The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen

It's Susan's and her teenager Zoe's first visit to Purity, Maine after Susan married Ethan Conover. Soon after their arrival, Zoe disappears. Acting police chief Jo Thibodeau wonders what could have happened to her. The Martini Club (four retired CIA agents--Maggie, Declan, Ben, and Ingrid) decide to get involved, much to Jo's dismay. Could Zoe's disappearance be connected to murders over fifty years ago one July day? The Summer Guests continues the adventures of the Martini Club. I loved the first book in the series and had high hopes for this one, but it's a miss for me. The book focused on too many characters instead of developing a few of them really well. In addition, the mystery itself wasn't that interesting. It will be published in March.

The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

Frank Szatowski, estranged from his daughter, Maggie, gets a call inviting him to her wedding. Maggie is marrying artist, Aidan, son of wealthy businessman Errol Gardner. The wedding will be held at the Gardner estate in New Hampshire. As Frank gets to know Aidan and his family, he becomes more and more uneasy about the marriage, but his pleas to Maggie to reconsider fall on deaf ears. Even Frank's sister, Tammy, who accompanies him to New Hampshire, tells Frank to keep his feelings to himself, lest his relationship with Maggie becomes even more fractured. As two deaths circle around the Gardners, Frank cannot let his suspicions rest. The Last One at the Wedding is a page turner with humor, heart, and a great read-alike for Harlan Coben. I loved that I couldn't predict what was going to happen! It will be published in October.

The Tea Ladies by Amanda Hampson

It's 1965 and Hazel Bates works as the tea lady at Sydney's Empire Fashionwear in the garment district in Surry Hills. In her job travelling between the floors of the dress company, Hazel gets to know the dressmakers, the machinists, the people in accounts, and the owners--the Karps. One day Hazel sees a woman in the window at the abandoned bond store across the street. Soon after, the bond store is on fire and one of Hazel's coworkers is found dead. It's up to Hazel and her fellow tea ladies, Betty, Irene, and Merl to find a murderer. The Tea Ladies is the first book in the series and gives the reader a great sense of place of working class 1960's Sydney.

Wordhunter by Stella Sands

Living in Florida, Maggie is working on her Master's in forensic linguistics and has a real gift in interpreting and finding patterns in the written word. After the local police department asks for her assistance in a stalking case and Maggie succeeds in pointing them in the right direction, she becomes part of the team when the mayor's teenage daughter goes missing. However, all of Maggie's demons lie just below the surface--her best friend Lucy's disappearance when they were teenagers, her mother's death from cancer, and Maggie numbing herself from the pain by drinking too much. Jackson, a cop in his 40's, becomes a friend and a confidant, and just might give Maggie the support she needs. An interesting debut that leaves the story open for a sequel.

Highway Thirteen: Stories by Fiona McFarlane

In this collection of linked short stories, the common thread is the twelve murders committed by killer Paul Biga. Biga is loosely based on the real life serial killer Ivan Milat. Laid bare to the reader is how violence and trauma can affect so many. There's Simon from England, whose older sister was backpacking in Australia and disappeared. While Eva and her husband, Gerald, lived across the street from Biga when he was young and are witness to the tearing down of the home many years later. In another story, May lives with her boyfriend and suspects that he could be the one the authorities are looking for. Other stories feature a famous actor playing Biga in a miniseries, a politician running for re-election with the bad luck to have the last name Biga, and a group of English schoolgirls' trip to Rome that has a connection to the case. The stories, spanning over 70 years with characters of a wide variety of ages, are thought provoking and hard to forget.

The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen

It's 1968 and journalist Liz Houghton is stuck writing obituaries after her big story is quashed by her superiors. When her flatmate, Marisa--who works for the London Metropolitan Police--is sent to the seaside with a lead on the whereabouts of a missing young girl named Lucy, Liz decides to travel there herself, figuring that it might make a good news story. While there, Liz learns about a village, Tydeham, where the residents were forced by the government to leave during World War II. Liz also begins to have memories of her childhood that don't match what she's always remembered about growing up. The Rose Arbor is another engrossing historical read by Bowen with a strong mystery element and a main character you really want to succeed.

