Detective Valentine


Book Description

The great Detective Valentine has his work cut out for him when the snow queen's crown is stolen two days before the contest and the mayor's wife, a famous actress, and the detective's good friend are all suspects.




Valentine King


Book Description

The Police King, Fort Worth Police Department Detective Thaddeus King is once again in pursuit of a serial killer. On February 14, 2018, a day for love has turned into a day of death for the city of Fort Worth. Thaddeus King, the city’s most elite detective, must embark on his most dangerous murder case. A blood thirsty killer is on the loose who is far from anything Detective King has seen in his 30 years with Fort Worth PD. Will King be able to stop this vicious menace before another citizen is slaughtered? Police Detective Thaddeus King, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, wrestles with licentious impulses, resentment of policing disproportionately targeting minorities, and personal obligation to combat evil in his community. In “Valentine King”, Thaddeus aims to apprehend a savage serial murderer who brutally exterminates the lives of unsuspecting victims on Valentine’s Day. Though the killer’s identity remains a mystery, his intimidating stature, raw strength, lightning speed, and muscular build might convince you he was a professional wrestler. While Detective King passionately pursues the killer, he is distracted by the celebration of lover’s day and his birthday which coincidentally happens to be February 14th. As years go by and the killer’s reign continues on this holiday of affection expression, King grapples with being a faithful lover to his girlfriend while his commitment to the Valentine’s Day murder cases is unwavering. Suddenly, the COVID pandemic changes the landscape of our society and has a great impact on Detective King’s murder investigation. Despite the Coronavirus’ global disease spread, King is undeterred and resolute to end the murderer’s expanding plague of death. Can Thaddeus King stop the ‘Happy Valentine’s Day Killer’ or will the HVDK pierce Thad’s heart with a deadly broadhead arrow tip released from his Cupid’s bow?




The Gay Detective Novel


Book Description

Gertrude Stein called it "the only really modern novel form that has come into existence," yet the mystery genre was a century old before it featured its first gay main character in a novel. Since then, gay and lesbian detective fiction has been one of the fastest growing segments of the genre. It incorporates gay and lesbian cultural elements and offers crossover appeal. Its authors call upon a century of development in the mystery genre, while providing new, more accurate images of lesbians and gay men than generally found in mainstream literature and popular media. This groundbreaking study of gay and lesbian detective fiction examines mystery series and historically significant stand-alone novels published since the early 1960s. Part I is an overview that describes how these novels make gay and lesbian life visible and forge new, powerful images. It also examines how they fit into the larger history of mystery fiction. The series analyses in Part II are grouped according to the type of main character (police officer, private investigator, amateur sleuth, etc.). Each section discusses main and secondary characters of that type, characteristic themes for the group, and more. The analyses of individual series cover main characters, themes, plot points and other elements. Comments from authors interviewed for this book play a central role in those analyses. Part III lists series-spanning themes (e.g., homophobia, the closet, gay marriage) and the novels and series that address each of those themes.




Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine


Book Description

Cupid’s taking aim at Charlene Morris’s historic Salem B&B, which is brimming with models for a contentious photo shoot, but his arrow goes astray when someone is murdered on Valentine’s Day… A full house is nothing new to Charlene and her ghostly friend, Dr. Jack Strathmore, but this Valentine’s Day, their Salem, Massachusetts inn isn’t filled with romantic couples. Instead, every room is booked by formerly famous photographer, Dane Stallone, for a Cupid-themed calendar he hopes will jumpstart his sagging career. Though Charlene’s hands are full with a dozen gorgeous models, Dane is the only diva—pitching fits, making unreasonable demands, and generally being a mood killer . . . until a real killer strikes and puts the whole shoot on ice. With more suspects than a jumbo box of chocolates, Charlene, Jack, and Detective Sam Holden race to find the one person filled with murderous intent . . . Praise for Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman “A tasty tale for those who like their mysteries with a dash of paranormal fantasy.” —Kirkus Reviews










Mob Culture


Book Description

Mob Culture offers a long-awaited, fresh look at the American gangster film, exposing its hidden histories from the Black Hand gangs of the early twentieth century to The Sopranos. Departing from traditional approaches that have typically focused on the "nature" of the gangster, the editors have collected essays that engage the larger question of how the meaning of criminality has changed over time. Grouped into three thematic sections, the essays examine gangster films through the lens of social, gender, and racial/ethnic issues.




Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine


Book Description

Perfect for beginning readers, this timeless chapter book is a fun introduction to the detective mystery genre. And for Valentine's Day, kids can follow Nate as he unravels the problem, all the while learning about the importance of friendship--with people and dogs! Nate the Great hates mushy stuff. Then he spies a big red paper heart taped to Sludge’s doghouse. Who left Nate’s dog a secret valentine? Nate will solve the case, and then there will be no more mushy stuff. At least that’s what he thinks. . . . Check out the Fun Activities section in the back of the book! “A most appealing choice.”—Booklist, Boxed Review