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Spring and Snow: This Year These Words Go Together
I like snow. A lot. I even like a lot of snow. But when the snow this week thwarted my plans to go to Philadelphia for the Public Library Association Conference on Wednesday, I found myself reconsidering my snow fan position. Instead of going to great events all day, I was writing and fielding calls. Our staff all worked from home, and I found myself really missing the snow days when the boys were young and I would race between my office, the kitchen making brownies and hot chocolate (snow days had a chocolate theme), and tossing clothes in the dryer. Yes, Wednesday was a super productive day with zero interruptions, but I missed those.
Parents were lamenting their children being home for the day, as well as the fact that spring break was eroding before their eyes to ensure that school has the magical 180 days mandated in New Jersey --- which makes me very happy that we are beyond the tenor of the school system. I wanted to say, "Enjoy the interruptions; they will end!"
With hopes of spring arriving, I spent part of this week pulling down the last vestiges of winter that are around the house, including holly in vases, candles with wintry smells, and a stray wooden snowman or two. I have my eye on a couple of spectacular purple hydrangea plants that can go in the planters where the amaryllis bulbs were plucked from this week and hidden away for fall planting. My Christmas cactus is very confused; it actually bloomed again.
I have been listening to Sally Hepworth’s THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR. I am a huge fan of Sally’s and was lamenting that I had not read it yet when our review came out last week. (One reason I was looking forward to driving to Philly was to have some concentrated listening time, though Greg reminded me that getting to New York with traffic takes as long as driving to Philly; a dinner event with Simon Winchester and Beatriz Williams was another.) I am just about halfway finished with THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR and feel my latest Sally Hepworth Bets On brewing. Stay tuned for that! And I wish she would visit from Australia, as she is an author I would like to meet. Wait, it's summer in Australia; maybe I should head there.
Neuroscientist and bestselling author Lisa Genova --- who has been called the Oliver Sacks of fiction and the Michael Crichton of brain science --- infuses her novels with stories of how the brain works. Her latest book, EVERY NOTE PLAYED, is no exception. This time, she turns her attention to ALS, which her main character, an accomplished concert pianist named Richard, is battling. When he becomes increasingly paralyzed and is no longer able to live on his own, his ex-wife Karina becomes his reluctant caretaker. As Richard’s muscles, voice and breath fade, both he and Karina try to reconcile their past before it’s too late.
Our very own Rebecca Munro has our review and says, "[I]n true Genova fashion, EVERY NOTE PLAYED is as full of hope as it is of heartbreak. Undoubtedly this is a book that will make you cry, but it also will make you think of ALS and its victims long after you have finished reading." We have a Q&A with Lisa about the book that you can read here, along with a discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com. And be sure to check out my Bets On commentary in next week’s newsletter. Lisa has done a brilliant job with this book, both in capturing the trauma of ALS and its toll on the loved ones of the person afflicted.
We’re giving away the audio version of EVERY NOTE PLAYED, read by Dennis Boutsikaris and Dagmara Dominczyk, along with J.A. Jance's DUEL TO THE DEATH: An Ali Reynolds Mystery, read by Karen Ziemba, in this month’s Sounding Off on Audio contest. Submit your comments about the audiobooks you’ve listened to, and you’ll have a chance to win both prizes. Be sure to enter by Monday, April 2nd at noon ET. We’re pleased to share with you an excerpt from EVERY NOTE PLAYED read by each of the narrators here and here (Lisa handpicked both clips), along with an audio interview with Lisa about the audiobook.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include THE BISHOP’S PAWN by Steve Berry, which takes us back to former Justice Department agent Cotton Malone’s first case, which revolves around the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.; Anna Quindlen’s new novel, ALTERNATE SIDE, in which the tensions in a tight-knit neighborhood --- and a seemingly happy marriage --- are exposed by an unexpected act of violence; and THE RECIPE BOX, which I wrote about in last week’s newsletter and is the latest novel from Viola Shipman (the pen name for Wade Rouse), who spins the tale of a lost young woman and the family recipe box that changes her life. I love THE RECIPE BOX; it has a lot of heart.
