Robert Browning's classic poem "My Last Duchess" provides the starting point for Loupas's winning debut set in Renaissance Italy. Barbara of Austria, the virgin bride of Alfonso d'Este, the fifth and last Borgia duke of Ferrara, has heard rumors that Alfonso murdered his first wife, but by marrying the duke she has escaped the convent as well as her controlling brother, Maximilian II. "Banquets and music, dancing and fashion, loving and loathing--everything is an art in Ferrara," one of the duke's sisters tells Barbara, who must carefully maneuver around the gossip about her predecessor, gossip that the duke has forbidden, as she seeks to establish herself at court.
Mrs. Gillespie is famous for being the best maid in the northwest of Sutherland. But to Hamish Macbeth, she is a malicious gossip who bangs around the furniture and clanks pots. When Hamish wins Mrs. Gillespie's services in a church raffle, he spends most of the day trying to avoid her. He doesn't understand how she managed to gain such a fine reputation. Then she is found dead, struck down violently by a metal bucket of water. Knowing Mrs. Gillespie's penchant for gossip, Hamish is sure she delighted in finding out her clients' secrets--which means that everyone whose home she cleaned is a suspect.
Added by: Au_claire | Karma: 26.92 | Fiction literature | 16 January 2011
7
Gossip Girl #12: I Will Always Love You
The original cast returns to New York. Blair and Nate have a whirlwind romance for several days and Nate realizes Blair is the one he was meant to be with. That is until he lays eyes on Serena and is more confused than ever. Dan leaves Evergreen and transfers to Columbia so he can be close to Vanessa. Vanessa is overwhelmed with all of Dans ideas of living together and starting a life causing her to cheat on him with Hollis her TA. Chuck returns straight, monkeyless, and full of wisdom.
Added by: Au_claire | Karma: 26.92 | Fiction literature | 16 January 2011
3
Gossip Girl #11: Don't You Forget About Me
In just ten short days, Blair, Serena, Nate, Vanessa, and Dan will depart the Upper East Side for college. End-of-summer festivities, now-or-never kisses, and heartbreaking farewells await—and it's never too late for one last scandal. Blair learns that her family is relocating to California. Dan finally figures out to whom his heart really belongs. Nate is forced to choose between Blair and Serena.
Added by: Au_claire | Karma: 26.92 | Fiction literature | 16 January 2011
3
Gossip Girl #10: Would I Lie To You
Serena and Blair head to the Hamptons to inspire celebrity designer Bailey Winter as his girls-of-the-moment muses. And did I mention Bailey lives next door to Nate's beachside estate? Blair and Nate reunite just as Serena realizes she's in love with him. Dan starts an experimental literary salon and thinks he's gay after making out with his male co-worker.
