'THE ENSEMBLE,' by Aja Gabel. The four members of a string quartet _ violinists Brit and Jana, violist Henry and cellist Daniel _ are the protagonists of this debut novel, which follows their personal and professional fortunes across two decades. (Riverhead, $26)
'LAST STORIES,' by William Trevor. This volume collects 10 final stories from the Irish writer who died in 2016. These are stories to be read slowly and savored; we won't have more from the man who has been called the 20th century Chekhov. (Viking, $26)
'ROME: A History in Seven Sackings,' by Matthew Kneale. They call Rome the Eternal City, but its preservation has never been a sure thing. Kneale revisits the many invasions _ Gauls, Goths, Normans, Nazis and more _ that shaped the city's history. (S&S, $30)
