Blog
Category: Mysteries and Thrillers
26 New Rep Picks For Fall 2019
by Kayi
Animals & Nature + Art & Photography + Biography & Memoir + Board Books + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + Science Fiction and Fantasy + Food & Drink + Graphica + Health & Wellness + Kids + Picture Books + Psychology & Self-Help + Sports + YA Fiction / October 22, 2019
Cozy up—because our fall titles are here to keep you in your reading nooks through this rainy season. If you’re overwhelmed by all the exciting releases hitting shelves over the next few months, take a look at our sales reps' favourites curated just for our booksellers and readers.
Books for Adults
(1) Rebel Writers
by Celia Brayfield
“Shelagh Delaney, and then Edna O’Brien, Lynne Reid Banks, Virginia Ironside, Charlotte Bingham, Margaret Forster and Nell Dunn. Writers who depicted the lives of women with openness and honesty, challenging traditional concepts of womanhood in the writing that came before them, and leaving their mark on all writing that came after them. This is their story told for the first time.”
—Morgen Young
(2) Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts
by Kate Racculia
“October always brings me a desire to read slightly spookier (but not scary!) books, but that’s only one of the reasons I’m so excited to read this one! I’m a massive fan of Racculia’s last book, Bellweather Rhapsody, and her new novel sounds like it’ll bring plenty of the same elements: a misanthropic protagonist, a group of misfits, spooky moments, and a delicious mystery. (Bonus: can you guess which rep is also a big Bellweather Rhapsody fan?)”
—Dani Farmer
(3) Ballerina Project
by Dane Shitagi
“I grew up doing ballet so I immediately fell in love with this beautiful book that profiles ballerinas from around the world. This gorgeous coffee table book is perfect for ballerinas and non-ballerinas alike.”
—Jessica Price
(4) Gather
by David Robertson
“Gather ‘round! The follow-up to the bestselling Dirty Apron Cookbook is here! With a focus on family-oriented comfort food and inspired by a wide range of cuisines from all over the world, this cookbook is sure to have something for everyone.”
—Jenny Enriquez
(5) The Man That Got Away
by Lynne Truss
“A young man is found dead on Brighton Beach and Constable Twitten must find the murderer and convince his colleagues there’s an evil mastermind at hand. This is book #2 in the Constable Twitten Mystery series.”
—Laureen Cusack
(6) A Well-Behaved Woman
(new in trade paper)
by Therese Anne Fowler
“A Well-Behaved Woman is the story of Alva Vanderbilt, a fierce female power ahead of her time in the Gilded Age, New York. This was a ‘richly’ riveting read!”
—Laurie Martella
(7) Dog is Love
by Clive D.L. Wynne, PhD
“Did you know your oxytocin levels spike when you and your dog look into each other’s eyes? (That’s the love hormone!) Using science and original research, canine behaviorist Clive Wynne explains ways we can better reciprocate their affection so they understand our love.”
—Evette Sintichakis
(8) The Girl Who Reads on the Metro
by Christine Feret-Fleury
“A delayed coming-of-age story after my own heart! Juliette dreams away her morning commute by making up stories about the strangers reading across from her on the metro. One day she stumbles into a used bookshop and finds herself taking on the job of bringing used books out into the world and using her imagination to match books with readers. And all this in a dreamy Parisian setting.”
—Laura MacDonald
(9) Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now
(new in trade paper)
by Jaron Lanier
“I have always been a sceptic and this book confirms my doubts. Bottom line—social media platforms are commercial endeavours so must make a profit and therefore how much truth are you seeing and how secure can they be? The author, Jaron Lanier, believes social media to be an excellent form of global communication but it was set up too fast with no rules and all the power lies in the hands of the owners, NOT the users. Lanier’s message: get off these old platforms NOW and let the new, secure ones being created have room to bloom!”
—Karen Stacey
(10) Lost Connections
(new in trade paper)
by Johann Hari
“This book is a fascinating look at depression, and how we treat it as a society. Full of examples of how real people are dealing with their mental health, Hari had me examining the fabric of my own life. Lost Connections is thoroughly empathetic and readable.”
—Ali Hewitt
(11) The Ruin of Kings
(new in trade paper)
by Jenn Lyons
“In Ruin of Kings, we follow the adventures in a dual-timeline of the protagonist, Kihrin, through multiple perspectives as he tries to uncover the truth behind his parentage, heritage, and the threat against the world. Kihrin will have to uncover ancient secrets, fight demons, and find out what his friends, family, and acquaintances are hiding from him. In this high fantasy story filled with world building, Jenn Lyons begins a harrowing story of loss and the resilience required to survive in a world filled with lies.”
—Louis-Marc Simard
(12) Am I Overthinking This?
by Michelle Rial
“A hilarious and visual book that pokes fun at the mundane and seemingly enormous worries we all have.”
—Saffron Beckwith
(13) Conversations with RBG
by Jeffrey Rosen
“An inspiring and insightful look at the trailblazing life and career of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of only 4 women to ever be appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States.”
—Pavan Ranu
Books for Kids
(14) Most of the Better Natural Things in the World
by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Angel Chang
“Embark on an epic journey across a multitude of the world’s landscapes and solve the mystery of why a tiger is carrying a chair on her back in this gorgeously illustrated picture book by Dave Eggers and Angel Chang.”
—Jenny Enriquez
(15) Ordinary Mary's Positively Extraordinary Day
by Emily Pearson, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka
“This is a follow-up to a lovely book about the cumulative effects of kindness (that sold 7,000 copies in Canada!). With a message of how kindness can make a positive difference in people’s lives and charmingly diverse illustrations, this is a must-read for everyone!.”
—Ali Hewitt
(16) Dinosaur Yoga
by Mariam Gates, illustrated by Matthew Rivera
“This adorable picture book reminds us that anyone can do yoga, even dinosaurs!”
—Jessica Price
(17) The Sleeping Beauty
by Jennifer Adams, illustrated by Corey Egbert
“As an armchair ballet fan, do you know what’s even better than following ballerinas like Misty Copeland and Isabella Boylston on Instagram? Having a board book to share with the little people in my life that is beautifully illustrated as well as diverse. This book will look beautiful in any nursery (or on my own bookshelf!).”
—Dani Farmer
(18) This book just stole my cat!
by Richard Byrne
“When Ben’s cat disappears into the binding of the book, a search-and-rescue mission is set into motion. Hilariously funny with cute characters and bright, bold illustrations.”
—Laureen Cusack
(19) Happy Right Now
by Julie Berry, illustrated by Holly Hatam
“Happy Right Now is a delightfully colourful book, exploring a range of emotions, with the message of how to ‘be’ with those emotions.”
—Laurie Martella
(20) A to Z Menagerie
illustrated by Suzy Ultman
“A beautiful alphabet board book with die-cut letters and pull tabs, from the creator of the MASHA books. Think TouchThinkLearn, with Suzy Ultman’s style. Perfect for little hands.”
—Morgen Young
(21) Reading Beauty
by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Meg Hunt
“I’m a total sucker for a fractured/retold/feminist fairy tale. Reading Beauty is about a young, black space heroine who creates her own happy ending through the power of reading. Also, there’s a puppy who fetches books, need I say more??”
—Laura MacDonald
(22) Trapeze
by Leigh Ansell
“This is a charming coming-of-age story about trapeze artist Corey who feels like a fish out of water when she is forced to stop traveling with the circus. She doesn’t know how to be a normal teenager because she grew up in the circus and never stayed in one place too long. Now she’s starting school and trying to fit in. Think Water for Elephants meets Rainbow Rowell.”
