Category: book releases

Upcoming new release: ‘Moonlighting: An Oral History’ by Scott Ryan

‘Moonlighting: An Oral History’ will be released on June 1, 2021. Photo: amazon

Scott Ryan is the managing editor of The Blue Rose Magazine and the author of “thirtysomething at thirty: an oral history” and “The Last Days of Letterman.” He wrote about his bad luck in twenty comic short stories – Scott Luck Stories. Ryan is also the director of A Voyage to Twin Peaks and the host of The Red Room Podcast. His new book “Moonlighting: An Oral History,” tells the real story of the pioneering television series and the extraordinary behind-the-scenes challenges, battles, and rewards. It will be out on Tuesday, June 1 and is available for pre-order on amazon. (Black Château, 2021)

In “Moonlighting: An Oral History,” Actress Cybill Shepherd speaks openly for the first time about her time on Moonlighting, the pioneering television series broadcast by ABC in the 80s. Published by Fayetteville Mafia Press, the book also includes the memories of the creator, other stars, and the many key collaborators responsible for this benchmark of television history.

To get the details about the five-season saga, Ryan interviewed over twenty crew members. Among them are Glenn Gordon Caron, creator of Moonlighting, as well as the actors, writers, directors, and producers who made the TV series such a dynamic and unforgettable comedy-drama. Actors Cybill Shepherd, Allyce Beasley, and Curtis Armstrong are among those who speak openly to him about their time on the show. The fourteen chapters capture the initial excitement of the people making the series as well as the pain and sorrow of the creative and personal discord that tore it apart and doomed it. 

Author Scott Ryan promises readers, “Anyone who has any passing knowledge of how television is made, or who wants to know the truth about one of the most popular TV shows of all time, is going to be blown away by the stories of how Moonlighting was made.”

Aired from 1985 to 1989 on ABC, Moonlighting helped pave the way for today’s era of prestige television. Among the most buzzed-about shows in the country, it won three Golden Globe Awards. This was due largely to the bravado of creator Glenn Gordon Caron, who never met a TV-storytelling convention he did not want to break, as well as the sizzling on-screen chemistry between its unforgettable main characters: glamorous erstwhile film star Maddie Hayes (played by Cybill Shepherd) and irreverent private eye David Addison (played by an unknown New Jersey bartender named Bruce Willis). Their ceaseless bickering and flirting onscreen, and their epic battles off-screen, remain the substance of Hollywood legend.

 

“I will trust you to get this wonderful book, and delve into its pages to discover from multiple perspectives the ironic details of the behind the scenes machismo of this onscreen feminist fantasy.” – Martha Nochimson, Film Critic and Writer, 

 

Fayetteville Mafia Press is a dynamic new independent publishing house focusing on producing high-quality nonfiction books of all types by authors with distinctive voices and original insights into the world around them. The company specializes in pop culture, true crime, and sports. 

2021-06-01T11:07:00

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Upcoming new release: ‘Good Lookin” by T.L. Bequette

‘Good Lookin’,’ T.L. Bequette’s debut novel, will be out Monday, May 24, 2021. Photo: amazon

T.L. Bequette is a criminal defense attorney with degrees from The University of the Pacific and Georgetown Law School. He serves annually on faculty of the Stanford Law School Trial Advocacy Clinic.  Located in Oakland, California, most of his practice involves defending Oakland youths accused of murder. His writing is fueled by the criminal justice system’s need for reform and two decades of defending America’s youth on the front lines. Bequette’s writing is inspired by his time in the courtroom where he has tried more than 20 murder cases. His skill in delivering closing arguments and presenting the stories of his clients to the jury make him a master storyteller. “Good Lookin’” is his debut novel and weaves his expertise from the courtroom into the pages of a thrilling mystery. “Good Lookin’: A Joe Turner Mystery” will be out on May 24th, 2021 and is written from the protagonist’s first-person perspective and will hook readers with its storyline, authenticity, and unexpected twists and turns. It is available for pre-order in paperback and digital formats on Amazon. (Black Château, 2021)

“Good Lookin’” – From the gang-ravaged streets of inner-city Oakland to the rolling hills of Berkeley, California, attorney Joe Turner defends the most hardened criminals. Yet his latest case, representing Darnell Moore, a 19-year-old accused of a drive-by murder, seems impossible to unravel. Joe believes in his client’s innocence, but the defense is baffled by the snitch culture of the Oakland streets. Darnell refuses Joe’s pleas to name the actual shooter for fear of reprisal against his family.

