Barbara D. Amato Knihy

Kniha se zaobírá otázkou prostituce. Autorka říká: "U zrodu Továrny na rozkoš stála myšlenka, kterou jsem vložila Cat do úst: ´O prostituci jsem už slyšela všechno možné, ale nic o ní nevím´. Většina z nás si utváří názor podle zpráv ve sdělovacích prostředcích, což v nás vyvolává dojem, že svět je velmi nebezpečné místo. Ve své knize se snažím ukázat, že černobílé vidění my jsme slušní lidé - ony jsou spodina společnosti, je mírně řečeno zavádějící."

Hned na začátku Špinavé hry se hlavní hrdinka Cat Marsalová ocitá v nebezpečí, když vedle ní exploduje bomba. S notnou dávkou štěstí přežije, ale Louisa Sugarmanová, která seděla vedle ní, takové štěstí nemá. Louisa sice měla kontroverzní názory, ale chtěl by ji proto někdo zabít?.

The story follows archaeologist Blue Eriksen, whose unexpected bestseller leads her to explore ancient sites for evidence of hallucinogens in historical religions. Driven by the belief that these substances could help combat drug addiction, she delves deeper into her research. However, her groundbreaking work attracts danger, as someone is determined to stop her at all costs, raising the stakes in her quest for knowledge and safety.

Set in the tranquil adult community of Young Lake, the story unfolds as tensions rise between different generations, leading to unexpected conflict. The once peaceful town faces challenges that disrupt its calm atmosphere, highlighting the complexities of intergenerational relationships. As the characters navigate their differences, the narrative explores themes of community, understanding, and the impact of change on a seemingly idyllic environment.

In On My Honor, Samantha Lawton, recently separated, is raising two sons by herself. Fortunately, they're in Boy Scouts, and, with no father in the house, she is glad they have positive male role models. After a series of fatal accidents, however, she starts having second thoughts-and these second thoughts grow stronger after a Scout is seen in the area of another "accident." Determined to protect her children by getting to the bottom of things, Samantha soon finds herself in trouble. But she is not the only one concerned. Henry Ax, the chief of police, has also noticed what's been going on, but he's not so worried about protecting the Boy Scouts-he's afraid that they might be the ones causing the accidents. Samantha has to learn who is doing this before her own sons end up as suspects-or, worse, before they end up victims themselves. And in the short story, "Steak Tartare," a theater manager with an eye for another man's wife is invited to a very special dinner-one he'll never forget for the rest of his life.

"Barbara D'Amato appears to be just hitting her stride-a vigorous, stylish stride that's attracting wide-spread attention and admiration." -The Drood Review of Mystery In novels like Hard Luck and Hard Women, award-winner Barbara D'Amato has thrilled audiences with the exploits of her journalist-turned-sleuth, Cat Marsala, who always squeezes life out of a deadly situation. Now comes Cat's most dangerous assignment, a truly Hard Case mixing medicine, mayhem, and murder... Cat figures on some quick bucks doing a feature on the life-and-death drama of one of Chicago's largest trauma centers. What she doesn't figure on is finding the director dead in the staff lounge, a lump of gauze stuck in her throat. Now Cat's story has a whole new slant. Not every staff member is dedicated to healing-and Cat's next tour could be of the morgue..."

She's an ace reporter. An amateur sleuth. And she's always clued in. But now Cat Marsala is faced with her toughest case, one that could put a friend's job-and life-on the line. A domestic-violence call turns into a case of murder-of one cop by another. The alleged killer is an officer in the unit of Cat's friend, Chief McCoo, and now his reputation is on the line. Department leaks begin to destroy his career-and dangerous incidents around the station soon follow. Now Cat must sift through the conspiracy to clear McCoo's name-before the unknown traitor resorts to murder...

DEAD MAN'S FLOAT Good food, rich company and a great story on how the other half lives combine for an assignment free-lance journalist Cat Marsala just can't pass up. Except for the fact that all this eating and making merry will take place on a gorgeous sixty-two-foot sloop-and Cat hates boats and water. But she has a nose for trouble even if she lacks sea legs, and trouble is definitely brewing aboard the Easy Girl. The yacht's passenger list reads like a television drama-complete with characters whose real lives are laced with passion, scandal, vengeance... and murder. The killer strikes behind a locked door-and there are witnesses to prove no one went in or out of the victim's stateroom. It's a crime that couldn't have happened. Now Cat is hunting a killer in the middle of Lake Michigan-risky business for a woman who can't swim.

WINNER OF THE ANTHONY AND AGATHA AWARDS FOR BEST TRUE CRIME In 1968, Dr. John Branion was found guilty of murdering his wife in their posh Chicago home. After exhausting his appeals, he evaded authorities by fleeing to Africa. He was finally captured in 1983-but his case was far from over. It would take another seven years for Dr. Branion to finally win his freedom-and for those who prosecuted him to admit that he could not have committed the murder, and that they knew it all along. Acclaimed mystery writer Barbara D'Amato was drawn to this story two decades after the murder, as Dr. Branion languished in prison, ill and without hope. Her meticulous research repeatedly led her to one startling conclusion: that it was impossible for Donna Branion's murder to have unfolded the way the police alleged. In this award-winning account, D'Amato deftly explores the intriguing facts of this shocking case-from the tragic blunders made by authorities to Branion's arrest, conviction, and years practicing medicine in Africa as a fugitive from justice. The result is a damning indictment of our criminal system-and the vindication of an innocent man. The Doctor, The Murder, The Mystery by Barbara D'Amato won the Anthony and Agatha Awards for Best True Crime. She is also the author of the highly acclaimed Cat Marsala mysteries, including Hard Case and Hard Christmas. She lives in Chicago.

It begins with a romantic dinner for three: Chicago journalist Cat Marsala, her semi-significant other, Dr. Sam Davidian, and a temporary houseguest named Dapper, a Dalmatian with a bone to pick. Unfortunately, Dapper's doggie treat happens to be from a human cadaver. It's just one piece in a grisly puzzle that leads Cat to a panic-stricken butcher-and an elite catering service that's feeding the appetite of an ingenious killer. And piecing the mystery together has left Cat to wonder... What other evidence in this grisly murder remains to be seen?