My Favorite Books of 2019

Four books set in the past and one contemporary novel make up the list of the books I most enjoyed reading this year.

In alphabetical order, by author:

The Lost Man by Jane Harper

With a vivid description of life in the Australian outback and an engrossing mystery, this was my favorite page turner this year.

Learning to See: a Novel of Dorothea Lange, the Woman Who Revealed the Real America by Elise Hooper

I love novels that explore artists' lives, and Hooper's insight into Dorothea Lange was fascinating.

The Right Sort of Man by Allison Montclair

This debut of a new historical mystery series set after World War II was a hoot.

The Spies of Shilling Lane by Jennifer Ryan

A fun, lighthearted book set in wartime London--a welcome diversion from all those "serious" World War II novels.

Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall

Wall's portrait of faith, friendship, and marriage over several decades was memorable and moving.

The Holdout by Graham Moore

Ten years ago, Maya Seale was instrumental in convincing her fellow jurors of Bobby Nock's innocence. The press and the public had a field day with the verdict and all of the jurors lives were changed because of their decision. Now, Maya is a successful lawyer and has reluctantly agreed to be part of a television series that is revisiting the case. On the first day of shooting, Rick Leonard, another juror that Maya was close to, is found murdered in Maya's hotel room. Maya then finds herself accused of the crime and immersed in revisiting the murder of Jessica Silver, the teen that Bobby Nock was accused of killing. The Holdout takes the reader on Maya's journey to uncover the truth about two murders and find if she was right all those years ago about Bobby's guiltlessness. It will be published in February.

The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club by Sophie Green

It's 1978 and Sybil, who lives at Fairvale Station in Australia's Northern Territory with her husband Joe, has the idea to start a book club. Joining the group will be her English daughter-in-law Kate, best friend Rita (a nurse for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Alice Springs), Sallyanne (a mother of three who lives in Katherine), and Della (a Texan, who works as a stockwoman at Ghost River Station). The novel unfolds over four years, letting the reader into the everyday lives of the woman and  providing a great sense of place for outback Australia. An enjoyable read for those who enjoy novels about women's friendships.

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

What if you woke up five years in the future and your life was completely different? This is what happens to lawyer Dannie Kohan after acing the interview for her dream job. She spends one hour in the future where she has a different boyfriend and apartment. Soon, Dannie is continually questioning her life and relationship with her fiance, David, especially as time inches closer to that five-year mark. In Five Years is a page turner reminiscent of Jojo Moyes with a touch of Sophie Kinsella. It will be published in March.

A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler

When the Whitman family moves into a newly built home that abuts the backyard of Valerie Alston-Holt and her teenage son, Xavier, no one expects a death several months later. Brad Whitman, who owns Whitman HVAC, lives with his wife, Julia, stepdaughter Juniper, and young daughter, Lily in a house where no expense was spared. African-American college professor, Valerie, a widow, lives with her biracial son in a small ranch house with a beautiful yard and a hundred-year-old oak in the backyard. When Valerie realizes that the oak tree is slowly dying--probably because of the fence that the Whitmans put at the back of their yard (and that Brad probably cut corners to get built)--it sets in motion a lawsuit that will reverberate far beyond the halls of justice. The tensions between the families are further exacerbated by the burgeoning secret relationship between Xavier and Juniper. A Good Neighborhood is a timely novel, perfect for book groups and fans of Liane Moriarty. It will be published in March.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

Libby Jones has long known that when she turns 25, she inherits something from her birth parents' trust, but she is stunned to discover that it turns out a be a decaying mansion in one of the most expensive areas of London. It also is where her birth parents, Henry and Martina Lamb, died in a cult-like situation when she was ten months old. The Family Upstairs recounts Libby's journey of discovering what happened in the family home all those years ago, interspersed with Henry Jr's retelling of the years when his family's status went from wealth and privilege to being prisoners in their own home. In the novel, the reader also meets Lucy, who lives a meager existence in France with her two children, but longs to get back to Britain, now that the baby (aka Libby) is now 25. The Family Upstairs is a creepily unputdownable read. Perfect for those who love Ruth Rendell's psychological novels, Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent, and the books of Erin Kelly.