The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu

It's the beginning of the school year at Baldwin High School in Houston when substitute teacher Mr. Lehrer dies in the teacher's lounge. Mr. Lehrer had taught at Baldwin for many years and, after retiring, came back to sub. While Mr. Lehrer died of natural causes, his passing sets off a chain of events that could cost respected Principal Kendricks his job. In The Faculty Lounge, the reader meets many of the people who work at Baldwin: teachers, administrators, the school nurse, and even a janitor. An enjoyable, humorous read similar to Help Wanted, Last Night at the Lobster, and the novels of Tom Perrotta.

The Waiting by Michael Connelly

Renee Ballard is the head of the LAPD's Open-Unsolved Unit. She and her team of volunteers work on a variety of cases at the same time. It turns out that the unit has a lead on a series on crimes from the early 2000's. Someone nicknamed the "Pillowcase Rapist" assaulted dozens of women and killed one (his last, in 2005). The team has gotten a familial DNA match, which means they can hopefully now trace and arrest the person who was responsible for the crimes. In addition, Harry Bosch's daughter, Maddie, also part of the LAPD, has come to volunteer for the unit. Maddie would like to move up the ranks, figuring the experience working with Renee will help her chances. Maddie also believes that she might have solved the infamous Black Dahlia case. Will both Renee and Maddie get what they're looking for? The Waiting  will be published in October.

The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff

Growing up as next door neighbors and friends in the 1940s, Joseph and Evelyn fall in love. Almost sixty years later, they make the decision to end their lives in twelve months because Evelyn has been diagnosed with an advanced case of Parkinson's. Joseph reasons he can't live without the love of his life. Their three grown children--Jane, Thomas, and Violet--are furious with their decision and wish they would change their minds. In The Days I Loved You Most, the story alternates between recounting the many years of the ups and downs of their marriage while exploring how Joseph's and Evelyn's decision has affected both of them and their family.

The Most by Jessica Anthony

It's 1957 and Kathleen--mother of Nathaniel and Nicholas, wife of Virgil-- decides not to go to church on Sunday. She instead spends the day in the pool of the apartment complex they live in. Virgil, perplexed at her actions, wants her to get out of the pool so he can go and play golf. The novella explores Kathleen's and Virgil's marriage through both their points of view. Give to fans of Katherine Heiny and Claire Keegan.

Just One Taste by Lizzy Dent

Food critic Olive is surprised when her estranged father Nicky leaves her his restaurant (named Nicky's) in his will. Olive and Nicky had not spoken in many years, but Nicky was extremely close with his sous chef, Leo Ricci. In addition, Nicky was working on a cookbook when he died and Olive decides she will finish the cookbook with Leo. Completing the book means several weeks spent with Leo in Sicily, Tuscany, and Liguria. The trip starts off tense because Olive has told Leo that she will be selling the restaurant when they get back to London. But as they work together, eating and cooking their way around Italy, it becomes obvious they both have feelings for each other. Is their time together just a fling or something more? Just One Taste is a perfect beach read filled with likeable characters and luscious descriptions of food.

Our Kind of Game by Johanna Copeland

Stella is married to Tom and has two teenage children--Colin and Daisy. One evening when fellow mom, Gwen, knocks on her door and seems to be in distress, it causes Stella's life to come crashing down. What did Gwen want and why did she leave her purse and phone behind? How is Stella connected to a teenager named Julie, whom the reader learns about in an alternate storyline set in 1987? Our Kind of Game is a great read-alike for Lisa Jewell and Erin Kelly.

Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos

On July 4th, when a plane crashes in Lincoln County, Nevada, sheriff Porter Beck discovers that it went down on land owned by his childhood friend, Jesse. Porter has not seen Jesse in a while and, after visiting him, realizes that Jesse is probably involved in some illegal activities. It also seems that someone deliberately crashed the plane on his land. But why? Soon, Porter and his colleagues find themselves caught between a Mexican drug cartel, a teenage hacker, Chinese spies, and the federal government. Shades of Mercy is the second book in the Porter Beck series and features even more action than the first. A great choice for readers who like mysteries and thrillers.

The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan

After being given a leave of absence from her job because of her drinking, Jane, an archivist, moves back to her hometown of Awadapquit, Maine. Jane is living in her mother's home that she and her sister, Holly, are getting ready to sell. With not a lot to do, Jane agrees to help Genevieve, a wealthy new resident, research the history of her house. Genevieve believes the house, built in the 1800's, is haunted. The Cliffs tells the story of Jane and the inhabitants of Genevieve's house over the years, and delves into the Native American history of the area. A great choice for book groups.

Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller

After Lula Dean has succeeded in removing all the books she has deemed inappropriate from all the school libraries and the public library in Troy, Georgia, she creates a little library in her front lawn, featuring the books she feels people should be reading. However, someone secretly removes the actual books and takes the book jackets from Lula's recommendations and puts them on books that have been banned. The novel tells the stories of the townspeople who read these books and the effects reading the books have on their lives. One also wonders what will happen when Lula finds out about the switch. A humorous, satirical read. Readalikes include The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, The Revenge of the Radioactive Lady, and Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women's Literary Society.

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

Rocky has always looked forward to the family's annual summer vacation to Cape Cod. She and her husband, Nick, have been renting the same house for over twenty years. This year, in the midst of menopause, watching her parents age, and her two children (Jamie and Willa) well on their way to having their own lives, Rocky finds past events more on her mind than ever. Sandwich explores motherhood, marriage, and being someone's daughter at midlife. A great choice for book discussions.

How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley

At 70, Daphne has shut herself off from the world for the past fifteen years. Impulsively, she decides to join the senior citizens social group at the local community center to try and make some friends. Art, an actor whose job prospects have dried up, becomes a member too. When part of the ceiling of the building collapses at the first meeting, the group might be over before it's even started, since there's talk of the local council closing the center. Lydia, who runs the club, might then lose her job, and teenage single dad Ziggy will not have the low cost daycare that's also housed in the building, which he needs for his baby daughter, Kylie. Told through the eyes of Daphne, Art, Lydia, and Ziggy, the novel highlights the group's camaraderie and friendship and their aim to keep the center open. A great read-alike for Freya Sampson and The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett.

Agony Hill by Sarah Stewart Taylor

It's 1965 and Franklin Warren is starting a new job with the Vermont State Police after leaving Boston under difficult circumstances. He's called out to the Weber farm on Agony Hill where Hugh Weber is found dead in the family's barn. Hugh made many enemies in the small town of Bethany with his outspoken beliefs and his weekly letters to the local newspaper. His much younger wife, Sylvie, also falls under suspicion. In this first book in a new series, Taylor introduces the reader to many interesting characters that hopefully will be featured in future books. Perfect for readers who enjoy Julia Spencer-Fleming. It will be published in August.

Everyone Knows But You by Thomas E. Ricks

FBI agent Ryan Tapia is settling into his new job in coastal Maine when he's called out to help pull a dead body out of the water. The victim, Ricky Cutts, was not well liked in Liberty Island. Ryan finds himself an outsider in the small town where the residents seem to abide by a different code. As Ryan deals with the demons that caused him to move across the country from California, he also works hard to uncover who was responsible for the crime. Everyone Knows But You is a solid read, perfect for those who enjoy mysteries set in the outdoors.

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

Nantucket police chief Ed Kapenash is a few days from retirement when Bull and Leslie Richardson's home burns to the ground. Additionally, their assistant, Coco, is missing. The Richardsons have had the whole island abuzz this summer, gossiping about their lavish parties, with people clamoring to be on the guest list. However, since the Richardsons are newcomers, residents are also wondering about their pasts before they arrived on Nantucket. Told through the eyes of Coco and the many residents of Nantucket, the reader gets to see everyone's lives leading up to that fateful night. In her last novel set on Nantucket, Hilderbrand also mentions lots of the people and places (Tuckernuck!) from her other books, giving longtime readers a special treat.

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

Ali is a shell of herself since her husband, Pete, said he wants a divorce, and her mother's death two years ago. When she meets a guy named Ethan at the local dog park, Ali begins to feel something other than sadness and grief. With her three children in camp for the summer, she also has time to spend with Ethan. In fact, Ethan knew her when they were young, and remembers the confident, self-assured Ali that he had a crush on. Soon, it's obvious to everyone how deep Ali's and Ethan's feelings are for each other. Can this be more than a summer romance? In her third novel, Monaghan rebounds from her lackluster second book with another sure bet romance.

Last House by Jessica Shattuck

In 1953, Nick and Bet Taylor live with their two children, Katherine and Harry, in suburban Connecticut. Nick, a veteran of World War II, works as a lawyer for American Oil, and has recently travelled to Iran for business. Bet, meanwhile, is a housewife, but had dreams of getting a PhD in American Literature. Later in the late 1960's, Katherine's and Harry's values run counter to their parents as Katherine becomes involved in the anti war movement and Harry attempts to find his own path. Last House is the saga of the Taylor family over the course of 80 years. For readers who enjoyed The Dearly Beloved and Ask Again, Yes.

