Serial Killer Thriller. Two years ago, Portland detective Archie Sheridan was kidnapped by the beautiful Gretchen Lowell, who tortured him almost to the point of death before calling 911 and "saving" his life. Now, Archie is addicted to pain pills, unable to connect to anyone--except Gretchen, whom he visits each weekend in jail, ostensibly so that she'll tell him where her 200 or so victims are buried. Archie has also been asked to spearhead an investigation into a new serial killer who is targeting teenage girls, and is the subject of young newspaper reporter Susan Ward's series of profiles. This outstanding thriller will definitely keep you up at night--but the grisly torture scenes aren't for weak stomachs.

Spy Fiction. In the near future, covert U.S. agent/computer hacker Kat Polinski returns from a harrowing mission to a cryptic message from her sister, Suzy. When Suzy is murdered the next day, Kat goes to London, the most surveillance-heavy city in a closely watched world, to search for Suzy's killer. Kat discovers that Suzy had been trying to stop an international peace and energy pact that would control the world's energy resources (at the price of everyone's civil liberties), and that is, ultimately, a scam. The Washington Post calls The History Book a "fast-moving, sophisticated" update of George Orwell's 1984. Just remember, Big Brother is watching.

Suspense Fiction. When hurricane Simone changes course, the storm heads right for private investigator Max Freeman and his girlfriend, police detective Sherry Richards, who are taking a technology-free vacation deep in the Everglades. That means no TV, no neighbors, and no cell phones, so when Sherry is injured, they have to make it out on their own. The devastation around them quickly takes a backseat to the danger that appears when undesirables come creeping out of the woodwork to loot what remains--or hide deadly secrets. This 5th entry in the Max Freeman series will have you checking the weather before venturing outside.

Suspense Fiction. After he survives an almost fatal head injury, photojournalist Josh Ryder is plagued by strange, vivid flashbacks to an earlier life as a pagan priest in 4th-century Rome. He eventually gets help from a past-life research group called the Phoenix Foundation, which allows him to explore a recently excavated tomb containing memory stones said to provoke past-life regressions, therefore proving the existence of reincarnation--and challenging the Catholic Church. Then one of the lead researchers is killed, and Josh is soon caught up in a web of murder and deceit as his flashbacks come ever more frequently.

Serial Killer Thriller. The serial killer featured in blind psychic Sherry Moore's 2nd appearance is obsessed with his mother's suicide--which happened two decades ago. He's so obsessed, in fact, that he kills women in the same way his mother killed herself, by hanging them and leaving them wearing only gas masks. As authorities tangle over jurisdictional proprieties, bodies pile up, and the killer is careful to disguise his indentity (Sherry, who is working with the police, can see the last 18 seconds of each victim's life by touching them). Publishers Weekly notes that author George Shuman, who spent more than 20 years with the D.C. police force, brings "a chilling realism" to his crime scenes.

Political Thriller. Al-Qaeda is about to strike, but when? And where? To find out more, British and American intelligence organizations decide to plant an agent in the terrorist group, an idea that's always seemed impossible--until now. In short order, Izmat Khan, a five-year prisoner of Guantánamo Bay and a former senior commander of the Taliban, infiltrates al-Qaeda. Khan also just happens to be Colonel Mike Martin, a 25-year veteran of war zones around the world who was born and raised in Iraq. Booklist says there's "enough nail-biting suspense to leave readers' fingertips raw." If this setup intrigues you, read Alex Berenson's The Faithful Spy for a different take on al-Qaeda infiltration.

Crime Thriller. In his 3rd appearance, private detective Scott Weiss is searching for a prostitute with the face of an angel (Klavan fans will remember Julie) who is also being hunted by a serial killer with the heart of a devil and a gift for disguises (you'll also remember Shadowman). Toss in a Weiss operative, P.I. Jim Bishop (yes, fans know him too), the author himself appearing as a character, add various games of one-upmanship between Weiss and the killer, and the result is a book that mixes together familiar elements but goes down a new street. Booklist says you'll be in "agony to know how the final shot is fired."

Suspense Fiction. Ever pass by an abandoned building and wonder what it would be like to wander through it? That's exactly what urban explorers ("creepers") do, armed with flashlights and caving gear. Sometimes it's a factory or a railway station, but reporter Frank Balenger joins a group one cold October night on the New Jersey shore to break into and explore a hotel built by a wealthy eccentric and long abandoned. They are unprepared for the danger, terror, and death awaiting them, for at least two of them have an agenda other than merely exploring, and one is not exactly who he says he is...

Police Thriller. During a state funeral for a former first lady at a New York City cathedral, armed men disguised as monks seize the church and hold hundreds hostage. When NYPD officer Michael Bennett goes to negotiate, they release all but the most famous hostages--including the mayor and a popular actor--demand millions, and soon start killing. Negotiator Bennett is also facing the imminent loss of his wife to cancer, and he alternates visits to the hospital, back home to his 10 kids, and, of course, to the hostage crisis. Booklist says Step On a Crack is "totally gripping and downright impossible to put down."

Police Thriller. In her search for happiness, Tanya Starling has always been good at finding generous, wealthy men, but now that she's started killing, she's efficient, elusive, and good at assuming new identities (and killing anyone who recognizes her). Portland homicide detective Catherine Hobbes wants to capture Tanya (or is it Nancy? Charlene? Rachel?) alive, but the first victim's cousin hires someone else to provide a more final end to the chase, and although tensions between the two run high, it's the relationship between Tanya and Catherine that really makes Nightlife stand out. Publishers Weekly says "this is Perry at his best," and The New York Times calls Nightlife "extraordinary."