Last year saw some exciting releases of new science fiction, fantasy, and horror. With nominations underway for the Hugo Awards (and the Lodestar), the Nebula Awards, the Locus Awards, and others, I thought I’d share some of my favorites.

Hate House by John C. Foster: A reclusive investigator who may or may not be a killer has to unravel the mysteries of a house that literally seems to be built on spite. In this page-turning, suspenseful novel, Foster serves up...