The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village by Joanna Nell

Peggy Smart is 79, and spends her days baking, doing water aerobics, and thinking about Brian Cornell, another resident of the Jacaranda Retirement Village. When childhood friend, spitfire Angie Valentine, moves into the complex, Peggy's life drastically altered. Angie encourages Peggy to get a new hairstyle and clothes--and to see that age is just a number. However, is Peggy ready for so much change? The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village is a humorous tale of friendship and aging.

To the Land of Long Lost Friends by Alexander McCall Smith

Things are very quiet at the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutsi, and Charlie are wondering when work will pick up. Their only case is investigating whether the husband of their client is really taking mathematics lessons or having an affair. When Mma Ramotswe sees a childhood friend at a wedding, a friend she thought died years ago, she is stunned. After the friend, Calviniah, explains that her supposed death was an instance of mistaken identity, Mma Ramotswe agrees to look into why Calviniah's daughter, Nametso, has become distant from her. In addition, the agency decides to examine the circumstances of a woman named Poppy, who gives a new Mercedes to a local preacher named Reverend Flat Ponto. On a personal front, both Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi wish Charlie the best in his goal to make Queenie-Queenie his wife. It's seems an almost insurmountable task because of Charlie's lack of income compared to Queenie-Queenie's family wealth. Will Charlie succeed or be left waiting a long time to make Queenie-Queenie his wife?

The Night Fire by Michael Connelly

When retired LAPD detective Harry Bosch is given a murder book by the wife of his recently-deceased mentor John Jack Thompson, Bosch wonders what was special enough about the case for John Jack to keep it all these years. After reading through the official book of the case and investigation, he asks LAPD Renee Ballard to also look through it. The murder of John Hilton happened in 1990 in an alley that was controlled by a local gang. Two detectives did work on the case then, but hit a dead end and the case remains unsolved. Will Bosch and Ballard be able to uncover who murdered Hilton? Michael Connelly is again in top form with The Night Fire. An unputdownable thrill ride by my favorite author.

Your House Will Pay by Steph Cha

Shawn Matthews, after several stints in prison, has a steady girlfriend and is a reliable worker at a moving company. Meanwhile, Grace Park lives with her parents and works at her family's pharmacy. Their two lives collide when a crime befalls Grace's household, one that has connections to a violent act perpetrated against Shawn's family over twenty-five years ago. Set alternately in the Los Angeles of the early 1990's and the present, Your House Will Pay is an unforgettable novel of racism, heartache, and loyalty. A great read-alike to Scott Lasser's excellent Say Nice Things About Detroit and Lou Berney's The Long and Faraway Gone.

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

When Helen Calder convinces her father to leave the family farm to her rather than splitting the estate between Helen and her older sister, Edith, it causes a rift between the women that lasts over fifty years. Edith, despite being a maker of award-winning pies, barely ekes out a living, while Helen and her husband, Orval, build their brewery, Blotz, into a multi-million dollar business. Edith's granddaughter, Diana, turns out to also have the gift of brewing good beer. Will her talent bring that side of the family some financial relief? The Lager Queen of Minnesota tells the stories of Edith, Diana, and Helen through the lens of their everyday lives.

A Cup of Holiday Fear by Ellie Alexander

It's the Christmas season in Ashland, Oregon, and Juliet and her staff at the bakery, Torte, are busy creating cookies, cakes, and delicious drinks for their customers. The Torte holiday party is going to be held at the Winchester Inn during their Dickens feast event. When a fellow diner named Cami, who was in the process of buying the inn, is murdered during the celebration, Juliet decides to play sleuth. Having a stepfather on the police force is a big plus in helping Juliet solve the case. A festive mystery perfect for those who enjoy culinary cozy mysteries.

The Paris Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal

Maggie Hope is in Paris, living at the Ritz and working undercover to try and find out if fellow agents working for Britain against the Nazis have been compromised. She is also hoping to find her half-sister, Elise, whom she wants to get to safety in England. It seems a British agent with the code name Gibbon is in cahoots with the Germans and has been passing along anything he learns, endangering Maggie and those close to her. Will Maggie succeed in her mission?   The Paris Spy continues the story of Maggie and her friends amidst the turmoil of World War II.

The Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay

In New York City, when an elevator plunges to the ground killing four people, the authorities think it was just a malfunction. Then, the next day a Russian scientist dies in a gruesome elevator accident. Could someone be sabotaging the elevators in the city? Reporter Barbara Matheson is investigating, because a former colleague died in the first incident. Police detectives Jerry Bourque and Lois Delgado are looking into the death of a man found on the High Line, with his body disfigured to avoid identification. They soon discover that the person was an elevator repairman named Otto Petrenko. Is Petrenko's death connected to the elevator mishaps? In Elevator Pitch, Barclay tells the story of a city on edge and the search for the person(s) responsible.

Time After Time by Lisa Grunwald

In 1937, Joe feels an instant attraction to Nora when he meets her at Grand Central Station, and Nora feels the same. But then Joe doesn't see Nora again for a year. After having coffee, they take a walk and Nora disappears into thin air. Slowly, Joe learns Nora's story. In 1924, Nora died in a train crash at Grand Central and has since reappeared each anniversary of the day she died. However,the conditions in the station have to be just right, namely the sun has to be shining in a specific spot. How can Nora and Joe sustain a relationship and be together with such constraints? Time After Time recounts their love affair over the years along with fascinating details about the history of Grand Central Station.

Remembering the Dead by Elizabeth J. Duncan

Spa owner Penny Brannigan finds herself drawn into another mystery when the famous Black Chair awarded to Welsh poet Hedd Wyn goes missing during a dinner party at Ty Brith Hall. When one of the waiters is found dead and a local resident is injured, Penny and her circle of friends scour the party guest list for possible suspects and ponder who could possibly want the Black Chair for their own. Remembering the Dead is a great read-alike for the mysteries of M.C. Beaton.

The Forever Summer by Jamie Brenner

When successful lawyer Marin Bishop is contacted by a woman named Rachel saying they are sisters, she is skeptical, because her parents have been married for many years. However, when Marin is fired from her job after having a relationship with a co-worker, she takes Rachel up on the offer to travel to Provincetown to meet their grandmother, Amelia, who runs an inn on the island. They are joined by Marin's mother, Blythe, who wants to support her daughter with this sudden news (and also get away, since her husband, Kip, has just asked for a divorce). The Forever Summer follows the stories of Marin, Rachel, Blythe, Amelia and her partner, Kelly, as they come to terms with relationships both new and old. A great beach read, especially for those who love Elin Hilderbrand.

The Sisters of Summit Avenue by Lynn Cullen

In 1930's Indiana, Ruth lives on a farm with her husband John, her mother Dorothy, and her four daughters. John has been pretty much bedridden for the last eight years and Ruth has been running the farm on her own along with Nick, a farmhand. Ruth's older sister June lives with her husband Richard, a doctor, on one of the grandest streets in St. Paul. June also has a job working at the Betty Crocker test kitchen as one of the many "Bettys." The sisters' relationship has been strained ever since Ruth married John, who was originally June's boyfriend. The Sisters of Summit Avenue details the lives of Dorothy, June, and Ruth through childhood memories, teenage reminiscences, and their feelings about each other now. Will these women be able to put the pain and secrets of the past behind them in order to support each other when they need it most? The novel offers an in-depth view into women's lives during the time.

The Queen's Accomplice by Susan Elia MacNeal

In 1942, a serial killer is brutally murdering young women who work for the SOE (Special Operations Executive) in London. As an agent in the SOE, Maggie Hope takes the deaths of these women to heart, especially when she sees firsthand that the women of the SOE are not given the same rights as their male counterparts, even though their work is just as dangerous. Maggie then finds herself working with DCI James Durgin from Scotland Yard to try and find the killer, who is modelling his work on Jack the Ripper. In her personal life, Maggie awaits the arrival of her half-sister Elise Hess, whom the British government is trying to smuggle out of Germany, but the mission is fraught with danger and death to those in Elise's life. The Queen's Accomplice is the sixth book in the Maggie Hope series.