The Last Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal

In this final book of the Maggie Hope series, it's 1944 and Maggie is asked to go undercover by fellow spy Kim Philby to discover how far Germany has progressed in building an atomic bomb. Maggie has to go to Madrid and get close to Nobel prize winning German physicist Werner Heisenberg. If Heisenberg is building the weapon, Maggie must then assassinate him. Travelling to Spain, Maggie encounters both friends and foes, including fashion designer Coco Chanel, and it's hard to know whom to trust. Will Maggie get the happily ever after she deserves?

A Lonesome Place for Dying by Nolan Chase

Ethan Brand has just been appointed the police chief in Blaine, Washington. He's been on the force for fifteen years, but some are not happy that he's now in charge. In fact, someone has put an animal heart on Ethan's front porch with a note telling him to quit. When a woman's body is found near the train tracks, Ethan and his team are under pressure to solve the first murder that Blaine has seen in many years. A Lonesome Place for Dying is an engaging mystery with an interesting main character and story. Here's hoping this will become a series. A great read-alike for C.J. Box, Paul Doiron, J.A. Jance's J.P. Beaumont series and Northwoods by Amy Pease.

Lovers and Liars by Amanda Eyre Ward

Children's librarian Sylvie has found love after much heartbreak. Her husband, Alexander, died in a car accident ten years ago. She is now engaged to Simon, a wealthy British man whose family owns Mumberton Castle in the north of England, where the wedding will be held. Sylvie has invited her sisters Cleo and Emma and their mother Donna for a weekend of festivities leading up to the nuptials. The sisters have lost touch, although all three are united in their feelings towards Donna, who was both aloof and self-centered as they were growing up. Cleo brings her boyfriend, Danny, as her guest, although their relationship is on shaky ground because Cleo is in love with her friend, Isaac. Cleo has also been keeping a secret from Sylvie that she should have confessed long ago. Middle sister Emma, happily married with two kids, is not far from financial ruin, which she has not told her husband Rich about. In Lovers and Liars, the sisters bond, confess, and work through their problems together.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles

In 1918, Jessie Carson leaves her job as a children's librarian at the New York Public Library to work for the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD) in an area that was decimated by the Germans in the war. The philanthropist Anne Morgan created the group, which consists entirely of women. The village that Jessie is based in, Blerancourt, is largely destroyed-- the people living there are shellshocked and fighting to survive. Jessie and the rest of the Cards find themselves bonding with the residents and each other. In an alternating storyline set in 1987, aspiring writer Wendy Peterson works in the Remembrance Department at NYPL and stumbles upon articles about the CARDs and vows to make their work, all but forgotten, better known. Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is a sure bet for readers who enjoyed Skelsien Charles' book The Paris Library  or Lauren Willig's Band of Sisters.

Don't Let the Devil Ride by Ace Atkins

Addison McKellar is oblivious to how her husband, Dean, makes his money. So when he goes missing and she visits where his office is located, she is stunned to discover that it doesn't exist. Addison then hires private detective Porter Hayes to find out what happened to Dean. Dean, however, has been involved in lots of illegal activity--Dean might not even be his real name. Don't Let the Devil Ride is filled with colorful characters reminiscent of Elmore Leonard, Tarantino, and S.A. Cosby and has a great sense of place in Memphis. It will be published next month.

Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron

When Hammond Pratt goes missing, game warden Mike Bowditch goes to investigate. Pratt had come to Maine from Idaho, looking for a man and his daughter who were living in the woods. The man, Mark Redmond, is building a cabin near the Canadian border for a woman named Josie Jonson, who is close with Stacey (Mike's wife) and her father, Charley Stevens. The simple act of finding a missing person leads Mike on a trail of violence and murder, with even Mike himself fighting for survival. Pitch Dark is similar in format to Doiron's Dead by Dawn. It will be published next month.

The Widow Spy by Megan Campisi

It's 1861 and Kate Warne and several of her Pinkerton colleagues are trying to break Confederate spy Rose Greenhow. They are searching Greenhow's home for her cipher key, because finding it would help the Union's cause immensely. Greenhow, however, is clever and threatens to derail the group's plans. In The Widow Spy, Campisi details the life of Kate, who was a real person. An interesting read for those who enjoy historical fiction featuring female characters.

