An odd couple of detectives descends on New Orleans to search for a missing heiress in this hard-boiled mystery by the creator of Perry Mason. Bertha Cool is a bulldog of a woman with an attitude to match. Donald Lam is a handsome ex-lawyer who makes up for in brains what he lacks in brawn. Together, they’re an unlikely pair of private detectives on a mission to find Roberta Fenn, a missing model and heiress in New Orleans. It’s a seemingly simple case of lost and found . . . Except, Donald can’t help but wonder why someone would hire a firm out of Los Angeles instead of one based in the Big Easy. Also, locating Roberta proves surprisingly effortless. Keeping track of her is not. She disappears, leaving a body behind in her apartment. Now Cool and Lam must find Roberta and a killer, before someone makes them disappear as well . . . “Cool and Lam are an amusing and endearing pair—perfect foils for one another.” —Monica Muller, 1001 Nights: The Aficionado’s Guide to Mystery and Detective Fiction “No one has ever matched Gardner for swift, sure exposition.” —Kirkus Reviews

Money in the bank had always been a persuasive factor in Bertha Cool's life - and Lamont Hawley represented a lot of it. He also represented an insurance company that smelled a rat about a traffic-accident claim. The trouble was the claimant had drifted away - a beautiful blonde who had been co-operative and level-headed. In fact, too level-headed ... she sounded almost professional. Donald Lam didn't like it. Why should a large insurance company need an outside investigator? But Bertha's eyes see $$$ so Donald gets cracking, and within no time he is the prime suspect. For what on earth is a body doing in the trunk of Donald's car?

Follows the efforts of a flock of chickens, ducks, and geese to discover the secret of their neighboring owls' happiness, which is credited to the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

A fascinating introduction to the biology, life cycle, and behavior of owls Illustrated with gorgeous watercolor paintings and full-color photography Features an identification guide to all North American species Owls have always occupied a special place in the popular imagination, regarded throughout history as both harbingers of doom and symbols of wisdom. In this newest title in Stackpole's Wild Guide series, author Cynthia Berger explores the lives of these mysterious creatures, including their fearsome hunting abilities, their surprisingly tender courtship rituals, and, of course, their haunting vocalizations. Also included is an identification guide covering the full range of North American species-from the tiny Elf Owl to the imposing Great Gray Owl-as well as tips for observing owls in the wild. There are even instructions for building your own nest box to attract these remarkable birds to your backyard.

"In this elegant narrative, celebrated naturalist Ted Floyd guides you through a year of becoming a better birder. Choosing 200 top avian species to teach key lessons, Floyd introduces a new, holistic approach to bird watching and shows how to use the tools of the 21st century to appreciate the natural world we inhabit together whether city, country or suburbs." -- From book jacket.

The charming story of a young owl’s strange and disorienting journey to discover who he is and where he belongs. When a young Great Horned Owl wakes up to find himself on the ground with a broken wing, he can’t figure out where he is, how he got there, or how to get back to the tree where he lives with his parents and older sister. Is this a test, to see if he is ready to leave the nest? Is he being punished for something? Before he knows what is happening, he is whisked away to a rescue centre, where he meets other owls who are also recovering from injuries before being released back into the wild. Lonely, confused, and very self-conscious of the fact that he doesn’t have a name, the young owl slowly adapts to his new surroundings. He makes friends, finds his courage, heals from his injury, and realizes that identity is about more than a name that is given to you. It’s about the character that you develop, especially when you face hard times. Heartwarming, whimsical, and inspirational, An Owl without a Name is an uplifting tale for young readers.