New Releases: January 30, 2021
Adult Fiction
All the Colors of Night (Fogg Lake #2) - Jayne Ann Krentz
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Thriller
North Chastain has always had the mysterious ability to channel energy through crystals. He and his father both have the ability, which is what the doctors believe is the cause of his father's sudden coma. But North knows that isn't the case. He's convinced it was brought on by an artifact his father had been looking for--and found. With his unique talent of channeling energy through crystals, North has the best chance at recovering the artifact, but he also needs someone who knows the shadowy world of crazy collectors, deceptive dealers, and dangerous raiders. Sierra Raines is looking for a fresh start after a failed gig at a major auction house. With her reputation ruined, she turns to the murky backwaters of the paranormal artifacts trade. She takes commissions to find, acquire, and transport objects that are hot commodities in the antiquities world, staying in the shadows to avoid attracting the attention of the Foundation. When North Chastain approaches her, Sierra takes him on as a client, though not without reservations. They wind up in Fogg Lake, and soon discover that they will have to trust each other in order to not only save North's father but also to survive.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE “All the Colors of Night” by Jayne Ann Krentz
Hush-Hush (Stone Barrington #56) - Stuart Woods
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Stone Barrington is settling in for some downtime in New York City when an anonymous enemy makes himself known. This nameless foe's threats hit close to home, and before Stone can retaliate, the fearsome messages turn into very real consequences. With the help of old friends--and a lovely new tech-savvy acquaintance--Stone sets out to unravel the fatal agenda. But as the web of adversaries expands, Stone realizes that no place is safe, and he'll have to flush out the mastermind before he and those closest to him are silenced for good.
NYPD Red 6 (NYPD Red #6) - James Patterson
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
At the most lavish wedding of the season, the most brazen kidnapper in New York City takes "Here Comes the Bride" as an invitation. Reality star Erin Easton's "Wedding of the Century" may have a cable crew documenting every extravagant bridal detail, but when "Airhead Easton" disappears from the reception, it's no diva turn. Her dressing room is empty but for a blood-spattered wedding gown and signs of a struggle. Detective Kylie MacDonald of NYPD Red, already on-scene as a plus-one, loops in her partner, Detective Zach Jordan to activate Level One mobilization for this PR nightmare. But when Erin's "proof of life" video makes it to air -- rather than to evidence -- every A-lister on the guest list becomes a target of suspicion . . . or just a target.
The Russian (Michael Bennet #13) - James Patterson
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Investigating a trio of horrifying murders in three major U.S. cities against a backdrop of his impending nuptials, Detective Michael Bennett risks getting caught in a deadly trap set by a particularly elusive killer. A series of gruesome murders in New York City has Michael Bennett angry-- but when he identifies similar cases in Atlanta and San Francisco, his feelings escalate into all-out alarm. All of the victims are young women, and each one is killed in a manner as precise as it was gruesome. Working alongside the FBI, Bennett and his new partner toil to connect the cases. But as Bennett prepares to make a lifetime commitment to Mary Catherine, the killer has a lethal vow of his own to fulfill.
The Scorpion’s Tail (Nora Kelly #2) - Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
After a shoot-out leaves a senior FBI agent gravely wounded, Corrie Swanson finds herself under investigation. Her supervisor assures her she's not to blame and the black mark on her record will be cleared in short order. But Corrie finds she cannot shake off an overwhelming feeling of guilt.
As a distraction, she takes on a new case involving a fifty-year-old, mummified corpse discovered in a hidden enclave at High Lonesome, a long-abandoned New Mexico ghost town. Quickly out of her depth, she realizes she needs the help of her old enemy, archaeologist Nora Kelly. The two women soon uncover a startling truth: the deceased was poisoned, and died clutching a priceless artifact.
Can the two women solve the mystery of the scorpion's tail? Or will they – like others before them – die in the attempt?
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE “The Scorpion’s Tail” by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Someone to Watch Over Me (Spenser #48) - Ace Atkins
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Ten years ago, Spenser helped a teenage girl named Mattie Sullivan find her mother's killer and take down an infamous Southie crime boss. Now Mattie--a college student with a side job working for the iconic private eye--dreams of being an investigator herself. When Mattie's childhood friend from the South Boston housing projects, Chloe Turner, is found dead, she decides to take on the case for the family. Taking a cue from her boss, Mattie has a knack for asking the right questions of the wrong people.
