“When the Stars Go Dark,” by Paula McLain (Ballantine Books, 2021)

This may sound like a storyline you’ve read before: A traumatized police detective retreats to a forest to recover, and finds herself assisting the locals with a murder investigation. Paula McLain has deepened and honed this premise, creating a literary mystery that I didn’t expect would be so satisfying. Anna Hart is an appealingly complex character; there are sufficient plot twists with slowly revealed unknowns; and the setting is Mendocino Village in Northern California — a charming site of great beauty that I adore and have visited multiple times. — 3 1/2 stars (out of 4); Neva Grover, Parker

“Diva,” by Daisy Goodwin (St. Martin’s Press, 2024)

Even if you are not an opera fan, you will enjoy this novelization of Maria Callas’ adult life and her improbable career. You can learn much about the rarefied world of international opera singers as well. The intimate scenes between Callas and Aristotle Onassis seem unnecessary, but they do underscore the shift in their relationship once Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy comes on the scene. This one is best enhanced by listening to Callas’ signature arias “Casta Diva” or “Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore.” — 3 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver

“Crazy Rich Asians,” by Kevin Kwan (Anchor, 2013)

This book preceded the popular movie and confirms my belief that a book is always better than its movie. Parading hilarious yet thoughtful observations and characters, the novel challenges stereotypes about the super-rich while following a young couple with their typical misunderstandings before the final, required happy ending. A young American-Chinese woman visits her Asian boyfriend, unbeknownst to her from a crazy rich (note no comma between the two descriptors) background. In this setting, however, differences eventually are overcome by love. Asian settings more desirable than film versions enhance every scene, and the reader closes the covers knowing we’re all similar under the skin as we face hardships in order to gain our desires. — 3 stars (out of 4); Bonnie McCune, Denver (bonniemccune.com)