Critical Mass

      Whitley Strieber
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From Publishers WeeklyIn this overheated thriller about nuclear terrorism from bestseller Strieber (_2012: The War for Souls_), Jim Deutsch, a CIA contract employee whose expertise is counterproliferation, has the world's fate in his hands as he races to foil the Islamic master-terrorist known as the Madhi. When Deutsch learns that some plutonium has been smuggled over the U.S. border from Mexico, he begins to suspect that America's elaborate homeland security apparatus has been compromised. His valiant efforts, alas, aren't enough to prevent the destruction of Las Vegas. As U.S. president William Fitzgerald ponders whether to launch devastating counterattacks aimed at much of the Muslim world, the tension rises, but the impact is undercut by some uneven prose (She looked back at him as if from another dimension, her gaze resplendent with the unquenchable hope of youth, her mother's proud lips, determined, supremely confident that her dad was the great man she believed him to be). (Feb.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. FromStrieber, known for his science fiction and nonfiction speculation about extraterrestrials, tackles the war on terror in a page-turning thriller. James Deutsch, a government agent and expert on nuclear weapons, fears that a terrorist organization has brought a bomb across the Mexican border. While investigating, he finds himself facing roadblocks at every turn, forcing him not to trust anyone. Does someone in the government have inside knowledge? Then the unthinkable happens, and it appears to be only a matter of time before the U.S. collapses. Strieber knows how to create suspense, and he provides a too-realistic-for-comfort scenario that should land him on the talk-show circuit declaiming on terrorism. For thriller readers, though, the important thing to remember is that this novel is less a Vince Flynn–type action romp than it is a rant about the bureaucratic bunglings of government agencies amid the chaos of a terrorist threat, so steer readers accordingly. --Jeff Ayers

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    Frenzy

      Robert Liparulo
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Their destiny is to fix history. Their dream is to get home.When you live in a house that's really a gateway between past and present, you have to be ready for anything. It's a painful fact the Kings have faced since moving to Pinedale eight days ago. Desperately trying to rescue their mother from an unknown time and place, brothers Xander and David have lunged headlong into the chaos of history's greatest—and most volatile—events. But their goal has continually escaped their grasp.And worse: Finding Mom is only a small part of what they must do, thanks to the barbaric Taksidian. His ruthless quest to sieze their house and its power from them has put not only the family, but all of mankind, in grave danger.Somehow, the key to it all hinges on Uncle Jesse's words to the boys: "Fixing time is what our family was made to do." But how can they fix a world that has been turned updisde down—much less ever find their way...

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    Chip Harrison Scores Again

      Lawrence Block
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### Review “Block is one of the best!” —_The Washington Post_ ### Product Description The devilish Chip Harrison--young, broke, and girlless--stumbles on a discarded bus ticket and finds himself in South Carolina, where he becomes the local sheriff's protege+a7 and falls in love with a preacher's daughter.

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    The Fairy Swarm

      Suzanne Selfors
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Ten-year-olds Ben Silverstein and Pearl Petal have had quite a busy summer as apprentices of Dr. Woo, veterinarian for imaginary creatures. Together, they've encountered all sorts of magical beasts—a sasquatch, a lake monster, a dragon, a unicorn, a griffin, and even a leprechaun!When a swarm of sugar fairies escapes into Buttonville, Pearl and Ben are tasked with catching the mischievous creatures. But with know-it-all Victoria getting in the way, the quest will prove difficult. Can Ben and Pearl protect the townspeople, keep the fairies safe, and outsmart the dangerous poacher, Maximus Steele?In this thrilling finale to the Imaginary Veterinary series, Suzanne Selfors delivers an incredible adventure, filled with twists, turns, and tons of fun that is anything but imaginary!This book includes bonus writing, art, and science activities that will help readers discover more about the mythological creatures featured in The Fairy...

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    True (. . . Sort Of)

      Katherine Hannigan
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True: Delly Pattison likes surpresents (presents that are a surprise). The day the Boyds come to town, Delly's sure a special surpresent is on its way. But lately, everything that she thinks will be good and fun turns into trouble. She's never needed a surpresent more than now.True: Brud Kinney wants to play basketball like nothing anybody's ever seen. When the Boyds arrive, though, Brud meets someone who plays like nothing he's ever seen.True: Ferris Boyd isn't like anyone Delly or Brud have ever met. Ferris is a real mysturiosity (an extremely curious mystery).True: Katherine Hannigan's first novel since her acclaimed Ida B is a compelling look at the ways friendships and truths are discovered.It's all true ( . . . sort of).

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    Ida B

      Katherine Hannigan
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Ida B. Applewood believes there is never enough time for fun.That's why she's so happy to be homeschooled and to spend every free second outside with the trees and the brook.Then some not-so-great things happen in her world. Ida B has to go back to that Place of Slow but Sure Body-Cramping, Mind-Numbing, Fun-Killing Torture—school. She feels her heart getting smaller and smaller and hardening into a sharp, black stone.How can things go from righter than right to a million miles beyond wrong? Can Ida B put together a plan to get things back to just-about perfect again?

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    Forbidden Ground (Cold Creek)

      Karen Harper
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Let the dead stay dead… Despite a traumatic childhood in Cold Creek, Ohio, the Lockwood sisters have reunited there for the wedding of youngest sister Tess to the town’s sheriff. Maid of honor Kate Lockwood is determined to break through best man Grant Mason’s defences. An anthropologist, Kate makes her living studying the dead. She is particularly interested in the prehistoric Adena civilization that once called the area home. A large burial mound sits on Mason family land, and Kate wants permission to excavate. But Grant refuses and tells Kate to stay away from the mound. Kate respects Grant’s desire to honor his grandfather’s belief that the dead should not be disturbed. However, the more she researches the more it becomes clear that Grant is hiding something. When one of Grant’s friends is killed—and the sheriff is away on his honeymoon—the couple joins forces to assist the deputy in the investigation. When Kate comes under attack she is certain it is connected to the burial mound. Grant seems concerned for Kate’s safety, but despite their explosive attraction she can’t help but be suspicious of his motives. Can Kate trust the man she’s come to love, or will the wrong decision be her final act?

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    Secrets and Shadows: A 13 to Life Novel

      Shannon Delany
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From BooklistJessica's love for Pietr Rusakova is only one reason she is in danger from people who would stop at nothing to capture and control the young werewolf and his siblings; she may hold the cure for the man-made mutation that created the Rusakovas in the first place. The large cast of characters and plot points from 13 to Life (2010) return, but the focus on the young lovers and great sense of impending disaster sharpen this rousing second outing. New readers can dive in without reading the first book, and new fans won't be long in arriving. Grades 7-10. --Cindy Welch ReviewPRAISE for 13 to Life:"A unique tale with a bright heroine and dark secrets.” - New York Times Bestselling YA author Maria V. Snyder "You'll devour 13 to Life in greedy, eager gulps. Pitch-perfect and deliciously paced, this book dishes up your next fiction addiction. Shannon is a rising star!" --Ann Aguirre, national bestselling author of Grimspace and Doubleblind "A fun, gothic romance of suspense, secrets and the dangerous truth behind the new kid in town."-Lucienne Diver, author of Vamped and RevampedJessie and Pietr’s bond is sweet and real, with more than a touch of delicious danger.” –Jeri Smith-Ready, Award-Winning author of Shade and Bad to the Bone

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