Books published by publisher Five Star

The murder of a Beverly Hills psychic - fifth victim of the Ice Pick Killer - drafts Detective Art Murry and his partner Billy Kidman into a special LAPD task force, where Murry's intuitive hunches are ignored in favor of fitting together the "facts" that, so far, have led nowhere. But when Murry's intuition turns to psychic flashes, he sees a vision of his girlfriend, Medical Examiner Mary Eclair. She's dead, ice picks through her hands and feet. To try and save the woman he loves, Murry alienates his boss and his partner, risking his job and his life to find the killer. Billy, irritated at Murry's lack of communication and spooked by Chinese fortune cookies of doom, threatens to transfer to a different department where he'll have the opportunity to head his own investigations. The Ice Pick Killer has his own troubles. A burglar cleaned out his safe: cash, jewelry, and the set of ice picks intended for his next victim. To protect his identity, he must get the picks back. Ice Pick, an actor and make-up artist, masquerades as anyone from a priest to a security specialist, whatever it takes to win his victims' trust. And he already has his next victim - Mary Eclair - in his sights. While Murry follows a slim thread from a reported burglary to a dead thief, Ice Pick sets the trap for Eclair. Will Murry be able to sort through the clues in time to prevent her death? The breakneck pace of Fortune Cookie Karma hurtles the reader from murder on the first page to an explosive, skin-prickling conclusion. L. F. Crawford is the author of twelve novels, including two bestsellers. She won the Eppie award for Best Mystery Novel in 2000. Crawford lives with her husband and daughter in California.

Frank was famous for his expert investigative skills, his unorthodox techniques, and the fact that he was a werewolf. Ryan is human, promoted to detective by Internal Affairs. His first assignment is to investigate Frank's methods. Posing as the werewolf's new partner, wrestling with his own guilt and insecurities as a cop and as a spy, he assists Frank in a murder investigation while simultaneously gathering evidence against him. As Ryan and Frank search for answers, they discover that the governor could be the next target in a string of murders. With the politics of Boston hanging in the balance, the partners must tolerate one another long enough to find the killer before he can strike again.

Many creatures make great classroom pets, but others just DO NOT! That's what the teacher says, anyway! When second graders Benny and Jacob bring a baby alligator to school in a cardboard box, their teacher, Mrs. Nichols, has an important message to share. A baby gator is NOT a good classroom pet! she explains. As an impromptu pet safari unfolds, Mrs. Nichols helps her students identify which creatures are suitable for school and which animals are better housed elsewhere! Her last-minute lesson soon leads to an exuberant naming game, with students clamoring to compare turtles with Gila monsters, hamsters with grizzly bears, and much more. Following the story, a well-researched curriculum guide captivates young readers, helping them develop a deeper respect for nature. Narrated by a beloved classroom pet nicknamed Snoozer, Gator, Gator Second Grader cleverly draws young readers into the story from word one (Howdy!), making them feel like part of Mrs. Nichol's lively second grade classroom. As students compare and contrast a wide variety of animals, they quickly learn to recognize which creatures make good pets and which creatures do best in the zoo or in their natural habitats. The book's accompanying curriculum guide expertly introduces students to gerbils like Snoozer and provides an in-depth look at American alligators.

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT? Indian attacks, outlaws, rattlesnakes, smallpox and blizzards are a few of the true-to-life dangers experienced by Addie Slaughter, daughter of the famous John Horton Slaughter, a Texas Ranger, famed Cochise County Sheriff and an early settler of the San Bernardino Valley in the late 1800s. In first-person narrative, author Susan Krueger, Ed.D., expertly speaks for Addie, who tells her adventurous, sometimes heartbreaking, story of traveling across the Wild West from Texas to Arizona to Oregon, and then eventually settling on the Slaughter Ranch near the Arizona-Mexico border. Along the way, Addie's mother dies; her family narrowly escapes a stagecoach robbery; her grandfather is rescued when their adobe ranch buildings collapse in a terrible earthquake; when pursuing a member of the Jack Taylor Gang, her father's earlobe is shot off; and Addie meets the powerful warrior, Geronimo. WHAT MAKES THIS BOOK UNIQUE? Based on actual stories told to Adeline Greene Parks by her mother, Addie Slaughter, and in-depth interviews with Arizona Culture Keeper Dr. Reba Wells Grandrud, the John H. Slaughter Ranch historian, Addie Slaughter: The Girl Who Met Geronimo, succeeds in capturing the interest and imagination of young readers due to its youthful voice, colorful descriptions and exciting recount of actual events. Most of the book's photographs come from Slaughter family albums and the collection of Dr. Grandrud. As author Susan Krueger puts it, History is NOT boring, especially when it's retold by a child who actually lived it! Though entertaining for young readers, Addie Slaughter's historical significance is such that it was selected as an official Arizona Centennial Legacy Project designated by the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission as authorized by the Arizona Legislature. Visit www.azcentennial.gov for more info.

