Summer may be winding down, but our bookshelves are heating up! August brings fresh starts, high-stakes thrillers, and unforgettable adventures—from Fern Michaels’ brand-new beachy mystery series Smuggler’s Cove, to Karin Slaughter’s explosive new small-town suspense We Are All Guilty Here. Don’t miss literary powerhouse R.F. Kuang’s Katabasis, a dark-academia fantasy, or Danielle Steel’s For Richer For Poorer, a glamorous family drama set against a stormy wedding week. Print your August Coming Soon list, circle your must-reads, and place your holds today!
Smuggler’s Cove by Fern Michaels
In this lively kickoff to her new Twin Lights series, Fern Michaels introduces siblings Madison and Lincoln Taylor, who inherit a rundown Jersey Shore marina and a whole lot of trouble. When a body turns up under their dock, their plan to sell is put on hold—and they find themselves drawn into a small-town mystery complete with quirky locals, pirate legends, and a treasure map. A fresh start turns into a full-blown adventure in this cozy seaside whodunit. Available 7/28.
Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen
After a surprise divorce in 1938 England, Ellie Endicott sets off on a road trip to the South of France with her housekeeper and dear friend. What begins as an escape becomes a journey of self-discovery as the trio lands in a charming seaside village—just as war looms. Heartwarming, romantic, and rich in historical detail, this is a delightful reinvention story with unforgettable characters and scenic charm. Available 8/5.
The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen
Accused of killing her adoptive family’s biological daughter, Georgia Cartwright is locked away in a psychiatric facility—and insists she's innocent. Her estranged twin sister Amanda, uncertain but unwilling to leave her behind, starts digging. Is Georgia a scapegoat—or a master manipulator? Twisty, chilling, and packed with sisterly suspense, this psychological thriller will keep you questioning everything. Available 8/5.
We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter
In the seemingly quiet town of North Falls, two girls go missing after a fireworks celebration, and Officer Emmy Clifton blames herself. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, Emmy realizes she barely knew the girls—or the town she’s sworn to protect. A gripping new series launch full of layered characters, dark secrets, and propulsive mystery. Available 8/12.
For Richer For Poorer by Danielle Steel
Fashion icon and single mom Eugenia Ward juggles a struggling couture business, a whirlwind family beach wedding, and a potential new romance—all while a hurricane barrels toward the coast. Glamorous, dramatic, and full of heart, this latest from Steel is a story of reinvention, resilience, and the surprising paths to love and renewal. Available 8/12.
Something to Look Forward To: Fictions by Fannie Flagg
The beloved author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe returns with a collection of interwoven stories that span the country—and the human experience. From an audacious grandma in Kansas to a federal agent reflecting on humanity, Flagg offers wry humor, warmth, and hope in tales about finding joy through life’s curveballs. Available 8/19.
The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden
After years of failed fertility treatments, Abby finally has hope—thanks to her assistant Monica’s offer to carry her baby. But Monica isn’t who she claims to be, and her secrets are as dark as they are dangerous. Another pulse-pounding domestic thriller from the queen of psychological twists. Available 8/19.
The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by Jo Nichols
A quirky cast of bungalow residents in Santa Barbara are rocked by a murder—and their beloved landlady’s false confession. Banding together to clear her name, they stumble into a second mystery. Funny and full of charm, this clever mystery is perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club and Only Murders in the Building. Available 8/19.
Emma on Fire by James Patterson and Emily Raymond
Emma Blake is known for perfection—until a shocking act upends her spotless life. As her peers, teachers, and family struggle to understand why, Emma takes control of her narrative in this emotional, fast-paced novel about grief, defiance, and the courage to challenge expectations. Available 8/19.
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Dante’s Inferno meets Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi in this all-new dark academia fantasy from R. F. Kuang, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Yellowface. When her mentor dies in a magical accident, ambitious scholar Alice Law embarks on a perilous journey into Hell to save his soul—joined by her academic rival. Part dark academia, part mythic quest, Kuang’s latest is a razor-sharp, genre-blending tale about ambition, sacrifice, and the cost of knowledge. Available 8/26.