Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Retribution by Eric Van Lustbader

Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Retribution (Jason Bourne) - After the death of Mossad Agent, Rebeka, Jason Bourne is determined to kill the man who ordered her death, China's Ouyang Jidan. Ouyang is fighting his own political battles as China is preparing to reorganize its Politburo. Ouyang's wife, Maricruz Encarnación, daughter of the late Maceo Encarnación, is in Mexico outwardly trying to get the warring drug cartels to unite while she attempts to revive her father's empire and solidify her husband's connection to the the cartels.

Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Retribution by Eric Van Lustbader

Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Retribution (Jason Bourne) - After the death of Mossad Agent, Rebeka, Jason Bourne is determined to kill the man who ordered her death, China's Ouyang Jidan. Ouyang is fighting his own political battles as China is preparing to reorganize its Politburo. Ouyang's wife, Maricruz Encarnación, daughter of the late Maceo Encarnación, is in Mexico outwardly trying to get the warring drug cartels to unite while she attempts to revive her father's empire and solidify her husband's connection to the the cartels.

King and Maxwell by David Baldacci

King and Maxwell (King & Maxwell) - On a dangerous mission in Afghanistan, Sam Wingo, is ambushed.  Barely escaping, he realizes that he needs to find his own way home to the US and his son Tyler.  The Army tells Tyler that his father had been killed in Afghanistan, but he received an email from his father written and sent after the supposed time of death.  Tyler hires Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to find out exactly what happened and if his father is really alive.  As King and Maxwell investigate, they are told to stop by the CIA.

King and Maxwell by David Baldacci

King and Maxwell (King & Maxwell) - On a dangerous mission in Afghanistan, Sam Wingo, is ambushed.  Barely escaping, he realizes that he needs to find his own way home to the US and his son Tyler.  The Army tells Tyler that his father had been killed in Afghanistan, but he received an email from his father written and sent after the supposed time of death.  Tyler hires Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to find out exactly what happened and if his father is really alive.  As King and Maxwell investigate, they are told to stop by the CIA.

Word of Honor by Nelson DeMille

Word of Honor - Twenty years after Ben Tyson served as a lieutenant in Vietnam, he is being tried in a court martial for murders committed under his supervision during the war.

Word of Honor by Nelson DeMille

Word of Honor - Twenty years after Ben Tyson served as a lieutenant in Vietnam, he is being tried in a court martial for murders committed under his supervision during the war.

The Butler: A Witness to History by Wil Haygood

The Butler: A Witness to History - As a black man serving in the White House, Eugene Allen served eight presidents from Harry Truman in 1952 to Ronald Reagan.  During Barack Obama's first campaign for presidency, Wil Haygood wrote an article about Allen, later a movie was made about his life in the White House.  This book expands on the article and how the article and movie came about.

The Butler: A Witness to History by Wil Haygood

The Butler: A Witness to History - As a black man serving in the White House, Eugene Allen served eight presidents from Harry Truman in 1952 to Ronald Reagan.  During Barack Obama's first campaign for presidency, Wil Haygood wrote an article about Allen, later a movie was made about his life in the White House.  This book expands on the article and how the article and movie came about.

Someone Else's Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson

Someone Else's Love Story: A Novel - Shandi Pierce's 3-year-old son, Nathan (Natty), is a genius.  Her father has offered to let her and Natty to his condo in Atlanta so he can attend a special pre-school while she finishes college.  Her best friend, Walcott helps her move.  On their way to Atlanta, they stop at a Circle K.  While Shandi takes Natty inside Walcott fills up the car tank.  While inside, a teenager came in with a gun to rob the place.  While held hostage, Shandi falls in love with another customer, William Ashe, as he protects Natty and becomes her rescuer.

Someone Else's Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson

Someone Else's Love Story: A Novel - Shandi Pierce's 3-year-old son, Nathan (Natty), is a genius.  Her father has offered to let her and Natty to his condo in Atlanta so he can attend a special pre-school while she finishes college.  Her best friend, Walcott helps her move.  On their way to Atlanta, they stop at a Circle K.  While Shandi takes Natty inside Walcott fills up the car tank.  While inside, a teenager came in with a gun to rob the place.  While held hostage, Shandi falls in love with another customer, William Ashe, as he protects Natty and becomes her rescuer.