—Evette Sintichakis
(25) There Will Come a Darkness
by Katy Rose Pool
“Full of epic world building and an amazing cast of characters, this book delivers! Pull back the curtain and find out if the world will be saved or led to the end of its days.”
—Pavan Ranu
(24) Santa’s Cookie Is Missing!
illustrated by Anne Passchier
“An adorable and delicious book... also please don’t eat this book ;)”
—Saffron Beckwith
(25) Ruby Finds a Worry
by Tom Percival
“Anxiety in children is rising at alarming rates! In this beautifully illustrated picture book, Tom Percival writes a powerful book about the place worries take in our lives. As worries stay inside our head, they grow and grow until it’s all we can think about! The only way to get the worry smaller is very accessible: we can talk about them with friends and family. Just as with his previous book Perfectly Norman, the author delivers an important book explaining mental health concepts to young children.”
—Louis-Marc Simard
(26) AstroNuts Mission One: The Plant Planet
by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Steven Weinberg
“Here he is again—Jon Scieszka, the dynamic and original author that brought you Stinky Cheese Man, Three Little Pigs, and more. In AstroNuts, he has created a groundbreaking, very cool new series for the 8-12 crowd with full colour, gatefolds, and how-to pages, illustrated by Steven Weinberg. Think Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for kids! This will be the first of 3 titles by this dynamic duo in this new ‘out of the world’ series.”
—Karen Stacey
28 New Rep Picks For Summer 2019
by Kayi
Animals & Nature + Art & Photography + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + Science Fiction and Fantasy + Food & Drink + Graphica + Health & Wellness + History + Humour + Kids + Picture Books + Psychology & Self-Help + Spirituality + Travel + YA Fiction / July 03, 2019
It's summer, the season of sunscreen, sandals, and longer days—for reading! We have loads of fantastic new books here at Raincoast and our reps have selected their favourites that are coming out this season.
Books for Adults
(1) Honestly, We Meant Well
by Grant Ginder
“The dysfunctional Wright family is falling apart. Naturally, a month long trip together to Greece can’t possibly go wrong—right? This perfect summer read has everything you want: a Greek isle, a run-down hotel, and a cast of hilarious characters.”
—Evette Sinitichakis
(2) The Guest Book
by Sarah Blake
“Summer is the perfect time for falling in to a sweeping novel of one family’s history of love, mistakes, and betrayals. Sarah Blake takes this family story and looks at privilege, class and race in America. In her author note she references a quote from James Baldwin as an inspiration, 'People are trapped in history, and history is trapped in them.' The book is already being lauded by early readers as 'stunning,' 'remarkable' and 'a true gift to the reader.'”
—Judy Parker
(3) The Electric Hotel
by Dominic Smith
“A sweeping work of historical fiction that begins in the nascent days of cinema in Paris and ends a half- century later in Hollywood, The Electric Hotel tells the story of a French silent films pioneer and a film student who interviews him about a lost masterpiece. Moving between past and present, it documents the rise and fall of a prodigious film studio and one man’s doomed obsession. By the author of highly praised and bestselling novel, The Last Painting of Sara de Vos.”
—Lorna MacDonald
(4) Ruffage
by Abra Berens
“Who amongst us isn’t trying to eat more vegetables? This book has information on how to select, store, and cook with delicious vegetables. Each recipe has variations, and gorgeous photography, and I can’t wait to dig in!”
—Ali Hewitt
(5) The Flatshare
by Beth O’Leary
“What if your soulmate was your roommate? And what if you’ve never actually met? An adorable meet cute of a novel about two strangers-turned-roommates who live and work on opposite schedules, communicate solely through post-it notes, and fall in love.”
—Laura MacDonald
(6) Light From Other Stars
by Erika Swyler
“I loved Swyler’s first novel, The Book of Speculation, about the magic and hurt that are passed down through the generations of a family. Her newest book has that same magic and familial trauma, along with space exploration, time travel, and a young woman determined to find the limits of her own mind. It is too early to predict my favourite book of 2019?”
—Dani Farmer
(7) Healthy Habits Suck
by Dayna Lee-Baggley, PhD
“I like a book that calls it like it is: healthy habits do suck. Registered Clinical Psychologist from Nova Scotia, Dayna Lee-Baggley, PhD discusses the neuroscience behind our unhealthy cravings, and uses ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) to motivate more healthy habits and lifestyle.”
—Laurie Martella
(8) Literary Paris
by Nichole Robertson
“Paris and books... what’s better than that?!”
—Saffron Beckwith
(9) The Road to Grantchester
by James Runcie
“Here is the prequel to the fan-favourite mystery series and PBS TV drama. The story follows the life, loves and losses of young Sidney Chambers in postwar London.”
—Laureen Cusack
(10) Blood Relations
by Jonathan Moore
“This is noir fiction with the tone of Chandler, the cinematic style of Hitchcock, and definitely the feel of mid-20th-century noir books and films. Add the historic styling with the elegant and inventive futuristic storyline, and it equals an original suspense novel with an unsettling look at high society’s love affair with technology. Clever, moody, and unpredictable.”
—Karen Stacey
(11) Be, Awake, Create
by Rebekah Younger, MFA
“Combining mindfulness and creativity in a guided art journal that provides art therapy alongside mindfulness meditation techniques. It has been found that creativity can help develop resiliency, adaptability, compassion, and even leadership skills in life.”
—Morgen Young
(12) Ridgerunners
by Micky Neilson
“Ridgerunners is the beginning of a new science fiction space opera series written by the bestselling author Micky Neilson. In a solar system dominated by an oppressive regime, the Pack—a group of pirates, smugglers and outcasts—will stop at nothing to liberate their world. Neilson was one of the lead writers for Blizzard Entertainment, one of the most renowned video game studios.”
—Louis-Marc Simard
(13) Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel Quiz Book
by Lonely Planet
“With questions on everything from geography to culture to history to wildlife, this quiz book will provide hours of fun for the whole family.”
—Jessica Price
(14) An Illusion of Thieves
by Cate Glass
“Magic and thievery abound in this fantasy adventure that’s sure to be a hit with fans of hard-boiled fantasy and Leigh Bardugo!”
—Jenny Enriquez
Books for Kids
(15) Before They Were Authors: Famous Writers as Kids
by Elizabeth Haidle
“As a child, did you ever think about becoming an author? Many children interested in literature wonder who their favourite writers were as children. From C.S. Lewis to J.K. Rowling, Before They Were Authors is a beautiful graphic novel telling the stories of how our favourite authors were when they were children. This will be delightful for adults and children alike!”
— Louis-Marc Simard
(16) Extraordinary Birds
by Sandy Stark-Mcginnis
“December is an extraordinary character; I fell in love with her on the first page. This is an astonishing debut novel.”
—Saffron Beckwith
(17) Llama Destroys the World
by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Heather Fox
“This hilarious picture book involves a cake-loving, dancing llama who accidentally destroys the world. What’s not to love?”
—Jenny Enriquez
(18) The Worst Book Ever
by Elise Gravel
“Try, the BEST book ever! Gravel’s silly, interactive, comic-style graphic novel is full of expression, cute illustrations, and hilarious commentary along the way. What makes it the ‘best’ book ever is that it engages kids, in a fun way, to think about storytelling, and what really makes for a good book.”
—Laurie Martella
(19) Sun
by Alison Oliver
“If the artwork isn’t enough to make you swoon, then the story will be. Sun is the story of a young boy, a magical encounter with a fox, and the discovery that both sports and creativity can make him happy.”
