Books listed in this issue of Talking Book Topics were recently sent to cooperating libraries. The complete collection contains books by many authors on fiction and nonfiction subjects, including biographies, classics, gothics, mysteries, romances, and others. Contact your cooperating library to learn more about the wide range of books available in the collection. Cassette books are labeled with the code RC and play at 15/16 ips. To order books, contact your cooperating library.
Note: For the information of the reader, a notice may appear immediately following the book description to indicate occurrences of strong language, explicit descriptions of sex, or violence. The word "some" before any of these terms indicates an occasional or infrequent occurrence, as in "some strong language."
The Strange Proposal RC 40954
by Grace Livingston Hill
read by Jeanne Evans
2 cassettes (Reissue)
John Saxon takes time off from his medical studies to be best
man for Jeff Wainwright's wedding. During the ceremony, John
falls in love at first sight with the maid of honor, whom he has
been told is Helen Foster, a good Christian woman. He blurts out
a proposal to her before leaving. Once on the train, John looks
at the card she gave him and realizes there had been a
substitution: the girl he fell for is Jeff's cousin, heiress
Mary Elizabeth Wainwright. 1935.
The Last Lawmen RC 40977
by Jack Cummings
read by Phil Regensdorf
1 cassette
Two Arizona Rangers strive to tame the lawless frontier in 1903.
Rangers Wes Barnes and Jake Kenton, uneasy partners with
conflicting views on the use of deadly force, separate and
become enemies. Wild chases and gun battles ensue. 1994.
A Piece of Justice RC 41567
by Jill Paton Walsh
read by June Carter
2 cassettes
Cambridge University nurse Imogen Quy, from The Wyndham Case
(RC 38919), becomes involved in another mystery. Her lodger,
student Fran Bullion, has been asked to write a biography of a
Cambridge mathematician, Gideon Summerfield. Although
Summerfield appears to have been a bit of a bore, each of his
previous biographers has mysteriously died or disappeared.
Imogen's own project, quiltmaking, provides an intriguing clue.
1995.
The Carousel RC 41818
by Rosamunde Pilcher
read by Mimi Bederman
1 cassette
A contemporary romance set in a seaside town in Cornwall. While
visiting a beloved aunt, Prue falls in love with the most
interesting man she's ever met, an unpredictable artist named
Daniel who sowed considerable wild oats in his youth. Prue also
forms an attachment to a poor little rich girl who, she learns
to her astonishment, is one of Daniel's offspring. 1982.
Spite Fences RC 41946
by Trudy Krisher
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
Maggie Pugh, thirteen, lives in Kinship, Georgia, where in 1960
there are racially segregated parks, lunch counters, and
bathrooms. Maggie is good friends with Zeke, a black man who
peddles goods in Kinship. When Zeke is brutally beaten, life
changes dramatically for Maggie, who is no stranger to abuse.
She uses the camera given her by Zeke to record the truth.
Violence. For junior and senior high readers. 1994.
RL's Dream RC 41947
by Walter Mosley
read by Chuck Young
2 cassettes
Old bluesman Soupspoon has had a lifetime of pain. He grew up in
the Jim Crow South, has now been evicted from his New York
apartment, and has cancer. His free-spirited neighbor, Kiki, who
has her own pain, takes him in and a relationship of compassion
and caring begins. As Soupspoon gets stronger, he tells his
story in the music and words of blues greats, starting with R.L.
Johnson. Violence, strong language, and explicit descriptions of
sex. 1995.
The Ballad of the Sad Café and Other
Stories RC 41948
by Carson McCullers
read by Barbara Rappaport
1 cassette
Collection of short stories about human relationships by the
Southern author. The title novella relates the story of a
café that enlivens a small town and of a stranger who
brings love. The other selections include
"Wunderkind," "The Jockey," "Madame
Zilensky and the King of Finland," "The
Sojourner," "A Domestic Dilemma," and "A
Tree - a Rock - a Cloud." 1951.
Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories and
Other Disasters RC 41950
by Jean Shepherd
read by Michael Kramer
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Shepherd recalls humorous episodes about growing up in the
northern Indiana steel town of Hohman. When the hillbilly Bumpus
family and their 745 dogs move in next door, a stolen Easter ham
results in a Shepherd-Bumpus feud. Later, spiffed-up Jean with
his seven-pound pompadour goes on a disastrous date with a
wealthy classmate. But he manages to top that with a drunken
junior prom fiasco. Strong language. 1971.
Farewell, My Lovely RC 41976
by Raymond Chandler
read by Conrad Feininger
2 cassettes
Los Angeles in the 1930s. A redheaded warbler named Velma is the
only connection hard-boiled investigator Philip Marlowe has to
Moose Malloy. Malloy is six feet five inches tall, about as wide
as a beer truck, and wanted for murder. The trail to Malloy is
strewn with cops and dames and leads right through the gambling
rackets. Violence and strong language. 1940.
Missing Angel Juan RC 41977
by Francesca Lia Block
read by Jennifer Mendenhall
2 cassettes
Suddenly Angel Juan is leaving for New York to find his own
music. He doesn't want Witch Baby to write his songs, and she is
afraid he doesn't want her around at all. But he is her soul
mate, and she goes to dark, dangerous New York to find him.
There the spirit of Charlie Bat helps her to learn about holding
on and holding within. Sequel to Cherokee Bat and the Goat
Guys (RC 37032). Some descriptions of sex. For senior high
and older readers. 1993.
The Book of Daniel RC 41978
by E.L. Doctorow
read by Ray Hagen
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Paralleling the real-life story of the Rosenberg espionage case,
this novel tells of a young man whose parents are executed
during the cold war for conspiring to steal atomic secrets for
Russia. He portrays the Isaacson family before, during, and
after his parents' arrest, trial, and execution. Some strong
language. 1971.