The Final Cut by Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison

The Final Cut - The Fox has stolen the Koh-i-Noor diamond from the queen mother's crown.  Nicholas Drummond of Scotland Yard joins FBI agents Lacey Sherlock, Dillon Savich, and Michaela (Mike) Caine in the search for the Fox, the diamond, and the money behind the theft.

The Final Cut by Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison

The Final Cut - The Fox has stolen the Koh-i-Noor diamond from the queen mother's crown.  Nicholas Drummond of Scotland Yard joins FBI agents Lacey Sherlock, Dillon Savich, and Michaela (Mike) Caine in the search for the Fox, the diamond, and the money behind the theft.

A Christmas Hope by Anne Perry

A Christmas Hope: A Novel - Claudine Burroughs reluctantly attends an event to please her husband.  There she meets Dai Treggaron who fascinates her.  Later in the night, Treggaron is found leaning over a prostitute.  Three young men accuse him of knocking the girl down.  When the girl dies, Treggaron is accused of her murder.  He goes into hiding.  Claudine doesn't believe he killed the girl and sets out to prove him innocent.  As a volunteer at Hester Monk's clinic, she is able to induce Squeaky Robinson, the bookkeeper to assist her.  As they investigate, they learn that the three young men who blamed Treggaron may not be as innocent as they seem.

A Christmas Hope by Anne Perry

A Christmas Hope: A Novel - Claudine Burroughs reluctantly attends an event to please her husband.  There she meets Dai Treggaron who fascinates her.  Later in the night, Treggaron is found leaning over a prostitute.  Three young men accuse him of knocking the girl down.  When the girl dies, Treggaron is accused of her murder.  He goes into hiding.  Claudine doesn't believe he killed the girl and sets out to prove him innocent.  As a volunteer at Hester Monk's clinic, she is able to induce Squeaky Robinson, the bookkeeper to assist her.  As they investigate, they learn that the three young men who blamed Treggaron may not be as innocent as they seem.

Sycamore Row by John Grisham

Sycamore Row - Jack Brigance, who defended Carl Lee Hailey in A Time to Kill, once again is caught up in a trial that stirs racial tensions in Clanton, Mississippi.  Seth Hubbard, a well known but seclusive (white) man hangs himself from a sycamore tree.  He leaves written instructions for his funeral and mailed a handwritten will to Jack.  The will specifically states that Seth leaves nothing to his children, grandchildren, and ex-wives; but leaves 90% of his estate to his (black) maid Lettie Lang.  The other ten percent is split between Seth's brother, Ancil, and a charity.  The will also claims that Ancil and Seth witnessed a traumatic event in their childhood  The will also states that no other lawyer other than Jack shall gain benefit from the probate of Seth's estate.

Of course, once it is learned that Seth has left over $20 million, mostly in cash, the relatives all hire their own lawyers.  Even Lettie's husband tries to remove Jack and hires his own lawyer.  As Jack proceeds with the probate according to Seth's wishes, he is met by racial opposition as well as the opposition from Seth's children.

Sycamore Row by John Grisham

Sycamore Row - Jack Brigance, who defended Carl Lee Hailey in A Time to Kill, once again is caught up in a trial that stirs racial tensions in Clanton, Mississippi.  Seth Hubbard, a well known but seclusive (white) man hangs himself from a sycamore tree.  He leaves written instructions for his funeral and mailed a handwritten will to Jack.  The will specifically states that Seth leaves nothing to his children, grandchildren, and ex-wives; but leaves 90% of his estate to his (black) maid Lettie Lang.  The other ten percent is split between Seth's brother, Ancil, and a charity.  The will also claims that Ancil and Seth witnessed a traumatic event in their childhood  The will also states that no other lawyer other than Jack shall gain benefit from the probate of Seth's estate.

