My Favorite Books of 2021

Here are the five books I enjoyed most this year.

In alphabetical order, by author:

Tin Camp Road by Ellen Airgood

Airgood made life on Lake Superior come alive with her descriptions of single mother Laurel and her fellow residents of Gallion. 

Exit by Belinda Bauer

The question of what would you do if you assisted the wrong person in committing suicide is central to a dark, at times humorous crime story in Bauer's deft hands.

The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly

Three storylines set over the last hundred years or so about women's lives at an English country house made this a memorable read for me.

When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain

McLain's searing tale of a teenage girl's disappearance and the search to bring her home also explored questions of injustice and equality.

The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck

This novel about part of the life of World War II spy Virginia Hall was suspenseful and interesting.

The Last Dance of the Debutante by Julia Kelly

It's 1957 and Lily Nicholls has agreed to become a debutante and be presented to Queen Elizabeth. Lily does this to please both her mother and grandmother. Lily herself would rather take exams and go to Cambridge or Oxford. Lily soon becomes disillusioned with the jealously and the old-worldliness of being a debutante, the year-long series of parties and other events also becomes tiresome. Lily, though, meets two suitors, along with a group of other debutantes that she bonds with. The Last Dance of the Debutante recounts Lily's journey of self-discovery and coming into her own.

Miss Eliza's English Kitchen: a Novel of Victorian Cookery and Friendship by Annabel Abbs

In her 30's and unmarried, Eliza Acton is focused on having another book of poetry published--but the publishing house wants her to write a cookbook instead. After a downturn in her family's finances, Eliza and her mother begin to run a boardinghouse in the town of Tonbridge, Kent. They hire a 17-year-old local girl named Ann Kirby to help in the kitchen. It turns out that Eliza and Ann make a great team, cooking and creating recipes together. Miss Eliza's English Kitchen recounts the lives and relationship of the two who wrote Modern Cookery, in All Its Branches that was published in 1845. An interesting look at Victorian cooking and women's lives at that time.

A Blizzard of Polar Bears by Alice Henderson

Wildlife biologist Alex Carter is thrilled with her new assignment: studying polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba. After a few successful days of gathering data, Alex's research and samples are stolen. Then, while off exploring one day, Alex finds a dead body. She wonders what's going on and wishes she could spend her time doing research that will hopefully help protect the polar bears, but it's soon clear that Alex has mistakenly gotten involved in something that threatens her life. A Blizzard of Polar Bears is the second book in the Alex Carter series and, in addition to the mystery, offers loads of interesting details about polar bears.

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

The grown child of a single mother, Bill Furlong remains in the small Irish town he grew up in, now with his wife Eileen and five daughters. He makes a living delivering coal to local residents and businesses. As Christmas approaches in the year 1985, Bill witnesses something at the local convent that weighs on him. Bill wonders if he should stay silent like many others have or take action which could possibly upset the solid life he has built for himself. Small Things Like These is a short novel that stays with you long after the last page is turned.

1979 by Val McDermid

It's 1979 and Cambridge educated Allie Burns works as a reporter at the Daily Clarion in Glasgow. Allie is desperate to cover a real story rather than woman-focused ones her bosses have given her. When co-worker Danny Sullivan confides in Allie that he has a scoop about some international tax fraud going on and that he could use her help in writing the story, she's thrilled to be working on something of substance. She and Danny become friends and when she infiltrates a group who wants independence for Scotland, Danny returns the favor, aiding Allie by going undercover. 1979 is McDermid's first book in the Allie Burns series and subsequent books will feature Allie every ten years (1989, 1999 and 2019).

Nothing to Lose by J.A. Jance

Retired cop J.P. Beaumont still blames himself for his partner, Sue Danielson's death. When her son, Jared, asks for Beaumont's help in finding his younger brother, Christopher, who's missing, he readily agrees to go to Homer, Alaska where Christopher was last seen. After he arrives, Beaumont discovers that Christopher disappeared over ten years ago and that there's a good chance he is no longer alive. Nothing to Lose recounts Beaumont's investigation to bring closure to Jared and his family. It will be published in February.

