True Stories of Make-Believe to Entertain Readers New book is an anthology of engaging short stories filled with mysteries and adventures. McMinnville, OR Author Wave Joann Stevens treats young readers and fantasy-lovers as she releases, through Xlibris, a rich collection of exciting tales carved out of her imaginative mind. Mystery, Adventure & Nonsense: True Stories of Make-Believe takes readers to a world of the bizarre, eccentric, and utter fun. Composed of six different stories that are somehow interrelated, this release entertains with its unusual themes and unpredictable twists. Throughout the engaging pages, readers will follow The Adventures of Ollie and Willie, the peculiarity of the Reflections in the Mirror, the unconventional twirling of The Ballerina, the oblivion of The Boy, the consequences of being Topsyturvy, and the comfort of the Wooden Arms. Offering not only amusement, all these stories are filled with lessons and morals that are oftentimes forgotten in todays modern lifestyle. With its unconventional characters and uncanny yet highly amusing feel, Mystery, Adventure & Nonsense: True Stories of Make-Believe is a complete compilation of tales that exude the importance of having dreams, the bliss of friendship, and the essence of nature. This book will entertain both the young and the young at heart. For more information on this book, log on to www.Xlibris.com.

A murder in a crowded Broadway theater presents a full house of suspects—the first in this classic mystery series starring Ellery Queen! Despite the dismal Broadway season, Gunplay continues to draw crowds. A gangland spectacle, it’s packed to the gills with action, explosions, and gunfire. In fact, Gunplay is so loud that no one notices the killing of Monte Field. In a sold-out theater, Field is found dead partway through the second act, surrounded by empty seats. The police hold the crowd and call for the one man who can untangle this daring murder: Inspector Richard Queen. With the help of his son Ellery, a bibliophile and novelist whose imagination can solve any crime, the Inspector attacks this seemingly impenetrable mystery. Anyone in the theater could have killed the unscrupulous lawyer, and several had the motive. Only Ellery Queen, in his debut novel, can decipher the clue of the dead man’s missing top hat.

The 'C. N. WILLIAMSON & A. N. WILLIAMSON Ultimate Collection: 30+ Mystery Classics & Adventure Novels in One Volume (Illustrated)' brings together an expansive range of narrative styles and themes, underscoring the versatility and depth of the Williamsons as authors. This anthology encapsulates the golden age of early 20th-century literature, combining mystery, adventure, and romance across its pages. Noteworthy for its scope, the collection presents an unparalleled opportunity to explore the intricate weavings of suspense and valor, with stories that remain as captivating today as they were upon their original publication. The selection showcases the authors' ability to blend societal observations with thrilling plots, making each piece a standout contribution to the genre. The backgrounds of Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson, as husband and wife co-authors, offer a unique lens through which the narratives are presented, blending their individual perspectives into a seamless narrative voice that was ahead of its time. Their joint work aligns with the literary movements of their day, reflecting a keen insight into the rapid societal changes and technological advancements of the early 20th century. Their stories are not only adventures but also commentaries on the zeitgeist of their era, capturing the imaginations and concerns of their contemporary audience while remaining relevant to todays readers. This anthology is recommended for enthusiasts of classic literature, particularly those interested in mysteries and adventures that delve into human nature, societal shifts, and the complexities of the human spirit. Here lies an opportunity to traverse through disparate landscapes and times, guided by the imaginative prowess of the Williamsons. It promises education, entertainment, and a rich tapestry of human experience, making it an essential addition to the library of any avid reader seeking to broaden their literary horizons.

A special treat for Nancy Drew fans, and any reader who's new to the series! We're releasing a stunning new edition of an old favorite: The Bungalow Mystery, the third book in the incredibly popular, long-running series. It's the same exciting mystery that readers have fallen in love with for more than 80 years—Nancy Drew has to help Laura Pendelton retrieve her family jewels, but they have to act quickly! Now with a brand-new look, this is an edition that collectors won't want to miss!

