The Zig Zag Girl
Plot:
Brighton, 1950.
When the body of a girl is found, cut into three, Detective Inspector Edgar Stephens is reminded of a magic trick, the Zig Zag Girl.
The inventor of the trick, Max Mephisto, is an old friend of Edgar's. They served together in the war as part of a shadowy unit called the Magic Men.
Max is still on the circuit, touring seaside towns in the company of ventriloquists, sword-swallowers and dancing girls. Changing times mean that variety is not what it once was, yet Max is reluctant to leave this world to help Edgar investigate. But when the dead girl turns out to be known to him, Max changes his mind.
Another death, another magic trick: Edgar and Max become convinced that the answer to the murders lies in their army days. When Edgar receives a letter warning of another 'trick', the Wolf Trap, he knows that they are all in danger...
About the Author:
Elly Griffiths was born in London. She read English at King's College, London and worked in publishing for many years.
Her crime novels are based in Norfolk and feature Dr Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist.
She lives near Brighton with her husband, an archaeologist, and their two children.
The Rise and Fall of Versailles
One of the best documentaries I've seen of
Versailles
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Versailles
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| The Beautiful Mirror Room (my favourite room ever) |
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| Mirror room |
Cardinal Richelieu
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Cardinal Richelieu was born Armand Jean du Plessis in Paris on September 9, 1585. He took the name Richelieu from the name of his family's estate.
Armand was extremely intelligent and at the age of nine was sent to College de Navarre in Paris. In 1602, at age seventeen he began studying theology seriously. In 1606 he was appointed Bishop of Luçon, and in 1622 Pope Gregory made Richelieu a Cardinal.
Cardinal Richelieu rose from his provincial post in Luçon to become France's Secretary of State for foreign affairs in 1616, and then on to head the royal council as prime minister of France in 1624.
His powerful, analytical intellect was characterized by a reliance on reason, strong will, the ability to govern others and use political power effectively.
Even before becoming Prime Minister, Richelieu's political views were well-defined. He had a clear idea of how society should function. Everyone played a specific role in the system, making their unique contributions: the clergy through prayer; the nobility with arms under the control of the king, and the common people through obedience.
Richelieu believed in the divine right of the king, whose role it was to promote peace and order in society.
Richelieu adhered to the maxim that "the ends justify the means".
Although he devoutly believed in the mission of the Roman Church, he sought to assign the church a more practical role. Richelieu argued that the state is above everything, and that religion is a mere instrument to promote the policies of the state.
When Richelieu rose to power France's King Louis XIII had not solidified his authority in France. A combination of political corruption, an independent nobility, and the power of a Protestant group called the Huguenots, threatened the monarchy's rule.
In 1627 Richelieu set out to secure the authority of the crown through force and political repression. By 1631 he had crushed Huguenot resistance, severely punished nobles who plotted against the king, and replaced his enemies in the government.
In addition, he expanded the king's authority in the provinces through the use of royal agents called intendants.
Richelieu insisted that the king apply the law with severity, otherwise the state could not survive. He emphasized that rigorous punishment of even small crimes would forestall greater ones. Through this reasoning, Richelieu provided his sovereign a rationale for the harsh rule he knew to be requisite with strengthening and maintaining the authority of the French State.
Cardinal Richelieu has been admired by many historians for his intelligence and energy. During his service as prime minister he helped France become the leading power in Europe.
He supported the French navy and the establishment of French colonies in Africa and the Caribbean.
Richelieu was also a great patron of the arts. He rebuilt the Sorbonne in Paris, supported promising writers and founded the French Academy. Many French historians consider Richelieu as the founder of French unity, as well as the person who released France from its medieval nature.
Dedicated to my
Dear Max Moritz
"It’s Not Me, It’s You" - Mhairi McFarlane
An achingly funny story about how to be your own hero when life pulls the rug out from under your feet.
From the author of the bestselling YOU HAD ME AT HELLO
Delia Moss isn’t quite sure where she went wrong.
