Sweet Lake, Christine Nolfi, Lake Union – Linnie Wayfair comes from a family with a long, illustrious history. The Wayfairs virtually built the town of Sweet Lake, Ohio. Their inn played a major part in the town’s economy.

The Mutual Admiration Society, Lesley Kagen, Lake Union – Eleven year old Tessie Finley has quite enough to cope with for her age. Her attractive, widowed mother lives in a permanent state of impatience with Tessie and her kid sister “Birdie.”

Moral Defense, Marcia Clark, Thomas and Mercer – Samantha Brinkman is a maverick lawyer with a strong sense of justice. She’s used to playing fast and loose inside and outside the law, but occasionally her decisions come back to bite her.

Her Every Fear, Peter Swanson, William Morrow — Kate Priddy agrees to a six month apartment exchange with a cousin she’s never met, swapping her cozy flat in London for Corbin Dell’s enormous place in Boston.

The 7th Canon, Robert Dugoni, Thomas & Mercer — December, 1987. Lawyer Peter Donley is new to the job, but not inexperienced.

The Dollhouse, Fiona Davis, Dutton – New York City, 2016: Journalist Rose Lewin overhears music on a record player from the apartment below.

A Time of Torment, John Connolly, Emily Bestler Books – Jerome Burnel was once a hero–now he’s an ex-con on parole from a five year prison sentence for possessing child porn. Burnel approaches PI Charlie Parker to plead his innocence of all charges and to ask protection from the real villains.

Le Guin – The Complete Orsinia, Brian Attebery Editor, The Library of America – Ursula K. Le Guin has produced a considerable body of fine work over the course of a long career. Her novels and short stories focus on the human qualities of courage in the face of oppression, optimism, endurance and, above all, freedom.

Echoes of Family, Barbara Claypole White, Lake Union – Marianne Stokes suffered a head injury in a car crash which killed her unborn child.

Elmore Leonard: Four Later Novels, Gregg Sutter Editor, Library of America – Elmore Leonard’s body of work is formidable, but this compilation is an excellent sample from the Master of popular entertainment.