“…if TV has taught us anything, it’s that the murder rate in small villages is disproportionately high.” – Kristen Perrin, How to Solve Your Own Murder
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
fiction / historical fiction / fantasy / mystery.
Haven Ambrose, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist, has come to the sun-soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artifacts beneath the azure waters; she is secretly on a quest to locate a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. Upon Haven’s arrival, strange maelstroms and misfortunes start plaguing the town. Is it nature or something more sinister at work?
As Haven searches for her father’s sunken treasure, she begins to unearth a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery and one woman’s quest to save her lover and her village by using the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the ocean. Could this magic be behind Positano’s latest calamities? Haven must unravel the Amalfi Curse before the region is destroyed forever…
Against the dazzling backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, this bewitching novel shimmers with mystery, romance and the untamed magic of the sea.
“[A] rousing story of witches, deep sea diving, and family secrets… Penner keeps the pages turning with cliffhangers and complex characters. The author’s fans will enjoy this adventure.” – Publishers Weekly
“Penner concocts a mystical page-turner that will leave readers spellbound. Perfect for fans of female-driven historical fiction and fantasy, with just the right amount of intrigue.” – Allison Cho, Booklist
“…Sarah Penner delivers another atmospheric, spellbinding, dual-timeline novel… With Penner’s evocative storytelling and richly drawn settings, The Amalfi Curse deftly weaves together two lives, two mysteries, and two hundred years of secrets in one sweeping tale of magic, myth, and the enduring pull of destiny.” – Tracey Devlyn, Suspense Magazine
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker
fiction / horror / mystery / suspense.
Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner, washing away the remains of brutal murders and suicides in Chinatown. But none of that seems so terrible when she’s already witnessed the most horrific thing possible: her sister, Delilah, being pushed in front of a train.
Before fleeing the scene, the murderer shouted two words: bat eater.
So the bloody messes don’t really bother Cora—she’s more bothered by the germs on the subway railing, the bare hands of a stranger, the hidden viruses in every corner, and the bite marks on her coffee table. Of course, ever since Delilah was killed in front of her, Cora can’t be sure what’s real and what’s in her head.
She pushes away all feelings and ignores the advice of her aunt to prepare for the Hungry Ghost Festival, when the gates of hell open. But she can’t ignore the dread in her stomach as she keeps finding bat carcasses at crime scenes, or the scary fact that all her recent cleanups have been the bodies of East Asian women.
As Cora will soon learn, you can’t just ignore hungry ghosts.
For fans of Stephen Graham Jones and Gretchen Felker-Martin, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is a wildly original, darkly humorous, and subversive contemporary novel from a striking new voice in horror.
“YA author Baker writes an adult debut that frightens to the bone, deftly illustrating trauma and paranoia in aching prose and with perfectly timed grim humor.” – Emily Vinci, Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“[Baker] deftly explores weighty themes of grief, mental illness, collective memory, and Sinophobia (particularly its rise during the COVID-19 pandemic), building as she does to a pulse-pounding finale that will linger long after readers have turned the final page. Essential reading from a new voice in horror.” – Kaitlin Conner, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
“Baker successfully uses fear, both supernatural and human, to shine a spotlight on anti-Asian hate. Fans of creepy ghost stories and social horror will want to snap this up.” – Publishers Weekly
Dianaworld: An Obsession by Edward White
nonfiction / biography / history.
Over the last forty years, the mythology of Princess Diana has turned the woman who was born Diana Spencer into a symbol for almost anything. From a harbinger of Brexit populism, an all-American consumer capitalist, and the savior of the British aristocracy, to a catalyst for #MeToo and—in the words of one superfan—“the biggest punk that’s come out of England,” Diana connects with a wider array of people than any member of the royal family ever has. We feel so familiar with Diana that it seems crushingly formal to use anything but her first name.
In Dianaworld, Edward White guides us through this strange precinct of a global cultural obsession. It’s a place of mass delusions, outsized fantasies and quixotic dreams; of druids, psychics, Hollywood stars, obsessive stalkers, radical feminists, and Middle Eastern generals. In a signature, innovative “exploded biography,” White offers both a portrait of the princess, and group portraits of those who knew her intimately; those who worked with and for her; and the many ordinary people whose connection to Diana reveals her unique and enduring legacy. White draws on a kaleidoscopic array of sources and perspectives never before used in books about Diana or the royal family—from interviews with sex workers and professional lookalikes, to the Mass Observation social research project and the Great Diary Project in Britain, and the peculiar work of outsider artists.
Diana would have approved of her posthumous title, “the People’s Princess”: the image of a royal with a pauper’s soul was exactly how she marketed herself. In Dianaworld, White explores Diana Spencer—the person and the cultural figure—by re-creating the world Diana lived in and illuminating her lasting impact on the world she left behind.
