Michael Popple reviews impressive new releases from three major authors. You can find more of Michael’s book reviews on his blog: unseenlibrary.com

The Exchange by John Grisham

Hodder & Stoughton, $34.99

Fifteen years after the events of The Firm, Mitch McDeere has returned to America and now lives in New York. When he takes up a controversial case in Libya, Mitch and his new firm find themselves under siege after one of their associates is kidnapped. With his family also threatened and his life turned upside down, Mitch must find an impossible ransom amount before it is too late. John Grisham returns with an exciting sequel to his classic novel, The Firm. An intriguing and tense legal thriller, The Exchange is a fantastic read, especially for established fans of Grisham.

The Night House by Jo Nesbo

Harvill Secker, $32.99

Following the death of his parents, troubled teen Richard Elauved moves to the remote town of Ballantyne. An angry outcast, Richard finds himself caught in a tangled web when several classmates disappear in horrific fashion. Suspected by the police, Richard needs to prove his innocence and uncover a dark presence haunting the town. But nothing is what it seems, including Richard’s perception of events. One of the more unique novels of 2023, The Night House is a dark and complex horror thriller that proves hard to put down. Compelling and fast-paced, this is a great book to check out.

The Armour of Light by Ken Follett

Macmillan, $54.99

1792. It is the dawn of a new age in England and the people of Kingsbridge find themselves struggling like never before. New technology has cost jobs and broken up families, and the working class seeks to escape the tyranny of the gentry. As war with France looms, a small group of Kingsbridge people will change the city forever. Follett continues his massive Kingsbridge series in a big way with this latest exceptional novel. Following the troubled lives of several characters during a new historical era for the series, this is a gripping story and one of the year’s best historical fiction books.