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Spotlight on Texas is a quarterly cassette publication announcing
the latest audio books produced by volunteers at the Talking Book
Program Volunteer Recording Studio in Austin and at the Recording
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Midland. The
audio version of "Spotlight on Texas" is distributed on request
to Texans with disabilities who are registered to receive the Talking
Book Program's free library service.
Since 1978, Talking Book volunteers have recorded thousands of
fiction and nonfiction titles by Texas authors or about the history,
culture, folklore, and people of the Lone Star state. Titles recorded
include biographies, histories, westerns, romances, mysteries, self-help,
travel, and children's books. More than 10 new books are completed
each month, including some in Spanish. In addition, volunteers record
three Texas magazines: Texas Monthly, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and
Texas Highways.
If you would like to receive an audio cassette copy of "Spotlight
on Texas" each quarter, please contact the Talking Book Program
through the phone numbers, e-mail address, postal address, or fax
number listed at the bottom
of this page.
To order any of the books listed below, note the titles and CT
book numbers you would like to request. Then call a Reader Consultant
toll-free in Texas at 1-800-252-9605 or, in Austin, at 512-463-5458.
A voicemail message service is available after hours and on weekends
for you to leave book requests or other messages. Say your full
name and patron number (if known) clearly when leaving messages
and give the CT book number and title for each request. Book orders
may also be sent in an e-mail message to: tbp.services@tsl.state.tx.us
Following the list of titles recently recorded by our volunteers,
we also feature in this issue a section on mysteries recorded in
years past. We are pleased to provide this reminder to you that
these mystery books are available.
Note the titles and book numbers you would like to request, then
call us at any time with your order.
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Fiction
Bad Chili
CT 6423
by Joe R. Lansdale, Narrated by Dick Collins, 2 cassettes
A leather-jacketed, hog-riding biker is dead. Leonard Pine is the
suspect. To help his partner in the case of one murdered lowlife,
Hap Collins won't be bending the law, he'll be stomping the heck
out of it. Spicing the mix will be LaBorde's own Chili King, a woman
in white with a dark past, an actual tornado, several dead bodies
in unwelcome places, and an unpleasant experience involving blocks
of ice and car batteries. Not to mention the matter of one rabid
squirrel. This book contains: Heavy Sex, Violence, Profanity.
Bonita Faye
CT 6419
by Margaret Moseley; Narrated by Linda Fox, 2 cassettes
"It was only a little murder. He wasn't even an important man. And
it happened so long ago. If anyone shoulda been shocked, it shoulda
been me. After all, I was married to him." Bonita Faye tells all
- from the night Billy Roy was killed to the day she leaves Poteau
behind and follows her dreams to Paris, France. This book contains:
Some Sex, Violence, Profanity
Deadly Legacy
CT 6418
by Dee Stuart, Narrated by Therese East, 2 cassettes
For visiting American veterinarian Barbara Benton, Hong Kong is
a world of exotic sights and sensations. But when her friend Lily
vanishes, Barbara finds that her own inescapable past becomes the
key to her friend's disappearance and her own survival. To someone
desperate and evil, it is a legacy worth untold millions.
Hardwired
CT 6422
by Sally Chapman, Narrated by Sonya Roden, 2 cassettes When Margo
Miller, a NASA public relations specialist appears at Data9000 to
hire amateur sleuth Julie Blake and her partner Vic Paoli, the two
investigators leap at the chance to solve an easy case and meet
real astronauts at the same time. But what looks to be a straightforward
case of computer hacking turns into a serious matter of life and
death. If Julie and Vic can't find the person who's discovered a
way into the computer system at Mission Control, the lives of the
astronauts will be endangered. This book contains: Some Sex, Violence,
Profanity
High Island Blues
CT 6244
by Ann Cleeves, Narrated by Paul Klemperer, 2 cassettes
Among the bird-watching enthusiasts from around the world who have
gathered on the Texas coast to observe the spectacular spring bird
migration are three old friends from England - Rob, Mick and Oliver.