“Journalist White takes an equitable and ecumenical approach to this complex and tragic icon, placing Diana’s life in social and historical context, from her origin story to her legacy… White ensures that readers will appreciate the phenomenal impact this often misunderstood yet perennially alluring woman has made on global culture.” – Carol Haggas, Booklist
“This achieves the difficult task of finding a novel take on the much-discussed former royal.” – Publishers Weekly
“Devotees of the ‘People’s Princess’ will revel in White’s explorations of the territory behind the curtain.” – Kirkus Reviews
A Fashionably French Murder by Colleen Cambridge
fiction / mystery / historical fiction.
If there’s one art the French have mastered as well as fine cuisine, it’s haute couture. Tabitha and Julia are already accustomed to sampling the delights of the former. Now fashion is returning to the forefront in Paris, as the somber hues of wartime are replaced by vibrant colors and ultra-feminine silhouettes, influenced by Christian Dior’s “New Look.”
Tabitha and Julia join a friend for a private showing at an exclusive fashion atelier, Maison Lannet. The event goes well, but when Tabitha returns later that evening to search for a lost glove, she finds the lights still on—and the couturier dead, strangled by a length of lace. The shop manager suspects that a jealous rival—perhaps Dior himself—committed the crime. Tabitha dismisses that idea, but when another body is found, it’s apparent that someone is targeting employees of Maison Lannet.
Meanwhile, Tabitha’s Grand-père and Oncle Rafe are in the midst of their own design-related fracas, as they squabble over how to decorate their new restaurant. And there are strange break-ins at a nearby shoe store—but are the crimes related? It’s up to Tabitha to don her investigative hat and find answers before someone commits another fatal fashion faux pas.
“One needn’t have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this installment, but don’t be surprised if readers want to go back and see what they missed. Come for the historical Parisian setting and mystery, stay for the food and wine.” – Sarah Sullivan, Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“…delicious… This is terrific fun for foodies and Francophiles alike.” – Publishers Weekly
“The mystery is a good one, with a plot that becomes more complicated before it resolves, and is peopled by delightful characters from Tabitha’s household and circle of friends… charming historical cozy mystery.” – Carolyn Scott, Mystery & Suspense
How to Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen Perrin
fiction / mystery / suspense.
Welcome to Castle Knoll, the idyllic English village home to a surprising number of murderers.
Present day: Annie Adams is just settling into life in Castle Knoll when local fortune teller Peony Lane shares a cryptic message only hours before being found dead inside the locked Gravesdown Estate. Annie has no choice but to delve into the dark secrets of her new countryside home in order to find out just what Peony Lane was trying to warn her about, before her brand new life comes crashing down around her.
1967: Teenage Frances Adams, Annie’s great aunt, finds herself caught between two men. Ford Gravesdown is one of the only remaining members of a family known for its wealth and dubious uses of power. Archie Foyle is a local who can’t hold down a job and lives above the village pub. But when Frances teams up with Archie to investigate the car crash that killed most of Ford’s family, it quickly becomes clear that this was no accident—hints of cover-ups, lies, and betrayals abound. The question is, just how far does the blackness creep through the heart of Castle Knoll? When Frances uncovers secrets kept by both Ford and Archie, she starts to wonder: What exactly has she gotten herself into?
As Annie and Frances investigate two new mysteries spanning decades, they’ll unlock the next level of secrets held in Castle Knoll’s dark heart.
“Perrin mixes gothic and cozy tropes with a steady hand… an entertaining ride.” – Publishers Weekly
“Captivating and always charming, Kristen Perrin’s latest is perfect for fans of Benjamin Stevenson and Agatha Christie.” – Isabelle McConville, B&N Reads
“Along with strong emotional connections between characters on the page and with readers, the mystery is complex, and the clues plentiful, while the charming location and tight-knit community will encourage a cozy reread. The end is satisfying on multiple levels, including the promise of more mysteries to come.” – Stacey Hayman, Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang
fiction / suspense / mystery / comedy.
Julie Chan has nothing. Her twin sister has everything. Except a pulse.
Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier with nothing to lose, finds herself thrust into the glamorous yet perilous world of her late twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, a popular influencer. Separated at a young age, the identical twins were polar opposites and rarely spoke, except for one viral video that Chloe initiated (Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House #EMOTIONAL). When Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances, she seizes the chance to live the life she’s always envied.
Transforming into Chloe is easier than expected. Julie effortlessly adopts Chloe’s luxurious influencer life, complete with designer clothes, a meticulous skincare routine, and millions of adoring followers. However, Julie soon realizes that Chloe’s seemingly picture-perfect life was anything but.
Haunted by Chloe’s untimely death and struggling to fit into the privileged influencer circle, Julie faces mounting challenges during a weeklong island retreat with Chloe’s exclusive group of influencer friends. As events spiral out of control, Julie uncovers the sinister forces that may have led to her sister’s demise and realizes she might be the next target.
