Catherine Cookson Catherine Cookson Dame Catherine Ann Cookson, DBE (née McMullen; 27 June 1906 – 11 June 1998) was a British author. She is in the top 20 of most widely read British novelists with sales topping 100 million, while retaining a relatively low profile in the world of celebrity writers. Her books were inspired by her deprived youth in South Tyneside, North East England, the setting for her novels. She is arguably one of the most prolific British novelists with more than 103 titles written in her own name or two other pen-names. (see Bibliography below) Cookson (registered as Catherine Ann
Frank Sinatra Jr. as his father's middle name was Albert – but was nonetheless known as Frank Jr. throughout his life. Sinatra Jr. hardly saw his father, who was constantly on the road, either performing or working in films. However, Sinatra recalled wanting to become a pianist and songwriter from his earliest days. Sinatra was kidnapped at the age of 19, on December 8, 1963, at Harrah's Lake Tahoe (room 417). He was released two days later after his father paid the $240,000 ransom demanded by the kidnappers (). Barry Keenan, Johnny Irwin, and Joe Amsler were soon captured, prosecuted for kidnapping, convicted,