Most Popular Books by Nancy Pickard

Small Plains, Kansas, January 23, 1987: In the midst of a deadly blizzard, eighteen-year-old Rex Shellenberger scours his father's pasture, looking for helpless newborn calves. Then he makes a shocking discovery: the naked, frozen body of a teenage girl, her skin as white as the snow around her. Even dead, she is the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. It is a moment that will forever change his life and the lives of everyone around him. The mysterious dead girl–the “Virgin of Small Plains”–inspires local reverence. In the two decades following her death, strange miracles visit those who faithfully tend to her grave; some even believe that her spirit can cure deadly illnesses. Slowly, word of the legend spreads.

But what really happened in that snow-covered field? Why did young Mitch Newquist disappear the day after the Virgin's body was found, leaving behind his distraught girlfriend, Abby Reynolds? Why do the town's three most powerful men–Dr. Quentin Reynolds, former sheriff Nathan Shellenberger, and Judge, Tom Newquist–all seem to be hiding the details of that night?

Seventeen years later, when Mitch suddenly returns to Small Plains, simmering tensions come to a head, ghosts that had long slumbered whisper anew, and the secrets that some wish would stay buried rise again from the grave of the Virgin. Abby–never having resolved her feelings for Mitch–is now determined to uncover exactly what happened so many years ago to tear their lives apart.

Three families and three friends, their worlds inexorably altered in the course of one night, must confront the ever-unfolding consequences in award-winning author Nancy Pickard's remarkable novel of suspense. Wonderfully written and utterly absorbing, The Virgin of Small Plains is about the loss of faith, trust, and innocence . . . and the possibility of redemption.


From the Hardcover edition.

(6 Audio Cassettes) Following the funeral, sometime sleuth Jenny Cain feels she owes it to her mother's memory and her own understanding to investigate the events that preceded her mother's mental collapse and her family's financial collapse. As all of us detective story listeners know, digging into the past can be dangerous, and so it proves for Jenny, who is nearly murdered twice. Reader Pamela Nyberg sounds like Jenny should; the cranky, impatient tone of her voice is just right. She portrays the personalities of the many townsfolk of Port Frederick, Massachusetts, well, but the New England twang proves a bit of a challenge. This listening experience won't cause you to drive off the road with excitement; but it is affecting, and Nyberg's Jenny is a character you'll come to care about. D.L.G. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

The making of \"Twilight,\" the movie.

A criminal wants to save an innocent man on death row, but he must convince the authorities he\'s telling the truth.

A powerful defense contractor, a reluctant intelligence agent, and an ambitious journalist race to contain and control an international crisis that could destroy the world in this #1 New York Times bestselling thriller. "Dick, I need a war." Nicolas Creel is a man on a mission. He heads the world's largest defense contractor, The Ares Corporation. Dick Pender is the man Creel retains to "perception manage" his company to even more riches by manipulating international conflicts. But Creel may have an even grander plan in mind. Shaw, a man with no first name and a truly unique past, has a different agenda. Reluctantly doing the bidding of a secret multi-national intelligence agency, he travels the globe to keep it safe and at peace. Desperate to get back to the top of her profession, Katie James gets the break of a lifetime: the chance to interview the sole survivor of a massacre that has left every nation stunned. In David Baldacci's first international thriller, these characters face a catastrophic threat that could change the world as we know it.

While visiting the Rhode Island coast, cook/sleuth Eugenia Potter cohosts a tasting party with an old acquaintance--but he's late. Unfortunately, someone has murdered the would-be cookbook writer.

The promise of discretion and pampering - and a longer overdue reconciliation with her mother - draws Caroline Blessing, the young wife of a newly elected congressman, to the fancy Phoenix Spa. But after her first night in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Caroline wakes to find the rich and famous guests in turmoil and under suspicion: the spa's flamboyant and ambitious owner has been murdered. As the secrets come out - and the body count rises - can Caroline keep herself from becoming the next victim? In the tradition of such collaborative classics as NAKED CAME THE MANATEE and THE FLOATING ADMIRAL, each chapter in this serial novel is written by one of today's most talented mystery novelists. NEVADA BARR's ninth and latest in her Anna Pigeon series is BLOOD LURE. J.D. ROBB is the New York Times bestselling author of the futuristic romantic suspense series featuring Lieutenant Eve Dallas. Her most recent titles include BETRAYAL IN DEATH and JUDGMENT IN DEATH. NANCY PICKARD is the author of the popular Jenny Cain mystery series. LISA SCOTTOLINE is a New York Times bestselling author of legal thrillers, most recently THE VENDETTA DEFENSE and MOMENT OF TRUTH. Author of five New York Times bestselling novels, PERRI O'SHAUGHNESSY is really two sisters, Pamela and Mary, who collaborate on a series of legal thrillers and short stories. J.A. JANCE writes two police procedural series: twelve books featuring Detective J.P. Beaumont and nine with Sheriff Joanna Brady. FAYE KELLERMAN is the New York Times bestselling author of the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus mystery series. Her most recent novel is THE FORGOTTEN. MARY JANE CLARK is a producer and writer at CBS News and the author of three media thrillers, including LET ME WHISPER IN YOUR EAR. MARCIA TALLEY is the author of UNBREATHED MEMORIES and the award-winning SING IT TO HER BONES. She is also the editor of NAKED CAME THE PHOENIX. ANNE PERRY, author of the acclaimed Victorian Series starring William Monk and Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, has written over thirty novels, including THE ONE THING MORE. DIANA GABALDON's THE FIERY CROSS, fifth in the Outlander series, is due to be published late this year. VAL McDERMID has published fifteen novels and one work of non-fiction and has won the Gold Dagger and the Grand Prix des Romans d'Aventures. Her most recent novel is A PLACE OF EXECUTION. LAURIE R. KING writes two crime fiction series as well as stand-alone novels, most recently FOLLY.