“Author Liann Zhang clearly has her pulse on the absurdity of modern social media and is able to make her points while delivering a story that is truly one of a kind… You won’t be able to stop talking about that ending.” – Stephanie McNeal, Glamour
“[A] witty and insightful thriller… Zhang offsets the novel’s fast and entertaining first two acts with a gonzo final third, displaying impressive audacity for a newbie. It’s a marvel.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“…Zhang’s ability to put complex feelings, such as resentment and anticipation, into words makes for an enthralling experience… a compelling debut that explores loneliness, grief, fame, and identity… the thriller ultimately lingers as a sharp reminder of the risks of chasing digital fame, making it quite a memorable read.” – Allison S. Park, The Harvard Crimson
The Lilac People by Milo Todd
fiction / historical fiction.
In 1932 Berlin, a trans man named Bertie and his friends spend carefree nights at the Eldorado Club, the epicenter of Berlin’s thriving queer community. An employee of the renowned Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld at the Institute of Sexual Science, Bertie works to improve queer rights in Germany and beyond. But everything changes when Hitler rises to power. The Institute is raided, the Eldorado is shuttered, and queer people are rounded up. Bertie barely escapes with his girlfriend, Sofie, to a nearby farm. There they take on the identities of an elderly couple and live for more than a decade in isolation.
In the final days of the war, with their freedom in sight, Bertie and Sofie find a young trans man collapsed on their property, still dressed in Holocaust prison clothes. They vow to protect him—not from the Nazis, but from the Allied forces who are arresting queer prisoners while liberating the rest of the country. Ironically, as the Allies’ vise grip closes on Bertie and his family, their only salvation is to flee to the United States.
Brimming with hope, resilience, and the enduring power of community, The Lilac People tells an extraordinary story inspired by real events and recovers an unknown moment of World War II and trans history.
“The book’s descriptions of Nazi atrocities are heartbreaking, and Karl’s blunt, graphic recounting of surviving Dachau is haunting… By turns exuberant, nerve-wracking, and heart-wrenching, The Lilac People is a harrowing novel about the marginalization of queer and transgender people during World War II.” – Isabella Zhou, Foreword Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“In Todd’s hands, this vital chapter of LGBTQ+ history comes to life, as the characters find a means to survive through found family. This timely historical drama hits hard.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“Milo Todd’s breathtaking debut, The Lilac People, unearths an essential chapter in transgender history, one long obscured by stigma and oppression… Well-paced and expertly crafted, the novel’s shifting timelines and intricate plot structure are reminiscent of Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See. Its propulsive narrative, at times heart-stopping in its suspense and dramatic reveals, is interwoven with rich descriptions and historical passages that give context to a society held in the brutal grip of fascism… in the vast canon of World War II historical fiction, The Lilac People is wholly unique and original. The novel offers a fresh and timely perspective, illuminating the inclusion of a much-needed historical trans narrative, one that celebrates the soul-sustaining life force of community.” – Olivia Kate Cerrone, Boston Globe
Ordinary People Don’t Carry Machine Guns: Thoughts on War by Artem Chapeye; translated by Zenia Tompkins
nonfiction / memoir / ESSAYS / current events.
A reporter and novelist who is also a soldier in the Ukrainian army reconsiders his pacifism and the choices one makes when war is waged against you.
In Ordinary People Don’t Carry Machine Guns, Artem Chapeye reveals his war, intimate and senseless, withholding nothing about his motivations, his nightmares, his new relationship with the world. Here one man, a pacifist turned fighter, a story writer turned soldier, a father and husband, considers the reasons for and reactions to war on a very personal level.
An avowed pacifist until 2022, Chapeye joined the Ukrainian army in the first days of the Russian invasion. He tries to understand the large-scale decision-making that has a defining impact on both individual citizens and society-at-large: many of his fellow soldiers never considered enlisting before finding themselves at war; others flee the country. He wonders from the front lines what his young children at home are doing and what they’re feeling.
The book is written in three parts, offering historical analogies and literary references throughout.
- “When Darkness Comes” relates the first days of the full-scale invasion in February 2022 when lives and the peace were shattered.
- “It’s Necessary to Cultivate Your Garden” details the experience of the everyday people of Ukraine, workers and peasants, who look forward to returning to simpler lives.
- The last section, “People Aren’t Divided into Brands,” critiques the elitism of those who consider themselves above those who “simply” fight.
Deeply thought-provoking, intelligent, and heartbreaking, this is an essential book for anyone who wants to understand the ways that war can change everything.