—Laura MacDonald
(20) Lottie & Walter
by Anna Walker
“Lottie goes to swimming lessons every week but she doesn’t swim. In fact she doesn’t even dip her toes in the water—because only she knows there’s a shark in the pool. With the help of her imaginary friend Walter the Walrus, Lottie finally takes the plunge. For anyone who has ever hesitated to jump, this heartwarming story by the author-illustrator of Florette—a New York Times 'Top 10 Picture Book of 2018'— will inspire and delight.”
—Lorna MacDonald
(21) Hats are Not for Cats!
by Jacqueline K. Rayner
“What is more adorable than cats in hats? A fun read aloud with a Dr. Seuss- like appeal for parents and kids alike.”
—Morgen Young
(22) My Name is Wakawakaloch!
by Chana Stiefel, illustrated by Mary Sullivan
“A book about how everyone mispronounces/spells your name?! Oh, I relate (how I longed to be a Jennifer!)! This is an adorable picture book about realizing that embracing your differences can be powerful.”
—Ali Hewitt
(23) The Little Book of Big What-Ifs
by Renata Liwska
“We all get stuck in the trap of “what-if” thinking sometimes—and so do little folks! This poignant and often funny book helps us all conquer our anxieties and fears, accompanied by gorgeous illustrations from the artist who did The Loud Book and The Quiet Book. What if you love this book? You will!”
—Dani Farmer
(24) Daddy-Sitting
by Eve Coy
“A little girl plays parent to her affectionate daddy in this appealing look at a father-daughter relationship.”
—Laureen Cusack
(25) I’m a Baked Potato!
by Elise Primavera, illustrated by Juana Medina
“This quirky, funny book about a dog who is adopted by a baked potato-lover will appeal to kids and parents alike.”
—Jessica Price
(26) Bob
by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead, illustrated by Nicholas Gannon
“I absolutely adored this book! It has the timeless appeal of the best of classic children’s literature. Bob and Livy will touch your heart as they discover the meaning of friendship, identity, and belonging. It received starred reviews across the board in hardcover and is perfectly timed to be a terrific summer read in paperback. I recommend reading it with your favourite child!”
—Judy Parker
(27) This Book of Mine
by Sarah Stewart, illustrated by David SMall
“Award-winning husband and wife team, Sarah Stewart and illustrator David Small, create another quiet, lovely storybook for children of all ages! This is their homage to the book and how a book can be your best friend. Great for all the bibliophiles in the family.”
—Karen Stacey
(28) Flight Risk
by Jennifer Fenn
“This is an incredible story of adventure and heist—especially since it’s based on a true story! There are many words used to describe teenager Robert Jackson Kelly—delinquent, criminal, hero—all because he successfully stole and crashed three airplanes—and still he was determined to, one day, land one. He ends up evading capture for years and so when everyone writes him off, he resolves to ultimately find redemption. You will definitely root for antihero Robert!”
—Evette Sinitichakis
28 New Rep Picks For Spring 2019
by Brooke
Animals & Nature + Biography & Memoir + Current Affairs + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + Science Fiction and Fantasy + Food & Drink + Health & Wellness + History + Kids + Music + Parenting + Picture Books + Psychology & Self-Help + Travel + YA Fiction / February 21, 2019
Spring is coming right around the corner, and to celebrate the new season, here are some fantastic book recommendations from our sales reps! Happy reading!
Books for Adults
The Collected Schizophrenias
by Esmé Weijun Wang
"This book is a fascinating exploration of mental illness, from an author who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Wang’s essays are both touchingly personal and a journey through the history of mental illness and its diagnosis. Intimate, empathetic, and full of insight, this book is a must read!"
—Ali Hewitt
Women Rowing North
by Mary Pipher
"In Reviving Ophelia, Mary Pipher helped generations of girls and their parents navigate the choppy waters of adolescence. In Women Rowing North, she is examining the challenges and cultural issues women face as they age and offers a guide to wisdom, authenticity and bliss. There is a huge market of women looking for advice and support and Pipher is perfectly placed to offer it."
—Judy Parker
A Deadly Divide
by Ausma Zehanat Khan
"In this gripping new mystery, Detectives Khattak and Getty investigate a shooting at a mosque in Quebec City that looks like a hate crime."
—Laureen Cusack
The Little Island Bake Shop
by Jana Roerick
"I love Jana’s baking and am so happy to have her recipes!!!"
—Saffron Beckwith
Queen Bey
by Veronica Chambers
"In addition to being a record-breaking artist, Beyonce is a business woman, mother, daughter, sister, wife, black feminist and most importantly, one of the greatest stars of our time."
—Jessica Price
Rupture
by Ragnar Jonasson
"Fourth in Ragnar Jonasson’s Icelandic thriller series, starring detective Ari Thor. If you are fan of Nordic Noir, or not, read this dark atmospheric mystery, packed with fabulous scenery, quirky characters and a strong plot-driven story."
—Karen Stacey
Kid Gloves
by Lucy Knisley
"I really “relished” Lucy’s first book about her lifelong relationship with food and I can’t wait for her new graphic memoir about her difficulties conceiving and being pregnant. Lucy has been hyping this book’s “birth” with forty weeks of fun pregnancy facts on her Instagram, amidst (spoiler alert) photos of her super cute son!"
—Dani Farmer
She Explores
by Gale Straub
"In a time when people are choosing to spend money on travel and experiences over accumulating stuff, this book is perfect. Gorgeous travel photography with women’s personal stories of adventure and reflection—this book is the next best thing to actually spending time in the wild."
—Evette Sintichakis
Why You Like It
by Nolan Gasser
"This book explores the science and sociology behind why we fancy the sounds of our favourite musical artists. I love so many genres of music—what does that say about me?!"
—Laurie Martella
The Future Is Feminist
Edited by Mallory Farrugia
"Who run the world? FEMINISTS! A collection of brilliant essays by beloved feminist icons in one beautiful package. The perfect book for feminists of all ages."
—Laura MacDonald
Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions
Third Edition
by Gloria Steinem, foreword by Emma Watson
"Gloria Steinem’s timeless collection of feminist essays is back in a third edition with a new foreword by Emma Watson and new preface by Gloria Steinem herself! A worthy and essential addition to any feminist collection."
—Jenny Enriquez
Upon A Burning Throne
by Ashok K. Banker
"Ashok K. Banker, while not as well known in the West, is the founder of Indian fantasy fiction, similar to what Tolkien was for European literature. He has written more than 52 books, and has gained international following. Upon a Burning Throne is his latest title, featuring diverse characters, relentless action and an ongoing mystery sure to please all fantasy readers!"
—Louis-Marc Simard
Freedom from Anxious Thoughts and Feelings
by Scott Symington, PhD
"Anxiety is the most common mental health issue in Canada today, so any and all help is necessary! In Freedom from Anxious Thoughts and Feelings, Scott Symington introduces an incredibly simple concept to help us all redirect our thoughts back to what is happening in the present moment and move away from a life where we are ruled by our worries. Because everybody needs help sometimes."
—Morgen Young
Books for Kids
Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug
By Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Jay Fleck
"It’s tough to give your friends hugs when your arms are so small, but Tiny T. Rex must find a way! This adorable picture book is the start of a new series starring this lovable dinosaur. I dare you not to fall in love with the plucky and charming Tiny T. Rex. I DARE YOU."
—Jenny Enriquez
A Friend for Henry
by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song
"A Friend for Henry is a beautifully illustrated picture book told from the point of view of a child on the autism spectrum. The author gives us insight into Henry’s perspective, modeled after one of her sons on the spectrum. The touching and positive story will touch everyone’s hearts, children and adults alike!"