A parallel story from twelve years ago follows the struggles of the identical twins Damon and Jesse, who suffer under the thumb of an abusive foster dad. The boys are forced to work, forage for food in dumpsters, and endure the random shoulder-punches of their beer-swilling guardian. They are reluctant to report the abuse for fear they will be separated, but eventually, retribution proves deadly. Over a decade later, the twins’ path crosses Darnell’s and the two tales merge into a rousing denouement of self-defense and vigilante justice.

At the heart of Bequette’s debut novel is a decade-old murder and a tangled web of family, loyalty, and devotion that has the trial hanging in the balance. “Good Lookin’,” the shorthand street term for “good lookin’ out,” examines the challenges of protecting a loved one in the snitch culture of the streets—all through the prism of the unique bond of twins.

“Good Lookin’” is a “zesty, addictive tale that incorporates plenty of criminal hijinks and courtroom melodrama and will satisfy fans of suspense novels and literary crime dramas.” – Kirkus Reviews

2021-05-24T13:25:00

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Upcoming new release: ‘Complicit’ by Amy Rivers

‘Complicit’ by Amy Rivers will be released on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Photo: amazon

Amy Rivers writes novels, short stories, and personal essays and holds degrees in psychology and political science, two topics she loves to write about. She is the Director of Northern Colorado Writers. Her novel “All The Broken People” was recently selected as the Colorado Author Project winner in the adult fiction category. She has been published in We Got This: Solo Mom Stories of Grit, Heart, and Humor, Flash! A Celebration of Short Fiction, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Nurses, and Splice Today, as well as Novelty Bride Magazine and ESME.com. Her new novel, “Complicit (A Legacy of Silence) is a tangled web of deception where predators are shielded by respectability and no one is safe. It is the first book in the A Legacy of Silence series and will be released on Tuesday, April 19, 2021. (amazon, 2021)

In “Complicit,” Kate Medina had been working as a forensic psychologist and loving every minute until a violent attack left her shaken to the core. Retreating to her hometown where it is safe, she accepts a job where the prospect of violence is slim to none. As a high school psychologist, Kate tends to the emotional needs of the students. It is not the career she envisioned for herself.

Five years later a student disappears, leaving the school in crisis and Kate at the helm of another traumatic event. Roman Aguilar, the lead detective, reaches out to Kate for assistance. Kate’s position at the school and her training make her an ideal ally, but her complicated relationship with Roman puts them at odds.

When the girl’s body is found, it changes the focus of the investigation to homicide and Kate finds herself in the middle of a situation she never anticipated. What started as her desire to help puts Kate directly in the crosshairs of an enemy who remains largely in shadows. As her past and present collide, Kate is dragged into the middle of a dangerous game where only one thing is clear-no one can be trusted.

2021-04-20T10:00:00

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Upcoming new release: ‘I Am a Girl from Africa’ by Elizabeth Nyamayaro

‘I Am a Girl from Africa’ is Elizabeth Nyamayaro memoir and first book. Photo: amazon

Elizabeth Nyamayaro is an award-winning humanitarian and former United Nations Senior Advisor on Gender Equality. Born in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth has worked at the forefront of global development for over two decades improving the lives of underserved populations and has held leadership roles at the World Bank, World Health Organization, UNAIDS, and UN Women. “I Am a Girl from Africa,” the inspiring journey of a girl from Africa whose near-neath experience sparked a dream that changed the world, is her first book. It will be released on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (amazon, 2021)

When severe draught hit her village in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth, then eight, had no idea that this moment of utter devastation would come to define her life purpose. Unable to move from hunger, she encountered a United Nations aid worker who gave her a bowl of warm porridge and saved her life. This transformative moment inspired Elizabeth to become a humanitarian, and she vowed to dedicate her life to giving back to her community, her continent, and the world.

