NOVELS: SIZZLING CRIME/MYSTERIES FOR SUMMER

“EXIT STRATEGY” by Steve Hamilton (Putnam, 291 pages, $26)

Nick Mason left prison early after the crime boss inside the prison arranged for him to be set free. Now he commits evil on his benefactor’s behalf. Nick is desperate to develop some sort of an “exit strategy.” He’ll do almost anything to break free from this sinister world.

“THE LONG DROP” by Denise Mina (Little, Brown, 236 pages, $28)

In the 1950s, a serial killer terrorized Glasgow, Scotland. When he was finally caught, he insisted on acting as his own lawyer at the trial. This really happened. Denise Mina applies her immense talent to forging a fictional adaptation of this genuine horror story.

“NEED YOU DEAD” by Peter James (Macmillan, 421 pages, $27), available June 6

Detective Superintendent Roy Grace has a new case: A woman was found dead in the bathtub. She was having a clandestine love affair. Did her lover do it? Or was it the eBay shopper who was stalking her after a failed transaction? With Peter James there’s always another layer of mystery to peel away.

“THE FORCE” by Don Winslow (William Morrow, 482 pages, $28), available June 20

Don Winslow follows up his epic novel “The Cartel” with another incendiary tale of corruption, drugs and unspeakable violence. This one centers on a squad of New York City cops who have developed a lucrative sideline stealing money and drugs from criminals. This story is so hot, I was almost expecting the pages to spontaneously burst into flames.

“THE CHILD” by Fiona Barton (Berkley, 363 pages, $26), available June 27

The skeleton of an infant was found buried at a construction site. Newspaper reporter Kate Waters digs in to the story. Who was the child? How did she get there? What other dark secrets were concealed along with her?