Death in the Details by Katie Tietjen

In the years after World War II, widow Maple Bishop lives in Elderberry, Vermont, mourning the deaths of her husband and brother and wondering how she is going to earn enough money to keep her home. A trained lawyer, Maple also makes dollhouses and all the accessories to go with them. Soon, Maple has set up shop in the local hardware store and is taking orders, but discovering the body of Elijah Wallace in his barn could derail her plans. The sheriff considers Maple a busybody and tells her to keep her opinions to herself about Wallace's murder. Yet Maple, with the help of young police officer, Kenny, just might solve the case herself. Death in the Details is a great start to a new mystery series, perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Susan Elia MacNeal, and Allison Montclair.

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

Lauren has a big problem. She comes home from a night of partying to find her husband at home--but she's not married. She soon discovers that something bizarre is happening in her attic. It is able to produce an endless supply of husbands. If she doesn't like the husband she's been given, she can just send him up in the attic and he disappears and is replaced with a new one, each having his own history with her. Uncovering the backstory of her life with each current husband can be exhausting at times. In addition, even though time is moving forward, Lauren sometimes finds her close friends' and family's lives have changed too. The Husbands is an interesting and original look at one woman's journey to find a life that works for her.

Trust Her by Flynn Berry

After escaping with their lives in Northern Spy, Tessa and her sister, Marian, now live in Dublin with their children. It's been three years since Tessa and Marian informed on the IRA, and the duo wonder all the time if they are safe--even though the sisters were given new identities. Tessa, though, is kidnapped by the IRA and forced to reestablish contact with her MI5 agent and try to get him to work for the IRA. If Tessa doesn't, her family will be harmed. Tessa worries constantly about the safety of her four-year-old son Finn and also wonders if she and Marian will ever be able to extricate themselves from the situation they are in. Like Northern Spy, Trust Her is a suspenseful read that will have you turning the pages. It will be published in June.

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

Every time Daphne meets a new guy, she finds a piece of paper with his name on it and the amount of time they will spend together. It's been this way all of her dating life, starting in 5th grade. However, on her latest blind date with Jake, the paper has only his name. What does this mean? Has Daphne finally met the one? Could it possibly be that simple?

Sylvia's Second Act by Hillary Yablon

When sixty-three-old Sylvia discovers her husband, Louis, has been unfaithful, it's the jump start she needs to realize that she no longer loves Louis and is unhappy with their life in Florida. Sylvia decides to move to New York City with her best friend, Evie, for a fresh start. Soon, Sylvia finds herself working as a wedding planner and subletting an apartment in the West Village. While organizing the wedding of Ashton and Dan, Sylvia begins to have feelings of Ashton's father, Frank. Should Sylvia act on her feelings or wait until after the wedding since a permanent position as a wedding planner depends on how well this wedding goes? Sylvia's Second Act is a light and fun look at a second chance at happiness.

The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski

In the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Esther has been making food with her fellow "funeral ladies" for seventy years. Recently, she has been the victim of an online scam and is in danger of losing her home if she doesn't come up with $30,000. Her granddaughter Iris, who also lives in Ellerie County, comes up with the idea of covering the debt by publishing a cookbook with all the recipes that Esther and her friends have made through the years. Iris is also the owner of a rental property in which Cooper Welsh and his family are staying. Cooper, his younger half-sister Cricket and celebrity chef dad Ivan, are in town for the funeral of his stepmother, Annabelle. Iris and Cooper are soon spending time together and falling in love. However, Cooper's ongoing trauma from being involved in the aftermath of a shooting threatens their relationship. In The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County, the reader sees the story through Esther, Iris, and Cooper's eyes as family bonds are tested and strengthened.

Help Wanted by Adelle Waldman

The employees of the big box store Town Square in Potterstown, New York are an interesting bunch. When the group of people who work in movement (unloading the trucks at 4am) discover that the top boss is leaving (meaning that means one of them might be promoted) they hatch a plan to pretend that their direct boss, Meredith, is wonderful, hoping that she'll be elevated to the top position, so none of them will have to work with her anymore. Several of them also dream of what a promotion would mean for themselves. In Help Wanted, Waldman creates a novel that explores the lives of contemporary working class Americans--struggling to pay bills, wanting health insurance, and trying to better their situations. It's a touching, heartfelt, and at times lighthearted portrait.