Of course, once it is learned that Seth has left over $20 million, mostly in cash, the relatives all hire their own lawyers.  Even Lettie's husband tries to remove Jack and hires his own lawyer.  As Jack proceeds with the probate according to Seth's wishes, he is met by racial opposition as well as the opposition from Seth's children.

The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen

The Absent One: A Department Q Novel - Detective Carl Mørck finds a cold case file on his desk that the department considers closed.  A sister and a brother were murdered while playing trivial pursuit.  A suspect confessed to the crime and is serving his sentence.  However, when Mørck begins to investigate, he learns that there is more to the case.  But, he is ordered to stop by those high in the police force.

Kimmie, a suspect in the case is living on the streets.  She is determined to get revenge on certain men who hold high positions in the corporate world and society.  These men are just as determined to find her and eliminate the risk she represents.  All of them were involved in the case that Mørck is now investigating.  And all of them went to the same private school.

The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen

The Absent One: A Department Q Novel - Detective Carl Mørck finds a cold case file on his desk that the department considers closed.  A sister and a brother were murdered while playing trivial pursuit.  A suspect confessed to the crime and is serving his sentence.  However, when Mørck begins to investigate, he learns that there is more to the case.  But, he is ordered to stop by those high in the police force.

Kimmie, a suspect in the case is living on the streets.  She is determined to get revenge on certain men who hold high positions in the corporate world and society.  These men are just as determined to find her and eliminate the risk she represents.  All of them were involved in the case that Mørck is now investigating.  And all of them went to the same private school.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender's Game - Buggers, ant like aliens with superior intelligence, have invaded the earth.  Humans have repelled the attack, but they are preparing to fight again.  They need a general who is smart enough and ruthless enough to lead the human military against the buggers.  The authorities have been training children to become soldiers.  At six years of age, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, is sent to Battle School.  He is being groomed to be the general.  However, he is also being isolated so he has to fight to win his classmates respect.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender's Game - Buggers, ant like aliens with superior intelligence, have invaded the earth.  Humans have repelled the attack, but they are preparing to fight again.  They need a general who is smart enough and ruthless enough to lead the human military against the buggers.  The authorities have been training children to become soldiers.  At six years of age, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, is sent to Battle School.  He is being groomed to be the general.  However, he is also being isolated so he has to fight to win his classmates respect.

Bones of the Lost by Kathy Reichs

Bones of the Lost: A Temperance Brennan Novel - A teen-age girl is found dead on the side of a back road.  Believing the girl a prostitute, the local police do not put a high priority on her murder.  Temperance Brennan, however, is determined to discover why she was on that road and what happened.  Brennan also is tasked with determining whether bones being imported illegally are human.  Also, Brennan's ex, Janis "Pete" Peterson asks her to exhume and determine the cause of death of two civilians killed in Afghanistan. As the tale progresses all the stories tie together and human trafficking emerges as the link between them all.

Bones of the Lost by Kathy Reichs

Bones of the Lost: A Temperance Brennan Novel - A teen-age girl is found dead on the side of a back road.  Believing the girl a prostitute, the local police do not put a high priority on her murder.  Temperance Brennan, however, is determined to discover why she was on that road and what happened.  Brennan also is tasked with determining whether bones being imported illegally are human.  Also, Brennan's ex, Janis "Pete" Peterson asks her to exhume and determine the cause of death of two civilians killed in Afghanistan. As the tale progresses all the stories tie together and human trafficking emerges as the link between them all.

Deadline by Sandra Brown

Deadline - Suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome, Dawson Scott plans on using up his vacation days.  However, his godfather, Gary Headly, an FBI agent, asks him to cover a murder trial in Georgia.  The victim, Jeremy Wesson, was a decorated marine.  Willard Strong is accused of his murder because Jeremy had an affair with Strong's wife, Darlene.  However, Headly believes that Wesson is connected to Carl and Flora Wingert, domestic terrorists who have been on the FBI's most wanted list for years.

Scott is reluctant to delve into the story until he sees Amelia Nolan, Wesson's ex-wife, testify.  He then rents the cottage next to Nolan's summerhouse to try to get to know her better and possibly get an interview.

