Kim Lord is an avant-garde feminist icon in the NY art scene. Her subject matter is paying homage to women who have been murdered after going missing. On the night of her vernissage she disappears. Her boyfriend, Greg Shaw Ferguson is the prime suspect. Maggie Richter works at the gallery that is organizing the vernissage. She doesn’t believe that Greg is capable of murder and she should know – she’s his ex and is still in love with him. This debut novel has all the elements I most love – art, feminism and mystery! Yippee!

Casandra Bowden is a flight attendant who has a bad habit of blacking out when she drinks. This doesn’t usually pose a problem for her until she wakes up beside the man she picked up in a bar in Dubai and realizes he’s dead. She panics and heads back to NY without reporting it. I love books by Chris Bohjalian – they are well written, fast paced and usually end with an unexpected twist. I must admit that this twist was a little far fetched even for me but it’s Bohjalian so I have to give him a break!

Anna Johnson’s father commits suicide and several months later so does her mom – in almost the exact same way. Anna is convinced that something is wrong when, several years later, she receives an anonymous message that causes her to question whether her parents’ deaths were in fact suicide. I have to admit that I figured out most of the mystery (I’m usually really bad at that) but it was still a good read.

On a whim Simon, Klara, Daniel and Varya Gold go see a psychic who predicts the exact time of each of their deaths. The lives the children choose to lead reveal just how much of this prophecy they each believe. Do we choose our fate or do the fates choose us? A great book.

In Upper East side New York Philippa Lye, Minnie Curtis and Gwen Hogan become embroiled in some nasty business. So many reputations on the line. So many unsolved mysteries about the women and the men in their lives. What a great read!

Angela marries Jason… all hell breaks loose when he is accused of murder. You will be pulled this way and that as you race your way through the book (I did anyway) to see what happens. I really liked this well written fast paced thriller!

A beautiful story about exploring sexual identity and enduring friendship. Ellis is mourning the death of his wife, Annie. Michael is also grieving the loss of a love. The three were once inseparable but Ellis hasn’t seen Michael in years. The story goes back and forth in time as Ellis and Michael come to terms with their lives and choices. I loved it!

Ernt, former POW Vietnam vet, suffers from PTSD and has moved his wife, Cora, and daughter, Leni, to Alaska where he fervently believes he will be saved. All is well until the long night of winter settles in and Ernt becomes unhinged. Cora and Leni must rely on each other to weather his storm but bad becomes worse until the unthinkable happens. The book is wise and suspensful. A wonderful read.

Mhadu, a transgender sex worker in India, has been asked to prepare “a parcel” for prostitution. The parcel is a young girl who has been sold by her aunt into the sex trade. Mhadu’s job is to break the girl’s spirit so that she can be compliant for her customers. Mhadu no longer has the heart for this work and wonders whether she has ever done anything truly good for anyone. She makes a decision that will have devastating consequences for her but may very well give her the greatest satisfaction she has ever known.

Tom Hazard has one rule: Do not fall in love. He has a rare disease that slows the aging process down by …well…a lot. He looks 43 but is over 300 years old. He becomes involved with a group of similarly “blessed” people but is beginning to want a more normal life. Not quite sure how to go about that Tom does the one thing he isn’t supposed to do: He falls in love! Tom is funny, wise and really trying to live good lives. I loved this original, imaginative novel!