—Louis-Marc Simard
Voices
by David Elliott
"An extraordinary retelling and exploration of how Joan of Arc changed the course of history! In this age of the Throne of Glass, Divergent and the Hunger Games series, what better time to reintroduce the original kick ass female heroine? A novel told in verse, Voices is also perfect for fans of The Song of Achilles and Circe. Sure to be a hit with readers of teen fiction as well as teachers and librarians."
— Morgen Young
Comics Will Break Your Heart
by Faith Erin Hicks
"A sweet, funny contemporary teen romance for the inner geek in all of us."
— Saffron Beckwith
Fox & Chick: The Quiet Boat Ride
by Sergio Ruzzier
"In the classic canon of buddy books, Fox and Chick set out on a boating adventure—one an enthusiastic sailor and the other a landlubber who hates to miss out on any adventure. Told in three parts this hybrid of an early reader and picture book, illustrated in a comic book style, will be a hit for emerging and reluctant readers alike."
—Lorna MacDonald
The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane
by Julia Nobel
"Emmy’s time at a prestigious boarding school uncovers a secret society that may have played a part in her father’s disappearance."
—Laureen Cusack
The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost, illustrated by Vivian Mineker
"Robert Frost’s beloved poem is as thought-provoking and beautiful as ever in this picture book! The imaginative interpretation of the classic poem will speak to readers of all ages. This would make a great gift to anyone facing one of life’s many transitions."
—Evette Sintichakis
The Similars
by Rebecca Hanover
"Debut author Rebecca Hanover writes a real page-turner, sci-fi YA novel filled with tension and a thrilling story of six clones who enroll at a prestigious boarding school alongside their originals. Things can only get complicated."
—Laurie Martella
Games on the Go
by Lonely Planet
"Train, plane, boat, car, no matter how you are traveling, these games will keep boredom at bay. A must pack addition for any family trip, big or small!"
—Jessica Price
Fly Girls: Young Readers’ Edition
by Keith O’Brien
"20th century aviation history from the female pilots’ perspective. This is the story of the women pilots who joined the “boys” in the very popular sport of plane racing in the 1920s and ‘30s. A fascinating story of young women determined not to be denied their place in history. Just as Beryl Markham should be read by all young girls, so too should this book. For all those who loved Hidden Figures, here is a story of courageous liberated women ahead of their time."
—Karen Stacey
You Are New
by Lucy Knisley
"Being a new human is hard work! There are so many things to learn and taste and see. Then, just when you think you’ve got a handle on this “being” thing, you grow and there are a bunch of new things to learn! Good thing rhyming text and adorable illustrations from Lucy Knisley are here to provide a guide. Check out the page with the cat-hug… it’s my favourite."
—Dani Farmer
My Brother Otto
by Meg Raby, illustrated by Elisa Pallmer
"A little something for the siblings of the neurodiverse! As the younger sister of someone with developmental delays and disabilities, I would have LOVED a book like this when I was a kid—and I think my parents would have appreciated it too. My sibling does things their own way, maybe I understand them, maybe I don’t, but that’s okay! I love it!!"
—Laura MacDonald
The Little Guys
by Vera Brosgol
"Graphic novelist Vera Brosgol has written another subversively funny picture book. As a graphic novelist, her storytelling ability is stellar and her illustrations are perfectly matched to this story of the rampaging little guys. The message of uniting the community is subtle and doesn’t take away from the fun of the read aloud."
—Judy Parker
Brave Molly
by Brooke Boynton-Hughes
"In this panelled, wordless picture book, our heroine has to defeat the monsters of anxiety that follow her around. After trying to run from the shadowy monsters, Molly bravely confronts her anxiety and makes a friend, with the help of a good book. Author/illustrator Brooke Boynton-Hughes’ drawings do a wonderful job of capturing the fear of rejection, and the joy of a new friend we all feel."
—Ali Hewitt
10 Books to Read this Summer
by Melissa
Biography & Memoir + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers / June 22, 2018
The books you need in your beach bag this summer.
Visible Empire
By Hannah Pittard
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: June 5, 2018
$36.00 cdn cl / $22.99 cdn pb · 288 pages
9780544748064 · cl / 9781328551306 · pb
Selected as the June Book of the Month by Belletrist Book Club, Visible Empire is an epic novel based on a real plane crash that was carrying over 100 of Atlanta’s elite, and the aftermath on the city.
"On June 3, 1962, a flight carrying more than 100 of Atlanta's wealthiest residents crashed on takeoff from Paris. Pittard's kaleidoscopic novel, a fictionalized account of that disaster and its aftermath, illuminates the personal and communal grief (and, in some cases, wicked delight) of those left behind."- O, the Oprah Magazine, "Top Books of Summer"
The High Tide Club
Mary Kay Andrews
St. Martin’s Press
Available: May 8, 2018
$36.50 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 480 pages
9781250126061 · cl / 9781250199621 · pb
New York Times bestselling author and “queen of the beach” Mary Kay Andrews is back with the perfect poolside companion that has it all: mystery, romance, and friendship.
“Andrews creates a story that is at turns suspenseful, sad, and hopeful, with plenty of surprising twists. Her dialogue is natural and funny, and even her minor characters are fully drawn with unique voices. Another satisfying summer read from the queen of the beach." – Kirkus
The Sun Does Shine
Anthony Ray Hinton and Lara Love Hardin
St. Martin’s Press
Available: June 5, 2018
$34.99 cdn · 272 pages
9781250205797 · cl
Oprah’s Book Club Summer 2018 selection, The Sun Does Shine tells Anthony Ray Hinton’s story of the thirty years he spent on death row for a crime he didn’t commit, and his amazing endurance throughout.
"An urgent, emotional memoir from one of the longest-serving condemned death row inmates to be found innocent in America. A heart-wrenching yet ultimately hopeful story about truth, justice, and the need for criminal justice reform." - Kirkus, starred review
Bring Me Back
B.A. Paris
St. Martin’s Press
Available: June 19, 2018
$34.99 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 304 pages
9781250151339 · cl / 9781250193506 · pb
Looking for a suspense novel while you’re soaking up the sun? Look no further than New York Times bestselling author B.A. Paris’ latest psychological thriller that you won’t be able to put down!
"Outstanding Hitchcockian thriller… Paris plays fair with the reader as she builds to a satisfying resolution. Fans of intelligent psychological suspense will be richly rewarded." - Publishers Weekly, starred review
Jar of Hearts
Jennifer Hillier
Minotaur
Available: June 12, 2018
$34.99 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 320 pages
9781250154194 · cl / 9781250193490 · pb
Canadian author Jennifer Hillier’s latest mystery will keep you guessing until the end in this page-turning read about three best friends—one who was murdered, one who went to prison, and one who’s searching for the truth.
“Jar of Hearts grabs you by the throat! The perfect blend of riveting characters, chilling details, and gasping twists in this standout thriller will keep you frantically reading until the explosive end." - Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of Right Behind You
The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind
Barbara K. Lipska
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: April 3, 2018
$34.00 cdn · 208 pages
9781250193490 · cl
Barbara Lipska, a leading expert on the neuroscience of mental illness, was diagnosed with a deadly cancer that was spreading inside her brain and plunged her into madness. Until the treatment she was prescribed began to work and eight weeks later, she returned to normal—but with all her memories intact. Remarkable and insightful, this memoir is perfect summer reading.
“A remarkable story about strength, endurance, and human's capacity for recovery, The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind truly captures what it is like to struggle with mental illness.” – Bustle
Shelter in Place
Nora Roberts
St. Martin’s Press
Available: May 29, 2018
$36.50 cdn · 448 pages
9781250161598 · cl
Just in time for summer, there’s a new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts! With suspense, heart, and romance, Nora Roberts’ latest will keep you enthralled as you soak up the sun.
