Charlotte Carter

Chase Rollins has much to be grateful for. A new home, a new career running the Fluff & Stuff pet store, and new friends. But he could have so much more. Lovely bookstore clerk Vivian Duncan might just be the perfect wife. But when Viv becomes a foster mother to four-month-old Theo, Chase knows he has a problem. A life with Vivian will mean a life with childrenand thats one challenge hes not sure hed ready to tackle. Can Viv and Theo convince him that a family is the biggest blessing of all?

**A New York Times Best Mystery Novel of the Year**This years most original fictional detectiveGood HousekeepingThe love affair between jazz, black musicians and Paris is an eternal story; Carter illuminates it with rare intelligence and a gripping vortex of thrills, feeling and witTime Out on Coq Au VinStraight-talking jazz musician Nanette Hayes is swapping New York for Paris as she tries to solve the mystery of her missing aunt. . . but will she lose more than just her heart in the city of love?When Nanettes mother calls with the news that her Aunt Vivian has gone missing, its not exactly out of the ordinary. Vivacious and bohemian Aunt Vivian has never been one to play by the rules. This time, however, the circumstances surrounding Vivians disappearance are troubling. Would Nanette be up to polishing her French and flying to Paris, where she was last seen, to track her down? Its not a tough decision for Nanette.Now, swanning about her favourite city, Nanette has a hard time keeping her attention on the task at hand. . . especially after she meets handsome violinist Andre, a fellow street musician from Detroit. But trouble has a way of finding Nanette, and her search for Vivian lands her in the underbelly of historic Paris and in the crosshairs of some very unsavoury characters.Coq au Vin takes us on an exciting journey through the history of Black jazz music in Paris, with charismatic series lead Nanette as our guide. Originally published in the 1990s, this stylish piece of noir is an original and page-turning read.PRAISE FOR THE NANETTE HAYES MYSTERIES:Nanette Hayes may be the most charismatic crime-fiction heroine to appear in the last decadeBooklistStyles the thing in this breezy, sexy mystery narrated by Nanette, a French-speaking, sax-playing street musicianPublishers Weekly

**A New York Times Best Crime Mystery of the Year**Nanette Hayes may be the most charismatic crime-fiction heroine to appear in the last decadeBooklistIn the third book in the Nanette Hayes series, Nanette finds a voodoo doll is bringing her some much needed luck. . . until the dolls maker is murdered and she is dragged into the investigation.Nanette is on the rocks. Heartbroken and alone in New York, she finds what comfort she can in the bottom of a bottle. But her life seems to turn around when shes given a voodoo doll, so much so that Nanette seeks out the dolls creator, Ida, to thank her. Thats when Nanettes luck seems to run out, and Ida ends up with a bullet in her head.Guilt-ridden, Nanette resolves to get justice for her new friend, only to find that Ida was hiding some dark skeletons in her closet. Now plunged into a dangerous world she doesnt understand, Nanette will have to team up with some unlikely allies, like her estranged father, a high school principal, and Leland Sweet, an NYPD officer with whom Nanette has some major history. But will Nanette solve Idas murder or fall victim to the same forces that brought Ida down?Originally published in the 1990s, this stylish piece of noir is an original and page-turning read starring an unforgettable heroine.PRAISE FOR THE NANETTE HAYES MYSTERIES:Funky scenes of New Yorks musical underworld. . . [a] sweet and saucy narrative voiceThe New York Times on DrumsticksStyles the thing in this breezy, sexy mystery narrated by Nanette, a French-speaking, sax-playing street musicianPublishers WeeklyThis Grace Jones lookalike with a degree in French is a splendid creationSunday Telegraph

**A New York Times Best Mystery Novel of the Year**This years most original fictional detective - a sassy, black intellectual and saxophonist who is plunged into mayhem when an undercover cop gets killed in her apartmentGood Housekeeping on Rhode Island RedThe first book in the Nanette Hayes series introduces us to New Yorker and jazz-loving street musician Nanette, whose love life leads her into some very hot water.Nanettes day is not off to a good start. Her on-again, off-again relationship with Walter is off. . . again, and when she offers a fellow busker a place to stay for the night he ends up murdered on her kitchen floor. To make matters worse, the busker turns out to have been an undercover cop. And his former partner has taken an immediate and extreme dislike to Nanette. When she finds that the dead man stashed a wad of cash in her apartment, cash that could go to help his blind girlfriend, Nanettes desire to do the right thing lands her in trouble.Soon shes on the hunt for a legendary saxophone worth its weight in gold. But there are plenty of people who would kill for the priceless instrument, and Nanettes new beau just might be one of them.Originally published in the 1990s, this stylish piece of noir is an original and page-turning read starring an unforgettable heroine.PRAISE FOR THE NANETTE HAYES MYSTERIES:The sweet, clear sound of Nanettes musical voice keeps us on her corner, tossing all the change weve gotThe New York Times on Rhode Island RedThis Grace Jones lookalike with a degree in French is a splendid creationSunday TelegraphA terrific novel, from those witty, subversive opening sentences, to the edgy, melancholy and very satisfying ending Margo Jefferson, author of Negroland

