Christian Von Ditfurth is a popular writer of thrillers in Germany. Now, for the first time, one of his book is available in an English translation. “A Paragon of Virtue” is about a rich Hamburg resident who, over the years, has been stalked by someone who is killing off his wife and children. Ditfurth, a historian, often takes his stories back to some root in history, and in this case it’s the Nazi regime in Germany.

Also new this week is “Last Last Chance” by Fiona Maazel, her debut novel. It’s, um, crazy. How’s that for authoritative review? OK, you tell me — the plot involves a plague unleashed on Washington D.C., the daughter of the man accused of letting it loose, the mother of that same woman, who is a crackhead and “pagan theologian,” and throughout a theme of reincarnitation. Sweet. Reviewers are raving, mosting because Maazel — a young New Yorker who has an author photo like he’s ready to be the Next Big Thing — writes with verve and wit.