“Chapeye’s musings on life as an enlistee after the Russian invasion reveal his philosopher’s heart as he poses questions without answers and examines his own biases against those who chose not to enlist… In the early days, he writes, the destruction felt unreal. Now in his third year of service, he contends it is peace that seems ‘fictitious and fragile.’” – Becky Meloan, Washington Post
Polybius by Collin Armstrong
fiction / horror / science fiction / mysery / suspense / historical fiction.
October, 1982. Forced to move to the quiet seaside town of Tasker Bay by her mother, the only thing on high schooler Andi’s mind is saving up enough money to return to her old stomping grounds in Silicon Valley. Her self-taught skills with all things electronic make her a perfect fit for a job at the dingy local arcade where she can tune out from life and bankroll her eventual escape.
Pining over the distant and aloof Andi is Ro, the son of Tasker Bay’s sheriff, who begins spending more time at the arcade. Despite promising herself she wouldn’t get attached to anyone in town, Andi finds herself opening up to the thoughtful, like-minded Ro.
When Polybius—a new bleeding-edge game of unknown origin arrives—the shop is suddenly overwhelmed with players fighting for time on the machine. Seemingly overnight, a virus-like epidemic grips Tasker Bay while a violent coastal storm rolls in, isolating it from the outside world. People begin experiencing fits of anger, paranoia, and hallucinations—no one can be trusted. After a grisly act of violence goes unsolved, the town descends into chaos. Is the arrival of this mysterious game and the disorder in Tasker Bay a coincidence? Convinced the dire situation is somehow linked to Polybius, Andi and Ro desperately search for clues that might stop the spread before they, too, begin experiencing side effects…
“[A] chilling debut… impresses in its skillful combination of supernatural horror and believable characterization.” – Publishers Weekly
“…diehard ’80s horror fans should want to step into Armstrong’s arcade to play.” – James Gardner, Library Journal
The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig
fiction / horror / mystery / fantasy.
Five high school friends are bonded by an oath to protect one another no matter what.
Then, on a camping trip in the middle of the forest, they find something extraordinary: a mysterious staircase to nowhere.
One friend walks up—and never comes back down. Then the staircase disappears.
Twenty years later, the staircase has reappeared. Now the group returns to find the lost boy—and what lies beyond the staircase in the woods…
“Another first-rate novel from an author whose imagination and talent seem to know no bounds.” – David Pitt, Booklist
“The ghastly atmosphere, combined with an ever-present sense of danger, creates an unrelenting tension that grips readers. The horrors within the staircase unfold like a twisted escape room, blending video game logic with cruel mind games.” – Andrea Dyba, Library Journal
“The Staircase in the Woods is an unremittingly dark exploration of liminal spaces, fractured friendships, and the inner lives of this group of people that used to be friends but who have grown into almost-but-not quite strangers. In some ways, it’s a haunted house story, but author Chuck Wendig does a marvelous job of inverting familiar tropes to give us something fresh, interesting, and next-level with its exploration of game mechanics and simulated reality philosophizing… a shifty, shifting hodgepodge of inspirations that ultimately come together in unique, and uniquely infectious, ways, inside and out. It cuts and crawls its way into you, burrowing into your heart and mind, twisting and changing as it grows deeper inside you, and isn’t that just the best kind of horror?” – Michael Patrick Hicks, FanFiAddict
When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley
fiction / fantasy / romance.
Benigno “Benny” Caldera knows an orphaned Boricua blacksmith in 1910s New York City can’t call himself an artist. But the ironwork tank he creates for famed Coney Island playground, Luna Park, astounds everyone, especially the eccentric side-show proprietor who commissioned it. Benny’s work earns him an invitation to join the show’s eclectic crew of performers—his first welcome in the city—and share in their astonishing secret: the tank Benny built is a cage for their newest exhibit, a living, breathing, in-the-flesh merman stolen from the banks of the East River under a gleaming full moon.
The merman is more than a mythic marvel, though. Benny comes to know Río as a clever philosopher, an observant traveler, and a kindred spirit more beautiful and compassionate than any human he’s ever met. Despite their different worlds, what begins as a friendship of necessity deepens to love, leading Benny’s heart into uncharted waters where he can no longer ignore the agonizing truth of Río’s captivity—and his own.
A cage is no place for a merman to survive. Though releasing Río means betraying his new family, bankrupting their home, and losing his soulmate forever, Benny must look within for the courage to do what’s right, and find a love strong enough to free them both.
“[An] unputdownable page-turner.” – Frances Moritz, Booklist
“Kelley debuts with a captivating and perfectly balanced blend of history, fantasy, and good old-fashioned carnival magic… The setting is transporting and the romance is heartrending. It’s a triumph.” – Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
“[A] very impressive debut novel! Kelley crafts a palpable setting and memorable characters. The themes of community and love are fantastic, and the magical elements in the otherwise grounded historical setting were amazing.” – Jenny A., Righter of Words
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