|
Never Miss a Contest or a Promotion!
Follow and Like Us on Social Media
To those who attend our “Bookaccino Live” events, know that you are not the only ones spurred to read a book after seeing one of our programs. After hosting our Fall Preview event last week, I wanted to read Lily King’s new book, HEART THE LOVER. I requested an advance copy from the publisher. It arrived at noon on Saturday, and I headed outside to read it while enjoying the last days of summer. It was the kind of absorbing fiction that I did not want to put down, and by Sunday night I closed a really satisfying emotional read. As she did in WRITERS & LOVERS, Lily writes poignantly about relationships.
Here’s a snapshot of HEART THE LOVER: “At the start of her senior year in college, a woman meets two young men who are best friends. They live in a posh house that their professor, who is on sabbatical, has lent to them. She is eventually a part of their world, where there is intellectual conversation, crazy card games...and, yes, attraction. But soon she is in the middle of a love triangle that has consequences, and one will haunt her forever. Jump ahead a couple of decades. This woman is living in Maine, married with two children, and living the life she wanted. But her past finds its way back into her life. Suddenly, there is limited time for her to bring closure to those fleeting days of her youth.”
HEART THE LOVER will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. Lily is on a crazy long tour, but I hope I can interview her at some point. I want to ask her how quickly that title came...or if it took a while. We will feature our review of the book later in October.
I am listening to THE END OF THE SKI SEASON, a Penguin Audiobook Original by Anna Snoekstra, which releases on October 21st. It is an Australian production with multiple narrators and clocks in at around five hours. The book is set at a ski resort, which always has appeal to me. A young mother, who had worked as a journalist, hears about two resort workers who were found dead after the end of a ski season. She begins to investigate the decades-old crime and conducts interviews as she tries to get to the bottom of what happened, knowing the tug of true-crime stories.
Driving to and from the health club this week, I feel like I have a group of friends telling me a story. And the nice thing is that you can enjoy a short story in a short period of time (pun intended) and feel a sense of accomplishment. I have a huge desire to travel to Australia, which made this production even more interesting for me.
Because I pay attention to the mail we get from our readers and seriously consider their recommendations, I was turned on to Virginia Evans' debut novel, THE CORRESPONDENT, and loved it. So I was happy to have Virginia join us this week for a “Bookreporter Talks To” interview.
Virginia always saw the book as having an epistolary format, and she wrote it as readers are seeing it, with one letter after another. I thought this style worked for the storytelling as it allowed for pacing and for different aspects of Sybil’s life, and the world as she knows it now, to be explored. Virginia loved that I picked up on one detail that no one else had mentioned in an interview or a review.
I listened to the audiobook recording, which features a 13-person ensemble cast, and enjoyed it so much that it will be a Bets On selection in audio. It already has been named an AudioFile Earphones Award Winner and an Audible Best of the Year (So Far) selection.
In a moment of what seemed like kismet, THE CORRESPONDENT was announced as a New York Times bestseller just a few hours after I spoke with Virginia, though the book was first published back in April. This growth in readership is quite unusual, so it truly says something about the story and the building word of mouth for it. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast.
We are thrilled to announce that Paula Hawkins will be October’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group guest. The event will be held on Wednesday, October 22nd at 8pm ET, and you can sign up here for it. We will talk about her instant New York Times bestseller, THE BLUE HOUR, a “Good Morning America” Book Club pick and a Bets On title that releases in paperback on Tuesday. It also is our current “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month?” prize book on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
There will be a two-part Q&A session after I talk to Paula, who many of you know as the author of THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN.
For the first part, those who are asking a question on camera will be featured. This includes spending time with Paula backstage in our virtual green room before the show starts. If you would like to ask your question "live on screen" this way, please email me with the subject line "Paula" by noon ET on October 22nd. Be sure to include your name, city and state, as well as your question. If you do not want to appear on camera but still would like to ask a question, please note that you want to be off camera, and share your question --- adding your name, city and state.
Then we will take questions from other members of the audience.
September’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group Event
We had a wonderful time last night talking to our September “Bookaccino Live” Book Group guest, Amy Neff, about her debut novel, THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST, which released in paperback this summer. We will share the video and podcast with you in next week’s newsletter.
Ian McEwan, the Booker Prize–winning author of ATONEMENT and SATURDAY, is back with his widely praised new book, WHAT WE CAN KNOW. Full of secrets and surprises, this genre-bending novel is an immersive exploration, across time and history, of what can ever be truly known.
Eileen Nicol has our review and says, “The subject of WHAT WE CAN KNOW is essentially a missing poem, and the primary stakes are whether or not it will ever be found…. Like every McEwan novel, this one is tightly constructed and skillfully written…. It’s a fascinating world of intrigue, jealousy and dark passions. WHAT WE CAN KNOW is an entertaining and thought-provoking gift from a writer at the top of his game.”
THE HALLMARKED MAN is the eighth and latest installment in the Cormoran Strike series, which is written by J.K. Rowling using the pen name Robert Galbraith. A dismembered corpse is discovered in the vault of a silver shop. The police initially believe it to be that of a convicted armed robber --- but not everyone agrees with that theory.
According to Philip Zozzaro in his review, THE HALLMARKED MAN “brings elements of mystery, suspense and conspiracy, along with intense drama, which makes for a well-rounded narrative…. Strike and Robin’s latest case manages to be as riveting as the chemistry between the pair, and the plot keeps readers enraptured until the enthralling conclusion.”
In REACHER, Lee Child tells the stories behind the stories from the Jack Reacher novels. These origin tales expand upon each installment in the series and place it in the context not only of the author’s life, but of the world outside the books. This collection also includes an original Reacher short story, the first new Reacher appearance written entirely by Lee Child since 2019.
Ray Palen has this to say in his review: “In the afterword, [Otto] Penzler praises Lee Child for speaking as effortlessly through his nonfiction as he does through his first-rate fiction. He also says that it was time to share these short essays about each Reacher novel with the public. Fans of the series definitely will concur!”
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
-
THE GRAVE ARTIST: Perfect couples are his perfect victims. Now he’s hunting those hunting him in a riveting new thriller from New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Isabella Maldonado.
-
THE ELEMENTS: Acclaimed Irish novelist John Boyne has created an epic saga that weaves together four interconnected narratives, each representing a different perspective on crime: the enabler, the accomplice, the perpetrator and the victim.
-
FAMOUS: A man goes to terrifying extremes to adopt his celebrity doppelgänger's life in this darkly comedic psychological suspense novel from Blake Crouch, which he originally self-published in 2010 and is the basis for the upcoming film Famous, starring Zac Efron.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
My latest Bets On pick is ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS by Hank Phillippi Ryan. Click here to find out why I’m betting you’ll love this book just as much as I did. And if you missed my interview with Hank from last week, be sure to watch or listen to it.
Fall Reading Contest Update
Our final Fall Reading contest will be up on Tuesday, September 30th at noon ET. The prize book will be I AM YOU by Victoria Redel, which reimagines the life of renowned still-life painter Maria van Oosterwijck during the Dutch Golden Age.
Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win the aforementioned HEART THE LOVER by Lily King, along with THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTUNE: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery by Richard Osman, in our Word of Mouth contest. Please do so by Friday, October 3rd at noon ET.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of 30 titles releasing in paperback this month you have read or are planning to read. Click here to let us know by Friday, October 3rd at noon ET.
The shortlist for this year’s Booker Prize was announced this week. The six titles are FLASHLIGHT by Susan Choi, THE LONELINESS OF SONIA AND SUNNY by Kiran Desai, AUDITION by Katie Kitamura, THE REST OF OUR LIVES by Ben Markovits, THE LAND IN WINTER by Andrew Miller, and FLESH by David Szalay. The announcement of the winning book will take place on November 10th at a ceremony in London.
Back in April, I did an interview with David Wilk on his “Publishing Talks” podcast, which started as a series of conversations with book industry professionals and others involved in media and technology, mostly talking about the future of publishing, books and culture. David said this about our interview: “We had a great conversation about the past, present and imminent future of the book publishing world. Carol is knowledgeable, engaged, and in touch with so much of what matters to the future of books and publishing.” I am my usual blunt self. You can listen to it here.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Kay wrote, “Carol, your newsletter made me soooo happy! Adriana Trigiani is a friend without compare! We met when she came to our author event over 10 years ago and have become good friends. She is a very special and giving person who is way underrated. We also just agreed with Marie Benedict to come to Lancaster on her book tour! We are so excited to have her. Thanks for covering these two!”
