An absorbing, clever debut thriller that speaks to the longstanding injustices faced by New Zealand's indigenous peoples, by an acclaimed Māori screenwriter and director
A tenacious Māori detective, Hana Westerman juggles single motherhood, endemic prejudice, and the pressures of her career in Auckland CIB. Led to a crime scene by a mysterious video, she discovers a man ritualistically hanging in a secret room and a puzzling inward-curving inscription. Delving into the investigation after a second, apparently unrelated, death, she uncovers a chilling connection to an historic crime: 160 years before, during the brutal and bloody British colonization of New Zealand, a troop of colonial soldiers unjustly executed a Māori Chief.
Hana realizes that the murders are utu--the Māori tradition of rebalancing for the crime committed eight generations ago. There were six soldiers in the British troop, and since descendants of two of the soldiers have been killed, four more potential murders remain. Hana is thus hunting New Zealand's first serial killer.
The pursuit soon becomes frighteningly personal, recalling the painful event, two decades before, when Hana, then a new cop, was part of a police team sent to end by force a land rights occupation by indigenous peoples on the same ancestral mountain where the Chief was killed, calling once more into question her loyalty to her roots. Worse still, a genealogical link to the British soldiers brings the case terrifyingly close to Hana's own family. Twisty and thought-provoking, Better the Blood is the debut of a remarkable new talent in crime fiction.
From the author of Better the Blood, the gripping second novel in a crime series starring Māori detective Hana Westerman, in which the discovery of human bones in the dunes of New Zealand upends a long-ago murder conviction
After the perils of a case that landed much too close to home, Hana Westerman turned in her badge and abandoned her career as a detective in the Auckland CIB. Hoping that civilian life will offer her the opportunity to rest and recalibrate, she returns to her hometown of Tātā Bay, where she moves back in with her beloved father, Eru. Yet the memories of the past are everywhere, and as she goes for her daily run on the beach, Hana passes a local monument to Paige, a high school classmate who was murdered more than twenty years ago and hidden in the dunes overlooking the sea. A Māori man with a previous record was convicted of the crime, although Eru never believed he was guilty.
When her daughter finds another young woman's skeleton in the sands, Hana soon finds herself awkwardly involved. Investigators suspect that this is Kiri Thomas, a young Māori woman who disappeared four years earlier, after battling years of drug addiction. Hana and her daughter Addison are increasingly captivated by the story behind this unsolved crime, but without the official police force behind her, Hana must risk compromising her own peace and relationships if justice is to be served.
Expanding the range of vivid characters who made Michael Bennett's first book, Better the Blood, so appealing, and offering a shocking twist at the end, Return to Blood takes readers further into Māori culture and traditions as it engages us more deeply into the story of Hana Westerman.
From the Barry Award nominee and Ngaio Marsh Award winner of Better the Blood, a new thriller bringing danger ever closer to Hana Westerman
When Detective Inspector Jaye Hamilton stops at an Auckland liquor store for a bottle of champagne, it is supposed to be celebratory: his daughter Addison has just gotten engaged. Instead, he is suddenly gunned down at the register by a balaclava-clad assailant in what appears at first to be a random act. The getaway car is quickly recovered, containing the cell phone of a young Māori man, Toa Davis, who is immediately the object of an all-out police search.
Jaye's ex-wife, former Māori detective Hana Westerman, asks in on the investigation. Her instincts suggest that the vehicle was meant to be found, and that Jaye had been targeted. The gun used in the assault is distinctive, and she learns that a local gang leader, Erwin Rendall--who had threatened Hana in the past--owns such a weapon. After Davis turns up dead, the hunt for Rendall is on. When he slips through the dragnet and escapes the country, and in the wake of Jaye's death, Hana decides to rejoin the force, acknowledging that she now has unfinished business.
Skillfully plotted, inviting readers ever further into the appreciation of Māori culture, and with vibrant characters determined to overcome tragedy with resolve, Carved in Blood takes Michael Bennett's highly-praised series to new heights.