THE BISHOP’S PAWN and ALTERNATE SIDE are our current Word of Mouth prize books. Let us know by Friday, March 30th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win both novels.
Our latest New Release Spotlight title is TOMORROW, a genre-bending novel from debut author Damian Dibben. Tomorrow is a dog who must travel through the courts and battlefields of Europe --- and through the centuries --- in search of the man who granted him immortality. His adventures take him to the London Frost Fair, the strange court of King Charles I, the wars of the Spanish succession, Versailles, the golden age of Amsterdam and 19th-century Venice. Tomorrow befriends both animals and humans, falls in love (only once), marvels at the human ability to make music, despairs at their capacity for war, and gains insight into both the strength and frailties of the human spirit. But Tomorrow’s journey is also a race against time. Danger stalks his path, and in the shadows lurks an old enemy.
Continuing this week is our NEW Fiction Author Spotlight & Contest for WE OWN THE SKY by debut novelist Luke Allnutt, a triumphant story about love, loss and finding hope against all odds. The book doesn’t release until April 3rd, but we’re giving 30 readers the opportunity to win an advance copy and give us their feedback on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, March 29th at noon ET.
In this week’s Spring Preview contests, we gave away BARBED WIRE HEART by Tess Sharpe, the aforementioned THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR by Sally Hepworth, IF I DIE TONIGHT by Alison Gaylin, and SOMETIMES I LIE by Alice Feeney, the latter of which is my latest Bets On pick. Next week’s prizes will be THE BRIGHTEST SUN by Adrienne Benson, DEAD GIRL RUNNING by Christina Dodd, THE LITTLE FRENCH BISTRO by Nina George, and PROVIDENCE by Caroline Kepnes. The first contest of the week will go live on Monday, March 26th at noon ET.
Our poll continues to ask which of 20 paperbacks releasing this month, if any, you have read or are planning to read. Click here to cast your votes!
Last weekend was the Montclair Literary Festival, and our reader Nancy attended four lively panel discussions featuring such authors as Jonathan Santlofer, Christina Baker Kline, Min Jin Lee and Miranda Beverly-Whittemore. Nancy was kind enough to share her thoughts with us about her two favorite sessions, which you can read all about here.
Tayari Jones has been touring the country discussing AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE, which is a recent Oprah's Book Club selection. You can see her talking about it on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" here.
As I mentioned in last week's newsletter, Tara Westover is going to be the author guest at a "Big Ideas Night" at Random House this Tuesday the 27th. She will be discussing her instant New York Times bestseller EDUCATED (which was a Bets On selection) with another bestselling author, Amy Chua. I will be there and am so looking forward to this. Click here for more info about the event and to get your tickets. I hope to see some of you there!
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
In my quest for baguette bread pans, I got this advice from Loretta: "My fave bread pans are the Emile Henry that you can get for baguettes through the King Arthur website. Have fun!”
Nancy wrote, “Love your weekly newsletter! I've never ventured into the world of baking bread, but your comments about your sourdough starter reminded me of the novel SOURDOUGH by Robin Sloan.” Hmmmmm…I have that somewhere.
Sourdough Bread: My first foray was good, but it clearly needed more work. Greg noted that breadmaking is an art, and it does not come easily. I feel like this is a new craft.
New Author-Owned Bookstore: Alex George, the novelist and founder of the Unbound Book Festival in Columbia, Missouri, is opening a bookstore. You can read about it here.
"The Chi": I finished screening this Showtime series, set in South Central Chicago. I found myself fully vested in the characters and the way their stories were woven together. The plot unfolded well.
"Billions": It’s back this week on Showtime, and it’s again a show that really has chops. It’s quick, and the writing is sharp. Bobby Axelrod is the kingpin everyone wants to hate.
"The Americans": The final season kicks off on FX this week.
