Literature & Fiction

"Does It Hurt" by H.D. Carlton is a raw, intense exploration of the darker side of human relationships, one that delves deep into themes of obsession, trauma, and the blurred lines between love and pain. This novel offers an unapologetically gritty look at the complexities of a toxic relationship that pulls readers into an emotional whirlwind, leaving them questioning where the boundaries between love and control truly lie.

"Phantom by H. D. Carlton" The married woman of the manor. The stranger outside. An intoxicating novel of dark temptation and dangerous desire by the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Cat and Mouse Duet.

Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton is a dark and intense thriller following Adeline’s harrowing fight for survival after being kidnapped by human traffickers. As she endures torment and plots her escape, her relentless lover, Zade, stops at nothing to find her. When they reunite, vengeance is inevitable. Together, they bring down the traffickers, turning the hunters into the hunted.

With The Testaments, Margaret Atwood opens up the innermost workings of Gilead, as each woman is forced to come to terms with who she is, and how far she will go for what she believes.

The Handmaid’s Tale is a novel of such power that the reader will be unable to forget its images and its forecast. Set in the near future, it describes life in what was once the United States and is now called the Republic of Gilead, a monotheocracy that has reacted to social unrest and a sharply declining birthrate by reverting to, and going beyond, the repressive intolerance of the original Puritans. The regime takes the Book of Genesis absolutely at its word, with bizarre consequences for the women and men in its population.

James is a novel by author Percival Everett published by Doubleday in 2024. The novel is a re-imagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain but told from the perspective of Huckleberry's friend on his travels, Jim, who is an escaped slave. The novel won the 2024 Kirkus Prize and the National Book Award for Fiction.

Long Bright River by Liz Moore is a gripping thriller set in a Philadelphia neighborhood devastated by the opioid crisis. When Kacey, a struggling addict, goes missing, her sister Mickey—a police officer—becomes obsessed with finding her, especially as a string of murders rocks the area. Blending suspense with a powerful family drama, this novel explores addiction, sisterhood, and the inescapable pull of the past.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore is a gripping thriller about the mysterious disappearance of 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar from a summer camp in the Adirondacks in 1975. As the investigation unfolds, family secrets and class tensions come to light. With a fast-paced plot, compelling characters, and an eerie atmosphere, this is a must-read novel.

The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story about a remarkable woman who left an unparalleled legacy yet remains nearly forgotten to this day.

The Ex is a psychological thriller that follows the story of Cassie, a woman who thinks she has found her perfect match in Joel, a charming doctor. However, complications arise when Joel’s ex-girlfriend, Francesca, reenters the picture, leading to a series of unsettling events.