An absorbing, clever debut thriller that speaks to the longstanding injustices faced by New Zealand's indigenous peoples, by an acclaimed Māori screenwriter and director
A tenacious Māori detective, Hana Westerman juggles single motherhood, endemic prejudice, and the pressures of her career in Auckland CIB. Led to a crime scene by a mysterious video, she discovers a man ritualistically hanging in a secret room and a puzzling inward-curving inscription. Delving into the investigation after a second, apparently unrelated, death, she uncovers a chilling connection to an historic crime: 160 years before, during the brutal and bloody British colonization of New Zealand, a troop of colonial soldiers unjustly executed a Māori Chief.
Hana realizes that the murders are utu--the Māori tradition of rebalancing for the crime committed eight generations ago. There were six soldiers in the British troop, and since descendants of two of the soldiers have been killed, four more potential murders remain. Hana is thus hunting New Zealand's first serial killer.
The pursuit soon becomes frighteningly personal, recalling the painful event, two decades before, when Hana, then a new cop, was part of a police team sent to end by force a land rights occupation by indigenous peoples on the same ancestral mountain where the Chief was killed, calling once more into question her loyalty to her roots. Worse still, a genealogical link to the British soldiers brings the case terrifyingly close to Hana's own family. Twisty and thought-provoking, Better the Blood is the debut of a remarkable new talent in crime fiction.
Michael Bennett is a Super Bowl Champion, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, a fearless activist, a feminist, an organizer, and a change maker. He's also one of the most humorous athletes on the planet, and he wants to make you uncomfortable. Bennett adds his voice to discussions of racism and police violence, Black athletes and their relationship to powerful institutions like the NCAA and the NFL, the role of protest in history, and the responsibilities of athletes as role models to speak out against injustice. Following in the footsteps of activist-athletes from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick, Bennett demonstrates his outspoken leadership both on and off the field. Written with award-winning sportswriter and author Dave Zirin, Things That Make White People Uncomfortable is a sports book for young people who want to make a difference, a memoir, and a book as hilarious and engaging as it is illuminating.
Michael Bennett is a Super Bowl Champion, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, a fearless activist, a feminist, a grassroots philanthropist, an organizer, and a change maker. He's also one of the most scathingly humorous athletes on the planet, and he wants to make you uncomfortable. Bennett adds his unmistakable voice to discussions of racism and police violence, Black athletes and their relationship to powerful institutions like the NCAA and the NFL, the role of protest in history, and the responsibilities of athletes as role models to speak out against injustice. Following in the footsteps of activist-athletes from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick, Bennett demonstrates his outspoken leadership both on and off the field.Written with award-winning sportswriter and author Dave Zirin, Things that Make White People Uncomfortable is a sports book for our turbulent times, a memoir, and a manifesto as hilarious and engaging as it is illuminating.
Michael Bennett is a Super Bowl Champion, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, a fearless activist, a feminist, a grassroots philanthropist, an organizer, and a change maker. He's also one of the most scathingly humorous athletes on the planet, and he wants to make you uncomfortable.
Bennett adds his unmistakable voice to discussions of racism and police violence, Black athletes and their relationship to powerful institutions like the NCAA and the NFL, the role of protest in history, and the responsibilities of athletes as role models to speak out against injustice. Following in the footsteps of activist-athletes from Muhammad Ali to Colin Kaepernick, Bennett demonstrates his outspoken leadership both on and off the field.
Written with award-winning sportswriter and author Dave Zirin, Things that Make White People Uncomfortable is a sports book for our turbulent times, a memoir, and a manifesto as hilarious and engaging as it is illuminating.
Set sail on a cosmic adventure with Pirates of the Nebula, a dazzling collection of poems that intertwines the thrill of high-seas piracy with the boundless wonders of the universe. Each verse transports you to distant galaxies, where fierce buccaneers navigate starlit waters, battling celestial storms and seeking treasure amongst the stars. This collection explores themes of freedom, rebellion, and the allure of the unknown, as demons and dreams collide in an epic struggle for power and exploration. With vivid imagery and lyrical prowess, the poems evoke the spirit of daring explorers and the beauty of uncharted realms. Join these cosmic pirates as they weave tales of love, loss, and adventure, inviting readers to embrace the enchanting chaos of the universe. Pirates of the Nebula promises to ignite your imagination and inspire a sense of wonder about the infinite horizons that await beyond the stars.
