New Releases - May 2022

The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews
Hattie Kavanaugh went to work restoring homes for Kavanaugh & Son Restorations at eighteen, married the boss's son at twenty, and became a widow at twenty-five. Now, her work is the only passion in her life. Hattie falls for a money pit of a house and she’s determined to make it work, but Hattie's dream might cost Kavanaugh & Son their livelihood.
When a Hollywood producer shows up, she gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: star in a reality show called "The Homewreckers," cast against a male lead who may be a love interest or an antagonist. During the demolition, evidence comes to light that points to the disappearance of a woman years before.
With a detective investigating the case, an arsonist on the loose, two men playing with her emotions, and layers of wallpaper causing havoc, it's a question of who will flip, who will flop and if Hattie will ever get her happily-ever-after. 

Every Cloak Rolled in Blood by James Lee Burke
Aaron is shattered when his daughter Fannie Mae dies suddenly. As he tries to honor her memory by saving two men from a life of crime, he is drawn into a network of villainy that includes a former Klansman, a far-from-holy minister, a biker club posing as evangelicals, and a murderer.
Aaron's only ally is state police officer Ruby, a no-nonsense woman who harbors secrets. Despite the air of mystery surrounding her, Ruby is the only one Aaron can trust. That is, until the ghost of Fannie Mae shows up, guiding her father through the present and past and helping him vanquish his foes from both this world and the next.

Sparring Partners by John Grisham
Jake Brigance is back and called upon to help a friend, Mack Stafford, a former lawyer, who became notorious when he stole money from his clients, divorced his wife, filed for bankruptcy, and left his family. Mack is leaning on his old pals to help him return. His homecoming does not go as planned.
Cody Wallace, a young death row inmate only three hours away from execution, has one final request. 
The "Sparring Partners" are the Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty, two lawyers who inherited a firm when its founder, their father, was sent to prison. Kirk and Rusty loathe each other and as the firm disintegrates, the fiasco falls into the lap of Diantha Bradshaw. Can she save the Malloys?

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
Isabelle is lost. When she began her career, she did not expect to be twenty-five, living at home, and one of the few Black employees at her publishing house. Overworked and underpaid, Izzy thinks there must be more to life. So, when she overhears her boss complaining about an author who has failed to deliver his manuscript, Isabelle sees an opportunity to get the promotion she deserves.
All she has to do is go to the author's mansion and give him a pep talk. How hard could it be?
But Izzy quickly finds out she is in over her head. Beau Towers is jaded and withdrawn and just as lost as Izzy. But Izzy needs Beau to deliver, and with her encouragement, his story begins. They soon discover they have more in common than either of them expected, Izzy and Beau begin to realize there may be something there that wasn't there before.

Southern Man by Greg Iles
Years after the events of the Natchez Burning trilogy, Penn Cage is alone. Penn's self-imposed exile ends when a brawl at a music festival triggers a shooting that nearly takes the life of his daughter.
Before the populace can process the tragedy, an arsonist begins torching antebellum plantation homes. When an unknown Black group claims the fires as acts of justice, panic ensues.
Then Penn's closest friend is shot to death on the street by a county deputy, and the community descends into open hostilities. State and county politicos use the mayhem as an excuse to dissolve the city government and seize control, and enraged activists begin converging on the town from far-away states to see their brand of justice done.

The Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery
When fate brings three strangers to a space for lease on the California coast, the Boardwalk Bookshop is born. Part bookstore, part gift shop, part bakery, it's a dream come true for Bree, Mikki, and Ashley. But while their business is thriving, their personal lives are...not.
Bree has sworn to protect her heart at all costs. Even from Ashley's brother, the first man to see Bree's true self. Mikki has divorce figured out. She's stayed friends with her ex until a new man changes how everyone looks at her, and how she sees herself. Meanwhile, Ashley discovers that the love of her life never intends to marry. Can she live without being a wife if it means she can have everything else she's ever wanted?
As their bond grows closer, they challenge one another to become the best versions of themselves in this story of friendship, sisterhood, and the power of love.