“Roberts' newest is part thriller, part romance, part survivors' psychological study with a touch of New Age magic—and a lively, captivating read.” – Kirkus
How Hard Can It Be?
Allison Pearson
St. Martin’s Press
Available: June 5, 2018
$36.50 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 384 pages
9781250086082 · cl / 9781250201300 · pb
The hilarious follow-up to the New York Times bestseller I Don’t Know How She Does It, How Hard Can It Be? follows Kate in her new adventures and has already been named one of People Magazine’s Best Summer Books!
"Brilliant, funny, and tender. Tackling sexism, growing older, and understanding one's needs when catering to those of so many others, Pearson writes realism with all the fun of escapism." – Booklist, starred review
Wicked River
Jenny Milchman
Sourcebooks
Available: May 1, 2018
$37.99 cdn cl / $21.99 cdn pb · 464 pages
9781492664413 · cl / 9781492658993 · pb
A suspenseful and gripping new thriller set in the Adirondack forest, Wicked River makes perfect beach reading for fans of psychological suspense.
“Wicked River is partly a who-is-my-husband-really story, partly a horror-in-the-wilderness story, and partly a Manhattan-family drama, all rolled up in elegantly propulsive prose, and shot through with sinister suspense."- Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author
How to Walk Away
Katherine Center
St. Martin’s Press
Available: May 15, 2018
$34.99 cdn cl / $23.99 cdn pb · 320 pages
9781250149060 · pb / 9781250199614 · pb
Nina George, author of The Little Paris Bookshop, says “if you read just one book this year, read How to Walk Away.” A stunning novel that explores tragedy, love, and hope, How to Walk Away is a summer must-read.
"A story about survival that is heartbreakingly honest and wryly funny, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Elizabeth Berg." —Kirkus
10 Books to Read this Summer
by Melissa
Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + YA Fiction / June 02, 2017
The books you need in your beach bag this summer.
Salt Houses
by Hala Alyan
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: May 2, 2017
$37.00 cdn · 320 pages
9780544192588 · cl
A stunning debut that spans several generations, Salt Houses is a gorgeous story that explores family, displacement, and identity.
“Moving and beautifully written, Alyan's debut chronicles three generations of a Palestinian family as they face two life-altering displacements—the first after 1967's Six-Day War, and the second following Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of Kuwait."–Entertainment Weekly
A Court of Wings and Ruin
by Sarah J. Maas
Bloomsbury
Available: May 2, 2017
$24.99 cdn · 720 pages
9781619634480 · cl
The highly-anticipated conclusion in the Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy, A Court of Wings and Ruin is the perfect summer read: featuring high political stakes, page-turning action, and a captivating romance, this novel will keep you glued to the edge of your beach chair!
“If you want juicy romance, badass women (and men too!), politics (not the boring kind), magic, and unforgettable characters, then pick up this series ASAP.” – PopSugar
Fake Plastic Love
by Kimberley Tait
Flatiron Books
Available: May 9, 2017
$36.99 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 352 pages
9781250093899 · cl / 9781250154965 · pb
Debut Canadian author Kimberley Tait tells a Gatsby-inspired coming-of-age tale about 4 millennials as they navigate life after college in Manhattan—an ideal read for when you’re laying poolside.
"With sweeping nods to Fitzgerald and other writers of the Gilded Age, Tait's debut novel sparkles with vitality and conscience … Fluid, graceful, and unfaltering prose highlights this remarkable novel; relatable characters and themes complete the package." – Publishers Weekly
God-Shaped Hole
by Tiffanie DeBartolo
Sourcebooks
Available: May 16, 2017
$23.99 cdn · 416 pages
9781492646945 · pb
Rediscover the novel that inspires readers to live, and love, as vividly as possible with this 15th-anniversary reissue! This beautiful love story will sweep you away.
"With wit and humor, the author brings these characters and their quirky, artsy friends alive. Bottom Line: You'll dig it" – People Magazine
Come Sundown
by Nora Roberts
St. Martin's Press
Available: May 30, 2017
$38.99 cdn · 480 pages
9781250123077 · cl
#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts has a new novel on the horizon for you to fall in love with this summer! Written with Nora Roberts’ deft hand, the romance and suspense will keep you flipping pages until sundown.
“Roberts always tells a good story that balances romance and suspense, but in this title, the narrative is deeper, the mystery is more layered, and with Alice, Roberts moves into another level of exploring physical and emotional trauma and the powerful balm of family and love. [Roberts] is moving into more complex and darker storytelling, to terrific effect." – Kirkus starred review
Blackout
by Marc Elsberg
Sourcebooks
Available: June 6, 2017
$37.99 cdn cl / $24.95 cdn pb · 320 pages
9781492654414 · cl / 9781492658337 · pb
Looking for a thrilling read while you’re soaking up some rays? Pick up Blackout by Marc Elsberg! This terrifyingly plausible debut about an international hacker attack is sure to capture your attention.
"Fast, tense, thrilling - and timely: this will happen one day. Highly recommended." –Lee Child
The People We Hate at the Wedding
by Grant Ginder
Flatiron Books
Available: June 6, 2017
$36.99 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 336 pages
9781250095206 · cl / 9781250154910 · pb
Summer is wedding season, so before you attend your next nuptials, make sure to check out this hilarious and entertaining novel about a dysfunctional family gathering together for a wedding, and the problems that ensue.
"Witty and completely absorbing, The People We Hate at the Wedding is family dysfunction at its best— full of heart, humor, and jealous siblings. This novel is addicting and entertaining and I couldn't put it down!" –Jennifer Close, New York Times bestselling author ofGirls in White Dresses and The Hopefuls
The Fourth Monkey
by J.D. Barker
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: June 27, 2017
$37.00 cdn · 416 pages
9780544968844 · cl
“Se7en” meets “The Silence of the Lambs” in this dark and fast-paced novel from J.D. Barker which follows an investigator as he races to find the final victim of a terrifying serial killer before it’s too late. This one will have you sleeping with the lights on!
"Bram Stoker Award finalist Barker ingeniously blends horrific images into a bizarre plotline to create this devilishly dark thriller." –Library Journal
The Breakdown
by B.A. Paris
St. Martin's Press
Available: July 18, 2017
$36.99 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 336 pages
9781250122469 · cl / 9781250153029 · pb
From New York Times bestselling author B.A. Paris comes another unforgettable, suspenseful read that will keep you guessing until the very end. Publishers Weekly’s starred review calls it “another first-rate psychological thriller!”
"This psychological thriller is even harder to put down than Paris' 2016 best-seller debut Behind Closed Doors; schedule reading time accordingly. With two in a row, Paris moves directly to the thriller A-list." –Booklist starred review
Glass Houses
by Louise Penny
Minotaur
Available: August 29, 2017
$33.99 cdn · 400 pages
9781250066190 · cl
#1 New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling author Louise Penny is a master of mysteries, and her latest installment in the Chief Inspector Gamache Novel series will not disappoint! In Glass Houses, Gamache will confront new trials and face his own conscience. In a book that pushes the boundaries of the genre, Louise Penny’s latest can’t be missed.
10 Books to Read this Summer
by Brooke
Biography & Memoir + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + YA Fiction / July 07, 2016
The books you need in your beach bag this summer.
