INTRIGUING IRISH MYSTERY with a touch of the Gothic revolves around a missing student and her art teacher. Thoughtful, spooky, resonant. SOLID B

THE TEMPLE HOUSE VANISHING
Algonquin Books
2021

IN A REGIMENTED FUTURE CONTROLLED by AIs, monocorporations, and a draconian surveillance state, one person tries to choose freedom. Fascinating worldbuilding, timely parable. SOLID B

TERMS OF SERVICE: SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
Bad Rooster Press
2021

FRIENDSHIP, SECRETS, AND LIES: as a woman’s wedding approaches, her bridesmaid, an old friend from childhood, plans to reveal a devastating truth. Sleek English psychological thriller. SOLID B

THE BRIDESMAID: THE ADDICTIVE NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT IN 2021
Boldwood Books
2021

CRISP, ACTION-PACKED PARANORMAL adventure features lots of fighting, intriguing creatures from fae to werewolves, and a badass vampire hero whose wisecracks never stop. Fun especially for Jim Butcher fans. SOLID B

THOSE WONDERFUL TOYS: PRETERNATURAL CHRONICLES BOOK 7 (THE PRETERNATURAL CHRONICLES)
Argento Publishing
2021

STRUNG-OUT EXISTENTIAL NOIR detective yarn with a unique mix of the grim and the whimsical: Jonathan Ames’s first foray into mystery is hard to characterize, but holds you riveted. SOLID B

A MAN NAMED DOLL
Mulholland Books
2021

IN A POST-APOCALYPTIC “UNITED STATE”—a totalitarian regime that combines a cult of personality with brutal police surveillance—two women meet and have the chance to change everything. Intriguing ideas, worldbuilding. SOLID B

MARIGOLD
BookBaby
2021

THE PERILS OF TIME TRAVEL, outlined in a neatly plotted British thriller with an eye for telling detail. Lots of action in this riff on essential tropes. SOLID B

RETURN TO TOMORROW (THE TIME BUBBLE BOOK 11)
Jason Ayres
2021

AN ANGRY VOODOO QUEEN with demon minions? Alice will face anything to get her fiancé back. Sweet paranormal romance with some fascinating details. SOLID B

ALICE AND THE VOODOO QUEEN: A PARANORMAL URBAN FANTASY NOVELLA
K. R. S. McEntire
2020

A PASTOR TURNED HITMAN fights white supremacist violence and police corruption in New Orleans. High-action thriller with an intriguing and timely premise. SOLID B

WAR OF THE HEART: AN ACHIM JEFFERS NOVEL
Spirit of 1811 Publishing
2020

A HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF DRUGS, prohibition, and policing around the world. Packed with riveting interviews and revealing anecdotes, entertaining and informative. SOLID B

DOPEWORLD
St. Martin's Press
2020