Christmas By the Book by Anne Marie Ryan

It's Christmastime in the Cotswold village of Stowford and bookstore owner Nora Walden is hoping for a miracle. The bookstore is losing money every month and she's reluctant to tell her husband, Simon, how bad things are, because she's worried how it will affect his health. Nora and Simon decide to have a contest, sending six holiday books to local residents who have been nominated by someone who thinks they need a boost. The books are sent to unemployed single dad Will, retired schoolteacher Olwyn, up and coming actor Mateo (who works at the local pub), teen Harry (who is mourning the death of his older sister), local MP David Langdon, and Sam, who has a high-powered job in London. In Christmas By the Book the reader meets all six of the recipients and follows the lives of Nora and Simon as they attempt to save their bookshop. The novel is filled with heartwarming characters and vivid descriptions of small town life. A great read-alike for those missing the novels of Maeve Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher.

The Dark Hours by Michael Connelly

It's New Year's Eve and LAPD detective Renee Ballard has two cases she's working on. Reformed gang member Javier Raffa was murdered during the celebrations and Renee is also trying to catch a duo of serial rapists that she has nicknamed "The Midnight Men." While doing legwork on Raffa's death, she comes across a connection to a case that her friend, Harry Bosch, was part of when he was with the LAPD. As a result, Bosch again assists Ballard, as he has in the past. In The Dark Hours, author Connelly writes another unputdownable book. Connelly again proves that he's a master of the mystery genre. It will published next month.

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

The members of the Thursday Murder Club find themselves embroiled with the criminal element once again when Elizabeth's ex-husband (a fellow spy) asks for her help in recovering diamonds that he's been accused of stealing. Elizabeth and her friends Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron embrace the chance for some excitement in their everyday lives. They also again enlist the help of family members and local cops Chris and Donna in their investigation. A thoroughly enjoyable second book in the series.

You Can Run by Karen Cleveland

CIA analyst Jill Bailey is at work when she gets a call that her young son, Owen, has been kidnapped from daycare. Owen will be returned unharmed if Jill approves a new source named Falcon from Syria. Jill doesn't hesitate and complies without doing any research of her own. Horrified by her actions and scared for her family, she immediately resigns and moves to Florida. Four years later, reporter Alex Charles contacts Jill and asks her about Falcon. Jill and Alex find themselves partners with different motives--Jill to keep her family safe, Alex to break an story that could make her career. You Can Run is a fast-paced tale that will keep you guessing until the end.