TWO FAMILIES SCARRED by tragedy and secrets collide in an intense thriller that crackles with intelligence. B PLUS

IN THE BLOOD
Touchstone
2014

THE RACE TO BUILD the first US subway. The eternal rivalry between Boston and New York. Entertaining history! B PLUS

THE RACE UNDERGROUND
St. Martin’s Press
2014

A WOMAN ON THE RUN seeks refuge in a historic and mysterious house. Supernatural thriller in the grand style. SOLID B

THE VANISHING
Hyperion Books
2014

A MARVELOUS JOURNEY INTO HISTORY links an early map of China to 17th century contacts between East and West. B PLUS

MR. SELDEN’S MAP OF CHINA: DECODING THE SECRETS OF A VANISHED CARTOGRAPHER
Bloomsbury USA
2013

INSIDE THE SELF-HELP INDUSTRY, with a guide who combines research, immersion, wit, snark, and compassion. B PLUS

PROMISE LAND: MY JOURNEY THROUGH AMERICA’S SELF-HELP CULTURE
Simon and Schuster
2014

INTRIGUING AND TROUBLING MEMOIR by a woman who experienced total amnesia after a traumatic brain injury. SOLID B

I FORGOT TO REMEMBER
Simon & Schuster
2014

GORGEOUSLY WROUGHT HORROR, rooted in the bloody and corrupt past of Los Angeles. Terrifying and engrossing. B PLUS

MALEDICTION
Evil Jester Press
2013

A RUSSIAN EMIGREE SHARES the story of a mysterious summer with an unexpected confidant. Thoughtful, witty. B PLUS

THE SCENT OF PINE
Simon & Schuster
2014

A FASCINATING FOOTNOTE IN WWII history: the war-crimes indictment of “Asianist” philosopher Okawa Shumei. B PLUS

A CURIOUS MADNESS: AN AMERICAN COMBAT PSYCHIATRIST, A JAPANESE WAR CRIMES SUSPECT, AND AN UNSOLVED MYSTERY FROM WORLD WAR II
Scribner
2014

THE BEST KIND OF HISTORICAL novel: a gripping adventure that’s built on solid research. Bravo! J’adore! A MINUS

AN OFFICER AND A SPY
Knopf Publishing Group
2014