From its opening pages, Anita Shreve's Sea Glass surrounds the reader in the surprisingly rich feeling of the New Hampshire coast in winter.

Someone is beginning to stalk Greta and Ann, playing a terrifying game of cat and mouse with them – waiting to see how they run – And where they can run to…

Newcomer Hall has created a carefully wrapped first novel whose many layers take much undoing. Mary, an American editor living in London, marries the charming Geoffrey Reynolds, an economic journalist and author. Soon after they purchase a weekend cottage in the wilds of Norfolk, however, Geoffrey dies. As she attempts to settle his estate, Mary discovers how much Geoffrey hid from her: a job resignation, an ordinary upbringing, a woman in Norfolk.

Distinguished by their rare tone of kindness, Karon's Mitford novels create instant warmth and coziness. Out to Canaan continues in this spirit, offering comedy and consolation to all. For most fiction collections.

Kate Pearson is just coming to terms with the unsolved murder of her daughter Melanie when a message appears on her computer: "Why did you let him hurt me, Mummy?" Only Melanie's murderer could be doing this - Kate turns his menace back on itself and uses it to unmask a killer.

By the author of "The Quiet War of Rebecca Sheldon".

From the author of Intimacy and Solitude.

A poetic novel set in a desolate Italian villa.

She tackles important themes and creates complex characters who must confront weaknesses in their own natures to come to terms with the conditions of their lives.

What at first glance appears to be trading on tabloidism turns out to be a fine bit of storytelling.