Charles a. Johnson

How officials reporting to both executive officials and congressional representatives work to keep the government honest, efficient, and effective. Inspectors general are important players in the federal government, and their work often draws considerable public attention when one of them uncovers serious misdeeds or mismanagement that make the headlines. This book by two experts in public policy provides a comprehensive, up-to-date examination of how inspectors general have operated in the four decades since Congress established the offices to investigate waste, fraud, and mismanagement at federal agencies and to promote efficiency and effectiveness in government programs. Unique among federal officials, inspectors general are independent of the agencies they monitor, and they report to the executive and legislative branches of government. One key factor in their independence is that they are expected to be non-partisan and carry out their work without regard to partisan interests. The authors of U. S. Inspectors General: Truth Tellers in Turbulent Times emphasize the “strategic environment” in which inspectors general work and interact with a variety of stakeholders, inside and outside the government. Their new book is based on in-depth case studies, a survey of inspectors general, and a review of public documents related to the work of inspectors general. It will be of interest to scholars and students of public policy and public management, journalists, and ordinary citizens interested in how the government works?or doesn’t work?on their behalf.

Training to become a true Dragon Warrior is not easy, and Maia learns this from experience when Morgana decides to send her to T r na n- g to train with an old friend of hers, where the Sun Dragon Warrior must work with Mitzi to claim a treasure buried within this mythical land.

After learning of her mission to find and purify the Manacle of Nemesis, Elise sets off for England and the Huntington Castle Carnival, where she learns of a mysterious vigilante called the "Dark Stalker". However, during her quest to get this Relic of Darkness, Elise is overwhelmed with problems, from the discovery of a secret sister to having unlikely company in the form of Mitzi's sister Darma.

Princess Luanne and Queen Morgana learn that the mysterious girl named Chimera is actually a Resistance Fighter from the Future, sent back to the past to change the destinies of her friends, as well as that of her creator-Heatheria Winchester. Meanwhile, Mirta stumbles upon the story of the Charms of Armageddon (officially named the "Relics of Darkness"), and relates the story to her fellow teammates. Will they be able to stop Nightshroud's quest for power?

Four years ago, the Fellowship of Light defeated Evil in Melania, and many of the members have now gone their own way--all except Roxy Norrington, Galatea Winchester, and Mirta, all who have chosen to remain in Melania with Princess Luanne, anticipating Evil's return. And the timing could not be any worse, as all three of them discover that their old enemy, Nightshroud, has announced his plans to return with the help of his last surviving loyal servant. Now, Mirta, Galatea, and Roxy must join forces with Elise Masters (Roxy's friend from London University) and an amnesiac girl named Chimera, who has unexpectedly--and literally--landed in their laps. Together, these five girls discover themselves to be Chosen Ones called by a quintet of legendary dragons who protected our world long ago and far away. With Princess Luanne as their mentor and guide, these Dragon Warriors must rise to the challenge of defeating Evil once more, before Armageddon threatens the world all over again.

Join Luanne and Heatheria as they embark on adventures around the Known World and beyond, solving mysteries. Together with Helena Harper, Ashley Whitaker, Miles Warren, Roxy Norrington, and her bloodhound, Art , they are the "Super Sleuths Seven." Roxy Norrington, Luanne's teenage cousin from a village called Gardenia, has arrived in Melania so that her father can have some quiet time for at least a year. However, as soon as she arrives in Melania, she discovers that her bloodhound, Art , has been getting riled up since they'd checked in to Mount Melania Hotel. After sending a message to her cousin at the Palace, Roxy joins forces with the Princess and Heatheria Winchester--as well as Helena Harper, Ashley Whitaker, and Miles Warren--to solve a mystery revolving around the old Spectre Theater, ultimately having to uncover the truth behind the legend of the "Specter of the Spectre." In the end, they discover that the specter of which legend speaks is not all that she seems. Can the "Super Sleuths" discover the truth behind the legend of the Specter of the Spectre--or will they end up specters themselves before the night is over?

An energy vampire using the name Valencia Alucard is behind the theft of a priceless jewel, and Mr. Franklin Forrester--the curator of the Mount Melania Museum--has called in the "Super Sleuths Seven" to help him solve this mystery. At Alucard Castle, Roxy is attacked and drained of her energy, and the Sleuths trace her energy drain back to a failed experiment scrapped by one of Eden Starling's friends--but the shocking conclusion is that Miss Alucard is not who she appears to be. Even with some help from the true owner of Alucard Castle--Anneliese Benton--can the Super Sleuths Seven trap Valencia during the annual Alucard Monster Ball and expose her scheme once and for all?

Roxy Norrington and her pet bloodhound, Art , have been named co-benefactors in sharing the fortune of the late Colonel Beauregard, who promised to remember them in his will. But there is one catch: the duo--along with four other heirs--must spend one night in a haunted castle on a remote island named Mystery Island. During their night on this haunted isle, Roxy and Art --along with the rest of their Super Sleuth comrades--are suddenly thrown into a world of trouble when it is discovered that they are being targeted by a duo of ghosts called the "Phantom Shadows." Before too long, the gang finds themselves having to find and rescue Roxy and the other heirs--but will they be too late to stop the Phantom Shadows before they succeed in a mass execution?

The Super Sleuths Seven find themselves out on the open sea when a seafaring smuggling operation is discovered to be in the works, and it appears to be run by a long-dead pirate named Bluebeard. However, this evil spirit soon ends up capturing most of our heroes--but not in time to stop them from unraveling this tangled mystery, as they later uncover a twist ending to it. What is it? Find out in this episode of "A Ship of Ghouls is No Place for Fools".