The three are celebrating the twentieth anniversary of their first
unforgettable trip to High Island. But the party's over when Mick
- the introvert who surprisingly got the girl they all wanted years
ago - is murdered. The police think Rob did it but English investigator
George Palmer-Jones, called in by Rob's employer to help him, has
other ideas.
In Search Of Satisfaction
CT 6241
by J. California Cooper, Narrated by Julie Shuey, 2 cassettes This
family saga unfolds in Yoville, a small town whose history is interwoven
with the lives of Josephus, a newly freed slave and his two daughters,
Ruth and Yinyang. The author creates an old-fashioned morality tale
in which the wicked and the righteous each reap their just rewards
in their individual searches for satisfaction. This book contains:
Profanity
Lone Star Swing: On The Trail Of Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys
CT 6403
by Duncan McLean, Narrated by Ev Lunning, 2 cassettes
Duncan McLean traveled from his home in Scotland to try to capture
the essence of Texas Swing - once an incredibly popular but now
largely forgotten mix of jazz, blues, mariachi, and country music.
As he traveled through the Lone Star State from his starting point
of Turkey, Texas, the hometown of Bob Wills, the King of Western
Swing, McLean also marveled at the singular wonders of Texas itself.
He had to learn to drive expressly for this trip but he was determined
to experience the one place on earth where he could "see" western
swing as it should be seen. This book contains: Profanity
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Mistletoe From Purple Sage
CT 6424
by Barbara Burnett Smith, Narrated by Jeanne Guichard, 2 cassettes
Jolie Wyatt, aspiring mystery writer from Purple Sage, Texas, is
once again in the wrong place at the wrong time. Between Christmas
activities and spending time with her family, Jolie has promised
to attend an anniversary party for her former employer, Rose Sterling
Advertising. But when an employee turns up dead in the company bathroom
during the party, Jolie gets wrapped up in the case. This book contains:
Profanity
Murder At The God's Gate
CT 6412
by Lynda S. Robinson, Narrated by Janice Langlinais, 2 cassettes
The young pharaoh Tutankhamun is beset by problems - a crumbling
empire, invaders at the gates, and unrest within his court. Pharaoh's
adviser, Lord Meren, suspects a conspiracy and uses ingenious investigative
methods to uncover a plot that threatens the Egyptian empire. Sequel
to "Murder in the Place of Anubis" (BR 10186). This book contains:
Violence
Murder Takes a Break
CT 6426
by Bill Crider, Narrated by Jack Gazzale, 2 cassettes
Truman Smith, reluctant Galveston P.I. would rather read Faulkner
or O'Hara and drink Big Red than just about anything else, especially
a missing person case. Randall Kirbo disappeared during spring break.
As far as the police are concerned, the kid had just decided to
take off. His parents don't agree and Smith has some questions of
his own. When the body of a young woman is found, it becomes clear
to Truman that Randall is in serious trouble - if he's still alive.
This book contains: Violence, Profanity
Run With the Horses
CT 6421 by Joan Stocks Nobles, Narrated by Dorothy Blair, 1
cassette
Set in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, this is a grand adventure
tale full of bandits, horse thieves, cavalry and Indians. It's a
tale of kidnapping and violence and suspense, and of one remarkably
brave and clever woman. This is a story set along the border between
Texas and Mexico in the post-Civil War days.This book contains:
Violence, Profanity
There Was a Little Girl
CT 6425
by Susan Rogers Cooper, Narrated by Linda Fox, 2 cassettes
Romance novelist, harried mom, and sometime sleuth, E.J. Pugh has
a a habit of being in the wrong place at the right time. This time
she's on hand to pull a suicidal teenager from a freezing Texas
River. The distraught young girl, Brenna, has good reasons for wanting
to end it all, since she comes from the worst horror of a family
since Charles Manson's. Then comes the news that makes E.J.'s blood
run cold: the girl's mother has been murdered, and Brenna stands
accused of the crime. This book contains: Some Sex, Violence, Profanity
Nonfiction
The Big Bend: A History of The Last Texas Frontier
CT 6142
by Ron C. Tyler, Narrated by Jeanne Guichard, 2 cassettes
This book, originally published in 1975 by the National Park Service,
covers four centuries of human society in the Big Bend. Archaeological
evidence of Indian inhabitants provides clues to their unwritten
history in the region but the Spanish explorers found no living
trace of them and called the land "el despoblado," the uninhabited
land. In the centuries that followed, U.S. Army mapping and surveying
teams came to the Big Bend. A colorful array of miners, ranchers,
and even bandits sought freedom and livelihoods in its remote canyons.
