“Would you be willing to destroy David to get them back?” one woman says to another in this pained, aggrieved romance from Crawford (author of Mariner Valley). “An accusation can work wonders.” The woman considering an accusation is BMW-driving yacht-seller Kim Lecture, seeking revenge and custody of the children after her divorce from David Nobile, a blue-collar single-dad who loves Hemingway, opera, and squirreling away what little money he earns to send his and Kim’s 12 year-old son to hockey camp. Kim has wanted to bring their pre-teen daughter, Breanna, to live with her, but that’s not the final impetus for her eventually leveling at David a formal accusation of sexual abuse of the children.

What sets her off is David’s surprising first post-divorce romance, with an up-and-coming singer with a breakout radio hit and a soft spot for soulful David and his “‘man muscles,’ built up from hard work.” Crawford dramatizes that burgeoning romance with warmth and wit, and scenes between David and Riley, the singer, pulse with longing and the pleasures of an unexpected connection. Also strong are moments showcasing David’s efforts to balance work and parenting, a portrait of a man doing his best even when overwhelmed. David’s eventual handling of son Nick’s refusal to get out of bed in the morning evinces a charming shrewdness.

But as David Nobile’s name suggests, he’s too good for this world, and so he’s smeared by Kim Lecture, whose own improbable name suggests, accurately, that she’s a caricature, powering the plot out of pique but rarely coming across as convincingly human. Even hockey coach Hank turns on David once Kim makes her outrageous accusations, but David has true support from Riley, who believes him—she notes that lies like Kim’s “just makes the next legitimate case that much harder to prosecute.” A tragedy late in the book reveals new layers in Kim and stands, besides David’s first encounter with Riley, as the strongest, most engaging passages of this lengthy novel.

Takeaway: Clean romance and unjust accusations power this unexpected love story.

Comparable Titles: Ken Jones’s Guilty Until Proven Innocent, Karen Robards’s One Summer.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

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Williams draws on years of professional sales experience to deliver this concise solo debut on training sales teams to grow and expand in response to ever-changing market demands. “Diligence is both a matter of methodical, excellent work and a matter of character,” she writes, and her guide breaks down 10 “dimensions of diligence” that she promises “can be operationalized within the business to drive the best results.” Predicting continued market rebound, Williams urges leaders to prep their teams to respond proactively, an outcome that requires flexibility and, most importantly, the willingness to forgo quick fixes for long-term, proven solutions to sales problems.

Every sales team experiences obstacles, and the answer to resolving those obstacles, according to Williams, lies in her Sales Effectiveness Program—an “alignment effort” that includes sales vision clarity, training managers to perform as coaches, and helping salespeople master 10 crucial diligence dimensions, broken down into two categories: “selling dimensions” and “personal leadership dimensions.” She hits the highlights of each dimension, such as the ins and outs of growing strong, productive relationships (a crucial dimension, given the sales industry’s basis on relationship development), mastering the art of persuasive communication, adhering to a service mindset, and more. Williams lists “watchouts” and core beliefs for each dimension, and she recommends businesses spotlight their sales methodology, process, and development plan to increase overall effectiveness.

The material is tailored for those professionals with a solid basis in sales know-how, and Williams includes handy tools—such as a suggested scorecard for comparing interview performances and two-year example project plans—that leaders will appreciate. She recommends her diligence dimensions—described as “ideal seller behaviors”—are applied flexibly, according to company needs and desired outcomes, but their significance is obvious throughout, as Williams advises, “A company’s very existence will rise and fall on its sales performance.” This is a resource sales professionals will turn to again and again.

Takeaway: In-depth resource on improving sales team performance.

Comparable Titles: David Burkus’s Best Team Ever!, Michael T. Bosworth and Ben Zoldan’s What Great Salespeople Do.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Diligence Fix

A retired military lifer and non-commissioned officer who served tours in Bosnia and Iraq, Pinion reflects on his experience with a book that’s partly a compendium of funny stories and leadership lessons, but also a sort of memorial and expression of grief for soldiers lost along the way. The book is funny, as the title suggests, but also resonant thanks to Pinion’s willingness to be vulnerable and expose issues regarding mental illness in the military. Still, it's obvious throughout that he loves the Army and believed in his missions. As a cavalry scout, specializing in frequently dangerous reconnaissance missions and house-to-house fighting–-life-or-death situations for him and the soldiers under his command–-he had to believe.