Apprentice to the Sea: A Tom Chatto Adventure RC
41979
by Philip McCutchan
read by John Lescault
2 cassettes
McCutchan begins a series with this account of Tom Chatto,
almost seventeen and fresh from West Ireland, who signs on as an
apprentice aboard the Pass of Drumochter. On his first
trip to sea, Tom must deal with an aging but fair captain, a
brutal first mate, and a stowaway who proves to be a murderer.
He also quickly learns the value of what is termed
"jodurecom"--job, duty, responsibility, and command.
1994.
Mirrorshades: The Cyberpunk Anthology RC 42197
edited by Bruce Sterling
read by Gary Telles
2 cassettes
Twelve stories of Cyberpunk science fiction, a genre that mixes
high-tech science with streetwise pop culture to create
nightmarish futures. Includes "The Gernsback
Continuum" by William Gibson, "Snake-Eyes" by Tom
Maddox, "Rock On" by Pat Cadigan, "Petra" by
Greg Bear, and "Mozart in Mirrorshades" by Bruce
Sterling and Lewis Shiner. Strong language, violence, and
explicit descriptions of sex. 1986.
Dance of Death RC 43224
by P.N. Elrod
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes
In this sequel to Death Masque (RC 43223), Jonathan
Barrett has grown used to his abilities and needs as a vampire.
Now he finds a most engaging four-year-old boy who is his
image--and his own son. When his enemies try to use his
affection for the lad against him, Jonathan invokes his immortal
powers. Descriptions of sex. 1996.
Cold Light RC 43515
by John Harvey
read by Steven Crossley
2 cassettes
Detective Charlie Resnick is harried with the usual Christmas
crime wave, when a social worker is reported missing. The
evidence points to a psychopathic kidnapper, and Resnick is off
on a race against time to find the victim. A British police
procedural. Strong language. 1994.
Short Stories RC 43646
by Langston Hughes
read by Chuck Young
2 cassettes
Forty-seven short stories by the noted African American author
originally written between 1919 and 1963. The tales, arranged in
chronological order, include those previously uncollected, such
as his first stories (written while in high school) and other
early works published in African American journals. Some strong
language. 1996.
Out of the Shelter RC 43687
by David Lodge
read by George Holmes
2 cassettes
A coming-of-age story based on the author's teen years during
and after World War II. Having survived bombing and privation in
wartime Britain, he stays with his older sister in
American-occupied Germany, where he experiences a world of
abundance and glamor that changes him forever. Strong language
and descriptions of sex. 1985.
Somewhere East of Life RC 43855
by Brian Aldiss
read by Andrew Seear
4 cassettes
British architectural expert Roy Burnell, whose work takes him
around the world, is vacationing in Budapest. Rogue
neurosurgeons steal part of his memory and sell choice bits on
the black market, where experiencing other people's lives is the
latest entertainment craze. Burnell seeks to recover his memory.
Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 1994.
The Lions of Al-Rassan RC 43861
by Guy Gavriel Kay
read by Ed Blake
4 cassettes
In a tale evocative of medieval Spain, two exiled military
leaders of rival religious kingdoms become allies and friends. A
woman doctor falls in love with both men. When political events
pit the two warriors against each other, love and loyalty is
tested in a climactic holy war. Violence and descriptions of
sex. 1995.
All the Winters That Have Been RC 43884
by Evan Maxwell
read by Jeff Baker
1 cassette
Dane Corvin returns to the Pacific Northwest to tend his dying
uncle and to resolve the rift that separated him from his lover,
Helen Raven, twenty years ago. In a bittersweet reunion, Helen
reveals that Dane is the father of her son. Strong language and
descriptions of sex. 1995.
Dreams of Eagles RC 44012
by William W. Johnstone
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
In this sequel to Eyes of Eagles (RC 44011), Jamie
MacCallister and his wife settle with friends on virgin Colorado
land in 1837. The pioneers face privation and the dangers of an
untamed West as they struggle to survive and to forge a life on
the plains. Strong language and violence. 1994.
The Complete Short Stories of Mark Twain RC 44119
by Mark Twain
read by L.J. Ganser
6 cassettes (Reissue)
Sixty stories filled with folklore and wit that span Twain's
entire writing career and are arranged chronologically by
publishing date from 1865 through 1916. Some entries, like
"The Trials of Simon Erikson" and four other stories
from Roughing It (RC 12437), are fictional yarns
extracted from nonfiction works. Includes an introduction by
editor Charles Neider. 1957.
Watery Grave RC 44124
by Bruce Alexander
read by George Holmes
2 cassettes
In 1767 Josiah Markham, captain of a British frigate, falls
overboard and drowns in the Indian Ocean. When the ship returns
to England, the acting captain accuses another officer of
murdering Markham. Blind magistrate Sir John Fielding probes the
matter. 1996.
Charity RC 44125
by Len Deighton
read by Graeme Malcolm
2 cassettes
This sequel to Hope (RC 44118) finds British agent
Bernard Samson inquiring into the mysterious death of his
sister-in-law, which occurred at the time his spy-wife was
brought back from East Germany. Samson overcomes official
resistance to his inquiry and uncovers a plot that causes him to
doubt the system he serves. 1996.
A Regular Guy RC 44127
by Mona Simpson
read by Barbara Caruso
3 cassettes
When Tom and Mary Owens decide to split, Mary takes daughter
Jane to a commune, while Tom strikes it rich in biotechnology.
At the age of ten, Jane is dispatched to live with her wealthy
dad. Then Tom's fortunes fail, and he comes to a new
understanding of love and family. Descriptions of sex and some
strong language. 1996.
Vegas Heat RC 44138
by Fern Michaels
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
The story of the Thornton family continues in 1980 as Fanny
Thornton, divorced from Ash, marries his twin, Simon. But
Fanny's life remains in turmoil, as her marriage to Simon
estranges her from the rest of her family. She also finds
herself struggling to save Babylon when Ash becomes fatally ill.