Dan and Sue are students in New York, but when Dan's father gets the chance to travel to Israel, they quickly become world travelers. Dan's father is a specialist in solar power, so he travels for an important conference. Dan and Sue travel for adventure, and before they know it, adventure finds them. A street peddler harasses the pair until they finally buy an old book. The old book turns out to be a mysterious, hand-written journal with magical powers. They take the diary to a professor who can translate, and he seems to think the journal is quite old and might even contain maps of ancient Jerusalem. Dan and Sue soon find a foreigner closely related to the journal, and together, they uncover the secrets of a bewitched monastery in the Caracoram Mountains and an enormous cave illuminated by an enchanted light. The journal seems to hold a secret that dates back over two thousand years to the disappearance of ten Jewish tribes, but Dan and Sue are in over their heads as strangers in this strange land.

The paranormal? It's all nonsense but proving it might just get them all killed. When a master vampire starts killing people in his hometown, paranormal investigator, Tempest Michaels, takes it personally ... ... and soon a race against time turns into a battle for his life. He doesn't believe in the paranormal but has a steady stream of clients with cases too weird for the police to bother with. Mostly it's all nonsense, but when a third victim turns up with bite marks in her lifeless throat, can he really dismiss the possibility that this time the monster is real? Joined by an ex-army buddy, a disillusioned cop, his friends from the pub, his dogs, and his mother (why are there no grandchildren, Tempest), our paranormal investigator is going to stop the murders if it kills him ... ... but when his probing draws the creature's attention, his family and friends become the hunted. 'Steve Higgs can be counted on to keep you amused, with vivid imagination, characters you can sink your teeth into, plenty of action, and delicious snark.' If you are a fan of fast-paced paranormal thrillers, then this urban fantasy series is sure to please.

From his first unscripted appearance on an Off-Broadway stage in the revolutionary 1960s to the frontpage news of his death from AIDS in 1987 at age 44, Charles Ludlam embodied - and helped to engender - the upheavals of his time. The astonishing life and legacy of this force to be reckoned with are at last revealed in RIDICULOUS!, a literary biography of an American comic genius. After founding the Ridiculous Theatrical Company in 1967, Ludlam sustained an ever-shifting troupe of bohemian players through two decades of perennially daunting circumstances by writing 29 plays - plays that he starred in and directed as well. While Ludlam's work has become increasingly popular at regional theatres, on college campuses, and on stages throughout the world, his gender-bending theories and wide-ranging cultural impact have reached far beyond Bette Midler, the original cast members of Saturday Night Live and the countless other artists he influenced during his abbreviated lifetime. Like his early plays, Ludlam's life was rife with the sex, drugs and creative experimentation that characterized the freewheeling '60s and '70s. Based on a decade of research and interviews with more than 150 people who knew or worked with Ludlam - including all of the major players in his troupe and seven of his lovers - RIDICULOUS! recreates the dramatic life of an inimitable and subversive theatrical master with you-are-there intensity. Winner of the LAMBDA Literary Award for Biography and the Theatre Library Association Award for Outstanding Theatre Book of the Year "David Kaufman makes a persuasive case for Ludlam's being a genius ... As a record of Ludlam's life and the theatrical world in which he was both guru and grandmaster, this book is informed and passionate." - Mel Gussow, The New York Times "A fascinating portrait of an authentic stage genius and the New York avant-garde scene in which he toiled with such demented and dedicated diligence." - Playbill "The phenom who inspired everyone from Bette Midler and Madeline Kahn to Tony Kushner and Paul Rudnick was no box of chocolates - which, as reading experiences go, makes his story all the sweeter." - Vanity Fair "This is one helluva piece of work." - Marilyn Stasio, Variety.com

Inspiration for the Netflix series Chico Bon Bon! Whether you need a beebersaw or a chisel, Chico Bon Bon's your monkey. He can build or fix just about anything—from a dock for the ducks to a clock for the Clucks, even a small roller coaster for local chipmunks. But will his tools and his sharp wit save him when an organ grinder sets his sights on making Chico a circus star? Chris Monroe's quirky hero and detailed illustrations will absorb readers in an entertaining adventure that shows there is an inventive way out of every problem—if you have the right tools.