"The Assassination of Gianni Versace": The finale was a trainwreck that deviated a lot from the book; the rest of the series was well done.
"Divorce": I have tried watching Season Two, but I am not getting the appeal of it or Sarah Jessica Parker in this role.
"Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby": I'm really enjoying this BBC series on Netflix. And yes, I want to swim in the rooftop pool in the hotel in Singapore featured in the first segment.
NCAA Tournament: My fave part of the NCAA tournament is Charles Barkley; I love his deadpan one-liners. There have been some great games; I hope that continues. I have not picked a favorite yet.
Mercury went retrograde at 7pm ET last night and is locked there until 5:21am on April 15th. Longtime readers know what this means; new readers, check this out.
I just looked on the bookshelf and saw a vintage metal sign that I bought years ago on the Outer Banks that says “Candy Canes, 3 cents,” which somehow missed my dewinterizing. Let me run and grab that now. You can see it above.
Read on, and have a great week.
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who are doing online shopping, if you use the store links below, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases. We would appreciate your considering this!
An Interview with Lisa Genova,
Author of EVERY NOTE PLAYED
A Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
Lisa Genova is a neuroscientist whose bestselling novels --- STILL ALICE, LEFT NEGLECTED, LOVE ANTHONY and INSIDE THE O'BRIENS --- revolve around people living with neurological diseases and disorders. Her latest book, EVERY NOTE PLAYED, is no exception, as an accomplished concert pianist battles ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) while trying to make amends with his ex-wife before time runs out. In this interview, Genova talks about how Richard Glatzer, who wrote and directed the film version of STILL ALICE and died of complications from ALS, served as the inspiration for this novel. She also describes her meticulous writing process, speaks fondly of the many individuals who informed her intensive research, and explains what she would like readers to take away from EVERY NOTE PLAYED.
EVERY NOTE PLAYED by Lisa Genova (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Dennis Boutsikaris and Dagmara Dominczyk
An accomplished concert pianist, Richard now has ALS, and his entire right arm is paralyzed. Three years ago, Karina removed their framed wedding picture from the living room wall and hung a mirror there instead. But she still hasn’t moved on. Karina is paralyzed by excuses and fear, stuck in an unfulfilling life as a piano teacher, afraid to pursue the path she abandoned as a young woman, blaming Richard and their failed marriage for all of it. When Richard becomes increasingly paralyzed and is no longer able to live on his own, Karina becomes his reluctant caretaker. As Richard’s muscles, voice and breath fade, both he and Karina try to reconcile their past before it’s too late. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
EVERY NOTE PLAYED will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. You can read Carol’s commentary in next week’s newsletter.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read a review.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read the interview.
Featured Review: THE BISHOP’S PAWN by Steve Berry
THE BISHOP’S PAWN by Steve Berry (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Scott Brick
History notes that the ugly feud between J. Edgar Hoover and Martin Luther King, Jr., marked by years of illegal surveillance and the accumulation of secret files, ended on April 4, 1968 when King was assassinated by James Earl Ray. But that may not have been the case. Now, 50 years later, former Justice Department agent Cotton Malone must reckon with the truth of what really happened that fateful day in Memphis. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read the review.
Featured Review: ALTERNATE SIDE by Anna Quindlen
ALTERNATE SIDE by Anna Quindlen (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Ellen Archer
Some days, Nora Nolan thinks that she and her husband, Charlie, lead a charmed life --- except when there’s a crisis at work, a leak in the roof at home, or a problem with their twins at college. And why not? New York City was once Nora’s dream destination, and her clannish dead-end block has become a safe harbor, a tranquil village amid the urban craziness. The owners watch one another’s children grow up. They use the same handyman. They trade gossip and gripes, and they maneuver for the ultimate status symbol: a spot in the block’s small parking lot. Then one morning, Nora returns from her run to discover that a terrible incident has shaken the neighborhood, and the enviable dead-end block turns into a potent symbol of a divided city. Reviewed by Katherine B. Weissman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read the review.