Sins of the Fathers by J.A. Jance

Retired police detective J.P. Beaumont is now a licensed private investigator. An old acquaintance named Alan Dale visits Beau with his granddaughter, Athena, and asks for his help in locating his daughter, Naomi, so he can ask her to sign over her parental rights to Athena because Naomi is homeless and is a drug addict. Beau misses working on cases and readily agrees. Beau is startled, though, when he sees a picture of Naomi, who looks very much like his daughter, Kelly, and realizes that Naomi is probably his daughter from a one night stand he had with Naomi's mother years ago. With all the connections that Beau has built up on the streets and in law enforcement, finding Naomi is an easy task—but unraveling the personal relationships of all involved, and even a few possible murders, is more complex. Sins of the Fathers is the latest book in the long-running J.P. Beaumont series. It will be published later this month.

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

In 1937, Alice is glad to leave England with her new American husband, Bennett, and move to his small hometown of Baileyville, Kentucky. However, Alice is soon unhappy with Bennett's emotional distance from her, and her father-in-law, Geoffrey Van Cleve, is overbearing. When an opportunity arises for her to deliver books as part of the Baileyville WPA Packhorse Library, she decides to take the job. Riding through the beautiful hills of rural Kentucky and becoming friends with the other women-Margery, Beth, and Izzy--gives Alice a certain confidence and comfort in herself that has been lacking. When one of them is accused of a terrible crime, they rally together for her, and the outcome could also mean the closing down of the library. The Giver of Stars is a novel full of warmth, friendship, and a great sense of place for coal mining towns in the 1930's. It will be published in October.

The Bitterroots by C.J. Box

Cassie Dewell is making a good living as a private investigator in Montana after working for police departments in both North Dakota and her native Montana. When defense attorney Rachel Mitchell asks Cassie to investigate the case of Blake Kleinsasser, who's been accused of raping his teenage niece, Franny, Cassie is reluctant to get involved. Cassie feels Blake is probably guilty, but agrees to take the job because she feels that she is still in debt to Rachel after possibly being responsible for the decline in Rachel's father's health after they worked on a case together. The Kleinsassers are an extremely powerful family in Lochsa County, which also makes Cassie hesitant to participate. Soon, Cassie has more questions than answers as the people she talks to are secretive, evidence is missing, and she is threatened. The Bitterroots is a suspenseful ride as Cassie searches for the truth. A great read-alike for Michael Connelly.

The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall

In the 1950's, we meet four characters whose lives will be intertwined for the next 50 years. Charles is from a wealthy Boston family and the son of a Harvard professor. Lily's parents are killed when she is a teenager and their absence leaves a void inside her for the rest of her life.  James grows up poor in Chicago, the son of an alcoholic. Nan is the daughter of a southern minister, and sees firsthand the inner workings of being part of a family where faith and helping others is an integral part of life. When Charles and James decide to take jobs as the co-pastors of the Third Presbyterian Church in Greenwich Village, the men, along with their wives, Lily and Nan, must live their lives amid the turmoil of the 1960's. They find their beliefs challenged by their circumstances and the other individuals in the quartet. In The Dearly Beloved, the reader is immersed in the four characters' lives as revealed through moving, emotional writing.

Careful What You Wish For by Hallie Ephron

Professional organizer Emily Harlow gets more than she bargained for when she gets two new clients, Mrs. Murphy and Quinn Newell. Mrs. Murphy wants Emily and Becca (her partner in their business, Clutter Kickers) to help her sort through her husband's possessions (he died a year ago), especially the storage locker he rented. Quinn wants Emily and Becca to help her get rid of all of the stuff in her garage that she hasn't touched since she married. When Quinn's husband, Walter, is found dead and the items in Mrs. Murphy's storage locker turn out to possibly be stolen, Emily finds herself questioned by the police, not knowing whom she can trust. Emily's marriage is also strained by her husband Frank's obsession with collecting more and more objects, verging on hoarding. Careful What You Wish For is a softer-edged suspense novel perfect for those who enjoy Mary Higgins Clark.

A Dangerous Man by Robert Crais

Bank teller Isabel Roland is almost kidnapped outside of work, but Joe Pike, a customer, is able to rescue her from the assailants. Pike finds himself, along with his partner, private detective Elvis Cole, drawn into Isabel's life when the two men that tried to abduct her are found murdered and Isabel goes missing. Encouraged by Isabel's best friend, Carly, Pike and Elvis are determined to bring Isabel home and uncover the reason why someone is interested in harming her. A Dangerous Man is a fast-paced read similar to Harlan Coben, Thomas Perry, and Nicholas Petrie.

