The following is a list of books recently added to the Brooke County Public Library’s collection:
ADULT FICTION
THE EDGE by David Baldacci. When CIA operative Jenny Silkwell is murdered in rural Maine, government officials have immediate concerns over national security. Her laptop and phone were full of state secrets that, in the wrong hands, endanger the lives of countless operatives. In need of someone who can solve the murder quickly and retrieve the missing information, the U.S. government knows just the chameleon they can call on. Ex-Army Ranger Travis Devine spent his time in the military preparing to take on any scenario, followed by his short-lived business career chasing shadows in the deepest halls of power, so his analytical mind makes him particularly well-suited for complex, high-stakes tasks. Taking down the world’s largest financial conspiracy proved his value, and in comparison, this case looks straightforward. Except small towns hold secrets and Devine finds himself an outsider again. Devine must ingratiate himself with locals who have trusted each other their whole lives, and who distrust outsiders just as much. Dak, Jenny’s brother, who’s working to revitalize the town. Earl, the retired lobsterman who found Jenny’s body. And Alex, Jenny’s sister with a dark past of her own. As Devine gets to know the residents of Putnam, Maine, answers seem to appear and then transform into more questions. There’s a long history of secrets and those who will stop at nothing to keep them from being exposed. Leaving Devine with no idea who he can trust… and who wants him dead.
THE LITTLE LIAR by Mitch Albom. Eleven-year-old Nico Krispis has never told a lie. His schoolmate, Fannie, loves him because of it. Nico’s older brother Sebastian resents him for both these facts. When their young lives are torn apart during the war, it will take them decades to find each other again. Nico’s innocence and goodness is used against his tightly knit community when a German officer barters Nico’s reputation for honesty into a promise to save his loved ones. When Nico realizes the consequences of the betrayal, he can never tell the truth again. He will spend the rest of this life changing names, changing locations and identities, desperate to find a way to forgiveness–for himself and from the people he loves most.
THE SPY COAST by Tess Gerritsen. Former spy Maggie Bird came to the seaside village of Purity, Maine, eager to put the past behind her after a mission went tragically wrong. These days, she’s living quietly on her chicken farm, still wary of blowback from the events that forced her early retirement.
But when a body turns up in Maggie’s driveway, she knows it’s a message from former foes who haven’t forgotten her. Maggie turns to her local circle of old friends–all retirees from the CIA–to help uncover the truth about who is trying to kill her, and why. This “Martini Club” of former spies may be retired, but they still have a few useful skills that they’re eager to use again, if only to spice up their rather sedate new lives. Complicating their efforts is Purity’s acting police chief, Jo Thibodeau. More accustomed to dealing with rowdy tourists than homicide, Jo is puzzled by Maggie’s reluctance to share information–and by her odd circle of friends, who seem to be a step ahead of her at every turn. As Jo’s investigation collides with the Martini Club’s maneuvers, Maggie’s hunt for answers will force her to revisit a clandestine career that spanned the globe, from Bangkok to Istanbul, from London to Malta. The ghosts of her past have returned, but with the help of her friends–and the reluctant Jo Thibodeau–Maggie might just be able to save the life she’s built.
ADULT NON-FICTION
CREATIVE WRITING FOR DUMMIES by Maggie Hamand. Ever dream of writing a book, article, poem, or play that means something to you–and maybe to someone else as well? Do you have an idea you’re ready to get down on paper? In Creative Writing For Dummies, you’ll learn how to unleash your creative side and become a confident and productive writer. Discover the essential elements of storytelling, including structure, characterization, setting, dialogue, and plot, as you navigate the countless ways you can express yourself with the written word. Explore the media and methods you can use to help find an audience–from traditional to self-publishing, social media, blogging, and more!
NONPROFIT BOOKKEEPING AND ACCOUNTING FOR DUMMIES by Maire Lounghran. Nonprofit Bookkeeping & Accounting For Dummies is a helpful guide for anyone who is responsible for financial and accounting operations in nonprofit organizations or needs to read and understand a nonprofit financial statement. It includes information on the basics of nonprofit bookkeeping, general nonprofit accounting principles, basic financial statements, and specific laws and regulations that govern the accounting of nonprofit organizations. With the simple guidance in this book, you’ll learn how to keep accurate books in accordance with state and federal laws, even if your professional background isn’t in finance.
EASY/JUVENILE/YOUNG ADULT/GRAPHIC NOVEL
X MARKS THE SPOT by Stacey DeWitt. When Captain Zora and her pirate pup, Matey, docked their ship and went ashore, a sneaky pirate stole Matey’s treasure map. Follow that pirate to discover what he digs up!
FROM SEED TO PLANT by Gail Gibbons. Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination. Important vocabulary is reinforced with accessible explanation and colorful, clear diagrams showing the parts of plants, the wide variety of seeds, and how they grow. The book includes instructions for a seed-growing project, and a page of interesting facts about plants, seeds, and flowers.