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Great Reads From Your Library Staff Summer 2025 |
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Assassins Anonymous by Rob HartAfter giving up his paid assassin gig and joining a twelve-step program for reformed killers, Mark is attacked and forced on the run from New York to Singapore while he chases down clues that point to who is after him. ** Recommended by Julie D. in Abingdon** Available in: Print/ eBook/ eAudio |
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Code Name Héléne : a novel by Ariel LawhonA novel based on the life of spy Nancy Wake follows a woman who kills a Nazi and becomes one of the most decorated women in World War II. If you love WW2 stories, this is an eye-opening, based on a true story , compelling read. Strong woman stepping up at a unique time in history. **Recommended by Kimberly T. in Bel Air** Available in: Print/ LP/ eBook/ eAudio |
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The Couple Next Door by Shari LapeñaWhen a terrible crime committed on the night of a dinner party casts suspicion on a young couple who seemed to have it all, Detective Rasbach discovers that the panicked duo had been hiding dangerous secrets from each other for years. A young couple is invited to a dinner party at their neighbors next door. At the last minute their babysitter cancels. They make the fateful decision to leave the sleeping baby at home. They check on her every 30 minutes. A terrible crime is committed. A great read with lots of twists and turns. **Recommended by Nellie C. in Aberdeen** Available in: Print/ LP/ CD/ Spanish/ eBook/ eAudio |
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The Devils by Joe AbercrombieA brand-new epic fantasy from a New York Times bestselling author features a notorious band of anti-heroes on a delightfully bloody and raucous journey. A group of do-bads trying to do good and save the world from murderous elves and greedy princes. Violent, yet heart-felt and sharp yet funny. A story about found family, hope, redemption, and living with your true self. **Recommended by Jen C. in Riverside** Available in: Print/ eBook/ eAudio |
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Divine Rivals : a novel by Rebecca RossWhen 18-year-old journalist Iris Winnow's personal letters fall into the hands of her rival at the paper, she forges a magical connection that follows her into the battle for her family, the fate of humankind, and love. Book 1 in Letters of Enchantment duology. Book 2 is Ruthless Vows. In YA collection. With war looming, a magical connection is formed between rivals at a newspaper. It's a satisfying mix of romance, historical fiction, and fantasy. **Recommended by Beth H. in Fallston** Available in: Print/ CD/ eBook/ eAudio |
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A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson BennettAfter a Treasury officer vanishes from a locked room, investigator Ana Dolabra discovers a deadly plot targeting the Empire's magical lifeblood, pitting her against an unstoppable adversary, in the second novel of the series following The Tainted Cup. **Recommended by Lisa B. in Riverside** Available in: Print/ eBook/ eAudio |
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Egypt's Sister : a novel of Cleopatra by Angela Elwell HuntWhen Chava, the Hebrew daughter of the royal tutor, sees her close childhood companion ascend to the Egyptian throne as queen Cleopatra, a rift forms between the two, and Chava is sold into slavery in Rome and must trust in God's will for her life. Jewish Historical fiction. **Recommended by Abigail M. in Bel Air** Available in: Print/ LP/ eBook |
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First-time Caller by B. K. BorisonSecretly disillusioned with love, romance radio host Aiden Valentine goes viral after giving dating advice to a young girl's mom, Lucie Stone, forcing them both to confront their feelings as sparks fly behind the scenes. It was cute, fun & a great pick for hopeless romantics! I really love that it's set in Baltimore! **Recommended by Amy D. in Havre de Grace** Available in: Print/ LP/ eBook/ eAudio |
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Gleam by Raven Kennedy The thing about being confined is that you believe it's to keep the bad out... Until you realize it's about keeping you in. I'm now in a strange kingdom surrounded by liars, with no allies of my own, but I won't sit idly by and let myself wither. No, there's something that's bloomed from the pit of my repression. Something dark. Something angry. But the last thing I expected was for my anger to call out to him. King Ravinger. He's sinister and powerful and entirely too seductive. I need to tread carefully, or I'm at risk of losing much more than just my freedom. Because I won't be caught in a cage again. No, this time, It'll be me setting the trap... From internationally bestselling author and TikTok phenom Raven Kennedy comes the third book in a stunning fantasy series inspired by the myth of King Midas. It is an great read into coming into your own power. It has some very dark, traumatic scenes, but they assist the main character in becoming stronger than anyone ever imagined. **Recommended by Alyssia G. in Edgewood** Available in: Print
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Harry's Trees by Jon CohenA 38-year old traumatized widow fortuitously meets an 11-year old girl who sets him on a feverish road to redemption. This book is a masterpiece! From tragedy to joy, it's a tale of intertwining lives and the way they impact others. Just a joy to read. **Recommended by Diane N. in Darlington** Available in: Print/ eBook |
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Heartwood : a novel by Amity GaigeIn the heart of the Maine woods, an experienced Appalachian Trail hiker goes missing. She is forty-two-year-old Valerie Gillis, who has vanished 200 miles from her final destination. Alone in the wilderness, Valerie pours her thoughts into fractured, poetic letters to her mother as she battles the elements and struggles to keep hoping. At the heart of the investigation is Beverly, the determined Maine State Game Warden tasked with finding Valerie, who leads the search on the ground. Meanwhile, Lena, a seventy-six-year-old birdwatcher in a Connecticut retirement community, becomes an unexpected armchair detective. Roving between these compelling narratives, a puzzle emerges, intensifying the frantic search, as Valerie's disappearance may not be accidental. Compelling fictional story of a hiker (trail name Sparrow) that is lost on the Appalachian Trail and the people at the heart of the search for her. **Recommended by Deidrah R. in Norrisville** Available in: Print/ LP/ CD/ eBook/ eAudio |