South of Superior by Ellen Airgood

When Madeline is asked by Gladys, the girlfriend of her late grandfather Joe, to come to Mc-Allaster, a small town on Lake Superior, to help care for Gladys' sister, Arbutus, Madeline agrees. Madeline is charmed by Arbutus and yearns to know more about her family's history. Madeline was raised by her adopted mother, Emmy, in Chicago, when Joe refused to take care of her after Madeline was abandoned by her mother. Soon, Madeline is part of the community, learning about the family she never knew and having grand plans to reopen the old hotel that Gladys and Arbutus ran years ago. South of Superior is a novel full of characters with lots of heart and spunk in addition to vivid descriptions of small town life.

A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson

Wildlife biologist Alex Carter finds herself in a remote area of Montana doing a wolverine population study for a conservation group. The site is a defunct ski resort that's been turned into protected land, so Alex has a large area to conduct her research. However, some residents in the nearest town aren't very welcoming, and when Alex is run off the road, she's not sure who she can trust, since her complaints to the chief of police fall on deaf ears. Then she becomes even more concerned when she captures some weird activities on the cameras she's positioned throughout the area. Soon, Alex realizes that she's in more danger than she could possibly ever imagine. A Solitude of Wolverines is the first book in a series and has a great sense of place, in addition to an extremely likable and interesting main character.

Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest

Leda is trying to make a go of her travel agency, Foley's Far-Fetched Flights, while spending her evenings doing "klairvoyant karaoke" at a local bar. When she rebooks a customer, cop Grady Merritt, on a different flight because she had a bad feeling about his original one, and the first one crashes, Grady demands to know what's up. After revealing why she switched the flight, Grady wonders if she could help him with a case that he's unable to solve. Leda agrees if Grady will look into the unsolved murder of Leda's fiancee, Tod, who died three years ago. Grave Reservations is the start of a new series by best-selling author Priest, featuring Leda Foley. Perfect for those who enjoy witty mysteries with quirky characters.

The French Gift by Kirsty Manning

Evie Black is still in grief from her husband Raph's death over a year ago, when museum curator Clement Tazi asks for help with an exhibit his museum is mounting about Josephine Murant. Best-selling mystery author Josephine was Raph's great-aunt, and now Evie is in charge of her estate. Working with Clement, Evie uncovers a wartime diary that Josephine kept. Evie hopes that the diary and other items might shed some light on Josephine's role in the resistance in Paris during the war and her time in a German prison camp. Might their research also provide some information on the life of convicted murderer Margot Bisset, Josephine's friend and cellmate during that time? The French Gift travels between Josephine's and Margot's lives during the war and Evie's life in Paris with her teenage son, Hugo. An engaging read for those who enjoy books about relationships and World War II stories.

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.

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson

June works at the Chalcot Library, where her mother was the librarian before dying of cancer eight years ago. The library has become June's life since she put off going to university to take care of her mom. She has a special relationship with a lot of the patrons and when the library is threatened with closure, they take it upon themselves to create a campaign to keep it open. However, June has to join the group in secret because she's told not to get involved or she could lose her job. Slowly June begins to find her voice and meaning in her life. The Last Chance Library is a perfect read-alike for Jenny Colgan's The Bookshop on the Corner and Richard Roper's How Not to Die Alone.

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

Alice, a famous novelist living in a house on the coast of Ireland, meets Felix who works at a local warehouse. Alice's best friend Eileen, whom she met in college, lives in Dublin. Eileen loves Simon--and he her--but both she and Simon are afraid to commit to each other, feeling it might ruin their lifelong friendship. In Beautiful World, Where Are You bestselling novelist Rooney lets us into the lives and emotions of these four characters as they navigate everyday life.