Deadline by Sandra Brown

Deadline - Suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome, Dawson Scott plans on using up his vacation days.  However, his godfather, Gary Headly, an FBI agent, asks him to cover a murder trial in Georgia.  The victim, Jeremy Wesson, was a decorated marine.  Willard Strong is accused of his murder because Jeremy had an affair with Strong's wife, Darlene.  However, Headly believes that Wesson is connected to Carl and Flora Wingert, domestic terrorists who have been on the FBI's most wanted list for years.

Scott is reluctant to delve into the story until he sees Amelia Nolan, Wesson's ex-wife, testify.  He then rents the cottage next to Nolan's summerhouse to try to get to know her better and possibly get an interview.

Deadly Heat by Richard Castle

Deadly Heat - As Nikki Heat continues to search for the man who ordered her mother's death, a serial killer has hit New York.  The killer uses the tools of his victim's trade to kill and leaves a colored string near the body.  Furthermore, Nikki heat finds herself in the cross-hairs of Salena Kaye, a member of the group who was behind her mother's death.  To complicate matters even more, the group apparently is planning a bio-attack on New York.

Deadly Heat by Richard Castle

Deadly Heat - As Nikki Heat continues to search for the man who ordered her mother's death, a serial killer has hit New York.  The killer uses the tools of his victim's trade to kill and leaves a colored string near the body.  Furthermore, Nikki heat finds herself in the cross-hairs of Salena Kaye, a member of the group who was behind her mother's death.  To complicate matters even more, the group apparently is planning a bio-attack on New York.

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

The Cuckoo's Calling - Galbraith is J.K. Rowling's pseudonym for her first crime novel.  Cormoran Strike, a down on his luck private detective, just broke up with his gorgeous girlfriend.  Even though he didn't request a replacement, the temp service sent Robin Ellacott for a week.  Before he is able to tell her he doesn't need her, John Bristow, the brother of a childhood friend asks him to investigate the death of Lula Landry, aka Cuckoo.  Lula had supposedly jumped off her balcony, but John insists that she was murdered.  As Cormoran and Robin investigate, Robin realizes that she enjoys the work and Cormoran realizes that he needs her.

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

The Cuckoo's Calling - Galbraith is J.K. Rowling's pseudonym for her first crime novel.  Cormoran Strike, a down on his luck private detective, just broke up with his gorgeous girlfriend.  Even though he didn't request a replacement, the temp service sent Robin Ellacott for a week.  Before he is able to tell her he doesn't need her, John Bristow, the brother of a childhood friend asks him to investigate the death of Lula Landry, aka Cuckoo.  Lula had supposedly jumped off her balcony, but John insists that she was murdered.  As Cormoran and Robin investigate, Robin realizes that she enjoys the work and Cormoran realizes that he needs her.

Gone by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Gone by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge - Bennett and his family is in witness protection because the Mexican drug lord he caught in I, Michael Bennett, Manuel Perrine, escaped and is now hunting Bennett.  Because of his knowledge, the FBI asks Bennett to help them locate Perrine.

Gone by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Gone by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge - Bennett and his family is in witness protection because the Mexican drug lord he caught in I, Michael Bennett, Manuel Perrine, escaped and is now hunting Bennett.  Because of his knowledge, the FBI asks Bennett to help them locate Perrine.

Loss of Innocence by Richard North Patterson

Loss of Innocence - In 1968, Whitney Dane, daughter of a prominent republican, was set to marry Peter Brooks, her perfect match.  However, after Bobby Kennedy was killed, she began to think.  Soon after, she meets Benjamin Blaine, Kennedy's personal assistant.  As Ben and Whitney become closer, she begins to doubt her relationship with Peter.  Furthermore, she learns a disturbing truth about her father and her best friend betrays her.  Whitney's father, believing he is doing what is best for his daughter, manipulates the draft board so that Ben is sent to Vietnam.

