TEENAGE SOUTHERN GOTHIC tale of suspense has a haunting, low-key voice and unforgettable characters.

GRIMLY FUNNY SAGA of a failed novelist’s obsession with online poker includes a truly epic Las Vegas roadtrip.

THE SHOCKING DEATH of a colleague inspires a woman to rethink her life choices, take risks, open up to friends.

JOKEY, CHATTY TOUR through the fringes of science, from Ben Franklin’s electrocuted turkey to nuking the moon.

TENSE JAPANESE THRILLER, told from the perspective of a master pickpocket at the mercy of a crime kingpin.

SAVVY, WITTY MYSTERY centers on death and insurance fraud among rich, horsey Californians. Good neo-noir fun!

CROSSWORDS, VINTAGE COUTURE, pigs spice up a fun tale of a Manhattan artist trying to choose among her suitors.

A DEEPLY RESEARCHED LOOK at the Institute for Advanced Study’s post-WWII computer innovations; alas, too vague.

THE DEATH OF A FRIEND takes psychologist/sleuth Maisie Dobbs back to her Cockney roots. Stylish 1930s cosy!

THE INSIDE STORY of a Florida murder case serves as a base for a larger argument on sentencing teen offenders. B MINUS

TROUT: A TRUE STORY OF MURDER, TEENS, AND THE DEATH PENALTY
University Press of Florida
2012