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Broken English: An Amish-Country Mystery

A compulsively readable new series that explores a fascinating culture set purposely apart.

In the wooded Amish hill country, a professor at a small college, a local pastor, and the county sheriff are the only ones among the mainstream, or "English," who possess the instincts and skills to work the cases that impact all county residents, no matter their code of conduct or religious creed.

David Hawkins came to the quiet town of Millersburg to escape his demons and unexpectedly found salvation in Amish life-until his English daughter is brutally murdered.

A compulsively readable new series that explores a fascinating culture set purposely apart.

In the wooded Amish hill country, a professor at a small college, a local pastor, and the county sheriff are the only ones among the mainstream, or "English," who possess the instincts and skills to work the cases that impact all county residents, no matter their code of conduct or religious creed.

David Hawkins came to the quiet town of Millersburg to escape his demons and unexpectedly found salvation in Amish life-until his English daughter is brutally murdered.

The Basil Street Hotel was an Edwardian hotel in Knightsbridge built in 1910 in the style of an English country house. I indulged in many a Bloody Mary with Peter & Josephine in the 80s in its comfortable bar, furnished with sofas, armchairs and decorated with chinoiserie and bronze statues. Many of the staff had worked here for 30 years or more. I always felt as though I had stepped into the midst of an Agatha Christie novel.

I gather Americans didn't like it much because it was slightly shabby and the air conditioning was inadequate. I miss it very much.

Frommer's Review:

An Edwardian charmer, the Basil is a favorite with travelers whose trips to London wouldn't be complete without a pilgrimage (or two, or three) to Harrods -- "just 191 steps away." The Chelsea Flower Show is right nearby as well. Several spacious, comfortable lounges are furnished in an English country-house style befitting the lord of a manor and are accented with 18th- and 19th-century accessories. There are smaller sitting rooms off the hotel's many corridors. Rooms come in varying shapes and dimensions, reminiscent of the era when hotels housed everyone from grand dukes in large suites, to their valets in small rooms on the upper floors. Nearly all units are traditional in decor. Persons with disabilities should check in elsewhere because the stairs make this hotel an Olympic feat to traverse. Even so, some older clients particularly like this hotel, which calls itself a "Hotel for Those Who Hate Hotels." We love its old-fashioned Edwardian gentility, particularly the antiquated bathrooms with deep tubs that still function perfectly. The best rooms are those overlooking the courtyard because they are the quietest. Front rooms are subject to the sound of heavy traffic.

Owners of Les Fermes de Marie and four other celebrated hotels in France, Jocelyne and Jean-Louis Sibuet recently turned their talents to rescuing what was once one of the most exclusive hotels in the ski resort of Megeve.Following World War II, the Hotel Mont-Blanc was where a diverse group of famous names (Aly Khan and Jean Cocteau among them) spent their winter holidays in style.Blending English country and traditional Alpine decor, the hotels public rooms are irresistible. Floors, walls and ceilings are covered in honey-coloured pine, the comfy furniture is dressed in greens and reds, and grandfather clocks, paintings and well-chosen curios abound. The same ambience is found in the guestrooms, each of which benefits from Madame Sibuets gift for finding and combining splendid textiles. A breakfast room is made particularly cheerful by Provencal prints and opens onto a patio.The Mont Blancs location in the heart of the village means plenty of apres-ski dining and shopping options. Or you might decide to relax in the hotels sauna and Jacuzzi (guests also have access to the spa at Les Fermes de Marie), or do what the locals do at teatime - sit by the fire with a cup of something marvellous.

After 14 years, Donkey Kong Country has returned with an all-new banana-hoarding adventure only on Wii!! Donkey Kong makes his triumphant return by going back to his running and jumping roots in an all-new barrel-blasting, rail-riding and ground-pounding adventure! The Donkey Kong Country series comes to life on Wii in lushly rendered environments that will have you running left to right, hunting high and low and blasting front to back to scour eight worlds in search of hidden coins, puzzle pieces, and Donkey Kong's stolen banana hoard. Diddy Kong joins the adventure with his own moves, special combo abilities and a series-first two-player cooperative mode. When playing alone, Donkey Kong carries Diddy Kong on his back, giving a jet powered boost to his jumps. In co-op play a second-player can also join on any level, controlling Diddy Kong independently or riding on DK's back to power through stages together, allowing players of all ages and skill levels to experience the fun of Donkey Kong Country Returns. The Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers put the brute force of a great ape in the palms of your hands. Shake the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller s to slap the ground, stunning enemies, demolishing objects and activating explosive switches. A quick shake while running sends Donkey Kong power rolling through lines of enemies. Add in skillful jumps, grabbing and throwing objects and clinging to vines on walls and ceilings, and you'll be racing through stages like a true king of the jungle.

