From thrillers to historical fiction to romance, get these new titles on your radar
The publishing industry has been weathering this lengthy pandemic fairly well. Isolation does offer some benefits, like more time and space to read even more books. Here are some forthcoming titles to track on those reader radar screens.
“The Dark Queens-the Bloody Rivalry that Forged the Medieval World” by Shelley Puhak (Bloomsbury, 368 pages, $30, February 22)
The author reconstructs the stories of two women, B run hild and Fredegund, who became powerful queens during the sixth century in what is now France. These women, related by marriage, led armies and fought a long civil war against one another. Over time their impressive reigns were mostly written out of the history books. Until now.
“The Great Passion” by James Runcie (Bloomsbury, 260 pages, $28, March 15)
Fans of Runcie’s Grantchester series and the PBS TV productions of those books should watch out for this novel. In 1727 a grief stricken teen-aged boy studying with the composer Johann Sebastian Bach gets immersed in that magnificent music Bach was creating as the composer was being captivated by this youth’s stunningly gorgeous voice.
“The Next Thing You Know” by Jessica Strawser
(St. Martin’s 352 pages, $27.99, March 22)
A woman who helps people through the process of dying encounters an unusual client; a young man who had been a well known musician and who is now nearing the end of his life. A few tender surprises in this one.
“What Happened to the Bennetts” by Lisa Scottoline (Putnam, 400 pages, $28, March 29)
They were living comfortable lives in the suburbs. Those neighbors, the Bennetts, were good people, active in the community. They didn’t bother anybody. Then one day the family was gone. In her latest thriller Lisa Scottoline reveals exactly “What Happened to the Bennetts.”
“City on Fire” by Don Winslow (Morrow, 368 pages, $28.99, April 26)
Don Winslow’s long anticipated novel “City on Fire” was supposed to come out a year ago but got delayed by the pandemic. This book might remind some readers of “The Godfather” by Mario Puzo. Italian and Irish crime syndicates battling it out in 1986 in Rhode Island and other places. Winslow remains on top of his game, as usual.
“The Island” by Adrian McKinty (Little, Brown, 375 pages, $28, May 17)
Adrian McKinty’s previous book was his breakout blockbuster “The Chain.” It is now being made into a motion picture. The film rights to his next thriller “The Island” have already been sold. Here’s the pre-publicity teaser:
“You should not have come to the island You should not have been speeding You should not have tried to hide the body You should not have told your children that you could keep them safe No one can run forever…”