'THE WITCH ELM,' by Tana French. The author of Dublin Murder Squad series ("In the Woods," "The Likeness," etc.) is back with a stand-alone mystery novel. The story here revolves around a crime victim _ a man who, after being badly beaten by two burglars, returns to his ancestral home and discovers a skull in the trunk of a tree. Is his past everything he believes it was? (Viking, $28)
KILLING COMMENDATORE, by Haruki Murakami. A Tokyo painter whose wife is having an affair seeks refuge at the remote home of a fellow artist, where he discovers a hidden painting that comes to life. That's just one of the many surreal touches (a mysterious ringing bell, a character impregnated during a dream) in this sprawling novel by the author of "1Q84," and other books. (Knopf, $30)
THE RECKONINGS, by Lacy M. Johnson. In her stunning 2014 memoir, "The Other Side," Johnson told the difficult story of her kidnapping and rape by an ex-boyfriend (now a fugitive in Venezuela). In this searching collection of essays _ inspired by the question, "What do you want to have happen to this man?" _ Johnson explores ideas of justice, retribution and mercy. (Scribner, $26)
