The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood

 Judith Potts is convinced that her next-door neighbor, Stefan, was murdered, although the police (including DS Tanika Malik) believe it was suicide.  Judith then decides to investigate Stefan's death herself. In the course of her amateur investigation she meets Becks, the vicar's wife, and Suzie, a local dog walker. The trio are a humorous bunch who develop a real friendship, yet their skills and ingenuity are put to the test when they realize that a serial killer is on the loose. The Marlow Murder Club is a great addition to the cozy mystery genre. For those who enjoy M.C. Beaton and the Thursday Murder Club series.  I cannot wait for the next book!

Racing the Light by Robert Crais

 Private detective Elvis Cole is hired by Adele Schumacher to find her son, Josh, who has gone missing. Josh is in his twenties and does a podcast with his best friend, Ryan. As Elvis investigates with his friend, Joe Pike, he realizes that he's not the only one looking for Josh and that Josh might be in real danger. What has Josh gotten himself involved in? In addition, the love of Elvis' life, Lucy Chenier, and her teenage son, Ben, have arrived in Los Angeles for a visit. Could Lucy finally be ready to commit? Racing the Light is the latest book in the Elvis Cole series. It will be published in November.

Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett

 Emma Starling comes back to her hometown of Everton, New Hampshire because her father is dying from a brain disease. Emma's father, Clive, has also been fired from his job as an English professor at a small liberal arts college because he has been hallucinating seeing animals. In fact, he has befriended the ghost of Ernest Harold Baynes, who was considered a real life Dr. Doolittle and let wild animals live with him and his wife in the early 20th century. In Unlikely Animals, the reader gets an up-close and personal view of many of the inhabitants of the town of Everton, including the spirits of those whose graves are at the town cemetery.  These spirits act as sort of a Greek chorus throughout the novel. Author Hartnett has written as real gem of a book filled with humor, heart, and quirkiness. Don't miss it. It's one of the best books I've read this year! A great read-alike for Kevin Wilson, Katherine Heiny, and Billie Letts.