NYT's Nora Ami reviews current novels exploring intriguing themes. Stephen Kearse's 'Liquid Snakes', a calculated tale of revenge-disguised-as-science, entertains with dark satire and social commentary while Paul Murray's 'The Beesting' presents an uncomfortably realistic exploration of a family's downfall amidst daily challenges and personal demons. Despite their unique approaches, both novels grapple with important contemporary issues such as mental health, technology, and racial trauma.