Francis Bacon (22 January, 1561 – 9 April, 1626*+), 1st Viscount St Alban, Kt PC QC, also known as Lord Verulam, best known for promotion of the scientific method, was an English philosopher and statesman serving during his lifetime as Attorney General and as Lord Chancellor of England.

This is a book that’s meant to be discussed, there are many issues which, unfortunately, we see playing out in real time during 2020. The book puts a spotlight on issues none of us want to believe exist, but we know that they do. The story could be told in any small-town, not just Ohio. Could be in New Jersey, California, Texas, or the Dakotas.

A lord’s safe holds some secret, which the Black Lotus clan has been assigned to break into. But the contents of the safe are not only wanted by the Chinese emperor, but also by other criminal elements.

Molière (15 January, 1622 – 17 February, 1673) was the stage name of a French actor and playwright.

The book does a great job to taking a complex, and messy, narrative and shaping it for the reader to understand. It was amusing to read how an obscure, but genius, cryptographer working in a dank room had far reaching consequences on the other side of the world without anyone knowing about it.

Half-elf Jie, pre-teen analytical genius Tian, and Yuna are on a mission in China’s slums to assassinate a Triad boss. The boss might know of the existence of the Black Lotus clan, their goals, and tactics. There are two unexpected obstacles, a serial killer is on the loose, and Yuna recognizes her birthplace and family.

Francisco González Bocanegra (8 January, 1824 – 11 April, 1861) was a poet who wrote the lyrics of the Mexican National Anthem in 1853.

young David Balfour is tricked by his uncle, who sold him to a ship bound for America. Rescued by Scottish lowlander Alan Breck Stewart, a fugitive himself, David goes on a journey throughout Scotland to get back his rightful inheritance.

The story continues from where the first book, Thorn of the Night Blossoms, left off. A murdered lord, a half-elf who despite having unnatural abilities does not have the gift of analysis, and a fantastical world which merges the old with the new.

Mariano Azuela (January 1, 1873 – March 1, 1952) was a Mexican doctor and author. He is known mostly for his novels revolving around the Mexican Revolution.