When she proposed and discovered her boyfriend was sleeping with someone else – she thought it was her fault.
When she realised life would never be the same again – she thought it was her fault.
And when he wanted her back like nothing had changed – Delia started to wonder if perhaps she was not to blame…
From Newcastle to London and back again, with dodgy jobs, eccentric bosses and annoyingly handsome journalists thrown in, Delia must find out where her old self went – and if she can ever get her back.
About the Author
Mhairi was born in Scotland in 1976 and her unnecessarily confusing name is pronounced Vah-Ree.
After some efforts at journalism, she started writing novels.
It’s Not Me, It’s You is her third book.
She lives in Nottingham, with a man and a cat.
US
UK
November is the month of...
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Historic Personalities!
This month I will focus on Historic personalities (politics, writers, movie directors, painters, etc)
Do you have someone you would like to see here on Arts?
Send your suggestion to
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Happy Halloween!!
It's that time of the year and one of my favourites!
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Happy Halloween or Merry Samhain!!
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I give you one oldie for one of the best horror movie for you to watch on this night, while scaring the kids that came to our porch and eat some goodies.
Amityville - A True Story case
(one of the case files of the Warrens couple)
The Shadow of War: The Great War Series Book 1 (Great War 1)
Ok....my love for History has no end...but for the both Great Wars... They are simply magic to my ears, eyes and intellect.
What about a First World War series, each book talks about one year of the First World War.
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Description:
June 1914.
The beginning of another long, prosperous summer for Britain. But beneath the clear skies, all is not as it seem - as the chill wind of social discontent swirls around this sceptred isle.
Shots ring out in a distant European land - the assassination of a foreign aristocrat. From that moment the entire world is propelled into a conflict unlike any seen before.
This is the story of five British communities, their circumstances very different, but who will all share in the tragedy that is to come. All that they have known will be changed for ever by the catastrophic events of the Great War.
This is a story of love and comradeship, of hatred and tragedy - this is the story of the Great War.
The Shadow of War, the first novel in The Great War series from Stewart Binns, is a thrilling read and perfect for those who enjoy the writing of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell.
This book is
The Alter Ego of Marjorie Primm - Penny Hart-Wood
Plot:
When Marjorie married George and moved to the country, she never imagined she would be trading her career and independence to spend the next 15 years pandering to his every chauvinist whim. To further add to her discontent, her daughter, on the verge of hormone infested teenagedom has begun to treat her like George does – with contempt. Marjorie has ended up with no friends, no social life and an unhealthy fear of the local village.
Realising that if something doesn’t change, she will be swallowed into an abyss of anti-depressants and wine, she decides it’s time to venture out into the big wide world again.
This is a story of one woman’s search to reclaim her identity. Her antics are: hilarious, erotic, tragic, self-affirming and massively entertaining.
About the Author:
Marjorie Primm is my first novel, although I have been writing for more years than I care to remember.
My youth was misspent writing deep and meaningful poems that no one would ever read. I then further hindered any hope of progress by believing I could be the next Jane Austen and write beautiful romantic literature. This was never going to happen and several failed manuscripts found their way into the WPB.
Having almost given up hope of ever producing a book, I turned to writing a blog. www.grumpywoman.co.uk This is how I found my voice. My style won't be everybody's cup of tea, because it's simple and straight to the point, bit like me really.
US
UK
Frederic Ayers
Frederic Ayers is one of the authors that I've met that surprised me.
Firstly because he writes in English and Spanish, secondly because not many authors can write a mix of "Poe" and Twilight Zone...
For those who know me, not only in books but in movies, the unexpected and the surprise element is exactly what I love to feel, hear and see.
About this author:
Frederic Ayers is an author, world traveler, and lover of fiction. He wrote his first short story at the age of fourteen after reading Edgar Allen Poe in school. He has been attracted to writing short stories ever since. He also worked as a mechanic in the Navy, but writing has always been his calling.
