Murder on Black Friday (Gilded Age Mysteries (Berkley))

Book Description

1869. Whip-smart Boston governess Nell Sweeney discovers that wealth and dark secrets go hand in hand when two of her employers' friends are found dead after the gold market crash.

Customer Reviews:

Engrossing historical mystery.......2007-03-08

Ryan's thorough research of the time period shines through. Her attention to detail provides the reader with an intimate understanding of the time period's social norms which plays squarely into the mystery at hand. The relationship between Will & Nell is a wonderful treat which will keep readers coming back for more.

4th entry in Gilded Age series another winner.......2006-08-15

Murder on Black Friday by P.B. Ryan is the 4th book in the Gilded Age series starring Boston governess Nell Sweeney and her beau Dr. Will Hewitt. In this book, two acquaintances of the Hewitt family appear to take their own lives after suffering huge losses in the gold crash of 1869, but Will has some questions about their deaths, and he asks Nell to help him investigate the mysterious deaths. As always Ryan weaves the chemistry between Nell and Will throughout the tale, deepening their relationship while the mystery deepens. Of course, Will has to strike his brother Harry at least once, which seems to have become one of the trademarks of the series. Ryan keeps her books short, for which I am normally grateful, but in this case, she could have added a little more, just a few more clues and scenes with the ultimate culprits of the crime. Ryan's post-antebellum Boston is a fascinating place, and I look forward to visiting it again soon.

Grand, As Always.......2005-11-02

I could focus on plot particulars, but I'll leave that to others, I'd rather tell you what keeps me coming back to this series, what keeps me on the alert for each new installment, it is quite simply the gifted and extraordinary writing of P.B. Ryan. She owns her characters and the details of 19th Boston, I feel immersed and surrounded by sights and smells I could not possibly know. I'm left wanting more and I feel ill equipped for the wait, I should scold myself for devouring each book in the series knowing there is not another new installment yet available. Ryan's writing jumps off the page and merges with my consciousness.

This time the final scene left me flushed and with a pounding heart, for that alone the book would have been worth the read. The excellent storytelling and vivid imagery are all the other reasons to throw yourself into this wonderful series. Though I witness Nell and Will's world without the confines of rigid propriety or the shackles of self-reproach, sometimes I apply my modern ideals and frustration rears its ugly head. Then my head clears and I realize they are well taken care of, in the hands of a more than capable writer, who is true to her craft, and letting the story unfold as it should.

The reader also gets to meet interesting, layered, and believable characters along the way, they are utterly human, and a higher compliment I could not imagine for what in the hands of a lesser talent could have been mere words on a page. The characters feel imbued with spirit and life; there is a definite 3-dimensional feel to them. Each novel gives us a glimpse into the best and basest of humanity, without a candy coating, without ever breaking away from societal particulars of late 19th century Boston.

Nell and Will are people I would love to know and I love visiting their world, seeing the possibility of what could be and feeling torn for all the reasons they believe it never can, but I am not worried I am prepared for the journey, and I get fantastic mysteries along the way, what could be better.

a very absorbing read.......2005-11-02

In this latest Nell Sweeney installment, P. B. Ryan uses the gold market crash of 1869 to fashion another skillfully straight forward yet wholly intriguing murder-mystery -- one that results in yet another utterly absorbing and compelling read.

The gold market crash on September 24th 1869 wiped out many fortune; so that not too many people are too surprised when they learn that Noah Basett (an impoverished Boston Brahmin) and Philip Munro (a brash, self made speculator and nouveau riche) are found dead that same day. Everyone assumes that both men committed suicide because of their losses. But Dr. William Hewitt, suspects otherwise -- especially in the case of Philip Munro. Currently teaching medical jurisprudence (forensic studies) at Harvard, William Hewitt performed the autopsies on both men. And his examinations have led him to believe that Philip Munro's death may actually be murder. Being a bit of a newcomer to Boston, William needs someone to help him gain easy entrance to the Brahmin Boston drawing rooms. Fortunately for him he knows he can count on the intelligent and intuitive Nell Sweeney to help him pave the way as well as get to the truth of what links Noah Basett's death to that of Philip Munro's, and to discover why Philip Munro was murdered and by whom...

So far, I've found every installment in the Nell Sweeney mystery series (set in Boston soon after the American Civil War) to be clever, well written and full of wonderful period detail and ambaince. P. B. Ryan is an excellent storyteller, and really knoew how to keep this reader's interest hooked. So that, while "Murder on a black Friday" had a rather uncomplicated storyline (unlike previous installments), the manner in which the author allowed for the plot to unfold really kept me glued to the pages -- I finished the book in one afternoon! Vivid and completely absorbing, "Murder on a black Friday" was a superb read and should not be missed, esp if you enjoy historical mysteries set in America during the Victorian period.

