
Wade (The Christmas Courtroom Trilogy) does a beautiful job of weaving an actual American mystery into the story, interspersing real correspondence from the founding fathers that lend heft to the story without overwhelming the present. Indeed, it's done so neatly, it's hard to tell where history ends and fiction begins. And as a former trial lawyer, he makes the courtroom scenes as entertaining as they are convincing. Although the plot can get a little over complicated at times, the game cast of characters will keep readers riveted.
Indeed, the book's greatest joy is the team at the Indie. We see Travail mourning the loss of his wife as he struggles to find a new purpose in retirement, and how his new friends get him going again: The cheerfully loopy Yeager who goes "fishing" with a rifle, and the witty Harriet who appoints herself Travail's assistant, but don’t dare call her that. An Indie meeting about problems caused by bird feeders nicely outlines the residents to great comic effect. Even the antagonists are a pleasure. It's a joy watching the aging but still lively Indie residents plot to save the day, and readers will be left hoping to see what mischief they get into in a future story.
Takeaway: Cozy mystery fans will revel in this delightful mix of history, courtroom drama and engaging characters.
Great for fans of: Richard Osman, Roaslaind Stopps.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-

Three rich storylines will enrapture fans of thoughtful fantasy. Prince Adrian of Othonea takes center stage as he struggles to live up to the memory of his deceased brother. Nasha, a fierce female protagonist, believes herself to be cursed and wants nothing more than to be respected as a member of the Ronar clan. And Lynn, whom we first meet in a prison cell of her own choosing, seeks redemption and seizes the opportunity to prove her value when the Madness spreads throughout the land. These characters find themselves battling their internal conflicts while struggling to survive the chilling illness, enduring vivid battles and heartbreaking betrayals that will keep readers glued to the page.
The depth and scope of Abdalla’s fantasy handily earn the “epic” designation, which means the novel might challenge readers not fascinated by worldbuilding and sprawling casts. But the characters’ journeys will reward the patient, who will enjoy watching Adrian, Nasha, and Lynn come to the thrilling realization that they must work with their enemies to save the land from the Madness. In the end, Abdalla will leave fantasy fans thirsty for more.
Takeaway: Fantasy readers fascinated by religious and political strife and rich characterization will savor this epic.
Great for fans of: Tanith Lee, Aliette de Bodard
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
That grimly satiric spirit also powers the formally inventive “The Trigger,” a story that exploits the many meanings of its title. In 2040, the “industry leader” in the reformed private prison biz is experimenting with “Behavior Modification Theory” for the treatment of criminals; in this case, that involves having them face the circumstances that “triggered” their crime. Silver proves adept at the speculative elements, especially the upbeat corporate-speak of the employees of Renaissance Cross-Correction Alternatives, who discuss the behavior of the story’s rapists and abusive husbands with the detached interest of writers’ workshop participants. But his heart is in those lowdown characters, whose cruelty and suffering prove harrowing—Silver’s people struggle to retain their humanity in a society set up to stub it out.
Silver rounds out the collection with a tale of nature’s revenge, several narratives in script form—one a bleak joke; another a colloquy among dudes watching football on the possibility of science discovering a cosmic force that might be “god”—and a novella, “Leak in the Roof,” that blends fictional memoir, interviews, poetry, and an editor’s note to reveal an engaging life in the fashion industry, and also make explicit a theme tying together much of the book: the failure of truthtellers to convince humanity to turn things around before they get worse.
Takeaway: Dark, incisive fiction that emphasizes character and humanity as it edges toward the speculative.
Great for fans of: Nathan Ballingrud’s North American Lake Monsters, Lauren Beukes.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B

The kaleidoscopic pages render a beautiful and rambunctious marker world, at times at the expense of the text, which occasionally fades into the background and fights to be seen. The size and placement of Fox’s whimsical font frequently clashes with the busier scenes, causing the plot to lose momentum in places—and in some instances, such as when Pink is yelling alliterative insults at Glitter, the page becomes overcrowded and challenging to read. That being said, the collage of hues and activity will give younger readers plenty of space to exercise their imaginations.