The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams

In 1941, Lulu Randolph takes a position in Nassau writing a monthly column for the New York magazine, Metropolitan, focusing on the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, who have made the Bahamas their home after the Duke has been appointed the Governor by his brother, King George VI. While there, Lulu meets Benedict Thorpe and falls in love. Both Lulu and Thorpe have secrets and their lives become even more complicated when someone is murdered in Nassau. Interspersed with the story of Lulu and Thorpe is the tale of Thorpe's parents--German beauty Elfriede and British Wilfred--who met in Switzerland in 1900. The Golden Hour recounts the tales of these two love stories amid times of war and uncertainty.

Second Sight by Aoife Clifford

When Eliza Carmody was a teenager, she left her small town of Kinsale to go to boarding school. Since then, she's become a successful lawyer in the city, but has remained estranged from her family. Eliza, though, returns to Kinsale to meet an expert for a case. While there, Eliza witnesses a violent assault. This act plunges Eliza into the dynamics of Kinsale, a town still recovering from a bushfire that killed several residents two years ago. It also causes her to think about the summer she was sixteen, when one of her best friends, Grace, disappeared. Second Sight explores Eliza's search for the truth about the cause of the fire, the reason behind the assault, and who was responsible for what happened to Grace, all amid the backdrop of a small Australian town. Aoife Clifford has written a novel similar to Jane Harper and Julia Keller's Bell Elkin's mysteries.

The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess

In 1987, Eve Rosen is an aspiring writer who works at a publishing house in New York City. Restless in her job, she takes a summer position as an assistant to writer Henry Grey on Cape Cod. This provides a deeper immersion into the literary world that Eve craves, one so different from that of her upbringing. Eve also finds herself entangled in the personal lives of Henry and his family. The Last Book Party enjoyably explores the 1980's literary world through Eve's eyes.

The Helpline by Katherine Collette

When Germaine is fired from her position at an insurance company, she gets a job answering phones for the Senior Citizens Helpline for the local council. With a passion for numbers and a tendency to view situations in a mathematical fashion, Germaine is not the most sympathetic person for the job. When the mayor recruits her to help get the senior citizen center shut down, Germaine readily agrees, since her longtime crush, Sudoku champion Don, is part of the team to make it happen. However, Germaine finds herself warming to some of the people on the helpline and realizes the mayor might not really be a friend at all. The Helpline takes the reader on Germaine's journey of self-discovery. A great read-alike for The Rosie Project.

Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman

In 1966, Maddie Schwartz decides to separate from her husband, Milton, and move out on her own. She gets a job at the Star newspaper as an assistant to the reporter who writes the help column. Maddie, though, has bigger journalistic aspirations, which only increase after she is involved in finding the body of missing child, Tessie Fine. Next, she is determined to find out who murdered Cleo Sherwood, an African-American woman who was found dead in a lake. No one is interested in pursuing what happened to Cleo--neither the police nor the media. Everyone tells Maddie to move on, that she is treading in dangerous waters, but she refuses. In Lady in the Lake, Lippman tells the story of Maddie, Cleo, and a 1966 Baltimore through the eyes of all sorts of characters in the city. It's an interesting story that stands apart from her other standalone novels that I've read.

A Bitter Feast by Deborah Crombie

Gemma James and Duncan Kincaid are invited to their colleague Melody Talbot's parents' Cotswold home for the weekend with their children, Kit, Toby, and Charlotte. A well-known chef, Viv Holland, is catering a charity lunch at the Talbot's home, but the night before the luncheon two people are killed in a car accident that also injures Duncan. One of the dead turns out to be famous chef, Fergus O'Reilly, with whomViv worked in London. Viv and O'Reilly argued the evening he died. Could this have something to do with his death? Even though it's not Gemma's and Duncan's patch, they find themselves getting involved in the investigation and wanting to see it through to its end. A Bitter Feast will be published in October.

Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear

It's 1938 and Maisie is still in mourning over her husband James' death, but she realizes that it's time to move forward and go back to live in England. Before doing that, Maisie is asked by the British Secret Service to go undercover and travel to Munich to rescue Leon Donat, a British citizen who's been imprisoned at Dachau. Maisie is to pose as Donat's daughter, but her mission becomes even more complicated when she's asked by Lorraine Otterburn to find her daughter Elaine in Munich and bring her out of Germany, too. Maisie has had a complicated relationship with the Otterburns in the past and feels they were partly responsible for James' death. Will Maisie be able to put her emotions aside and succeed in her mission?

The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan

Zoe is sick of being broke and living in a noisy, cramped London apartment with her young son, Hari. When the chance comes to move to Scotland and work both as a nanny and running a mobile bookstore, Zoe decides to make the move. Even though the countryside is beautiful, Zoe has a hard time of it. As a live-in nanny at the Beeches, she finds the children quite a handful, since their father keeps to himself and their mother disappeared awhile ago. Also, the regular customers of the bookshop have not taken kindly to someone taking over the business from their beloved Nina, who is out on maternity leave. Slowly, Zoe finds her own way of working and things begin to turn around. However, when Hari's dad, Jaz ,visits and insists that Zoe and Hari move back to London so he can find them a better place to live, Zoe feels she must agree, because she feels Hari needs to be around his father. Is this really the right choice for Zoe and Hari? The Bookshop on the Shore is sequel to Colgan's The Bookshop on the Corner which featured Nina as the main character.

Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand

Thirteen-year-old Jessie is not looking forward to spending the summer on Nantucket with her mom, Kate, and grandmother, Exalta. She desperately misses her older brother, Tiger, who is fighting in Vietnam, and her two older sisters, Blair and Kirby, who won't be there either. Blair is staying in Boston because she's expecting her first child with her husband, Angus, an MIT professor, and Kirby is working on Martha's Vineyard. Summer of '69 is told through the eyes of Jessie, Kate, Blair, and Kirby as they navigate their lives through a summer of change. The 1960's setting was a welcome recharge for this longtime Hilderbrand reader.

The Right Sort of Man by Allison Montclair

In London after World War II, Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge operate The Right Sort Marriage Bureau, which is a matchmaking service. When one of their clients Tillie is murdered, and Dickie, the man they set Tillie up with, is arrested for the crime, Iris and Gwen take it upon themselves to try and find the killer because they know Dickie is innocent. They also know the scandal of the crime could ruin their business. Luckily, Iris worked undercover during the war, and those skills come in handy, as can having a partner like Gwen, who also can think fast on her feet. The Right Sort of Man is a breezy, cozy mystery with colorful characters. Give to readers who enjoy Jacqueline Winspear, Susan Elia MacNeal, and Alexander McCall Smith.

Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner

Penny lives with her mother, Emma, in the Hamptons and treasures her time with Henry Wyatt, a famous artist who has made Sag Harbor his home. When Henry dies and leaves his estate, most importantly, his home Windsong, to Penny, Henry's old friend, Bea, is furious. Years ago, she and Henry agreed that when he passed away, Windsong would be turned into a museum. Bea also wonders why Henry would give his estate to a teenage girl. Leaving Manhattan, Bea arrives at Windsong, vowing not to leave until the home is in her hands. Emma is not happy with Bea's appearance, but has her hands full. She is helping Penny manage her OCD, has a job at the American Hotel and must adapt to their newfound wealth. Drawing Home is the story of Emma, Penny, and Bea and how Henry's bequest changes their lives. It's a perfect read-alike for the novels of Elin Hilderbrand.

Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland

As a single mother, Stephanie, has given everything to her career in the FBI, and missed countless events in her teenage son Zachary's life. When she finds a gun in his bedroom, Stephanie wonders what Zachary has gotten messed up in and if she's to blame. When fellow FBI agent and former boyfriend, Scott, tells Stephanie that Zachary might be involved with a terrorist group, she is stunned. She wonders if it's true or if someone is trying to set him up. Keep You Close follows Stephanie's journey to get to the bottom of what's really going on... I really enjoyed Cleveland's first novel, Need to Know, this one, however, was a miss for me.