Truly Madly Guilty
by Liane Moriarty
Flatiron Books
Available: July 26, 2016
$34.99 cdn · 432 pages
9781250069795 · cl
Selected as Entertainment Weekly's "Best Beach Bet," this is the new novel from Liane Moriarty, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Husband's Secret, Big Little Lies, and What Alice Forgot and recent Reese Witherspoon productions recruit. It explores the aftermath of a summer barbeque gone wrong, and how sometimes we don't appreciate how extraordinary our ordinary lives are until it's too late.
"The author of Big Little Lies doing what she does best: unraveling people's public selves with an urgency that keeps you reading." - Glamour Magazine
The Weekenders
by Mary Kay Andrews
St. Martin's Press
Available: May 17, 2016
$38.99 cdn cl / $20.99 cdn pb · 464 pages
9781250065940 · cl / 9781250109729 · pb
Told with Mary Kay Andrews's trademark blend of humour and warmth, and with characters and a setting that you can't help but fall for, The Weekenders is the perfect summer escape.
"This book has all the makings of a beach read… The perfect blend of drama, humor, intrigue, and just a touch of murder." - Bustle
Behind Closed Doors
by B. A. Paris
St. Martin's Press
Available: August 9, 2016
$36.99 cdn cl / $24.99 cdn pb · 304 pages
9781250121004 · cl / 9781250122162 · pb
Already a blockbuster bestseller in the UK and now an Indie Next Pick for August, this story of a seemingly perfect marriage is being coined as the psychological thriller you can't miss!
"A hair-raising debut, both unsettling and addictive.
A chilling thriller that will keep you reading long into the night." - Mary Kubica, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Good Girl
With Malice
by Eileen Cook
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: June 7, 2016
$25.99 cdn · 320 pages
9780544805095 · cl
For fans of We Were Liars and The Girl on the Train comes a chilling, addictive, psychological YA thriller about a teenage girl who cannot remember the last six weeks of her life, including the fatal and mysterious accident during her study abroad in Italy.
"Cinematic scene breaks and propulsive reveals will keep the pages furiously turning in this slow-burning but explosive thriller." - Booklist starred review
All Is Not Forgotten
by Wendy Walker
St. Martin's Press
Available: June 30, 2016
$37.99 cdn cl / $23.99 cdn pb · 320 pages
9781250097910 · cl / 9781250119681 · pb
An Indie Next Pick for July and another Reese Witherspoon scoop, All Is Not Forgotten is a powerful, psychological novel that takes on a controversial treatment that erases the memories of trauma victims, and all that can come to light when the past is trying to be recovered.
"Captivating and bold, Wendy Walker takes an incisive look at the importance of memory and the power of manipulation. Fascinating and at times shocking, All Is Not Forgotten is one book you won't easily forget. Not to be missed!" -Mary Kubica, author of The Good Girl
The Square Root of Summer
by Harriet Reuter Hapgood
Roaring Brook
Available: April 22, 2016
$24.99 cdn · 304 pages
9781626723733 · cl
A stunning debut YA novel that the New York Times calls a "delectable romance," The Square Root of Summer follows Gottie's journey through love, loss, and even time travel.
"Novelist Harriet Reuter Hapgood's electric YA debut, The Square Root of Summer, reminds us that time is a healer." - Buzzfeed
Marrow Island
by Alexis M. Smith
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: June 7, 2016
$33.00 cdn · 256 pages
9780544373419 · cl
The sleeper hit of the summer, Marrow Island has been selected as an Indie Next Pick for June, one of Bookriot's Most Anticipated Books of 2016, and by a long list of publications as a feature on their summer reading lists. The new novel from the author of the critically acclaimed Glaciers, Marrow Island tracks a young woman's return home to investigate a secretive community that has mysteriously rescued an island devastated by natural and chemical disaster - as well as taken hold of one of her oldest friends.
"Smith's excellent command of language gives life to arresting characters and their creepy surroundings, keeping the suspense in this dark environmental thriller running high."- Elle Magazine's "19 Summer Books That Everyone Will Be Talking About"
Everybody Behaves Badly
by Lesley M. M. Blume
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Available: June 7, 2016
$39.00 cdn · 352 pages
9780544276000 · cl
For anyone craving a non-fiction summer read, this biography follows the captivating Ernest Hemingway and the true story behind his masterpiece The Sun Also Rises.
"[A] must-read.. In Lesley M.M. Blume's latest release, escape to the real-life world of Hemingway's groundbreaking piece of modern literature, The Sun Also Rises. The boozy, rowdy nights in Paris, the absurdities at Pamplona's Running of the Bulls and the hungover brunches of the true Lost Generation come to life in this intimate look at the lives of the author's expatriate comrades." - Harper's Bazaar
The Children
by Ann Leary
St. Martin's Press
Available: May 13, 2016
$37.99 cdn · 256 pages
9781250045379 · cl
From New York Times bestselling author Ann Leary comes the captivating story of a wealthy, but unconventional New England family, told from the perspective of a reclusive 29-year-old who has a secret (and famous) life on the Internet.
"[Leary's] characters are a delightful blend of strong personalities, all with their own little touch of delicious evil, and her darkly comic send-ups of New England wealth, nouveau riche, and Internet culture should keep readers absorbed until the final, most shocking secrets are revealed." - Publishers Weekly
I've Got Sand In All the Wrong Places
by Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella
St. Martin's Press
Available: July 12, 2016
$30.99 cdn · 320 pages
9781250059956 · cl
If you're looking for a light and humourous beach read, Lisa and Francesca are back with another collection of warm and witty stories that will strike a chord with every woman. This six book series is among the best reviewed humor books published today and has been compared to the late greats, Erma Bombeck and Nora Ephron.
"The perfect book to pass from mother to daughter." - Booklist on the previous book in the series, Does This Beach Make Me Look Fat?
This Summer’s Best Beach Reads
by Alisha
Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + Gift & Stationery + Kids + Picture Books + YA Fiction / July 29, 2015
Chevy Stevens
St. Martin's Press
Available Now
Chevy Stevens is back with this year’s must-have summer thriller—a powerful, emotional story of survival and revenge (now a Globe and Mail bestseller!).
“This is Stevens’s best book to
date.”—The Globe and Mail
|
Jackie Collins
St. Martin’s Press
Available Now
No summer reading list is complete without Jackie Collins. In The Santangelos, she delivers an epic family saga, filled with love, lust, revenge and passion.
Read an excerpt here.
|
Kelli Estes
Sourcebooks
Available Now
Set in the Pacific Northwest and inspired by true events, Kelli Estes’s brilliant and atmospheric debut serves as a poignant tale of two women determined to do the right thing, and the power of our own stories.
|
Lisa Scottoline
and Francesca Serritella
St. Martin’s Press
Available Now
This breezy, laugh-out-loud beach read by mother-daughter team Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella “takes the…cake for best title of the summer.”—USA Today
|
Stephanie Clifford
St. Martin’s Press
Coming Aug 18
Stephanie Clifford's "superb" debut
is “a 21st century version of a grand 19th century novel—smart, moving tale of class, ambition, and identity" (Malcolm Gladwell).
Look for it on the People, TIME, Entertainment Weekly, and Good Housekeeping summer reading lists.
|
Louise Penny
Minotaur
Coming Aug 25
Celebrate 10 years of Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series with her newest installment, The Nature of the Beast.
“Splendid . . . Penny's books mix some classic elements of the police
procedural with a deep-delving
psychology, as well as a sorrowful
sense of the precarious nature of
human goodness, and the
persistence of its opposite.”—The
New York Times on The Long Way
|
Jillian Tamaki
Drawn & Quarterly
Ages 14 and up
Available Now
“Art School Confidential meets X-Men” (The Globe and Mail) in Jillian Tamaki’s newest graphic novel—one of TPL’s top 10 "Summer Reads for Teens".
|
Mary E. Pearson
Henry Holt and Co.