The story more than makes up for these design issues in heart and joy. The rhyming narrative offers a fun readability, and kids will enjoy lingering over the small details bursting out of each page. Readers will be inspired to pick up their own markers, and Fox features kids’ illustrations throughout the story, including a page at the end that invites readers to draw their own flag. This cheerful and inspiring story is an ode to the joy of self-confidence and will make a creative addition to any shelf.
Takeaway: Artists and misfits alike will appreciate this story’s heartfelt message and colorful world.
Great for fans of: Drew Daywalt’s The Day the Crayons Quit, Diane Alber’s Snippets.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Dean is an endearing character who only made it to heaven because he saved a kid’s life on Earth, but his performance as a Cupid assistant leaves a lot to be desired. His methods of making people on Earth fall in love are too unorthodox, leaving a trail of costly expenses and emotional distress, and the further Pixel dives into the defense, the more he starts to wonder if he’ll be able to keep Dean from “getting flushed”—heaven’s jargon for those residents who don’t work hard enough to stay. When Pixel starts to notice a trend in Dean's failings—that he projects his parenting onto his Earth assignments because he died before his own child was born—he soon discovers the whole situation is a set up by power-hungry angels.
Copelan’s tongue-in-cheek writing and relatable characters make this read a win, and he dissects the nuances of heaven versus Earth in a thought-provoking way. From the amusingly satirical interactions with humans, like the unionized genie in a bottle who keeps granting unfair wishes, to Dean’s hearing that deteriorates to the point where the “Big Guy” has to step in with a good old-fashioned rotary phone call, readers will be equal parts amused and intrigued. By turns lighthearted and reflective, this story will delight readers open to a touch of divine comedy.
Takeaway: A social worker in heaven attempts to save an assistant to Cupid from banishment in this enjoyable, irreverent read.
Great for fans of: Terry Pratchett’s Small Gods, Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi.
Production grades
Cover: C+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Maloney shows promise in his eye for detail and character and his investment in creating an immersive fantastical world. Despite working within the traditional confines of the fantasy quest, he has built the tale around some freshly imaginative concepts: Eluramance boasts wonders like glass trees, voidbags, and Komeyu, a shining sword crafted from a dragon’s tooth. An intricate mythology and creation story gives nuance to a tale that otherwise risks familiarity, and Lessia is a likable protagonist, whose above-average abilities are tempered by a wide-eyed eagerness.
However, Maloney plays it safe by integrating stock tropes: Eluramance is peopled with elves, dwarves, and orcs who behave as one would come to expect, and expository dialogue slows the pace at times. Future installments may benefit from an appendix to help young readers keep track of characters and magic essentials to firmly ground them in the series. Still, there is a touching emotional weight to the tale that will keep readers invested. The Eluramance Chronicles does not yet break new ground, but a spirit of enthusiasm, adventure, and conviction distinguishes this series kickoff. It will appeal to young readers new to the genre or older ones who favor tradition.
Takeaway: A young woman learns to master her own magic in this traditional but promising fantasy quest.
Great for fans of: Marie Lu’s The Young Elites series, Sue Lynn Tan’s Daughter of the Moon Goddess.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B-
Marketing copy: B+
But it’s the summer solstice, and Delia’s assertion that “the veil between the worlds appears exceptionally thin” appeals to Lucy, whose imagination roves to distant lands. When they encounter a mystical bird encircled by fire, the impetuous Lucy leads her skeptical best friend into a hidden world with a dismissive, “Come on, what could go wrong?” Plenty, Marion correctly notes, and soon this engaging, imperfect duo are tasked with protecting Yidi, the arrogant, ineffectual young emperor of Sericea. This pre-industrial realm is ruled by a medieval political structure and powerful magical forces, especially those wielded by Yidi’s evil stepmother, Queen Xixi.
