Robert Crais, THE WATCHMAN. Simon & Schuster, $25.95. Joe Pike has a special assignment as protector of a young woman who is being hunted. A thoroughly entertaining tale from a craftsman.




Theresa Schwegel, PERSON OF INTEREST. St. Martin's Minotaur, $24.95. An Edgar winner and notable writer from her first book, Schwegel's third release shows an impressive writing prowess and confirms she is a major player. Chicago detective works undercover to defuse an Asian gang.




Peter Spiegelman, RED CAT. Knopf, $22.95. Subtle nuances in this excellent series make Peter a talent to be recognized and appreciated. PI John March's Wall Street executive brother comes for help when he is blackmailed after a torrid affair.




Megan Abbott, DIE A LITTLE (Simon & Schuster, $23.00); THE SONG IS YOU (Simon & Schuster, $23.00); QUEENPIN Simon & Schuster trade paperback, $13.00. The store discovered DIE A LITTLE last year, and all three works are notable gems. Here is a noir talent to watch and enjoy.




Ward Larsen, THE PERFECT ASSASSIN. Oceanview, $22.95. This debut release has the pacing and action reminiscent of Forsyth's Day Of The Jackal. Israeli operative is rescued at sea and is being hunted.




Robert Ellis, CITY OF FIRE. St. Martin's Minotaur, $24.95. An LAPD detective investigates a series of mutilation-murders of beautiful women. She begins to see a major-league conspiracy at work, with roots in a long-unsolved murder that hits very close to home.




Michael Simon, THE LAST JEW STANDING. Viking, $24.95. Austin homicide detective Dan Reles is enjoying his position as head of the division, when his long-lost father, a Mafia enforcer, shows up with a Russian prostitute on the run.




John Connolly, THE UNQUIET. Atria, $25.95. This is a beautifully constructed book, so self-contained that it serves as an excellent introduction to the Charlie Parker series (for anyone who wasn't already reading).




Tim Maleeny, STEALING THE DRAGON. Midnight Ink, $14.95. San Francisco PI Cape Weathers's investigation takes him into the heart of Chinatown's secret societies and organized crime groups.




Gregg Hurwitz, THE CRIME WRITER. Viking, $24.95. The story of a crime novelist convicted of murder but found "not guilty" by reason of insanity. Danner has no memory of that night, and feels a desperate need to find out what really happened.




Daniel Woodrell, WINTER'S BONE. Back Bay, $13.99 (trade paperback). Released in late 2006, but read in 2007. Ozark Noir with impeccable writing.




John Hart, DOWN RIVER. St. Martin's Minotaur, $24.95.