December has arrived, bringing with it the magic of holiday celebrations—and hopefully a few well-deserved moments of rest! What better way to escape the hustle and bustle of the season than by diving into a captivating book? This month, we’re thrilled to share a selection of exciting new releases, from pulse-pounding political thrillers and sweeping historical fiction to compelling family dramas and everything in between. Did you know you can place a hold on a book before it goes on sale? Simply print our December Coming Soon list, circle your must-reads, and our librarians will take care of the rest—reserving your favorites for you!
Tom Clancy Defense Protocol by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson
Andrews and Wilson’s second entry in Clancy’s Jack Ryan series (after Act of Defiance) is a solid shoot-’em-up centered on tensions between China and the United States. At the outset, China’s defense minister and top diplomat have just been “disappeared.” Chinese president Li Jian Jun plans a sneak attack on Taiwan, and it’s up to the Jack Ryan administration to stop him without going to war. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., Katie Ryan—President Jack Ryan’s daughter—is an up-and-coming analyst for the Office of Naval Intelligence. Hoping to avert a war, Taiwan’s Defense Minister warns the Americans of the looming attack, setting the stage for a clash between President Ryan and President Li. Available 12/3.
Stuart Woods’ Golden Hour by Brett Battles
Teddy Fay is ready to embark on the European press tour of Peter Barrington’s latest film Storm’s Eye, when he receives an unexpected visit from Lance Cabot, director of the CIA. Several CIA agents have been turning up dead. The commonality? They were all part of a mission Teddy was involved in: Golden Hour. Lance wants Teddy to use his trip as a cover to investigate who is behind these killings. The narrative flits across Europe, from Venice to Budapest to Berlin, with Fay and his entourage repeatedly charming movie crowds and dodging trouble. Series readers will appreciate the brief appearance of fan favorite Stone Barrington. Available 12/3.
Sister Snake by Amanda Lee Koe
This cosmopolitan, thrilling tale follows sisters Su and Emerald. Su leads a sheltered, moneyed life as the picture-perfect wife of a politician in Singapore. Emerald is a nihilistic sugar baby in New York, using her charms to make ends meet. But they share a secret: once, they were snakes, basking in Tang dynasty China. A thousand years later, their mysterious history is the only thing still binding them together. When Emerald experiences a violent encounter in Central Park and Su boards the next flight to New York, the two reach a tenuous reconciliation for the first time in decades. Su convinces Emerald to move to Singapore – but she soon begins to worry that Emerald’s behavior will out them both. Available 12/3.
The Rivals by Jane Pek
Named one of the ten best books of 2024 by The Washington Post, The Rivals is a witty and thought-provoking mystery that reimagines the spy story to explore the nature of relationships in a digital age. Claudia Lin—mystery novel superfan and, until recently, clichéd underemployed English major—has scored her dream job: co-running Veracity, a dating detective agency for chronically online New Yorkers who want to know if their prospective partners are telling the truth. Unfortunately, she and her colleagues uncover a far-reaching AI conspiracy. And the corporate matchmakers may be resorting to murder to protect their secrets. Emotionally complex characters and Claudia’s snarky yet achingly candid voice will keep readers turning the pages. Available 12/3.
Rental House by Welke Wang
Keru and Nate are college sweethearts who marry despite their family differences: Keru’s strict, Chinese, immigrant parents demand perfection, while Nate’s white, working-class family distrusts his intellectual ambitions and his “foreign” wife. Some years into their marriage, the couple invites their families on vacation. At a Cape Cod beach house, and at a luxury Catskills bungalow, Keru and Nate navigate visits from in-laws and unexpected guests, wondering if they can answer the big questions: How do you cope when your spouse and your family of origin clash? How many people make a family? And when the pack starts to disintegrate, what can you do to shepherd everyone back together? This quietly engrossing novel is subtle and powerful in its cultural critique and will surely be relatable for anyone who has in-laws. Available 12/3.
The French Winemaker’s Daughter by Loretta Ellsworth
Set during World War II, The French Winemaker’s Daughter is a powerful historical novel about love, war, family, and loyalty, told through the voices of two women, generations apart, bound by a bottle of wine. In 1942, seven-year-old Martine hides from the Nazis as they take her father away, clutching a bottle of wine and a note with her aunt’s address. Nearly fifty years later, Charlotte, a commercial airline pilot, discovers an old bottle from the German occupation in a Paris auction. When she cleans the label, she uncovers its immense value, setting off a journey that connects her to Martine’s past. Loretta Ellsworth's evocative novel explores the power of connection, fate, and loyalty, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. Loretta Ellsworth’s evocative and poignant page-turner will linger in the heart, and make you think about luck, connection, and the meaning of loyalty. Available 12/10.
What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane
Dr. Richmond Dougherty, a renowned pediatric surgeon and national hero, dies from a fall down the stairs. His neighbors blame his new wife, Addison, who became a rich widow after their 97-day marriage, during which Richmond had two suspicious “accidents.” As law enforcement circles and hostility grows, sides are taken, led by Kathryn, Richmond’s first wife. Despite the tension, Addison is determined to unravel Richmond’s legacy. A threatening note on her wall reads: “You will pay.” But Addison’s plan to ruin Richmond isn’t over, even after his death. Darby (The Engagement Party) presents a clever, bingeable psychological thriller. Available 12/10.
Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson
Madeline Brimley left small town Georgia many years ago to pursue her dreams on the stage. But then she gets word that not only has her beloved, eccentric Aunt Rose passed, but she's left Madeline her equally eccentric bookstore in the small college town of Enigma. When she arrives to restart her life, Madeline is faced with unexpected challenges. But Madeline Brimley, not one to be intimidated, ignores the threats and soldiers on. Until there's another fire and a murder in the store itself. Now it's up to Madeline to untangle the skein of secrets and find the killer before she herself is the next victim. This atmospheric mystery from a pseudonymous novelist, actor, dramatist, and professor will appeal to readers who enjoy Southern or bookstore settings, quirky characters, and beautiful, descriptive writing. Available 12/10.
Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson
After years of struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol, Emma has been sober for a full year. She keeps her head down at her job as a marketing assistant. When her computer crashes while she’s composing a speech to commemorate her first year of sobriety, Ben, the company’s IT manager, arrives to fix it, and there’s an immediate attraction. But Emma has never been in a relationship while sober, and her nervousness threatens to derail everything. In her debut, Robinson presents Emma’s sobriety as a rebirth of sorts, showing how complex it can be to rebuild a life as an adult. Thoughtfully presented details about alcoholism and sobriety add realism to Emma’s story, and while serious issues such as addiction, trauma, and terminal illness are major plot points, there’s a hopeful tone throughout, and plenty of humor. Readers will cheer for Emma as she learns to navigate her new life. Available 12/17.