The Left-Handed Twin by Thomas Perry

Sara Doughton comes to Jane Whitefield so Jane can help her disappear. Sara is on the run because she testified in court that her boyfriend, Albert McKeith, murdered someone. Sara thought she would be safe with Albert away in prison--but Albert is found not guilty and wants to punish Sara for her betrayal. For years, Jane has helped people disappear and worked to find new identities and lives for them. So when Albert is put in touch with a Russian named Porchen to help find Sara, Porchen realizes that the focus of his search should be on Jane, not Sara, since Jane has priceless information about the people that she's helped hide over the years. The Left-Handed Twin is the cat and mouse game of Jane versus the Russians, told in Perry's usual breakneck style. A welcome return to the Jane Whitefield series. It will be published in November.

Tin Camp Road by Ellen Airgood

The town of Gallion on Lake Superior means everything to Laurel. It's where she was raised and also where she's bringing up her ten-year-old daughter, Skye, as a single mom. However, well paying jobs and decent affordable housing are hard to find. Piecing together whatever employment she can find, Laurel worries about providing a good home for Skye. When the home they've been living in is converted into vacation rentals, their housing situation becomes even more unstable. Tin Camp Road is a story of motherhood, poverty, and the bonds of family. With a great sense of place and unforgettable characters, it's a gem.

These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall

Mickie Lambert works for a company that makes digital scrapbooks for customers. Mickie is assigned to compile one for Nadia Denham, who has Alzheimer's and owns an antique shop called Beautiful Things. Nadia shows Mickie the items she would like as part of her scrapbook, with accompanying stories, but soon after Nadia is found dead, an apparent suicide. Despite Nadia's death, Mickie feels compelled to finish the job, yet finds herself entangled with Nadia's family and the other business owners in the complex where Beautiful Things is housed. These complications, along with those in Mickie's own life, put her in harm's way. Whom can Mickie really trust?

Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara

Aki Ito is excited to join her older sister, Rose, in Chicago after being interred in Manzanar by the U.S. government because she has Japanese ancestry. However, when Aki and her parents arrive in Chicago in 1944 they discover that Rose has committed suicide. Aki does not believe that Rose would kill herself and vows to discover what happened to her. Aki also tries to move on with her life, working at the Newberry Library and thinking about fulfilling her dream of becoming a nurse. The mystery Clark and Division immerses the reader in Japanese-American culture in addition to providing a great sense of place for 1940's Chicago.

A Place Like Home by Rosamunde Pilcher

A Place Like Home is a collection of short stories written by beloved author Rosamunde Pilcher that have never been published in book form. In these stories, the reader is transported to Pilcher's cherished Cornwall and immersed in the lives and loves of women of various ages as they seek fulfullment in their personal lives. For readers who like gentle cozy reads.

A Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe

In 1954, Katharina Edgeworth lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her husband, Tom (a surgeon), and her two young sons. Before marrying, college-educated Katharina worked at the United Nations as a translator and enjoyed being single amid the rousing nightlife of New York City. When FBI agent Lee Goldwell approaches her and asks her to feed them information about her old college boyfriend, Jacob Gornev, whom they believe is part of the KGB, she readily agrees, because she is looking for any escape from her home life. However, she has to hide what she is doing from Tom, who believes she should be spending all of her time with the children. This puts a strain on their marriage and causes Katharina to think again about what kind of life she wants for herself. A Woman of Intelligence is a great read-alike for those who've enjoyed the books of Beatriz Williams.

The Missing Treasures of Amy Ashton by Eleanor Ray

Former artist Amy spends her days working in an office and her spare time finding the objects that have slowly filled up her home. Fifteen years ago, Amy's boyfriend, Tim, and her best friend, Chantel, disappeared and it was assumed that they ran off together. Amy is still trying to process their betrayal and has shut herself off socially from everyone. Then two young boys move in next door and Amy discovers an antique ring in her backyard that she feels Tim bought for her before he left, and cracks begin to form in the wall that Amy has built around herself. Will Amy be able to connect with others again, uncover what happened to Tim and Chantel--and even give away some of the "treasures" that she has surrounded herself with? The Missing Treasures of Amy Ashton is a great read-alike for Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and How Not to Die Alone.

