Drayton and Mackenzie

by Alexander Starritt

Atlantic Monthly Press/Grove/Atlantic Inc.

pub date 6/2/2026

      This is such a great, moving, lifetime of a book. Two young men meet in school and end up partners in an ambitious, brave business. Sounds simple but you get to know and care very much for both of them - their humor, their errors and especially their concern for each other. It's a big tome and worth every word of it. 

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place: bookshop.org. Pre-order it!

Departure(s)

by Julian Barnes

Knopf/PRH

       This is a wonderful farewell gift. It examines memory, friendship, love, work and mortality - all with humor, warmth and great philosophic insights. 

    You don't want to miss Jimmy - a great and loving part of the story.

    Thank you Mr. Barnes for this last marvelous work.

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place: bookshop.org

Ruins

by Lily Brooks-Dalton

Grand Central Publishing/Hachette

pub date 3/31/26

        Brooks-Dalton has a way of doing lots of different things together - a character study, an academic critique, a failed marriage, a love story, a vast adventure. You do finish this wanting more of Ember's story. Which is not at all a bad thing.

    If you haven't read her others, they are also warm, thoughtful and books you don't want to miss -  The Light Pirate and Good Morning, Midnight.

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place: bookshop.org

The Patient

by Tim Sullivan

Atlantic Crime/Grove Atlantic

       Each of these Tim Sullivan mysteries is interesting and has a good crime to consider. But more than that, each develops the character of DS George Cross a bit more; in this one we learn a great deal about his father and his mother and there is a strong sense that we will learn more in future books. 

    Don't miss this series. 

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place: bookshop.org

The Heist of Hollow London 

by Eddie Robson

Tor/Macmillan

       Characters you will come to care about, a convoluted heist  that can only fail, some. A vision of a London that we may live to see. This is frightening, thoughtful and fun.

    If you haven't already read it, Drunk on All Your Strange New Words, is an earlier Robson - lighter, funnier and very charming.

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place: bookshop.org