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Set in 1818 Paris, the story follows Vidocq, a formidable figure in law enforcement known for his expertise in disguise and surveillance. As the head of a newly established plainclothes police force, he relentlessly pursues dangerous criminals. His latest challenge involves unraveling the mystery surrounding the young dauphin Louis-Charles, the son of Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XVI, adding a historical intrigue to his thrilling investigations.
Welcome to the world of a grown-up Timothy Cratchit, as created by the astonishing imagination of author Louis Bayard. Mr. Timothy Cratchit has just buried his father. He's also struggling to bury his past as a cripple and shed his financial ties to his benevolent "Uncle" Ebenezer by losing himself in the thick of London's underbelly. He boards at a brothel in exchange for teaching the mistress how to read and spends his nights dredging the Thames for dead bodies and the treasures in their pockets. Timothy's life takes a sharp turn when he discovers the bodies of two dead girls, each seared with the same cruel brand on the upper arm. The sight of their horror-struck faces compels Timothy to become the protector of another young girl, the enigmatic Philomela. Spurred on by the unwavering enthusiasm of a street-smart, fast-talking homeless boy who calls himself Colin the Melodious, Timothy soon finds that he's on the trail of something far worse -- and far more dangerous -- than an ordinary killer. This breathless flight through the teeming markets, shadowy passageways, and rolling brown fog of 1860s London is wrought with remarkable depth and intelligence, complete with surprising twists and extraordinary heart.
Amelia, recently orphaned and responsible for her younger siblings and their family gas station, faces a looming threat from Harley Blevins, a local fuel magnate intent on monopolizing the market. To protect her family from foster care, she devises a plan to find a father figure quickly. When a hobo unexpectedly arrives, Amelia seizes the chance to create a façade. The story explores her determination and resourcefulness as she navigates challenges to keep her family together until she can secure their future.
Political intrigue and family redemption are central themes in this gripping narrative. The story revolves around Eugène François Vidocq, a legendary investigator known for his complex character and tumultuous past. As the plot unfolds, it reveals a tapestry of treachery, cover-ups, and conspiracies, showcasing Bayard's skill in blending historical detail with compelling storytelling. The novel promises an engaging exploration of both personal and political conflicts, highlighting Vidocq's impact on the world around him.
From the critically acclaimed author of Mr. Timothy comes an ingenious tale of murder and revenge, featuring a retired New York City detective and a young cadet named Edgar Allan Poe. At West Point Academy in 1830, the calm of an October evening is shattered by the discovery of a young cadet's body swinging from a rope just off the parade grounds. An apparent suicide is not unheard of in a harsh regimen like West Point's, but the next morning, an even greater horror comes to light. Someone has stolen into the room where the body lay and removed the heart. At a loss for answers and desperate to avoid any negative publicity, the Academy calls on the services of a local civilian, Augustus Landor, a former police detective who acquired some renown during his years in New York City before retiring to the Hudson Highlands for his health. Now a widower, and restless in his seclusion, Landor agrees to take on the case. As he questions the dead man's acquaintances, he finds an eager assistant in a moody, intriguing young cadet with a penchant for drink, two volumes of poetry to his name, and a murky past that changes from telling to telling. The cadet's name? Edgar Allan Poe. Impressed with Poe's astute powers of observation, Landor is convinced that the poet may prove useful—if he can stay sober long enough to put his keen reasoning skills to the task. Working in close contact, the two men—separated by years but alike in intelligence—develop a surprisingly deep rapport as their investigation takes them into a hidden world of secret societies, ritual sacrifices, and more bodies. Soon, however, the macabre murders and Landor's own buried secrets threaten to tear the two men and their newly formed friendship apart. A rich tapestry of fine prose and intricately detailed characters, The Pale Blue Eye transports readers into a labyrinth of the unknown that will leave them guessing until the very end.
"A miracle; an exquisite story exquisitely told ... If you love Jane Austen, or Hamilton, or fiction--of any era--that transports and transforms in equal measure, look no further."--A.J. Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the Window. From the prizewinning author of Mr. Timothy and The Pale Blue Eye comes Courting Mr. Lincoln, the page-turning and surprising story of a young Abraham Lincoln and the two people who loved him best: a young, marriageable Mary Todd and Lincoln's best friend, Joshua Speed. When sparky and independent Mary Todd arrives in Springfield, Illinois, in the 1840s to live with her sister, who is determined to find Mary a husband, she is astonished to find herself drawn to an awkward, melancholic lawyer with a gift for oratory. The two share ambition, an obsession with politics--and a need to be suitably married off. Always at Lincoln's side, however, is the charming Joshua Speed, a shopkeeper who became his mentor in society, loyal friend, roommate--and possible lover. Told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Todd and Speed, this witty, psychologically astute, and brilliantly plotted novel follows the threesome during Todd and Lincoln's tumultuous courtship, with all the suspense and delight of the best Jane Austen novels. Historians have long speculated that Lincoln and Speed had a romantic relationship, and here Bayard explores that forbidden possibility with deep empathy. Rich with both period detail and contemporary insight, Courting Mr. Lincoln offers smart storytelling at the highest level."
Set in 1860s London, this Christmas story follows a grown-up Tiny Tim as he navigates the bustling markets and mysterious streets of the city. With unexpected twists and a deep emotional core, the narrative captures the spirit of Dickensian storytelling. The protagonist's adventures reveal the challenges and joys of life, showcasing resilience and hope against a backdrop of foggy London. This tale promises to engage readers with its rich atmosphere and heartfelt moments.
An ancient mystery and a lost letter intertwine to reveal a captivating web of intrigue that stretches over four centuries. The narrative explores themes of timeless love and the secrets of the past, as characters navigate the complexities of history and personal connections. The story promises to engage readers with its rich historical context and emotional depth, inviting them to uncover the layers of mystery alongside the protagonists.
"In his witty and beautifully written novels, Louis Bayard is establishing Washington D.C. as the District of Comedy."-Bob Smith, author of Openly Bob , and Way to Go Smith The Broome family is facing an uncertain future; however no one but youngest son Nick seems to notice. Driven by an inexplicable but driving certainty that they are on the brink of extinction, Nick vows to bring a child into the world by whatever means necessary. The problem? Nick is gay. The brave new world of parenting is explored as never before in Louis Bayard's new novel, which is full of the dry wit, snaking plot turns, and vivid, well-rounded characters that earned raves and fans for his first novel, Fool's Errand. Nick's quest for a surrogate mother will draw him to schizophrenics, Hispanic immigrants, body-pierced teenagers, female escorts, a God-fearing phlebotomist, an itinerant matchmaker, and an unbalanced but irrepressible young woman named Nattie, who ultimately may provide what he is seeking in the way he least expected. Alternately moving and very, very funny, Nick Broome's quest to leave a mark on the world drives straight to the heart of the evolving nature of love and family. Louis Bayard is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Nerve.Com, Genre, Lambda Book Report, and the Washington Blade among others. He is the author of Fool's Errand, and lives in Washington, D.C.
Set against the backdrop of the 1914 Amazon expedition led by Teddy and Kermit Roosevelt, this novel reimagines their adventure with a blend of historical detail and imaginative storytelling. It explores the challenges and dangers faced by the Roosevelts in the uncharted wilderness, highlighting themes of ambition, survival, and the complex relationship between father and son. Acclaimed author Louis Bayard weaves a gripping narrative that brings to life the perils of exploration and the allure of the unknown.