Customer Reviews:

casino is the BEST!!!.......2007-06-05

This is a great book that is certain fun for anyone who reads it! With multidimensional views, quirky characters, great analagies, and side splitting quotes, this book is guaranteed to make you laugh. I recommend reading all three books in order, to understand the characters better. The characters are like everyone you'll ever know, but put into words better than real life! They grow on you like old friends, with real personalities and minds of their own. the author weaves a hilarious story of Jady, who must have WAY to much time on his hands, and how he outwitts the council, Deludo, and social services... Look out Spawater HERE COMES JADY!!!:)

Heads I Win Tails You Lose: Psychology & Symbolisms of Gambling Games

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Heads I Win Tails You Lose: Psychology & Symbolisms of Gambling Games
Charlotte Olmsted
Manufacturer: Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NQM0CM

Heads I Win, Tails You Lose (Misadventures of Willie Plummett)

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Heads I Win, Tails You Lose (Misadventures of Willie Plummett)
Paul Buchanan , and Rod Randall
Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

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Heads I Win, Tails You Lose: The Misadventures of Willie Plummet

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Heads I Win, Tails You Lose: The Misadventures of Willie Plummet
Paul Buchanan , and Rod Randall
Manufacturer: Concordia Publishing House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 057005477X

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Heads You Win, Tails I Lose

Heads You Win Tails I Lose
Isabelle Holland
Manufacturer: Fawcett
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0449702707
Release Date: 1988-07-12

Customer Reviews:

Heads You Win, Tails I Lose.......2002-11-16

Mind you, I am not a scholar nor am I an expert at reviewing literature but this book made such an impression on me 25 years ago that as a woman approaching (rapidly) her forties, I am now in search of a copy to call my own.

This is a moving tale about the pressures society/family places on overweight adolescents. I laughed, I cried, and truly this book became a part of me. The story line is as complex as real life and deals with the futility and hopelessness of not conforming to the "norm"...and the lengths that some will go to just to be accepted. This is a story of a journey to self-acceptance. And this review was written by a bovolupus. You'll have to read the book to understand that.

Average customer rating:
Heads, I win; tails, you lose
Charlotte Olmsted
Manufacturer: MacMillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Gambling | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007DODIU

Average customer rating:

Truly chilling and exciting, but a little predictable

Fantasy with a personal touch--very good

Beware the Evil Twin!!
Shadowrun 39: Tails you Lose (Shadowrun)
Lisa Smedman
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Series | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Shadowrun 31: Technobabel (Shadowrun)

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Beyond the Pale (The Dragon Heart Saga - Shadowrun , No 3)

ASIN: 0451458184
Release Date: 2001-02-06

Product Description

Two Sides of the Same Coin When a shadowrunner managed to extract PCI's most vital employee, it was Alma's job as security expert to get him back - no matter the cost. But all the evidence pointed to the one person who couldn't have done it... herself. Branded a traitor, Alma has one shot at redemption: find the real culprit. But she's never faced an enemy like this one. This 'runner not only looks like Alma - she's also equipped with Alma's top-of-the-line cybernetic implants, and she's backed by the powerful magic of the Chinese underworld. Now, the expert in defense must attack - and risk it all to bring down a rival so much like herself that there can be only one shocking explanation...

Customer Reviews:

Truly chilling and exciting, but a little predictable.......2003-11-02

Nonstop action, the question of how sentient beings define themselves and the bloodlust for revenge ever present in Shadowrun books merge to form a true gem. Though the characters can be a bit stereotypical, there is a grain of ethical controversy behind the gunfire, screeching tires, and magic. Be careful how you judge some of these characters; there are a few powerful turnabouts.

Fantasy with a personal touch--very good.......2001-07-02

Alma has a problem--she has been framed for murder and has a ticking time bomb in her head. If she can't track down whoever set her up, her job will end terminally. Night Owl has a problem too. As a shadow runner, she has to deal with some pretty unsavory characters, but now she has three major gangs and corporate security pro Alma all after her.

Both Alma and Night Owl try to do good, but the two approach things from different angles. Night Owl sees evil everywhere she looks (and in the future dystopia of the Shadowrun world, this makes a lot of sense). Alma sees good. Of course the odds are that neither of them will get what they want with such powerful enemies after them.

Author Lisa Smedman hasn't written a big book about saving the universe--instead, the action is personal. Both Alma and Night Owl are admirable characters in their own way, but also intensely flawed. I found myself rooting for both of them although they are on opposite sides of the action.

Very nice.

Beware the Evil Twin!!.......2001-02-06

When a key employee is extracted, Alma Wei, a security specialist, finds herself in the middle of a baffling investigation. Worse, the victim is the researcher Alma needs to to repair some of her malfunctioning experimental implants. Despite her efforts the researcher turns up dead. And DNA evidence points to Alma herself as the shadowrunner who performed the extraction. Suddenly she only has a few days to find the real culprit before a cranial bomb is set off in her head.

Thus begins a story of two women, Alma herself, and Night Owl, the shadowrunner who killed the researcher. They were both members of the SuperKids, a specialised breeding experiment designed to create exceptionally talented individuals. When the experiment is broken up after eight years the children lose all contact with each other. The story expands to include several fixers and mages, various gangs, three dragons and an unusual financial advisor who lives in a condo beneath the ocean. The plot takes countless twists and turns before the truth is finally uncovered. If you miss a couple of early hints final section of the book will come as a real surprise.

This is Lisa Smedman's fifth book for the long-running Shadowrun series, and she is clearly comfortable in the intricate game world where both magic and advanced technology work. I have enjoyed the series for some time, since many of the authors who participated are quite exceptional. Smedman has done her best job to date. Hopefully, Shadowrun will continue to be on of the best game-based series.

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Heads I Win, Tails You Lose
John Harold
Manufacturer: The Book Guild Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0863328768

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Heads I Win, Tails You Lose
Barry Zalma
Manufacturer: ClaimSchool, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb
ASIN: 1884770118

Average customer rating:
"Heads I win, tails you lose"
Conrad Goeringer
Manufacturer: American Atheists
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B000735G04

Amazon.com

Fourteen-year-old Cody Pierce, a.k.a. the White Fox, is on a mission. After 18 months in the evil CCR (Confederation of Consolidated Republics) prison camp, Cody makes an ingenious escape and embarks on a plan to carry out his revenge and liberate the children remaining in the camp. The year is 2057, and the USA has been overcome by the brutal tactics of the CCR. But pockets of Americans are building up their strength (and arsenals of weapons), waiting for their chance to fight back. With the White Fox's brilliant, ethical (except when it comes to settling certain scores with CCR's particularly heinous leaders), military mind, the downtrodden Americans may just have a chance.

Intense, violent, and visual, Gary Paulsen's futuristic novel reads like a summertime blockbuster movie. There's even the slightest hint of future romance, with a girl named Rachel who Cody encounters in his escapades. The CCR is more than vaguely reminiscent of Americans' cold-war-era view of communist Russia's evil empire, with a bit of Nazism thrown in for good, wicked measure. Paulsen is the extremely prolific and distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books, including three Newbery Honor titles: Hatchet, Dog Song, and The Winter Room. As a movie, this one might be rated PG13. (Ages 10 to 14) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

The year is 2057. Endless wars have torn the USA apart and enslaved Americans to the CCR, the Confederation of Consolidated Republics. Growing up in the wasteland of war has made 14-year-old Cody Pierce wise in survival skills, and now he's the White Fox, rebel leader of the children's barracks in a CCR prison camp. Once he escapes, life with the underground teaches him new skills in weaponry and strategy as he plays cat-and-mouse with the CCR. Every day brings him closer to capture, as well as to his goal: to return and liberate the children he left behind.

Customer Reviews:

white fox chroniclers.......2007-01-18

Gary Paulsen the white fox chronicles (escape)

There are two main characters in the story Tony and Cody aka white fox. Cody is a 15 year old boy that was captured by the CCRS. Tony is a pilot that was shot down then captured by the CCRS. The plot of the story is that Cody must break out and go with Tony to the rebel base hidden in mountains with info on the CCRS base so the rebels can attack it. The setting of the story is in the future in the year 2049 when a group called the CCRS takes over the world. When they took over the world they launched missiles all over the USA. Many people died and the armed forces taken over. The ones that where left are the rebels they are made up mostly of what is left of the armed forces. They are all over the world trying to take back the USA. The theme of the story is future, war, and action. I liked this story because it never got boring and was always filled with action and you want to keep reading to find out what happens next. There are also two other books that go along with it Return and Breakout

white fox chroniclers.......2007-01-18

Escape, return, destroy.......2006-02-11

The book that I read was The White Fox Chronicles written by Gary Paulsen. This book s about a 14 year old boy named John that got caught by the CCR (a government that is taking over the United States that is very cruel) and got sent to a big prison camp where he stays for four years. He finally plans to escape with his friend Jason. They did get outside the gates but that's when Jason got shot and died but John kept running and he got away. Now he has joined with the Americans that are left to destroy the CCR. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action books that you can't put down. I liked this book because I like action books and I really like Gary Paulsen's style of writing. The only part of this book that I disliked was the beginning because it started really slow.

