Engaging characters set off to follow the mysterious clues of the will of an elderly, wealthy eccentric for a chance at winning the grand prize. Young grief and loss, family guilt, secrets, and hilarity are featured throughout. Plus: ghosts!

This one is like a Westing Game for adults or a Ready Player One for our times, and set in the greater Boston area, there’s sure to be some sights and places that you recognize.

Recommended by Pam.

This is the newest thriller from a writer who knows how to write a good thriller. Rowan Caine responds to an ad for a nanny, and what looks like an ideal job (good pay, nice family, beautiful house) turns out to be anything but. This psychological thriller is compulsively readable and keeps the reader guessing until the end.

Recommended by Terri.

Before Rainbow Rowell was a renowned Teen Fiction phenom, she published this debut romance that will not disappoint her many adult fans.

This delightful book is told from the emails of two female friends and coworkers, which are flagged by the IT’s system and reviewed by an IT worker who soon learns more than he should and develops feelings for the single one of the two. Alternating between our IT worker’s point of view and the hilarious email exchanges of our workplace besties, this book is so much fun, while not shying away from some more serious complications.

We’ve been passing this one around amongst ourselves, and thought we shouldn’t wait too long to share it with you. This book now comes recommended by Pam, Bri, Erica, and Anna. So far.

This novel centers around two neighboring families in a suburban town and how their relationship changes with one act of violence that destroys lives and reverberates over many years, Francis Gleason and Brian Stanhope are two rookie cops who happen to live next door to each other. Although they trained together,they don’t really bond as neighbors, as each family has hidden problems. This novel explores the intimacies of marriage and the power of forgiveness. 

ASK AGAIN,YES is a great book club pick!

Recommended by Terri.

Fifteen years after THE HANDMAID’S TALE was published Margaret Atwood has written a sequel about the regime of the Republic of Gilead. Signs are evident that the powers that be are losing control of the population and conditions are are starting to deteriorate.

This Science Fiction/Dystopian  novel is narrated by three very different women. One voice is that of a woman who grew up in Gilead, another voice comes from a young woman who grew up in Canada and the third is a woman who has power and many secrets.I highly recommend that one might want to be familiar with THE HANDMAID’S TALE before reading Atwood’s sequel, THE TESTAMENTS will reveal the inner workings of the society of Gilead and is more action-driven rather than character-driven.The reviews have been positive, but make no mistake, THE TESTAMENT is not the same in tone or voice as THE HANDMAID’S TALE. I recommend this book, only if you are familiar with the original premise of the first book.

Recommended by Terri.

Bring Me Back is  B. A. Paris’ third novel after Behind Closed Doors and The Breakdown. She is a New York Times bestselling author and her present psychological thriller does not disappoint.

The plot revolves around Finn and Layla who are in love and on vacation. Layla disappears from Finn’s locked car, at least this is the story he tells the police. Ten years later, Finn is engaged to Layla’s sister,Ellen. Their shared grief over Layla’s disappearance drew them close together.

Before they are to be married, Finn gets a phone call from someone in his past who claims to have seen Layla! Thus the suspense begins.

This powerful debut historical novel by Mary Lynn Bracht tells about a part of history that is both painful and heartbreaking.  The story is about two sisters, Hana and Emiko who live on Jeju island off the coast of Korea. The women of the island are”Haenyeo” or divers who provide a living for their families. The people of Korea are living under Japanese rule as this story takes place during WWII.

The Japanese soldiers know these women are secluded and come to the island to forcibly take these young girls to be “comfort women” for the Japanese Army. Unfortunately, Hana becomes one of these young sex slaves at the age of 16. Hana offers herself to save her much younger sister,Emiko, from being taken also.

Thus unfolds the horrific life Hana is forced to live while her family struggles to live without her. The chapters alternate between Hana and Emiko and both tell their devastating stories. Emiko is filled with guilt and Hana fears death or worse at the hands of the brutal Japanese soldiers.

The white chrysanthemum is the flower for death and mourning and is a most appropriate title for this suspenseful and hopeful novel

The Death of Mrs. Westaway is the newest thriller from Ruth Ware, author of The Woman in Cabin 10. Harriet Westaway, penniless orphan who reads tarot cards for a living, receives a letter from a solicitor stating she may be an heir to a bequeath from her grandmother. Harriet knows there must be some mistake, as her deceased mother never spoke of any family, and certainly not any with a sizable fortune. However, Harriet has bills to pay and a loan shark banging on her door and threatening bodily harm.

So Harriet decides to travel to Trepassen and try to become this missing granddaughter. She’s taking a big risk, but Harriet has little to lose, except, of course, fraudulent behavior. What Harriet finds at this estate are many secrets and much hostility in this new family she joins. Why are the three Westaway brothers so bitter? Why is the housekeeper,Mrs. Warren, so sinister?

Again, Ware has developed a page-turning thriller that will keep the reader guessing until the end.

The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer is about the experiences and people who shape our lives. Greer Kadetsky is a college freshman when she meets Faith Frank who is a prominent figure in the women’s movement. Faith is essential is helping Greer find a new life purpose and establish a rewarding pathway to follow. Cory, Greer’s boyfriend, is also influenced by Faith’s inspirational words and lifestyle.

Meg Wolitzer uses wisdom and humor to show how power, ego and ambition can shape and inspire one’s life.