Featured Review: THE RECIPE BOX by Viola Shipman
THE RECIPE BOX by Viola Shipman (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Susan Bennett
Samantha “Sam” Mullins felt trapped on her family’s orchard and pie shop, so she left with dreams of making her own mark in the world. But life as an overworked, undervalued sous chef at a reality star’s New York bakery is not what Sam dreamed. When the chef embarrasses Sam, she quits and returns home. Unemployed, single and defeated, she spends a summer working on her family’s orchard cooking and baking alongside the women in her life --- including her mother, Deana, and grandmother, Willo. One beloved, flour-flecked, ink-smeared recipe at a time, Sam begins to learn about and understand the women in her life, her family’s history, and her passion for food through their treasured recipe box. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to visit Viola Shipman's website.
Click here to read the review.
Fiction Author Spotlight & Contest:
WE OWN THE SKY by Luke Allnutt
Our brand-new Fiction Author Spotlight features new and upcoming fiction titles that don't fall into a specific genre category, like many of our other Author Spotlights do. You may or may not be familiar with some of these authors, but all have written stories that we hope will entertain you, inspire you and make you think. There’s fiction here for all kinds of tastes, so leave it up to us to lead the way!
Our first Fiction Author Spotlight title is WE OWN THE SKY by Luke Allnutt, a tender and heartrending, but ultimately life-affirming, debut novel that will resonate deeply with anyone who has suffered loss or experienced great love. We have 30 advance copies to give away to readers who would like to read the book, which releases on April 3rd, and share their comments on it. To enter, please fill out this form by Thursday, March 29th at noon ET.
WE OWN THE SKY by Luke Allnutt (Fiction)
Rob Coates feels like he’s won the lottery of life. There is Anna, his incredible wife, their London town house and, most precious of all, Jack, their son, who makes every day an extraordinary adventure. But when a devastating illness befalls his family, Rob’s world begins to unravel. Suddenly finding himself alone, Rob seeks solace in photographing the skyscrapers and clifftops he and Jack used to visit. And just when it seems that all hope is lost, Rob embarks on the most unforgettable of journeys to find his way back to life, and forgiveness.
WE OWN THE SKY is a tender, heartrending, but ultimately life-affirming novel that will resonate deeply with anyone who has suffered loss or experienced great love. With stunning eloquence and acumen, Luke Allnutt has penned a soaring debut and a true testament to the power of love, showing how even the most thoroughly broken heart can learn to beat again.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Luke Allnutt’s bio.
- Click here to visit Luke Allnutt’s website.
- Click here to connect with Luke Allnutt on Twitter.
Click here to read more in our Fiction Author Spotlight and enter the contest.
New Release Spotlight: TOMORROW by Damian Dibben
TOMORROW by Damian Dibben (Historical Fantasy)
Audiobook available, read by George Blagden
TOMORROW tells the story of a 217-year-old “give or take a year or so” dog traveling in search of his lost master.
His adventures take him through the London Frost Fair, the strange court of King Charles I, the wars of the Spanish succession, Versailles and the world of the Sun-King, and to 19th-century Venice. As he travels through Europe, he befriends both animals and humans, falls in love (only once), marvels at the human ability to make music, despairs at their capacity for war, and gains insight into both the strength and frailties of the human spirit.
With the rich historical vision of JONATHAN STRANGE & MR. NORRELL and the captivating canine perspective of A DOG'S PURPOSE, TOMORROW draws us into a unique, century-spanning tale of the unbreakable connection between dog and human.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Damian Dibben’s bio.
- Click here to visit Damian Dibben’s website.
