The Fear Index
by Robert Harris
The new year’s lead title from Diane’s Books is a brainy thriller! Author Robert Harris (Fatherland) gives us a glimpse into a terrifying future that could be unfolding even now. Sonny Mehta, Chairman and Editor in Chief of Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, writes eloquently about this gripping read: “An unnervingly prescient thriller, Harris has taken an irresistible premise — a hedge fund with a cadre of millionaire investors, a computer program more cunning than any human mind, and a reclusive scientist with a murky past — and built a narrative of unflagging pace and intrigue. What the novel has to say about greed, fear and our basic humanity may even remind you of the timeless Frankenstein.” Intrigued? DIANE’S BOOKS THINKS THIS IS A MUST-READ! $25.95 BUY

City Of Fortune: How Venice Ruled the Seas
by Roger Crowley
Yet another fabulous new-year kickoff! This time it’s brilliant historian Roger Crowley, whose Empire Of The Seas remains a nonfiction Diane’s Books classic! Crowley is back prowling not only the seas but the Crusades, too. The conflict between Islam and Christianity, the Ottoman Empire, the spice routes, the destruction of the Parthenon, the fall of Constantinople — WOW, 500 YEARS! Crowley brings it all together in a brilliant coherent narrative focused around Venice’s own imperial adventure. An astute reader and good friend of Diane’s Books says, “Roger Crowley goes beyond history and shows us that Venice, the City of Fortune, was in many ways a herald and model for the future.” This is epic storytelling, epic history in the hands of a master. A must read for lovers of Venice, the Mediterranean and lovers of mesmerizing fascinating history. P.S. Roger Crowley’s own drawings are included! $32.00 BUY

Conqueror: A Novel of Kublai Khan
by Conn Iggulden
You are fans! You have loved Iggulden’s Genghis Khan stories and now he delivers the spectacular story of the rise of Genghis Khan’s grandson, a man destined to become one of the most remarkable rulers who ever lived — the legendary Kublai Khan. The empire of Genghis Khan hangs in the balance as his heirs fight to control his legacy. Only one man will boldly rise to the challenge with the courage and vision to forge the future and he is called conqueror! This is epic storytelling for all lovers of history and historical fiction. AND we guarantee Conqueror is every bit as dazzling as Genghis!$27.00 BUY

EXCITING BOOKS FOR CHILDREN!
The Bunny’s Night-Light: A Glow In-the-Dark Search
by Geoffrey Hayes
I adore, adore, gentle bedtime stories — we all need one and in all these years amazingly enough we have very very few! The Bunny’s Night Light starts with a boy telling his father: “There’s too much dark at night!” So together they walk around the woods, looking for the perfect night light! Perhaps the moon, perhaps fireflies, maybe glowworms, all the magic of childhood is right here, even down to the glow-in-the-dark illustrations. The Bunny’s Night Light is not only a search for that special night light, but a parent and child story for the ages. A MUST FOR YOUR BUNNY — YOUNG OR OLD! $16.99 BUY

FOR TEENS! Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different
by Karen Blumenthal
THE FIRST TEEN BIOGRAPHY OF STEVE JOBS! Critically acclaimed author and Wall Street journalist Karen Blumenthal takes us into the core of this complicated and legendary man, including Jobs’ inspiring Stanford commencement address and the history/evolution of computers. This is the story of the man who changed our world! Inspirational and life-changing for our teens! ON SALE FEB. 14! SO EXCITING! YOU CAN FOLLOW YOUR DREAM! Ages 12 and up! Paperback, $8.99;BUY hardcover, $16.99 BUY

HISTORY! TIGRESS OF FORLI by Elizabeth Lev JOAN’S LOVE! Renaissance scholar Elizabeth Lev introduces us to Caterina Riario Szorza de Medici (1463-1509), who was called “a brilliant and fearless ruler.” She lived during the times of Lorenzo the Magnificent and the Medicis, as well as Cesare and Lucretia Borgia. Joan was riveted thanks to Lev’s meticulous research! $27 BUY

HISTORICAL FICTION! LEAVING VAN GOGH by Carol Wallace Utterly engrossing! Author Rebecca Stott says of Wallace’s debut: “It’s like slipping into one of van Gogh’s paintings.” Indeed, Wallace has scored a triumph with this story told in the voice of and from the perspective of Dr. Gachet, van Gogh’s personal physician. A glorious companion to the recent van Gogh biography! $25 BUY

THE DRESSMAKER by Kate Alcott It’s the centennial of the sinking of the Titanic and The Dressmaker takes us all the way back to that fateful night in 1912. Tatiana de Rosnay, author of Sarah’s Key, says this about Alcott’s first novel: “This is the kind of novel you cannot put down, cannot forget.” On sale Feb. 21! $25.95 BUY

THE HOUSE I LOVED by Tatiana de Rosnay On the heels of de Rosnay’s high praise for The Dressmaker, I will now sing high praises for her newest novel! In Paris of the 1860s, Baron Haussman has set into motion a series of large-scale renovations that will permanently alter the face of old Paris. They will erase generations of history, but one woman takes a stand — Rose Bazelet. $25.99 BUY

THE YELLOW EMPEROR’S CURE by Kunali Base A new author for me who writes and storytells fabulously! It is 1890 in Lisbon and Antonio, a handsome, devoted, bachelor doctor, discovers that his own beloved father is dying of the pox. Antonio is determined to find a cure and journeys to China in hopes of finding it there. In the process, he learns valuable lessons about life and love. $26.95 BUY

ESCAPE! ANOTHER WOMAN by Penny Vincenzi YOU WILL LOVE IT! A novel Penny wrote in 1994 but which has never been published here, this is a delicious, naughty, stay-up-all-night escape, a perfect antidote to those gray winter days! The night before her lavish wedding, Cressida Forrest goes to bed serene and happy. By morning, she has vanished! Oh, what webs we weave! $27.95 BUY

HOME FRONT by Kristin Hannah We love Kristin Hannah at Diane’s Books! Kristin always gives us characters we come to know and love and cheer for and cry for. Her newest takes us inside a solid marriage and how the hell of war can tear it all apart. The price of war on a single family is close to home for thousands of Americans and Kristin’s prose is provocative and timely. $27.99 BUY

MYSTERY! THE HOUSE AT SEA’S END by Elly Griffiths OH MY! All our mystery lovers have by now discovered forensic archeologist Dr. Ruth Gallaway. In this outing, Ruth has momentarily left her wet and mucky places to investigate a gruesome World War II war crime after human bones surface on a beach! AHH! $25 BUY

BELIEVING THE LIE by Elizabeth George Oh yes, the new year is off and running because our beloved Inspector Lynley is back with old and beloved friends Barbara Havers and Deborah St. James. It is impossible to resist Elizabeth George’s storytelling! The wealthy Fairclough clan is awash in secrets, lies and motives and our trusty trio wade right in! PERFECTION! $28.95 BUY

THE BURNING by Jane Casey Her first two crime novels were a sensation in both the U.K. and Europe, and now, finally, we have her Casey’s debut. The Burning pits a serial killer against ambitious detective Marcie Kerrigan, who wants to make her mark on the murder taskforce. At its essence, this is about people trapped on the margins of society, including a pair of best friends. Brash, spooky and clever! $24.99 BUY