May 2023 Recent Releases The Housemate by Sarah Bailey What it's about: A decade after covering the "Housemate Homicide" story in-depth, Australian journalist Olive Groves is once again assigned to the case when a body is discovered, dredging up unpleasant truths for both the reporter and her subjects.   Reviewers say: Author Sarah Bailey's "sophisticated, multilayered plot will have readers longing for more books about this intriguing new leading lady" (Booklist). The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas What it is: a creepy, atmospheric story about a missing persons cold case and small town determined to keep its secrets.   How it starts: with the arrival of journalist Jenna Halliday, who is looking to interview the townspeople to mark the 20th anniversary since the disappearance of four teenage girls. For fans of: Into the Water by Paula Hawkins; The It Girl by Ruth Ware. The Skeleton Key by Erin Kelly What it's about: Nell Churcher has always felt overwhelmed by the obsessive fans of her father's unusual multimedia bestseller The Golden Bones. Still, she agrees to take part documentary being filmed to mark the book's 50th anniversary, a decision she will soon regret. Who it's for: anyone who has ever known someone that got a little too into House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski.  Reviewers say: "Full of reflections on ego and art, love and loss, this atypical thriller shows Kelly writing at the top of her game" (Publishers Weekly). The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan How it starts: with Alyssa Macallan distraught, confused, and isolated after her wealthy and well-connected husband Bill leaves her without explanation. Then she meets: Bree Lorrance, a troubled young woman in need of a place to stay, which prompts lonely Alyssa to offer the stranger her guest house. What comes next: a complex cat-and-mouse game, but who is the cat and who is the mouse? Black Wolf by Kathleen Kent What it is: the action-packed, richly detailed story of an undercover CIA agent sent behind the crumbling Iron Curtain to keep Soviet nuclear weapons from falling into the wrong hands once the Cold War ends.  What makes her unique: Protagonist Melvina Donleavy is a "super recognizer" who never forgets a face. About the author: Though Kathleen Kent first made her mark with historical novels like The Heretic's Daughter and The Outcasts, she is also known for her Edgar Award-nominated police procedural The Burn. The Donut Legion by Joe R. Lansdale What it's about: East Texas writer and former P.I. Charlie Garner takes on "one last job" after the disappearance of his ex-wife Meg and her new husband, who had ties to a strange local cult.  Read it for: Hap and Leonard series author Joe. R. Landsdale's trademark combination of offbeat humor, intricately plotted suspense, and a strong sense of place. Our best intentions  by Vibhuti Jain What it's about: Caught in the middle of a criminal investigation after finding her classmate stabbed and bleeding, Angie, an introverted teenager, must navigate conflicting narratives while her father attempts to shield her and protect his hard-earned efforts to assimilate, which overshadows his ability to see right from wrong.  You know her by Meagan Jennett What it's about: Becoming friends with Sophie Braam, Officer Nora Martin, new to the unwelcoming Bellair Police Department, begins to suspect something's not quite right with the unnerving, enigmatic bartender and discovers she's the serial killer terrorizing their small town, but wonders if anyone will believe her. Those Empty Eyes  by Charlie Donlea What it's about: Ten years after being exonerated in the massacre of her family, legal investigator Alex Armstrong, still searching for answers, finds her crusade to help a man who's under suspicion in the disappearance of his journalist girlfriend resulting in unexpected connections to the murder of her own family. A flaw in the design  by Nathan Oates What it's about: After his nephew is orphaned, a creative writing professor and his wife must take in seventeen-year-old Matthew and are concerned and panicked when the young man begins writing chilling stories that imagine the deaths of his parents and relatives. He said he would be late by Justine Sullivan What it's about: The loving wife of a rising Boston banker takes a deep dive down a dangerous rabbit hole after she intercepts a text with a kissy-face emoji on her husband's phone while everyone around her becomes convinced she's losing her mind. I have some questions for you by Rebecca Makkai What it's about: A successful film professor returns to teach at her alma mater and becomes determined to investigate a closed murder case, in the new novel from the author of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist The Great Believers. Wandering souls  by Cecile Pin What it's about: Seeking refuge in the UK after the last American troops leave Vietnam, Anh and her younger brothers, in a London plagued by social inequality and raging anti-immigrant sentiment, find their paths diverging as time passes, wondering if love alone can keep them together. Black girls must have it all  by Jayne Allen What it's about: Throwing herself into her work to maintain her position as the news station's weekend anchor, new mother Tabitha Walker, when her husband issues her an ultimatum, turns to her friends for support as she comes to terms with her new life and faces her biggest challenge yet– choosing herself.  I could live here forever by Hanna Halperin What it's about: A young woman becomes involved in an all-consuming relationship with a recovering heroin addict much to the consternation of her family and friends, in the new novel by the award-winning author of Something Wild. Woman of the year  by Darcey Bell When Holly, who destroyed her once-promising future back in college, is up for an award at a Woman of the Year ceremony, Lorelei finally has the perfect opportunity to exact her revenge, but soon discovers someone else has been obsessively following Holly's career and will kill to have it.  Those people next door by Kia Abdullah What it's about: A gripping thriller about nightmare neighbours, Those People Next Door explores the loss of innocence and how far we’re prepared to go to defend ourselves and the people we love. Trembling River by Andrée A. Michaud What it's about: An atmospheric mystery and a sharp exploration of guilt and sorrow, Trembling River is a powerful work from internationally renowned novelist Andrée A. Michaud and translated by J. C. Sutcliffe. This newsletter is brought to you by Siiri.  Contact your librarian for more great books!