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Jerry Jamison - Vanishing Act
48:47|Over a span of 39 years, 23 aliases, 28 arrests in 20 cities, and nearly a dozen imprisonments, Robert Spears had lived a con artists' life of unparalleled adventure and intrigue. This is his story.Shortly before Thanksgiving Day in 1959, a plane exploded in mid-air, killing all 42 passengers and crew and leaving scattered debris and bodies across the otherwise tranquil Gulf waters. Listed on the manifest was Dr. Robert Spearsâonce the highly regarded president of the Texas Naturopathic Association. Father of two small children with a lovely, society-minded wife and an elegant home in an exclusive neighborhood, it was a monumental tragedy for them as it was for all the souls lost that day.Less than two months later, Robert Spears miraculously ârose from the deadâ in Phoenix where he was promptly arrested. Headlining newspapers nationwideââMan Downs Airliner to Fake DeathââSpears was discovered to have cleverly switched identities, persuaded his friend, Al Taylor, to fly with his plane ticket, asked him to carry âa packageâ on board, and drove away in his buddyâs car with his wallet and driverâs license.As the FBI began to investigate, they uncovered a stunning, mind-bending tale of murder, abortion rings, and false identitiesâmore than 25 aliases for Spears aloneâas well as insurance scams and investment fraud that stretched over decades.But that was far from the end of the story.Methodically and carefully researched for years and meticulously sourced by a research sociologist and author, Vanishing Act is one of the great true crime stories of our time and a compelling read that is paced like a page-turning, mystery novel. Until now, the complete and shocking story has never been told.Dary Matera - Charles Manson Behind bars
51:56|This is the gripping story of the real Charles Manson as told by his long-time prison administrator, counselor, unofficial "press agent," and confidant, Ed George. âThroughout my life, people have asked me about Manson. . . .âDoes he have hypnotic powers?â âDoes he have a diabolical charisma?â . . .âIs he crazy?â My response is that for some people, the answer to all of the above is yesâexcept for the last question.â âEDWARD GEORGE Charles Manson was perhaps the most infamous criminal of the twentieth century. Convicted for orchestrating the shocking Tate-LaBianca murders in 1969, and for two other killings, there has been much written about him. But not many people knew him as well as Edward George, who over years of conversations with Manson as his prison administrator, counselor, unofficial âpress agent,â and confidant, gained deep insight into Mansonâs mind-set. In this updated edition of Georgeâs riveting account, he illuminates the many sides of Manson: charismatic cult leader, master manipulator, calculated âshowman,â sly trickster, and more. George and his coauthor, Dary Matera, begin by detailing the troubling events of Mansonâs youth, the historic 1969 murders, and the subsequent trial that ended an era. They then pull back the curtain on the intense reality of Mansonâs turbulent life behind bars and the events that have transpired since the initial publication of this book in 1999, including Mansonâs death in 2017.Mark Hewitt - Charles Manson Behind Bars
41:51|For more than 40 years, Charles Manson languished in prison for his participation in the Manson family murders of 1969. He was America's icon of evil, the one who brought down the curtain on the 1960s. He was never a quiet inmate, either. From his unbridled outbursts of rage to his tender acts of generosity, he made his presence felt to everyone around him. Over time, he parlayed his notoriety, through clever manipulation and shrewd alliances, to great power behind bars. He inspired awe in other inmates, he cozied up to prison guards who were more than eager to do him favors, and he was responsible for countless staff transfers within and outside of the institution.This book details the dramatic journey of Willie Mendez, a troubled inmate, housed next to the serial killer for more than a year. Willie became institutionalized after repeated violations of the law, including attempted murder and armed robbery. He is serving a 68-year prison sentence. Author Mark Hewitt was introduced to Mendez by Charles Manson, who thought the two had similar ideas and a shared optimism about life. From his initial feelings of contempt toward the aging killer, Willie, nicknamed, "Boxcar," by Manson, traveled