The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny (Minotaur: St. Martin's; LJ starred review) is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

Numerous phone calls disrupt Armand Gamache’s Sunday morning, but he refuses to pick up. As head of homicide for the Sûreté du Québec, he returns to work on Monday to find the entire department upset about a package that has just been delivered to him. The bomb squad clears it, but the notes and raincoat inside lead to a bigger bombshell for Gamache’s team. The contents of the package then draw Gamache and his team to a small café where, even though he’s surrounded by police, he can’t prevent a murder. Clues left behind by the victim hint at terrorism, compelling Gamache and his closest coworkers to work quietly. He and two trusted officers cross lakes and oceans to stop a terrorist whose target is the country’s infrastructure. VERDICT Penny’s follow-up to A World of Curiosities plays on readers’ fears as she launches a new story arc that is completed in this installment but presents a cliffhanger. It’s a frightening novel of duality, of good versus evil, with an allegorical tale for today’s world, as only Penny can write.—Lesa Holstine

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean (S. & S.)

Appeared on the May 2024 LibraryReads list

Teenager Ellie disappears and is found in a state park over two years later, battered and dazed and refusing to cooperate. Police detective Chelsey Calhoun has been on the case from the beginning—and has her own past to deal with—but becomes determined to find out who Ellie may be trying to protect. A gripping thriller with plenty of twists.—Annabelle Mortensen, LibraryReads Board Member

The Widowmaker by Hannah Morrissey (Minotaur: St. Martin's)

Appeared on the December 2022 LibraryReads list

As the case of Clive Reynolds’s disappearance 20 years ago unfolds, Detective Ryan Hudson discovers a link to his partner's murder. Skillfully woven together, the characters draw readers into a web of lies and deceitful actions that will keep them guessing who is the threat until the end.—Janet Makoujy, New City Library, New City, NY

The Shadow District by Arnaldur Indridason (Minotaur: St. Martin's; LJ starred review)

Appeared on the November 2017 LibraryReads list

Indridason introduces a new crime series featuring a retired detective. The Shadow District skillfully weaves two mysteries together. In present time, an elderly man’s death, first thought to be due to natural causes, is later revealed as a murder. While unofficially investigating, Konrad discovers a link to a cold case involving the strangulation of a young woman and a surprising connection to Konrad’s own childhood. With nicely tense pacing and a vivid portrayal of life in modern and wartime Iceland, fans of atmospheric investigations will undoubtedly welcome Indridason’s latest offering.—Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, Huntington Station, NY