May’s Best New Books

For those of you who like mystery with your science fiction, check out this new thrilling tale from the author of Braking Day! As a detective investigates the drowning deaths of a father and son, hundreds of miles from any ocean, a woman named Hollie begins to think that her new friend, who says she’s from Nigeria and who handles technology Hollie’s never seen, might not be who she claims to be. — Liberty Hardy

You’ve seen many coming-of-age novels by now, I’m sure, but have you ever seen a coming-of-middle-age one? In Curtis’s debut, Abe Jacobs is a 43-year-old Ahkwesáhsne man who begrudgingly returns to the reservation where he grew up after more than 20 years. The reason for his return? Doctors have told him he’s dying, and he’s decided on the way treatment he never thought he would: a healing at the hands of his unceremonious, recovered alcoholic great uncle Budge. Now, he remains skeptical of being healed, but in his exploring it, there’s a seed of hope. Through witty lines and the musings of Abe’s poet alter ego, Dominick Deer Woods, we see him confront all those things that kept him away from his home for all that time.

Black transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson is rumored to have thrown the first brick at Stonewall. Tourmaline presents a well-researched and fleshed biography of this iconic figure of American LGBTQ+ history. — Kendra Winchester

Chyana Marie Sage examines multigenerational family trauma, starting with her grandfather, who was forced to attend a residential school during the Sixties Scoop program. Through her investigation of her own family history, she also delves into the history of the colonization of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. — Kendra Winchester

When The Next Best Fling came out last year I knew I was going to have a new favorite author, but that was sealed when I saw the cover for Kiss Me, Maybe. Not just for the cover (though I mean, LOOK at it!), but also because of the indication of who the next protagonist was going to be, and I was excited AF to read her love story. Asexual librarian Angela has never been kissed. When she posts something declaring so on social media, she accidentally goes viral, leading to a scavenger hunt that would lead to the winner getting her first kiss. And who’s there to help her out? Bartender Krystal, who Angela has had a longtime crush on. But she’s off limits and uninterested in love. Right? — Jessica Pryde

The acclaimed series returns! Marko and Alana may be lovers from feuding planets who face daunting political challenges on a daily basis, but raising their daughter Hazel is a whole other story… — Eileen Gonzalez

In this queer fantasy novella from the author of the Tensorate series, a legendary young dragonslayer must travel to a reclusive kingdom supposedly harboring a dragon. As Yeva searches for the dragon in Quanbao, she befriends the beautiful queen, who welcomes Yeva into the castle and makes her question her destiny. — Liberty Hardy

Eight generations of a Black family, from a woman who awakens aboard a slave ship to her descendants more than a hundred years later in West Tennessee, find themselves in the unique position of having the devil on their side. The devil sees an opportunity to get back in God’s good graces by helping out Yetunde and her descendants, not only granting them supernatural powers but showing up in their times of greatest need. — Rachel Brittain

Kick May off with this gothic horror/mystery novel from Christina Li. Vivian Yin was the first Chinese actress to ever win an Oscar. Now she’s dead, and her family members have gathered at her Southern California estate for the reading of her will. But as they start to learn the truth about Vivian’s life and the last summer they all spent together in that crumbling mansion, the family comes to understand that they are all deeply haunted. — Emily Martin

For fans of YA missing person mysteries!

High school student Danika has mystery solving in her blood: her mom is a PI and her dad is a mystery author. While she gets to do some work in the family PI firm, she doesn’t get to do the actual sleuthing as a PI, which is all she wants. Instead, she secretly does tarot readings for her classmates at school. That is, until Gaby, a classmate, informs Danika that after she read her older sister’s cards—which included a death card—she disappeared. Danika decides this will be the case she uses to prove to her parents she is a PI-level sleuth for the family business. But she’s soon fired by Gaby’s parents, leading Danika and Gaby to investigate on their own… — Jamie Canaves

Animal-lovers will adore Land of the Last Wildcat, a debut middle grade novel following a girl called Puffin Lau who finds herself on a quest to save the kuri, a magical wildcat. Facing off against the sinister Professor Smoult, Puffin and her best friend Lance set out to find Linger Island so they can take the kuri home. With strong environmental themes, a look at the importance of friendship, and an exploration of challenging family relationships, Land of the Last Wildcat is a great read for kids who enjoy science and fantasy. — Alice Nuttall

For fans of The White Lotus and Patricia Highsmith!

On an island off Istanbul, Fehmi and Şener celebrate 40 years together as a couple. But things start to slowly crack when a new family moves in next door following their teen son’s attack on a fellow classmate. Suddenly, what begins as a “harmless crush” is anything but harmless and will lead to choices with haunting effects. — Jamie Canaves