META-HISTORICAL META-NOVEL about the lingering specter of World War II and the utter impossibility of fiction.

MICHAEL FRAYN’S FARCE of jet-set conferencegoers and mistaken identities has lots of charm, insider snark.

CHARMING AUSTRALIAN ROMANTIC comedy-drama takes on some tough issues of love and abandonment with grace.

AN EYE-OPENING OVERVIEW of the history of North Korea from a professor/former National Security Council staffer.

GRIM, COMPLEX TALE of a Cold War fought with magic: British warlocks vs. Soviet-captured Nazi magical tech.

INSIDE A BALLET DANCER’S crisis of career burnout and family dysfunction. Lots of vivid backstage ballet detail!

TENSE, SPLENDIDLY BLEAK psychological mystery about the twisted bonds among a coach and her high school team.

A BROTHER AND SISTER’S bond is threatened by their wealthy family’s dysfunction and secrets. Luminous and wise.

META-THRILLER DELIGHTS, SURPRISES: lots of action, and snark about publishing, academia, and the spy business.

GRITTY GLASGOW POLICE procedural has lots of local color, an admirably twisty plot, and memorable lady sleuths.