Sequel to Vegas Rich (RC 44137). Some strong language and
some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1997.
The Persian Boy RC 44166
by Mary Renault
read by David Hartley-Margolin
4 cassettes (Reissue)
A beautiful slave boy is given as a peace offering by the
Persian king to Alexander the Great, and their meeting develops
into a love that lasts until Alexander's death. Descriptions of
sex and some violence. 1972.
A Light in the Window: The Mitford Years, Volume 2 RC
44195
by Jan Karon
read by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes
Father Tim has returned from his two-month visit to Ireland and
finds much in the Southern village of Mitford the same. His
neighbor Cynthia still has a special place in his heart, but he
just can't seem to commit himself to her. And a wealthy widow is
chasing after him. Sequel to At Home in Mitford (RC
44194). 1995.
These High, Green Hills: The Mitford Years, Volume 3 RC
44196
by Jan Karon
read by Gary Tipton
3 cassettes
Now married, Father Tim and Cynthia are settling down in the
rectory. Cynthia's cottage next door will be kept for her work
and private retreats. In the Southern village of Mitford, life
goes on. Dooley adjusts to prep school, Father Tim's housekeeper
has twins, and Emma's clerical skills prove enormous. Sequel to
A Light in the Window (RC 44195). 1996.
Tales of the South Pacific RC 44249
by James A. Michener
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Nineteen World War II tales that won the Pulitzer Prize. They
describe the strain and the boredom, the careful planning and
heroic action, the color and beauty of the islands, and all that
made up life during the critical days of the war in the Pacific.
Strong language. 1947.
Love's Silent Song: Love Is a Gentle Stranger, Volume 2 RC
44256
by June Master Bacher
read by Janis Gray
2 cassettes
Following their double wedding, Chris Beth and Joe and Vangie
and Wilson wonder what the future holds. Can their small
community support a minister, or will the families be separated?
As they pray for guidance, they must also endure several plagues
that strike their town. Sequel to Love Is a Gentle Stranger
(RC 44252). 1983.
Mortal Fear RC 44276
by Greg Iles
read by Christopher Walker
4 cassettes
When author Karin Wheat is murdered, Harper Cole calls the
police. Karin was a participant in the sexually explicit online
service that Harper helps operate. He suspects that four other
clients who mysteriously stopped participating may also have met
gruesome ends. And he thinks he knows who did it. Strong
language, violence, and explicit descriptions of sex. 1997.
The Discovery of Heaven RC 44282
by Harry Mulisch
read by Christopher Hurt
5 cassettes
A philosophical tale that traces the lives and thoughts of two
improbable friends, astronomer Max and linguist Onno, over
thirty years. The son that Max fathers with Onno's wife is
actually God's emissary, who is sent into the world to recover
the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments after God's contract
with man has failed. Strong language. 1996.
The Echo RC 44313
by Minette Walters
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
2 cassettes
Wealthy architect Amanda Powell discovers that homeless Billy
Blake has died in her garage. Journalist Michael Deacon is
puzzled by Powell's interest in Blake, especially after learning
her husband has been missing for five years. He teams up with an
odd colleague and with a friend of Blake's to find out more
about the man. Some strong language. 1997.
That Hideous Strength RC 44320
by C.S. Lewis
read by Graeme Malcolm
3 cassettes (Reissue)
This sequel to Perelandra (RC 23329) finds rival
professors Ransom and Weston at Bracton College, as members of
an evil technocratic society are planning to
"recondition" mankind with the aid of the resurrected
wizard Merlin. Ransom leads an opposition group in a climactic
clash with the forces of evil. 1945.
Postern of Fate RC 44323
by Agatha Christie
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, new residents of a charming old
dream house, find a chilling message about the murder of a
former resident stuck in a book. The solution to the ancient
crime lies behind a dreaded gate known as the Postern of Fate.
Bestseller 1973.
The Dreadful Lemon Sky RC 44341
by John D. MacDonald
read by John Stratton
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Soon after Travis McGee's old friend Carrie Milligan entrusts
him with an unexplained bag of cash, she dies suspiciously. When
McGee sets out to find the truth about the money and Carrie's
death, he is led into a sordid world of blackmail, corruption,
and personal peril. Includes new introduction by Carl Hiassen to
this 1974 mystery. Strong language, violence, and descriptions
of sex. 1995.
The Shadow Man RC 44369
by John Katzenbach
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
When his neighbor, a Holocaust survivor, is found murdered,
retired Miami detective Simon Winter joins the investigation and
tracks the elusive Shadow Man, who betrayed his own people
during the war and now stalks them in their retirement. Strong
language, violence, and descriptions of sex. 1995.
Hiwassee: A Novel of the Civil War RC 44371
by Charles F. Price
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette
A North Carolina mountain family struggles against marauding
bands of Yankee partisans who run amok in the Civil War South.
While the parents and daughters defend their homestead and
harbor a battle-wounded son, his brothers are away fighting to
preserve the waning Confederacy. Strong language and violence.
1996.
Jazz RC 44374
by Toni Morrison
read by Camille McCurty Ali
2 cassettes
Joe, a middle-aged salesman, kills his teenaged mistress. His
wife goes berserk at the funeral and attempts to mutilate the
corpse. Against the steady pulse of Harlem in the 1920s, the
storyteller improvises on the passionate and tragic themes of
these three characters. Past and present voices, like jazz,
share the spotlight and fade out. Some strong language.
Bestseller 1992.
Middle Son RC 44379
by Deborah Iida
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
The story of a Japanese family with three sons on a Hawaiian
sugar plantation. The youngest son is given to childless
relatives and the eldest boy drowns, leaving their mother
distraught. As his mother lies dying, the middle son reveals the
truth of his brother's death and the tragic consequences of
custom and tradition. 1996.
