Kirjahaku

The Case of Scotch - Volume Three of the Casebooks of Octavius Bear, concluded with a triumphant singing debut at the Edinbeargh Opera by Octavius' and Bearoness Belinda's prot g s Bearnice Blanc, a polaratura soprano and her baritone singing partner, Leperello, a highly talented Himalayan Snow Leopard. In this volume - The Lower Case - they arrive at Winnipeg, Manitoba to begin a North American tour. With them is Maury Meerkat, our narrator, Octavius Bear's sidekick and talent agent for the singers as well as Bearnice's twin sister Bearyl, a budding actress. Unfortunately, they are also accompanied by Honoria Heifer, a preposterously bad voice coach, mistakenly hired by Bearoness Belinda to aid the singers on their musical journey. No sooner have they arrived than the cow appears on a TV chat show and essentially says that the singers are light on talent and skill and that she, Honoria, has been totally responsible for their current rise in esteem and popularity. Bearnice and Lepi are enraged and storm out of the hotel lounge where they were watching the show, in pursuit of Honoria. Next morning, Honoria is found dead outside the TV station with her neck broken and several gashes in her hide. The singers are the number one suspects. Enter Octavius, Frau Schuylkill, Colonel Wyatt Where, Otto the Magnificent, Chita and L.Condor to assist the Royal Canadian Unmounted Police in finding the real culprits. Another murder, this time of an Arctic Fox, the personal assistant to the TV station manager, serves to liven things up even further. Are the crimes connected? It seems so but how and why? Populated by an assemblage of potential suspects both at the Opera and the TV station, the plot definitely thickens. Alternate universes play a major role in this volume.

More exploits of super sleuth Octavius Bear and his cohorts. Just for fun, this series swaps anthropomorphic animals for humans in a world very similar to our own 21st century Earth minus Homo Sapiens. Are there other alternate universes? Could be Never known for his diplomacy, Octavius and his team are called upon to investigate the violent death of an Impala, the Commercial AttachE for an African embassy in Washington DC. Was he killed or was it an accident? That is the question As usual, complications arise. Was the Impala engaged in illicit activities leading to his death? If so, who did him in? Bearoness Belinda and the Cubs arrive with Octavius on a very expensive and exclusive helicopter for a tour of "Washing-Tub" but soon uncover some very interesting evidence bearing on the case. Chita makes another cameo appearance via Skype. Is the Ambassador, a mysterious Rhino, hiding something? All of these questions and more unravel leading to a rather unusual conclusion. The Great Bear is involved once again in international intrigue.

Can it be true? Is Octavius Bear actually accused of murder? When Professor Hercules Ovibos, an extortionate fraud pursuing a law suit against Octavius, is found floating in the Detroit River, evidence brought forward by the Professor's lawyers seems to point toward the Great Bear. Is this a frame-up? His team immediately joins forces to get him off the hook. Meanwhile, Howard Watt and Marlin are leading a group of scientists in a Quantum Physics experiment to create "electron tangling" between alternative worlds. All does not go well. Other new characters: The nasty inhabitants of Biosphere X (Home World) who are intent on preventing the experiment from working. Killings Galore And please welcome Ursula - Universal Ursine Intellect Model 6 - Artificial Intelligence System. She's in for the long haul. The Cubs, Belinda, Mlle Woof, Chita, L. Condor, Marlin, Otto, The Wolves, Flying Tigers and of course, Maury are all back along with an additional cast of characters. Ain't science fun?