to a place of openness and acceptance of the old man's ideas. Over time, he began to defer more and more to Manson without reservation. The relationship eventually soured when some of Manson's claims were proven false. Through great internal strength, and the support of others, Willie distanced himself from the cult leader. Finally, he was able to extricate himself completely from Manson's manipulations.This is a tale of growth and maturity that contains intimate details and shocking jailhouse secrets. Willie shares an insider's view of Charles Manson, his crazy behavior, his whispered confessions, and his sometimes profound wisdom."Charlie" speaks openly about his sexuality, shares some vivid details of the Tate and LaBianca murders, and relates his childhood experience of being forced to wear a dress to school. The iconic killer described for him the many people who influenced him, some when he was a child, others, during his adulthood.Willie describes the episode in which Charlie made and wore a Ku Klux Klan outfit to stir up trouble on the tier. He shares his discovery of Manson's intricate artwork, including the creative techniques used to produce masterpieces behind bars. He details Manson's trip to the shower where the aging killer walked into the water fully clothed. Willie gives us profound insight into Manson's personality and character through stories that illustrate the killer's false bravado, his feigned insane behavior, and a few deep-seated insecurities.Brad Taylor - Into the Gray Zone
28:37|Pike Logan uncovers a geopolitical scheme that has spiraled out of control in India in this latest pulse-pounding thriller from New York Times bestselling author and former special forces officer Brad Taylor. While on a routine security assessment in India, Taskforce operator Pike Logan foils an attempted attack on a meeting between the CIA and Indiaâs intelligence service. Both government agencies believe itâs nothing more than a minor terrorist attack, but Pike suspects that something much more sinister is at play. After another terrorist operation at the Taj Mahal, he begins to believe that outside powers are attacking India in the gray zone between peace and war, leveraging terrorist groups for nothing more than economic gain. But the separatists conducting the operations have their own agenda.After a massive slaughter and kidnapping of hostages during an elaborate Indian pre-wedding party, two global powers are destabilized, and only Pike Logan and his team can de-escalate the tension by rescuing the captives. What follows is a race against the clock that winds through the bustling markets of Old Delhi, the luxurious resorts of Goa, and the epic halls of the Taj Mahal. It will take everything that Logan and the taskforce have to foil an intricate plot that leaves countless lives in the balance.Richard Compson Sater - Thirst
24:53|Some Thirsts Can't be QuenchedThirst dives into the lives of Neil Graham, a country club bartender, and Ranger Melusky, a sexy and charming small-town auto mechanic whoâs irresistible but complicated. A chance encounter leaves Neil captivated by Rangerâs rough charm, but thereâs a catchâRanger only lets his true self emerge after a few too many drinks. Neil wants something real, and he hopes Ranger might, too, despite his struggle with identity and acceptance.When an accident with his truck forces Ranger to sober up, he decides to cut ties with his old life, including Neil, and takes a misguided plunge into marriage. Heartbroken, Neil seeks a new purpose. He quits the country club bar and concentrates on repairing the fractured relationship between his father and grandfatherâtwo men divided by secrets and pride.Just as Neil finds his footing, Ranger returns, ready and anxious to rekindle the flame they once shared. Now, both men must confront their fears and decide: Is the love they left behind worth the struggle? Or will the road ahead only lead to another crash?Stephen G. Eoannou - After Pearl
34:43|1942. War rages in Europe. Pearl Harbor still smolders. And alcoholic private eye Nicholas Bishop wakes up on a hotel room floor with two slugs missing from his .38 revolver. The cops think heâs murdered lounge singer Pearl DuGaye, mobsters think he saw something he shouldnât have, and Bishop remembers nothing⌠Together with his indomitable assistant Gia Alessi, who he may or may not have fired, a WWI vet who often flashes back to 1918, and a one-eyed female dog named Jake, Bishop tries to piece together the events that took place during his disastrous five-day bender. Along the way, he stumbles across a dirty politician, a socialite and her unfaithful husband, and a cabal of American Nazis who are undoubtedly up to no good. Written in the spirit of classic noir, Eoannou adds his own unique voice and flair to the genre in this, the first action-packed outing of the Nicholas Bishop MysteriesâŚDaniel Meltz - Rabbis of the Garden State