The author devotes a full chapter to the creation of the Big Bend
National Park which was finally dedicated in 1955, after years of
efforts by Texans who were determined to preserve this great wonder
of the American Southwest.
Cotton Bowl Days: Growing Up With Dallas And The Cowboys In
The 1960s
CT 6401
by John Eisenberg, Narrated by Jack Huff, 3 cassettes
For a young boy growing up in Dallas in the 1960s, the Cowboys football
team was a source of excitement and pride - even though the team
was still years away from the celebrity of the Super Bowl era. Author
John Eisenberg, a third-generation Dallasite and life-long Cowboys
fan, presents a nostalgic look at growing up with his city as it
tried to cast off the dark shadow of the Kennedy assassination and
with his team, a magnet for civic pride even in defeat.
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Dan Stuart's Fistic Carnival
CT 5773
by Leo N. Miletich, Narrated by Jack Gazzale, 2 cassettes
One hundred years ago, there was a boxing promoter who made society's
hair stand on end. In 1895, Dallas gambler Dan Stuart had an idea:
promote a boxing carnival featuring a world heavyweight championship
bout between Gentleman Jim Corbett and Fighting Bob Fitzsimmons.
This idea led to the outrage of four governors, two presidents,
and Congress; militias and Texas Rangers being called out; closing
of the Mexican border; and fiery sermons.
Legends And Lies: Great Mysteries of The American West
CT 6391
Dale L. Walker, Narrated by Tom Naughton, 2 cassettes
El Paso author Dale L. Walker takes aim at American historical myths
and, through careful research, sets out to write the truth about
stories that have become part of the lore of the Old West. He has
chosen a dozen of the biggest enigmas, including Davy Crockett's
fate at the Alamo, the men who claimed to be Billy the Kid and Jesse
James, the unexplained death of explorer Meriwether Lewis, and the
legendary treasure in Arizona's Superstition Mountains.
Swedish Texans
CT 5866
by Larry E. Scott, Narrated by Susan Britt, 2 cassettes
In the years between 1838 and 1918, some 5,000 Swedes left their
homeland and immigrated to the plains and cities of Texas. The author
uses the stories of individuals and families, their letters to friends
and relatives back home, and Swedish-Texan newspapers and books
to discover how Swedes adapted to the land and fused their customs
with those of the New World.
Tales Old T. R. Told
CT 6417
by T.R. Stephenson, Narrated by T. R. Stephenson, 1 cassette
Short tales relating to Texas told in verse form. The author is
a cowboy poet and sixth generation Texan.
Texas City Disaster, 1947
CT 6398
by Hugh W. Stephens, Narrated by Nancy VanHemert, 2 cassettes
One of America's worst industrial accidents in terms of casualties
occurred at Texas City, Texas when two docked merchant ships loaded
with ammonium nitrate fertilizer exploded sixteen hours apart on
April 16 and 17, 1947. The author describes the heroic efforts of
Southeast Texans to rescue survivors and cope with extensive property
damage. He also explores why the disaster happened, showing how
a chain of indifference and negligence made a serious accident nearly
inevitable, while a lack of emergency planning allowed it to escalate
into a catastrophe.