Christmas at the lavish Polar Paradise resort in the Shetlands, home of Bearoness Belinda B arnaise Bruin Bear (nee Black); wife of Octavius Bear and mother of twin Cubs Arabella and McTavish. The entire Octavian team is on board including the Artificial Intelligence System Ursula 7. The hotel is packed with celebrating guests. It's a time for friendship and peaceful reflection as well as jubilant and spontaneous fun and enjoyment. Unfortunately, it's also a time for destructive and murderous pranks by characters calling themselves the Cranks. Obviously set on harassing Belinda, Octavius and the Cubs, they are bent on damage, injury and death for the holidays. Who are they? What are they up to and why? Octavius, his team, friends and the police all seek to find out and put a stop to it while the holiday festivities carry on. Merry Christmas; Jolly Boxing Day and Happy New Year

Sedentary by nature, Octavius Bear is not a big Sports enthusiast. So, it is a bit out of character for him to pack his investigative team plus the Cubs and their governess onto the luxurious Ursa Minor helicopter and head for New York City. His assignment: investigate the killing of Ozzie Ostrich, a professional basketball player. The primary suspect is Joe Jeau, star member of the Gotham Giraffes pro ball team. The Giraffe's Head Coach, an old schoolmate of the Great Bear, wants him to clear his top performer's name and if possible, find the true killer.The team gets tangled up with professional gamblers, possible personal rivalries and even love interests. Once again, the detectives are assisted by Chita and the near-miraculous Artificial Intelligence Unit, Ursula 8. Needless to say, the Cubs have a spectacular time in the Big Apple. New York will never be the same. Oh yes, the real killer is discovered.

Welcome back, once again, to Polar Paradise in the Shetland Islands, part-time home of Octavius Bear's spouse Bearoness Belinda B arnaise Bruin Bear (nee Black.) In Book Eight - The Crank Case, we introduced you to Preston Pavel Polar, Russian movie star and matinee idol. He's back, this time with a full-scale movie crew to shoot another one of his highly successful swasgger and swords epics in the castle/resort and using most of the Octavians as his cast members. Belinda and Octavius are financial partners in the production. Things seem to be going smoothly but then, an ingenue cast member takes a fatal dive into the ocean and is pulled out Dead. How did she die? Why did she die? Octavius and Maury swing into action to solve the mystery along with ace consulting detective Fetlock Holmes, Shetland Yard Superintendent Nigel Wardlaw and Chief Inspector Bruce Wallaroo. Belinda, the Cubs, Mlle Woof, Chita, Condo, Otto, the Wolves and all the other regulars are on hand to propel the action. Ready for another tale? Lights, Camera, Action

Doctor Llewellyn Llama, Director of the Pharm and Pharma Division of Octavius Bear's Universal Ursine Industries (UUI) is found dead in his hotel room in Washington DC. How did he die? The DC Police believe he was poisoned. Why did he die? Unknown He was there to consult with the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration on P&P's work on 'cultured meat' and artificial foods. "Best Wurst and Best Burgers " 'Cultured meat' is one of P&P's most controversial projects. Government, the Press, Science and Academia, all sorts of political and pressure groups, even churches, are taking sides and being damn vociferous about it.Another piece of news. General Turmoil, Director of the Business, a clandestine Multiverse Agency is missing from his office in Washington. Interplanetary foul play or covert activity on the Business' part?Octavius and Maury swing into action to solve the mysteries. All the Octavians are also on hand to move things along. Join us and have a sandwich while you're at it.

Does Octavius have a doppelg nger? Could be One who's insisting that he is the Great Bear. The Octavians insist that he is a nut intent on creating chaos or worse.The plot gets much thicker. It seems the real target of this complex charade isn't Octavius at all. It's Howard, the porcupine genius who's the world's leading expert on alternate universe travel. And the Admiral, a mad Zebra on an alternate planet, wants to capture Howard to enable his dastardly strategies for cosmic conquest.Otto the Magnificent is commissioned by Octavius to scuttle the Admiral's plans. Little does the Zebra know how potent the little lutrine is.Does romance rear its head? Well, maybe. Enter Priscilla, a very clever porcupine femme fatale who gets Howard's spiky attention. Life gets curiouser and curiouser.