Sarah Barkley has come to Sweet Grass Valley, Montana, with a mission in mind. Ever since her heart transplant, shes wanted to secretly help the family of the woman whose heart saved her life. And with two motherless children and a sprawling ranch to care for, Kurt Ryder could sure use some support. Falling for the rugged rancher is an unexpected complication. Does Kurt want Sarah for herselfor for her connection to the past? Her heart brought her to Sweet Grass Valley, but only loveand a leap of faithwill make it her home.

Single mom Ellie James has returned to Montana for a fresh start and a new job at a local school. She sure could use the support of hometown rancher Arnie OBrien, especially when she faces the opportunity to step up as director. But this cowboy still holds a grudge from when Ellie left him behind eight years ago. Can Arnie trust Gods plan and take a second chance on the girl who got away? He and Ellie will have to put aside the past to face the future together.

THE FRIENDLIEST TOWN IN MONTANA A fresh start for her troubled daughterthats what widow Janelle Townsend wants to find in Bear Lake, Montana. The five-year-old girl hasnt spoken a word in months. But when the family of two meets widower Adam Hunter and his kind daughter, Janelles child begins to blossom. Still, the handsome auto mechanic keeps Janelle at arms length. He seems to be hiding something painfulsomething he cant bear to share. Perhaps their two sweet children can help Janelle show him that opening the heart to love is lifes greatest joy.

Where The Heart Leads Staying in one place was never Nick Carbinis plan. When his troubled past leads him to Bear Lake, Montana, single mom Alisa Machak makes him consider putting down roots. Alisa doesnt have a problem letting Nick work in her diner, but when he starts edging his way into her heart, she has to draw the line. He reminds her too much of her sons father, another drifter who abandoned them both. Nick wishes he could be there for them, but believes hes not fit to be a husband. When his worst fears come true one night, its up to Alisa to show him the perfect recipe for a forever romance.

With a high-flying career in the big city, Paige Barclay rarely finds her way back to the homestead in Bear Lake, Montana. But then a terrible accident leaves Paige in charge of her orphaned nephew. Shes prepared to take Bryan back to Seattle, far from the home he loves. Wrangler Jay Red Elk loves Bryan like a son and knows the boy belongs in Montana. He wont let Bryan go without a fight. But as Paige grows closer to the handsome, determined cowboy, she begins to wonder whether she, too, belongs herein Bear Lake by Jays side.

Back in Potter Creek, Montana, to help her ailing aunt, Melinda Spencer reopens Aunt Marthas knitting shop. Shes hoping for purpose and much-needed work. But she never expects to encounter stubborn cowboy Daniel OBrien. He is nothing like Melinda remembers from high school except for the expression of reverent tenderness when the handsome rancher looks at her. But how can she open up about her painful past when Daniel can barely talk about his own? With loveand the Lords guidancethis reunion just might last forever.

En esta novela negra, irreverente y original, se suceden al más vivo ritmo jazzístico un tropel de aventuras narradas en clave de humor. La entrañable antiheroína que las sufre es la joven Nanette Hayes, bohemia y detective aficionada, que sueña con ser mas sexy y convertirse en una estrella del jazz negro. De momento, es experta en tocar el saxo tenor en las calles de Nueva York y en buscarse problemas sin fin en los bajos fondos, donde se codea con la fauna humana mas variopinta y rocambolesca, disfrutando de la vida... hasta que un policia de la secreta aparece asesinado en su casa. De pronto se le echan encima un perverso policia, una extraña y amenazadora pareja que la mantiene vigilada y un gangster amante del jazz que juega con sus sentimientos. El recuento de cadaveres aumenta y Nanette empieza a seguir la pista de uno de los grandes enigmas del jazz: Rhode Island Red.

El primer caso de la detective aficionada CASSANDRA LISLE«Arde Chicago combina la sabiduría callejera con la causticidad urbanita, y crea un thriller de rabiosa modernidad.»The New York Times En abri

«Charlotte Carter combina la sabiduría callejera con la causticidad urbanita, y crea thrillers de rabiosa modernidad.»The New York Times Diciembre de 1968. Tras los asesinatos y la violencia desbord

Diciembre de 1968. Tras los asesinatos y la violencia desbordada de la Convención Demócrata celebrada en Chicago, el desencanto y la desconfianza han acabado con el idealismo del Verano del Amor. En

Un incisivo retrato de la lucha de una familia negra contra el racismo y la indefensión.El primer caso de la detective aficionada CASSANDRA LISLE«Arde Chicago combina la sabiduría callejera con la ca

Un SOS llegado de Francia lanza a la intrépida Nanette, joven saxofonista negra con mucho swing, a una dislocada aventura en París. La búsqueda de su tía Vivian, ídolo de su infancia y oveja negra de la familia, se convierte en una exploracion por los recovecos de la historia negra parisiense y en un peligroso recorrido por sus bajos fondos. Viejas leyendas del jazz y del blues, exiliados de todo pelo y personajes equivocos entretejen un intrincado rompecabezas por el que, de la mano de su nuevo compañero de fatigas y pasiones, Nanette busca la solucion de un enigma y sus propias raices.