Last Comes the Egg RC 44380
by Bruce Duffy
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
After his mother's sudden death, twelve-year-old Frank Dougherty
seeks from friends the intimacy that he lacks with his troubled
father. With two other boys, Frank heads south in a stolen car
on a coming-of-age quest that involves sex and danger. Strong
language. 1997.
Winds of Fate: The Mage Winds, Book 1 RC 44392
by Mercedes Lackey
read by Madelyn Buzzard
3 cassettes
Lackey returns to her kingdom of Valdemar with this account of
Herald Elspeth's search for a mage who can teach her both to use
and to deflect the power of magic in order to save her country
from Ancar of Hardorn. Prequel to Winds of Change (RC
44393). Strong language, some violence, and some
descriptions of sex. 1991.
A Book of Common Prayer RC 44419
by Joan Didion
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
A contemporary American woman who has survived two disastrous
marriages becomes caught in the inner conflicts of the
aristocracy of a Central American country. Some strong language.
1977.
Absolutely, Positively RC 44426
by Jayne Ann Krentz
read by Nanette Savard
2 cassettes
Molly Abberwick, sole trustee of a foundation that supports
inventors, hires Harry Trevelyan as a consultant. Molly is on
the verge of firing him when he shocks her by suggesting they
have an affair. Considering her options, she finds that Harry is
not as unreasonable as he appears. Some strong language and some
explicit descriptions of sex. 1996.
Whispers of Moonlight: Rocky Mountain Memories, Book 2 RC
44429
by Lori Wick
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
In this sequel to Where the Wild Rose Blooms (RC 44430),
Jackie Fontaine's marriage to Clayton Taggart brings them into
contact with Travis Buchanan, a good friend of Jackie's
brother-in-law, Robert Langley. Travis is a very troubled man
who married his boss's daughter, only to have her disappear a
week after the wedding. 1996.
Where the Wild Rose Blooms: Rocky Mountain Memories, Book 1
RC 44430
by Lori Wick
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Morgan Fontaine, his wife, and his five daughters move to
Colorado to go into business with his brother. They quickly
settle into the community and the eldest daughter marries. But
her sister Jackie finds herself at odds with young Clayton
Taggart. Resolving their differences, they eventually plan to
marry until an accident intervenes. Prequel to Whispers of
Moonlight (RC 44429). 1996.
Unfinished Cathedral RC 44433
by T.S. Stribling
read by Ilona Dulaski
3 cassettes
Sequel to The Store (RC 43211). Amidst a backdrop of
rising prosperity for the emerging middle class of the 1920s,
Jerry Catlin, a Methodist minister and nephew of Colonel
Miltiades Vaiden, struggles to create a cathedral in the town of
Florence, Alabama. Strong language. 1934.
Three to Get Deadly RC 44434
by Janet Evanovich
read by Dani Carr
2 cassettes
In this sequel to Two for the Dough (RC 42474), bounty
hunter Stephanie Plum is dismayed to be assigned to pick up a
neighborhood favorite, candy store owner Mo Bedemier. Mo was
arrested for "carrying concealed." Although this crime
is common in Trenton, Mo has gone into hiding. Strong language,
some violence, and some descriptions of sex. 1997.
The Lonely Lady RC 44451
by Harold Robbins
read by Barbara Pinolini
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Relates the life of JeriLee Randall, a small-town girl, from
child to woman and from actress to bestselling author. An early
marriage to a brilliant older playwright fails, but JeriLee
finds success through perseverance and determination. Strong
language and explicit descriptions of sex. 1976.
Barking at a Fox-Fur Coat RC 44471
by Donald Davis
read by Robert Sams
2 cassettes
A noted storyteller shares seventeen homespun yarns from rural
North Carolina. Blending oral tradition and creative fiction,
the stories recount the humorous antics of crafty Uncle Frank, a
master of practical jokes and tall tales. 1990.
Let Us Prey RC 44472
by Dorothy Eden
read by Vanessa Maroney
2 cassettes
Antonia Webb thought she was going to New Zealand to celebrate
the wedding of her cousin Simon Mildmay to Iris Matthews and to
gain her small inheritance from their Aunt Laura. But before she
completes her journey, Antonia begins receiving strange
messages, and even more bizarre things happen when she reaches
her destination. 1952.
Summit RC 44517
by D.M. Thomas
read by John Horton
1 cassette
An adult fairy tale intended as a satirical coda to Ararat
(RC 19387), Swallow (RC 38668), and Sphinx (RC
44511). A summit conference is the setting for a meeting
between the Soviet premier and an ailing actor who has become
president of the United States. Strong language and descriptions
of sex. 1987.
Cain His Brother RC 44539
by Anne Perry
read by James DeLotel
3 cassettes
Genevieve Stonefield, whose kind and considerate husband of
fourteen years has disappeared, believes that his violent and
outcast twin has murdered him. She has come to William Monk for
help. But in searching out clues, Victorian detective Monk
almost destroys his own name and reputation. 1995.
Danger Zones RC 44540
by Sally Beauman
read by Madelyn Buzzard
4 cassettes
The disappearance of two teenage girls in rural England prompts
reporter Rowland McGuire to investigate. His probe leads him
into the sordid world of high fashion to uncover a drug
conspiracy involving the world's premier couturier. Strong
language, violence, and descriptions of sex. 1996.
White Widow RC 44546
by Jim Lehrer
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
When Trailways driver Jack Oliver is recognized as a master
operator for his career performance, he savors his life's
success. Then he becomes obsessed with a mysterious passenger, a
beautiful "white widow," who drives him to distraction
and eventually to disaster. Strong language. 1996.
Indian Killer RC 44550
by Sherman Alexie
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
Adopted as an infant by white parents, John Smith grows up
dispossessed of his Native American heritage and identity. When
an elusive serial killer stalks and scalps white men around
Seattle, the focus falls on Smith as a prime suspect. Strong
language, violence, and descriptions of sex. 1996.