Has arch-villain Imperius Drake returned from the dead? Not likely but that's what someone wants Octavius to believe, leaving tantalizing clues to that effect. Is history being replayed? Why? And what bizarre plot is UUI's Chief Technical Officer cooking up over at the Deep Data Hexagon? Some new characters join up with the Octavians as dirty doings unfold. The Great Bear is once again a target. Adding to the confusion, Ursula Twelve has disappeared. Events develop at break neck pace and alternate universes are front and center. Welcome aboard

Has extortionist extraordinaire Caleb Cassowary gone off the grid? Not hardly He and his assistant Byzantia Bonobo escaped from Earth and landed on Biosphere X and Exoplanet Gaea, respectively. Caleb has persuaded the leaders of the Biosphere (Home World) with his plans for interplanetary conquest. As a first step, he proposes to attack Earth where it is most vulnerable - GPS. Byzz has taken on a new career launching satellites on Gaea. The Cassowary once again calls on her for assistance. What happens next propels Octavius Bear and his associates into a whirlwind of galactic uproar. Watch this space, literally

Caleb Cassowary's carcass is floating in near earth orbit, done in by his former assistant Byzz Bonobo. But the saga lingers on. Before succumbing, he set in motion a series of potential cyberattacks designed to wreak havoc on Earth and other planets as part of his plan for cosmic conquest. One of the less civilized exoplanets in the Milky Way is the one we refer to as Biosphere X - the Home World of a population of highly aggressive and paranoid birds. Earth has been attacked by them several times and has retaliated quite destructively. This volume relates the continual struggle. You will have ample opportunity to meet the villains, hiss and boo as you fly through these pages. C'mon In The Mayhem's Fine Oh, Surprise Ending. Don't Cheat

Bearoness Belinda suggests that she and Octavius retire. He can become a Consulting Detective Emeritus. He's torn. Old habits and interests die hard. They compromise on a test. A one year sabbatical tour with the Twins, away from UUI, the Hexagon and above all, criminals. The Octavians are left in charge. First stop - A trip to Australia joined by Chief Inspector Bruce Wallaroo and Private Detective Matilda Roo.But a funny thing happens on their way around Oz. They're involved in two murders, contract rigging, money laundering, petty violence, monsoons, an accident and several near misses. Was Bruce right when he asked, "You're not really going to retire, are you? Leopards can't change their spots and bears can't shed their fur." We'll see

Bearoness Belinda's suggestion that she and Octavius retire has produced some interesting results. Can he actually become a Consulting Detective Emeritus? They agree on a one year sabbatical tour with the Twins, away from UUI, the Hexagon and above all, criminals. The Octavians are left in charge. First stop - A trip to Australia. See Book 16. The Cases Down Under.But funny things happened on their way around Oz. Two murders, contract rigging, money laundering, petty violence, monsoons, an accident and several near misses. Was Bruce Wallaroo right when he asked, "You're not really going to retire, are you? Leopards can't change their spots and bears can't shed their fur."More adventures. in Volume 17. Belinda and the Twins make their first off world trips to several exoplanets while the Octavians get involved in defeating a major drug lord. Oh yes, Mlle Woof changes careers. Peace and quiet? Not Likely

"Mr. Sherlock Holmes? I am or was, Lady Juliet Armstrong, Baroness Crestwell. Having been murdered, I am deceased and require your assistance." Thus began the strangest partnership in the long career of Sherlock Holmes. In Book One of this series we met the brash and bold, silly and sassy Lady Armstrong who wouldn't let a simple thing like death stop her from seeking the help of the great Detective in solving the mystery of her violent and untimely demise.Further adventures followed and now in Book Two, she and her dog Pookie have become frequent companions to Holmes, Watson and yes, Mrs. Hudson. Sherlock Holmes and the Glamorous Ghost is the brainchild of author Harry DeMaio, creator of the of the famous Octavius Bear adventure series. Once again, join us for more comic and lighthearted mysteries of madcap mystical mischief and mayhem