26:12|In the suburbs of New Jersey, where temple gossip flows like Manischewitz wine, eleven-year-old Andy becomes entangled in a whirlwind of maternal quirks and religious intrigue. His motherâs bizarre obsession with Rabbi Landy transforms their once-quiet life above a candy store into a tale of surprises.Andyâs world features a colorful cast: a fiery sister, an invisible brother, a precociously sexual savant best friend with green teeth, and a foul-mouthed neighbor who rivals the 50-Foot Woman. As he navigates from confusion to understanding, his journey is filled with humor and heartfelt moments.When forced into yeshiva with the rabbiâs insufferable sons, Andy becomes drawn to his magnetic Talmud teacher, Rabbi Loobling. His exploration of faith, desire, and family secrets unfolds from the streets of the Garden State to the halls of college, revealing the complex adults around him.Rabbis of the Garden State delivers a sharp look at synagogue life laced with teenage yearning. This powerful portrayal of suburban Jewish life in the â60s is both funny and moving. As Andy transitions to adulthood, the mysteries of childhood unravel, exposing secrets and deep truths about family, faith, and the unexpected twists of love. Daniel Meltzâs beautifully crafted debut novel captures the spirit of an era and delves into the timeless questions of belonging, belief, and the complicated relationships that shape us all.D.C. Gomez - Cursed by Fur
22:34|Welcome to Texarkana, where Death's Interns are working overtimeâand the body count is rising.Meet Death's Interns: part-time grim reapers, full-time troubleshooters for the supernatural community. Usually, their biggest headache is keeping the local vampires from picking fights at the all-night diner.But now? They're hunting a killer.Bodies are dropping faster than autumn leaves, and it's not just humans filling up the morgue. Someoneâor somethingâis cutting a bloody swath through Texarkana.As Halloween creeps closer, Death's Interns find themselves in a race against time. Can they unmask the killer before Texarkana's secret community becomes front-page news? Or will long-buried prejudices turn neighbor against neighbor, predator against prey?In a town where death is just another day job, the real challenge is staying alive.If you devoured every episode of Supernatural or Charlaine Harris's Midnight Texas, and loved Terry Pratchett's Night Watch, sink your teeth into this wickedly fun, pulse-pounding urban fantasy. Just remember: in Texarkana, the things that go bump in the night... bump back.Cursed by Fur is a standalone novel and book three in the Once Upon a Curse book series.Glen Peters - Where the Night Smells Like Bread
32:31|Sometimes You Have to Get Lost to Find YourselfMark Anello thought he had it all figured out, but life had other plans. At 34, the suburban math teacher is unceremoniously dumped by his stand-up comedian boyfriend, leaving him feeling stuck and uninspired in Los Angeles. Desperate for a change, Mark flees to San Francisco, where he encounters Alessandro, a charming but disillusioned Italian tourist trapped in a loveless relationship. Their connection is immediate, and after months of long-distance emails, Mark follows his heart to Rome.But love doesnât come easy. After three passionate summers together, Mark begins to sense Alessandro slipping away, embarking on new adventures while Mark is left to question everything. Left high and dry in a foreign country, heartbroken and alone, Mark stumbles into a new worldâa seductive, high-stakes scene of neo-Bohemians, aristocrats, and avant-garde artists. Yet beneath the glamorous surface lurks a darker reality: a dangerous web of drugs, lust, and even murder in the elite European art circles.On the brink of destruction, Mark must navigate his way through the chaos to discover a new sense of self. As the world begins to heal from a global pandemic, he returns home transformedâarmed with the hard-earned wisdom to embrace love on his own terms, let go of what no longer serves him, and face the future with clarity and compassion.
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