What to read this week: New books by Tana French, Haruki Murakami and Lacy M. Johnson

THE WITCH ELM, by Tana French. The author of Dublin Murder Squad series ("In the Woods," "The Likeness," etc.) is back with a stand-alone mystery novel. The story here revolves around a crime victim — a man who, after being badly beaten by two burglars, returns to his ancestral home and discovers a skull in the trunk of a tree. Is his past everything he believes it was? (Viking, $28)

KILLING COMMENDATORE, by Haruki Murakami. A Tokyo painter whose wife is having an affair seeks refuge at the remote home of a fellow artist, where he discovers a hidden painting that comes to life. That's just one of the many surreal touches (a mysterious ringing bell, a character impregnated during a dream) in this sprawling novel by the author of "1Q84," and other books. (Knopf, $30)

THE RECKONINGS, by Lacy M. Johnson. In her stunning 2014 memoir, "The Other Side," Johnson told the difficult story of her kidnapping and rape by an ex-boyfriend (now a fugitive in Venezuela). In this searching collection of essays — inspired by the question, "What do you want to have happen to this man?" — Johnson explores ideas of  justice, retribution and mercy. (Scribner, $26)