Each story is told in roughly chronological over the course of his career as a soldier, and each chapter describes an experience that taught him a lesson. Early on, a “ballsy” platoon sergeant sent a company of soldiers back from a gunnery range to complete prerequisite training they hadn’t yet taken. Pinion sees the wisdom in this: you should never turn down the opportunity to train if a lack of it could prove fatal. Another story finds Pinion impersonating an officer to help his platoon sergeant get out of trouble, something he did willingly because the sergeant loved his men, while a wild incident in which a superior asked for help proving his wife’s infidelity taught Pinion to question illegal or immoral orders.

As a leader, Pinion emphasizes training and discipline so soldiers know their jobs—and strived to show his troops that he cares about them by being willing to get out in the field, unlike one commander in Iraq who never wanted to leave the base. Pinion is emotional in detailing the stories of one of his men who jumped on a grenade to save others and a beloved, enthusiastic soldier killed by a sniper. His unflinching discussion of PTSD, treatment that saved his life, and his deep concern for his soldiers all have real power.

Takeaway: Wit, lessons, and touching tributes from a career soldier.

Comparable Titles: J. Pepper Bryars’s American Warfighter, Tom Satterly’s All Secure.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about CHOP THAT SH*T UP!

“I never thought I’d be sitting on such an expensive toilet,” notes the narrator of this outraged/outrageous satire, a pitch-black, Sweeney Todd-tinged story of contemporary class, murder, deep disgust, and occasional tenderness. The title suggests what the narrator will do to secure that diamond-seated toilet for himself, his wife—known only as Mrs. Sykes—and the baby that Mrs. Sykes is suddenly, inexplicably carrying in a womb she had previously joked was so barren its fit only for scorpions. The author of the miracle pregnancy seems to be the mysterious Mr. P, or Mr. Pyjamas, who makes the couple’s dreams come true, from sudden wealth to dazzling abs. The price? The narrator must furnish Mr. P with fresh bodies.

To meet Mr. P’s need, and to keep his family from the horrors of living in a “council estate,” the narrator targets the “mentally-ill, germ infested vermin” whose existence most pains him: his and Mrs. Syke’s extended family, a lot of “degenerates” who can’t get through a get-together without screaming matches and public sex acts. The narrator’s deep distaste for such offenses is matched by his relish in describing them—in fact, other than showing loyalty to and providing for his immediate family (“Not many commoners are given such an opportunity”) what he relishes most in life seems to be the registering of his disgust at “pointless lives,” at “ignoramuses,” at the large breasts of relatives, at a world where “everything and everyone is pointless.”

Readers who can stomach the pointed, unrelenting repulsiveness, and who can be bothered to invest in the fate of a family murderer, will find sharp prose and a story that gets wilder and more inventive as it goes, revealing what Mr. P wants the bodies for, the shocking scope of the operation, and just how far the narrator can be pushed. Since it opens at such a pitch, the novel’s only real suspense is whether Charlton’s zeal for fresh, repugnant, quasi-comic thought-experiment horrors will ever flag. Spoiler: it doesn’t. The biggest surprise, though, is that this soiling journey arrives at an ending that achieves poignance despite the bleakness.

Takeaway: Pointedly outrageous story of class, murder, and life’s emptiness.

Comparable Titles: Michel Houellebecq, Michael Sonbert’s We Are Oblivion.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-

Click here for more about Decadence Kills

Eby offers readers a warmhearted debut that captures the true magic of the holiday season. Designed for children who are curious about whether Santa Claus is real—those young readers who “possess the wisdom, kindness, and strength to be trusted”—the story tackles the doubt that comes with growing up, in a sensitive and thoughtful way. Readers are encouraged to think deeply about their Santa Claus musings—how he fits so many toys into one bag, how he manages to reach so many children in just one evening—and view those questions as a sign of growing up, while Eby transforms their doubts into an uplifting message on how Santa really exists in the heart of every caring, generous person.

The idea that Santa may not be just one person but instead is “many working in unison… their cooperation and shared trust create[ing] profound beauty” is appealing—and a gentle way to help young readers through what can be a difficult transition. To provide purpose and keep the Christmas spirit alive, Eby details three promises that kids can make to become a Santa themselves: create the magic, give generously, and protect the believers. At the story’s close, readers will find the “Oath of Three,” an opportunity to be sworn in as a Santa by their adult reader (charmingly referred to as a “Santa Elder”).

