I have two days of April releases to talk about. I hope some of the books in these lists will become treasures for you.
James William Brown brings us the novel, My Last Lament. To capture the fading Greek folk art of lamenting, an American researcher asks the aging Aliki to record her laments. In response, Aliki reveals her own story, and that of her nation, in the aftermath of World War II. (Release date is April 4.)
Linda Fairstein calls Michael Cannell’s Incendiary “A riveting thriller…powerful historical nonfiction at its very best.” It’s subtitled “The Psychiatrist, The Mad Bomber, and the Invention of Criminal Profiling”. In the 1950s, New York City lived in fear of the first serial bomber in its history. This is the true story of how “three men came together to capture a monster change the face of detective work, and mark a turning point in how we fight crime today”. (Release date is April 25.)
Wedding planner Kelsey McKenna returns in Marla Cooper’s mystery, Dying on the Vine. This one is set in California Wine country. Kelsey agrees to help a desperate young couple with their wedding, but wants to clear it with the previous wedding planner first. She can’t exactly do that when she finds the woman dead. And, then the woman’s assistant says he knows who killed her – Kelsey. (Release date is April 4.)
So, how many of you recognize the names Alex & Eliza? That’s the title of Melissa de la Cruz’ teen novel about a young Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler. It’s the romance between General George Washington’s right-hand man and a beauty who wanted to aid the colonists’ cause. (Release date is April 11.)
Let’s hope Omar El Akkad’s debut novel, American War, remains fiction. “A second American Civil War, a devastating plague, and one family caught deep in the middle – a story that asks what might happen if America were to turn its most devastating policies and deadly weapons upon itself.” (Release date is April 4.)
The second nonfiction history of crime is David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, they rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe. Then, one by one, the Osage began to be killed off. When the deaths reached more than twenty-four, the newly formed F.B.I. took up the case. They bungled the case, until J. Edgar Hoover turned to a former Texas Ranger, who worked with one of the only Native American agents in the bureau to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history. (Release date is April 18.)
“A deadly bombing takes Navajo tribal cops Bernadette Manuelito, Jim Chee, and their mentor, legendary Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, back into the past to find a vengeful killer” in Anne Hillerman’s Song of the Lion. (Release date is April 11.)
The back cover blurb for Lee Irby’s Unreliable recommends it to fans of Gillian Flynn and Patricia Highsmith. It’s “The story of a charming college professor who most definitely did not – but maybe did – kill his ex-wife. Or someone else. Or no one.” It’s an ingenious psychological thriller. (Release date is April 18.)
Elizabeth Kostova, author of The Historian, now brings us The Shadow Land. It’s a story that spans generations. Just after she arrives at Sofia, Bulgaria, a young American woman helps an elderly couple into a taxi, and accidentally keeps one of their bags. When she realizes she has an urn filled with human ashes, Alexandra sets out to find the family. To do so, she must first uncover the secrets of a talented musician whose life was shattered by oppression. And, that knowledge itself has its own danger. (Release date is April 11.)
A funny, dystopian novel about a family living in 2022, in near-future intolerant America. That’s David Samuel Levinson’s Tell Me How This Ends Well, the story of an American Jewish family in an increasingly unsafe, anti-Semitic world. The Jacobson family gathers for Passover in Los Angeles. But, the three adult children, all in various states of crisis, blame their problems on mistreatment by their father, Julian. So, they hatch a plot to kill their father. (Release date is April 4.)
Is there a book here that calls to you? I’m curious. If not, check out tomorrow’s treasures.
I've just added KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON to my tbr list. It sparked my interest because Maria Tallchief, America's first Native American prima ballerina, was born on the Osage Reservation around the time these murders were taking place.
UNRELIABLE also looks interesting. When it's done right, an unreliable narrator can make some of the best reading!
I've read the first two Anne Hillerman books and will read the new one.
Deb, I didn't know that about Maria Tallchief. I think that book looks interesting, too. And, Jeff? Right there with you on the Anne Hillerman. I think she's made that series her own by emphasizing Berndatette.
I'm so excited that Elizabeth Kostova has a new book coming out! It's on my list of must-reads for April.
I love Anne Hillerman's books and will definitely be reading this 3rd book in her series. She's done a good job with her father's characters – at least I think so.
That Elizabeth Kostova does jump out at you, doesn't it, Kathy? I hope you enjoy it!
Kay, I agree with you. I think she does a good job with them as well.
I spoke with Ms Hillerman at the last Bouchercon and told her that, Lesa. She seemed pleased.
She should be, Jeff. I'm sure it's not easy to continue a successful series. I've read some that were continued by authors after the original author died, and I just gave up. It's hard to capture the voice. She managed to continue it, and find her own voice.
First things first. I am not familiar with any of the authors who have written these books listed here.
I have just finished looking up and reading about the Hillerman family. Checked the library to find out if they had any of the Hillerman's books. Happy to write they do. Then I downloaded a sample of Anne Hillerman 's first book on iBook to see if I would be interested in checking out her books from the library. So far so good.
I enjoy reading about new authors and dissolving new books. It is like finding a gold or diamond mine.
Lesa, thank you once again for your outstanding blog. I will say you have the very best one going. I would be lost with out it.
I haven't written anything about my great lost on December 1, 2016. My fifty six year old daughter passed away with colon cancer which had spread to her lungs and liver. She had not been sick, no symptoms.. suddenly she started having a low grade fever and a few pains in her stomach. The doctor's office rushed her in on November 3,2016. Sent her to the hospital thinking she had gallbladder troubles. That night they it was stage four cancer. She only had twenty seven days before she was gone. She went down hill immediately. I lost my best friend and daughter. This blog and reading have been a big help to me. Thanks to all of you.
Please keep this blog going.
Oh, Charlotte,
I had some off times this past month because of another commitment, but I have no plans to end the blog.
I'm so sorry about the loss of your daughter. I just can't imagine. My mother lost a son, my brother, when he was only 2 1/2 and I was 5. My father once said to me that you expect to lose your parents, but you never expect to lose a child. I'm so sorry.
If the blog, and the discussions, are just a little help, I'm glad. I'm sending you thoughts and a hug, Charlotte.