Originally hailing from California, he has lived in more cities than he can count, including stints in Europe and Latin America. He currently lives in sunny south Florida with his wife and two daughters. When he is not working on a new short story, he is probably researching the latest beer trends at the local pub.
These are 2 of his works I have read so far:
Something in the Mist
Charles Clark wasn't as simple as he looked. He had scars, deep scars going back to childhood. When a new gas station opens up on the route to work, Charles panics.
Will Charles be able to control his fears, or will he just blow up?
English:
Spanish:
Mother Knows
Donna Black is a housewife who hates going to her mother-in-laws house. But when she gets to the house and sees the glossy porcelain face of the doll staring back at her, she tells her husband Walter that it is staring at her. Walter scoffs at her fear of clowns and reminds her that his mother is 79 years old.
Now, when Donna's mother-in-law shows her an article in the newspaper of a man who looks exactly like the doll. When the doorbell rings Donna has even more to worry about as she goes to answer it. Will Donna ever survive what is behind the door?
English:
Spanish:
Alex Campbell - Land
Today's book is another impressive one that I received.
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Plot:
A tense and passionate novel about choices, obsession, destiny and power
The sea rose. Civilisation was wiped out, countries drowned. Out of the ashes of a desperate refugee camp, a new society was born, with a new place to call home: Land. Trapped by an aggressive sea, its citizens were bound to rules that saw the weak removed, marriage and children by approval only, and designated work for all. All for the greater good ...
Decades later, and seventeen-year-old Christy's life is on the cusp of irrevocable change. She has become eligible for The Pairing, a carefully selected marriage of political and social convenience where romance is out of the question. Her grandmother, Cons, has also reached a significant age - sixty-six: soon the Selection Truck will arrive to take her away forever.
Christy's only hope for protection lies with her errant rebel father ... but nothing goes as it's supposed to. As Christy finds a Pairing that might offer a new opportunity for love and security, she also uncovers a destiny that has been hidden from her; truths that have been disguised as childhood lies. With Cons' life under threat, Christy is forced to face a whole new world, one where she must choose between those she cares about and the greater good. A new life where she must play the reluctant rebel, revolutionary, lover ... and assassin.
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About the Author
Alex Campbell announced she was going to be a writer at eight years old.
But no one took much notice. After a nomadic education daydreaming in back rows across Luton, Chester, London, Sheffield and Middlesbrough - and one English degree later - Alex moved into the world of PR and copywriting.
Here she worked on getting other people noticed instead.
Now, living near Bath with one husband, two children and an armful of untold stories, Alex's eight-year-old self's ambition has finally been realised with the publication of her debut novel, LAND.
When she's not gazing dreamily out of windows, Alex can usually be found, notebook at the ready, in dark art-house cinemas, propping up coffee bars, or worse.
UK
Queen Forever - New album
Featuring Michael Jackson is one of the best news on this album!
Three tracks that were never edited, with the deceased singer Freddie Mercury are the spotlight on "Queen Forever", the new album from the iconic British band, that arrives the stores this 10th of November.
among the novelties of this album we can find "There Must be More to Life Than This", song originally composed and released in 1985 on the 1st solo album of Freddie Mercury, "Mr. Bad Guy". The track is now edited in a unreleased version recorded with Michael Jackson, from the recording sessions of "The Works", album of 1984 from Queen.
Anther of the good news of this album is the track "Let Me in Your Heart Again", song composed by Brian May written originally for the record "The Works" but wasn't completed till now. It's a song where the voice of Freddie Mercury shows his power and in which were added new guitar and drums parts plus the choir of May and Roger Taylor (drummer).
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The third songs is "Love Kills", was composed by Mercury and the Italian producer Giorgio Moroder. The track was initially recorded for the soundtrack of the movie "Metropolis", of Fritz Lang, movie dated from 1927. Mercury recorded a version of this track, in a more dancing style, that consisted in his first solo single, released in 1984.