Almost Midnight by Paul Doiron

When Mike gets a message that his best friend, Billy, needs to see him, Mike travels to the prison where Billy is incarcerated. Billy tells Mike that he needs to find out about one of the prison guards named Dawn Richie. Mike is reluctant because Billy has been unreliable with his suspicions in the past. Soon after, there is a fight at the prison where Billy is stabbed as he saves Dawn Richie's life. Mike wonders what's really going on at the facility and decides to delve into the case. In addition, Mike gets a call that the wolf-dog he had bonded with has been shot and is near death. Mike is despondent about the possible loss of Shadow and decides to try and track Shadow's mate to see if she is safe. In Almost Midnight, the reader is immersed in the wilds of Maine and Mike's group of friends. The book will be published next month.

Ellie and the Harpmaker by Hazel Prior

When Ellie happens upon Dan and his barn full of harps, she finds her life changed. Stuck in a marriage with her controlling husband, Clive, Dan's relaxed manner and his love of nature are what Ellie's been needing in her life. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Dan is gorgeous and gives her one of his harps for her to learn to play. However, Ellie is keeping secret from Clive the fact that she is spending time with Dan and taking harp lessons because she knows Clive will be upset. As Dan's and Ellie's lives become entwined, Ellie will have to make some important choices. Give to readers who enjoyed The Rosie Project. It will be published in August.

The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hillman

In the early 1960's Tom is bereft when his wife, Trudy, leaves him. But she soon comes back to Hometown, the small outback town where Tom has a farm. However, she is pregnant with another man's child. Tom develops a real bond with Trudy's son Peter, but soon Trudy leaves for good with him, breaking Tom's heart. When Holocaust survivor Hannah moves to town to open up a bookshop, she and Tom fall in love. But Hannah is haunted by the death of her young son Michael in Auschwitz and the trauma of being the only one in her family to survive the war. Can Tom and Hannah's love for each other triumph over all the heartache they have been through? The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted is a novel with a great sense of place and characters whom the reader cares deeply for. A great choice for book clubs.

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth

When Lucy's mother-in-law, Diana, dies, she is in shock because they haven't had the easiest relationship over the ten years they have known each other. Lucy is married to Diana's son, Ollie, and they have three young children. The police are treating Diana's death as suspicious because at first it seemed like suicide, but the evidence soon points to murder by a family member. Who could have possibly killed Diana? The Mother-in-Law recounts the lives of the Goodwins and the up and down family dynamics since Lucy joined the family. A great read-alike for Elin Hilderbrand's The Perfect Couple and Liane Moriarty's novels.

The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

Ten years after they first meet in college, Annika and Jonathan bump into each other at a grocery store in Chicago. Annika has her dream job working as a librarian, while Jonathan has a high-powered job in finance. It's obvious that they still have feelings for each other and that there are things from the past that were left unsaid. The Girl He Used to Know recounts both the development of their relationship in the early 1990's, when Annika was a shy, awkward, yet beautiful young woman with undiagnosed autism-spectrum disorder (whom Jonathan fell for because she was so unique and refreshing) and their reunion ten years hence. It's a moving portrayal of what everyday life is like for someone on the spectrum as they move into adulthood and become independent and find love.

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

The phone call that Rachel receives is worse than every parent's nightmare. Her teenage daughter, Kylie, has been kidnapped and, in order for Kylie to be released, Rachel must kidnap someone else's child. Kylie then will only be free when those parents kidnap a child also. As Rachel finds out, this is called "The Chain" and you don't want to break the chain.... A fast-paced readalike for Harlan Coben and Maile Meloy's Do Not Become Alarmed. It will be published in July.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Marianne and Connell begin a secret relationship when they are seniors in high school. Connell is popular and outgoing, but at times feels insecure since his mother, Lorraine, cleans houses for a living. Marianne, meanwhile, is wealthy, and a loner in part because of her abusive family background. Normal People recounts their relationship over the next four years as they go to college and decide what to do with their lives. It a story of two people finding their way to adulthood and the strong bond they develop with each other. A great pick for book clubs.

How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper

Andrew works for the local council determining if those who have died have a next of kin. He's also perpetuating a big lie with his co-workers. Years ago he told them that he was married and has two children, even though he's single. When Andrew takes a new employee named Peggy under his wing, it becomes harder to keep the truth of his life a secret as they become friends--and possibly something more. What has caused Andrew to shut himself away socially? Will his relationship with Peggy change his life for the better? How Not to Die Alone is a quirky, sometimes humorous novel. Give to readers who enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Keeper of Lost Things. It will be published next month.

