The Hunter by Tana French (Viking) is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

The talented French returns to the quaint-on-the-surface Irish village of Ardnakelty and the protagonists of The Searcher in this lively, character-driven, occasionally treacherous story. After two years in Ardnakelty, former Chicago cop Cal Hooper is finally feeling accepted by his neighbors, and he has built a found family with his widowed girlfriend Lena and teenager Theresa “Trey” Reddy. The fragile family unit is threatened when Trey’s wayward father, gone for many years, returns to Ardnakelty. Johnny Reddy was always trouble, and nobody—but especially not Trey or her mother—is happy to see him again. But Johnny has a get-rich scheme for the locals, and his silver-tongued pitch to them begins to take hold. Cal is wary, but he keeps close to the action for reasons of his own. When a wealthy British businessman follows Johnny from London, a plan to find gold in the Ardnakelty hills begins. But a murder mars the scheme and sets everyone in the village, Cal included, against one another. VERDICT With quicksilver dialogue and deep characterizations, French portrays the Ardnakelty villagers’ “gift of gab” and the roiling emotions beneath the banter splendidly. A few plot points strain credulity, but it’s a treat for French’s many fans and for readers who prefer realistic Irish characters and settings.—Liz French

Dirty Laundry by Disha Bose (Ballantine)

Appeared on the April 2023 LibraryReads list

“Ciara is a perfect mom and influencer who knows what to do, buy, and promote in her small Irish town. Ciara also is an irresponsible woman who plays friends against each other, eats up and spits out all the town husbands, and seals her own fate with her reprehensible behavior. An Orient Express-like cast shines in this twisty domestic thriller about secrets and lies.”—Donna Ballard, East Meadow Public Library, East Meadow, NY

Long Bright River by Liz Moore (Riverhead; LJ starred review)

Appeared on the January 2020 LibraryReads list

“A compelling literary police procedural set in an opioid-ravaged Philadelphia neighborhood and centered on the relationship between two sisters whose lives have taken opposite paths. Your heart will ache as you grow to love the complex, strong, and incredibly vulnerable characters. For readers of Tana French and Dennis Lehane.”—Maggie Thomann, Northbrook Public Library, Northbrook, IL

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin (St. Martin's)

Appeared on the July 2019 LibraryReads list

"Highly successful colleagues Sam, Vincent, Sylvie, and Jules are no strangers to the competitive world of high finance but after they become trapped in an elevator escape room they find themselves having to work together. For readers of Tana French, Karin Slaughter, and Harlan Coben."—KC Davis, Fairfield Woods Library, Fairfield, CT