Utilizing familiar elements of fairy tales and fantasy, The Silk Road features a brave girl, brainy boy, and heartened prince who follow the colorful road and long for the safety of home. But Marion doesn’t make the “chosen” Lucy and Dee into saviors, only role models of loyalty, kindness and resilience for the sheltered Yidi. Their rewards are hard lessons: Lucy realizes that her rash decisions have consequences, and the analytical Dee comes to accept that exploration sometimes involves getting lost. The Silk Road will engage young readers eager for an exciting quest on the uncertain path to maturity, where hard-won knowledge is a given, and a happily-ever-after is not.
Takeaway: Likably fallible tweens embark on a fantasy adventure that offers young readers both thrilling escapism and insightful self-reflection.
Great for fans of: Ted Sanders’s The Keepers, Lloyd Alexander’s The Chronicles of Prydain, and Colin Melody’s Wildwood Chronicles.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B+
Nannini proves adept at war-time storytelling, with an emphasis on bravery and camaraderie; his accounts of Watson’s missions take an engaging novelistic approach, with memorable detail—the C-47s Watson flies, the “hot chow” the crews scarf, the rituals a superstitious pilot works into his routine—and a feeling for suspense. On a mission to evacuate a field hospital in danger of being overrun by the SS (from the mission briefing: “get ’em all the hell out of there”), the sight of a German Messerschmitt 262 jet fighter stirs in Watson and readers both a mesmerized awe and then deep alarm.
This inviting volume reads quickly, building to the top-secret, behind-enemy-lines mission of the title—"You’re picking up some top Nazis, and they won’t be happy about it, understand?”—rendered with clarity and power. Nannini excels at establishing the stakes, explaining crucial context like flight conditions, and putting readers alongside Watson in the cockpit. The reconstructed dialogue tends to be upbeat, sounding, perhaps, like Watson’s own voice, sharing these stories. It’s a pleasure to have them set down. The striking photographs offer welcome context.
Takeaway: The high-flying accounts of an American pilot’s daring World War II missions.
Great for fans of: Adam Makos’s A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II, Guy Gibson’s Enemy Coast Ahead.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A-
The book’s Nantucket setting offers an atmospheric oceanside backdrop to Woodward Academy, and Grinnell skilly weaves it into the story with exciting scenes on the water and subtle, but meaningful, nautical references that symbolize Monty’s growth. Monty’s deep desire to be an ethical person often makes his actions somewhat predictable, but nevertheless, Grinnell tests his character in surprising ways. Similarly, some secondary characters are simple archetypes–most of Monty’s classmates are defined only by their vices, and the story’s antagonist has the feel of a supervillain– but others, like his teacher Dr. Reid, face tough choices and learn from their mistakes.
Monty’s father is also a complex and evolving creation, and his relationship with Monty reflects both characters’ difficult personal journeys. It also prompts readers to ponder larger questions even beyond nature versus nurture: What does it mean to be a good person? How should we deal with the faults in ourselves and others? Should we stop loving people if they do bad things? Grinnell widens the lens on these topics by including references to related books and psychological experiments. This story’s action-packed plot will keep readers guessing, and the energy it infuses into the deep questions at its core will keep them thinking.
Takeaway: Students of psychology, philosophy and ethics will appreciate the depth of this exciting thriller
Great for fans of: A.G. Riddle’s The Atlantis Gene, Allison Larkin’s The People We Keep, Mary E. Pearson’s The Adoration of Jenna Fox.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Aly’s often dark, aching tales ooze humanity and will leave readers unsettled and contemplative. In “The Mentor,” retired professor Rodman leaves cryptic clues for his godson, Sabastian, to uncover his network of activists and locate the funds he has embezzled from his work with unnamed racketeers. Unfortunately for Sabastian, his impatience and short-sightedness leave him high and dry, putting himself, and his family, at risk. Aly’s prose is direct and economical, and he leaves welcome space for readers to connect the dots and mull over connections, outcomes, and ironies.