Treasure Hunt: A New York Times Reporter Tracks The Quedlinburg
Hoard
CT 6402
by Honan, William H. Narrated by Harold Steadman 2 cassettes
This true story has elements of a good mystery novel as well as
intriguing art history. New York Times reporter William Honan describes
how he first became interested in the missing Quedlinburg treasures
- priceless medieval manuscripts and reliquaries - which disappeared
from Nazi Germany in the final days of World War II. It had long
been assumed that the collection had been stolen by an American
soldier or soldiers since U.S. troops were occupying Quedlinburg
at the time. Honan tracks the treasures to a small Texas town and
unravels the mystery of how they got there. This book contains:
Profanity
Un Baile de Máscaras
CT 6378
by Sergio Ramírez, Narrated by Valeria Werner, 2 cassettes
August 5, 1942. One day in the life of a small Nicaraguan town is
chronicled, as two feuding families and a parade of eccentric characters
prepare to celebrate the birthday of a local socialite with a masked
ball. A humorous tribute to the foibles of village life. This book
contains: Some Sex
Duerme
CT 6380
by Carmen Boullosa, Narrated by Valeria Werner, 1 cassette
One of Mexico's best-known female authors recreates the world of
colonial Mexico, where ancient religious beliefs persisted under
Spanish rule, in a suspenseful adventure story infused with historical
fact.
Revolución es un Sueño Eterno
CT 6377
by Andrés Rivera, Narrated by Dr. Juan Lujan, 1 cassette
Winner of Argentina's Premio Nacional de la Literatura in 1992,
this novel re-imagines the life of a true military hero of Argentina's
Revolutionary War against Spain in 1810. In real life, Juan Jose
Castelli died in poverty and disgrace but fate is kinder in fiction.
This book contains: Violence
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Spanish Nonfiction
Aplauso del Cielo
CT 6385
by Max Lucado, Narrated by Marisol Brown, 1 cassette
Author of a number of Christian devotional works, Max Lucado invites
readers of this book to find a joy that cannot be quenched, a peace
that cannot be taken away, and a happiness that cannot be threatened.
He believes that the Beatitudes provide all the guidance that people
need in order to discover the joy of God.
To order any of these titles, call 1-800-252-9605 or, in Austin,
512-463-5458.
Spotlight
on Mysteries
Thousands of additional titles recorded in Texas are available
from the Talking Book Program. Ask a Reader Consultant to recommend
other Texas titles and authors or have Texas titles added to your
reading list through our automatic selection program. A world of
Texas books is just a phone call or e-mail message away.
Among the titles available, you may want to consider ordering
these previously recorded mystery titles:
Armadillos and Old Lace
CT 5780
by Friedman, Kinky Narrated by John Cagle 1 cassette
Set in central Texas, this mystery involves 76-year-old ladies who
are dying inexplicably on their birthdays. Undaunted by the thought
of running up against the toughest lady sheriff in Texas, Kinky
Friedman, on a visit home from New York City, does his best to solve
the case. Several bunches of yellow roses and a faded photograph
of ten pretty girls turn out to be just the clues he needs. This
book contains: Profanity
Biggie And The Poisoned Politician
CT 6307 by Nancy Bell, Narrated by Jeanne Guichard 1 cassette
Biggie Weatherford, an eccentric and wealthy grandmother from the
tiny East Texas town of Job's Crossing, takes on city hall to halt
a proposed garbage dump next to her ancestral graveyard, only to
turn detective to solve the poisoning murder of the local mayor.
This book contains: Violence
Blessed Are The Merciless: A Reverend Lucas Holt Mystery
CT 6077
by Charles Meyer, Narrated by Janice Lathin 2 cassettes
Reverend Holt is distressed by the number of elderly parishioners
who have recently died alone, in pain, and uncared for, even though
many of them have grown children. Somebody else seems to agree quite
strongly, because suddenly a series of murders takes place. All
of the victims are in their thirties and forties, and all have placed
their parents in nursing homes. This book contains: Profanity
The Day That Dusty Died
CT 5818
by Lee Martin, Narrated by Janice Lathin 2 cassettes
For no apparent reason, pretty teenager Dusty Miller hurls herself
from a 14th floor balcony. The unsolved case is just one of the
nettlesome problems facing Fort Worth police detective Deb Ralston.
(Her sister and husband are two others). In the course of solving
Dusty's "suicide," author Martin comments with biting humor on life's
frustrations. This book contains: Heavy Sex. Profanity
Death At Daisy's Folly
CT 6332
by Robin Paige, Narrated by Carol Esler 2 cassettes
Two murders during a weekend party at the Countess of Warwick's
estate compel the most prominent guest, Albert Edward, Prince of
Wales, to call upon the sleuthing skills of Sir Charles Sheridan
and his sweetheart, Kate Ardleigh, the spirited American who writes
the popular yet frowned-upon "penny dreadful" novels. Together,
Sir Charles and Kate must solve the crimes to prevent scandal from
touching His Royal Highness, the future King Edward VII. Robin Paige
is the pen name of William and Susan Wittig Albert.