Loss of Innocence by Richard North Patterson

Loss of Innocence - In 1968, Whitney Dane, daughter of a prominent republican, was set to marry Peter Brooks, her perfect match.  However, after Bobby Kennedy was killed, she began to think.  Soon after, she meets Benjamin Blaine, Kennedy's personal assistant.  As Ben and Whitney become closer, she begins to doubt her relationship with Peter.  Furthermore, she learns a disturbing truth about her father and her best friend betrays her.  Whitney's father, believing he is doing what is best for his daughter, manipulates the draft board so that Ben is sent to Vietnam.

The Gates by John Connolly

The Gates - Eleven year-old Samuel Johnson witnesses his neighbors, the Abernathys, and another couple conducting a seance in their basement.  During the seance, all four of the adults are sucked into a bluish portal and come back changed.  Samuel recognizes that evil has befallen the neighborhood, but nobody will listen to him except his friends.  As Mrs. Abernathy summons other monsters to kill Samuel.  However, Samuel is either able to make friends with them or fight them off.  Nurd, a demon who has been banished to the wasteland, is teleported to earth separately from the demons who have taken over the Abernathy's bodies.  Meanwhile, at CERN in Switzerland, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the largest particle accelerator ever built, has thrown off a particle.  The problem is that the LHC is a contained environment that nothing should escape.

The Gates by John Connolly

The Gates - Eleven year-old Samuel Johnson witnesses his neighbors, the Abernathys, and another couple conducting a seance in their basement.  During the seance, all four of the adults are sucked into a bluish portal and come back changed.  Samuel recognizes that evil has befallen the neighborhood, but nobody will listen to him except his friends.  As Mrs. Abernathy summons other monsters to kill Samuel.  However, Samuel is either able to make friends with them or fight them off.  Nurd, a demon who has been banished to the wasteland, is teleported to earth separately from the demons who have taken over the Abernathy's bodies.  Meanwhile, at CERN in Switzerland, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the largest particle accelerator ever built, has thrown off a particle.  The problem is that the LHC is a contained environment that nothing should escape.

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker: A Novel - Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker, Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley was born a slave.  Because of her sewing skills, she was able to buy her and her son's freedom.  As her reputation grew, she became the dressmaker for many of Washington, DC's elite.  This included Mrs. Jefferson Davis and Mrs. Robert E. Lee.  After Mrs. Lincoln chose her to make her First Lady gowns, Elizabeth not only became her modiste, but also her confidante and friend.

This novel is written from Elizabeth's point of view and covers the period from right before President Lincoln took office, through his assassination and Mrs. Lincoln's trials following her departure from the White House, to the period when Elizabeth wrote her memoirs and the aftermath that followed.

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker: A Novel - Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker, Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley was born a slave.  Because of her sewing skills, she was able to buy her and her son's freedom.  As her reputation grew, she became the dressmaker for many of Washington, DC's elite.  This included Mrs. Jefferson Davis and Mrs. Robert E. Lee.  After Mrs. Lincoln chose her to make her First Lady gowns, Elizabeth not only became her modiste, but also her confidante and friend.

This novel is written from Elizabeth's point of view and covers the period from right before President Lincoln took office, through his assassination and Mrs. Lincoln's trials following her departure from the White House, to the period when Elizabeth wrote her memoirs and the aftermath that followed.

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

Doctor Sleep: A Novel - King's boy from The Shining, Danny Torrance, is now a middle aged man fighting alcoholism.  As an orderly at a hospice in a small New Hampshire town, his Shining helps residents pass when their time comes.

In a nearby town, Lucy and David Stone have a little girl, Abra, who has displayed paranormal talents. As she grows older, she learns how to control her Shining so as not to worry her parents. She also has connected to Dan with her talent. When she realizes that she has connected to a group of people who torture and kill children like her to gain their essence, she reaches out to Dan to help her.

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

Doctor Sleep: A Novel - King's boy from The Shining, Danny Torrance, is now a middle aged man fighting alcoholism.  As an orderly at a hospice in a small New Hampshire town, his Shining helps residents pass when their time comes.

In a nearby town, Lucy and David Stone have a little girl, Abra, who has displayed paranormal talents. As she grows older, she learns how to control her Shining so as not to worry her parents. She also has connected to Dan with her talent. When she realizes that she has connected to a group of people who torture and kill children like her to gain their essence, she reaches out to Dan to help her.

Bad Men by John Connolly

Bad Men: A Thriller - Sanctuary, an island off the coast of Maine, has a violent past.  Joe Dupree, the island's resident policeman, also knows its history and secrets.  Marianne has brought her son to the island, hoping that her ex-husband, Moloch, and his friends will not be able to find her.  Moloch, dreams of the island's history, and knows that somehow he is connected to the history.  When Moloch's friends break him out of jail, they hunt down Marianne's friends and relatives to find her.

Charlie Parker has a cameo role in the story, but otherwise is not involved in the plot.

Bad Men by John Connolly

Bad Men: A Thriller - Sanctuary, an island off the coast of Maine, has a violent past.  Joe Dupree, the island's resident policeman, also knows its history and secrets.  Marianne has brought her son to the island, hoping that her ex-husband, Moloch, and his friends will not be able to find her.  Moloch, dreams of the island's history, and knows that somehow he is connected to the history.  When Moloch's friends break him out of jail, they hunt down Marianne's friends and relatives to find her.

Charlie Parker has a cameo role in the story, but otherwise is not involved in the plot.

Hotshot by Julie Garwood

Hotshot - Finn MacBain (14) rescued Peyton Lockhart (6) when she fell into a pool.  Every year since then, she thanked him on her birthday.  She also followed his swimming career as well as his career with the FBI.  Because of his many accomplishments, she called him Hotshot.

Peyton attended a culinary school in France.  When she came home, she accepted a position at a food magazine.  However, from the first day she met her boss, she realized that her job description included accepting sexual harassment.  When she quit, the harassment did not.

As Peyton and her sisters delve into reviving the resort their uncle gave to them, their problems multiply as they deal with Peyton's ex-boss and other developers wanting to take over the resort.

Hotshot by Julie Garwood

Hotshot - Finn MacBain (14) rescued Peyton Lockhart (6) when she fell into a pool.  Every year since then, she thanked him on her birthday.  She also followed his swimming career as well as his career with the FBI.  Because of his many accomplishments, she called him Hotshot.

Peyton attended a culinary school in France.  When she came home, she accepted a position at a food magazine.  However, from the first day she met her boss, she realized that her job description included accepting sexual harassment.  When she quit, the harassment did not.

As Peyton and her sisters delve into reviving the resort their uncle gave to them, their problems multiply as they deal with Peyton's ex-boss and other developers wanting to take over the resort.

Blind Justice by Anne Perry

Blind Justice: A William Monk Novel - Hester Monk began an investigation into the collections of a church in London.  Because of this, the pastor, Abel Taft, is brought to trial.  Newly appointed judge, Oliver Rathbone, presides over the trial.  When it appears as if Taft will be acquitted, Rathbone acts in a way that jeopardizes the trial and his career.

Blind Justice by Anne Perry

Blind Justice: A William Monk Novel - Hester Monk began an investigation into the collections of a church in London.  Because of this, the pastor, Abel Taft, is brought to trial.  Newly appointed judge, Oliver Rathbone, presides over the trial.  When it appears as if Taft will be acquitted, Rathbone acts in a way that jeopardizes the trial and his career.

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

The Book of Lost Things - David's mother died.  His father remarried and is now expecting another child with his new wife.  Because David is an avid reader, his step-mother has put him her uncle's bedroom who was also a reader and left behind several books when he disappeared as a child.  David hears the books whispering as well as his mother's voice.  Following her voice one day, David disappears into a wormhole to another world.  To get back to his own world, David needs to ask the king to help him.  As he travels to the king, David encounters several figures from fairy tales and nightmares.

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

The Book of Lost Things - David's mother died.  His father remarried and is now expecting another child with his new wife.  Because David is an avid reader, his step-mother has put him her uncle's bedroom who was also a reader and left behind several books when he disappeared as a child.  David hears the books whispering as well as his mother's voice.  Following her voice one day, David disappears into a wormhole to another world.  To get back to his own world, David needs to ask the king to help him.  As he travels to the king, David encounters several figures from fairy tales and nightmares.