The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg

In this third book of Berg's Mason series, the reader is introduced to the members of the Confession Club, a group of women who meet weekly to chat, eat, and possibly reveal something that's been bothering them. The club's meetings are woven throughout the novel as we follow the lives of the characters who have been featured in the previous books in the series: Maddy, Nola, Iris, Link, Tiny, and Monica. A slighter series entry, with not as much of a plot as the first two.

The Matchmaker's Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Sara Glikman is ten years old when she makes her first match. On the boat coming to America in 1910, Sara sees the connection between her older sister, Hindel, and fellow passenger, Aaron. Three months later they marry. Since Sara is so young and is unmarried, she has to do her matchmaking in secret, because she doesn't want to anger the group of shadchans (professional Jewish matchmakers) in New York. After Sara passes away in 1994, her granddaughter, Abby, is given the journals and scrapbooks Sara kept of all her matches. In alternating storylines, the reader sees both Sara and Abby move through their lives. Sara, as she finds love for others and herself. Abby, as she realizes that she has the same gift as her grandmother. Will she use it or continue in her career as a divorce lawyer? The Matchmaker's Gift is an engaging story. Readers who enjoy historical fiction and multigenerational family stories should seek this one out.

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with his dad, Ethan. It's been three years since he's seen his mother, Margaret. Margaret, an Asian-American poet, left the family in order to keep Bird safe. For the last ten years, the United States has lived under PACT--the Preserving American Culture and Traditions Act. People whom the government have deemed unpatriotic have had their children taken away, and crimes against and anger at Asian-Americans is at an all-time high. To protect Bird, Margaret disappeared and has cut off all regular contact. Now Bird (called Noah, to shield him more), yearns to be reunited with his mom. When Bird receives a letter that he knows is from Margaret, he sets out to find her. Our Missing Hearts gives the reader a lot to ponder, especially with the current state of divisiveness in the country. A great companion to A School for Good Mothers.

C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton

Kinsey is hired by Bobby Callahan because, nine months ago, someone tried to kill him by forcing his car off a bridge. Bobby survived, but his friend and passenger, Rick, was killed. Bobby had major injuries and memory loss after the crash, but is convinced that the person who wanted him dead is still after him. Bobby has no idea of who it might be, but is hoping that Kinsey can figure it out. Then, three days later, Bobby dies in another car accident. Kinsey, though, is determined to bring the culprit to justice.

Night of Miracles by Elizabeth Berg

In this second book of the Mason, Missouri series, the reader catches up with the characters from book one and meets new ones. Lucille has moved into Arthur's home and teaches baking classes that are extremely popular. A new family now lives next door and Lucille gets to know Abby, Jason, and Lincoln after Abby becomes ill. Transplanted Bostonian Iris feels right at home in Mason, despite holding regrets about her failed marriage. She develops a bond with her neighbor Tiny, and encourages him to follow his heart in pursuing a waitress, Monica, who has feelings for Tiny too. A humorous and light continuation of the series.

The Net Beneath Us by Carol Dunbar

When Elsa's husband, Silas, is critically injured in an accident, she finds herself unmoored. With two young children and living in an unfinished house that Silas was building himself, Elsa worries about the hard work of living on her own in rural Wisconsin, especially with winter coming. Sila's uncle and aunt, Ethan and Luvera, are happy to help Elsa any way that they can, but Elsa grew up wealthy and in a much different atmosphere than the one in which she now lives, which adds to Elsa wanting to keep her distance from them. The Net Beneath Us recounts a year and a half in the family's lives as they all become accustomed to how their lives have changed. With memorable characters and a great sense of place, this is one of my favorite books that I've read this year. Read-alikes include Wildwood by Elinor Florence and Tin Camp Road by Ellen Airgood.

Badlands by C.J. Box

Cassie Dewell has accepted a new job as the Chief Investigator for Bakken County in North Dakota. The area is in the middle of a population boom because of all the oil being drilled there. Along with an influx of commerce is an increase in crime, so Cassie will be busy. Cassie's boss, Jon Kirkbride, also believes that there is someone in the department who is working with the criminals, feeding them information. When a drug shipment and a large amount of money go missing after a car accident, there's an uptick of violence. Local teenager Kyle Westergaard unknowingly brings danger to his family when he finds something at the scene and brings it home. Will Cassie be able to keep Kyle safe and bring some justice to town?

Cutters End by Margaret Hickey

Detective Mark Ariti travels from Adelaide to the outback because a colleague wants him to look into the case of Michael Denby. Denby died thirty years ago and the death was considered suspicious, but no one was ever charged. Mark grew up with two young women, Ingrid and Joanne, who were in the area around the time of Denby's death and it's figured that a personal connection might help get answers about what happened to Denby. Mark also has the help of local constable Jagdeep Kaur. In Cutters End, Hickey creates a great sense of place for the desolate and harsh landscape in addition to creating interesting characters and story. A fabulous addition to Australian crime literature. I can't wait for the next book in the series!