In this unique collection, eighteen of today's best-loved authors have woven together the most riveting elements of mystery and faith into a joyous and haunting tapestry that is as thought-provoking as it is compelling. Series: Reverend Collins' Visit (William Monk, x.5) Volo te habere... (Dame Frevisse??, an early intro to Joliffe?? It is set in 1404.) Amish Butter (Caroline Canfield, x.5) Dunne Deal (Father Dowling, x.5) The Stories Anne Perry- “Reverend Collins'” Visit was an echo of Agatha Christie as Henry Rathbone observed the passage of society outside his sickroom window putting two and two (and two) together to solve the truth about the Reverend Collins' thefts. Rochelle Krich- “Widow's Peak” a look at the upheaval caused by the Holocaust when wives could not find their husbands nor husbands their wives. Nancy Pickard- “Speak No Evil” - Joseph Owen tracks a serial killer by stalking a young woman two years into a five-year vow of silence. She witnessed the murder, but refuses to speak of it. Margaret Frazer- “Volo te habere”- takes place during Bishop Beaufort's early years and a simple case of murder and legitimacy in 1404 when Beaufort has Richard Medford investigate the murder of a young, emotional woman who claims Stephen Hameden is her husband. Dianne Day- “Labyrinthine Way” is a little bit magic and a little bit justice as a woman priest uses hypnosis to snare an evil man within a labyrinth. Rather mysterious. G. Miki Hayden- “Shaman's Song” Coyote Man manages to pull together the money he needed for the dowry for Yellow Flower Girl. Indian Agent Dennis Riordan believes in his power of finding. Thomas Kreitzberg- “Charity of a Saint” reporter Marvin Quinn investigates a St. Alice miracle in which she sends a dream to a farmer, Henry Lance, and he discovers buried Elizabethan treasure. Rhys Bowen- “Seal of the Confessional” John Lutz- “Dilemma” About a crisis in faith, when Police Corporal Alana Martinez needs to choose between the greater good and the law. Joyce Christmas -“Chosen” A young Catholic girl receives a vision for which she is castigated for lying, but it does result in the apprehension of a murderer. George Chesbro- “Model Town” The horrible economy of a shut-down mining town leads to the character’s conclusion that this is a Model Town, relating to his employers forecast of a world collapse due to fear. Jacqueline Fiedler- “Amish Butter” is full of misconceptions when Caroline picks up an Amish hitchhiker on a dark and stormy night with some odd, moving luggage. Kate Charles- “That Old Eternal Triangle” Cressida has come to hate her dull, boring husband. Hugh is a good man but there is nothing left in their married life for Cressida. When Father Jonathan arrived in the parish, he came to spend more and more time with Cressida and Hugh. When Jonathan admitted to his wrongful desires, it set Hugh's fate. Terence Faherty- “God's Instrument” is a roundabout way for a man to find God and yearn for a life that makes a difference through the tragedy of a train explosion which kills a number of people. Mary Monica Pulver- “Father Hugh and the Kettle of St. Frideswide” uses psychology and the help of a saint to catch a medieval chicken thief. Ralph McInerny- “Dunne Deal” is a confusion in stolen goods dropped in the poor box. Carolyn Wheat- “Remembered Zion” A woman who remembers Kristallnacht. Who remembers the Germans taking away her friend Esma. Being told she should hate her. Now, it's starting again. Her own son is a part of it. She cannot be a part of this. She must take a stand. And she does. For a very short time as she sees the hate in her son's eyes. Serita Stevens- “In a Jewish Vein” is of a trip a trio of Jewish women make to Romania to adopt a baby. Only to run into unexpected help and an even more unexpected spouse. [Kathy Davie-Amazon reviews] In 2001, Unholy Orders was nominated for the Anthony Award for Best Anthology.