Tras un desastroso abril en París que prefiere olvidar, Nanette vuelve a la Gran Manzana en busca de trabajo y calma. Pero de pronto su suerte da un vuelco al recibir como regalo una muñeca de vudú, realizada por la misteriosa artista de Harlem Ida Williams. Cuando Ida es asesinada a tiros en el restaurante de moda donde Nanette ha sido contratada para tocar, la saxofonista se lanza a investigar el oscuro pasado de Ida y, sin quererlo, también el asesinato, nunca resuelto, de una joven promesa del rap. La poco ortodoxa investigación que emprende Nanette la llevará, desde el siniestro rastro de la novia desaparecida del rapero, hasta una de las familias afroamericanas más influyentes de la ciudad. Con la crème neoyorquina implicada en el caso, y sus amigos en peligro de muerte, Nanette debe tender una trampa en la que quizá caiga un asesino despiadado...

A curse rolls out over centuries, murky and unknowable as swamp waters, shaping and destroying lives.Carter delivers. . . . [A] fusion of detective fiction and horror that is impossible to look away from. The New York Times Book ReviewSarah Toomey is a successful young black lawyer, lovely but straitlaced and afraid that she is losing her mind. Since the death of her mother, a force she can neither understand nor control is manipulating her memory and driving her to unexplained acts of violence and destruction. At the same time, Sarah is swept up in a highly charged relationship with a work colleague that portends a danger of its own. As she moves through her privileged life in New York, Sarah comes to learn how her pasther haunted historyis intertwined with Americas.Yvonne Howard was born into the working class. Now, after years as a prison guard, she has reinvented herself. Her passion for cooking has landed her a position at a trendy soul food restaurant, and she is looking forward to a glamorous career. Then an ex-inmate named Bitty appears, demanding Yvonnes help investigating her brothers shocking death. Before long, Bitty too is dead, and Yvonne is pulled back into a world of ugly violence. Smart but unschooled, Yvonne finds herself in the unlikely role of detective: it is she who must unravel the dark and blood-soaked history that not only doomed Bitty and her brother, but also determined beautiful Sarah Toomeys fate.

A New York Times Best Crime Novel of the YearIn the third book in the Nanette Hayes Mystery series, Nan finds a voodoo doll is bringing her some much needed luck...until the dolls maker is murdered and Nan is dragged into the investigation.Nanette is on the rocks. Heartbroken and alone, she finds what comfort she can in the bottom of a bottle. But her life seems to turn around when shes given a voodoo doll, so much so that Nan seeks out the dolls creator, Ida, to thank her. Unfortunately, the meeting doesnt go so well, and Ida ends up with a bullet in her head. Guilt-ridden, Nan resolves to get justice for her new friend, only to find that Ida was hiding some dark skeletons in her closet. Now plunged into a dangerous world she doesnt understand, Nan will have to team up with some unlikely allies, like her estranged father, a high school principal, and Leland Sweet, an NYPD officer with whom Nan has some major history. But will Nan solve Idas murder or fall victim to the same forces that brought her down?

Of Jackson Park, the first Cook County mystery featuring an unconventional trio of sleuths, Margo Jefferson of The New York Times said, Charlotte Carter blends street savvy with wry urbanity and delivers a truly modern big-city crime tale. Now Carter returns with another suspenseful novel that brings the black experience to vivid life during one of the most turbulent times in American history.It is December 1968. In the wake of assassinations and the violence of the Democratic convention in Chicago, Summer of Love idealism has disintegrated into suspicion and disillusion. On the citys North Side, twentyishCassandra Perry longs to be independent. She leaves the overprotective embrace of her granduncle and grandaunt, Woody ans Ivy Lisle, and moves into a multiracial commune dedicated to brotherhood and just causes. But Cassandras search for identity plunges her into the dark side of peace, love, and unlimited freedomeven before she discovers the brutally violated bodies of the communes most charismatic activist couple.As Cassandra investigates with the help of Woody and Ivy, she begins to see some friendsespecially one of her dearestin a disturbing, deadly light. But when the three amateur sleuths run afoul of a police cover-up with explosive political ramifications, they face a desperate enemy determined to bury thealong with the truth.