Cleopatra Gold RC 44555
by William J. Caunitz
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
Alejandro Monahan is an undercover cop working as a nightclub
singer. His father was killed several years ago by the Cleopatra
drug network, and since then Monahan has worked his way into the
syndicate so he can avenge his father's death. When three cops
are killed, Monahan swings into action, unaware that narcotics
has also sent in a female undercover cop. Strong language, some
violence, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 1993.
Jackson RC 44557
by Max Byrd
read by Jack Fox
3 cassettes
A fictional portrayal of the political life and times of Andrew
Jackson. In 1828 President Jackson's political adversaries
commission David Chase to write a biography aimed at damaging
Jackson's reelection prospects. Chase experiences a crisis of
conscience as sensitive facts emerge. Strong language. 1997.
The Man Who Loved Children RC 44559
by Christina Stead
read by Mitzi Friedlander
4 cassettes (Reissue)
Classic story of hypocrisy and evil that probes human nature.
Egocentric Sam Pollit, a government scientist; his careworn
second wife, Henny; and six children are the characters in this
family tragedy. Originally published in 1940. 1995.
The Death of an Ardent Bibliophile RC 44570
by Bartholomew Gill
read by Andy Chappell
2 cassettes
When the curator of prestigious Marsh's Library is found naked
and dead among his books, detective Peter McGarr investigates.
In the course of his probe, McGarr discovers a bizarre world of
literary pornography, avarice, and murder. Strong language and
violence. 1995.
Winter of Fire RC 44571
by Sherryl Jordan
read by Ann Hodapp
2 cassettes
On a cold, sunless world, Elsha grows up a child of the Quelled,
a race of slaves ruled over by the Chosen. But Elsha has strange
visions and a strength of spirit that set her apart from the
others, and she becomes the key to the future survival of her
people and her planet. For junior and senior high and older
readers. 1992.
Nebula Awards 31: SFWA's Choices for the Best Science Fiction
and Fantasy of the Year RC 44618
edited by Pamela Sargent
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Includes the 1995 Nebula Award winners for novella, novelette,
and short story as well as some of the runner-ups. Also includes
memorials to John Brunner and Roger Zelazny, a tribute to A.E.
Van Vogt, the Rhysling Award winners for poetry, and a list of
films. General information on the Nebula Awards is given in
articles, essays, and appendixes. Some strong language. 1997.
Carnival of Saints RC 44620
by George Herman
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
In 1502 Renaissance Italy, a mysterious vagabond and an aging
prostitute form a motley troupe of itinerant actors. As their
satirical plays are cheered by the masses, the players find
themselves increasingly imperiled by intrigues of church and
state. Violence and descriptions of sex. 1994.
Orion RC 44641
by Ben Bova
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
John O'Ryan saves a beautiful woman from a terrorist's bomb in a
Manhattan restaurant. Thus he begins an extraordinary adventure
to combat the great enemy of humankind, an adventure that takes
him through time and space from the Stone Age of the
Neanderthals to a future Earth on the brink of nuclear
annihilation. Prequel to Vengeance of Orion (RC 44642).
Violence and some strong language. 1984.
Sailing Bright Eternity RC 44648
by Gregory Benford
read by John Polk
3 cassettes
Nigel Walmsley of the twentieth century meets Toby Bishop and
the last remnants of humanity in a far-future space-time shelter
at the galactic center. Here they prepare for the final battle
with the implacable mechs, who are determined to obliterate all
traces of humankind. Sequel to Furious Gulf (RC 42137).
1995.
The Morrow Anthology of Great Western Short Stories RC
44649
edited by Jon Tuska and Vicki Piekarski
read by Roy Avers
5 cassettes
This collection of twenty-eight western short stories from the
1920s-1990s includes works by renowned writers such as Zane
Grey, Max Brand, Conrad Richter, Alan LeMay, and Cherry Wilson,
as well as contemporary tales by Richard Wheeler, Ernest Haycox,
and Cynthia Haseloff. Some strong language. 1997.
Yon Ill Wind RC 44655
by Piers Anthony
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Wanting to become the top demon of his realm, Xanth accepts a
wager with unusual restrictions. Now called Nimby and with the
body of a dragon and the head of an ass, he must remain
incognito, speak only once, remain with the first creature he
meets, and make that creature shed one tear. His task is
complicated when a hurricane blows a human family into his
realm. 1996.
Blind Spot RC 44660
by Adam Barrow
read by Barry Bernson
2 cassettes
Marshall Quinn is dozing at the Chicago planetarium when his
three-year-old son, Jeff, is snatched from the seat beside him.
As the kidnappers complete an "adoption" with an
unsuspecting couple, Marshall gives up on police help and
frantically searches for the boy himself. Strong language and
some violence. 1997.
Sweet Awakening RC 44662
by Marjorie Farrell
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
2 cassettes
Lord Giles Whitton and his twin, Lady Sabrina, first met Lady
Clare Dysart when they were thirteen and Clare was ten. Now,
eight years later, everyone expects Giles and Clare to marry,
but having received no declaration of love from Giles, Clare
marries Lord Justin Rainsborough. Justin soon reveals a violent
side. Some descriptions of sex. 1995.
Father and Son RC 44664
by Larry Brown
read by Fred Major
2 cassettes
After serving a prison term for homicide, Glen Davis returns to
his Mississippi hometown looking to settle some old wrongs. When
Davis finds that his girlfriend has taken up with the sheriff
who sent him to prison, Davis commits a vile act of revenge that
turns fatal. Strong language, violence, and descriptions of sex.
1996.
Imagine Love RC 44666
by Katherine Stone
read by Sharon Murray
4 cassettes
Cole and Claire are singing partners who dream of a life
together, but the brutal death of Cole's father drives Cole
away. When Cole--now famous--returns home twelve years later, he
finds he still cares for Claire and invites her to London. There
they become involved in a bizarre murder plot involving Claire's
former pen pal. Strong language. 1996.
