Library Picks: 'Hanna,' 'The Pirate King' and More

Want to explore the world of England's early silent film industry? How about diving into the world of a young Europena assassin as she discovers her past? Check out all these thrilling stories and more with this week's latest arrivals at .

Pirate King: A Novel of Suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes by Laurie R. King

In England’s young silent film industry, the megalomaniacal Randolph Fflytte is king. Nevertheless, at the request of Scotland Yard, Mary Russell is dispatched to investigate rumors of criminal activities that swirl around Fflytte’s popular movie studio. So Russell is traveling undercover to Portugal, along with the film crew that is gearing up to shoot a cinematic extravaganza, Pirate King. Based on Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, the project will either set the standard for moviemaking for a generation ... or sink a boatload of careers.

The Race by Clive Cussler

It is 1910, the age of flying machines is still in its infancy, and newspaper publisher Preston Whiteway is offering $50,000 for the first daring aviator to cross America in less than 50 days. He is even sponsoring one of the prime candidates — an intrepid aviatrix named Josephine Frost — and that's where Bell, chief investigator for the Van Dorn Detective Agency, comes in. Frost's violent-tempered husband has just killed his lover and tried to kill Josephine, and he is bound to try again. Bell has tangled with Harry Frost before, and knows the man has made his millions leading gangs of thieves, murderers and thugs in every city across the country. He also knows Frost won't be after just his wife, but after Whiteway as well.

Saint’s Gate by Carla Neggers

When Emma Sharpe is summoned to a convent on the Maine coast, it's partly for her art crimes work with the FBI, partly because of her past with the religious order. At issue is a mysterious painting depicting scenes of Irish lore and Viking legends, and her family's connection to the work. But when the nun who contacted her is murdered, it seems legend is becoming deadly reality.

Hanna (DVD)

Raised by her father, an ex-CIA agent, in the wilds of Finland, Hanna's upbringing and training have been one and the same — all geared to making her the perfect assassin. The turning point in her adolescence is a sharp one. Sent into the world by her father on a mission, Hanna journeys stealthily across Europe, eluding agents dispatched after her by a ruthless intelligence operative with secrets of her own. Hanna then faces startling revelations about her existence.

Everything Must Go (DVD)

Nick is a career salesman who loses his wife and his job in the worst day of his life. Faced with his life imploding, Nick puts it all on the line, or, rather, on the lawn, as he moves himself and all his possessions to his front yard.

To check out any of these books or movies, visit the library's website and reserve your copy straight from the online catalogue. Make sure you come back to Birmingham Patch next week, to see what else is new in the stacks.