Gary L. Blackwood Knihy

Intrigue, danger, chess, and a real-life hoax combine in this historical novel from the author of The Shakespeare Stealer Philadelphia, PA, 1835. Rufus, a twelve-year-old chess prodigy, is recruited by a shady showman named Maelzel to secretly operate a mechanical chess player called the Turk. The Turk wows ticket-paying audience members and players, who do not realize that Rufus, the true chess master, is hidden inside the contraption. But Rufus’s job working the automaton must be kept secret, and he fears he may never be able to escape his unscrupulous master. And what has happened to the previous operators of the Turk, who seem to disappear as soon as Maelzel no longer needs them? Creeping suspense, plenty of mystery, and cameos from Edgar Allan Poe and P. T. Barnum mark Gary Blackwood’s triumphant return to middle grade fiction.

Things are disappearing mysteriously from Will Shakespeare's acting company, and it looks like an inside job. Everyone's eyes are on Widge, the orphan boy turned actor, and former thief. Widge knows better than anyone that Shakespeare's plays must be protected at all costs. In order to prove his innocence and clear his name, Widge must learn a new role: spy. But can he dig through the suspects and skulduggery and catch the true culprit?

Set against the backdrop of the Black Plague's impact on the Globe Theatre, the story follows Widge, an orphan and talented apprentice with a gift for shorthand, as he embarks on a tour with Shakespeare's acting troupe. His passion for the stage is challenged when a mysterious stranger reveals a secret from his past that threatens to separate him from the theatre he cherishes. This adventure explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the transformative power of art amidst adversity.

A delightful adveture full of humor and heart set in Elizabethan England!Widge is an orphan with a rare talent for shorthand. His fearsome master has just one demand: steal Shakespeare's play "Hamlet"--or else. Widge has no choice but to follow orders, so he works his way into the heart of the Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare's players perform. As full of twists and turns as a London alleyway, this entertaining novel is rich in period details, colorful characters, villainy, and drama.* "A fast-moving historical novel that introduces an important era with casual familiarity." -- School Library Journal , starred review"Readers will find much to like in Widge, and plenty to enjoy in this gleeful romp through olde England"  --Kirkus Reviews "Excels in the lively depictions of Elizabethan stagecraft and street life." -- Publishers WeeklyAn ALA Notable Book

Set against the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War, the story follows fifteen-year-old Creighton Brown, a British boy reluctantly sent to the colonies. As he befriends Benjamin Franklin and works at his underground print shop, Creighton grapples with conflicting loyalties. Caught between the expectations of the English general and his growing allegiance to the American cause, he faces a pivotal choice that could shape the future of a nation amidst the turmoil of war and deception.

At 14 years old, Ryan Waite is not a bad actor -- in fact he’s quite a good one. Good enough to have had several years’ experience on various stages of Toronto, where he lives with his mother. When Ryan messes up an audition for a part in Les Miz, he makes contact with a bulky character named Burton who launches the boy into the most challenging role of his lifetime. Burton turns out to be a private investigator who’s out to make some big money through arranging for Ryan to impersonate a boy who is the long-lost son of a millionaire desperate to re-establish the relationship with his son before he dies. Suddenly Ryan finds himself performing a part considerably beyond his depth, having to improvise emotions and understandings and make up complicated lies just in order to stay ahead of the game.Ryan knows discovery is inevitable and when the moment arrives, he has to dig deep to find the most graceful and honourable way of making his exit.

Dangerous knowledge becomes a central theme as the narrative unfolds, exploring the consequences when information falls into the wrong hands. The story delves into the moral dilemmas faced by characters who grapple with the power and implications of what they know. As tensions rise, the characters must navigate a treacherous landscape where their choices could lead to devastating outcomes, highlighting the fine line between enlightenment and peril.

1853. When the body of a prostitute is found in Hyde Park, veteran sleuth Charley Field is disinclined to believe the official verdict of suicide. Convinced the woman was murdered, he determines to track down the mysterious client who visited her the day she died. But there is more to this murder than even Charley could have imagined.

A story of a rebellion against the fashionable mores of our time. A young American is stranded in Scotland without any idea of how it has happened. She fights to discover the hidden forces which were attempting her abduction.