- Connect with Damian Dibben on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click here to read more in our New Release Spotlight.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
SOMETIMES I LIE by Alice Feeney
SOMETIMES I LIE by Alice Feeney (Psychological Thriller)
I both listened to and read SOMETIMES I LIE by Alice Feeney. The narrator, Stephanie Racine, is a very strong performer, and she had my attention from her opening lines. Here's the setup for the novel: "My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me. 1. I’m in a coma. 2. My husband doesn't love me anymore. 3. Sometimes I lie." The storyline moves from present day (opening on Boxing Day, December 26th) to the weeks before Amber's accident. Also, entries from her childhood diary are sprinkled in here, giving the listener/reader even more to ponder. The pace is brisk; you do need to pay attention to the time frame if you are listening. The pieces of the story are very carefully woven together. I would love to know how Alice constructed the story.
While I am a tad tired of unreliable narrators (this is one very large category of thrillers these days, and many let me down), the way Alice twists things around in the last quarter of the book definitely had me perked up. It was like I was on a rollercoaster. As I was reading it, I got two notes about the audiobook from our readers. Nancy told me, “I'd almost encourage you to read the last quarter of the book; so much happens so quickly and with such surprise that your head will spin. I don't want you to miss any of it. Of course, you can finish the audio and then pick up the book later.” Then Donna wrote, “I just had to write and tell you how captivated I was by the audio of SOMETIMES I LIE. I haven’t listened to audiobooks in years, but I have a long drive to work now and started this audio advance copy on a lark. I cannot wait to read the print copy to see where I missed hints at what was to happen. I’m telling everyone to put this on their TBR. Thought it was marvelous, absolutely loved the narrator. Cannot wait to hear your thoughts.”
I was halfway through the audio, read the second half, and they are right. So much happened so fast that I went back to listening to the audio to hear the clues that I missed. I am glad I am not alone in this! I THINK I have it figured out, but I am not 100% sure. This book WILL be talked about, and I am glad I finally can talk about it with others. I cannot tell you much more, as the story really needs to unfold for you for it to work. I will share this: A friend told me she enjoyed listening to it so much that she took the long way home at night, and more than once she sat in the car continuing to listen. I need to get her turned on to digital audio so she is not tethered to her car, but rather can just stay up all night listening.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read a review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here for more books we're betting you'll love.
Bookreporter.com's Seventh Annual
Spring Preview Contests and Feature
Spring is in the air! We’ve caught the fever --- and it’s being fueled by some wonderful new and upcoming releases. Our seventh annual Spring Preview Contests and Feature spotlights many of these picks, which we know people will be talking about over the next few months. We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through April 20th. You will need to check the site to see the featured book and enter to win. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce each title, which you can sign up for here.
Our next prize book will be announced on Monday, March 26th at noon ET.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
What’s New This Month on ReadingGroupGuides.com
We currently have FOUR contests running on ReadingGroupGuides.com:
Enter to Win 12 Copies of AUNTIE POLDI AND THE SICILIAN LIONS by Mario Giordano for Your Group
AUNTIE POLDI AND THE SICILIAN LIONS is Mario Giordano's first novel translated into English (courtesy of John Brownjohn) and is the opening installment of a series starring Auntie Poldi, Sicily’s newest amateur sleuth. We are celebrating its U.S. release with a special contest that will give three readers the chance to win 12 copies of the book for their group. Enter here by Wednesday, April 18th at noon ET.
Enter to Win 12 Copies of THE BRIGHTEST SUN by Adrienne Benson for Your Group
We are celebrating the release of THE BRIGHTEST SUN by Adrienne Benson --- an illuminating debut following three women in sub-Saharan Africa as they search for home and family --- with a special contest that will give three readers the chance to win 12 copies of the book for their group. Enter here by Wednesday, April 18th at noon ET.
Enter to Win 10 Advance Copies of THE LITTLE CLAN by Iris Martin Cohen for Your Group
We are celebrating the April 17th release of Iris Martin Cohen's debut novel, THE LITTLE CLAN --- a love letter to classic literature and an illuminating look at newfound adulthood --- with a special contest that will give five groups the chance to win 10 advance copies of the book. Enter here by Wednesday, April 4th at noon ET.
