Cantor, Jillian. The Greatest Lie of All. Park Row. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9780778310914. pbk. 320p. $18.99. FICTION

In bestselling Cantor’s (The Fiction Writer) latest, actor Amelia Grant is offered the role of a lifetime, starring in a biopic as the famous romance author Gloria Diamond. While spending time with the author preparing for the role, though, she uncovers a shocking secret about Gloria’s past. With a 75K-copy first printing.

Kander, Beth. I Made It Out of Clay. MIRA. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9780778368120. 384p. $30. FICTION

Eve, single and almost 40, is struggling with her work, the death of her father, and being maid of honor in her sister’s wedding. Wanting a date and running out of time, she creates a golem, which comes to life, but she’s still left with grief and demons to overcome. Kander, a playwright and author of children’s books, makes her adult debut.

Rico, Lauren E. Turistas. Kensington. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781496744661. pbk. 288p. $17.95. FICTION

Rico (Familia, an Indie Next and LibraryReads pick) returns with a family saga/unsolved mystery set in Puerto Rico. Thirty years ago, Emilia Oliveras married Paul, who disappeared during their honeymoon on a cruise ship and was presumed drowned. Emilia remarries and has two daughters, and one day she receives a recent photo—showing Paul alive and well.

Robinson, Ava. Definitely Better Now. MIRA. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9780778310594. 336p. $28.99. FICTION

Twentysomething Emma is recovering from alcohol-use disorder and has reached one year of sobriety. That achievement is put at risk when her estranged father reappears, she has to plan the office holiday party, and a new love interest arrives. Robinson’s debut was preempted with a six-figure advance.

Sandlin, Lisa. Sweet Vidalia. Little, Brown. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9780316578004. 320p. $28. FICTION

Sandlin (The Bird Boys) turns from her award-winning crime fiction to a novel that explores marriage and community. In 1960s Texas, 57-year-old Eliza Kratke has a good life with a husband, grown children, a nice house, and a dog. When her husband dies suddenly, she realizes that her life has been a lie, and she must rebuild it.

Forthcoming Series Titles

Barker, Pat. The Voyage Home. (Women of Troy, bk. 3). Doubleday. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9780385549110. 288p. $29. FICTION

Cornwell, Bernard. Sharpe’s Storm. (Sharpe, bk. 24). Harper. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9780063219434. 352p. $32. FICTION