Linda wrote, “Happy 96th to your dad, Carol! Enjoy! And yes, that drawing is fabulous!” Thank you! We had great fun celebrating my dad.
Jean wrote, “I was confused when I received a copy of ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS in the mail. I had not ordered it, but I was pleasantly surprised. Later that day, I received an email confirming that I had won the current Word of Mouth contest and that THE ACADEMY also would be arriving. What an absolute delight to receive books that are on my TBR list. I can’t thank you enough for the hours of great reading that lie ahead.”
Linda wrote, “I am so glad you enjoyed THE CORRESPONDENT. I couldn’t imagine why it was not on your radar. The author is a friend of my friend’s daughter-in-law in Winston-Salem. I am a huge letter writer, mostly thank-you notes these days, and love beautiful, personalized stationery. I forgot to say that I am glad you listened to the book. Sometimes that is the best way. I just started listening to THE LOST BAKER OF VIENNA and am loving it. Neither of the libraries that I use on Libby had it, so it was Audible to the rescue. Thank you for all of you and your team’s work. I look forward to reading the newsletter and adding to my long, long list of books to be read.”
Dorothy wrote, “I am enjoying reading the book I won, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO LORI LOVELY? I’m old enough to remember when Dolores Hart went to be a nun. The movie magazines had a field day. I am glad the author had an opportunity to speak with the Sister. I’ll review it on Goodreads and B&N. Thank you!”
“Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy” on CNN: We are way late to the party on this, but we finally finished everything Bosch --- “Bosch: Legacy” and “Ballard” --- as well as “The Lincoln Lawyer”, and my husband wanted to watch a new show. We tried a few things that did not hold his interest. I remembered this series and, bam, we have been to a few regions of Italy with many more to go.
My husband is away playing golf this weekend, with the first round being played today. He usually calls after dinner. But last night, he called before dinner, and we were chatting for a while. Then he asked, “What is the Peacock login and password?” I said, “Aha! Now I know why you called early!” They want to watch the Ryder Cup coverage. Be the keeper of the passwords at your house, and you get more calls.
My weekend is going to be all about reading and working on questions for the interviews that I will be doing over the next couple of weeks. I love going into a reading cocoon like this. I have scribbled lots of notes for these conversations.
Read on, and have a great week.
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who shop online, if you use the store links that appear on our site for shopping, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieBound. As you read our reviews and features, we would appreciate your considering this as you buy!
Featured Review: WHAT WE CAN KNOW by Ian McEwan
WHAT WE CAN KNOW by Ian McEwan (Dystopian Science Fiction/Romance)
Audiobook available, read by David Rintoul and Rachel Bavidge
2014: At a dinner for close friends and colleagues, renowned poet Francis Blundy honors his wife’s birthday by reading aloud a new poem dedicated to her, “A Corona for Vivien.” Little does anyone gathered around the candlelit table know that for generations to come, people will speculate about the message of this poem, a copy of which has never been found and remains an enduring mystery. 2119: Just over 100 years in the future, much of the western world has been submerged by rising seas following a catastrophic nuclear accident. Thomas Metcalfe, a lonely scholar and researcher, longs for the early 21st century as he chases the ghost of one poem, “A Corona for Vivien.” When he stumbles across a clue that may lead to the elusive poem’s discovery, a story is revealed of entangled loves and a brutal crime that destroys his assumptions about people he thought he knew intimately well. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE HALLMARKED MAN
by Robert Galbraith
THE HALLMARKED MAN: A Cormoran Strike Novel by Robert Galbraith (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Robert Glenister
A dismembered corpse is discovered in the vault of a silver shop. The police initially believe it to be that of a convicted armed robber --- but not everyone agrees with that theory. One of them is Decima Mullins, who calls on the help of private detective Cormoran Strike as she's certain the body in the silver vault was that of her boyfriend --- the father of her newborn baby --- who suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. The more Strike and his business partner, Robin Ellacott, delve into the case, the more labyrinthine it gets. The silver shop is no ordinary one: it's located beside Freemasons' Hall and specializes in Masonic silverware. And in addition to the armed robber and Decima's boyfriend, it becomes clear that there are other missing men who could fit the profile of the body in the vault. Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
REACHER: The Stories Behind the Stories
by Lee Child
REACHER: The Stories Behind the Stories by Lee Child (Memoir/Essays)
Audiobook available, read by Lee Child
After making his debut in 1997’s THE KILLING FLOOR, Jack Reacher has quickly become one of the most popular --- and most enduring --- fictional heroes to emerge in the past half-century. Now, his creator tells the stories behind the stories. These are the origin tales of all of the Reacher novels written solely by Lee Child, chock full of colorful anecdotes and intriguing inspirations. An afterword by crime fiction expert and bookseller Otto Penzler considers the importance of the character and novels in the canon of contemporary crime fiction. In addition to the essays, this collection includes an original Reacher short story --- the first new Reacher appearance entirely written by Lee Child since 2019. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS by Hank Phillippi Ryan
ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Psychological Thriller)
Many of you have been to author events and have loved the opportunity to meet with writers and hear them discuss their work --- and, yes, sign books. So what really happens on a book tour? Hank Phillippi Ryan uses this as the foundation for her latest thriller, ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS.
