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BOOKS TO WATCH
®

Scouting Report

In this month’s roundup of the best-reviewed BookLife
titles, we highlight a romantic comedy, a mystery, a historical

novel, a guide to creative success, and an essay collection
about aging and maturity.

★ When They Were ★ Your New Best
Young Friend
STEVEN W. HORN JAYNE DENKER
Synopsis: In this mystery, a Synopsis: During a chance
gifted photographer dis- encounter with a distraught
covers the corpse of a girl young woman, 29-year-old
who went missing months real estate agent Melanie
earlier. Tests later reveal Abbott hands out some
the presence of a date- well-meaning suggestions
rape drug in her body. and soon finds herself in a
PW’s Takeaway: The investigation into Lilly’s fate thriving business as a pro-
builds toward a powerful, unexpectedly moving fessional friend, advice giver, and matchmaker.
conclusion. PW’s Takeaway: Good intentions go awry in this
Comparable Title: Tony Hillerman’s A Thief of Time delicious romantic comedy by Denker.
Sample Line: “Her face was frozen to the icy Comparable Title: Susan Elizabeth Phillip’s Match
ground. Her decomposing scalp had slipped Me if You Can
forward in wrinkles above the dark sockets of Sample Line: “He kisses me hungrily, like I have
her recessed eyes.” the only supply of air he needs to breathe.”
Read the Review: Read the Review:
publishersweekly.com/9780983589488 publishersweekly.com/978-1547075386

★ Over the Growing Gills The Painter’s
Hill and JESSICA ABEL Apprentice
Gaining Speed Synopsis: Abel LAURA MORELLI
KAY G. ROCK. delivers a guide for Synopsis: A story
Synopsis: Rock people who have rich in art and
reflects on aging trouble finishing love, tempered
and retirement in creative projects. by sacrifice in
this delightful essay collection. PW’s Takeaway: Abel’s tone is Venice in 1510.
PW’s Takeaway: Though aging can straightforward and encouraging PW’s Takeaway: Period detail is
bring its demands, the author as she promotes self-reflection woven seamlessly throughout...
shows how the journey can be and self-understanding as the a vivid, transportive novel.
exciting and invigorating. keys to productivity. Comparable Title:
Comparable Title: Donald M. Comparable Title: Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with a Pearl
Murray’s My Twice-Lived Life Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic Earring
Read the Review: publishers- Read the Review: publishers- Read the Review: publishers-
weekly.com/9781537594002 weekly.com/9781521277874 weekly.com/9781942778929

46 BOOKLIFE, JANUARY 22, 2018