Written by an ex-FBI agent: Two breakneck thrillers “full of the kind of fascinating nuggets that can only be mined from actual experience” (Chicago Tribune). FBI Agent Puller Monk has never been one to do what he’s told. If he did, he wouldn’t be nearly as effective. Author Gene Riehl draws on his two-decade career as an undercover agent and counterintelligence expert to craft authentic tales of adventure and intrigue that pit his flawed hero against the forces of evil. “To his insider knowledge, [Riehl] adds the talent of a first-rate storyteller who keeps the action moving.” —San Diego Union-Tribune Quantico Rules: Monk and his Special Inquiries (SPIN) squad figure their latest assignment—a background check on the first African American Supreme Court nominee—will be a routine investigation. But soon Monk has a dead body on his hands, and he and Special Agent Lisa Sands are plunged into a maelstrom of deceit, corruption, and murder that reaches the highest levels of government. “A must-read, a suspense-packed cautionary tale of corruption told by an ex-FBI agent who isn’t afraid to show us the ugly stuff.” —Harlan Coben Sleeper: Monk is called in by the NSA to track down a Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece stolen from a private collector. But the culprit is no ordinary thief; she’s a sleeper terrorist—an American abducted as an infant by North Korean operatives and trained in the deadliest of arts. Working deep undercover, Monk plunges into a game of cat and mouse that could cost him his life—and the lives of many others. “Puller is no standard-issue flawed hero; he is a fresh, exciting, and dramatic creation. . . . An excellent series.” —Booklist

This thriller by an ex-FBI agent about a Supreme Court nominee and a high-level cover-up is “a must-read” (Harlan Coben). FBI agent Puller Monk and his Special Inquiries (SPIN) squad figure their latest assignment—a background check on the 1st African American female Supreme Court nominee—will be a routine investigation. But when verifying information about Federal Judge Brenda Thompson, it becomes clear that she’s lying about a 3-week gap in her past that occurred between college and law school. Her old roommate could provide answers, but she’s missing. Soon, Monk has a dead body on his hands, and he and Special Agent Lisa Sands are plunged into a maelstrom of deceit, corruption, and murder that reaches the highest levels of government. Monk is determined to blow the lid off a massive cover-up, but he may not be able to contain the fallout as the truth starts to emerge. Amid escalating violence, the FBI agent orchestrates a sting that will force a killer from the shadows—a cunning adversary who has his own plan for taking out Monk. With “engaging characters [and] a racing plot” (Houston Chronicle), this suspenseful read offers both an authentic portrayal of the world of national security and a high-tension story of corruption and murder. “The author, a former FBI agent, writes like a pro, and this is one of those thrillers you genuinely wish wouldn’t end” (Booklist, starred review).

The FBI is on the hunt for a North Korean sleeper agent in this thriller by the author of Quantico Rules, called “a fresh new voice” by Harlan Coben. FBI agent Puller Monk has been called in to track down a Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece that was recently stolen from a private collector in Washington, DC. But the culprit isn’t an ordinary thief; she’s a sleeper terrorist—an American who was abducted as an infant, renamed Sung Kim by her North Korean captors, and trained in the deadliest of arts. The National Security Agency (NSA) wants Monk to catch her before she carries out her next diabolical mission. Working so deep undercover that even the FBI and Monk’s girlfriend are kept in the dark, the rogue agent plunges into a game of cat and mouse that could cost him his life—and the lives of many others. But Monk never backs off from a case, and he has his own unorthodox methods of getting the job done. As he moves within the shadows, Monk becomes both hunter and prey in an endgame more chilling than anyone could imagine. An ex-FBI agent himself, Gene Riehl debuted the Puller Monk series with Quantico Rules, acclaimed as “riveting” by the San Diego Union-Tribune and “good to the last page” by Michael Connelly. Booklist’s starred review said, “This is one of those thrillers you genuinely wish wouldn’t end. At its center is Puller Monk, FBI agent, compulsive gambler, and accomplished liar. . . . Monk is a strong lead, a believable character full of contradictions and obsessions we’ve only begun to explore. Further Monk adventures aren’t just welcome; they’re absolutely necessary.”

Through analyses of a wide range of Chinese literary and visual texts from the beginning of the twentieth century through the contemporary period, the thirteen essays in this volume challenge the view that canonical and popular culture are self-evident and diametrically opposed categories, and instead argue that the two cultural sensibilities are inextricably bound up with one another. An international line up of contributors present detailed analyses of literary works and other cultural products that have previously been neglected by scholars, while also examining more familiar authors and works from provocative new angles.The essays include investigations into the cultural industries and contexts that produce the canonical and popular, the position of contemporary popular works at the interstices of nostalgia and amnesia, and also the ways in which cultural texts are inflected with gendered and erotic sensibilities while at the same time also functioning as objects of desire in its own right. As the only volume of its kind to cover the entire span of the 20th century, and also to consider the interplay of popular and canonical literature in modern China with comparable rigor, Rethinking Chinese Popular Culture is an important resource for students and scholars of Chinese literature and culture.

"Centers on the life of Ding Wenyu, a privileged, womanizing, narcissistic professor of languages, and traces the course of the affair that transforms him from outlandish rake to devoted lover."--Jacket.

This work probes the restaging, representation, and reimagining of historical violence and atrocity in contemporary Chinese fiction, film, and popular culture. It examines five historical moments including the Musha Incident (1930) and the February 28 Incident (1947).

#1 New York Times Bestseller Oprah's Book Club Selection The “extraordinary . . . monumental masterpiece” (Booklist) that changed the course of Ken Follett’s already phenomenal career—and begins where its prequel, The Evening and the Morning, ended. “Follett risks all and comes out a clear winner,” extolled Publishers Weekly on the release of The Pillars of the Earth. A departure for the bestselling thriller writer, the historical epic stunned readers and critics alike with its ambitious scope and gripping humanity. Today, it stands as a testament to Follett’s unassailable command of the written word and to his universal appeal. The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known . . . of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect—a man divided in his soul . . . of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame . . . and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state and brother against brother. A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, this is Ken Follett’s historical masterpiece.

"A Bullet for Cinderella" by John D. MacDonald is a thrilling crime novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. MacDonald's storytelling is masterful as he weaves a gripping narrative of suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists. This book is a must-read for fans of crime fiction and those who appreciate well-crafted plots and complex characters. It delves into the darker aspects of human nature, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.