November Staff Recommendations

Such Good People by Amy Blumenfeld

This is the story of April and Rudy who are close childhood friends. In April's freshman year of college, she invited Rudy to a function in Manhattan that goes horribly wrong, and their lives are drastically changed. Rudy is charged with murder and is sentenced to 15 years in prison.

April goes on with her life, meets her husband Peter and has three children. They are happily living in Chicago, and Peter runs for office. April learns of Rudy's early release from prison and the media ties her to Rudy's conviction & imprisonment which will affect Peter's political campaign. She is forced to make a difficult choice; protect her husband & her family or be there for her friend, who April also considers like a brother to her. This book is available at the library. ~ Erin

Seven Reasons to Murder Your Dinner Guests by KJ Whittle

This book is a must for Agatha Christie fans. Seven strangers are invited to a dinner party where they are served an envelope with dessert. Enclosed in the envelope is the age they are predicted to die. Within weeks of the party, the first dinner guest is dead. The story takes years to unfold and the remaining party goers meet up with every death- or murder. It seems like the more people who die the easier the case should be to solve, but is it? A fun read with a twisty ending. This book is available at the library and through Libby.

~ Leslie W.

Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah 

This domestic thriller will have your jaw literally dropped as the horror of what happened to Max unfolds. I knew from the description what was coming but it was still an intense unfolding of events. An aunt who forgets to drop her three-year-old nephew off at nursery and instead parks her car at work on the hottest day of the year. Of course, there’s layers of secrets peeled away between the sisters and their husbands as the fallout and courtroom drama ensues. Very good read. Great on audio. This book is available through inter-library loan and through Libby. ~ Leslie M.

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

Jet is relentless in trying to find out who murdered her. This is a roller coaster ride of suspense, twists & sadness. Loved this book. It was hard to put down. Available at the library and through Libby. ~Bonnie

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber 

Anna Kate returned to her hometown of Wicklow to settle the estate of her recently passed grandmother. Granny Zee, the town’s beloved café owner, has left everything to Anna Kate… with one stipulation. She must stay in Wicklow and run the Blackbird Café for a few months before she can claim her inheritance. Anna Kate is determined to get back to medical school so she sets out to run the cafe until she is able to sell it. It had sounded like an easy enough plan, but what she didn’t account for were her deep familial roots that would gently start tugging her towards her destiny. With each passing day she uncovers more secrets about her family’s past, which leads her to rethink all of her plans. This book is a warm hug with a host of likeable characters, a generous dose of found family, and a sprinkle of magical realism. I loved every page! Available at the library and through Libby.

~ Alesia