SB ranire.......2006-01-26

The Chronicles of White Fox
By Gary Paulsen
Reviewed by Sachidnra Bhagat

In the novel, The Chronicles of White Fox, by Gary Paulsen, we meet Cody Peirce, a teen age boy that is captured by the CCR and is trapped in one of their prison camps. This book is about a kid names Cody. He is also known as the White Fox. He got the nickname white fox because he is slick. He is a bold and brave person, who craves the need for escaping. He escapes and tries to come back to save his people. But the way back he gets whipped and hit by a bomb explosion. Also he meets an old friend named Franklin and his squad. The squad is called the G Company. After the explosion he is found lying on the ground, not moving. Will Cody wake up? Will he make it back in time to save his people? Or will they all die?

There is no suspense at all. If you're looking a book with suspense this isn't the book for you. I don't like it. However, if you're looking for a thriller that is action packed this is the book for you.

SK Mrs. Raniere Period 2 .......2006-01-25

The Chronicles of White Fox
By Gary Paulsen

The novel, the Chronicles of White Fox by Gary Paulsen, takes place in 2098 when the USA has been taken over a foreign country. They own 75% of the USA, mostly by the west coast. White Fox is in a militia camp captured by the enemy. He is the trusted man but in secret he is creating an escape plan for him and one other person. So one day a US pilot is captured and she was tortured of the information she holds. White Fox Plans to Escape. Will he?

When I was looking on the shelf this book caught my eye. After reading the introduction, I thought of reading this book. This book is in a series of three books all three are very good. I liked that the suspense doesn't end from when he escapes the base to the end. I did not like how each book he ends you on a bed. I would recommend this book to a person who likes suspense and likes adventures books.

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Soul Eater
Michelle Paver
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B000JLTCAY

Average customer rating:

Delicious

Good Stuff

Yummy recipes; beautiful book; a little pedantic

Great!

Not One Bad Recipe

Vegetarian Sandwiches: Fresh Fillings for Slices, Pockets, Wraps, and Rolls
Paulette Mitchell
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Vegetables & Vegetarian | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Sandwiches (Quick & Easy Series) (Quick & Easy (Silverback))

ASIN: 0811825019

Book Description

Goodbye, peanut butter and jelly! In this lively, easy-to-use cookbook, author Paulette Mitchell shares 75 recipes for delicious, healthy hand-held meals that will satisfy both vegetarians and omnivores alike. Think a veggie sandwich is just cheese and sprouts? Think again. Try brown-bagging it with Mexican Black-Bean Pitas, wowing a dinner party with elegant Pear Crostini, or satisfying a hungry crowd with Eggplant Parmesan Poor Boys. Plus, youÕll find great sandwich accompaniments such as Herbed Fresh Tomato-Carrot Soup and Potato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette. From tofu and tempeh to fresh veggies and grains, Vegetarian Sandwiches is a must-have for the lunchbox set.

Customer Reviews:

Delicious.......2007-08-01

This is a great little book - full of commonsense ideas for vegetarian fillings and delicious different fillings as well. I really like it and am glad I bought it.

Good Stuff.......2005-10-02

This recipe book is beautifully done, easy to read, and the pictures are great, too. I've only made one recipe - the Sweet Potato and Avacado Sandwich- easy to make and waaayyyy delicious!

Yummy recipes; beautiful book; a little pedantic.......2003-05-26

This is my second Paulette Mitchell book, and if you're an unsophisticated cook I'm sure the "Tips" she puts on every page will be helpful. I often find them somewhat patronizing, however - defining roma tomatoes, or describing spinach (!), or saying freshly ground pepper is better than pre-ground (well, duh), for example - really basic things like that. She seems to assume her readers are novices, as she did in her book "The 15-Minute Vegetarian Gourmet." Her recipes are great, though, and more sophisticated than her writing and those in her previous book. This book is gorgeous, and as a vegetarian I am always on the hunt for creative lunch ideas. She also has great ideas for preparing your pantry so you always have ingredients on hand to use in these recipes. All in all, a winner.

Great!.......2003-01-20

I had been looking for a book like this for awhile since on the weekends I like to throw together something for lunch but had been running out of ideas. This book got me going again. I love it! Everything I've tried has been great - vegetarians and non have liked everything I've made so far. There are some great spreads in here like the basil pesto, the hummus, the herb butter, the mushroom with almond spread, etc. These can be slathered on the bread and then just add veggies to that or you can do some of the full sandwiches like the Sweet Potato and Avocado sandwich, the grilled eggplant with olive/tomato spread sandwich, the dilled egg salad sandwich, veggie melts etc. Thumbs up on this one!

Not One Bad Recipe.......2001-10-09

In any cookbook, even the good ones, you can usually expect a few mediocre or outright terrible recipes. Not so with "Vegetarian Sandwiches." Every recipe I've tried is excellent. And best of all, the recipes are easy, quick and the ingredients are easy to find. Delicious!

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