The Case of the Hesitant Hostess RC 44668
by Earl Stanley Gardner
read by Brian Conn
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Perry Mason agrees to defend penniless ex-salesman Albert Brogan
against a charge of armed robbery. But at the last minute,
Perry's star witness, nightclub hostess Inez Kaylor, fails to
appear. To make matters worse, an additional accusation of
murder is levelled against his client. A Perry Mason mystery.
1953.
Long after Midnight RC 44678
by Iris Johansen
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Scientist Kate Denby is on the verge of a dramatic discovery.
Noah Smith, a geneticist, is also close to a major breakthrough
in his research, but needs Kate to work with him. So far Kate
has refused because she wants to keep life as normal as possible
for her son since her divorce. But then bombs start exploding.
Strong language and some violence. 1997.
The Tangle Box RC 44690
by Terry Brooks
read by James DeLotel
3 cassettes
Ben Holiday, sovereign of the Magic Kingdom of Landover, allows
confidence-man Horris Kew to return from exile on Earth. But
Horris has become the unwitting dupe of the evil sorcerer Gorse,
who plans to enslave the fairy folk of Landover and imprison Ben
and his companions in the Tangle Box. Sequel to Wizard at
Large (RC 33053). 1994.
The Chrysalids RC 44711
by John Wyndham
read by Rick Rohan
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Science fiction about fanatical survivors of an atomic war who
are obsessed with weeding out all mutants in the population. The
"different" ones are condemned to a hideous exile, and
children are careful to hide their "differences" even
from their zealous parents. First published in Great Britain in
1955. Published later in the United States under the title
Re-birth. 1955.
Rescue RC 44739
by Jeremiah Healy
read by Nick Sullivan
2 cassettes
When Boston private eye John Cuddy stops to change a flat for a
young woman and her ten-year-old companion Eddie, he makes a
promise to find the boy should he ever get lost. When Cuddy
later learns of the woman's murder and Eddie's disappearance, he
takes up the search, which leads him to a church compound in the
Florida Keys. Some strong language. 1995.
Unnatural Exposure RC 44749
by Patricia Cornwell
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Medical examiner Kay Scarpetta is puzzled by what appears to be
the latest victim of a serial killer. This woman is elderly and
has an unusual rash. As Scarpetta realizes in horror the disease
she's dealing with, the woman's killer begins taunting Scarpetta
through the Internet. Strong language. Bestseller 1997.
Déjà Dead RC 44763
by Kathy Reichs
read by Anne Hancock
3 cassettes
Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan detects evidence of a
serial killer when she examines a woman's sexually mutilated
body. Frustrated by the slow pace of the police investigation,
Brennan probes the crimes on her own and becomes the target of a
murderous psychopath. Strong language and violence. Bestseller
1997.
Deception on His Mind RC 44764
by Elizabeth George
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
5 cassettes
British detective Sergeant Barbara Havers probes the murder of a
wealthy Pakistani immigrant in a sleepy Essex resort town. As
the community liaison in the ethnically sensitive case, Havers
must bridge a cultural gulf to solve the complex investigation.
Strong language, violence, and descriptions of sex. Bestseller
1997.
Fat Tuesday RC 44766
by Sandra Brown
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
3 cassettes
Lieutenant Burke Basile knew his partner's killer would be
acquitted, but he didn't expect his own life to fall apart as a
result. Now all he can think about is getting back at Pinkie
Duvall, the murderer's defense attorney. Pinkie has one
weakness--his wife Remy, and Burke's kidnapping of Remy sets off
a confrontation that ends in the middle of Mardi Gras. Strong
language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1997.
Murder at the National Gallery RC 44805
by Margaret Truman
read by Mary Woods
2 cassettes
Luther Mason, curator at the National Gallery for more than
twenty years, is finally getting the Caravaggio exhibit he has
dreamed of. But Luther also has other visions--he plans to keep
one of the original paintings and substitute a forgery. Some
violence. Bestseller 1996.
Dead in the Water RC 44806
by Stuart Woods
read by Chuck Benson
2 cassettes
Allison Manning pilots her yacht into St. Mark's Island,
claiming she had to bury her husband at sea after he had a fatal
heart attack. When the minister of justice moves to convict
Allison of murder, a vacationing New York lawyer comes to her
defense. Strong language and descriptions of sex. Bestseller
1997.
Milton in America RC 44815
by Peter Ackroyd
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes
"What if the outspoken seventeenth-century English poet
John Milton had fled England in 1660 to avoid arrest and
emigrated to Puritan America?" supposes Ackroyd. In his
scenario, the aging and blind agitator establishes a settlement
named New Milton, where he rules with an iron hand and wages war
on a neighboring colony of Roman Catholics. 1996.
Double Helix RC 44820
by Sigmund Brouwer
read by Chuck Benson
2 cassettes
On his way to his New Mexico home, Slater Ellis almost runs over
a naked boy. Meanwhile, in Florida, Paige Stephens eavesdrops on
a frightening conversation just before her husband kills
himself. As Slater searches for the boy and Paige tries to
understand her husband's death, they each draw closer to
discovering a macabre medical research project. Violence. 1995.
Dragonseye RC 44828
by Anne McCaffrey
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
It's been over two hundred years since the deadly silver strands
called Thread fell from the skies of Pern. Now a new generation
of Dragonriders unite in their efforts to prepare for the next
cycle of Threadfall. But one of the Lord Holders refuses to
cooperate and jeopardizes the safety of all. Sequel to The
Dolphins of Pern (RC 44410). 1997.
Bridge of Dreams RC 44830
by Christina Skye
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Two hundred years after Gabriel Ashton died at Draycott Abbey,
his body and will have been discovered, and Nicholas Draycott
must handle the distribution of a case of wine. But Cathlin
O'Neill, whose mother also died at Draycott Abbey, is reluctant
to fulfill the terms of the will. Sequel to Hour of the Rose
(RC 41752). Some strong language and some descriptions of
sex. 1995.