The title story takes a sharp turn, with a heartening narrative centered on Ralph Bixner, a suicidal man who encounters troubled student Stephen Elwood and shares his wisdom with the boy, in the process experiencing an epiphany about his own woes: “Whatever my problems are, other people are carrying just as heavy a burden as I am.” Readers will catch the thread of angst that weaves through each story, none more so than Anita in “Beach Walk,” who ruefully wonders if her flagging marriage will be revitalized by a couples vacation–“Can two miles of beach change the course of life?” The result is a moving revelation of the ties that bind us all.
Takeaway: An accomplished story collection that finds human feeling in desperate scenarios.
Great for fans of: Claire Vaye Watkins’s Battleborn, Laura Lippman’s Seasonal Work.
Production grades
Cover: B-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B

Although the novel spans the 1960s with flashbacks to previous decades, Thorndike’s present-tense storytelling imbues the material with immediacy, while its sense of history, such as Ginny’s brief affair with legendary sculptor Isamu Noguchi, entices readers to see the world freshly. Thorndike alternates between the perspectives of Ginny and Rob, revealing the love Ginny yearns to show her children and the loyalty they give in return. Rob’s unusual life path immerses readers in a full range of emotions, from sensual thrill to abject loneliness. Striking language and poetic and historical detail bring vivid life to the emotional journey.
Given the convincing plot and fully fleshed out protagonist, it is no surprise that a real woman inspired the novel: Thorndike’s own mother, which accounts for the shared last name. But this is no memoir—Ginny’s free-spirited choices and dark struggles measure up to fiction’s great protagonists. Her self-awareness and wit garner affection and sympathy as readers hope she finds relief from the memories that haunt her. Fans of women’s fiction and family drama will savor Ginny’s search for happiness, and readers will miss Ginny and her children long after finishing this moving stunner.
Takeaway: A stunning drama that delves into one woman’s bid for romantic satisfaction, even at the price of desolation.
Great for fans of: Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge, Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A-

“The Pitch” is not just about a day in the life of a marketing and PR person, but also a satire that inks organized religion to brilliantly thought out marketing campaigns. “Silver Tweezers” and “Jaffa Oranges” offer beautiful depictions of the father-son bond through shared activity, while “Ten Houses” and “My Imaginary Girlfriend” adeptly paint loss and loneliness. Among the several stories about friendship, especially male friendships, “Shwartzman’s” and “The Reminder” stand out for sheer hilarity and ‘Stocking the Pond’ for never once slipping into mawkishness. “The Rumor” and “Shprintza” effectively bring out horrors of the early twentieth century–life in a dictatorship and the Holocaust–by just alluding to them. “Theory of Relativity” and “Theo and Me” sketch the ups and downs of being a writer, the struggle to get traditionally published, and the joy and exhilaration of being accepted and appreciated, all in a lighter vein.
The language is casual and engaging, with the inviting feeling of being in the company of close friends, after a good meal, relishing a well-told anecdote. This highly enjoyable collection will not only capture readers’ hearts with its humor, it will also leave them feeling more charitable and magnanimous towards this world, which Zevy makes seem a touch brighter.
Takeaway: These comic vignettes, drawn from life, create the feeling of being regaled with a friend’s best anecdotes.
Great for fans of: P. G. Wodehouse, David Sedaris.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
Readers fascinated by the day-to-day life of the past will be drawn in by the thoroughly detailed depiction of travel from Europe to the Americas–Michalik’s research reveals the logistics and practical considerations of every leg of the journey–as well as the larger historical aspects that Michalik includes, particularly the political and social aspects of daily life for rural Slovak villagers. The choice to emphasize historical detail, such as the lecture a character delivers about the holds and refrigeration of a cargo vessel, comes at the expense of narrative momentum, with Michalik’s love story lacking some intensity, and several promising plotlines fading into the background without making a larger impact.
Jan's travel, which is not instigated by tragic circumstances, naturally stirs a sense of adventure and optimism. But Michalik doesn't neglect to highlight the uncertainties and difficulties facing immigrants in that time period—including the hardship of leaving loved ones behind, knowing you may never meet again, with only slow and unreliable mail as a form of communication. This heartfelt story showcases the perseverance and steadfastness required when taking a leap of faith to start a new life.
