Jan Carson's "Quickly, While They Still Have Horses" is a whirlwind tour of contemporary Northern Ireland through sixteen short stories. Blending dark humor with magical realism, Carson tackles universal themes like growing up, love, and parenthood.  Expect the unexpected: a distracted couple oblivious to their baby crawling towards the sea, rumors of miraculous healings at the pool, and ghostly car passengers.  This quirky and unsettling collection offers a fresh perspective on life's complexities.

"Mania" is a satirical novel by Lionel Shriver. The story takes place in a world where intelligence is no longer valued. In fact, calling someone stupid is illegal! The Mental Parity Movement encourages people to report anyone who uses the word.  The story follows two best friends, Pearson and Emory, who have opposing views on this new social order. Emory, a radio personality,  embraces it while Pearson thinks it's ridiculous.  Their disagreement creates a rift in their friendship. Shriver uses humor and sarcasm to critique this strange society.

"Close to Death" is a mystery novel by Anthony Horowitz. The story unfolds in a wealthy gated community simmering with discontent over a brash new neighbor. His loud family, excessive cars, and plans for a pool shatter the community's peace. When the neighbor is murdered with a crossbow bolt, suspicion falls on everyone who harbored a grudge. A baffled police force calls in a retired detective to crack the case.