Tessa Calloway is a debut author whose novel, All This Could Be Yours, has garnered lots of attention. She already had a following on social media when she ditched her job a few years ago to take back her “one life.” People understood this, so when her book appeared, readers were ready to buy it and come out to meet her. In the novel, Annabelle Brown, like Tessa, does not take her boss’s offer to have it all. Instead, she grabs life with two hands.
But readers do not know that Annabelle is based on someone from Tessa’s past. As she is on the road, it feels like her past may be catching up with her. Is she just sleep-deprived from her rigorous tour, or is more going on here?
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to watch our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Hank Phillippi Ryan.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's Bets On commentary.
Special Contest on ReadingGroupGuides.com:
Enter to Win Copies of Marie Benedict's Solo Historical Novels, Plus a Novella We Want to Get on Your Radar!
Marie Benedict is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction featuring iconic --- and often ignored --- women in history. Her books lead to fascinating discussions, especially among book groups, so we are thrilled to host a very special contest that immerses you in her world.
One Grand Prize winner will be awarded all eight of Marie's solo historical novels --- THE OTHER EINSTEIN, CARNEGIE’S MAID, THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, LADY CLEMENTINE, THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE, HER HIDDEN GENIUS, THE MITFORD AFFAIR and THE QUEENS OF CRIME --- along with her novella, AGENT 355.
Three additional readers will win up to 12 copies of THE QUEENS OF CRIME for their book group.
» And be on the lookout for Marie's next novel, DAUGHTER OF EGYPT, which releases on March 24, 2026. It's about a young aristocratic Englishwoman who unearths the truth about a forgotten Pharaoh. Read more about the book here.
Click here to enter the contest by Wednesday, October 8th at noon ET.
Featured Review: THE GRAVE ARTIST
by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado
THE GRAVE ARTIST by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Aida Reluzco and Andre Santana
A wedding reception is coming to a close in the Hollywood Hills when the blissful day is shattered by the death of one of the newlyweds. Though the incident appears to be an accident, Homeland Security Investigations agent Carmen Sanchez and her partner, security expert Jake Heron, discover that the tragedy is the third in a series of similar deaths and conclude something far more sinister is at play. The two uncover chilling evidence pointing to a serial killer who has taken evil to the next level. Dubbed the Honeymoon Killer, this man isn’t interested in his victims but in creating his own macabre masterpiece from their graves --- focused on the survivors and reveling in their grief. And now his dark obsession has turned to Carmen and Jake. Time is running out as a deadly game between predator and prey begins. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE ELEMENTS by John Boyne
THE ELEMENTS by John Boyne (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Anna Friel, Colin Morgan, Dane Whyte O’Hara and Niamh Cusack
In THE ELEMENTS, acclaimed Irish novelist John Boyne has created an epic saga that weaves together four interconnected narratives, each representing a different perspective on crime: the enabler, the accomplice, the perpetrator and the victim. The narrative follows a mother on the run from her past, a young soccer star facing a trial, a successful surgeon grappling with childhood trauma, and a father on a transformative journey with his son. Each is somehow connected to the next, and as the story unfolds, their lives intersect in unimaginable ways. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: FAMOUS by Blake Crouch
FAMOUS by Blake Crouch (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Johnathan McClain
Meet Lance. Thirty-eight years old. Works a meaningless job. Still lives above his parents’ garage. By all accounts, a world-class loser. Save for one glaring exception: He has a million-dollar face. Lance has been mistaken 87 times for the Oscar-winning movie star James Jansen, and for the last 10 years, he has saved his money and studied Jansen’s films, his moves, his idiosyncrasies --- even the way he speaks. Now, after an unceremonious termination from his job, Lance has decided that the time has come to go after his dream of truly becoming Jansen. From New York’s avant-garde, off-off Broadway scene to the glitter of Los Angeles, Lance embarks on a journey toward becoming James Jansen that will take him closer to the star than even he had dreamed --- and to darker lengths than he could’ve possibly imagined. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's 15th Annual
Fall Reading Contests and Feature
Fall is known as the biggest season of the year for books. The titles that release during this latter part of the year often become holiday gifts, and many are blockbusters. In our Fall Reading Contests and Feature, we are spotlighting a number of outstanding books that we know people will be talking about this fall.