Harper’s vintage illustrations, suggesting the warm Americana of Norman Rockwell, add a softly textured feel that will charm readers of every age. Whether it’s a group of kids arguing at school about Santa’s true identity, the joyous expressions on young ones opening Christmas presents, or the antique holiday decorations draped throughout, Harper paints Christmas spirit across every page. The promise to “not only experience the magic of Christmas, but now have the power to create it” is marvelous, making this timeless story deserving of a spot on the Christmas bookshelf.

Takeaway: Touching story of the importance of creating Christmas magic.

Comparable Titles: D.W. Boorn’s The Big Secret, B.K. Gendron’s The (Wonderful) Truth About Santa.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Santa Book

Khan’s intriguing debut fantasy pits brother against brother as they compete to be the next heir to the throne. Emperor Severus Valentinian wasn’t a well-liked ruler and paid the price for his malevolence by being murdered in his chamber. Having not yet appointed an heir, and with no children born to the queen, the kingdom faces the possibility of one of the emperor’s four sons from four different consorts ascending to the throne. Each mother wants the throne as much as the sons, but none more than Eleonora, who has plotted and schemed from the beginning to ensure she produces an heir—and a shot at real power of her own. When powerful forces outside the kingdom begin to affect the outcome of who will become emperor, Eleonora does anything she can to ensure her son’s elevation to emperor.

Khan creates four very different personalities for each brother, leading readers to understand how each has a fault that could ultimately lead to their demise. Beyond their personal weaknesses, like gluttony, the succession also is shaped by many other influences, with other nobles and politicians taking sides and moving their own pieces, and their dangerous enemies, the Vampir, waiting for the opportunity to take them all down. Khan relishes the intrigue, introducing a host of different characters and creatures with their own agendas, plus a varied number of threats., keeping the cast and readers of political fantasy on edge.

Across many different lands and jumping back and forth through several timelines, Khan covers a great deal of story in a short time. While it all comes together nicely by the end, the richness and complexity of the story can prove challenging, as Khan often leaves it to readers to work out the particulars of what timeline they are reading about, and how characters and events will affect the overall story. A lengthy prologue lacks urgency, a hurdle for readers intrigued by the book’s strong, inventive premise and conflict.

Takeaway: Intriguing story of royal succession, political machinations, and a mother’s ambitions.

Comparable Titles: John Gwynne’s The Shadow of the Gods, Django Wexler’s Emperor of Ruin.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A_
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Year of the Four Emperors

Former National Transportation Safety Board employee-turned-accident investigative consultant Frank Adams tackles murder and conspiracy in this action-thriller from Meier (author of Dung Beetles of Libera). Hired by grieving widow Helen Rawlson to investigate a plane crash that claimed the life of her husband, Charles Rawlson—a powerful CEO and rising star within her father’s company, Amertek Electronics —Frank uncovers more than simple murder at work in a frigid Washington, D.C.. As Charles’ truth is revealed and the threads of corporate conspiracy tugged, Frank becomes the target of mysterious foreign hitmen with an agenda all their own.

Fans of the classic detective format will find this series starter a detective romp in the classic hard-boiled mode, as grizzled, grumbling, whisky-drinking Frank is approached at his office by Helen, a woman with “the aroma of old money in her understated elegance.” Setting Frank and the story apart, however, is his past with the NTSB and his knowledge of avionics, something Meier details with persuasive precision in the book’s most compelling scenes, as Frank investigates the crash site and examines the plane’s remains. Meier blends that lived-in realism with more traditional genre elements, with Frank quipping in the face of torture, or women saying things to him like “All the best men are either disgustingly faithful or critically wounded”—a line worthy of the vintage thrillers that inspire Meier.

Still, the plot lacks urgency until Frank’s in danger, and that old-school pulp-mystery spirit extends to some reductive characterizations, such as the helpful cab driver, Pedro Gonzalez, who manages to call Frank “senor” five times in half a page. The action is crisp and convincing, and the frozen setting shines as a hostile, miserable place, captured with the touch of hard-edge poetry—like bursts of rain that hit “the windshield and froze there in hard, flat teardrops”—of Meier at his best.

