When the governor of the state of Washington asks him to investigate a snuff film found on her grandson's phone, J.P. Beaumont, no stranger to human depravity, is shocked by this horrific crime and discovers that this murder has much wider implications.

Thicker than water: A faded photograph leads attorney Natalie Jones to the secrets of her late father's past. Angel in the family: a father and his two estranged daughters experience a miracle when their late matriarch returns to spend Christmas with them. What I did for love: It's one catastrophe after another when a blundering L.A. lawyer finally meets his fiancee's family at their rural ranch. Ordinary miracles: A troubled teen goes to live...

On a warm suburban night, the sound of lawn sprinklers is drowned out by the rumble of hot rods. Suddenly, a car careens onto a family's neat front yard, teenage boys spill out brandishing chains and leather, and a young man cries out for the girl he loves. Tonight, fathers will pick up snow shovels and rakes to defend their turf, and children will witness a battle fuelled by fierce and true love. This is the night they will talk about and remember...

High school is over but events conspire to reunite Ryan, Seth and Summer in posh, seaside Newport. There may even be a new Core Four, because after Taylor Townsend says a quick if not passionate au revoir to her education in France, she just might pursue Ryan until he catches her.

"Nicu has emigrated from Romania and is struggling to find his place in his new home. Meanwhile, Jess's home life is overshadowed by violence. When Nicu and Jess meet, what starts out as friendship slowly blooms into romance as the two bond over their painful pasts and their hopes and dreams of a better future. But will they be able to save each other, let alone themselves?"--Page 4 of cover.