Unforgettable You is a heartfelt collection of poetry that explores the depths of love, loss, and the indelible marks left on our hearts by those we cherish. Each verse serves as a tribute to the unforgettable moments that shape our lives, capturing fleeting emotions and timeless memories with delicate precision. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, the poems invite readers to journey through the complexities of human connection. From the exhilaration of new love to the bittersweet ache of farewell, this anthology celebrates the beauty found in both joy and sorrow. Dive into a world where every word resonates, leaving an imprint long after the pages are turned. Unforgettable You is a celebration of the people who stay with us, forever changing the landscape of our souls.
When Goodbye Feels Final is a poignant exploration of the myriad emotions that accompany farewells. Through a tapestry of verses, the poet delves into the complexities of loss, longing, and the bittersweet nature of remembering what once was. Each poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with goodbye, while offering solace in shared vulnerability. With vivid imagery and profound insight, this collection captures the weight of unresolved emotions and the slow healing that follows. It artfully navigates the delicate balance between letting go and holding on, turning grief into a lyrical journey. Perfect for anyone who has faced the pain of parting, this book serves as a companion for those searching for hope and closure amidst the finality of farewell.
In The Last Goodbye, the reader is invited into an evocative journey through love, loss, and the delicate threads that bind us to those we cherish. Each poem serves as a poignant reflection on the ephemeral nature of moments, embracing the beauty of connection even as we confront the heartbreaking inevitability of parting. Through vivid imagery and lyrical depth, the poems explore the myriad ways in which goodbyes shape our lives, from bittersweet farewells to the haunting echoes of memories left behind. The collection captures the raw emotions that arise in the face of transition, inviting readers to confront their own experiences with loss while celebrating the enduring power of love. With each page, The Last Goodbye offers solace and understanding, encouraging readers to find strength in vulnerability and to treasure the relationships that leave indelible marks upon our hearts. This collection is a heartfelt ode to the moments we never forget and the goodbyes that forever linger in our souls.
Under the Couch invites readers to explore the hidden spaces of life, both literally and metaphorically. This captivating collection of poems uncovers the overlooked remnants of our daily existence-forgotten trinkets, childhood memories, and the whispers of lost dreams that linger just out of view. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, the poems delve into themes of nostalgia, yearning, and the unexpected beauty found in the mundane. Each piece is a journey, beckoning readers to bend down and peer into the shadows, discovering the treasures that reside in the corners of our hearts and homes. Let Under the Couch enchant you with its whimsical musings and heartfelt reflections as it celebrates the overlooked and the underappreciated, reminding us that sometimes, the most precious things are found in the places we least expect.
Musical
Music by Cy Coleman
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Book by Michael Bennett
Based on the play Two for the Seesaw by William Gibson.
Characters: 4 male, 4 female, mixed chorus From the composing team of Sweet Charity, Seesaw is an intimate, engaging love story and a big, brassy musical comedy rolled into one delightful evening of theatre.Jerry Ryan, a handsome WASPish lawyer from Omaha who has left his wife and fled to New York meets Gittel Mosca, a single, loveable Jewish girl from the Bronx who's studying to be a dancer. This unlikely pair meet, fall in love, and part in a bittersweet tale that is full of fun, music and laughter through tears. Sparkling musical numbers capture the excitement of New York street life and the up and down seesaw of Gittel and Jerry's affair.
A love of a show.-The New York Times
In Echoes of Tomorrow, a transcendent collection of poems, readers are invited on a journey through time, memory, and the fleeting nature of existence. Each verse resonates with the delicate interplay between past experiences and future aspirations, crafting a tapestry of emotions that reflect the human condition. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt expression, the poems capture the whispers of dreams unfulfilled and the hopes that linger on the horizon. The author deftly weaves together themes of love, loss, and resilience, illuminating the echoes that shape our present and inform our future. With each poem, Echoes of Tomorrow challenges us to contemplate the connections that bind us across time, urging us to listen closely to the messages of our yesterdays as we step boldly into what lies ahead. This collection is an invitation to reflect, resonate, and rekindle the spirit of possibility that exists in every moment.