Grounded by the African concept of ubuntu—’I am because we are’—”I Am a Girl from Africa” charts Elizabeth’s quest in pursuit of her dream from the small village of Goromonzi to Harare, London, New York, and beyond, where she eventually became a Senior Advisor at the United Nations and launched HeForShe, one of the world’s largest global solidarity movements for gender equality. For over two decades, Elizabeth has been instrumental in creating change in communities all around the world; uplifting the lives of others, just as her life was once uplifted. The memoir brings to vivid life one extraordinary woman’s story of persevering through incredible odds and finding her true calling—while delivering an important message of hope and empowerment in a time when we need it most.

 

2021-04-20T14:29:00

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Book review: ‘Fatal Intent’ by Tammy Euliano

‘Fatal Intent’ is Tammy Euliano’s debut novel. Photo: amazon

Tammy Euliano, MD is a practicing anesthesiologist and tenured professor at the University of Florida. In addition to a prolific list of academic publications, YouTube teaching videos, and numerous teaching awards, she has also written award-winning short fiction. In her debut novel “Fatal Intent,” anesthesiologist Dr. Kate Downey must confront difficult situations when her elderly patients start dying at home days after minor surgery; is it end of life care, or assisted death.

“Fatal Intent” begins as anesthesiologist Dr. Kate Downey begrudgingly begins her Sunday by going to church with her great-aunt Irm. While there, Kate finds out that the VIP patient she was taking care of at the hospital has died days after being discharged, just like one of her neighbors who was also one of Kate’s patients. When she brings this information up to the surgeon who performed the surgeries, Dr. Charles Ricken, he ends up blaming her. Since she is currently on probation, her career is in jeopardy but she is determined to find out why patients are dying after they are sent home from the hospital. To make matters worse, her husband Greg is in a prolonged coma and his brother Adam is constantly urging her to pull the plug. Together with her Great Aunt Irm, a precocious medical student named Jenn, and Christian, the lawyer son of a victim, Kate launches her own unorthodox investigation of these unexpected deaths. As she comes closer to exposing the killer’s identity, she faces professional intimidation, threats to her life, a home invasion, and the suspicious death of someone close to her. The stakes escalate to the breaking point when Kate, under violent duress, is forced to choose which of her loved ones to save—and which must be sacrificed.

Some of the most authentic novels come from authors who write about what they know. Since the author is an anesthesiologist, this gives her outstanding debut novel the authenticity it needs to deliver an exciting medical mystery drama. It gives readers an intriguing look at the inner workings of hospitals, namely, after a patient dies, the staff holds a “root cause analysis” meeting where they analyze what happened. By using descriptive language “I ran down the hall, holding onto my bouncing lanyard,” readers can picture the drama unfolding in hospital hallways. When Kate gets overwhelmed and anxiety rolls in, “There was no air. I was suffocating. My heart pounded, faster and faster,” anyone who has been in such situations can relate. Written in the first person point of view, it contains likeable and relatable characters and the story flows easily from page to page. The action intensifies during Chapter Fifty when Kate is lured to the hospital basement and is forced to choose between saving her Aunt Irm, her friend Christopher, or her husband Greg. In the end, the killer turns out to be someone who was hired by relatives of ailing patients to “euthanize” them.  Aside from being a medical suspense novel, “Fatal Intent” deals with difficult end-of-life issues. In the Author’s Note at the end, Tammy Euliano stresses that her hope is that it will start an open dialogue about such issues and prompt families to consider Living Wills and Health Care Surrogates and directs readers to where they can find more information.  “Fatal Intent” is a must-read thrilling medical mystery novel and is recommended for fans of Robin Cook and Tess Gerritsen who appreciate medical thrillers. Hopefully, there will be more in the future.

