The Crossroads by C.J. Box

THE CROSSROADS by C.J. Box is the latest (#26) in the long-running series featuring game warden Joe Pickett. Set amid harsh conditions in Wyoming, this story centers on finding out why (and by whom) Pickett was ambushed near a fork in the trail that splits off towards three different ranches.  There are questions related to cartels and drug smuggling, to possible kidnapping, and to just plain greed and social standing. It takes a while to determine the possible motives, particularly as it is Pickett’s three grown daughters (Sheridan, April, and Lucy) leading the chase while their Dad is hospitalized in the hopes of recovering from a brain injury. The perpetrators are ruthless, and multiple deaths occur as the action accelerates towards a fitting ending. A larger role for the daughters was a bonus in this puzzling, often violent, whodunit. 

The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor

THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE POISONED PROFESSOR by Lucy Connelly is the first in a new cozy mystery series. It is set in Dillynaidd, Wales at the local university where alumnae Gwen Griffith has arrived to head the journalism department for the Dean (and her best friend), Carolyn Sparks. After a faculty party welcome, one of the other professors, Alice Rice, collapses at Gwen’s door. Foul play - and Gwen - are suspected by the local police detective, Gareth Jones. Of course, Gwen (aided by her teaching assistant Ellis) jumps in to do some investigative reporting and makes some rather dubious choices along the way. Soon, both are in danger, and it takes a village of newly found friends to save them. Gwen is a very likeable heroine and I look forward to more of her Welsh adventures. 

The Devil's Bible by Steve Berry

THE DEVIL'S BIBLE by Steve Berry is the latest novel featuring Cotton Malone, a retired Justice Department agent. I had not read any previously, but I look forward to reading more in this series due to the twisty, relevant plot and exciting action. This story takes place in Sweden (which I now want to visit) where the sister of the King has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. The demand is for The Codex Gigas, a massive (165 pound) medieval manuscript originally created in Bohemia and belonging to Czechoslovakia but plundered by Sweden in 1648. The intent was to return the codex so as to facilitate a positive vote on Sweden’s entry into NATO, but that is now in jeopardy. Russia is suspected being behind the kidnapping and of using an agent close to the royal family. Berry includes some intriguing historical background and spycraft information, but really excels when Cotton; his former boss, Stephanie Nelle; and his girlfriend and former colleague, Cassiopeia Vitt encounter harrowing circumstances (attempted assassination at a circus, intense aerial combat, and gunfighting) and turncoat agents in their efforts to find the princess and deliver the bible. THE DEVIL'S BIBLE received a starred review from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly says, “Cotton’s narrow escapes and larger-than-life heroics are as outlandish and thrilling as ever.” If you are looking for mystery and adventure, try this.

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

THE ASTRAL LIBRARY by Kate Quinn was a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for February.  I have enjoyed Kate Quinn’s historical fiction (The Briar Club, The Diamond Eye, The Rose Code, for example), but this new novel went in an exciting different direction. Quinn experiments with fantasy as she introduces Alexandria “Alix” Watson, a young, almost destitute young woman who is welcomed into the magical Astral Library. There, other desperate readers (e.g., a woman escaping her controlling husband) are offered sanctuary and helped into books by The Librarian. Several rules apply in this alternative world and Quinn provides an element of danger and quite a bit of exciting adventure for Alix as the Astral Library itself comes under threat. Alix is joined by Beau, a fashion designer who constructs amazing dresses, based in part on the real world creations of Sylvie Facon. With THE ASTRAL LIBRARY, Quinn has crafted an ode to Libraries “full of ideas – perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons.” She dedicates this book to her mother and “all Librarians everywhere—[saying,] this is for you, Book Dragons keep on breathing flame.” Fantastical and improbable, but inspiring and fun!

