Constable, Harriet. The Instrumentalist. S. & S. Aug. 2024. 320p. ISBN 9781668035825. $28.99. F

London-based journalist and filmmaker Constable debuts with a story set in 18th-century Venice that is inspired by the real life of Anna Maria della Pietà, an orphan and violin prodigy who studied under Antonio Vivaldi. Despite her challenging circumstances, she became his star musician and inspired several of his compositions.

Cooper, Tea. The Naturalist’s Daughter. Harper Muse. Aug. 2024. 368p. ISBN 9781400344710. pap. $18.99. F

Best-selling Cooper (The Butterfly Collector) writes about two women living a century apart in Australia as they become entangled in a scientific mystery. In 1808 Rose Winton works with her father on his groundbreaking study of the platypus, while a century later Tamsin Alleyn delves into the mystery of an old sketchbook’s origins. 

Hopson, Carole. A Pair of Wings. Holt. Aug. 2024. 432p. ISBN 9781250347213. $29.99. F

Bessie Coleman dreamed of flying but couldn’t find anyone willing to train a Black woman in the U.S. in the 1920s. She learned French and went to Europe to train with combat fighter pilots. Based on Coleman’s life, pilot Hopson’s debut was originally self-published but is now being traditionally published with a 75K-copy first printing.

Jansma, Kristopher. Our Narrow Hiding Places. Ecco: HarperCollins. Aug. 2024. 272p. ISBN 9780063352896. $30. F

Jansma (The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards, a multi-award-winning ALA Notable book) sets his latest during World War II. Faced with questions from her grandson, 80-year-old Mieke Geborn finally shares the harrowing story of her family’s survival during the Hunger Winter in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. With a 75K-copy first printing.

Macallister, Greer. The Thirteenth Husband. Sourcebooks Landmark. Aug. 2024. 336p. ISBN 9781728294070. pap. $16.99. F

Macallister’s (The Arctic Fury) latest features the real 19th-century railroad heiress Aimee Crocker, who lived an opulent and extravagant life across the globe but also experienced multiple tragedies—each preceded by a vision of a woman in white surrounded by shadow.

Forthcoming Series Title

Clements, Oliver. The Queen’s Lies. Atria/Leopoldo & Co. (Agents of the Crown, Bk. 4). Aug. 2024. 320p. ISBN 9781982197483. $28.99. F