"Mr. Sherlock Holmes? I am or was, Lady Juliet Armstrong, Baroness Crestwell. Having been murdered, I am deceased and require your assistance."Thus began the strangest partnership in the long career of Sherlock Holmes. In Book One of this series we met the brash and bold, silly and sassy Lady Armstrong who wouldn't let a simple thing like death stop her from seeking the help of the great Detective in solving the mystery of her violent and untimely demise.Further adventures followed and now in Book Two, she and her dog Pookie have become frequent companions to Holmes, Watson and yes, Mrs. Hudson. Sherlock Holmes and the Glamorous Ghost is the brainchild of author Harry DeMaio, creator of the of the famous Octavius Bear adventure series. Once again, join us for more comic and lighthearted mysteries of madcap mystical mischief and mayhem

Octavians on a Cruise Ship Bearoness Belinda's suggestion that she and Octavius retire has produced some interesting results. Can he actually become a Consulting Detective EMERITUS? They agreed on a one year sabbatical tour with the Twins, away from UUI, the Hexagon and above all, criminals. Off they went to Australia and then three exoplanets in Multiverse Space. For their next trip, they set off on a Caribbean cruise on an ecologically advanced ship -The Solarwind; only to find more threats, a death and Octavius' ne'er do well stepbrother, Agrippa - The Bear Faced Liar. Sail along with us. Was Bruce Wallaroo right when he asked "You're not really going to retire, are you? Leopards can't change their spots and bears can't change their fur." We'll see

"Mr. Sherlock Holmes? I am or was, Lady Juliet Armstrong, Baroness Crestwell. Having been murdered, I am deceased and require your assistance."Thus began the strangest partnership in the long career of Sherlock Holmes. In Book One of this series we met the brash and bold, silly and sassy Lady Armstrong who wouldn't let a simple thing like death stop her from seeking the great Detective's help in solving the mystery of her violent and untimely demise.Further adventures followed and in Book Two, she and her dog Pookie became frequent companions to Holmes, Watson and yes, Mrs. Hudson. Sherlock Holmes and the Glamorous Ghost is the brainchild of author Harry DeMaio, creator of the famous Octavius Bear adventure series.Now, welcome to Book Three Juliet and Holmes are on the move. Paris, Brighton, The Orient Express, Vienna Meet the glorious Lipizzaner stallions. Say hello to Juliet's family. Once again, join us for more comic and lighthearted mysteries of madcap mystical mischief and mayhem Don't forget Pookie

"Mr. Sherlock Holmes? I am or was, Lady Juliet Armstrong, Baroness Crestwell. Having been murdered, I am deceased and require your assistance."Thus began the strangest partnership in the long career of Sherlock Holmes. In Book One of this series we met the brash and bold, silly and sassy Lady Armstrong who wouldn't let a simple thing like death stop her from seeking the great Detective's help in solving the mystery of her violent and untimely demise.Further adventures followed and in Book Two, she and her dog Pookie became frequent companions to Holmes, Watson and yes, Mrs. Hudson. Sherlock Holmes and the Glamorous Ghost is the brainchild of author Harry DeMaio, creator of the famous Octavius Bear adventure series.Now, welcome to Book Three Juliet and Holmes are on the move. Paris, Brighton, The Orient Express, Vienna Meet the glorious Lipizzaner stallions. Say hello to Juliet's family. Once again, join us for more comic and lighthearted mysteries of madcap mystical mischief and mayhem Don't forget Pookie

Octavians on a Cruise Ship Bearoness Belinda's suggestion that she and Octavius retire has produced some interesting results. Can he actually become a Consulting Detective EMERITUS? They agreed on a one year sabbatical tour with the Twins, away from UUI, the Hexagon and above all, criminals. Off they went to Australia and then three exoplanets in Multiverse Space. In Volume 18, The Bear Faced Liar, they set off on a Caribbean cruise on an ecologically advanced ship -The Solarwind; Now Volume 19, Bears at Sea, continues the sea going saga. Another death, a fierce storm and a theft. Sail along with us. Was Bruce Wallaroo right when he asked "You're not really going to retire, are you? Leopards can't change their spots and bears can't change their fur." Doesn't seem like it, does it. We'll see