The Secret of Snow by Tina Harnesk

THE SECRET OF SNOW is written by Tina Harnesk and translated by Alice Menzies. This novel takes place in northern Sweden and involves characters across many generations. Most notably, there is an elderly husband and wife who face serious health challenges. These two get a new phone and the woman (Mariddja) believes that Siri is a real person – their conversations are funny and poignant, especially as Siri is the only real friend this woman has. She and her husband do not trust the authorities since as a child he and his family were forcibly relocated. Harnesk explores this important sub-theme and the ideas associated with cultural preservation while also looking at the impact of the trauma on individuals and future generations. Overall, the book was sad and a bit confusing, especially at the beginning where the author flips back and forth between various characters; ultimately, Harnesk does interweave the stories for a satisfying ending. THE SECRET OF SNOW received a starred review from Library Journal and Publishers Weekly says: “Fans of Fredrik Backman will take to this touching family drama.”  I concur.

Catch Your Death by Ravena Guron

CATCH YOUR DEATH by Ravena Guron is described by the publisher as being part Agatha Christie and part Karen McManus. It is a locked room mystery with several teenage characters and an amazing number of twists. Devi’s car breaks down on the way to her grandmother’s house; Lizzie delivers a necklace to a wealthy, but arrogant, woman named Emily Vanforte; and Jayne is employed to help with a very fancy dinner. They all end up marooned during a snowstorm with the dysfunctional family at the Bramble Estate. Emily joins her husband, Charles; daughter, Lottie, daughter’s boyfriend, Douglas Treefair; and a young cousin of Lottie’s, Tate Astur, as the only dinner guests when Emily dies suddenly. Was her food poisoned by one of these other dinner attendees? The three girls combine efforts to solve the puzzle and try to keep any other deaths from happening until police can arrive. Guron does an excellent job building suspense and an air of menace: the three girls alternate narrating and police interviews are interspersed as chilling flashbacks. The old manor house is full of secret passages and multiple weapons appear and disappear.  School Library Journal recommends CATCH YOUR DEATH for grades 9 and up, saying, “truly unpredictable and sure to engross readers as the full story unwinds.” I concur and I will look for past (This Book Kills) and future mystery titles by Ravena Guron. 

Lucky by Design by Judd Kessler

LUCKY BY DESIGN by Judd Kessler is subtitled “The Hidden Economics You Need to Get More of What You Want.” Kessler, Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, expounds upon his research about markets and scarce resources. Kessler spoke recently about his new book at a Family Action Network event. There, he explored ideas like getting a reservation at a popular restaurant or being admitted to an elite college. He indicated that it often serves one best to initially “settle for silver” to achieve a desirable outcome. Later, he stressed the importance of personal networking and signaling to the other side of a labor market or to a potential romantic partner that one is sincerely interested. Similar ideas are outlined in this text where, according to the author, “each chapter will provide guidance about how to play in certain types of markets and will arm you with a set of strategies to increase your chances of getting more of what you want from them.” In LUCKY BY DESIGN Kessler looks first at what he calls the three Es (having rules that are equitable, efficient, and easy). He then devotes chapters to different types of market rules: first come, first served; using a lottery; ranking preferences and so forth. While the findings are not especially surprising, this is an accessible text filled with multiple, everyday examples (like allocating household chores), often involving Kessler’s three children or the university academic environment with which he is most familiar. There is an excellent summary and an audio excerpt (read by the author) at the Next Big Idea Club website.

I'll Make Me a World by Jarvis R. Givens

I'LL MAKE ME A WORLD by Jarvis R. Givens received a starred review from Library Journal and was the notable non-fiction LibraryReads selection for February. This text contains four essays and purports to share “The 100-Year Journey of Black History Month.” There is a great deal of history, including multiple images, and many stories related to figures critical to both the creation and the commemoration of Black History Week in 1926 and then Black History Month in 1976. However, the overall tone is quite scholarly and academic which could unnecessarily restrict readership. Givens is a Professor of Education and African and African American Studies and the co-founding faculty director of the Black Teacher Archive at Harvard University. He freely shares his personal experiences as a student and as a mentor. That personal history was quite interesting as well as the many more widely recognized historical anecdotes which he included. Givens feels passionately about this subject and that was evident in his research (Notes comprise about ten percent of this text and a detailed Index is included). Crafting an “abridged” version for high school students would be worth pursuing. 