Blown Away RC 44831
by David Wiltse
read by Chuck Benson
2 cassettes
FBI agent John Becker is assigned to track down Spring, the man
taking credit for a series of bombings in New York. Meanwhile,
other New Yorkers have figured out who Spring is and want in on
his demands on the city. Strong language, violence, and some
descriptions of sex. 1996.
Missing Pieces RC 44834
by Joy Fielding
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
2 cassettes
Kate Sinclair, a family therapist, is having trouble with her
own family. Her teenage daughter is running wild, her mother has
Alzheimer's disease, and her half-sister JoLynn marries Colin
Friendly, a serial killer convicted of murdering thirteen women.
Strong language, violence, and explicit descriptions of sex.
1997.
The Presence RC 44836
by John Saul
read by Dani Carr
2 cassettes
Anthropologist Katharine Sundquist brings her teenage son to
Hawaii, where she plans to study some ancient hominid remains.
While swimming, the boy is horribly transformed by a mysterious
substance, and he becomes the unwilling subject of a biological
experiment. Violence. Bestseller 1997.
Serpent's Tooth RC 44839
by Faye Kellerman
read by Richard Davidson
3 cassettes
Thirteen customers are massacred at a chic L.A. restaurant, and
the killer, Harlan Manz, is among the dead. As Lt. Peter Decker
investigates, forensic evidence points to a possible accomplice.
Checking out Manz's previous job as a tennis pro leads Decker to
an heiress with a lot to gain by her parents' deaths. Violence,
strong language, and explicit descriptions of sex. 1997.
A Virtuous Woman RC 44845
by Kaye Gibbons
read by Faith Potts
1 cassette
In alternating chapters, Jack and Ruby recount their lives and
marriage. Although they come from very different backgrounds,
they nonetheless have a marriage that lasts twenty-five years
until Ruby dies of lung cancer. Jack continues to miss her
months after her death. Some strong language. Bestseller 1989.
Kowloon Tong RC 44859
by Paul Theroux
read by Anne Flosnik
2 cassettes
In 1996 Hong Kong prepares to return to Chinese rule the next
year. But middle-aged Neville Mullard and his mother cling to
their British lifestyle. When a Chinese businessman offers to
buy out their family's textile factory, mother and son are at
odds until a tragedy causes them to realize the peril of their
situation. Violence. Bestseller 1997.
Ten-lb. Penalty RC 44861
by Dick Francis
read by Christopher Walker
2 cassettes
Eighteen-year-old Ben Juliard abandons his dream of becoming a
professional jockey when he is falsely accused of drug abuse.
After Ben joins the staff of his politically ambitious father,
whose enemies aim to derail his promising career, the pair join
forces in opposing the scandal-mongers. Bestseller 1997.
Lying on the Couch RC 44897
by Irvin D. Yalom
read by John Stratton
3 cassettes
When therapist Ernest Lash counsels a man to end his marriage,
the jilted wife blames Lash. A bright and comely lawyer, the
woman becomes Lash's patient, planning to seduce him and ruin
his career. Her scheme goes awry and yields unexpected results.
Strong language and descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1996.
Mrs. Pollifax Pursued RC 44901
by Dorothy Gilman
read by Suzanne Toren
1 cassette
Henry Bidwell is kidnapped. Meanwhile, Kadi Hopkirk, chased by
men in a dirty white van with a misspelled company name on it,
is hiding in Mrs. Pollifax's storage closet. At first there
seems to be no connection. But when Mrs. Pollifax discovers Kadi
and tries to take her home, they find themselves running for
their lives--because of Henry Bidwell. 1995.
Los Alamos RC 44930
by Joseph Kanon
read by John Polk
3 cassettes
Toward the end of World War II, the murder of a Manhattan
Project security officer calls agent Michael Connolly to a town
that doesn't officially exist. He must penetrate the closed
ranks of residents to discover whether the death is related to
espionage or to the victim's homosexual lifestyle. Strong
language, violence, and descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1997.
The Poet RC 44935
by Michael Connelly
read by David Hartley-Margolin
3 cassettes
Crime reporter Jack McEvoy decides to probe the apparent suicide
of his brother, a police officer, when the official inquiry bogs
down. McEvoy doggedly follows a trail of clues that leads to a
vicious cop killer with a morbid penchant for poetry. Strong
language, violence, and descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1996.
The Best Laid Plans RC 44998
by Sidney Sheldon
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Ad executive Leslie Stewart was once engaged to a politician
from Kentucky, Oliver Russell. After he jilts her, Leslie is
determined to ruin Oliver's life. Becoming a publisher brings
her power and wealth, so when Oliver is eventually elected
president, she tries to link him to the deaths of several of his
past lovers. Some strong language. Bestseller 1997.
Son of Rosemary: The Sequel to Rosemary's Baby RC
44999
by Ira Levin
read by David Palmer
2 cassettes
In 1999 when Rosemary wakes from a twenty-seven-year coma, her
first concern is her son Andy. Now thirty-three years old, he is
a spiritual leader with a worldwide following. But he was raised
by the witches' coven, so Rosemary wonders how truthful Andy is.
Sequel to Rosemary's Baby (RC 17695). Some strong
language. Bestseller 1997.
Violin RC 45005
by Anne Rice
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
In the two days since her husband died, Triana has stayed alone
in the house with his body and the solace of music. A Russian
ghost, Stefan, serenades Triana with his Stradivarius violin,
his music captivating her almost to madness. Their struggle for
the violin also becomes a struggle for her sanity. Bestseller
1997.