The Hollywood Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal

In the summer of 1943, Maggie Hope travels to Los Angeles. Her ex-boyfriend, John, has asked her to look into the death of his fiance, Gloria. John believes that Gloria was possibly murdered by her soon-to-be ex-husband, Titus. Maggie finds herself immersed in sunny California life--meeting celebrities and enjoying food you cannot get in wartime London. However, there exists an undercurrent of racial unrest in the city, including the threat of violence from the Ku Klux Klan. Will Maggie be able to uncover what really happened to Gloria? The Hollywood Spy is the latest book in the long-running Maggie Hope series and is a fascinating look at what life was like during the war in Los Angeles.

Falling by T.J. Newman

Pilot Bill Hoffman thinks that the biggest problem of his day is that his wife, Carrie, is mad at him for agreeing at the last minute to an LA-NYC flight and missing their son Scott's baseball season opener. However, after taking off, Bill gets a message saying he must crash the plane, or else his family will die. He receives a photo of Carrie and Scott bound and gagged, with Carrie wearing a suicide vest. Bill is determined to not take the plane down--and to save his family. Will he succeed? In Falling, debut author Newman writes a novel that's hard put down, told through the eyes of Bill, Carrie, Jo (a senior flight attendant), and Jo's nephew, FBI agent Theo. A great read-alike for Siege, Do Not Become Alarmed, and No Exit.

Blush by Jamie Brenner

Vivian and her husband Leonard, started Hollander Estates winery on Long Island fifty years ago. Their children, Asher and Leah grew up among the grapevines and Leah's daughter, Sadie, also has memories of her childhood spent there. However, Hollander Estates is in financial trouble and Leonard says the family has no choice but to sell. Vivian and Leah are heartbroken when they hear the news, especially because Leonard has made all the business decisions over the years, not wanting to take any advice from either of them. In fact, years ago Leah wanted to help her father run the winery, but Leonard chose Asher instead.  Will the women be able to persuade Leonard to listen to their ideas, which may save the winery? Blush is a novel of the bonds between mothers and daughters, in addition to lots of details about wine and winemaking.

A Rogue's Company by Allison Montclair

When Gwen's father-in-law Lord Bainbridge returns from Africa and insists that her son, Ronnie, be sent to boarding school, she knows she has a battle on her hands to keep Ronnie in London. Gwen lost guardianship of Ronnie after she spent time in an asylum after the death of her husband, so she cannot make independent decisions about Ronnie's upbringing. It seems that Lord Bainbridge's business dealings haven't been successful of late, leading to a kidnapping and other crimes. Could Gwen's and Iris's latest client Simon Daile at the Right Sort Marriage Bureau somehow be involved? A Rogue's Company is the third book in Sparks and Bainbridge series set in post World War II England, and is such a pleasure that it's hard to wait a year for the next book in the series.

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Editorial assistant Nella is thrilled when another person of color, Hazel, is hired at Wagner, where Nella has worked at for the past two years. She figures they can bond and hopefully come together to bring more diversity to the publishing house. But soon after Hazel arrives, Nella receives an anonymous note urging her to quit her job, and her co-workers seem to prefer working with Hazel rather than her. What is going on at Wagner? Can Nella really trust Hazel? The Other Black Girl starts out as a novel about working in publishing and the inequalities there, then morphs into something completely different. Book groups will have a lot to discuss.

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

When bestselling novelist Vivi Howe dies in a hit-and-run accident, she is given the summer to watch over her family from above and use three nudges to "influence outcomes...down below" by Martha, the person assigned to her from the Beyond. However, Vivi's family needs her now more than ever, so how will she choose when to nudge? Her oldest daughter, Willa, is happily married to childhood sweetheart, Rip, but worries about carrying a baby to term, since she's had three miscarriages. Meanwhile, Vivi's other daughter, Carson, is having an affair with a married man and is in a downwards spiral, using pills, drugs and alcohol to get through the day. Her youngest, son, Leo, has just graduated from high school and is trying to extricate himself from his needy girlfriend, Marissa. Golden Girl explores the lives of those Vivi has left behind-Willa, Carson, Leo, Vivi's ex-husband JP, and best friend, Savannah, in addition to recounting Vivi's childhood and life on Nantucket.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Patrick O'Hara finds himself taking care of Maisie and Grant (his niece and nephew) for the summer after their mother passes away and their father, Greg, goes to rehab. Patrick is not keen on the idea, since he's spent the past four years hiding out in his Palm Springs home away from the acting scene in Los Angeles. Patrick was on a very successful sitcom, but retreated from public life after the love of his life, Joe, was killed in a car accident. In The Guncle, Patrick regales Maisie and Grant with his "Guncle Rules" and introduces them to his laid-back, unstructured lifestyle, while the kids' presence helps Patrick to heal. A fun summer read.

Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin

Gilda is a worrier and cannot stop thinking about death. After seeing a flyer advertising therapy, Gilda finds herself at a local Catholic church. Despite being an atheist and a lesbian, she accepts a position as the receptionist. The person previously in the job, an older woman named Grace, has recently passed away. Gilda soon finds herself impersonating Grace through an email communication with one of Grace's friends, Rosemary, because Gilda can't bear to tell Rosemary that Grace has died. After it appears that Grace might have been murdered, Gilda also attempts to discover who killed Grace. Gilda is a tenderhearted yet fragile protagonist in this interesting debut novel. It will be published next month.

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews

After her sister Tanya is murdered in New York City (probably by her ex-boyfriend, Evan), Letty escapes to Florida with Tanya's four-year-old daughter, Maya. They arrive at the Murmuring Surf Motel, with Letty trying to come up with a plan to keep Maya permanently--if Evan knew where they were, he would demand his daughter back. Letty finds herself charmed by the vintage hotel, the beautiful weather, and the generosity of the owner of the hotel, Ava DeCurtis. Letty also finds herself drawn to Ava's son, Joe, who's a policeman. Will Letty be able to open up her heart to Joe and keep Maya safe? The Newcomer is the latest novel by bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews. Those looking for a story with a sunny sense of place and a bit of romance should give it a try.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

 “Protect her." That's the last thing Hannah hears from her husband before he disappears after the company he works for is accused of defrauding investors. Hannah knows that her husband, Owen, means that Hannah should protect her teenage stepdaughter, Bailey—but from what or whom? Hannah and Owen haven't been married for long, and Bailey still hasn't fully warmed to Hannah, even though Owen and Bailey had been on their own for years. The Last Thing He Told Me is an unputdownable tale of Hannah's quest to discover who her husband really was. Fans of Harlan Coben will be enthralled.

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

 When wedding photographer Meddelin accidentally kills her blind date after he gets frisky, she turns to her three aunts and mom for help. Coming from a close-knit Chinese-Indonesian family, Meddelin knows she can count on them. However, the women are due on a private island off the coast of California for their wedding business the next day, so they make the decision to put the dead body in a freezer for the weekend. Things soon spiral out of control with the job, the body, and a significant person from Meddelin's past. Dial A for Aunties is a zany comedy of family duty and romance. A great read-alike for Janet Evanovich.

When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain

 Missing persons detective Anna Hart finds herself in Mendocino after her husband asks her to leave. The best time of Anna's childhood was spent there with her foster parents, Hap and Eden. Soon after she arrives, local teenager Cameron Curtis goes missing and Anna feels compelled to help old friend sheriff Will Flood to try and find Cameron and bring her home. In fact, the dysfunction of Anna's own upbringing and a recent tragedy in her life make her pursue the case at all costs. When the Stars Go Dark is a powerful novel exploring the scars of trauma and the inequalities of crime. True crime aficionados will find much to like here, in addition to those who enjoy Jane Harper and the novel We Begin at the End.

Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny

Second-grade teacher Jane falls in love quickly with Duncan--but can she get past the fact that he seems to have slept with every woman in town? Early Morning Riser recounts Jane's life over almost twenty years in the small community of Boyne City, Michigan (to reveal any more of the plot would spoil the charm of Heiny's story). It's a novel filled with humor, sorrow, and memorable, quirky characters. Readers of Anne Tyler should give it a try.