Takeaway: Hard-boiled D.C. mystery pitting an accident consultant against a deadly conspiracy.

Comparable Titles: John J. Nance, John Copenhaver’s The Savage Kind.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about GUIDANCE TO DEATH

Ptah (Show Me a Beautiful Woman) fuses history, mythology, and fantasy into a spellbinding time-traveling adventure to start off the First People series. Ancient myths come to life when Auset, an Egyptian goddess, seeks help stopping Apep, the god of chaos and destruction. In modern times, six-year-old Sochima, his twelve-year old sister Aminata, and Aminata’s former best friend, Amaris, are bequeathed the heart of Auset’s husband and brother Ausar, the Egyptian god whose body was cut into 14 pieces and spread throughout time by his brother, Set. Since Ausar is the only force that can stop Apep, the children must work together and bravely travel through time collecting the 14 pieces in hopes of reconstructing Ausar’s body before Apep awakens.

Ptah excels at crafting engaging historical landscapes full of memorable characters and dynamic action. A delicate balance exists between fact, myth, and imagination, and readers of all ages will revel in the meticulous world-building tying the three together. History buffs may recognize familiar figures such as Imhotep, architect of the step pyramid, and Mansa Musa, the ruler of Mali, while also learning new historical facts such as the origins of the city name Timbuktu or how the Olmec civilization made rubber. These fascinating and informative elements seamlessly weave into high-stakes action and quick-paced chapters as the children battle a variety of malicious foes.

Resting at the core of this thrilling adventure is an emotional journey revolving around friendship, family, and self-discovery. Valuable lessons of courage, self-confidence, and confronting grief shine brightly as the children grow bolder with each harrowing undertaking. Readers are left sitting on the edge of their seats, holding their breaths, and eager for more. Children of all ages will be captivated by this unique historical fantasy packed with notable characters, nail-biting quests, and high stakes. Bring on book two.

Takeaway: Standout series starter blending time travel, adventure, and vengeful gods.

Comparable Titles: Heidi Heilig’s The Girl from Everywhere, Patience Agbabi’s The Infinite.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A

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Veteran novelist Koelsch (MOOSE. INDIAN.: A Dark Confession) presents a cozy, speculative novella set on the margin of the American Civil War. In 1862, wounded veteran Thomas Wade Duncan regains consciousness on Black Ledge Cove, a New England island populated exclusively by women. Grieving the loss of his leg, Duncan suffers as his begrudging hostess, the widow Ann Holland Dawes, detoxifies him from laudanum. When Milly, an apprentice midwife, reveals that the local library features tools of witchcraft that connect mothers to their beloved, dead children, Duncan begs her to help him discover if his fiancée, Cynthia Ladd, has committed suicide as he fears.

At its heart, this haunting tale focuses on Duncan’s acceptance of his newly changed body. Although it does not describe the Civil War battle Thomas survived, the aftermath remains strong in the novel’s backdrop. Thomas is stranded, both literally and existentially, and readers will sympathize with his struggle to break free of substance abuse while habituating himself to life without a leg. Most redeeming is his mission to find Cynthia and undo the pain he caused her in ending their engagement. Hope for her renewed love pulls him through his darkest moments. Koelsch never wastes a line, and the prose is so evocative and the milieu so vivid that readers may wish that this Affair were longer, with further exploration of Cynthia’s physical and emotional journey.

“I know neither my place nor time. Many have been my experiences with thin, smoky mists… When am I? Where am I?” The depiction of a gothic, foggy New England community ratchets up suspense without bringing angst as the hero perseveres in his goal. The use of old-fashioned language matches the era without posing difficulty to readers’ comprehension. First-person point of view plunges the reader into Duncan’s anguished situation, heightening anticipation. Thick with mystery, this cozy suspense offers historical fiction fans a treat to savor.

Takeaway: Vivid, suspenseful speculative novella of the Civil War.

Comparable Titles: Anita Frank’s The Lost Ones, Stacey Halls’s Mrs England.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Peculiar Affliction of Thomas Wade Duncan

Cetas (Thrown To The Wind) continues the adventures of Etienne Gayneau in this second installment of her A Country For Castoffs historical fiction series. In 17th-century Dutch New York, Etienne hangs out with young Lanape tribespeople Alsoomse and her brother Kitchi, and they become close enough for them to call him ”Little Brother," even if his feelings for Alsoomse are more complicated than that. The story begins with news of a Native attack on Dutch settlements, inflaming long-held prejudices held by some and panic on the part of Etienne, who is worried about his friends.