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The Last Hour Between Worlds by Melissa CarusoKembral Thorne is spending a few hours away from her newborn, and she's determined to enjoy herself at this party no matter what. But when the guests start dropping dead, Kem has no choice but to get to work. She is a Hound, after all, and she can't help picking up the scent of trouble. She's not the only one. Her professional and personal nemesis, notorious burglar Rika Nonesuch, is on the prowl. They quickly identify what's causing the mayhem: a mysterious grandfather clock that sends them down an Echo every time it chimes. In each strange new layer of reality, time resets and a sinister figure appears to perform a blood-soaked ritual. As Kem and Rika fall into increasingly macabre versions of their city, they'll need to rely on their wits-and each other-to unravel the secret of the clock and save their home. Excellent first book in a new Sci-Fi/Horror series! **Recommended by Colleen K. in Edgewood** Available in: Print/ eBook/ eAudio |
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The Light of Luna Park by Addison ArmstrongIn this powerful tale of courage and an ode to the sacrificial love of mothers, Stella Wright, with her life falling apart, discovers a letter that brings into question everything she knew about her mother, a nurse who made a difficult choice long ago, and everything she knows about herself. Interesting historical fiction about the incubator babies on Coney Island in the 20's-40's. **Recommended by Dianne D. in Aberdeen** Available in: Print/ eAudio |
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The Listeners by Maggie StiefvaterJune Porter Hudson struggles to maintain the elegance of the Avallon Hotel in 1942 West Virginia when it is secretly repurposed to house captured Axis diplomats, forcing her to balance wartime tensions, divided loyalties, and the covert operations of an FBI agent. Even though this author may be known for her young adult titles, this new adult fiction novel brings the same mystery, magic, and "maggieness" that makes her a best seller. **Recommended by Deidrah R. in Norrisville** Available in: Print/ LP/ eBook/ eAudio |
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A Memory Called Empire by Arkady MartineTaking over for an ambassador who died a suspicious death, Mahit Dzmare investigates the potential murder while navigating the alien culture of the multi-system Teixcalaanli Empire, which is hiding a technological secret that could impact the universe. A story of identity, murder, and political intrigue, set in a vividly crafted empire on the brink of chaos. **Recommended by Miranda S. in Aberdeen** Available in: Print/ eBook/ eAudio |
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The Mercy of Gods by James S. A. CoreyWhen the Carryx decimate the human population, taking the best and brightest of Anjiin society to serve on their homeworld, Dafyd Alkhor, swept along with them, is forced to compete against the other captive species with extinction as the price of failure. New Sci-Fi series from the author of The Expanse series. **Recommended by Colleen K. in Edgewood** Available in: Print/ CD/ eBook/ eAudio |
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My Next Breath : a memoir by Jeremy RennerThe gripping and inspiring story of acclaimed actor Jeremy Renner's near-fatal accident, and what he learned about inner strength, endurance and hope as he overcame insurmountable odds to recover, one breath at a time. What an incredible story of resilience after a tragic and horrible accident and the power of love. Jeremy Renner tells the reader all about the harrowing day a snowcat ran over him in Lake Tahoe. This gripping story follows Renner from the day of the accident until 18 months later when he is up and running (yes running!). He ascribes his recovery to the power of love in his life - both that he gives and receives from his family and friends. Equally great as an audiobook as the author narrates the story. **Recommended by Kelly D. in the Silver Reader** Available in: Print/ CD/ Playaway/ eBook/ eAudio |
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The Names by Florence KnappCora's hesitation to name her son triggers three alternate paths over thirty-five years, revealing the lasting impact of domestic abuse and the complexities of family in her search for autonomy and healing. Even Shakespeare asked the question "What's in a name?" This book explores if names pre-ordain us to certain actions, or if we are the same person regardless. **Recommended by Laura B. in Riverside** Available in: Print/ LP/ eBook/ eAudio |
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The Summer Guests - Book 2: Martini Clubby Tess GerritsenIn Purity, Maine, former spy Maggie Bird and her Martini Club of ex-CIA operatives are drawn into the search for a missing teen with ties to their past, as they confront an innocent friend's wrongful suspicion, a buried corpse, and dark secrets that threaten to unravel everything they've worked to protect. Check out Book 1: The Spy Coast. These titles are mysteries about old CIA agents who have retired to Maine. **Recommended by Beth L. in Riverside** Available in: Print/ LP |
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Those Empty Eyes by Charlie DonleaTen years after being exonerated in the massacre of her family, legal investigator Alex Armstrong, still searching for answers, finds her crusade to help a man who's under suspicion in the disappearance of his journalist girlfriend resulting in unexpected connections to the murder of her own family. This was a well-balanced thrilling read! The author did a great job connecting seemingly separate plot threads together to make a solid and satisfying story. **Recommended by Hannah O. in Havre de Grace** Available in: Print/ LP/ CD/ eBook/ eAudio |
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We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou IshidaTucked away in an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can only be found by people who are struggling in their lives and genuinely need help. The mysterious clinic offers a unique treatment to those who find their way there: it prescribes cats as medication. Patients are often puzzled by this unconventional prescription, but when they "take" their cat for the recommended duration, they witness profound transformations in their lives, guided by the playful, empathetic, occasionally challenging yet endearing cats. As the clinic's patients navigate their inner turmoil and seek resolution, their feline companions lead them toward healing, self-discovery, and newfound hope. Book 2: We'll Prescribe You Another Cat - ON ORDER Refreshing and heart warming. **Recommended by Deidrah R. in Norrisville** Available in: Print/ LP/ eBook/ eAudio |
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Harford County Public Library
1221-A Brass Mill Rd Belcamp, Maryland 21017 410-273-5600
hcplonline.org
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