"What's Your Book Group Reading This Month?": Win 12 Copies of EXIT WEST by Mohsin Hamid for Your Group
Each month in our "What's Your Book Group Reading This Month" contest, we ask book groups to share the titles they are reading that month and rate them. From all entries, three winners will be selected, and each will win 12 copies of that month’s prize book for their group. This month's prize book is EXIT WEST by Mohsin Hamid, which is March’s pick for the PBS NewsHour-New York Times book club “Now Read This.” Now available in paperback, this finalist for the Man Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Awards is an astonishingly visionary love story that imagines the forces that drive ordinary people from their homes into the uncertain embrace of new lands. Enter here by Wednesday, April 4th at noon ET.
Here are our latest featured guides:
Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:
Click here to visit ReadingGroupGuides.com.
THE TEMPTATION OF FORGIVENESS: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery by Donna Leon (Mystery)
Audiobook available, narrated by David Colacci
Surprised, if not dismayed, to discover from his superior, Vice-Questore Patta, that leaks are emanating from the Questura, Commissario Guido Brunetti is surprised more consequentially by the appearance of a friend of his wife’s, fearful that her son is using drugs and hopeful Brunetti can somehow intervene. When Tullio Gasparini, the woman’s husband, is found unconscious and with a serious brain injury at the foot of a bridge in Venice after midnight, Brunetti is drawn to pursue a possible connection to the boy’s behavior. But the truth, as Brunetti has experienced so often, is not straightforward. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
DUEL TO THE DEATH: An Ali Reynolds Mystery by J.A. Jance (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Karen Ziemba
After taking down the man responsible for his best friend’s death, Stuart Ramey thinks the case is finally closed. That is, until Stu finds himself left with a multimillion dollar fortune in Bitcoin in a desperate bid by Frigg, a rogue A.I. program created by the killer, to keep itself from being fully deactivated. To sort out his situation and take Frigg down for good, Stu enlists the help of Ali Reynolds and the rest of his cyber security colleagues at High Noon Enterprises. But they are not the only ones who know about Frigg’s existence. Graciella Miramar is the right-hand woman to El Pescado, the leader of a dangerous drug cartel, and she’ll do anything to get her hands on that program. Reviewed by Roz Shea.
THE THIRD VICTIM by Phillip Margolin (Legal Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Therese Plummer
A battered and bound woman stumbles onto a dark road in rural Oregon, and tells a horrific story about being kidnapped, then tortured, until she finally managed to escape. She identifies the house where she was held captive, and the owner, Alex Mason --- a prominent local attorney --- is arrested. Although he loudly insists upon his innocence, his wife’s statements about his sexual sadism and the physical evidence found at the scene are damning. Regina Barrister, a legendary criminal defense attorney, has a secret, one that threatens her skill, her reputation and, most of all, her clients. And she’s agreed to take on the seemingly impossible task of defending Alex Mason. Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum.
HIGH WHITE SUN by J. Todd Scott (Thriller)
Audiobook available, narrated by T. Ryder Smith
In the wake of Sheriff Stanford Ross' death, former deputy Chris Cherry --- now Sheriff Cherry --- struggles to escape the long, dark shadow of that infamous lawman. But it's only when a local Rio Grande guide is murdered, and new deputies America Reynosa and Ben Harper’s ongoing investigation is swept aside by a secretive federal agent, that the novice sheriff truly understands just how tenuous his hold on that badge really is. And as other new threats emerge, nothing can prepare Chris for the high cost of crossing dangerous men such as John Wesley Earl, a high-ranking member of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, or Thurman Flowers, a part-time pastor and full-time white supremacist. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
CLOSER THAN YOU KNOW by Brad Parks (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Emily Rankin
One Tuesday evening, Melanie Barrick goes to pick up her son, Alex, from childcare only to discover he's been removed by Social Services. Her nightmare mushrooms when she arrives home to learn her house has been raided by sheriff's deputies, who have found enough cocaine to send Melanie to prison for years. Meanwhile, assistant commonwealth's attorney Amy Kaye --- who has been assigned Melanie's case --- has her own troubles. She's been dogged by a cold case no one wants her to pursue: a serial rapist who has avoided detection by wearing a mask and whispering his commands. Over the years, he has victimized dozens of women. Including Melanie. Yet now her attacker might be the key to her salvation…or her undoing. Reviewed by Gabriella Mayer.
