Laura Johnson

The Leaky Whale tells the delightful story of a whale named Earl who, by helping a crew of friendly seamen in a terrible storm, was helped by them in return. This long out-of-print classic was originally published in 1946. The charming and colorful watercolor illustrations were created by Charles Darby, who died in England returning from a World War II mission in 1944. Darby's close friend Jack Johnson, and his wife Laura Johnson, were determined to share the illustrations with young readers and so, wrote the story and arranged for the book's publication. Darby and Johnson were both members of the legendary Beachcombers artists club in Provincetown, Massachusetts. When the New York Times reviewed the book in 1946, its reviewer wrote: When this book was read to ten four-year-olds, they wanted it 'again' and at the end of that reading, 'again.'

As a runaway from an institutional home for girls, Melanie Osborne grew up on the street, running numbers and working for hustlers. While getting her street education, she learned the skills that have made her one of the most sought-after private investigators in the business. Now, fully licensed and bonded, she saves the life of a child who is being held hostage. During the rescue, Mel is shot. This forces her to look back on her life, to when her doings weren