Trouble by Lex Croucher

When her dear sister Amy falls ill, Emily reluctantly decides to go in her place to be the new governess at Fairmont House so Amy does not lose the position. Where Amy is kind to everyone and loves children, Emily is ornery and dislikes kids. However, the residents of Fairmont House are a quirky crew, and soon Emily finds herself liking her co-workers and having feelings for Captain Edwards, the widowed head of the household and father to two teenagers--Aster and Grace. Trouble is a delightful historical romance with a contemporary bent and is perfect for readers who enjoyed The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

A Wild and Heavenly Place by Robin Oliveira

In 1878 Glasgow, Samuel Fiddes lives with his five-year-old sister Alison in poverty. Their parents and siblings died of diphtheria several years ago. Samuel, who can read and write and has a knack for numbers, dreams of a better life for himself and Alison. He has had his eye on wealthy Hailey MacIntyre after seeing her weekly in church, but he knows her parents would never approve. Yet Samuel and Hailey secretly start to spend time together after Samuel saves Hailey's younger brother's life. When the MacIntyre family sets sail for Seattle after losing their fortune, Hailey asks Samuel to follow her there. In A Wild and Heavenly Place, the reader follows Samuel and Hayley over the next four years as they individually make their lives in the Pacific Northwest--a land of enormous promise, yet at times dangerous and lawless. Will Samuel and Hayley's love be strong enough to let them eventually be together? A great read-alike for Sandra Dallas.

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita

Police detective Cara Kennedy is still trying to find out how her husband Aaron and son Dylan died. One clue lies in the photo she found of her, Aaron, and Dylan on the phone of a dead gang member. There are photos of other people on the phone too. Could there be a connection between them? Meanwhile, Ellie Wright--owner of the Cozy Condo Inn in Point Mettier--is mourning the death of her estranged son, Timmy. A third story in the novel is that of Mia--a waitress and office cleaner--who left the secluded community of Unity for life in Anchorage. Village in the Dark is the tale of the trio of women, along with other characters who featured in Yamashita's first book in the series, City Under One Roof. A solid mystery that builds on the previous book and pushes the series forward.

Float Up, Sing Down by Laird Hunt

It's 1982 in Bright Creek, Indiana. In this story collection, the reader spends a day with the inhabitants of this small town. There's teenagers Della and Sugar who are in the beginnings of a relationship, despite others' objections. Sugar's best friend, Greg, is obsessed with Kung Fu and works at the Galaxy Swirl with Della, while Della's grandfather Hank (the former sheriff) is stuck mulling between the past and present in his mind. Other people we hear from are Cubby, who owns the local garage, and Candy, an older resident who mourns her best friend, Irma Ray. For readers who enjoy Kent Haruf and Shannon Bowring.

Knife Skills by Wendy Church

The only job Chicago chef Sagarine could find was working at a restaurant owned by Russian mobster Anatoly. When Louie the head chef is murdered, Sagarine is promoted. In addition to being in charge at the restaurant, she begins to cater dinners at Anatoly's home. Soon, the FBI persuades Sagarine to work for them, but when she falls for Ekaterina (the only female member of Anatoly's crew) the situation becomes even more complicated and dangerous. Will Sagarine be able to keep her betrayal secret? Knife Skills is a very twisty novel, but perhaps it twists the knife one time too many.

The Comfort of Ghosts by Jacqueline Winspear

It's 1945 and World War II is over. With the death of Lord Julian Compton, Maisie is helping her former mother-in-law, Lady Rowan, settle Lord Julian's affairs. When squatters are discovered at the family's London mansion, Maisie lets the lawyers know she will look into the matter. Maisie's investigation leads her to protect some of the youngest people who worked for Britain in the war effort. In this final book of the Maisie Dobbs series, Winspear lets the reader visit with all the characters in Maisie's world one last time. The Comfort of Ghosts will be published in June.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

Author Amanda Bailey decides to write a book about the Alperton Angels case. Twenty years ago, three members of a cult were found dead, while the two teenage members of the group escaped with a baby. Amanda decides to focus her research on finding where the baby is now. Amanda soon learns, however, that there are some who want to forget that the Alperton Angels ever existed and will kill to keep the case buried. The story is told through emails, letters, and transcripts of interviews that Amanda does with all those involved over the last two decades, heightening the suspense and getting the reader involved in the puzzle.