Death by Dressage
CT 5555
by Carolyn Banks, Narrated by Mary Jane Prall 1 cassette
When fellow horsewoman Nika Ballinger suffers a violent death that
appears to be murder, and the police can find no easy answers, Texas
equestrienne Robin Vaughn does a bit of sleuthing on her own. As
she mounts her own investigation and begins rummaging through Nika's
untidy past, Robin uncovers a bizarre double life that someone might
have killed to keep secret. This book contains: Violence
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Man Offside
CT 5542
by A.W. Gray, Narrated by Ev Lunning 2 cassettes
Rick Bannion is a former Dallas Cowboys football player whose only
things left over from his glory days are his Corvette and his love
for the wife of his former teammate, Jack Brendy. When Jack gets
caught smuggling drugs and then is murdered, Rick finds himself
forced to make his way in the seedy, tough streets of Dallas. This
book contains: Some Sex, Violence, Profanity
Partners In Crime: A Rafe Buenrostro Mystery
CT 5589
by Rolando Hinojosa, Narrated by Therese East 2 cassettes
This addition to the Klail City Death Trip series is a murder mystery,
complete with shrewd detectives, naive disciples, and the misreading
of genuine clues. Hinojosa's sleuths are Lt. Rafe Buenrostro of
the Belken County (Texas) Homicide Squad, and Capt. Lisandro Gomez
of Tamaulipas, Mexico. This book contains: Profanity
Thyme of Death: A Mystery Introducing China Bayles
CT 5731
by Susan Wittig Albert, Narrated by Janice Lathin 2 cassettes
When ex-lawyer China Bayles left her job at a law firm in Houston
to open an herb shop in Pecan Springs, Texas, she had hoped to leave
big city problems behind her. But even a small town has its share
of problems -- including murder. When her friend Jo is found dead
from an apparent suicide, China looks behind Pecan Springs' quaint
facade and finds that one of her new neighbors may be a killer.
This book contains: Profanity
Writers of the Purple Sage
CT 5896
by Barbara Burnett Smith, Narrated by Therese East 2 cassettes
When the respected judge of Purple Sage, Texas is murdered using
the exact method outlined in her novel-in-progress, aspiring mystery
writer Jolie Wyatt quickly finds suspicions turning her way. The
fact that she, a relative newcomer to town, has had a recent run-in
with the judge doesn't help. Eager to deflect suspicion from herself,
Jolie begins to investigate on her own, focusing reluctantly on
the members of her writing group and the assistant chief of police,
all of whom had access to her manuscript -- and the unusual murder
method described within. In the process, she uncovers many small
town secrets and finds more than a few people with reason to kill
the judge -- and maybe herself as well. This book contains: Profanity
Ordering
More Texas Titles Thousands of additional titles recorded
in Texas are available from the Talking Book Program. Ask a Reader
Consultant to recommend other Texas titles and authors or have Texas
titles added to your reading list through our automatic selection
program. A world of Texas books is just a phone call or e-mail message
away.
As with all of the books in our collection, there is no time limit
for ordering any of these books. Feel free to ask for these titles
at any time-now or in the future.
The Texas volunteers welcome your comments and suggestions. Send
an e-mail message to the Volunteer Recording Studio at tbp.services@tsl.state.tx.us
or write to us at Volunteer Recording Studio, Talking Book Program,
PO Box 12927, Austin, TX 78711-2927. If you live in the Austin area
and are interested in volunteering to record books, please call
463-5546 for more information. More information about volunteering
is available on the web page of the Friends
of the Talking Book Program Volunteer Recording Studio.
Talking Book Program, Austin, TX, January 2000.
Talking Book Program
Texas State Library & Archives Commission
PO Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
1-800-252-9605 (in Texas)
512-463-5458 (in Austin)
512-936-0685 (fax)
tbp.services@tsl.state.tx.us
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