Takeaway: This inspiring, detail-rich immigration story will speak to history lovers fascinated by the early 20th century American experience.
Great for fans of: Mary Antin's The Promised Land, Adriana Trigiani's The Shoemaker's Wife.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A
Kelleher’s story is told with disarming frankness, aimed at Christian readers for whom the sentiments about seeking peace over grief in prayer and scripture, or in the conviction that God has a greater plan, will resonate. Kelleher describes herself throughout as a steadfast believer who dedicated herself to the Bible and prayer in order to maintain a relationship with–and to understand–God. The Arlington Wetlands of Illinois, which she calls a “‘Holy Land’ of weeds,” offered opportunity to deepen that connection, and she describes it with passion. Readers looking for answers from outside the faith, however, should seek elsewhere.
Kelleher’s genuine character and questions of faith will connect with believers. Her tone is earnest, thoughtful, and appreciative, and she writes with slow candor, suggesting the drift of mind of her walk, often meandering into deeper thought and capturing memories of a life well-lived. While grieving loss, she is simultaneously facing the reality of her own mortality, considering her fears and feeling gratitude surrounding her age. Beyond the Visible Edge makes clear on each page that she loves God, nature, family, dogs, and the life she has devoted to being a Christian.
Takeaway: On a wetland walking path, a grieving mother feels her way toward healing in this Christian memoir.
Great for fans of: Steve & Sharol Hayner’s Joy in the Journey, Gary Roe’s Shattered.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: B+
Illustrations: A-
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A
Evans’s terms “love” and “honor” stem from the romantic relationships between caste or religious sects, where the term “honor” (or questioning one's honor) comes from societal and traditional expectations surrounding marriage and family. Evans questions what it means to honor, and what can be changed when relationships inspire violence and “[echo] themes found in legendary stories.” He sees telling these stories–and spreading the word that nonviolence is an acceptable alternative–as a step toward ending the phenomenon.
Stemming from his research that led to a PhD, this compact, approachable volume reads a bit like a thesis, though Evans, who is not a resident of the region, rather than just document a phenomenon, urges action, arguing what needs to be done to stem honor killings and suggesting that there’s a clear path of “stepping stones” leading to “progress.” (His research is qualitative rather than quantitative.) Those interested in peace, justice, and reconciliation issues will find this book of interest, and those with a particular interest in religious studies, myth and world literature, and law will also find much of Evans’ research compelling.
Takeaway: A compact, approachable treatise on the phenomenon of honor killings and forbidden love in Northern India and Nepal.
Great for fans of: Minoo Alinia’s Honor and Violence against Women in Iraqi Kurdistan, Ayşe Önal’s Honor Killing.
Production grades
Cover: B-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: C
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B
From the opening pages, Webb’s story teems with intrigue, mystery, and enticing uncertainty. Readers are thrust into Oscar’s anxiety-stricken world as he awaits Jessica’s arrival. Time-alternating chapters between Jessica’s then and Oscar’s build suspense and provide critical background information, while revealing character and teasing out the pleasingly layered and perplexing truth, especially once Oscar gains a bit of her trust and realizes that Jessica’s silence and unwillingness to cooperate in the investigation might not be a sign of guilt, but her way of protecting someone close to her.
A reluctance to reveal their true selves thematically connects the two characters, and Webb’s short, crisply written chapters, most building to moments of decision or excitement as past catches up to present, reveal their experience in counterpoint while inviting readers to unravel their secrets. “We’re all a little afraid of what we are,” someone tells Jessica. Webb also takes full advantage of the opportunities for engaging subplots offered by the world of Whitner Hospital and its environs, such as Oscar’s budding relationship with colleague Hale, while trouble with the backstabbing, envious Charles Aston increases the stakes with workplace drama that is sure to keep readers engrossed in the story.
Takeaway: Fans of mind-bending psychological thrillers will appreciate this tangled tale.
Great for fans of: Alex Michaelides’s The Silent Patient, Lisa Socttoline’s Every Fifteen Minutes.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
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