An easy going drama critic discovers that his kind and gentle aunts have a bizarre habit of poisoning gentlemen callers and burying them in the cellar.

The earth trembled beneath Ruth's feet for a moment, then, all at once, she understood. The light in the attic window, the marked paragraph in the paper, and the death notices—why, yes, the Charles Winfield who had married Abigail Weatherby was Miss Ainslie's lover, and Carl was his son. “He went away!” Miss Ainslie's voice came again to Ruth, when she told her story, with no hint of her lover's name. He went away, and soon afterward, married Abigail Weatherby, but why? Was it love at first sight, or did he believe that his sweetheart was dead? Then Carl was born and the mother died. Twelve years afterward, he followed her—broken hearted. Carl had told her that his father could not bear the smell of lavender nor the sight of any shade of purple—and Miss Ainslie always wore lavender and lived in the scent of it—had he come to shrink from it through remorse...FROM THE BOOKS.

The Puzzle Lady embarks on another adventure involving one classic movie and featuring new puzzles by Will Shortz When an elderly boarder at a Bakerhaven bed-and-breakfast drops dead during afternoon tea, there's nothing particularly suspicious about it—except for the Sudoku in his jacket pocket. But when a second body turns up in the window seat and an autopsy shows both men were poisoned with elderberry wine, the Puzzle Lady suspects she's dealing with a cold-blooded killer who for some reason is copying the Cary Grant movie Arsenic and Old Lace, in which two old ladies who run a boarding house poison elderly widowers and bury them in the basement. More murders, more puzzles, and a grave dug in the cellar seem to cement the theory. Ordinarily, Cora would eat a case like this for breakfast, but for once she can't figure it out. And she's not sure if the clues don't add up, or if the much-married Puzzle Lady is just distracted by being involved in her first romantic entanglement in years. Arsenic and Old Puzzles is filled with laughs, mayhem, and fun new puzzles by Will Shortz. Mystery and puzzle fans will find much to enjoy in this latest treat from Parnell Hall.

Endearing detective duo' Diesel the cat and librarian Charlie Harris are back on the case in the hardcover debut of this New York Times bestselling series. In Athena, Mississippi, librarian Charlie Harris is known for his good nature-and for his Maine coon cat, Diesel, that he walks on a leash. Charlie returned to his hometown to immerse himself in books, but taking the plunge into a recent acquisition will have him in over his head.'

Shares reproductions of the artist's fantasy-themed paintings along with personal insights and a discussion of her characters' histories.

Shake, Stir and Blend Tasty Cocktails Inspired by the Chic Midcentury Era From seasoned New York City bartender Natalie Jacob, founder of the blog Arsenic Lace, comes timeless cocktail recipes from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, revamped with delightful contemporary flourishes. These unique recipes perfect midcentury and tiki-bar classics, while sprinkling in Natalie’s cutting-edge twists to create heavenly cocktails that marry new and nostalgic flavors. Whether you’re new to bartending, a seasoned professional or simply looking to tap into that swanky midcentury aesthetic, Natalie’s easy instructions and fresh ideas are the perfect guide to your mixology journey.

This complete, one-year high school English course uses classic movies on video to introduce and study the elements of literary analysis. Student discussion and composition questions are provided for each of 17 lessons, several of which can also be used to supplement studies in grades 7 and 8. Also included are an extensive teacher s guide/answer key, plot summaries, glossary of literary terms, and final exam. This course will not only give students the tools to appreciate good books more fully, but will equip them with the ability to discern underlying messages in movies rather than simply absorb them. The following 17 movies are covered by Movies As Literature: Shane, Friendly Persuasion, The Quiet Man, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Music Man, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Maltese Falcon, Rear Window, Emma, The Philadelphia Story, The Journey of August King, To Kill A Mockingbird, A Raisin in the Sun, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Henry V, A Man For All Seasons, and Chariots of Fire."