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Dawson, Delilah S. The Violence. Del Rey: Ballantine. Feb. 20 22. 512p. ISBN 9780593156629. $28. Downloadable. THRILLER

Chelsea wants out of her marriage for the sake of her daughters and for her own sake; her high-school-sweetheart husband is anything but sweet, brutally controlling her every move. Now a terrible virus that prompts inexplicable rages is marauding through the nation, and Chelsea sees it as a means of escape. From the New York Times best-selling author of multiple sf/fantasy titles.

Foley, Lucy. The Paris Apartment. Morrow. Feb. 2022. 320p. ISBN 9780063003057. $28.99. CD. THRILLER

Suddenly jobless, woefully penniless, and without many friends for support, Jess decides to start anew by abandoning England and heading to Paris, where half-brother Ben has grudgingly agreed to let her stay with him for a time. But when she arrives at his apartment, Ben has vanished, and the cold and creepy neighbors—from a socialite to an alcoholic to a troubled young woman—seem to know something they’re not telling. Following the million-copy best-selling The Guest List, a Reese’s Book Club pick; with a 300,000-copy first printing.

Hawkins, Rachel. Reckless Girls. St. Martin’s. Jan. 2022. 320p. ISBN 9781250274250. $27.99. CD. THRILLER

Seeking escape from a going-nowhere job and deep family sorrow, Lux McAllister agrees with boyfriend Nico to sail two young women to an island in the South Pacific, never mind its past history of shipwrecks and bloodshed. They’re surprised to discover a yacht anchored in the bay, with bright and shiny couple Jake and Eliza aboard, but everyone bonds happily. Then the scary stuff starts. Following the New York Times best-selling The Wife Upstairs; with a 200,000-copy first printing.

Kistler, Bonnie. The Cage. Harper. Feb. 2022. 352p. ISBN 9780063089143. $26.99. THRILLER/PSYCHOLOGICAL

Kistler, who did nicely with her recent debut, House on Fire, comes up with an intriguing premise for her next novel. On a late Sunday night, two women—a company lawyer and the human resources director—leave the offices of fashion conglomerate Claudine de Martineau International and board the elevator on the 30th floor. By the time the elevator reaches the lobby, one of them is dead. But which one—and how? With echoes of Megan Goldin’s The Escape Room; a 40,000-copy first printing.

Morrow, Bethany C. Cherish Farrah. Dutton. Feb. 2022. 336p. ISBN 9780593185384. $26. Downloadable. THRILLER

Farrah Turner's country club community includes only one other Black girl, best friend Cherish Whitman, and Cherish’s adoptive parents are white. At least from Farrah’s perspective, the girls have a love-hate relationship, and when her own family faces difficulties, Farrah insinuates herself into the wealthy Whitman household. Soon, though, it’s clear that all is not right with the Whitmans, and readers will start wondering who is in control. Adult/YA author Morrow made USA TODAY’s list of 100 Black fiction writers to read.

Wrobel, Stephanie. This Might Hurt. Berkley. Feb. 2022. 336p. ISBN 9780593100080. $26. Downloadable. THRILLER

Natalie Collins's troubled sister, Kit, has retreated to Wisewood, an institution on a private island off the Maine coast where she hopes to achieve the true fearlessness of her Maximized Self. Guests must stay for six months without outside contact, but Natalie receives a message from someone there threatening to reveal a secret she's been keeping from Kit and hurries to Wisewood to set things right. Once there, she finds leaving with Kit is not so easy. Wrobel debuted with Darling Rose Gold, which indeed struck best seller gold.

Youers, Rio. No Second Chances. Morrow. Feb. 2022. 352p. ISBN 9780063001053. $27.99. THRILLER

Luke Kingsley's acting career crashed and burned when his celebrated R&B singer wife vanished and he found himself almost universally suspected of her murder. Friend Kitty Rae thinks he’s innocent, but she’s got a secret hustle running product for social influencer/drug dealer Johan Fly, and Luke must protect her when Johan discovers that she’s been skimming. Following the acclaimed Lola on Fire; with a 50,000-copy first printing.

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