We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through October, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our final Fall Reading contest will be up on Tuesday, September 30th at noon ET. The prize book will be I AM YOU by Victoria Redel, an unforgettable love story that reimagines the life of renowned still-life painter Maria van Oosterwijck during the Dutch Golden Age.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
THE KILLER QUESTION by Janice Hallett (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by a full cast
Sue and Mal Eastwood run an isolated rural pub called The Case is Altered, where a weekly trivia game has revived its flagging fortunes --- that is, until a body is found in the nearby river. Soon after, a mysterious new team arrives and shakes up the diverse field of regulars by scoring top marks in every round...every week. Meanwhile, Sue and Mal have a secret of their own. Before arriving here, they were caught up in a secret police operation that meant they had to leave town --- and whatever happened back then seems to have finally caught up with them. Five years later, the pub lies derelict, and their nephew, Dominic, is determined to make a documentary about their story. What happened at this unassuming pub? And can a single question really kill? Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
THE GUEST IN ROOM 120 by Sara Ackerman (Historical Mystery/Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Jennifer Robideau
1905: As the mother of a university and a woman with an iron will, Jane Stanford has made her share of enemies. After a scare at her mansion in San Francisco and on the advice of her doctor, she flees to Honolulu and the fashionable new Moana hotel. But as fate would have it, the island is not as safe as it seems. 2005: Zoe Finch is a bestselling author who desperately needs a jump-start on her next novel, and she makes a split decision to attend a writers' conference at the Moana under an assumed name. As a storm brews offshore, she begins having nightmares that feel hauntingly real. Terrified, Zoe enlists the help of mystery writer Dylan Winters and, over the course of the week, races to uncover the shocking truth of what happened in the hotel 100 years ago almost to the day. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
HOT DESK by Laura Dickerman (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available; read by Corey Brill, Cassandra Campbell and Renata Friedman
In the post-pandemic publishing industry, two rival editors are forced to share a “hot desk” on different days of the week, much to their chagrin. Having never set eyes on each other, Rebecca Blume and Ben Heath begin leaving passive-aggressive Post-it notes on the pot of their shared cactus. But when revered literary legend Edward David Adams (known as “the Lion”) dies, leaving his estate up for grabs, their banter escalates as both work feverishly to land this career-making opportunity. As their battle for the estate gets more heated, Rebecca learns of a connection between her mother, Jane, and the Lion. The story travels back four decades earlier to when Jane arrives in Manhattan and meets Rose, soon her best friend. But one fateful day during the April blizzard of 1982 will change the course of Jane’s life, and their friendship, forever. Reviewed by Roberta O'Hara.
