“Absence” by Andrew Dana Hudson is a speculative-fiction novel that moves us to think of Absence in a whole new way

/ Pamela Kramer

When I took my first look at the cover of “Absence” by Andrew Dana Hudson, several possible topics regarding the one-word title came to mind. Hmm, I thought. I wonder what kind of absence he’s talking about. Maybe it’s about a messed-up kid who always skips school. Maybe it’s about a person who always manages to not be there when scary or difficult situations arise. But I could have taken a hundred guesses, and none would be anywhere near author Hudson’s perspective on or exploration of the subject. The plots, the themes, the narration, and the dialogue all deal with the horror and mystery of how every person on earth would deal with the reality that strikes the people of this novel. That is: Individuals or groups of people suddenly disappear, without warning, without reason, without logic, without explanation. They are here and then they are not. They simply pop away. The event becomes known as popping. Two people are talking or driving together or making love, and suddenly only one is there, the other temporarily replaced by a vacuum, which itself disappears almost immediately. A popping sound is always heard when the victim goes away.

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‘Whistler’ by Ann Patchett is about memories and the stories we forget

/ Pamela Kramer

In “Whistler,” author Ann Patchett invites us to consider all the events from our past, from our childhood, that we have forgotten. And most of us do not remember huge swaths of our childhood years; perhaps certain impressionable events stand out, special birthdays or celebrations. Holidays or coming of age parties might be memorable. But we can’t remember everything. If this brilliant novel were a person, you would describe that person as soft-spoken, intelligent, thoughtful, and charismatic. It would be someone you would want to make your best friend.

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‘Mist and Malice: A Haven Thriller’ by Rachel Howzell Hall is the second book in this California oceanside mystery series

/ Pamela Kramer

In “Mist and Malice,” the second book in Rachel Howzell Hall’s exciting “Haven Thriller” series, the action starts right up where the first book ends. For those who haven’t read the first book, it could be confusing. I would definitely suggest reading this novel after reading the first one because a lot of the backstory of the characters is delineated in “Fog and Fury,” the first novel.

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‘The Parisian Heist’ by Jo Piazza is a brilliant combination of tense thriller and historical fiction

/ Pamela Kramer

In Jo Piazza’s “The Parisian Heist,” we don’t meet the brilliant artist Vincent Van Gogh, but we learn a lot about him through the fictionalized character of his sister-in-law Jo Van Gogh and the completely fictional character of a friend, Claire Donadieu. Piazza alternates the narrative between Jo Van Gogh’s real battle to get Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings to be seen and admired and — ultimately — valued, and a modern day thriller about three art students who find they’ve been invited to participate in one of the strangest heists in history.

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‘It Could Have Been Her’ by Lisa Jewell is a shocking thriller

/ Pamela Kramer

In Lisa Jewell’s newest psychological thriller, “It Could Have Been Her,” she brings back a character from her last thriller, “Don’t Let Him In.” In that novel, Jane Trevally was a minor character, an older woman who helped solve the mystery. In this new release, Jane makes a fabulous, complex, very relatable main character, and her Jessica Fletcher-like investigation into a missing woman uncovers chilling secrets that a family had desperately tried to hide.

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‘Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch,’ David Rosenfelt’s 33rd Andy Carpenter Mystery novel. Still another winner.

/ Pamela Kramer

There are several very good reasons that David Rosenfelt has now produced thirty-three extraordinarily successful Andy Carpenter Mysteries, including the latest entry, “Dead Men Don’t Play Fetch.” In the big picture, that success is due to the author’s unique talent at combining solid and suspenseful mystery plots with a sense of humor that jumps off every page. An analysis of those two qualities can provide, I think, more information that clarifies Rosenfelt’s techniques.

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‘The Windsor Affair’ by Melanie Benjamin is an in-depth account of the rivalry between two women, completely fiction but also steeped in real facts

/ Pamela Kramer

Historical fiction is a favorite for many readers and for many reasons. When the fiction part is gripping and engaging, we get to learn about history while enjoying a fabulous novel. And that’s what “The Windsor Affair” accomplishes in spades. It’s the fictional account of two real women who were married to British kings, and whose relationship could only be described as fraught with hostility and bitterness from both parties.

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‘When You Loved Me’ by Beatriz Williams is a lovely story of love, family, and history

/ Pamela Kramer

Beatriz Williams’ novels set on Winthrop Island are a perfect combination of fabulous stand-alone reads, as well as part of the Winthrop Island books; they return Williams’ fans to Winthrop Island, where many of her books are set, and bring back the fabulous characters we met in those previous novels. “When You Loved Me,” introduces Lucy Cooper, whose father has lived on the island his whole life. Bud Cooper stayed on the island because he was determined to find the legendary pirate’s treasure that was rumored to be buried somewhere on the property.

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‘The Last Lady B’ by Eloisa James is a delightfully unique romance

/ Pamela Kramer

Romances are romances, right? Not exactly, as Eloisa James proves so beautifully in her latest novel, “The Last Lady B.” It seems the antithesis of romance when Genevieve agrees to marry Lord Burnsby, whom her father describes on the first page as “a nasty old goat with three dead wives.” Her groom is older than her father, but unlike her father, he’s extremely wealthy and willing to offer her sister Rosie a dowry, without which Rosie will not be able to marry a titled gentleman. Because while love is all well and good, without money, love was nothing at that time and in their social class.

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