Soon Spenser and Mattie find ties between Turner and dozens of other girls from poor families to an eccentric billionaire with a massive home along Commonwealth Avenue. The man owns properties and businesses throughout Massachusetts with connections to local politicians, the state house, and beyond. As a bleak winter bears down on Boston, Spenser and trusted ally Hawk must again watch out for Mattie as she unravels a massive sex-trafficking ring that will take them from Boston to the Bahamas, crossing paths with local toughs and an old enemy of Spenser's--the Gray Man--for a final epic showdown.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE “Someone to Watch Over Me” by Ace Atkins
Adult Non-Fiction
Beginners - Tom Vanderbilt
Genres: Non-fiction, Self-help
Why do so many of us stop learning new skills as adults? Are we afraid to fail? Have we forgotten the sheer pleasure of being a beginner? Or is it simply a fact that you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Inspired by his young daughter's insatiable need to know how to do almost everything, and stymied by his own rut of mid-career competence, Tom Vanderbilt begins a year of learning purely for the sake of learning. He tackles five main skills (and picks up a few more along the way), choosing them for their difficulty to master and their distinct lack of career marketability--chess, singing, surfing, drawing, and juggling.
Change - Damon Centola
Genres: Non-fiction, Sociology
Most of what we know about how ideas spread comes from bestselling authors who give us a compelling picture of a world, in which "influencers" are king, "sticky" ideas "go viral," and good behavior is "nudged" forward. The problem is that the world they describe is a world where information spreads, but beliefs and behaviors stay the same.
When it comes to lasting change in what we think or the way we live, the dynamics are different: beliefs and behaviors are not transmitted from person to person in the simple way that a virus is. The real story of social change is more complex. When we are exposed to a new idea, our social networks guide our responses in striking and surprising ways.
Drawing on deep-yet-accessible research and fascinating examples from the spread of coronavirus to the success of the Black Lives Matter movement, the failure of Google+, and the rise of political polarization, Change presents groundbreaking and paradigm-shifting new science for understanding what drives change, and how we can change the world around us.
Junior Fiction
Becoming Brianna (Emmie & Friends #4) - Terri Libenson
Genres: Junior fiction, Graphic novel
Everyone knows how much brainy Bri likes the spotlight (not). So why did she ever agree to something that forces her to learn a new language, give a speech, help organize a party, and juggle drama at school and home?! As the big event inches closer, Bri wonders if it's all worth it. . . .Told in alternating past and present chapters, Bri's heartwarming story unfolds over the eight months leading up to her bat mitzvah--as well as over the course of the big day itself.
The Gerbil Ate My Homework (Big Nate #23) - Lincoln Peirce
Genres: Junior fiction, Graphic novel
You've got to know where you stand to survive sixth grade, and Nate Wright's found the perfect spot: right next to Sherman, the class gerbil. Can Nate's furry friend bail him out of his latest homework jam with Mrs. Godfrey? Or will there be a paper trail leading straight to detention?
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE “The Gerbil Ate My Homework” by Lincoln Peirce
Claudia and the New Girl (Baby-Sitters Club #9) - Gabriela Epstein
Genres: Junior fiction, Graphic novel
Claudia has always been the most creative kid in her class... until Ashley Wyeth comes along. Ashley's really different: She wears hippie clothes and has multiple earrings, and she's the most fantastic artist Claudia has ever met.
Ashley says Claudia is a great artist, too, but thinks she's wasting her artistic talent with The Baby-sitters Club. When Claudia starts spending more time with Ashley and missing BSC meetings, it becomes clear that Claudia has to make a decision -- one of them has to go!
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE “Claudia and the New Girl” by Gabriela Epstein
Karen’s Worst Day (Baby-Sitters Little Sister #3) - Katy Farina
Genres: Junior fiction, Graphic novel
Karen is having a terrible day. Her favorite jeans are missing, there's no prize in the Crunch-O cereal box, and Boo-Boo the cat won't play with her. She even gets punished and sent to her room! Karen tries everything to make her day better, but nothing is going right and her bad luck just won't go away. Will this be the worst day ever?
The Wizard of Oz - Russell Punter
Genres: Junior fiction, Graphic novel, Fantasy
After Dorothy's house is carried off by a tornado, she finds herself in the strange and magical Land of Oz. With the help of her new friends the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, she must persuade the Wizard of Oz to help her get back to Kansas. L. Frank Baum's timeless fantasy is beautifully recreated in this enchanting graphic novel.
Wolfwalkers - Sam Sattin
Genres: Junior fiction, Graphic novel, Fantasy
Robyn Goodfellowe and her father arrive in Kilkenny, Ireland, tasked with hunting the last of the wolves, but Robyn's friendship with Mebh, a girl living in the forests and protecting the wolves, threatens everything Robyn--and her father--hold dear.