JAZZ AGE HARLEM and its cultural Renaissance are the backdrop to a gritty historical mystery. Vivid scenes. SOLID B

THE STRANGE CRIMES OF LITTLE AFRICA
Rothco Press
2015

NEAR-FUTURE THRILLER SET in a decaying England laces a murder investigation with conspiracy in high places. SOLID B

DEAD POOR
Ian Wingrove
2015

FAST-PACED HISTORICAL NOVEL follows a fierce, free-spirited woman through a series of dramatic adventures. SOLID B

PACIFICA
Book View Cafe
2016

A HEADLINE-GRABBING SOCIETY TRIAL from Edwardian England, recounted with elegance and plenty of suspense. SOLID B

THE DEAD DUKE, HIS SECRET WIFE, AND THE MISSING CORPSE
Liveright Publishing Corporation
2015

CLEVER MYSTERY PITS a resourceful Seattle student against a colorful collection of chiselers and thugs. SOLID B

TIPPING THE VALET
Perseverence Press
2015

A NEW POLICE CHIEF with a tragic past uncovers a web of deception and murder in a small Louisiana town. SOLID B

BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Amber Quill Press
2015

MEMOIRIST MARY KARR’S chatty overview of the genre combines master class and survey course. Insightful. SOLID B

THE ART OF MEMOIR
HARPER
2015

CYNICAL, SURREALIST SATIRE riffs on Nabokov, Pynchon, the idiocy of Internet comments. Sharp moments. SOLID B

THE MAGNIFICENT THIRD RAIL: A RETROSPECTIVE
None
2015

RECREATING EXTINCT SPECIES, preserving endangered species; on-site interviews with scientists shine most. SOLID B

RESURRECTION SCIENCE
St. Martin’s Press
2015

A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT WITCHCRAFT and other magical traditions in the U.S. today. Lots of information! SOLID B

WITCHES OF AMERICA
Sarah Crichton Books
2015