National Network for Equitable Library Service

When President Clay Dixon's father-in-law -- a former vice president -- is injured in a farming accident, First Lady Kate Dixon returns to Minnesota to be at his side. Assigned to protect her, Secret Service agent Bo Thorsen soon falls under Kate's spell. He also suspects the accident is part of a trap set for Kate by David Moses, an escaped mental patient who once loved her. What Bo and Moses don't realize is that they're caught in a web of deadly intrigue spun by a seemingly insignificant bureaucratic department within the federal government.

The discovery of a murdered body disguised as a cornfield scarecrow becomes the first of several disturbing events in a scenic Virginia community, where Harry and her husband prepare for the local Halloween festivities and uncover a lucrative conspiracy.

A disturbed, vindictive woman escapes prison and launches a murderous spree of revenge upon her family. Cissy Cahill, a member of that family, must do everything in her power to protect the lives of her loved ones. Her own life, however, may be in the greatest danger of all.

Isabel Dalhousie is a philosopher by training, and an amateur sleuth by choice. When a young man falls from a balcony to his death, Isabel does not believe it was an accident. Plunging deep into the shady business community of Edinburgh, she is determined to root out the truth.

While Precious Ramotswe travels to a game reserve to investigate the death of an American tourist, trouble brews back home. Mma Makutsi launches the Complaint Half Hour, providing herself a forum for her grievances. And Precious' dependable husband Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni suddenly decides to mortgage his auto repair shop.

Mma "Precious" Ramotswe's comfortable existence as the only detective in Botswana is rattled when a certain Mr. Buthelezi opens the Satisfaction Guaranteed Detective Agency. Mr. Buthelezi's brochure advises, "Don't take any chances! Entrust your enquiries to a MAN!" As if this development isn't enough, Precious has also taken on two difficult cases, one of which hits close to home. But with wisdom and common sense on her side -- and plenty of bush tea -- she figures to crack both cases and upstage her competition.

Mma Ramotswe has been engaged to Mr. J.L.B Matekoni for quite some time, and still they have no wedding date. But she doesn't want to be too pushy, for Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni has much on his mind. Mma Potokwani, who runs the orphan farm, has tricked him into a parachute jump to benefit charity.

Between glances in the mirror, vain Bruce contemplates a new career as a wine merchant. His troubled flatmate Pat finds herself looking for true love at a nudist picnic. Precocious Bertie, now six years old, prepares for kindergarten despite the horror of being forced to wear pink overalls. Meanwhile, his domineering mother Irene and his psychotherapist Dr. Fairbairn struggle with dark secrets as Bertie plots his rebellion against them.

Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi travel to the Okavango Delta to visit a safari lodge beset by unexplained events. There they are awestruck by the breathtaking scenery, but also troubled by the region's many difficulties--not the least of which is the occasional grumpy hippopotamus.

This Isabel Dalhousie tale finds the ethical philosopher doing background checks on several candidates for the same job. In the process, Isabel learns quite a bit about herself, as well.