Animal Mysteries

Acclaimed scientist and author Bernd Heinrich has returned every year since boyhood to a beloved patch of western Maine woods. What is the biology in humans of this deep-in-the-bones pull toward a particular place, and how is it related to animal homing? Heinrich explores the fascinating science chipping away at the mysteries of animal migration: how geese imprint true visual landscape memory; how scent trails are used by many creatures, from fish to insects to amphibians, to pinpoint their home if they are displaced from it; and more.

For the town of White Eagle, Montana, the house that served as the subject of ghostly stories by the campfire was a huge old mansion built more than 50 years ago by a wealthy industrialist as a summer home for his wife and five children. The house, void of love and laughter, served as a sort of luxury prison far away from the hustle and bustle of Hartford Harrington’s full and busy life in San Francisco.

In the heart of a charming small town, veterinary technician Samantha Holt is used to caring for animals—not chasing down killers. But when a beloved local pet turns up at her clinic with a clue that points to murder, Sam finds herself drawn into a tangled mystery where every paw print could be a lead and every loyal companion might hold the key.

It's the week before Thanksgiving, and Merry Wilkinson, owner of Mrs. Claus's Treasures, is preparing for a weekend reunion of her mother's college friends. But when the group of women comes into Merry's shop, Merry is met with frosty attitudes and cold hearts. The women argue amongst themselves constantly, and the bickering only intensifies after one of the friends is poisoned. With her father's role as Santa in danger due to his proximity to the crime, Merry will need to use all of her investigative gifts to wrap this mystery up and save Santa and her favorite holiday.

While new father Joe Grey is overjoyed to teach his three young kittens about the world, he misses his cop work - secretly helping solve crimes alongside his human friends at Molena Point PD. But when beautician Barbara Conley and one of her customers are found dead in the salon, Joe makes an exception and heads for the crime scene. He has no idea that the kittens are following him, or how they will complicate the investigation.

News alert! It has just been discovered that there are NO MORE TACOS left anywhere in the world. This is a huge problem because, as you know, dragons love tacos. If only there was a way for the dragons to travel back in time, to before tacos went extinct. Then they could grab lots of tacos and bring them back! It’s the perfect plan, as long as there’s no spicy salsa. You remember what happened last time....

Jackpot! Hank is the happiest cowdog in the universe when scraptime leaves him with not one but three juicy T-bones. But before Hank has a chance to enjoy his treasure, they disappear! It can only mean one thing - there's a dreaded Bone Monster loose on the ranch. Can Hank put a stop to this devious creature - or will he lose his precious T-bones forever?

Retirement in the Cotswolds has given Leta Parker a new lease on life. Growing close to her small-town pals, the former corporate trainer is thrilled to help them put on the village's annual autumn celebration. But the punch goes sour when a friend's estranged magician husband is found murdered. With the newly widowed woman the prime suspect, Leta leaps into action with spunky friends and her talking dog and cat to clear her name. But when they trace the lecherous victim to England's picturesque southern coast, they discover a long list of past lovers.

Underneath the steps leading down to Eric's basement is a hidden storage place. It's dusty and old, nothing special at all. But when Eric, Julie, and Neal all huddle inside the gray room together, something unbelievable happens. A glittering light and then a rainbow-colored staircase appear. As the kids take their very first step down into the mysterious land of Droon, they know that only magic and adventure await them!

"Fred Berman brings the team to life. His well-paced delivery allows the story's laugh-out-loud humor to shine, particularly the dry one-liners and wisecracks from Corey and Andy...Berman's narration, along with the fun and engaging mystery, results in a thoroughly enjoyable listen." --...

Cassie Bridgestone adores Christmastime in Banford when crowds descend on the cozy village to visit its quaint shops, see the Christmas train, and enjoy the weeklong festival. And this year will be extra special now that she’s dating the gorgeous firefighter Spencer. But when she decides to help out the local food bank, she runs into her old flame, Daniel, and finds her heart torn in two all over again.

Welcome to Valentine’s Day in Banford, where snow is drifting, love is in the air, and murder is rediscovered. Cassie Bridgestone isn’t ready for Valentine’s Day - not with a recent breakup stinging her heart, and the alluring Daniel tempting her to move on. So, when Cassie and Daniel stumble across the skeleton of a woman murdered in the '60s, Cassie can’t resist diving into the mystery to discover where love went wrong all those years ago.

Cassie Bridgestone’s life is simple. Along with running her country décor shop, she loves to cuddle her cat, sip tea, attend church, and watch birds. But then, things go awry. First, the handsome but mysterious Daniel opens a bookstore in her building and challenges her to face long-buried feelings about her previous relationship. Then, a friendly fishing tournament turns deadly and her friend is accused of murder, throwing Cassie’s world into a tailspin she might never recover from.

The whole town has turned up for the Winter Festival, and Cameron has even managed to get television coverage and an Olympian to host the inaugural games. But the local Native American Council isn't happy about the ski course set up on the earth mounds built by their ancestors and pickets the downhill skiing event. Just when Cameron thinks things couldn't get worse, a night of hot cocoa and an ice-carving competition turns deadly. Ice picks make good murder weapons, and the festival's Olympian host won't be going out for any more medal wins.

As Greenwich, Connecticut, slows down during a bitterly cold February, Melanie and her spunky Aunt Peg head to the city that never sleeps for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Aunt Peg can't wait to demonstrate her judging chops on national TV, even after being hounded by frustrating mishaps - all seemingly orchestrated by Victor Durbin, an ousted Paugussett Poodle Club member with a bone to pick. But the bright lights of the show ring grow dim when Victor is found murdered, and she's the one topping the suspect list.

From playful and hilarious accounts of life with cats to heartwarming tales of cat courage, healing and learning, each touching story in Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul celebrates the special bond we share with our cats.

It's winter in the Texas Panhandle, and the ranch is covered in snow and ice. So when Sally May sets off for town, Hank decides to follow Pete the Barncat's advice and bravely escorts her car down the slick road. Before Hank realizes what's happening, Sally May's car skids into a snowdrift - and she is angrier than ever!

Hank couldn't be more thrilled when Beulah the Collie comes to the ranch looking for help. It turns out her beau, Plato the Bird Dog, has wandered off in search of the elusive Great White Quail. With Plato out of the picture, Hank is convinced that he'll finally be able to win Beulah's affections. So he takes up the mission, hoping to score some points with his beloved.

Field reporter Lee Barrett is not happy that her hours are being cut back at WICH-TV, although it is nice to spend more time volunteering with Aunt Ibby, a research librarian. But Lee's least favorite task is going up to the stacks, a spooky, seldom-frequented upper section of the library. On this day she has good reason to be afraid - she finds a dead man, surrounded by hundreds of scattered books and torn-out pages. Her police detective beau, Pete Mondello, is soon on the scene, and the deceased is identified as a former minor league baseball player - and ex-con....

Although Sarah Grayson is often tending to the contained chaos of her delightful secondhand store in North Harbor, Maine, plus dealing with the quirky personality of her rescue cat, Elvis, she still takes an occasional night off. But her evening out comes to an abrupt end when Sarah discovers Stella Hall, a member of the library board, standing over a body in the street.