The Christmas season has officially arrived! Take a look at some of the books releasing this week as November turns to December.
Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults
The Smartest Kid in the Universe: Genius Camp – Book 2 in the Smartest Kid in the Universe series about a boy who eats what he thinks are normal jelly beans and becomes the smartest kid in the universe. This time, Jake heads to Genius Camp and goes head-to-head with the smartest computer in the universe. I got a kick out of book 1 last year – this new book should be great!
Spell Sweeper – A girl who flunked out of wizard school still has a chance to save the day when another wizard rips the fabric of magic itself and Cara’s group of cleaners just might be the only ones to save the day. This sounds fun and is on my list for this week!
Stuntboy, in the Meantime (Graphic Novel) – The latest from Jason Reynolds. Portico Reeves is the best superhero you’ve never heard of – Stuntboy. He works in secret keeping all the other superheroes safe. But sometimes that responsibility gives Portico “the frets.” I am really eager to see this one in person.
You’ll Be the Death of Me – Karen McManus is the queen of the teen thriller! And her newest sounds like another winner. Three old friends decide to ditch school together, and they kick off their skip day following another kid they see ditching – and then he ends up dead. Each of the three teens has a connection to the dead kid – and things to hide.
Books for Adults
And They Lived Happily Ever After (Trade Paperback) – A romance novelist has dreams that magically end up in her bestselling stories. But a real-life kiss threatens to expose secrets she has kept hidden for years. This. Sounds. AMAZING. Already pre-ordered.
Bear a Wee Grudge (Trade Paperback) – Book 5 in the Teddy Bear Mystery series. Sasha is hunting a murderer when her father is accused of killing their business rival right before the big Highland festival.
Big Trouble in Little Greektown (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Goddess of Greene Street Mystery series. Athena and Case are looking for a killer when they find a dead body at a Save the Dunes event.
Christmas Candy Corpse (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Courtney Archer Mystery series. Courtney is sleuthing when the assistant director for a holiday baking special is murdered.
Claret and Present Danger (Hardcover) – Book 4 in the Literary Pub Mystery series. It’s murder at the Ren Faire when the faire’s illusionist dies in the middle of his act. Local pub owner, Sadie, is on the hunt for a killer.
A Counterfeit Suitor (Hardcover) – Book 5 in the fantastic Rosalind Thorne Mystery series. Rosalind is serving in her role as a “useful woman” when her father unexpectedly returns to town. A drunk and a forger who ruined his family and fled town with Rosalind’s older sister, Sir Reginald has been closely corralled by her sister for years, but he recently ran off and connected with a man who would love to see Rosalind ruined. But when Rosalind’s father is killed, and her enemy is blamed, he comes to her for help. I will be reviewing this one soon!
Do I Know You? (Trade Paperback) – A new thriller from Sarah Strohmeyer (The Bubbles Yablonsky series, The Cinderella Pact – ♥♥♥♥). As heiress Bella Valencia prepares for her society wedding, she fears someone will uncover the secrets she is keeping – someone like Jane Ellison who is convinced Bella is responsible for the disappearance and presumed death of Jane’s sister.
Killer Words (Trade Paperback) – Book 7 in the Mystery Bookshop Mystery series by V. M. Burns. Sam and her grandmother take on a new mystery when a cop with history with their family is accused of murdering a mayoral candidate.
King of Battle and Blood (Trade Paperback) – First in a new series. Isolde’s plan is to end a years-long war by marrying a vampire king and killing him once and for all. But when her first attempt fails and the king threatens to turn her into the very thing she despises, she must consider other options – but falling for the king is NOT one of them.
Marriage Can Be Mischief (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Amish Matchmaker Mystery series by Amanda Flower. Millie is looking at a second chance with her childhood friend, Uriah, but Uriah has another mission while in town. His sister was thought to have murdered her abusive husband and run away, but now her body has been found. Uriah is hoping Millie can help him discover the truth. This is on my review list!
Mimi Lee Cracks the Code (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Sassy Cat Mystery series. Mimi, her boyfriend Josh, and their cat Marshmallow jump at the chance at a free stay on Catalina Island, But they are embroiled in another mystery not long after they arrive.
Murder at the Lobstah Shack (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series. Mac and her book group start sleuthing when a friend is suspected of murder after a woman she fought with is found, dead, in the Lobstah Shack’s freezer.
A Murder Like No Author (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Main Street Book Club Mystery series. A man accusing a local author of not actually writing his big bestseller is found dead, and Arlo and her friends start investigating.
A Murder Yule Regret (Mass Market Paperback) – [Look at that gorgeous cover!!] Ivy’s pictures become evidence in a murder case when someone is killed during the Dickensian holiday costume party Ivy is shooting for her photography business.
Petals and Poison (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Flower House Mystery series. A college professor is killed in the Flower House’s back room, which is not the sort of change in luck Sierra had been hoping for.
Star Trek Coda: Oblivion’s Gate (Trade Paperback) – The last book in this trilogy that brings together Jean Luc Picard, Ezri Dax, Benjamin Sisko, and William T. Riker.
Stink Eye (Baby Blues – Paperback Collection) – The 38th Baby Blues collection.
Tales of Life and Daph: Weddings. Funerals. Sleuthing. (e-book) – Book 3 in the Daphne Jones mystery series. Daphne is attending her first conference for wedding officiants when she receives a mysterious note that says “murder is on the menu.”
To All the Dogs I’ve Loved Before (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 3 in the Pine Hollow series. Elinor and Levi were engaged, once upon a time. Neither one is inclined to see history repeat itself, but Elinor’s new rescue puppy seems determined to push the couple into giving love a second chance. This sounds adorable.
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience (Hardcover) – The latest from Brené Brown. Brown explores 87 emotions and experiences that make up what it means to be human and maps the skills we need for meaningful connection. This is on my list for sure.