“I broke down in his arms, overwhelmed by utter exhaustion and crippling guilt. But Aunt Irm and Christian had suffered too. Would my grief over Greg be construed as regret over the decision?”

 *The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

New book release: ‘The God Equation’ by Michio Kaku

‘The God Equation’ is the new book by renowned theoretical physicist and bestselling author Michio Kaku. Photo: amazon

Michio Kaku is a professor of theoretical physics at the City University of New York, co-founder of string field theory, and the author of several widely acclaimed science books, including “Beyond Einstein,” “The Future of Humanity,” “The Future of the Mind,” “Hyperspace,” “Physics of the Future,” and “Physics of the Impossible.” He is the science correspondent for CBS This Morning, the host of the radio programs Science Fantastic and Exploration, and a host of several science TV specials for the BBC and the Discovery and Science Channels. His new book “The God Equation: The Quest for a Theory of Everything” tells the story of the greatest quest in all of science. (amazon, 2021)

“The God Equation” – When Newton discovered the law of gravity, he unified the rules governing the heavens and the Earth. Since then, physicists have been placing new forces into ever-grander theories. But perhaps the ultimate challenge is achieving a monumental synthesis of the two remaining theories—relativity and the quantum theory. This would be the crowning achievement of science, a profound merging of all the forces of nature into one beautiful, magnificent equation to unlock the deepest mysteries in science: What happened before the Big Bang? What lies on the other side of a black hole? Are there other universes and dimensions? Is time travel possible? Why are we here? Kaku also explains the intense controversy swirling around this theory, with Nobel laureates taking opposite sides on this vital question. It is a captivating, gripping story; what is at stake is nothing less than our conception of the universe. Written with Kaku’s trademark enthusiasm and clarity, this epic and engaging journey is the story of “The God Equation.” **Read an excerpt here.**

Upcoming book release: ‘A Gambling Man’ by David Baldacci

‘A Gambling Man’ by David Baldacci is due out on April 20, 2021. Photo: amazon

David Baldacci is a global #1 bestselling author and one of the world’s favorite storytellers. His books are published in over forty-five languages and in more than eighty countries with 150 million copies sold worldwide. His works have been adapted for both feature film and television. David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. His new book “A Gambling Man (An Archer Novel)” will be out Tuesday April 20 and features Aloysius Archer, the straight-talking World War II veteran fresh out of prison. (amazon, 2021)

In “A Gambling Man,” the 1950s are on the horizon and Archer is in dire need of a fresh start after a nearly fatal detour in Poca City. So Archer hops on a bus and begins the long journey out west to California, where rumor has it there is money to be made if you are hard-working, lucky, criminal—or all three. Along the way, Archer stops in Reno, where a stroke of fortune delivers him a wad of cash and an eye-popping blood-red 1939 Delahaye convertible—plus a companion for the final leg of the journey, an aspiring actress named Liberty Callahan who is planning to try her luck in Hollywood. But when the two arrive in Bay Town, California, Archer quickly discovers that the hordes of people who flocked there seeking fame and fortune landed in a false paradise that instead caters to their worst addictions and fears.
 
Archer’s first stop is a P.I. office where he is hoping to apprentice with a legendary private eye and former FBI agent named Willie Dash. He lands the job, and immediately finds himself in the thick of a potential scandal: a blackmail case involving a wealthy well-connected politician running for mayor that soon spins into something even more sinister. As bodies begin falling, Archer and Dash must infiltrate the world of brothels, gambling dens, drug operations, and long-hidden secrets, descending into the rotten bones of a corrupt town that is selling itself as the promised land—but might be the road to perdition, and Archer’s final resting place.

2021-04-20T09:54:00

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Noteworthy April book releases

In historical fiction, ‘The Last Bookshop in London’ by Madeline Martin will be out Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Photo: amazon

A new month is here and April brings more than enough new books to keep readers interested, from historical fiction to fantasy, there is something for everyone. Here are some of the highlights from this month’s new release list. (amazon, 2021)

Historical fiction:
“The Last Bookshop in London: A novel of World War II” by Madeline Martin
Release date: April 6
August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler’s forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she would wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London. Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed—a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war.