This released version is a ballad in a slower tone, and has been interpreted in the most recent tour of Queen with the lead singer Adam Lambert.
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Curiosity:
Did you know that Freddie Mercury's real name was "Farrokh Bulsara" and that he was born in Zanzibar (today part of Tanzania) and lived till he was 17 in Bombay (today Mumbai, India)?
I leave you with some of the old videos from Queen
Last but not the least, one of my favorites:
Sponsored by
Poisoned Waters by Ermisenda Alvarez
Starting this month of Literature, I have this terrific book of a young author that I met.
Not only Ermisenda Alvarez is talented in writing she is as well making Covers for others books (check the link of her blog down).
For me this book was a "don't want to put down" book.
For me this book was a "don't want to put down" book.
Plot:
Bloody mistakes, ugly scars, and beautiful lies. A tale of corruption.
Helen Gardener is murdered on a trans-Atlantic cruise. The Diamond Royale sails from Southampton to New York with her murderer aboard. Set in the 1950s, Poisoned Waters follows the stories of seven unfortunate characters and how they are affected by her death. Was it merely an accident? Mr Phillips, the owner of the ship, and sponsor of the cruise, rules with an iron fist, in search of something or someone.
Lies spiral out of control as the suspects try to survive the final days on board. Conflicted by their sense of morals, greed, and lust, they realise what kind of people they really are. Who will rise? Who will fall? Who was Helen's murderer?
Note: It contains adult themes including death, violence, and sex scenes.
Note 2: This title is currently being translated to Spanish.
Note 2: This title is currently being translated to Spanish.
About the Author:
Along with numerous solo works, Ermisenda began writing on role play sites at fourteen and completed her first crime novel at fifteen. Driven by the desire to evoke the kaleidoscope of emotions her favorite authors are able to, she kept writing. Growing up bilingual amongst her Spanish family in Australia, she found a love and deep appreciation for language and the power it wielded.
Now she's working on a joint project with coauthor Eliabeth Hawthorne. Ermisenda has written Leocardo's perspective of Blind Sight #1, the first book in an urban fantasy series that changes depending on whose perspective you're reading. So the question is, "whose eyes will you read through?"
USA
UK
October is...
Yes I'm back and happier than ever with the events and in a new place. :)
And... October will be the literature month!
I have a lot of good books and exceptionally good authors that I met from the US and the UK as well.
Plus a lot of good artists that are getting "revived" and others new and fresh on the market.
So stay tuned on Art this month.
Antonio Giacca - Back Home (New release)
Been heavily supported by Pete Tong (featured on last week Essential Selections), David Guetta, Rehab, EDX, Michael Woods (top track of the week!) and many more.
Go Antonio!
Maroon 5 - Animals (Lyric Video)
Baby I'm preying on you tonight
Hunt you down eat you alive
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals
Maybe you think that you can hide
I can smell your scent for miles
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals
Baby I'm
So what you trying to do to me
It's like we can't stop we're enemies
But we get along when I'm inside you
You're like a drug that's killing me
I cut you out entirely
But I get so high when I'm inside you
Yeah you can start over you can run free
You can find other fish in the sea
You can pretend it's meant to be
But you can't stay away from me
I can still hear you making that sound
Taking me down rolling on the ground
You can pretend that it was me
But no
Baby I'm preying on you tonight
Hunt you down eat you alive
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals
Maybe you think that you can hide
I can smell your scent for miles
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals
Baby I'm
So if I run it's not enough
You're still in my head forever stuck
So you can do what you wanna do
I love your lies I'll eat 'em up
But don't deny the animal
That comes alive when I'm inside you
Yeah you can start over you can run free
You can find other fish in the sea
You can pretend it's meant to be
But you can't stay away from me
I can still hear you making that sound
Taking me down rolling on the ground
You can pretend that it was me
But no
Baby I'm preying on you tonight
Hunt you down eat you alive
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