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

Beatlebone

by Kevin Barry

PenguinBooks/PRH

       The poetry. This is a very odd, sad, beautiful book. Much like The Heart in Winter, there is truth, wonder, and heartbreak. You don't need to be a Beatles, or John Lennon fan to love this, but it probably helps. It will make you want to see the West Coast of Ireland.

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 Living and the Dead: a Novel About a Crime

by Christoffer Carlsson

Hogarth/ PRH

   This is not an easy book - so much sorrow, fear and guilt - but it is a great story. If you've ever lived in a small city or town, this will resonate. And you will hope for the best for everyone in it, well almost everyone. Carlsson depicts the struggles of  the teenagers, and the claustrophobia of their natural world. It's well worth the 400+ pages.

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

Vigil

by George Saunders

Random House/PRH

    An amazing, thought-provoking and beautiful novel that you won't want to put down and may need to reread immediately. A dying oil tycoon has visitors, mostly unwelcome, from the after-life who need him to reconsider his legacy. Each of the visitors has their own story to tell and they are all well worth knowing.

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