Spying Eyes

When a team of government scientists descends on Westbridge, on the lookout for signs of black magic, Sabrina tries to throw them off the trail while she struggles to reverse a spell she cast that has gone awry.

“Mixing Romance and Mystery in a Fizzy 1930s Cocktail!” “A fun and spunky heroine, a plot involving an old castle in Strasbourg make this a fast-paced, delightful read.” —Rhys Bowen, New York Times best-selling author “A fabulously entertaining novel, start to finish.” —Hall Ways, Lonestar Literary Life “Romantic, sexy, and fulfilling. Henrietta and Clive Howard finally live out their unbridled passion for each other’s intellect and charm—while solving a case!” —Rebecca Rosenberg, author of Champagne Widows Clive and Henrietta return to Europe in an attempt to resurrect their failed honeymoon. While in London, they are approached by their old friend, Inspector John Hartle, who convinces them to search for the missing panel of the Ghent Altarpiece, a famous Renaissance painting, of which Hitler’s top men are also in pursuit. Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Oldrich Exley threatens to cut off financial support for the entire Von Harmon brood if Elsie continues with her plan to marry Gunther—a situation made worse by the sudden appearance of one Heinrich Meyer, who claims to be little Anna’s father and threatens to take her away. Desperate, Elsie seeks the help of Clive’s sister, Julia, who is herself the victim of domestic abuse and who has fallen under the spell of a handsome Texas millionaire bent on acquiring a rare painting from the Howard collection. Clive and Henrietta’s search takes them to Chateau du Freudeneck in Strasbourg, France—the ancient seat of the Von Harmons and home to three eccentric distant relatives. What begins as a wild goose chase turns decidedly more deadly when several Nazi officers also arrive at the chateau in search of a “valuable item.” When Henrietta and Clive attempt to flee after Henrietta uncovers a shocking truth, they are forced to trust themselves to a suspicious French servant who seems all-too willing to help . . .

"The author retraces Frederick Law Olmsted's journey across the American South in the 1850s, on the eve of the Civil War. Olmsted roamed eleven states and six thousand miles, and the New York Times published his dispatches about slavery and its defenders. More than 150 years later, Tony Horwitz followed Olmsted's route, and whenever possible his mode of transport--rail, riverboats, in the saddle--through Appalachia, down the Ohio and Mississippi, through Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, and across Texas to the Rio Grande, discovering and reporting on vestiges of what Olmsted called the Cotton Kingdom"--

Raised by a father who is somewhat reserved, Dakota Lightfoot finds a whole new world when he is patched in to the Princes of Prophecy. With his abilities and natural leadership, he quickly finds his home with this new Brotherhood. Jessie LaPonte-James has always known he would be part of a trio, much as his father, Danny, and Kate are, and always believed that Darren would be by his side with Jess Baxter. But what happens when one of the three isn't as in-tune with the plan as the others? This is the story of Jess, Dakota and Jessie.

The fascinating history and unnerving future of high-tech aerial surveillance, from its secret military origins to its growing use on American citizens Eyes in the Sky is the authoritative account of how the Pentagon secretly developed a godlike surveillance system for monitoring America's enemies overseas, and how it is now being used to watch us in our own backyards. Whereas a regular aerial camera can only capture a small patch of ground at any given time, this system—and its most powerful iteration, Gorgon Stare—allow operators to track thousands of moving targets at once, both forwards and backwards in time, across whole city-sized areas. When fused with big-data analysis techniques, this network can be used to watch everything simultaneously, and perhaps even predict attacks before they happen. In battle, Gorgon Stare and other systems like it have saved countless lives, but when this technology is deployed over American cities—as it already has been, extensively and largely in secret—it has the potential to become the most nightmarishly powerful visual surveillance system ever built. While it may well solve serious crimes and even help ease the traffic along your morning commute, it could also enable far more sinister and dangerous intrusions into our lives. This is closed-circuit television on steroids. Facebook in the heavens. Drawing on extensive access within the Pentagon and in the companies and government labs that developed these devices, Eyes in the Sky reveals how a top-secret team of mad scientists brought Gorgon Stare into existence, how it has come to pose an unprecedented threat to our privacy and freedom, and how we might still capitalize on its great promise while avoiding its many perils.

When a team of government scientists descends on Westbridge, on the lookout for signs of black magic, Sabrina tries to throw them off the trail while she struggles to reverse a spell she cast that has gone awry.

Maps, as we know, help us find our way around. But they're also powerful tools for someone hoping to find you. Widely available in electronic and paper formats, maps offer revealing insights into our movements and activities, even our likes and dislikes. In Spying with Maps, the "mapmatician" Mark Monmonier looks at the increased use of geographic data, satellite imagery, and location tracking across a wide range of fields such as military intelligence, law enforcement, market research, and traffic engineering. Could these diverse forms of geographic monitoring, he asks, lead to grave consequences for society? To assess this very real threat, he explains how geospatial technology works, what it can reveal, who uses it, and to what effect. Despite our apprehension about surveillance technology, Spying with Maps is not a jeremiad, crammed with dire warnings about eyes in the sky and invasive tracking. Monmonier's approach encompasses both skepticism and the acknowledgment that geospatial technology brings with it unprecedented benefits to governments, institutions, and individuals, especially in an era of asymmetric warfare and bioterrorism. Monmonier frames his explanations of what this new technology is and how it works with the question of whether locational privacy is a fundamental right. Does the right to be left alone include not letting Big Brother (or a legion of Little Brothers) know where we are or where we've been? What sacrifices must we make for homeland security and open government? With his usual wit and clarity, Monmonier offers readers an engaging, even-handed introduction to the dark side of the new technology that surrounds us—from traffic cameras and weather satellites to personal GPS devices and wireless communications.

"Eyes Behind the Curtain: History of Spying and Covert Operations" by Martin Oduor Ochieng is a pivotal exploration of the secretive world of espionage, tracing its historical origins and evolution across diverse civilizations. From ancient practices in Greece, Rome, and China to the sophisticated intelligence agencies of the modern era, Oduor unravels some of the covert operations that has significantly influenced global affairs. The book provides a comprehensive understanding of key intelligence agencies such as MI5, MI6, CIA, KGB, Mossad, and China's Ministry of State Security, showcasing their roles in shaping historical events. The significance of "Eyes Behind the Curtain" lies in its meticulous examination of covert operations, iconic spy networks, and pivotal moments in intelligence history. Oduor goes beyond historical narratives to unveil the artistry behind espionage, exploring the nuances of deception and covert missions. The inclusion of cyber spying and the technological evolution in intelligence gathering adds a contemporary dimension to the exploration, making the book relevant to modern discussions on security and international relations. This work stands as a valuable resource for readers interested in a comprehensive and insightful journey through the hidden corridors of global intelligence and its impact on political landscapes.

In the high-stakes world of spying, do the ends justify the means?

Amy Zegart examines the weaknesses of US intelligence oversight and why those deficiencies have persisted, despite the unprecedented importance of intelligence in today's environment. She argues that many of the biggest oversight problems lie with Congress—the institution, not the parties or personalities—showing how Congress has collectively and persistently tied its own hands in overseeing intelligence.