The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen

 In 1928 while in Venice with her aunt, Juliet Browning meets Leonardo Da Rossi and it's love at first sight. They have one secret evening together before Juliet's aunt whisks her off to Florence. Juliet finds herself back in Venice ten years later as a chaperone for a student trip, and meeting up with Leo again is magic. However, war is looming on the continent and Leo is promised in marriage to another. Will Juliet and  Leo be able to be together? In an alternating storyline set in 2001, Juliet's great-niece Caroline travels to Venice with items left to her by her aunt, hoping to uncover Juliet's past. The Venice Sketchbook is another enjoyable historical novel by Bowen.

Animal Instinct by David Rosenfelt

When Corey Douglas hears that Lisa Yates has been murdered, he feels immense regret that he wasn't able to do more for her other than file a report when he suspected she was a victim of domestic violence. Corey was a cop at that time, but now is a private investigator, along with his partners Laurie, Marcus and Simon (his K-9 dog). Corey decides he must find who killed Lisa, and the rest of his team agree. Corey believes that Lisa's boyfriend, Gerald Kline, was responsible, and when Gerald himself turns up dead, Corey is the prime suspect. Corey fights to clear his name and discover both Lisa's and Gerald's killer. Animal Instinct is the second book in the K Team series, an offshoot of Rosenfelt's long-running Andy Carpenter books.

One Got Away by S.A. Lelchuk

Private detective Nikki Griffin is hired by Martin Johannessen because he believes his mother is being blackmailed by Dr. Geoffrey Tyler Coombs. Coombs has also gotten lots of expensive gifts (with a value of over $1.5 million) from Mrs. Johannessen, which infuriates Martin to no end. When Nikki attempts to find out more about Coombs, she finds herself attracted to him, but also drawn into a dangerous web of violence, abuse, and lies. Will Nikki be able to extricate herself safely from the situation? This second book in the Nikki Griffin series is a great read-alike for Nick Petrie, Owen Laukkanen, and Lee Child.

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin

In 1939, Grace Bennett and her best friend, Viv, move from their village in Norfolk to London to live with Grace's mother's best friend, Mrs. Weatherford. Viv has a fake letter of reference, which helps her secure at job at Harrod's, while Grace is able to get a job at Primrose Hill Books, thanks to Mrs. Weatherford. Life during the war is filled with worry and danger, as the Germans bomb London daily. Grace, though, finds both courage and meaning working at the bookstore. The Last Bookshop in London explores everyday life during wartime through the eyes of Grace and those around her.

Dead by Dawn by Paul Doiron

Maine game warden Mike Bowditch agrees to a meeting with Mariette Chamberlain, whose father-in-law died four years ago. Mariette believes that the death investigation was closed too quickly by the game service and wants Mike to take another look at the case. As Mike proceeds with his interviews on this late December day, it becomes clear that someone wants to do him harm. The big questions are who and why--and whether Mike will even survive. Dead by Dawn will be published in June.

Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly

It's 1861 and New Yorker Georgy Woolsey is training to be a nurse during the war. Meanwhile, in Maryland, slave Jemma tries to survive the brutality of everyday life in order to someday be free. She is owned by self-centered snuff addict Anne-May, mistress of the Peeler Plantation. Sunflower Sisters tells the stories of these three women throughout the Civil War as their lives intersect. The Woolsey sisters (of which there are six) are the ancestors of Caroline Ferriday, the main character of Kelly's novel Lilac Girls.

Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson

After Abigail has a one night stand on her bachelorette weekend, she wonders if she should tell her fiancée Bruce or keep it a secret. She decides to not confide in Bruce, but when the guy, Scottie, appears in New York City right before the wedding, Abigail is on high alert. Abigail and Bruce marry and honeymoon on a small island in Maine that Bruce has chosen. Then Scottie shows up on the island and Abigail wonders what is going on. Every Vow You Break is an unputdownable novel that will have you turning the pages to figure out what Abigail has gotten herself into.

