5 books not to miss: Paula Hawkins’ thriller ‘A Slow Fire Burning,’ ‘The Afghanistan Papers’

In search of something good to read? USA TODAY's Barbara VanDenburgh scopes out the shelves for this week’s hottest new book releases. All books are on sale Tuesday.

1. “A Slow Fire Burning,” by Paula Hawkins (Riverhead, fiction)

What it’s about: When a young man is murdered in a London houseboat, three unconnected women who knew him, all simmering with their own resentments and secrets, are drawn into the mystery.

The buzz: “‘A Slow Fire Burning’ is a classic whodunit that unfolds the mystery until the very last page,” says a ★★★ (out of four) review from USA TODAY.

2. “The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War,” by Craig Whitlock and The Washington Post (Simon & Schuster, nonfiction)

Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist

What it’s about: From Washington Post reporter Whitlock comes the groundbreaking investigative story about what went wrong in Afghanistan, from the unwinnable war’s inception to the Taliban’s rise back to power.

The buzz: “Rigorously detailed and relentlessly pessimistic, this is a heartbreaking look at how America’s leaders chose to bury their mistakes and let the war drift,’” says Publishers Weekly.

Review:Peter Heller’s new COVID-era thriller ‘The Guide’ will fill you with dread, in the best way

3. “The Secret History of Food: Strange but True Stories About the Origins of Everything We Eat,” by Matt Siegel (Ecco, nonfiction)

What it’s about: An entertaining dive into the sometimes surprising histories and cultural impacts of the foods we love. Siegel even makes a case for how ice cream played a role in defeating the Nazis. No, really.

The buzz: “Idiosyncratic essays that will give foodies much to digest,” says Kirkus Reviews.

4. “The Sisters of Auschwitz,” by Roxane van Iperen (Harper Paperbacks, nonfiction)

What it’s about: The story of two unsung heroes of WWII, sisters Janny and Lien Brilleslijper, who, risking death, joined the Dutch resistance, saved many lives and survived the Holocaust.

The buzz: “A truly worthwhile addition to the body of Holocaust studies,” says a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.

5. “The Heart Principle,” by Helen Hoang (Berkley, fiction)

What it’s about: Violinist Anna Sun is struggling with burnout after a YouTube video goes viral when her longtime boyfriend declares he wants an open relationship. She gives him what he wants and then some, embarking on a string of one-night stands.

The buzz: “Readers shouldn’t expect a typical rom-com, but many will still swoon for this sensitive love story,” says Publishers Weekly.

Oprah's next book club pick:'The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois' by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers