Slashed

Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12, i, s.

Eclectic, eccentric and tirelessly innovative, art crafted from cut paper has experienced an exciting renaissance in recent years. Published to accompany a traveling exhibit opening at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, Slash: Paper Under the Knife examines the resurgence of traditional handcraft materials and techniques in contemporary art and design. Highlighting the work of forty-five international artists, among them Olafur Eliasson, Tom Friedman, William Kentridge, and Kara Walker, the book features not only cut but also burned, torn, laser-cut, shredded and sculpted paper art. In addition, the book includes cut paper animation, as well as cut paper incorporated in photography and fashion. Works range from small-scale intricate cuttings to large-scale architectural inventions and sculptures. With an essay by well-known decorative arts expert David Revere McFadden, this singular book reveals that, with ingenuity and craftsmanship, one of our most familiar implements can be transformed into unforgettable works of art.

Three cargo containers filled with weaponry are unloaded in the Los Angeles Basin Harbor. A Host of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearm agents are summoned to seize and secure the shipment and bring the smugglers to justice. In San Francisco, Hugh Horner is hired to protect a frightened ex-tennis player, Sylvia Defoe, blaming her ex-husband, Brad Gillmore for stalking and harassing her. He is brutally murdered by a mysterious butcher, and Sylvia is the accused. Horner sets out to find the killer. He encounters a host of suspects, two murderous partners of the Gillmore Shipping gang, an erotic stripper, a pawnbroker, and a tempting redhead who was one in a long list of the dead man’s lovers. During his investigation, Hugh is beaten, shot, knifed, chased through the streets of San Francisco, and falls for the beguiling Sylvia. To make matters worse a professional killer from Chicago is hired to end Horner’s life. The disgruntled Hugh feels he should chuck the case and get back to a more secure existence. Hugh calls in a trusted friend to help in the battle. Both discover the mob’s strategy and set out to foil their plans. The story takes another twist as Sylvia lures Hugh to Puerto Vallarta on a much-needed holiday at her wealthy parents, isolated villa. Unaware they’ve been followed, Hugh and Sylvia settle into a peaceful way of life, parading as lovers. But fate is their Master. This compelling thriller is a must-read whodunit, and the spine tingling ending will straighten the neck hair of booklovers everywhere!