Mystery & Science Fiction

I’ve been a bit obsessed with the Soho Crime books lately. This fantastic independent mystery house publishes great crime series with an armchair travel twist—each series takes place in a distinct city or country. I’ve just started reading Cara Black’s series, starring Parisian Detective Aimee Leduc, and I’m finding them difficult to put down. The first installment, Murder in the Marais, drags Aimee into a terrifying world of neo-nazis and war criminals. —Kat

Awaiting execution, Yelena is given a choice: to die by the hangman’s noose or to become the new poison taster. Inventive, resourceful, and daring, Yelena is a survivor, and chooses the risky uncertainty of poison. In her new world she must learn who to trust, and who she truly really is. Snyder’s lyrical writing and richly textured world and characters make a flowing tale of life, strength, and salvation. —Flannery

I don’t usually go for thrillers or horror novels, but Stewart O’Nan blurbed this book, which is always a good sign. I wound up burning through the story of Eric Shaw, a has-been filmmaker sent on a unique assignment to film a spooky old hotel. After ingesting a few sips of the hotel’s famed mineral water, things start to get a little…strange. So Cold the River is a fantastic summer/airplane/beach read that digs in and refuses to let go. —Kat

Stirling spins a tale of the modern world thrown back into medieval times. In an instant of blinding light, the world is plunged into darkness. All electronics cease to work and widespread panic is rampant. Cities are awash in turmoil and soon fall to desolation. It is the small pockets of civilization that remain and must band together in order to live. A story of survival in the direst of times and of people thrown into leadership roles they never wanted makes this a hard-to-put-down book, as every day presents a new challenge. —Tim

Peter Pan. What comes to mind? Neverland. Pirates. Fairie Dust. Hope. Sadness. Dreams. A place where there is no growing up but where magic is also woven in with longing. Peter David’s novel, Tigerheart is a broad retelling of Peter Pan that captures the original story but takes it to new and magical depths. There is a friendship in this book that is so pure and also so heartbreaking that it feels an honor to witness it. I am not a big reader of fantasy, but this novel breaks through all genres and is simply a beautiful adventure story; a tribute to journeying and loyalty and giving up the things you love most. Read it: You will not be disappointed. —S.M.C.

You probably have to like dogs—and particularly stories narrated by dogs—to get into this one. But when the dog in question is Randolph the labrador retriever, you might want to try it even if you don’t. Randolph is worth knowing. He and his owner Harry, true Manhattanites, stumble upon a crime that only they can solve. Don’t judge this book by its cover. Look inside the back flap to understand the true nature of the human/dog relationship. —Seana

Graham's historical fiction feels incredibly authentic and absolutely immersive. The fantasy elements are understated, but add to the rich tapestry of the story. Hand of Isis adds new dimensions to the mythos of Cleopatra and ancient Egypt. —Nici

When Annie, a haunted young woman tells Civil War historian Jeff her dreams, he recognizes in them aspects of the dreams of Southern General Robert E. Lee. As her dreams become more intense, they search for answers through the land of the Civil War, and grow closer to both the truth, and to each other. This is an intense, tightly knit book, detailed and thoroughly researched; a thought-provoking tale of love, obsession, and duty. —Flannery