Lucky You RC 45006
by Carl Hiaasen
read by Nanette Savard
3 cassettes
JoLayne Luck's fortune turns when she hits a multimillion-dollar
lottery. Also holding the winning number are a pair of white
supremacists who lose their own lucky ticket and steal
JoLayne's. Desperate to realize her dream of buying an
endangered turtle colony, she pursues the thieves. Strong
language. Bestseller 1997.
Memoirs of a Geisha RC 45008
by Arthur Golden
read by Yolande Bavan
4 cassettes
A fictionalized account of the life of a typical geisha in Japan
in the 1930s and 1940s. Sayuri recalls how as a nine-year-old
she and her sister are sold to a geisha house as their mother
lies dying. From then on Sayuri learns the traditional exotic
arts for pleasing men. Bestseller 1997.
Tom Clancy's Op-Center: Acts of War RC 45009
by Tom Clancy and Steve Pieczenik
read by Ed Blake
3 cassettes
In a scheme to foment war involving world powers in the Middle
East, Kurdish terrorists target a critical dam in Turkey. The
threat is heightened when the rebels seize the high-tech
regional operations center that has been keeping them under
surveillance. Strong language and violence. Bestseller 1997.
Driving Blind RC 45011
by Ray Bradbury
read by L.J. Ganser
2 cassettes
Seventeen new and four previously published short stories that
mostly center on seemingly ordinary, everyday events. In the
title story, "Driving Blind," a hooded stranger drives
a new car into town, but it is a new young friend who
understands what the hood really means. Bestseller 1997.
The Offer RC 45012
by Catherine Coulter
read by Barbara Caruso
2 cassettes
Fleeing her ancestral home after an attempted rape by her new
brother-in-law, Lady Sabrina Eversleigh, eighteen, becomes lost
in the forest during a winter blizzard. She is rescued by
Phillip Mercerault, but her reputation is compromised when he
takes her to an unoccupied hunting lodge. Phillip offers
marriage, but Sabrina refuses for his sake. Some descriptions of
sex. Bestseller 1997.
Timequake RC 45015
by Kurt Vonnegut
read by John Stratton
1 cassette
On February 13, 2001, the universe will revert back to February
17, 1991, and everyone will relive the next ten years exactly as
they did in the past. A decade later, time will again move
forward, but where will that leave people who, facing new
experiences, have forgotten how to think for themselves? Strong
language. Bestseller 1997.
If This World Were Mine RC 45016
by E. Lynn Harris
read by Robin Miles
2 cassettes
Four black graduates of Hampton Institute continue their
friendship through monthly meetings of a journal-keeping support
group. For almost twenty years, Yolanda, Dwight, Leland, and
Riley help each other through marriage, love, sexual identity,
and work crises until the group is strained to the breaking
point. Strong language and descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1997.
The MacGregor Brides RC 45023
by Nora Roberts
read by Ilona Dulaski
2 cassettes
Daniel MacGregor, ninety years old, meddles in the love lives of
his three oldest granddaughters. Impatient for
great-grandchildren, MacGregor hand-picks three eligible
bachelors and conspires to have them meet Laura, Gwendolyn, and
Julia. The three granddaughters are, however, independent,
modern women who do not appreciate Grandfather's interference.
Descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1997.
Rosehaven RC 45024
by Catherine Coulter
read by Annie Wauters
3 cassettes
England, 1277. Severin of Langthorne, having returned from the
Holy Land to find his estate in ruin, accepts an offer to wed
Hastings of Trent and become lord of her lands upon her father's
death--which is imminent. Hastings, a strong-willed girl who has
no desire to become obedient to a man she detests, uses her
knowledge of herbal medicine to her benefit. Violence and some
descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1996.
Amber Beach RC 45025
by Elizabeth Lowell
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Kyle Donovan and a shipment of amber, including a panel from the
Russian czar's Amber Room, are missing. His sister, Honor, can't
believe Kyle is guilty. In an effort to locate the amber and
clear Kyle, Honor hires Jake Mallory. Each has a reason for
finding Kyle, but trusting each other becomes difficult when
romance gets in the way. Some strong language and some explicit
descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1997.
End of the Drive RC 45059
by Louis L'Amour
read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
Tales of the untamed West depicting people who face harsh tests
that threaten their way of life and survival. In "Caprock
Rancher," a boy comes to realize his father's courage as
the two join forces to recover their neighbors' lost savings
from outlaws. Violence. Bestseller 1997.
The Grilling Season RC 45060
by Diane Mott Davidson
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Goldy Schulz, the only caterer in Aspen Meadow, Colorado, gets
set to cater Patricia McCracken's Stanley Cup party. But
Patricia also wants Goldy's help in getting revenge against Dr.
John Richard Korman--Goldy's ex-husband and Patricia's ob-gyn.
When the doctor's current girlfriend is found dead, Patricia may
get her wish. Some strong language. Bestseller 1997.
Flower Net RC 45063
by Lisa See
read by Gabriella Cavallero
3 cassettes
The son of the American ambassador is found dead in Beijing, and
the son of a Chinese leader is found dead in the U.S. Chinese
inspector Liu Hulan and assistant U.S. attorney David Stark are
assigned to investigate a possible connection. To further
complicate matters, Hulan and Stark were once lovers. Violence,
strong language, and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1997.
Vengeance in Death RC 45064
by J.D. Robb
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
In the year 2058 New York cop Eve Dallas is faced with a serial
killer who appears to have some connection with Eve's
billionaire Irish husband Roarke's past. As Eve chases clues
that keep pointing to Roarke's servant, Roarke secretly tries to
solve the case, too. Strong language, violence, and explicit
descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1997.
Abuse of Power RC 45108
by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg
read by Carol Dines
3 cassettes
Policewoman Rachel Simmons witnesses a boy's death as a result
of another officer's abuse of authority. Simmons's decision to
break the blue code of silence pits her against colleagues and
makes her a target of their reprisal. Strong language, violence,
and descriptions of sex. Bestseller 1997.
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