Hero by Thomas Perry

Justine Poole works for the private security firm Spengler-Nash. One evening, Justine is assisting her boss Ben, making sure Jerry and Estelle Pinsky get home safely. Justine and Ben succeed in protecting the Pinskys, but Justine kills two of the five men who were attempting to rob the couple at their home. Mr. Conger, who hired the robbers, is embarrassed that a woman was able to basically take out five men. He hires hit man Leo Sealy to kill Justine. Hero follows the cat and mouse game between Justine and Sealy around Los Angeles. Will Justine be able to stay alive and eliminate the threat?

Lowbridge by Lucy Campbell

Katherine moves to her husband Jamie's hometown of Lowbridge, a small community about an hour outside of Sydney, after their teenage daughter Maggie's death. Katherine is devastated by Maggie's passing and is numbing her grief with pills and alcohol. Katherine and Jamie are also drifting apart as a couple. One day, Katherine happens upon the Lowbridge Historical Society. Eventually, volunteering there starts to help her to heal. When Katherine decides to organize an exhibition about the history of the women's center that opened thirty years ago, she discovers articles about teenager Tess Dawes who went missing around that time. Katherine becomes interested in Tess' story, much to the dismay of Jamie. In an alternating storyline, the reader is taken back to 1986 to get a firsthand look at Tess and her friends Sim and Luisa. Will Katherine be able to find out what happened to Tess all those years ago? Lowbridge is a great read-alike for the novels of Christian White and Silence by Susan Allott.

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

Neither Ike Randolph nor Buddy Lee Jenkins were accepting of their gay sons. Isiah and Derek met in college, fell in love, married, and had a three-year-old daughter, Arianna. Recently, however, Isiah and Derek were murdered and the police have no leads on the killer. Both Ike and Buddy Lee are grieving and angry, and they want justice for their boys. Both ex-cons (now with regular jobs), Ike and Buddy Lee team up--an unlikely pair, with Ike being black and Buddy Lee a southern white man, yet having their loss and regret in common. They will stop at nothing to avenge their sons deaths and make the killer pay.

Northwoods by Amy Pease

Eli North has hit rock bottom. He is drinking too much. He has nightmares about and continued trauma from his service in Afghanistan. He works as a deputy in the local police department, where his mother Marge is the sheriff. One night, while on duty and drunk, he finds local teenager Ben Sharpe dead.  Also, Ben's friend Caitlin Wallace has gone missing. In the northwoods Wisconsin resort town of Shaky Lake, the police operate on a very limited budget, so Marge, Eli, and their two fellow officers finds themselves working with Chicago-based FBI agent Alyssa Mason. In her debut novel, Pease writes a story with a great sense of place, interesting characters, and a mystery that has the reader guessing until the end. I hope we see more of Eli North or at least another book by the author. A great read-alike title would be The Distant Dead by Heather Young.

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

Evie Porter is thrilled that her relationship with Ryan is getting serious and that he's asked her to move in. However, her excitement isn't for the usual reasons--she's been hired to get close to Ryan and report back to her boss, Mr. Smith. In fact, Evie is not even her real name. First Lie Wins is a fast-paced novel with many twists and turns as Evie tries to stay one step ahead of those who are out there to take her down. A great read-alike for Liv Constantine, Julie Clark, and Greer Hendricks.

Northern Spy by Flynn Berry

Tessa lives with her young son Finn outside of Belfast and is a producer at the BBC. One day, her sister Marian is seen participating in an armed robbery. The police tell Tessa that Marian is a member of the IRA. Tessa doesn't believe it's true, since both she and Marian are against all the violence that has occurred over the years. What if the evidence the authorities have is real? Could Marian really have put Tessa and Finn in danger? Northern Spy keeps the reader on the edge of their seat as Marian's decisions have serious repercussions for everyone.

Invisible Woman by Katie Lief

Joni's past and her friendship with college roommate Val come rushing back when Hollywood bigwig Lou Pridgen is accused of assaulting several women. In the 1980's, Jodi directed two critically acclaimed films--the first starring Val, who was raped at that time by Lou and another man. Val decided to not go to the police then, and she and Joni lost touch. For the past twenty-five years, Joni has focused on motherhood and her marriage to Paul, who found major success in television. Lately, Joni has been unhappy with Paul and his work obsession. When Joni contacts Val to talk about what happened in the past, both women's lives change irrevocably. Invisible Woman is a page turner in the style of Peter Swanson.