Run Away by Harlan Coben

Simon feels like he's lost his daughter, Paige, forever. She has a boyfriend that abuses her and she is addicted to drugs. Simon has not lost hope though that his daughter might someday get clean. But when Paige's boyfriend, Aaron, is murdered, Simon finds himself a prime suspect since he and Aaron had fought recently. Paige is also missing. Figuring the police are not going to be much help in locating Paige, Simon and his wife, Ingrid, take it upon themselves to find her. But Paige's lifestyle exposes them to a way of life that they are unprepared for... Run Away is another fast-paced thriller by Coben.

The Spies of Shilling Lane by Jennifer Ryan

When Mrs. Braithwaite is ostracized by the community because of her recent divorce and her bossiness running the local Women's Voluntary Service, she decides to travel to London to see her daughter, Betty. When Mrs. Braithwaite arrives where Betty is staying, she discovers that Betty is missing. With help from Betty's landlord, Mr. Norris, Mrs. Braithwaite finds herself involved in quite an adventure to bring Betty home. Mrs. Braithwaite also discovers her life and herself changed forever for the better amid wartime London. The Spies of Shilling Lane is a delightful read, much better executed than Ryan's debut, The Chilbury Ladies' Choir. A great read-alike for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. It will be published in June.

The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis

When Hazel and Maxine meet during an USO tour in Italy, it takes a bit of time for them to warm to each other. But soon they form a bond that continues stateside when Hazel's play Wartime Sonata is produced on Broadway with Maxine in the lead role. They also love the camaraderie of living at the Chelsea Hotel with a lot of creative people in the city. The arts of the 1950's are being battered, however, by those who believe that most artists are communists sympathizers. Hazel finds herself in danger of having to name people who are close to the cause and having to defend herself. It's a frightening time for her, because it could cost Hazel her career. The Chelsea Girls recounts the red scare of the time through the eyes of both Hazel and Maxine. The book will be published in July.

The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear

Private detective Maisie Dobbs is asked to investigate the murder of American journalist Catherine Saxon in London. Catherine was reporting on life as the Nazis bombarded the capital during the Blitz. In addition, Catherine came from a very wealthy family in the States and both her father and brothers disapproved of her choice of career. She also had suffered personal loss while in Spain before the war. Could any of that be connected to her death? It's up to Maisie and her assistant, Billy, to find out the truth in this case that seems to have lots of suspects. In addition, Maisie is on edge because her adoption of Anna has been postponed and she, like most in England, are finding their everyday lives continually upended because of the war. The American Agent is another well-researched and engaging entry in the long-running Maisie Dobbs series.

Grace After Henry by Eithne Shortall

Grace is devastated when her partner, Henry, dies in a bicycle accident. She keeps thinking she sees him as she goes around Dublin, and her only solace is remembering their times together and visiting the cemetery where he's buried. One day she's stunned to discover that Henry had an identical twin brother, Andy, that he didn't know about (both men were adopted by different people). When Grace is with Andy, it feels as if Henry is still with her--but is having Andy in her life the best way to move forward and heal? Grace After Henry is a warm, emotional, at times humorous tale of moving on after loss. A great read-alike for Jojo Moyes and Catherine Isaac's You Me Everything.

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

After Tiffy breaks up with her boyfriend, she is finding it hard to find somewhere to live in London on her limited budget. She decides her best option is to share a flat with a man named Leon. Leon, with his job as a palliative care nurse, only needs the apartment from 9am-6pm weekdays, since he spends weekends at his girlfriend's house. This arrangement suits Tiffy perfectly with her job as an assistant book editor at a small publishing house. Even though they are never at the flat at the same time, their lives begin to intermingle as they learn about each other through their possessions and notes to each other, which are at first pithy and humorous, then turn caring as they get involved in their respective lives. Soon, both Tiffy and Leon realize they have feelings for each other. Will they end up as more than just flatmates? The Flatshare is a light, fun debut novel similar to Jojo Moyes and Jenny Colgan. It will be published in May.