Love Me Tomorrow by Emiko Jean

LOVE ME TOMORROW by Emiko Jean is a young adult novel whose main character is high school senior, Emma. She is a violin prodigy, but resists following her dream of music school because she feels compelled to stay close to home in order to help her single Mom and grandfather. It is a bit difficult to reconcile that selfless view with her almost obsession with several boys in her life. Teen readers will likely enjoy the angst and the mystery about which boy is really right for her. There’s her longtime neighbor and quasi brother, Theo; her high school crush and fellow musician, Ezra;  and wealthy Colin whose parents are house cleaning clients of Emma’s Mom. The author weaves a mystery into the story due to a romantic letter Emma receives which is supposedly sent from the future. Can Emma and her best friend Delia discover who wrote it? What risks will it inspire her to take? Kirkus describes LOVE ME TOMORROW as a “charming, funny, time-traveling romance [which] weaves in themes of personal growth and shifting family relationships...” Booklist recommends for Grades 8 to 12 and a recent author interview indicates that a second book about Emma is in the works.

Murder at the Wham Bam Club by Carolyn Marie Wilkins

Set in rural Illinois during the roaring 1920s, MURDER AT THE WHAM BAM CLUB by Carolyn Marie Wilkins has a fun, catchy title, but the story moved slowly. Wilkins seems to rely on quite a few stereotypes with a great deal of focus on being psychic and seeing auras. Honestly, that did not seem interesting after a while, especially with all of the repetition throughout the story. The main character, Nola Ann Jackson, is a young twenty-one-year-old widow who shares second sight abilities with her Aunt Sarah. When another young woman, Lilly, goes missing, from a school (Phyllis Wheatley Institute for homeless colored girls) that Nola Ann attended, the Director asks for help, implying that the police force will not give the case appropriate priority. I can readily see Nola Ann (as fearless as PBS’ Miss Scarlett) returning in future mysteries (and it does look like Let the Murderer Say Amen is scheduled for a July 2026 publication), but it is hard to always feel that she really is experienced enough or that local crime bosses and politicians would continue to listen to her. Readers interested in using “magic” to solve a puzzle would also enjoy the more modern day Lina Chern’s mysteries (Play the Fool and Tricks of Fortune).

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead

THE FUTURE SAINTS by Ashley Winstead was a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for January and deservedly so. This is a novel which deals with strong emotions shared through the actions of appealing characters. Hannah Cortland is the lead singer whose band is on its way down, due in part to the death a few months ago of their manager and in part to Hannah’s alcohol use and self-destructive behavior. In steps a new manager, Theo Ford, and the dynamics change rapidly as the band’s new and darker songs, along with some spectacular antics, build awareness and interest through social media. United in devastating grief, Hannah and the other band members (handsome bassist "Ripper" Ravishankar and gentle drummer Kenny Lovins) gradually accept Theo into their “found family.” Together, they push back against the pressures of sudden fame and corporate balance sheets, but not without some ruptures along the way. THE FUTURE SAINTS received starred reviews from Booklist (“emotional, unflinching story of grief and fame”) and Publishers Weekly (“readers will fly through the pages to find out whether Hannah will manage to tame her demons in time”). Highly recommended. 

Loon Point by Carrie Classon

LOON POINT by Carrie Classon is a debut novel which will melt your heart. I read this in about two days and was enamored with the characters and the found family they eventually manage to create. Set in the North Woods of Minnesota at the Last Resort (which is camp run by Norry Last), the story introduces readers to a darling (and rather self-sufficient) 8-year-old girl named Lizzie. She’s living in a rundown trailer with her Mom who is battling pain and addiction. A nearby and elderly neighbor is Wendell who seems neurodivergent or at least unaccustomed to being around other people since his own Mom’s death. Norry is middle aged, single, and has taken over the running of the camp after her own father’s death. She becomes a maternal figure of sorts for both Lizzie and Wendell. Those three share the narrating duties which moves the story along in an engaging manner. And then there’s Bud, a handyman with a strong desire to help others, who uses his local connections with foster care, addiction treatment, and senior housing to try to put things right. Sad events occur, but overall, LOON POINT is a feel-good book with memorable characters: “Maybe that was the trick. Maybe that's how people always managed to stay so much happier than Wendell had. They didn't complicate things -- the happy ones didn't, anyway. They knew what they needed, and they decided to be grateful for what they had.” Book Club Questions are included.