Fantasy:
“The Girl and the Mountain” by Mark Lawrence – The Book of the Ice, Book 2 of 2
Release date: April 13
On the planet Abeth there is only the ice. And the Black Rock. For generations, the priests of the Black Rock have reached out from their mountain to steer the fate of the ice tribes. With their Hidden God, their magic and their iron, the priests’ rule has never been questioned. But when ice triber Yaz challenged their authority, she was torn away from the only life she had ever known and forced to find a new path for herself. Yaz has lost her friends and found her enemies. She has a mountain to climb and even if she can break the Hidden God’s power, her dream of a green world lies impossibly far to the south, across a vast emptiness of ice. Before the journey can even start, she must find out what happened to the ones she loves and save those that can be saved. Abeth holds its secrets close, but the stars shine brighter for Yaz and she means to unlock the truth.

Science Fiction:
“The Last Watch” by J.S. Dewes – The Divide Series, Book 1 of 2
Release date: April 20
The Expanse meets Game of Thrones in J. S. Dewes’ fast-paced, sci-fi adventure, where a handful of soldiers stand between humanity and annihilation. The Divide. It is the edge of the universe. Now it is collapsing―and taking everyone and everything with it. The only ones who can stop it are the Sentinels―the recruits, exiles, and court-martialed dregs of the military. At the Divide, Adequin Rake commands the Argus. She has no resources, no comms―nothing, except for the soldiers that no one wanted. Her ace in the hole could be Cavalon Mercer–genius and exiled prince who nuked his grandfather’s genetic facility for “reasons.” She knows they are humanity’s last chance.

Mystery and thriller:
“When the Stars Go Dark” by Paula McLain
Release date: April 13
Anna Hart is a seasoned missing persons detective in San Francisco with far too much knowledge of the darkest side of human nature. When tragedy strikes her personal life, Anna, desperate and numb, flees to the Northern California village of Mendocino to grieve. She lived there as a child with her beloved foster parents, and now she believes it might be the only place left for her. Yet the day she arrives, she learns that a local teenage girl has gone missing. The crime feels frighteningly reminiscent of the most crucial time in Anna’s childhood, when the unsolved murder of a young girl touched Mendocino and changed the community forever. As past and present collide, Anna realizes that she has been led to this moment. The most difficult lessons of her life have given her insight into how victims encounter violent predators. As Anna becomes obsessed with saving the missing girl, she must accept that true courage means getting out of her own way and learning to let others in.

Young Adult:
“Witches Steeped in Gold” by Ciannon Smart
Release date: April 20
This Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut about two enemy witches who must create a deadly alliance to take down a common enemy has the twisted cat-and-mouse of Killing Eve with the richly imagined fantasy world of Furyborn and Ember in the Ashes. Divided by their order. United by their vengeance.
Iraya has spent her life in a cell, but every day brings her closer to freedom—and vengeance.
Jazmyne is the Queen’s daughter, but unlike her sister before her, she has no intention of dying to strengthen her mother’s power. Sworn enemies, these two witches enter a precarious alliance to take down a mutual threat. But power is intoxicating, revenge is a bloody pursuit, and nothing is certain—except the lengths they will go to win this game.

‘When the Stars Go Dark’ by Paula McLain

Book review: Reader’s Digest’s ‘The Essential Guide to CBD’

Reader’s Digest and Project CBD bring readers ‘The Essential Guide to CBD.’ Photo: amazon

Founded in 1922 by DeWitt and Lila Wallace, Reader’s Digest is recognized worldwide and today  reaches an audience of more than 25 million in the United States. Serving up a mix of moving stories and trusted information, often told with a good dash of fun, Reader’s Digest aims to inspire the good in people and families everywhere. The new book “Reader’s Digest The Essential Guide to CBD: Everything You Need to Know About What it Helps, Where to Buy, and How to Take It” is an authoritative but user-friendly briefing on CBD.

