Cool reads for the summer months

Summer’s officially here, and the time has come for dancing in the streets — and reading on the beach.

Below is a list of recommended reads:

“Three Hitmen and a Baby,” by Rob Hart (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $30): “Three Hitmen and a Baby” (the title of which is a riff on the 1987 Tom Selleck/Ted Danson/Steve Guttenberg comedy “Three Men and a Baby”) is the third entry in Rob Hart’s “Assassins Anonymous” series. Ex-assassins attend an underground support group for reformed killers in New York City. However, they have enemies who want to settle old scores, and they must stop them without killing them. Mark, formerly known as the Pale Horse, has to take care of fellow ex-assassin Lucia’s baby. However, a Russian mob boss calls in a favor, and if Mark doesn’t make good on it, she’ll kill his son. Hart toes the line between riveting and irreverent in this rip-roaring adventure. Visit robwhart.com.

“Birds of Prey,” edited by Harlan Coben and C.J. Box (The Mysterious Press, $17.95): New York Times best-selling authors Harlan Coben and C.J. Box challenged a group of writers to pick a bird of prey and write a short story about it. The result is this anthology, with contributions by 11 well-known authors, including Gregg Hurwitz, Heather Graham, Kelley Armstrong, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Ace Atkins and Box himself. The majority of the stories are excellently done, filled with some clever twists and turns. You also get to learn a little bit more about each bird in question. Visit mysteriouspress.com. 

“The Crossroads,” by C.J. Box (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $32): In Box’s second entry on this list, Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett is shot and left for dead. However, he’s alive, but just barely, fighting for his life while his wife, Marybeth, keeps a worried vigil. Their three daughters — Sheridan, April and Lucy — take it upon themselves to find out who’s responsible for hurting their beloved father. Cassie Dewell, Box’s other famous character who headlines her own series, makes a cameo. This is Box’s 26^th Pickett novel, and this series shows no signs of growing long in the tooth. Expect to stay up late. Visit cjbox.net. 

“Keep Them Close,” by David Ellis (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $30): Siblings Allison and Luke always had each other’s back — until Finley, Allison’s husband is murdered. The police investigation may well trace back to their shady past, threatening to expose their deepest, darkest secrets, one of which includes an accident that happened decades ago. With plenty of twists and turns and plenty of skullduggery and gaslighting, Ellis is an excellent craftsman when it comes to complex psychological thrillers. Visit davidellis.com. Available June 30. 

“January and July,” by Jeff Abbott (Blackstone Publishing Inc. $30): Harlan Coben hit it right on the nose when he said, “Jeff Abbott is one of the finest thriller writers working today.” Abbot proves this once again with “January and July,” his latest standalone thriller. January Holte is a disgraced intel officer. July Whitlock is a rookie bodyguard. Both have something to prove. Both are on the trail of Bill Connors, Whitlock’s missing client. After Holte blows an operation, she gets a shot at redemption by finding Connors, who’s believed to have committed treason. The titular characters end up tracking him down to Lethey, Texas, where they find themselves tangled in the web of a dangerous conspiracy. Visit jeffabbott.com. Available July 7.  

“The Last Room on the Left,” by Leah Konen (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $30): Author Kerry Walsh is a trainwreck — her personal life is in the toilet, and she’s struggling with her latest book. She takes a caretaker position at a remote Catskills motel during the off season, hoping to meet her looming deadline in the solitude. As she gets settled in, she sees the arm of a dead woman sticking up from a snowbank. She calls the police, who arrive and see no body. Kerry begins doubting her sanity, and then things get really weird. This is the perfect novel for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers with chilling twists. Some reviewers called it a gender-bent version of Stephen King’s “The Shining.” While it certainly gives off those vibes, it’s its own story. Visit leahkonen.com.  

These books are available for purchase at any of the following local bookstores: 

• Schuler Books in the Meridian Mall (1982 W. Grand River Ave., Okemos). Call (517) 349-8840.
• Curious Book Shop (307 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing). Call (517) 332-0112.
• Barnes & Noble in the Frandor Shopping Center (420 Frandor Ave., Lansing). Call (517) 932-5153.
• Barnes & Noble in the Lansing Mall (5132 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing). Call (517) 327-0437.