Books with author Roberta MacDonald

In The Chill a distraught young man hires private investigator Lew Archer to track down his runaway bride. But no sooner has he found Dolly Kincaid than Archer finds himself entangled in two murders, one twenty years old, the other so recent that the blood is still wet. What ensues is a detective novel of nerve-racking suspense, desperately believable characters, and one of the most intricate plots ever spun by an American crime writer.

In The Chill a distraught young man hires private investigator Lew Archer to track down his runaway bride. But no sooner has he found Dolly Kincaid than Archer finds himself entangled in two murders, one twenty years old, the other so recent that the blood is still wet. What ensues is a detective novel of nerve-racking suspense, desperately believable characters, and one of the most intricate plots ever spun by an American crime writer.

On the home front, two wartime lovers reunite under a cloud of paranoia in this thriller from Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Ross Macdonald In 1937 Munich, an American must be careful when he smokes his pipe. Robert Branch, a careless academic, makes the mistake of lighting up when the Führer is about to begin a procession, and nearly gets pummeled for his mistake. Only the timely intervention of Ruth Esch, a flame-haired actress, saves him. So begins a month-long romance between East and West—a torrid affair that ends when the lovers make the mistake of defending a Jew, earning Branch a beating and Esch a trip to a concentration camp. Six years later, Esch escapes to Vichy and makes her way to Detroit. To her surprise, Branch is waiting for her. He is a professor, working for the war effort, and his paranoia about a spy inside the Motor City war board sours their reunion. Once again, a dangerous net is encircling these lovers—a reminder that, in this war, love always comes second to death.

On the home front, two wartime lovers reunite under a cloud of paranoia in this thriller from Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Ross Macdonald In 1937 Munich, an American must be careful when he smokes his pipe. Robert Branch, a careless academic, makes the mistake of lighting up when the Führer is about to begin a procession, and nearly gets pummeled for his mistake. Only the timely intervention of Ruth Esch, a flame-haired actress, saves him. So begins a month-long romance between East and West—a torrid affair that ends when the lovers make the mistake of defending a Jew, earning Branch a beating and Esch a trip to a concentration camp. Six years later, Esch escapes to Vichy and makes her way to Detroit. To her surprise, Branch is waiting for her. He is a professor, working for the war effort, and his paranoia about a spy inside the Motor City war board sours their reunion. Once again, a dangerous net is encircling these lovers—a reminder that, in this war, love always comes second to death.

A for . . . Achoo?B for Bump, Bang, and Bop?C for Crackle, Clank, and Crunch?This is truly an alphabet with attitude, created by that master of raucous humor, Ross MacDonald. In this hilarious book you'll see clothes ripped off an intrepid game hunter by a ferocious lion (ROAR! RIP! RUN!); a little boy who manages to pin the tail on his father, rather than the donkey. (NO! OH! OOPS! OW!); and an exceedingly plump Santa being crammed down the chimney (JINGLE! JINGLE! JINGLE!).But wait! There's more! All the words in this book where set in 19th-century wood type and printed in blazing color on a handpress, creating extraordinary visual effects. An endnote accompanied by photographs describes the process and serves as a fascinating introduction to a disappearing craft

In The Chill a distraught young man hires Archer to track down his runaway bride. But no sooner has he found Dolly Kincaid than Archer finds himself entangled in two murders, one twenty years old, the other so recent that the blood is still wet. What ensues is a detective novel of nerve-racking suspense, desperately believable characters, and one of the most intricate plots ever spun by an American crime writer.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Henry’s Hand is a story about the friendship between Henry, a giant, and his right hand. You see, Henry sometimes has trouble keeping track of his body parts―everything from his ears to one of his legs can fall off. Once, his eye even rolled under the couch and wouldn’t come out until bedtime. But with help from Hand, Henry keeps himself together. In fact, Henry and Hand are the best of friends . . . that is, until Henry takes Hand for granted, pushes him too far, and Hand runs away. A charming tale of friendship, forgiveness, and loyalty, Henry’s Hand is also a quirky story for readers of all ages, especially those of us who know what it feels like to fight with your best friend. Praise for Henry's Hand “A charming story with wonderful illustrations―give Ross and Henry a hand!” ―Patrick McDonnell, Caldecott Honor–winning author/illustrator of Me . . . Jane and creator of Mutts “Clever, moving, and funny. What more can you ask for in a beautifully illustrated children’s book?” ―Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair and father of five “In Ross MacDonald’s world, fiendishly silly things happen as a matter of course. In Henry’s Hand, our weirdly lovable hero is falling apart―literally―and chasing after the pieces. Only Henry is more human than he appears to be―which can’t always be said about the rest of us!” ―David Small, author/illustrator of Stitches, a National Book Award finalist and #1 New York Times bestseller "Henry's Hand is funny and sweet, but creepily crazy enough to delight any young monster-lover. It delighted me." ―Paul O. Zelinsky, three-time Caldecott Medal-winning author/illustrator STARRED REVIEW "A good old-fashioned man/appendage love story for the ages… Kids will come for the monster and the disembodied hand. They’ll stay for the story." ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review "All the pieces are in place, as it were, and MacDonald sets them in motion in a melodramatic plot that wraps up with a reunion worthy of applause―with both hands." ―Publishers Weekly "It’s a ridiculous and bizarre concept, but also filled with a lot of heart." ―School Library Journal "Fresh and quirky tale about the bumps that occur even in the best of friendships." ―The Bulletin of The Center for Children’s Books Award A Junior Library Guild Selection 2013 Parents' Choice Award - Recommended