Daniel Rinaldi Thrillers

Mystery crime fiction written in the Golden Age of Murder "[R]eaders who appreciate careful plot development, slightly unusual detectives, and logical denouements will relish this volume." -Library Journal Impossible crime stories have been relished by puzzle-lovers ever since the invention of detective fiction. Fiendishly intricate cases were particularly well suited to the cerebral type of detective story that became so popular during the 'golden age of murder' between the two world wars. But the tradition goes back to the days of Edgar Allan Poe and Wilkie Collins, and impossible crime stories have been written by such luminaries as Arthur Conan Doyle, G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy L. Sayers and Margery Allingham. This anthology celebrates their work, alongside long-hidden gems by less familiar writers. Together these stories demonstrate the range and high accomplishment of the classic British impossible crime story over more than half a century.

The Mamur Zapt, Head of Cairo's Secret Police under British Rule, did not concern himself with routine police matters. His are the intrigues, the shadowy and sinister events aimed at creating political instability-an event such as the discovery of the body of a dog in a Coptic tomb. This supreme Moslem insult could touch off an explosion among the Christian community. Equally volatile is the visit from an English Member of Parliament intent upon inspecting the Cromer administration's accounts. It is not a welcome time for a command that Captain Owen, the Mamur Zapt, show the MP's niece the sights. Worse, the sights include a dancing dervish stabbed before the lady's very eyes. Is this all part of a pattern that could lead to blood on the streets and set Cairo's ethnic communities at each other's throats?

When you're a hard-nosed, shoe leather reporter like Natalie Joday of Bergen County, NJ, murder investigations are just another day in the life. But when she discovers that her trouble-magnet brother Daniel was the last to see the late Lydia Dow alive, Natalie's enthusiasm for finding the truth turns to dread. But Natalie is determined to find Lydia's killer regardless, even if that means talking to the deceased's nearest and dearest-an eccentric cast of characters ranging from a chauvinistic, bullying father to an introverted sister to an overprotective boyfriend. But Lydia's will complicates the investigation, forcing Natalie to follow the considerable money trail... right back to her brother. Now she must choose between hiding the truth and protecting Daniel or risking everything to investigate long-buried secrets of the past-including her own.

There's trouble brewing in the woods of Beauville, and the only witness isn't talking. When Pru Marlowe is called to a forest clearing to help with an illegally trapped bear, she finds a colleague passed out drunk, his pet ferret locked in his truck. When one of her old running buddies turns up dead as well and then the town's pampered pets begin to disappear, Pru can't tell if her heavy-drinking colleague is involved-or how much the ferret, a wise little creature called Frank, knows. Frank's not communicating-even to her-and for once the bad-girl animal psychic is at a loss. The offer of a job-and maybe something more-from a hunky warden only complicates Pru's life as she goes on her rounds between her small Berkshires hometown and the woods that lie beyond. And although her crotchety tabby, Wallis, would have her make some changes in what has become a familiar routine, Pru knows her special skills set her apart as the only one who can shed light on these crimes-and save the animals at risk. But as the mysteries pile up, Pru is forced to admit that even a city-hardened animal communicator can't understand everything that's going on, and that a small town may be as dangerous as the darkest woods when a predator is on the prowl. Pru Marlowe Pet Noir: Dogs Don't Lie (Book 1) Cats Can't Shoot (Book 2) Parrots Prove Deadly (Book 3) Panthers Play for Keeps (Book 4) Kittens Can Kill (Book 5) When Bunnies Go Bad (Book 6) Fear on Four Paws (Book 7) Praise for Pru Marlowe Pet Noir: "Watch this series closely. It could well sprint to the top of the animal-cozy genre." -Booklist STARRED review for Dogs Don't Lie "Clever, original and completely captivating!" -Hank Phillippi Ryan, award-winning author for Parrots Prove Deadly "Clea Simon does an excellent job of mixing humor, romance, and mystery into one coherent and exciting tale." -San Francisco Review of Books for When Bunnies Go Bad

1976: Dr. Colin Sanford, a brilliant, ambitious obstetrician practicing in the Pacific Northwest, resolves to become the first to produce a baby by in vitro fertilization, despite the controversy raging over the ethics of artificially-assisted human reproduction. He recruits Dr. Giselle Hearn, an experienced laboratory geneticist-embryologist at the University who's frustrated by the ultra-conservative policies of her department chairman. Working secretly, they set out to put their names in history books. And, incidentally, to cash in. In due course, a Sanford patient, Joyce Kennett, gives birth to a healthy boy. There is rejoicing all around. So why does Joyce's husband erupt in rage, fatally shooting both Hearn and himself? Emerald Police Detective Bernie Baumgartner doggedly seeks the answer. Soon a double cat-and-mouse game develops between the detective who refuses to be bested and the doctor determined to be the best....

The next book in A Gunn Zoo Mystery Series finds zookeeper Theodora "Teddy" Bentley taking on dangerous secrets, kooky animals, and new family members California zookeeper Theodora Bentley is now happily married to Sheriff Joe Rejas. The Gunn Zoo is celebrating the arrival of Poonya, an adorable red panda, who forms a strong bond with Teddy. All appears fairytale blissful in the small Monterey Bay village of Gunn Landing until Teddy's mother-in-law discovers through DNA testing that Joe has sired a son he knew nothing about. Dylan Coyle, 18, arrives to meet his biological family… and then is arrested for murder. But Teddy-with her animal companions-hops onboard the case. Panda of Death, the new addition to the acclaimed series, finds Teddy facing down zookeeper's secrets, wild rumors, and death itself. She'll do everything in her power to protect her family-humans and animals alike. This humorous, quick-paced mystery is: • Perfect for fans of Sheila Connolly and Donna Andrews • For animal lovers who enjoy cozy mysteries