THE GRIEF OF OTHERS

By Leah Hager Cohen (Riverhead Books, 384 pages, $26.95)

The baby died within hours of his birth, and parents John and Ricky are determined to move past the death as quickly as possible. They resume their busy lives with their two other children and pretend that life is good. But emotions, particularly grief, aren't that easily shoved aside. When their 10-year-old daughter, Biscuit, begins acting out by skipping school and eventually starting a fire in the house, the adults are forced to face the pain they have feared and avoided. This beautiful novel touches many poignant issues, such as what it means to be honest in a marriage, how to balance one's individual needs and desires with those of other family members, and the role of grief in recovery and growth. The characters seem so real they will probably remind you of people you know, and you will share their grief and ultimate redemption.

JUDY ROMANOWICH SMITH,

NEWS DESIGNER

FULL BLACK

By Brad Thor (Atria, 379 pages, $26.99)

Reviewing Bad Thor's books is almost as superfluous as road-testing the new BMW 630i: You know it's going to be astounding. And "Full Black" delivers in every possible way. In this, Thor's 11th thriller, Navy SEAL Team 6 member-turned-counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath orchestrates the infiltration of a terrorist cell loose in Norway. Something goes terribly wrong in the final "kill moment," and a conspiracy uncoils involving a celebrated international banker that threatens to bring down the U.S. economy. An ambitious story line, to say the least, but Thor carries it off with characteristic aplomb -- and a splendid array of firepower. The title? Well, there are some missions that are so sensitive, so deadly, that they transcend black ops. They don't exist. They're full black. You're going to love it.

MICHAEL. J. BONAFIELD

NEWS COPY EDITOR