ONE OF US by Dan Chaon (Historical Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by John Pirhalla and Stephanie Németh-Parker
It’s 1915, and life is falling apart for 13-year-old twins Bolt and Eleanor. When their mother dies, they are forced to leave home under the care of a vicious con man who claims to be their long-lost uncle Charlie. During a late-night poker game, when one of his rages ends in murder, they decide to flee. Salvation arrives in the form of Mr. Jengling, founder of the Emporium of Wonders. He adopts Bolt and Eleanor, who travel by train across the vast, sometimes brutal American frontier with their new family, watching as the exhibitions spark amazement wherever they go. But as Bolt falls in deeper with their new clan, he finds Eleanor pulling further away from him. And when Uncle Charlie picks up their trail, the twins find themselves facing a peril that will forever alter the trajectory of their lives. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
THE COLONEL AND THE KING: Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, and the Partnership that Rocked the World by Peter Guralnick (Biography)
Audiobook available, read by Jim Meskimen
In early 1955, Colonel Tom Parker heard that an unknown teenager from Memphis had just drawn a crowd of more than 800 people to a Texas schoolhouse and headed south to investigate. Within days, Parker was sending out telegrams and letters to promoters and booking agents: “We have a new boy that is absolutely going to be one of the biggest things in the business in a very short time. His name is ELVIS PRESLEY.” Later that year, after signing with RCA, the young man sent a telegram of his own: “Dear Colonel, Words can never tell you how my folks and I appreciate what you did for me.... I love you like a father.” The close personal bond between Elvis and the Colonel has never been fully portrayed before. Featuring troves of previously unpublished correspondence, THE COLONEL AND THE KING provides a unique perspective on not one but two American originals. Reviewed by Michael Barson.
THE GIRL IN THE GREEN DRESS: A Mystery Featuring Zelda Fitzgerald by Mariah Fredericks (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Marnye Young
New York, 1920. Although she’s newly married to the hottest writer in America, Zelda Fitzgerald is at loose ends while Scott works on his next novel, THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE DAMNED. Meanwhile, Atlanta journalist Morris Markey has arrived in New York and is lost in every way possible. Recently returned from the war and without connections, he hovers at the edge of the city’s revels, unable to hear the secrets that might give him his first big story. When notorious man-about-town Joseph Elwell is found shot through the head, the fortunes of the two southerners collide when they realize they were both among the last to see him alive. Zelda encountered Elwell at the scandalous Midnight Frolic revue on the night of his death, and Markey saw him just hours before with a ravishing mystery woman dressed in green. Markey has his story. Zelda has her next adventure. Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy.
A DARK AND DEADLY JOURNEY: An Evelyne Redfern Mystery by Julia Kelly (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Marisa Calin
When a British Intelligence informant in Portugal mysteriously disappears just after hinting that he has vital information about German plans that could tip the balance of World War II, typist-turned-field agent Evelyne Redfern and her dashingly irksome partner, David Poole, are sent headed to Lisbon to find him. Once they land, Evelyne and David aren't even able to leave the airport, before she discovers one of their fellow aeroplane passengers murdered and uncovers a diary with a clear link between the victim and their missing informant. With their mission in jeopardy before it can truly begin, Evelyne and David fight to keep their cover intact as they descend deeper into the shadows that surround Lisbon’s glittering collection of wealthy expats and dangerous spies. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
THE ROOM OF LOST STEPS by Simon Tolkien (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Thom Rivera
Barcelona 1936. Theo Sterling helps the Anarchist workers defeat the army that is trying to overthrow the democratically elected government, and he is reunited with his true love, Maria. But all too soon, his joy turns to terror as the Anarchists turn on him, led by a rival for Maria’s affection. Lucky to escape with his life, Theo returns to England to study at Oxford. But his heart is in Spain, now torn apart by a bloody civil war, and he is quick to abandon his new life when his old schoolmate, Esmond, offers him the chance to fight the Fascists. He is unprepared for the nightmare of war that crushes his spirit and his hope until, back in Barcelona, Theo is confronted with a final terrible choice that will define his life forever. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE WASP TRAP by Mark Edwards (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by John Hopkins and Anna Burnett
Six friends reunite in London to celebrate the life of their recently deceased ex-employer, a professor who brought them together in 1999 to help build a dating website based on psychological testing. But what is meant to be a night of bittersweet nostalgia soon becomes a twisted and deadly game. The old friends are given an ultimatum: reveal their darkest secrets to the group or pick each other off one by one. It soon becomes clear that their current predicament is related to their shared past. The love questionnaire they helped develop in 1999 for the dating site was also turned into a tool for weeding out psychopaths: The Wasp Trap. This experiment and the other tragic events of that summer long ago may help reveal the truth behind a killer hiding in plain sight. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on September 30th
Below are some notable titles releasing on September 30th that we would like to make you aware of. We will have more on many of these books in the weeks to come. For a list of additional hardcovers and paperbacks available the week of September 29th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
DENIED ACCESS: A Mitch Rapp Novel by Don Bentley (Political Thriller)
Don Bentley completes the trilogy that began with AMERICAN ASSASSIN by taking Mitch Rapp back to his fledgling assassin days, picking up where KILL SHOT ended, on a mission to save the woman he loves amid a CIA showdown with the Russian intelligence services.