Exit by Belinda Bauer

In this dark comic novel, widower Felix Pink is an "Exiteer." He, along with a partner, sits with someone who is terminally ill as the client takes their own life. It's all done within the law, but one day it goes horribly wrong as he and his colleague, Amanda, mistakenly aide the wrong person. Felix wonders what exactly went awry and if he'll be charged with murder. Exit recounts the tale of the police--specifically PC Calvin Bridge--unraveling the crime that was committed and arresting who's responsible. Felix, meanwhile, tries to make amends with the man mistakenly left alive. With its wide cast of characters and interesting puzzle, this book was a real treat.

The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett

When a Russian pianist is murdered at Windsor Castle on the eve of her 90th birthday celebrations, Queen Elizabeth decides to do some investigating of her own, since it seems the authorities are on the wrong track. With help from her assistant private secretary, Rozie Oshodi, the Queen is able to uncover information that she can covertly use to help the police apprehend the killer. The Windsor Knot is a delightful mystery filled with lots of details about the Queen's everyday life and her relationship with her family. Hoping this becomes a series...

The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths

Ruth is back at the University of North Norfolk, now as the head of the archaeology department. When a group of detectorists discover some items that seem to be from the Bronze Age on a beach along with a dead body, Ruth is called to the crime scene to excavate. When an older couple are found dead of what appears to be a murder-suicide, DCI Nelson and his team wonder if the two cases are related, especially since the son of the victims, Paul Noakes, was present at the beach. Then, another death occurs and it becomes even clearer that all the deaths are connected. The Night Hawks continues the stories of Ruth and her family and friends in this long-running mystery series. It will be published in June.

Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews

Florence Darrow sees her job at a publishing house as temporary, since her goal is to be a published writer. When she's abruptly fired, Florence takes a position as an assistant to bestselling pseudonymous author Maud Dixon. Helen Wilcox (aka Maud Dixon) lives in upstate New York and Florence moves into the carriage house at the back of Helen's property. Florence is tasked with answering all of Maud Dixon's emails and transcribing her second novel into a computer. As Florence spends time with Helen, she becomes intrigued and somewhat entranced by her life. When they travel to Morocco so Helen can research her novel, there is a car accident, and it appears that Florence is the only survivor. Florence decides to take on Helen's identity since the authorities think she is Helen. How long will Florence be able to keep up her ruse--and where is Helen? A great read-alike for readers of Peter Swanson.

We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker

Duchess is thirteen and lives with her mother, Star, and little brother, Robin, in a small California town. Star is barely getting through the day, still traumatized by the death years ago of her younger sister, Sissy, caused by her high school boyfriend, Vincent. Her unstable home life has led Duchess to proclaim she's an outlaw and to present a hard exterior to anyone she meets or knows, even as she becomes parent and protector to Robin. Vincent, meanwhile, is in prison for the crime, while his best friend, Walk, the chief of police, watches over Duchess and Robin. We Begin at the End tells the story of Duchess and Walk and those around them as crimes from both the past and present resonate.

Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig

In the summer of 1917, eighteen graduates of Smith College volunteer to go to France as part of the Smith College Relief Unit. The women will be nine miles from the frontline trenches helping the residents of many small villages with food, housing, schooling, and medical care. The novel focuses on two of these women, Kate and Emmie, who were roommates and best friends while at Smith. Kate, unlike the other women, comes from a poor background, while everyone else, including Emmie, is wealthy. Taking details from a book written by one of the actual members of the unit and the trove of letters that the women sent home while working as part of the group, Willig has written an almost unbelievable story of perseverance, courage, and spunk. A worthy addition to the list of novels written about World War I.

The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck

It's March 1944 and American Virginia Hall works as a spy for the Allies. Her latest mission is travelling throughout the French countryside working as a wireless operator and arranging supply and ammunition drops for the resistance in anticipation of D-Day. Throughout Virginia's journey, the reader gets to know the people who are fighting against the Nazis and learns about Virginia's attempts to keep her distance and not become emotionally involved. The book also recounts, in suspenseful detail, Virginia's life undercover throughout the war and her amazing achievements--even as the enemy had wanted posters of her printed because she was so good at her job. The Invisible Woman tells the exciting story of World War II spy Virginia Hall in novel form. What a page turner--I had a hard time putting it down!