Cetas deftly blends real-life figures with imagined characters to bring this early colonial era alive, especially with regard to Native American beliefs, customs, and real-world politics. The Natives who attacked the fort are rivals of the Lanape and Mohawk tribes, both of whom prefer to trade with the colonists. However, many settlers regard all of the Natives as less than human, especially since a number of women and children were taken prisoner by the rival Esopus tribe. Amid this conflict and context, Cetas explores cross-cultural connections: after Etienne tracks down his friends, he tells the Lenape tribe's sachem (chief) about the attacks, and the sachem (who is also Alsoomse and Kitchi's father) hatches a plan to rescue some of the Dutch and establish an alliance against the Esopus.

In the course of an exciting story, Etienne is questioned by the Dutch, captured by the Esopus, and rescues a baby in peril, all as he and his friends appreciably mature in the face of conflict, working together to try to bring a vicious English settler to justice. A long denouement feels like an extended set-up for the next entry, but readers interested in 17th-century encounters between Dutch settlers and Native American tribes will find a narrative that's exciting, harrowing, and respectful to the tribes and their beliefs.

Takeaway: Compelling, respectful novel of 17th century Native Americans and Dutch settlers.

Comparable Titles: Susan Cooper’s Ghost Hawk, Patricia Clark Smith’s Weetamoo.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about A Home in the Wilderness

In this witty, suspenseful whodunnit, a Washington, D.C., sex worker and journalist team up to solve the murder of the sex-worker’s client, not long after their tryst. Told in first person by the escort herself, and alive with insight and telling detail about her work and life, Naked Came the Detective lives up to its playful title, immersing readers into an investigation into the killing of a high-profile businessman amid the corridors of power. Using her skills and a network of connections through her clients, the unnamed protagonist begins to piece together the dark truth, even if it means putting herself in danger.

This fast-paced mystery will keep readers invested until the final page with its razor sharp, quick witted protagonist and colorful assortment of characters. The story kicks off when, as a sort of farewell gift, the escort mails Chris, a reporter and client who considers her his “ATF,” a journal of the evidence she's collected on the death of one of her prestigious clients … after she has pulled off a disappearing act. Since she’s always operated in the shadows, never divulging personal information, she’s uniquely positioned to take on an investigation that will win her powerful foes. As she pieces together that her client, Ben, was running a Ponzi scheme that many of her other clients had invested in, she fears that her lucrative escort work will be in jeopardy. It doesn't take long for her to uncover that her life is, too, as she realizes that the killer is someone very close to her—and may be keeping an eye on her through unconventional means.

Scandal, murder, and duplicity create a thrilling tension in this suspenseful, character-driven novella, Jackson’s debut. Jackson’s research into the reality of sex work gives the story persuasive power, the mystery plotting is suitably twisty, and the protagonist is funny, focused, and quick on her feet. Fans of cozy mysteries and unreliable narrators will speed through this novella.

Takeaway: Promising debut whodunnit with a sharp-witted escort as detective.

Comparable Titles: A.R. Torre’s The Girl in 6E, Gillian Flynn’s “What Do You Do?”

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Naked Came the Detective

Winner’s self-described “fictional memoir” imagines the life of his great aunt Dorle Jarmel Soria, a project inspired by his discovery of fascinating “artifacts of her storied existence” after her death, including love letters. But he also “found a twisted puzzle full of fascism and fraud.” Dorle is feisty and temperamental, a woman whose zeal to do “something vital in the world” led her to work with Toscanini and the New York Philharmonic in the 1930s and to become one of the first female students of the Columbia School of Journalism. “A marvelous woman and grand,” in the words of one male contemporary, Dorle was fascinated by powerful men, and she fell in love with a variety of men, whose mysteries and legacies Winner compellingly teases out.