Inspired by earlier games in the Donkey Kong Country series, Donkey Kong Country Returns is a new take on a beloved Nintendo franchise. The first Donkey Kong Country game developed for play for Wii, this new iteration blends familiar actions, levels and characters with a whole new graphical treatment and feel, as well as new control schemes and play options. Features include: a co-op play option allowing you to team up as Donkey Kong and Diddy, radically different visuals ranging from nearly 3D treatment to others that appear in silhouette, two different controller schemes and more.

A New Country for Old Friends
Under the influence of a group of evil Tikis, the animals of Donkey Kong Island have raided Donkey Kong's banana hoard and stolen his stash of bananas - and being an ape of large appetites he understandably wants them back. Good thing that you are along for the ride. With Donkey Kong Country Returns, Retro Studios brings Donkey Kong back to a banana and platforming hungry public in a new side-scrolling adventure with familiar characters and new levels that reignite the passion players had for the Super NES original and all things Donkey Kong.

Join Donkey Kong and sidekick Diddy in a whole new side-scrolling adventure.
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Gameplay
Like earlier Donkey Kong Country games, Donkey Kong Country Returns is a side-scrolling platformer, but although the game contains classic references, as well as levels and activities reminiscent of earlier games in the series, it is far from a remake. In fact, Donkey Kong Country Returns stands very much on its own not only in its nearly 3D status, but also in its new visual treatment and control scheme. The game features the familiar team of Donkey Kong and his little buddy Diddy Kong. The goal is make your way across Donkey Kong Island collecting bananas and search for hidden items as you swing on vines, ride mine carts and more as you avoid the variety of enemies and situations set against you. New silhouette graphical treatment of both game heroes and enemies in certain levels also introduces new challenges, as players must perform all actions from within an entirely new perspective. The game also features the players choice of either the Wii Remote/Nunchuk controller configuration, or a sideways oriented Wii Remote. In addition to simple navigation and jumping movements, the Wii Remote also allows for a variety of other actions, including: ground pounds, rolls and even air blowing with simple, yet timed shaking of the remote.
In addition, the game also contains fun and user-friendly co-op functionality. In co-op mode players take on the role of either Donkey Kong or Diddy. Both characters have abilities of their own, but work together. Beyond this the game takes possibilities for cooperation even further, especially with players of different skill levels, as Diddy can if need be simply rest on Donkey Kong's shoulder and let him do all the work at times. In the event of death, either character can also be revived by the other by hitting a Donkey Kong barrel within the game. The game also continues the series' use of additional animal friends such as Rambi the Rhino, who can serve as a battering ram and can be ridden in certain areas of the game.
Key Game Features
Retro Studios faithfully restores everything that made the original series great, from barrel cannons to mine carts, and then builds on those elements with stunning graphics and new layers of depth to the world and game play. The game offers the traditional side-scrolling experience everyone loved, but with levels created in fully rendered 3D environments.
Diddy Kong joins the quest. With his trusty backpack, he can produce a jet pack or Peanut Pop Guns to give Donkey Kong more abilities.
For the first time ever, the franchise features the ability for two people to play together at the same time - one as Donkey Kong, one as Diddy Kong. Players can navigate the levels separately or as one unit. Diddy Kong can ride on Donkey Kong's back and hop off whenever he pleases, allowing novice players to ride on Donkey Kong's back through more challenging areas of the game.*
Hidden items, puzzle pieces and other surprises are found all through the jungle. Spell out K-O-N-G by the end of each level to earn an extra bonus.
Motion controls give players a real feeling of control. Players move Donkey Kong using the Control Stick on the Nunchuk controller and can shake the Wii Remote controller to make Donkey Kong slap the ground.
Vibrant colors, beautiful graphics and fun characters draw players in. Even people who have never played a Donkey Kong game before can pick up a controller and start collecting loads of bananas.
Every level offers new fun and new challenges. Sometimes Donkey Kong is running through the jungle, sometimes his action takes place on a tropical beach and other times he must become a master of timing as he jumps chasms in a mine cart.
Additional Screenshots

Familiar actions & environments.
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New silhouetted levels.
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Special abilities via Wii remote.
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Co-op play and new enemies.
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* Additional accessories required and are sold separately.