Deception Cove by Owen Laukkanen

Mason Burke has just gotten out of prison after fifteen years and the first thing on his agenda is finding out how the dog he trained in prison is doing. The dog, Lucy, lives with former U.S. Marine Jess Winslow, who fought in Afghanistan. Jess, alone after her husband's death--and with many battle scars--finds Lucy a great comfort. But when Mason arrives in Deception Cove, Jess is in trouble with the crooked local police, who are after her because her husband took something that belonged to them, and they want it back. However, Jess doesn't know what they want or where it is. Mason figures he will hang around and help Jess out, but for the authorities it's a matter of life or death. Deception Cove is the first book in a new series by author Laukkanen and is a great bet for readers of Nick Petrie, Robert Crais, and the Nick Mason series by Steve Hamilton.

Poppy Redfern and the Midnight Murders by Tessa Arlen

Poppy is the air-raid warden in her village of Little Buffenden and spends her evenings patrolling the area and making sure everyone is ready if the sirens go off. However, when two young women are murdered, she turns detective, questioning many in the village and teaming up with American pilot Griff O'Neal to discover the killer before anyone else comes to harm. Suspicions falls on the men who reside at the American air force base nearby, but Poppy believes the murderer is one of their own. This mystery is the first in the Poppy Redfern series.

The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly

Lawyer Mickey Haller is charged with murder after the body of Sam Scales, a former client, is found in the trunk of Haller's car after a traffic stop. Mickey knows he was framed, but by whom? Defending himself against the charges isn't easy, since he is in jail awaiting trial, which takes a toll on him both mentally and physically. With help from his half-brother (Harry Bosch), his family, and legal team, Mickey fights to clear his name and get his life back.

Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko

When Kerry Salter learns that her grandfather is dying, she travels on her Harley back to Bundjalung country. She plans to stay a short time, but when her family learns that there is a plan to build a prison on ancestral land, they know they have to band together to stop the development. Kerry's aims are to tolerate older brother, Ken, help her nephew Donny, and stay out of prison. However, the Salter's are a dysfunctional mob who fight and play hard. Will they be able to save Ava's Island? Too Much Lip won Australia's top literary prize, the Miles Franklin Literary Award in 2019, and is a vivid, realistic picture of contemporary Aboriginal Australian life.

Murder in the Margins by Margaret Loudon

Bestselling author Penelope Parish has a case of writer's block, so she decides to accept the position of writer-in-residence at the Open Book bookstore in the village of Upper Chumley-on-Stoke. She's enjoying her time in England and getting used to the British way of life, such as brewing the perfect cup of tea. When local resident Regina is murdered at Worthington Fest, Penelope is asked by fellow author Charlotte Davenport to investigate. Charlotte is the American fiancée of Arthur Worthington, Duke of Upper Chumley-on-Stoke, and feels that everyone in town already hates her for snatching up Arthur. She hopes that Penelope, as a fellow American, but one whom people like (and who is on Charlotte's side), will be able to find the killer. Penelope agrees to help out, but wonders what she really knows about how to investigate a crime. Murder in the Margins is the enjoyable first book in a new series by Margaret Loudon, who also writes under the names Peg Cochran and Meg London.

Three Little Truths by Eithne Shortall

Martha has moved with her family to Pine Road in Dublin after a traumatic event occurred while living in Limerick. She simmers with hate for her husband, Robert, because of his reaction to said event. Another resident of the block, Edie, longs to have a baby with her spouse, Daniel, but it never seems like the right time. While Robin has moved back into her childhood home with her young son, Jack, after a failed relationship. Three Little Truths tells the stories of Martha, Edie, and Robin, and some of the other residents of this block, where everyone seems to know (and want to know) everyone else's business.