Since 2018, the marketplace has exploded with the sale of CBD products due to the passage of Farm Bills that changed the way hemp could be grown.  Basically, they determined that cannabis can be labeled as hemp and not marijuana if it contains no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC ), the chemical that produces the high in marijuana. Nowadays, people can buy CBD in coffee, deodorant, chocolate bars, and many other products. Reader’s Digest has partnered with Project CBD, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting and publicizing research into the medical uses of cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabis plant components. The result is this extensive guide into CBD that is divided into three parts: Part I contains the basics of what it is and how it works, Part II contains details about how it may help alleviate more than 30 common health conditions and Part III contains information about how to pick the type of product that works best for everyone. It also tackles common misconceptions about CBD, how to find high-quality products and even includes special sections on CBD for pets and recipes for making CBD products at home.

Due to CBD becoming so mainstream in the last few years, there exists the potential for misinformation and unsafe products. Thankfully, Reader’s Digest has stepped in and as a reliable and trusted source, together with Project CBD, have done an outstanding job of educating the public about CBD. Before getting into how it helps with specific ailments; Part I describes what CBD is with Chapter 2: How CBD Works in Your Body and gets into the science behind it including the inner workings of the endocannabinoid system, so it is science-heavy. Chapter 5 dispels commonly held myths about CBD by presenting the facts. One of the most important parts is Part II: CBD For Your Health because it has sections dedicated to specific conditions including Dementia and Alzheimer’s, Heart Disease, and Anxiety and not only does it explain how CBD helps, but also has an “I Tried It” testimonial part where real people tell their story about how it helped them. In the case of anxiety, “CBD directly activates a serotonin receptor known as 5-HTIA, which causes an antianxiety effect.” The recipes are for conditions such as inflammation and pain, sleep aids, and stress relievers and contain visual aids. There is plenty of science involved in the explanation of how CBD works, but besides that, the information is presented in easy to understand language, typical of any Reader’s Digest material. Hopefully, this will help readers who have chronic conditions but are hesitant about using CBD because of the stigma attached to it. “The Essential Guide to CBD” is a thorough guide about CBD, how it works, and its benefits and is recommended for anyone who is genuinely interested in learning more about the subject or just needs more information about how to relieve a specific illness. It is a definite must-read.

“….CBD isn’t just a “supplement” like a vitamin C or calcium pill. It is a molecule that actually mimics and helps support the innate health and wellness regulating system within your body: the endocannabinoid system (ECS).”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

New book release: ‘Win’ by Harlan Coben

‘Win’ is Harlan Coben’s new novel. Photo: amazon

Harlan Coben is a #1 bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in forty-five languages and have been number one bestsellers in more than a dozen countries, with seventy-five million books in print worldwide. His Myron Bolitar series has earned the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards, and many of his books have been developed into Netflix series, including his adaptation of “The Stranger,” headlined by Richard Armitage, and “The Woods.” His new book “Win” is a thrilling story that shows what happens when a dead man’s secrets fall into the hands of a vigilante antihero—drawing him down a dangerous road. (amazon, 2021)

“Win” revolves around heiress Patricia Lockwood who over twenty years ago was abducted during a robbery of her family’s estate then locked inside an isolated cabin for months. Patricia escaped, but so did her captors and the items stolen from her family were never recovered. Until now. On the Upper West Side, a recluse is found murdered in his penthouse apartment, alongside two objects of note: a stolen Vermeer painting and a leather suitcase bearing the initials WHL3. For the first time in years, the authorities have a lead — not only on Patricia’s kidnapping, but also on another FBI cold case — with the suitcase and painting both pointing them toward one man. Windsor Horne Lockwood III — or Win, as his few friends call him — does not know how his suitcase and his family’s stolen painting ended up with a dead man. But his interest is piqued, especially when the FBI tells him that the man who kidnapped his cousin was also behind an act of domestic terrorism — and that the conspirators may still be at large. The two cases have baffled the FBI for decades, but Win has three things the FBI does not: a personal connection to the case; an ungodly fortune; and his own unique brand of justice.