. Now both twenty-two, neither has made much headway in showbiz until a lucky break grants them entry to the Dollhouse. They’re enchanted by the picturesque campus and the chance to perform alongside their idols. When Ramona begins to receive threatening anonymous messages, it’s easy to dismiss them as a prank from a rival. Her bigger concern is Grace’s skyrocketing success, while Ramona struggles to keep up with the fierce competition. As the messages grow more unsettling, so does life at the Dollhouse. Can Ramona overcome her jealousy and resentment to figure out what’s really going on? Will Ivy finally find her voice, before another young performer follows her catastrophic path? With dark academia twists and enormous heart, The Dollhouse Academy is a novel about the complexities of friendship, our desire to be seen and understood, and the true cost of making our dreams a reality. A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.
Subjects: Audiobooks.; Contemporary Women; Suspense;
© 2025., Macmillan Audio,

Nightbitch / by Yoder, Rachel,1978-;
"An ambitious mother puts her art career on hold to stay at home with her newborn son, but the experience does not match her imagination. Two years later, she steps into the bathroom for a break from her toddler's demands, only to discover a dense patch of hair on the back of her neck. In the mirror, her canines suddenly look sharper than she remembers. Her husband, who travels for work five days a week, casually dismisses her fears from faraway hotel rooms. As the mother's symptoms intensify, and her temptation to give in to her new dog impulses peak, she struggles to keep her alter-canine-identity secret. Seeking a cure at the library, she discovers the mysterious academic tome which becomes her bible, A Field Guide to Magical Women: A Mythical Ethnography, and meets a group of mommies involved in a multilevel-marketing scheme who may also be more than what they seem. An outrageously original novel of ideas about art, power, and womanhood wrapped in a satirical fairy tale, Nightbitch will make you want to howl in laughter and recognition. And you should. You should howl as much as you want"--
Subjects: Humorous fiction.; Satirical literature.; Artists; Mothers; Shapeshifting; Stay-at-home mothers;

Cabin fever : the harrowing journey of a cruise ship at the dawn of a pandemic / by Smith, Michael(Journalist),author.; Franklin, Jonathan,1964-author.;
"A harrowing narrative of the Holland America cruise ship Zaandam, which set sail with a deadly and little-understood stowaway-Covid-19-days before the world shut down in March, 2020. In early 2020, the world was on edge. An ominous virus was spreading on different continents, and no one knew what the coming weeks would bring. Far from the hotspots, the cruise ship Zaandam, owned by Holland America, was preparing to sail from Buenos Aires, Argentina, loaded with 1,200 passengers-Americans, Europeans and South Americans, plus 600 crew. Most passengers were over the age of 65. There was concern about the virus on the news, and it had already killed and sickened passengers on other Holland America ships. But that was oceans away, and escaping to sea at the ends of the earth for a few weeks seemed like it might be a good option. The cruise line had said the voyage (three weeks around the South American coastline to see some of the most world's most stunning natural wonders and ancient ruins) would carry on as scheduled, with no refunds. And it would be safe. Cabin Fever is a riveting narrative thriller, taking readers behind the scenes of the ship's complex workings, and below decks into the personal lives of passengers and crew who were caught unprepared for the deadly ordeal that lay ahead. There is a retired American school superintendent on a dream vacation with his wife of 56 years, on a personal quest to see Machu Picchu. There is an Argentine psychologist taking this trip to celebrate her 64th birthday with her husband, though she finds herself fretting in her cabin on Day One, trying to dismiss her fears of what she's hearing on the news. There is an Indonesian laundry manager who's been toiling on Holland America cruise ships for thirty years, sending his monthly paycheck to his family back home. Within days, people aboard Zaandam begin to fall sick. The world's ports shut down. Zaandam becomes a top story on the news and is denied safe harbor everywhere. With only two doctors aboard and few medical supplies to test for or treat Covid-19, and with dwindling food and water, the ship wanders the oceans on an unthinkable journey"--
Subjects: Zaandam (Cruise ship); COVID-19 (Disease); COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-; Cruise ships.; Ships; Travel;

As we forgive others / by Peacock, Shane,author.;
"On a cold December day in a northern countryside, a strange woman appears on the doorstep of the farmhouse Hugh Mercer is renting, warning him that a local named Elizabeth Goode is about to vanish under mysterious circumstances. Despite her ominous pleas for help, the former NYPD detective remains too preoccupied with the past he's trying to escape back home in America and his affair with local police officer Alice Morrow. So, he simply dismisses the woman's dire prediction. But soon this strange woman's desperate concerns become reality - and Mercer begins to realize that there is more to the seemingly ordinary Alice and the easy-going northern town she's from. As Mercer and Alice work together to unravel this crime, they discover the dark history of all those involved and the desperation of those seeking revenge when forgiveness is not possible"--
Subjects: Detective and mystery fiction.; Novels.; Man-woman relationships; Missing persons; Policewomen; Revenge; Secrecy; Small cities;