The Wife and the Widow by Christian White

When Kate's husband, John, disappears after she believed he was at a conference in London, her life is thrown into turmoil. It's obvious her marriage isn't what she thought it was when Kate discovers that John never even left Australia. Another woman, Abby, lives on an island off the coast, and worries about her husband, Ray's strange behavior and feels he is hiding something. In alternating storylines, White tells the stories of both women whose lives you know are going to intersect in this clever page turner. With two solid novels under his belt, White proves he's a writer to watch.

Stranger Country by Monica Tan

Journalist Monica Tan decides to take a break and spend six months travelling around Australia in an SUV. Her aim is to spend time in central and northern Australia, getting to know the land and more about indigenous culture. As an Australian of Chinese descent, Tan views the world with a unique eye. Stranger Country immerses the reader in Australian history, flora, and fauna, and is an interesting travelogue.

Poppy Harmon and the Hung Jury by Lee Hollis

The Desert Flowers Detective Agency is hired to find the missing daughter of Rod Harper, a famous television star from the 1980's. Rod hired the agency because the head detective, Poppy, was his co-star in the tv show and he is hoping to rekindle the romance they once had. In addition, Poppy finds herself investigating the murder of Alden Kenny, a fellow juror on a trial that just concluded with a hung jury verdict for singer Tony Molina. Alden was the only juror voting not guilty when the all the evidence pointed to Tony's guilt. Poppy wonders if Alden's death is somehow connected to Tony Molina and the trial. Poppy Harmon and the Hung Jury is a humorous cozy mystery featuring detectives of a certain age.

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

Finding herself with not much to do, Lillian decides to take up her friend Madison's offer to take care of Madison's two stepchildren, Bessie and Roland. Madison and Lillian attended boarding school together and were close. Now, Madison is wife to a Tennessee senator and lives on a large estate. Lillian has quite a tough job because Bessie and Roland are not regular children, but have a tendency to start on fire when they get agitated. Their condition could be quite a problem for their father, the senator, since he is in line to become the next Secretary of State. Madison wants Lillian to stay on the property and look after the children for the summer, away from prying eyes. Lillian, who has no experience with children, finds herself becoming quite protective of Bessie and Roland. Will Lillian be able to move on when the summer is over? Nothing to See Here is a satirical novel with a lot of heart and is similar to the writing of David Sedaris and Helen Ellis.

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

In 1973, Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope are in training together to be New York City police officers. A couple of years later, they turn out to be next-door neighbors in the town of Gillam. However, Francis and Brian are not really friends. Still, Francis' youngest daughter, Kate, and Brian's son, Peter, have been close since they were born and share a deep bond. Eventually, a terrible act changes the relationships of the families forever, especially impacting Kate's and Peter's lives. Ask Again, Yes tells the story of two families over many decades. A great read for book clubs and those who enjoy novels about family relationships.

A Small Town by Thomas Perry

When twelve inmates organize a prison break that opens the doors for all the prisoners, the small town of Weldonville, Colorado will never be the same. Two years after many in the town lost their lives, the mayor and city attorney of the town secretly authorize policewoman Leah Hawkins to hunt down the twelve inmates and kill them. A Small Town is the story of Leah's journey around the country to find some sense of justice in order for the town to begin to heal. Perry takes the reader on an action-filled ride that's hard to put down.