Shirlee Squirrel needs a safe nest for her babies, far from the clutches of a menacing black cat! When she moves into a birdhouse designed to house wood ducks, she and her babies create “home sweet home” in a North Dakota backyard. Raising her children under the watchful eye of the nice man and woman―Rudy and Willie―whose yard they inhabit, Shirlee teaches young Sammy and Sally everything gray tree squirrels need to know. Retold by award-winning Arizona journalist Jana Bommersbach, Shirlee’s true story speaks the universal language of love. Additionally, the book’s accompanying curriculum and activity guides make it perfect for both home and classroom use, providing an entertaining, enriching learning experience. Winner of the Children's Picture Book Softcover Non-Fiction category at the 2013 USA Best Book Awards. Honorable Mentions at the 2013 Beach, New York, Animals Animals and Great Midwest Book Festivals!

Leopard Frogs are declining in number and facing extinction. Through Cheery, a friendly little Chiricahua Leopard Frog, author Dr. Elizabeth W. Davidson, a research scientist at Arizona State University, helps young readers grasp the problem and to understand the solutions. The book raises awareness in children, our planet's future stewards. Five Star Publications is grateful to the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission for its official designation of Cheery as an Arizona Centennial Legacy Project. www.azcentennial.gov

Everyone feels small or inadequate at some point in their lives. The Tiniest Tumbleweed is a story written to help children learn more about what they can do to become their best selves, despite whatever may be making them feel small or limited. The characters are two Sonoran Desert neighbors, a tiny tumbleweed and a baby house sparrow, who are both small for their age. Guided by the loving encouragement of their parents, they learn to work within their physical limitations to grow to be the best they can be, rather than measure themselves against others. As a result, they also learn how they can help one another, providing a lesson about the synergy between living things and the boundless opportunities those relationships provide. The proven psychological concepts for building self-efficacy combined with a children’s literature writing method that helps young readers believe in limitless opportunities are what make The Tiniest Tumbleweed unique. The connection between the characters in the book, a tiny tumbleweed and a sparrow, provides a fascinating look into the real-life desert relationship between tumbleweeds and birds. Following the story, a well-researched curriculum guide captivates young readers, helping them develop a deeper respect for nature. (Kathy Peach)

Mr. Twiddles the cat can't think of anything more upsetting than a noisy, fussy stranger poking around his quiet, happy house. Then he finds out that Clara the cleaning lady can talk to him and she hears what he's saying, too! Can Mr. Twiddles get Clara out of his way and out of his house? Or will Clara's very special powers help her prove to Mr. Twiddles that she can be this cranky cat's new friend? Find out where this funny, delightful adventure will end!

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT? GQ GQ. Where are You? Adventures of a Gambel’s Quail by Sharon I. Ritt follows a curious Gambel’s quail as he leaves home to look for playmates and explore the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona. GQ sees many interesting plants and animals on his journey, but as night falls, he decides the best place to be is home. WHAT MAKES THIS BOOK UNIQUE? A CD is included with each book that includes the author’s voice reading the story and singing it as well with musical accompaniment. This provides children of various ages the opportunity to experience the story in different ways. The book also features an illustrated non-fiction section which details some of the plants and animals that appear in the story. A special section following the story features activity ideas for home and school.