Secrets by Fern Michaels
Every antique tells a story. Cullen and Luna learned that through their parents' business. Now, with their restoration shop and café, they often find themselves unraveling mysteries for their clients. Inside an anonymous old steamer chest, Cullen discovers a diary and a letter, asking for the diary to be restored to its owner. But not everyone is thrilled with the quest. Luna’s budding relationship comes under strain as he tries to talk her out of the chase. Intuition pushes them on and leads Cullen and Luna to wonder if the diary's secrets still hold power today.

Overboard by Sara Paretsky
On her way home from an all-night surveillance job, V.I. Warshawski is led on a mad chase that ends with an injured teen hiding along Lake Michigan. V.I. helps bring her to a hospital, but not long after, she vanishes before anyone can discover her identity. As V.I. attempts to find her, the detective uncovers a consortium of Chicago powerbrokers and mobsters who are prepared to kill the girl. And now V.I.'s own life is in jeopardy as well.
Told against the backdrop of a city emerging from its pandemic lockdown, Overboard lays bare the dark secrets and corruption buried in Chicago's neighborhoods.

22 Seconds by James Patterson
SFPD Sergeant Lindsay Boxer has guns on her mind.
There's buzz of a last-ditch shipment of drugs and weapons crossing the Mexican border ahead of new restrictive gun laws. Before Lindsay can act, her top informant tips her to a case that hits disturbingly close to home.
Former cops. Professional hits. All with the same warning scrawled on their bodies:
You talk, you die.
Now it's Lindsay's turn to choose.

When She Dreams by Amanda Quick
Maggie Lodge, assistant to the reclusive advice columnist known only as Dear Aunt Cornelia, hires private eye Sam Sage to help track down the person who is blackmailing her employer. As far as Sam is concerned, Maggie is not what he had in mind for a client, but he can't afford to be choosy. Maggie, on the other hand, is convinced that Sam needs guidance and good advice. She gives him both. Despite the tension between them, they are fiercely attracted to each other, but are convinced it would be a mistake to let passion take over. Sam is haunted by his past marriage. Maggie is troubled by dreams she can control. Secrets from the past are revealed, leaving Maggie and Sam in the path of a killer who will stop at nothing to exact vengeance.

Nightworks by Nora Roberts
Harry Booth started stealing at nine to keep a roof over his ailing mother's head. When she succumbed to cancer, he left Chicago--but kept up his nightwork.
Wandering, he dons new identities and stays distant. He can't afford to attract attention--or get attached. Still, he can't help letting his guard down when he meets Miranda. Harry takes a lucrative job commissioned by Carter LaPorte. LaPorte sees a tool he can use and decides he wants to own Harry.
When LaPorte strongarms Harry into robbing a museum, Harry abandons Miranda and disappears. But no matter what name he uses or where he goes, LaPorte casts a shadow over Harry's life. To free himself, he must face down his enemy once and for all.

Summer Love by Nancy Thayer
Four strangers rent rooms in a hotel and embark on the summer of their lives. First, there's Ariel, who dreams of becoming a writer and is looking for inspiration in Nantucket. Her new friend Sheila is a Catholic girl whose desire for adventure is shadowed by her apprehension. Wyatt is immediately taken with Ariel. Nick is looking to make a name for himself. Despite their differences, the four bond over dinners, trips to the beach, and all that Nantucket has to offer.
Twenty-six years after that summer, they all come together where they first met. Nick owns the hotel with his wife and daughter. Ariel and Wyatt, married for decades, arrive with their son, and Sheila's back too, with her daughter. Ariel's dreams have faded but she's determined to rediscover the passion she once had. Nick has the money, but is it everything he had hoped for? Sheila has never been able to shake the secret she's kept since that summer. Meanwhile, the next generation discovers Nantucket, exploring the island together, experiencing love and heartbreak, and forging lifelong bonds.