THE GIRL FROM DEVIL'S LAKE: A Brady Novel of Suspense by J. A. Jance (Mystery/Thriller)
Arizona County Sheriff Joanna Brady solves her biggest case yet, from a body in the desert to crimes spanning decades and countries, in this latest thrilling installment of J. A. Jance's New York Times bestselling suspense series.
HEART THE LOVER by Lily King (Fiction)
From the New York Times bestselling author of WRITERS & LOVERS comes a magnificent and intimate new novel of desire, friendship and the lasting impact of first love.
I AM YOU by Victoria Redel (Historical Fiction)
This mesmerizing historical novel is a meditation on gender, an ode to artistic creation, and an unforgettable love story that reimagines the life of renowned still-life painter Maria van Oosterwijck during the Dutch Golden Age.
THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTUNE: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery by Richard Osman (Mystery)
Who has time to think about murder when there's a wedding to plan? THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTUNE is the unmissable new mystery in the Thursday Murder Club series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Richard Osman, which is now streaming on Netflix.
IN THE TIME OF FIVE PUMPKINS: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (26) by Alexander McCall Smith (Mystery)
Mma Ramotswe takes on a number of perplexing situations, and while she tries to maintain her usual impartiality, it’s difficult when one of the cases involves someone so close to her heart.
THE IRISH GOODBYE by Heather Aimee O'Neill (Fiction)
In this debut, for fans of J. Courtney Sullivan and Mary Beth Keane, three adult sisters grapple with a shared tragedy over a Thanksgiving weekend as they try to heal strained family bonds through the passage of time.
THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES by Chanel Cleeton (Historical Fiction)
A mysterious book with a legacy spanning from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day unites three women --- and their secrets --- in this unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton.
PICKET LINE: The Lost Novella by Elmore Leonard (Historical Fiction)
PICKET LINE is Elmore Leonard's never-before-published, prescient story of a budding agricultural strike in Texas, the racial tension brewing in the fields, and what happens when brutality from “the man” goes unchecked.
PICTURES OF HIM by Clare Leslie Hall (Domestic Thriller/Romantic Suspense)
Previously published as HIM under Clare Empson
From the author of BROKEN COUNTRY comes a dark and suspenseful thriller about the consequences of one woman’s doomed love affair that, years later, threatens to tear her seemingly perfectly world apart.
THE PORTRAIT by Danielle Steel (Romance)
A gifted portrait artist and a high-powered subject confront past wounds to embrace new love in this poignant novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel.
TRULY by Lionel Richie (Memoir)
As a storyteller second to none, Lionel Richie is ready to tell it all. In this intimate, deeply candid memoir, Lionel revisits hilarious and harrowing events to inspire all who doubt themselves or feel their dreams don’t matter.
WHAT STALKS THE DEEP by T. Kingfisher (Gothic Horror/Dark Fantasy)
WHAT STALKS THE DEEP is the next installment in T. Kingfisher's New York Times bestselling Sworn Soldier series, featuring Alex Easton investigating the dark, mysterious depths of a coal mine in America.
Click here to see the latest “On Sale This Week” newsletter.
Carol's In-Person Events Schedule
From left to right: Patricia Cornwell, Janice Hallett, J. A. Jance
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are six upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Tuesday, September 30th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Ann Cleeves for a live virtual discussion of THE KILLING STONES --- which marks the eagerly awaited return of her beloved detective Jimmy Perez from the Shetland series --- as part of their B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. Ann will be in conversation with the New York Times bestselling author of the V.I. Warshawski series, Sara Paretsky.