Ages 14-18
Available Now
The 2nd title in the New York Times bestselling Remnant Chronicles does not disappoint: "It's rare that the second book in a series is as good—or perhaps better—than the first, but that's the case here. Anticipation for the next volume will start as soon as this one is put down."—Booklist starred review
|
Ali Novak
Sourcebooks
Available Now
Ali Novak (My Life with the Walter Boys) delievers “a fun summer romance that doesn’t shy away from the deeper issues of family, illness, and self-discovery” (School Library Journal).
|
Natasha Preston
Sourcebooks
Coming Aug 4
Don't miss the latest gripping, high-stakes thriller from Wattpad sensation Natasha Preston, author of The Cellar.
|
John Wang and Holman Wang
Chronicle Books
Ages Infant-3
Available Now
Jedi apprentices, little princesses, and Star Wars fans of any age will delight in this (heart)felt retelling of the Star Wars saga (a Today’s Parent summer reading pick).
|
Gilad Soffer
Feiwel and Friends
Ages 2-5
Available Now
If your vacation isn’t going entirely swimmingly, Duck’s Vacation will give you a laugh. This fun, interactive read will entice kids (and young-at-heart adults) to turn the pages over and over.
|
Beth Ferry,
illustrated by Ben Mantle
Chronicle Books
Ages 3-5
Coming Aug 4
While we hope your holiday is shark-free, trouble comes in all shapes and sizes in this picture book about a first pet.
|
Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Henry Holt & Co. (BYR)
Ages 9-14
Available Now
This action-packed mystery is the perfect page-turner for middle-grade bookworms.
"Full of heart and replete with
challenging ciphers for readers to
decode, Bertman's debut is literary
cousin to classic puzzlers likeThe
Westing Game, and a story that
values books and reading above
other pursuits . . . sure to be popular
with voracious readers."—Publishers
Weekly, starred review
|
Ausma Zehanat Khan Toronto Book Signing
by Dan
Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + News / January 19, 2015
Join Canadian author Ausma Zehanat Khan for the launch of her critically acclaimed debut novel The Unquiet Dead, 6:00PM on January 28th at Ben McNally Books in Toronto.
Ausma holds a Ph.D. in International Human Rights Law (with a specialization in military intervention and war crimes in the Balkans), and was Editor-in-Chief of Muslim Girl magazine, the first magazine targeted to young Muslim women. The Unquiet Dead, published by Minotaur last week, is a complex and provocative story of loss, redemption, and the cost of justice. Described by the Associated Press as "an outstanding debut that is not easily forgotten," it will linger with readers long after turning the final page.
The Unquiet Dead Book Launch
Ben McNally Books
366 Bay Street, Toronto
Wednesday, January 28 | 6:00 PM
Praise for The Unquiet Dead:
"This whodunit is layered into events as recent as the Maher Arar affair or Toronto’s fears of “homegrown” urban terrorists. Khan, who holds a Ph.D. in international human-rights law, knows her subject, knows her hometown, and knows how to keep the suspense building. This is a writer to watch."—Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail
"An intelligent plot and graceful writing make "The Unquiet Dead" an outstanding debut that is not easily forgotten."—The Associated Press
"Khan is a refreshing original, and The Unquiet Dead blazes what one hopes will be a new path guided by the author's keen understanding of the intersection of faith and core Muslim values, complex human nature and evil done by seemingly ordinary people."—Los Angeles Times
"Khan’s stunning debut is a poignant, elegantly written mystery laced with complex characters who force readers to join them in dealing with ugly truths."—Kirkus Reviews
New Releases: August 2014 Highlights
by Dan
Business & Careers + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + Science Fiction and Fantasy + Humour / July 28, 2014
Next month brings new books from Canadian authors Louise Penny and Guy Delisle, as well as international favourites Charles Cumming, Terry Goodkind, John Scalzi, and a certain Grumpy Cat. Here's our August preview of some of the big new books available from Raincoast:
FICTION
MYSTERY & THRILLERS
Charles Cumming
A brilliant novel of MI6 and modern espionage by the New York Times bestselling author of A Foreign Country and The Trinity Six.
A top-ranking Iranian military official is blown up while trying to defect to the West. An investigative journalist is arrested and imprisoned for writing an article critical of the Turkish government. An Iranian nuclear scientist is assassinated on the streets of Tehran. These three incidents, seemingly unrelated, have one crucial link. Each of the three had been recently recruited by Western intelligence. Then MI6’s most senior agent in Turkey, dies in a puzzling plane crash. Fearing the worst, MI6 bypasses the usual protocol and brings disgraced agent Tom Kell in from the cold to investigate.
Available August 5
"It’s hard not to root for a character like Kell—deeply cynical but still very much an idealist—and the bombshell plot twists toward the novel’s conclusion will have spy fiction aficionados eagerly awaiting the next installment."—Publishers Weekly
★ Indie Next List September 2014
Louise Penny
The new Chief Inspector Gamache novel from the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, How the Light Gets In.
Happily retired in the village of Three Pines, Armand Gamache, former Chief Inspector of Homicide, has found a peace he’d only imagined possible. But when his neighbour Clara Morrow tells him that Peter, her artist husband, has failed to come home, he gets up and joins her. Together with his former second-in-command, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, and Myrna Landers, they journey deeper and deeper into Québec. And deeper and deeper into the soul of Peter Morrow.
Available August 26
"The emotional depth accessed here is both a wonder and a joy to uncover"—Kirkus Reviews
Contemporary Fiction
Martha Woodroof
Readers will adore this inspiring debut of a small-town college professor, a remarkable new woman at the bookshop, and the ten-year old son he never knew he had.
A heartwarming story with a charmingly imperfect cast of characters to cheer for, Small Blessings' wonderfully optimistic heart that reminds us that sometimes, when it feels like life has veered irrevocably off track, the track shifts in ways we never can have imagined.
Available August 12
FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION
Terry Goodkind
From Terry Goodkind, author of the Sword of Truth series, comes a sweeping new novel of Richard Rahl, Kahlan Amnell, and their world.
From the far reaches of the D'Haran Empire, Bishop Hannis Arc and the ancient Emperor Sulachan lead a vast horde of Shun-Tuk and other depraved "half-people" into the Empire's heart, raising an army of the dead in order to threaten the world of the living. Meanwhile, far from home, Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell must defend themselves and their followers from a series of terrifying threats, despite a magical sickness that depletes their strength and which, if not cured, will take their lives… sooner rather than later.
Available August 5
From The Files of Boba Fett
Daniel Wallace, Ryder Windham and Jason Fry
Legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett bound together two volumes of great personal significance: an edition of The Bounty Hunter's Guild Handbook, and a recruiting booklet issued by Death Watch, a secretive splinter group of Mandalorians. Together, these volumes make up The Bounty Hunter Code, detailing the skills needed to make a living beyond galactic law as well as the little-known history, philosophy, and gear of Death Watch. With notes from the books' former owners, this collection serves as a crucial guide to the bounty hunter's essential tools and techniques.
Available August 19
John Scalzi
A blazingly inventive near-future thriller from the best-selling, Hugo Award-winning John Scalzi.
In the near-future, a highly contagious virus makes its way across the globe. For its unlucky victims—nearly five million people in the US alone—the disease causes 'Lock In': a state of being fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus.
