With true-crime programming riding a wave of popularity (it seems like everyone is still talking about The People v. O.J. Simpson, Making a Murderer, and Serial), it’s about time the good old murder mystery novel made a comeback. Sure, those mass market paperbacks have a dedicated space at your local library, but if you want a new title that combines the quickly consumable qualities of detective fiction with some literary heft, look no further than Laura Lippman. The Baltimore-based novelist has written 12 books about Tess Monaghan, a journalist-turned-private investigator, but her latest book, Wilde Lake—released just in time for summer beach reading—focuses on Luisa Brant, a Howard County state’s attorney who tries a drifter for murder. The case brings up all sorts of dark and repressed memories that Luisa had buried for years. Part psychological study, part gripping thriller, the book looks at the lasting impact of crime while providing locals with a scene they just might recognize. Laura Lippman reads at 7 p.m. at Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free. (202) 364-1919. politics-prose.com.