Typically the week of a major holiday sees the amount of books being released plummet, and this Thanksgiving is no exception. Luckily, there are some real winners in the handful of titles coming out. There’s a thrilling new mystery by Susan Hill and the first installment in an exciting new fantasy series, but it’s romance readers who are especially lucky, as 3 of the week’s best new books fall into their preferred genre. So, pick out a good book and have a happy Thanksgiving!
MYSTERY
The Comforts of Home by Susan Hill
Susan Hill—the Man Booker Prize nominee and winner of the Whitbread, Somerset Maugham, and John Llewellyn Rhys awards—returns with a hair-raising new novel, the ninth book in one of the most acclaimed mystery series of our time. Featuring the enigmatic and brooding chief police inspector Simon Serrailler, this intricate and pulse-pounding series follows a collection of grisly crimes plaguing the city of Lafferton—and The Comforts of Home is the most chilling and unputdownable installment yet.
In this gripping new thriller, Simon, eager to be back at work after recovering from a near-fatal injury, takes on a cold-case review for the Lafferton police about a girl who disappeared some years before. Meanwhile, his family adjusts to changes of its own; namely his sister’s marriage to Chief Constable Kieron Bright. But when events take an unfavorable turn for the Chief Constable and an arsonist goes on a deadly rampage in Lafferton, Simon’s personal and professional lives intertwine in more complex and devastating ways than ever before.
In the tradition of the fabulous mysteries of Ruth Rendell and P.D. James, The Comforts of Home is Susan Hill’s best work yet—a heart-pounding new addition to a highly-applauded and “elegant” (New York Times) series.
Description from Goodreads.
“Susan Hill [has an] effortless ability to terrify, astonish, and implicate us all in just a few sentences. . . . The Comforts of Home will provide no comfort at all, taking us into the chilling world of a remote Scottish island, and displaying Susan Hill’s trademark talent for the grotesque, the macabre, and the stunning.” – CrimeReads
“Hill’s writing prowess is on full view here; both newcomers and the series’ many established fans will find it difficult to leave the Serraillers’ world at the close of this long-awaited entry. A good choice for Louise Penny fans.” – Booklist
Available Formats:
ROMANCE
Tony’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani
Set in the lush Big Band era of the 1940s and World War II, this spellbinding saga from beloved New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani tells the story of two talented working class kids who marry and become a successful singing act, until time, temptation, and the responsibilities of home and family derail their dreams.
Shortly before World War II, Chi Chi Donatelli and Saverio Armandonada meet one summer on the Jersey shore and fall in love. Both are talented and ambitious, and both share the dream of becoming singers for the legendary orchestras of the time: Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman. They’re soon married, and it isn’t long before Chiara and Tony find that their careers are on the way up as they navigate the glamorous worlds of night clubs, radio and television. All goes well until it becomes clear that they must make a choice: Which of them will put their ambitions aside to raise a family and which will pursue a career? And how will they cope with the impact that decision has on their lives and their marriage?
From the Jersey shore to Las Vegas to Hollywood, and all the dance halls in between, this multi-layered story is vivid with historical color and steeped in the popular music that serves as its score. Tony’s Wife is a magnificent epic of life in a traditional Italian family undergoing seismic change in a fast paced, modern world. Filled with vivid, funny and unforgettable characters, this richly human story showcases Adriana Trigiani’s gifts as a storyteller and her deep understanding of family, love and the pursuit of the American dream.
Description from Goodreads.