A quarter of a century later, in a world shaped by what's now known as 'Haden's syndrome,' two FBI agents are assigned what appears to be a Haden-related murder, with a suspect who is an 'integrator'—someone who can let the locked in borrow their bodies for a time. Naming the murderer has never been more complicated.
Available August 26
"Hugo-winner Scalzi (Redshirts) successfully shifts away from space opera with this smart, thoughtful near-future thriller resonant with the themes of freedom, ethics, and corporate greed."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"This SF thriller provides yet more evidence that Scalzi (The Human Division, 2013, etc.) is a master at creating appealing commercial fiction."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
NONFICTION
Humour
And Other Poems by Kittens
Francesco Marciuliano
Just when we all thought things couldn't get any cuter, from the author of the New York Times bestselling I Could Pee on This comes I Knead My Mommy, a book of confessional poems about the triumphs, trials, and daily discoveries of being a kitten. From climbing walls to claiming hearts, these little cats bare all in such instant classics as "And Then You Said 'No,'" "Ode to a Lizard I Didn't Know Is Also a Pet in This House," and "I Will Save You." With adorable photos of the poetic prodigies throughout, this volume gives readers a glimpse into their confused and curious feline minds as they encounter the world around them.
Available August 5
Observations from Grumpy Cat
Grumpy Cat
In a world filled with inspirational know-it-alls and quotable blowhards, only one figure is indifferent enough to tell the cranky truth: Grumpy Cat. Following the success of her New York Times bestselling debut, everyone's favorite disgruntled feline is back with this demotivational guide to everyday life, love, friendship, and more. Featuring many new photos of Grumpy Cat's famous frown and packed with uninspiring observations, The Grumpy Guide to Life will help anyone get in touch with their inner grouch.
Available August 5
Even More Bad Parenting Advice
Guy Delisle
Laugh-out-loud anecdotes from the front lines of parenting.
Ever wanted to know how to be awarded the Best Dad in the Whole World? Guy Delisle has all the answers for you in these lighthearted, entertaining tales of parental mishaps and practical jokes gone wrong. Whether he's helping remove a pesky, wobbly, but not quite loose tooth or trying to win at hide-and-seek, his antics will resonate with every parent who has wanted to give a sarcastic answer to a funny question from their kid.
Available August 26
PERSONAL FINANCE
A Winning Vision for Multigenerational Wealth
Emily Griffiths-Hamilton
A fresh and accessible guide to successful wealth transition—for many generations.
Why do 70% of wealth transition plans fail? This is the question that Emily Griffiths-Hamilton sets out to answer in Build Your Family Bank, a book that looks closely at the core causes of wealth erosion and failed transition plans and offers a set of strategies for building successful wealth transition plans that will benefit many generations.
Available August 15
SCIENCE
The Science of Why Jokes Make Us Laugh, Movies Make Us Cry, and Religion Makes Us Feel One with the Universe
Jim Davies
A sweeping look at the psychological and evolutionary reasons that everyone is drawn to religion, conspiracy theories, and the news.
Why do some things pass under the radar of our attention, but other things capture our interest? What makes a story, a movie, or a book riveting? The past 20 years have seen a remarkable flourishing of scientific research into exactly these kinds of questions. Professor Jim Davies' fascinating and highly accessible book, Riveted, reveals the evolutionary underpinnings of why we find things compelling, from art to religion and from sports to superstition.
Available August 5
Check out our August preview for kids, middle grade, and teens.
New Releases: March 2014 Highlights
by Dan
Biography & Memoir + Current Affairs + Fiction + Mysteries and Thrillers + Science Fiction and Fantasy + Humour / February 25, 2014
Oh my! There are so many brilliant books coming in out in March! Here's what's hot in fiction, nonfiction, and humour. Make sure you also take a look at our list of new releases for kids and young adults on our Kids & Teen Blog.
FICTION
LA Philip Marlowe Novel
Benjamin Black
Only Benjamin Black, a modern master of the genre, could write a new Philip Marlowe novel that has all the panache and charm of Raymond Chandler's originals while delivering a story that is as sharp and fresh as today's best crime fiction.
Available March 4
The Clifton Chronicles #4
Jeffrey Archer
Be Careful What You Wish For showcases Jeffrey Archer's storytelling talents as never before—when the Clifton and Barrington families march forward into the sixties, in this epic tale of love, revenge, ambition and betrayal.
Available March 11
Nickolas Butler
Welcome to Little Wing.
It's a place like hundreds of others, nothing special, really. But for four friends - all born and raised in this small Wisconsin town - it is home. And now they are men, coming into their own, or struggling to do so.
Shotgun Lovesongs is that rare work of fiction that evokes a specific time and place yet movingly describes the universal human condition.
Available March 11
Olen Steinhauer
Espionage master and New York Times bestseller Olen Steinhauer returns with a brilliant international thriller about the aftermath of a diplomat's assassination and his wife's relentless investigation.
Available March 18
Jane Green
From the New York Times bestselling author of such beloved novels as Another Piece of My Heart and Family Pictures comes an enthralling and emotional story about how much we really understand the temptations that can threaten even the most idyllic of relationships…
Available March 25
Karl Schroeder
When seventeen-year-old Toby McGonigal finds himself lost in space, separated from his family, he expects his next drift into cold sleep to be his last. After all, the planet he’s orbiting is frozen and sunless, and the cities are dead. But when Toby wakes again, he’s surprised to discover a thriving planet, a strange and prosperous galaxy, and something stranger still—that he’s been asleep for 14,000 years. Welcome to the Lockstep Empire, where civilization is kept alive by careful hibernation.
Available March 25
Paula Brackston
From Paula Brackston, the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter and The Winter Witch, comes a magical tale that is as dark as it is enchanting. Set in high society Edwardian England, a young witch faces the choice between love and loyalty to her coven…
Available March 25
NONFICTION
New in Paperback!
An Inner History of the New America
George Packer
Available in paperback for the first time, The Unwinding is a critically acclaimed examination of a nation in crisis by one of the finest political journalists of our generation, George Packer.
Available March 4
How a Tiny Greek Island Stole My Heart
Jennifer Barclay
Finding happiness in spanakopita and the sea, set in a dreamy Mediterranean landscape.
Available March 4
Pictures from Her Life in the City
Edited by Bridget Watson Payne
As familiar as we are with images of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the charming former first lady, fewer know the dynamic woman who called New York City home. Shortly after JFK's assassination in 1964, Jackie moved to Manhattan and lived there for the next three decades. This intimate collection of photographs celebrates her life in the city as a mother, book editor, style icon, and most of all, a New Yorker.
Available March 11
Everything I Ever Needed to Know About _____* I Learned from Monty Python
*History, Art, Poetry, Communism, Philosophy, the Media, Birth, Death, Religion, Literature, Latin, Transvestites, Botany, the French, Class Systems, Mythology, Fish Slapping, and Many More!
Brian Cogan and Jeff Massey
A comprehensive and hilarious guide to understanding the many Monty Python jokes and allusions.
Available March 18
How About Never – Is Never Good For You?
My Life in Cartoons
Bob Mankoff
A memoir in cartoons by the long-time cartoon editor of The New Yorker Bob Mankoff.
Available March 25
HUMOUR
And Other Observations from Parenthood
Jeffrey Brown
The bestselling author of Darth Vader and Son and Vader's Little Princess brings his witty comic observations to terrestrial parenting in this perceptive book celebrating the more surreal moments of raising a child.
Available March 18
Even More of the Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers
Richard Benson
From the same hilarious wellspring of failure as the bestselling F in Exams and F for Effort comes this all-new collection of inventively wrong-yet totally real-test responses by students who don't know the answer, but come up with something better instead.
Available March 18