The Cabinet of Dr. Leng by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Grand Central) is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

In Agent Pendergast series book 21 (book three of the “Leng Quartet,” following Bloodless), the brilliant, eccentric, opium-addicted FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast is back “reading” criminal minds, but he’s devastated that his ward (and love) Constance Greene has left him. Using a time machine, she has traveled to a parallel universe in 1880 New York City to prevent the murder of her siblings. They imprisoned her brother on the ominous Blackwell’s Island, and her sister will become a victim of Dr. Enoch Leng—a serial killer surgeon who performs experiments on the poor. Pendergast must save Constance, but the only way is to travel back in time. In the present, Pendergast’s NYPD friend Vincent D’Agosta investigates the murder of a Lakota curator of Native American artifacts at New York’s Museum of Natural History. When Pendergast’s former FBI partner, Armstrong Coldmoon, investigates the death of a Lakota Sioux man on the Rosebud Reservation, it’s soon clear that the murders are related. VERDICT This dual timeline tale will appeal to fans of police procedurals, historicals, and magical realism, and those intrigued by quantum mechanics. But beware the dreaded words “to be continued.”—K.L. Romo

Silver Silence by Nalini Singh (Berkley)

Appeared on the June 2017 LibraryReads list

“Silver Silence is a new chapter in the Psy/Changeling series. As the world tries to adjust after a peace accord, Silver Mercant takes center stage. As head of an aid organization reacting to rampant terrorism, she’s an obvious target. But Alpha Valentin Nikolaev has already decided she’s his to protect. Valentin and Silver start tracking down deadly shadow factions that want to undermine the Trinity Accords. Diverse and fascinating world-building are on full display along with a bumped up level of humor in the face of adversity.”—Jessica Trotter, Capital District Area Libraries, Lansing, MI

A Twist in Time by Julie McElwain (Pegasus)

Appeared on the April 2017 LibraryReads list

“Time-traveling FBI Agent Kendra Donovan remains stranded in 1858 England. When her confidante and potential lover, Alec is accused of murdering his former mistress. Kendra must use her modern investigative skills to work through the list of suspects and clear Alec’s name. Kendra must also decide whether to stay in the past with Alec or to continue to try to find a way back to the present. If she makes it home, what will be waiting for her? Highly recommended to readers of historical romance, romantic suspense, and time travel.”—Glenda Ramsey, Catawba County Library System, Newton, NC

Murder in the Dark by Simon R. Green (Severn House)

Ishmael Jones is an alien who crashed to Earth, landing in 1963 England. Now in human form, he works for the mysterious Organization as a field agent investigating unusual cases in return for protection. He and partner Penny Belcourt are sent to Brassknockers Hill near Bath after an archaeologist on a dig falls into a black hole in the side of the hill and disappears. The government sends in a team of scientists, for whom Ishmael and Penny are to act as security. But no one listens to Ishmael's warnings, and his extraordinary senses seem diminished in close proximity to the hole. Meanwhile, the hill lives up to its legends, as one by one scientists perish trying to enter while Ishmael watches in frustration. With no way to contact anyone outside their small circle, Ishmael will be lucky if he and Penny survive. VERDICT Green follows up Into the Thinnest of Air with this latest blend of sf, mystery, and horror that features the author's trademark black humor and ratchets up the suspense with a compelling story line reminiscent of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None.—Lesa Holstine