This opinion piece highlights a trio of popular reading genres—cozy mysteries, psychological thrillers, and historical fiction. At its center is Anne Perry’s Victorian-era novel, “The Face of a Stranger,” featuring a discerning detective grappling with a life-changing problem.

Dean Koontz, the renowned master of suspense, has taken a bold step into historical fiction with his new novel, “The Friend of the Family.” This shift in his writing approach includes a subtle dose of magical realism, making it a noteworthy departure from his hallmark thrills.