These include a British policeman, a Syrian antiquities dealer, the geneticist JBS Haldane, who “who cured tetanus and fought Franco,” and—most curiously, especially since Dorle was an Orthodox Jew—a married American reporter, John Carter, who was “deputized by Goering to start a ‘Hitlerist’ party to run in the 1932 election.” That revelation stuns Winner; this book is, in many ways, his search for answers. Winner’s account stands out for its honest, searching depiction of the protagonist and her family, including Winner himself. His assiduous research, his determination to get to the bottom of things, and his fascination for the past make an intimate page-turner of a work of investigative portraiture.

Winner deftly conjures Dorle, the people she interacted with, and the world she lived in. Apart from Haldane, the most interesting person is Carter, who comes across as a political opportunist as Winner finds himself unable to definitively untangle the man’s true beliefs and loyalties—and what Dorle knew of his sympathies. With consummate skill he builds a seamless narrative, blending Dorle’s love letters and his own research, filling the gaps by relying on his imagination. The result is an engrossing story about the life and times of a singular woman who lived life to the fullest.

Takeaway: Fascinating “fictional memoir” memoir of a trailblazing great aunt and her mysteries.

Comparable Titles: Heidi Ardizzone’s An Illuminated Life, Annie Ernaux ‘s A Woman’s Story.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Master Lovers

Safari author Plansky’s Auto starts the Cray & Fraser series with a gripping tale at the intersection of cybersecurity and self-driving vehicles. The narrative kicks off with a dramatic self-driving SUV crash, claiming the CEO Niall Spencer's life just days before a high-stakes public launch, setting the stage for a suspenseful story. Isabella Cray, a whitehat hacker, takes center stage as she's brought in to investigate the hack leading to the murder. Her character adds a unique twist—she's a high-functioning psychopath, whose complexities are revealed through flashback conversations with her therapist, providing both insight into her condition and arresting suspense.

Auto is an adrenaline-charged, tech-savvy thriller seamlessly weaving elements of cybercrime, psychology, and suspense and a convincing feel for both California highways and a Silicon Valley tech world convinced it’s a utopia—and “skeptical of anyone interfering with how they do things. The tension escalates as she becomes the target of a relentless stalker, surviving three murder attempts that fuel her determination to unveil the sinister and yet oddly familiar mastermind behind it all. The core of the narrative lies in the partnership between Cray and FBI cybercrime agent William Fraser. Their relentless pursuit across the sprawling San Francisco Bay Area is rife with heart-pounding moments as they race against time to uncover the CEO's killer, with the future of auto-transportation hanging in the balance.

Plansky's writing style is brisk and engaging, keeping readers on edge throughout the story with jolting twists and a strong feel for squealing tires, “cacaphon[ies’ of horns,” and the unfathomable horror of rushing headlong against oncoming traffic. The blend of science-fiction, psychological intricacy, and high-stakes intrigue in the murder mystery makes Auto an enthralling read. The novel's unique narrative structure, with each chapter corresponding to a day of the week, offers a fresh reading experience. Subtle references to Isaac Asimov's works anchor Auto within the rich tapestry of sci-fi thrillers, appealing to genre enthusiasts.

Takeaway: Buckle up as this self-driving-car thriller hits the gas.

Comparable Titles: Linwood Barclay’s Look Both Ways, J. Luke Bennecke’s Civil Terror Gridlock.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Auto

Lazic (the writer) and Embeli (the cartoonist) combine on a light-hearted middle-grade graphic novel that doubles as a work of graphic medicine. Parents interested in getting their kids to take skin care and sun exposure seriously will find this a useful resource, while kids will enjoy its gentle humor. Lazic is a dermatologist whose goal is to provide a fun way of talking about taking care of one's skin during the summer, especially since kids often spend so much time outside. The story follows siblings Mia and Luka) and their summer adventures with Mia's friend Anya and Luka's friend Jude. Luka and Jude are both scared of ghosts, and after watching Ghostbusters, Luka is worried that his dad is becoming a ghost.

After Luka and Jude play a gross practical joke on the girls, they decide to get back at them by playing up the possibility that their dad is a ghost. Meanwhile, Luka gets a horrible sunburn and continues to be freaked out by the idea of ghosts and monsters. Embeli’s warm, inviting art is playful and always clear in its storytelling, and the characters—whether human, robot, or irritated nerve endings—are deftly designed, each expressive and highly specific despite a rigorous economy of line. Writer Lazic inserts herself as a character and a love interest for the dad when he insists on taking Luka to see her, and the kids share the names of her and her husband’s real-life kids.

The doctor has a robot in her office and doles out several pages worth of skin-protection directives that include sunscreen and protective clothing. The book concludes with several pages worth of crossword puzzles, word searches, quizzes, and how-tos on things like oatmeal baths. The silly fake ghost story and activities are a nice way to get kids to not only think about the importance of skincare and safety but also to share easy-to-understand guidance for them and parents alike.

Takeaway: Fun, wonderfully drawn story showcasing the urgent facts of skin and sun exposure.

Comparable Titles: Betty Nguyen and Brandon Pham’s Dermatology for Kids, Katherine C. Troutman’s Sunny Goes to the Beach.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about SKINVENTUREZ: The Sunscreaming Summer

Vince Reismuller, a battle-hardened Marine veteran and security factotum for the wealthy Arena family, must rescue his employer's kidnapped son Tommy even as it becomes clear that a murder and more may connect with his employer's shady past. In addition, Vince has to protect the Arena daughter, Morgan, from a young man harassing her and figure out if Tommy is guilty of a crime himself. The various strands start coming together, amidst deadly violence, even as Vince and Morgan struggle with their growing feelings for each other. Vince navigates through stock fraud, greed and hatred to protect the Arenas and come to terms with himself and his violent past.

Morelli places the emphasis heavily on action, and he's a master at choreographing the fight scenes. Vince doesn't pull any punches and neither does Morelli when describing the scenes. "This is only the start of how much I am going to hurt you," Vince explains to an antagonist. In a terrifically staged scene, Vince and his associates attack a house, and readers will find themselves in Alistair MacLean territory, holding their breath until the wind-up. Morelli has clearly done a lot of research, and occasionally he shares more than some readers may want to know about firearms or mountain lions, slowing the pace, but overall the book moves rapidly toward a satisfying conclusion.

However, the action is not the whole story. Morelli has elevated the theme, giving his tale a richer background than is usually found in this genre. Behind all the conflict is stock-market manipulation and other corporate chicanery, and the financial theme provides an effective contrast to the street fighting, while making the characters less black-and-white. Morelli also does a great job fleshing out Vince's character. The police detective on the case, Jerrell Troy, is a former comrade-in-arms, and their rocky yet close friendship comes across as very real. Readers will hope to meet Vince in a sequel.

Takeaway: Two-fisted novel of revenge, told with breathless suspense.

Comparable Titles: Lee Child, Alistair MacLean.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B+

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In this suspenseful romantic thriller, the fourth in Flade’s Philly Heat series, public defender Hannah Patel's life is being threatened by a devious stalker. Assigned to watch over her and investigate her case, Detective Doyle Murphy feels in his gut the stalker won’t stop until Hannah is dead. Complicating the case, though, is how his life becomes entangled with Hannah's professionally and personally, especially as romance buds in the midst of attacks on Hannah and those closest to her—and as Doyle remains convinced the stalker must be “a serpent hiding in plain sight.” Watching and plotting his next move, that culprit becomes even more obsessed and enraged the closer Hannah and Doyle get to one another, putting both of their lives in jeopardy.

Flade has written an entertaining thrill ride of a story filled with twists, turns and romance. Beautiful Dangerousproves to be a page-turner from the opening chapter. As Hannah endures grief from the death of her brother, Doyle makes startling discoveries that could connect that death and Hannah's current predicament. Hannah proves a strong protagonist, as, facing pressures from work and the stress of keeping her family out of the loop and safe, she still is determined to help Doyle bring her stalker to justice. The burgeoning connection between Hannah and Doyle, meanwhile, is touchingly developed in moments like Doyle talking her through a panic attack with patience and empathy.

Flade deftly sows reasons for readers to feel that everyone Hannah knows is a potential suspect, and the final revelations prove jolting. She also blends the sweetness of a new romance with the death, violence, and tension of a thriller, with welcome attention paid to Hannah’s trauma and healing. With a smart, quick witted protagonist, and a strong, emotionally intelligent love interest, Beautiful Dangerous will grip fans of fast-paced suspense novels with themes of romance, mystery, and murder.

Takeaway: A scary-good romantic thriller where no one is to be trusted.

Comparable Titles: Julia Heaberlin's Black-eyed Susans, Lisa Lutz's The Passenger.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

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