“Like Trigiani’s best work, Tony’s Wife is an immersive experience, with well-rounded, warm characters, pre-WWII fashion, Jersey accents, and homemade pasta. Moving and delightful.” – Booklist
“A heartfelt tale of love too stubborn to surrender to human frailties.” – Kirkus Reviews
“She keenly observes the dynamics of Italian families, providing rich visual detail and mouth-watering descriptions of meals, without venturing into caricatures. … It’s clear she knows and loves this world. Her affection for even the most flawed characters shines through.” – USA Today
Available Formats:
Print Book | Audiobook | eBook | eAudiobook
Master of His Fate by Barbara Taylor Bradfod
Victorian England is a country of sharp divides between rich and poor, but James Lionel Falconer is everything a self-made man should be: handsome, ambitious, charming, and brimming with self-confidence. Even as a boy working in his father’s market stall in Camden, he was determined to become a merchant prince. Through hard work and a single-minded determination, James rises quickly through the ranks, with a loving wife, devoted children, and a lofty position in the Malvern & Malvern Company. But when back-to-back tragedies strike the Falconer home, shattering this idyllic life, it seems as though James might never recover his former glory…until a royal summons gives him the chance to prove that he truly is a master of the game.
The first book in an expansive and intricately detailed new historical fiction series from master storyteller Barbara Taylor Bradford, Master of His Fate is filled with drama, intrigue, and Bradford’s trademark cast of compelling characters.
Description from Goodreads.
“[T]his series opener nicely sets the groundwork for future installments. Bradford’s many fans will find a vast new cast of characters to connect with.” – Publishers Weekly
“The launch of what promises to be another blockbuster Bradford series.” – Kirkus Reviews
“[A] well-written story with great characters and a look at the Victorian time period of Queen Victoria.” – Red Carpet Crash
Available Formats:
The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
She was in the wrong place…
Fiercely independent and adventurous, Poppy Bridgerton will only wed a suitor whose keen intellect and interests match her own. Sadly, none of the fools from her London season qualify. While visiting a friend on the Dorset coast, Poppy is pleasantly surprised to discover a smugglers’ hideaway tucked inside a cave. But her delight turns to dismay when two pirates kidnap her and take her aboard a ship, leaving her bound and gagged on the captain’s bed…
He found her at the wrong time…
Known to society as a rascal and reckless privateer, Captain Andrew James Rokesby actually transports essential goods and documents for the British government. Setting sail on a time-sensitive voyage to Portugal, he’s stunned to find a woman waiting for him in his cabin. Surely, his imagination is getting the better of him. But no, she is very real—and his duty to the Crown means he’s stuck with her.
Can two wrongs make the most perfect right?
When Andrew learns that she is a Bridgerton, he knows he will likely have to wed her to avert a scandal—though Poppy has no idea that he is the son of an earl and neighbor to her aristocratic cousins in Kent. On the high seas, their war of words soon gives way to an intoxicating passion. But when Andrew’s secret is revealed, will his declaration of love be enough to capture her heart…?
Description from Goodreads.
“Quinn’s clever dialogue makes the characters sparkle, and Andrew’s passion for engineering especially educates and entertains. This is a real treat for Quinn’s fans and anyone who loves historical romance.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“Quinn’s mastery of banter, character development, and the slow build of romantic and sexual tension is on full display in the newest Rokesby title (a series of 18th-century prequels to the Bridgerton Regency romances). Mentions of puzzles and architecture add interesting texture to an already compelling story. Delightful and charming.” – Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“I laughed and I sighed and I just had a great time with this one…” – Book Binge
Available Formats:
SCI-FI & FANTASY
City of Broken Magic by Mirah Bolender
Five hundred years ago, magi created a weapon they couldn’t control. An infestation that ate magic—and anything else it came into contact with. Enemies and allies were equally filling.
Only an elite team of non-magical humans, known as sweepers, can defuse and dispose of infestations before they spread. Most die before they finish training.
Laura, a new team member, has stayed alive longer than most. Now, she’s the last—and only—sweeper standing between the city and a massive infestation.
Description from Goodreads.
“This debut builds a fascinating setting that readers will want to keep coming back to.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“With complex characters, political intrigue, and discussion of feminism and the caste system…[r]eaders will enjoy City of Broken Magic and its fresh spin on the fantasy genre.” – Booklist
“An enjoyable, anime-influenced romp.” – Locus