Wednesday, October 1st at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Meagan Church about her new novel, THE MAD WIFE, a haunting exploration of identity, motherhood, and the suffocating grip of societal expectations that will leave you questioning the lives we build --- and the lies we live.
Wednesday, October 1st at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: J. A. Jance will talk about her new book, THE GIRL FROM DEVIL'S LAKE, which finds Arizona County Sheriff Joanna Brady solving her biggest case yet --- from a body in the desert to crimes spanning decades and countries.
Thursday, October 2nd at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome New York Times bestselling author S. D. House for a live virtual discussion of DEAD MAN BLUES --- a gripping historical crime novel set in the South that pulls the past into the present --- as part of their B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. S. D. will be in conversation with the New York Times bestselling author of A LAND MORE KIND THAN HOME, Wiley Cash.
Thursday, October 2nd at 4pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Janice Hallett will talk about her latest novel, THE KILLER QUESTION, an edge-of-your-seat mystery that takes place at a pub’s weekly trivia night, revealed through quiz categories, phone messages and email correspondence.
Thursday, October 2nd at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's presents Patricia Cornwell as she discusses her latest Scarpetta novel, SHARP FORCE, with Dan Aykroyd. A serial killer wreaks havoc on Northern Virginia, appearing as a ghostly apparition before striking --- and Kay Scarpetta must avoid becoming their next victim.
"Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts
“Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers long-form, in-depth author interviews. For years, Carol has moderated book festivals and author events around the country. But we know that readers often do not live where they can attend an author event. Our goal is to bring these author interviews to readers, wherever they may be. Watch on video, or listen as a podcast. (The podcasts include audio excerpts.)
Here is our latest interview:
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll:
September Paperback Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following titles releasing in paperback in September have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
-
THE AUTHOR’S GUIDE TO MURDER by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White
-
BATTLE MOUNTAIN: A Joe Pickett Novel, by C. J. Box
-
THE BLUE HOUR by Paula Hawkins
-
BONE OF THE BONE: Essays on America by a Daughter of the Working Class, by Sarah Smarsh
-
A CHRISTMAS DUET by Debbie Macomber
-
THE CITY AND ITS UNCERTAIN WALLS written by Haruki Murakami, translated by Philip Gabriel
-
CLIVE CUSSLER DESOLATION CODE: A Novel from the NUMA Files, by Graham Brown
-
ENTITLEMENT by Rumaan Alam
-
FIRE AND BONES: A Temperance Brennan Novel, by Kathy Reichs
-
GOING HOME IN THE DARK by Dean Koontz
-
THE GREAT HIPPOPOTAMUS HOTEL: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (25) by Alexander McCall Smith
-
GUIDE ME HOME: A Highway 59 Novel, by Attica Locke
-
THE HOUSE OF CROSS: An Alex Cross Thriller, by James Patterson
-
INTERMEZZO by Sally Rooney
-
THE LIFE IMPOSSIBLE by Matt Haig
-
THE MEDICI RETURN: A Cotton Malone Novel, by Steve Berry
-
MIDNIGHT AND BLUE: An Inspector Rebus Novel, by Ian Rankin
-
PLAYGROUND by Richard Powers
-
QUEEN MACBETH by Val McDermid
-
A REASON TO SEE YOU AGAIN by Jami Attenberg
-
THE REST IS MEMORY by Lily Tuck
-
REVENGE OF THE TIPPING POINT: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering, by Malcolm Gladwell
-
THE SECOND COMING by Garth Risk Hallberg
-
THE SEQUEL by Jean Hanff Korelitz
-
SHE-WOLVES: The Untold History of Women on Wall Street, by Paulina Bren
-
SHRED SISTERS by Betsy Lerner
-
THAT LIBRARIAN: The Fight Against Book Banning in America, by Amanda Jones
-
WE’RE ALONE: Essays, by Edwidge Danticat
-
THE WOMEN BEHIND THE DOOR by Roddy Doyle
-
YOU LIKE IT DARKER: Stories, by Stephen King
-
None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, October 3rd at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You've Read --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve read with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from September 19th to October 3rd at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of HEART THE LOVER by Lily King and THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTUNE: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery by Richard Osman.
To make sure other readers will be able to find the books you write about, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For rules and guidelines, click here.
- To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
|