THE LAST STAND by Mickey Spillane (Hard-boiled Mystery)
When legendary mystery writer Mickey Spillane died in 2006, he left behind the manuscript of one last novel he'd just completed: THE LAST STAND. He asked his friend and colleague (and fellow Mystery Writers of America Grand Master) Max Allan Collins to take responsibility for finding the right time and place to publish this final book. Now, on the 100th anniversary of Spillane's birth, his millions of fans will at last get to read THE LAST STAND, together with a second never-before-published work, this one from early in Spillane's career: the feverish crime novella A BULLET FOR SATISFACTION. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
THE FLICKER OF OLD DREAMS by Susan Henderson (Fiction)
Mary Crampton has spent all of her 30 years in the small Western town of Petroleum. Living at home, she works as the embalmer in her father’s mortuary. Though some townsfolk pretend that the community is thriving, the truth is that Petroleum is crumbling away --- a process that began 20 years ago when an accident in the grain elevator killed a beloved high school athlete. Robert Golden, the victim’s younger brother, was widely blamed for the tragedy and shipped off to live elsewhere. Now, out of the blue, Robert has returned to care for his terminally ill mother. After Mary strikes up an unlikely friendship with him, she finally begins to consider what might happen if she dared to leave Petroleum. Reviewed by Dunja Bonacci Skenderović.
BLOOD OF THE FOUR by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon (Dark Fantasy/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Khristine Hvam
In the great kingdom of Quandis, everyone is a slave. A young woman of stunning ambition, Princess Phela refuses to allow a few obstacles to stand in the way of claiming ultimate power and glory for herself. Far below the royals are the Bajuman. Poor and oppressed, members of this wretched caste have but two paths out of servitude: the priesthood or death. Because magic has been kept at bay in Quandis, royals and Bajuman have lived together in an uneasy peace for centuries. But Princess Phela’s desire for power will disrupt the realm’s order, setting into motion a series of events that will end with her becoming a goddess in her own right…or ultimately destroying Quandis and all its inhabitants. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
CLOSE TO HOME by Cara Hunter (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Lee Ingleby and Emma Cunniffe
When eight-year-old Daisy Mason vanishes from her family’s Oxford home during a costume party, Detective Inspector Adam Fawley knows that nine times out of 10, the offender is someone close to home. And Daisy’s family is certainly strange --- her mother is obsessed with keeping up appearances, while her father is cold and defensive under questioning. And then there’s Daisy’s little brother, so withdrawn and uncommunicative. DI Fawley works against the clock to find any trace of the little girl, but it’s as if she disappeared into thin air --- no one saw anything; no one knows anything. But everyone has an opinion, and everyone, it seems, has a secret to conceal. Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on March 26th and 27th
Below are some notable titles releasing on March 26th and 27th 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 releasing the week of March 26th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
March 26th
RED ALERT: An NYPD Red Mystery by James Patterson and Marshall Karp (Mystery/Thriller)
The richest of New York's rich gather at the Pierre's Cotillion Room to raise money for those less fortunate. The mayor --- with Detectives Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald of the elite NYPD Red task force providing security --- is on hand to applaud the Silver Bullet Foundation's new plan for public housing. A fatal blast rocks the room, stirring up horrifying memories of 9/11. Is the explosion an act of terrorism --- or a homicide?
March 27th
THE DISAPPEARED: A Joe Pickett Novel by C. J. Box (Mystery/Thriller)
A prominent female British executive never came home from the high-end guest ranch she was visiting, and the British Embassy is pressing hard. At the same time, Joe Pickett's friend Nate Romanowski has asked him to intervene with the feds on behalf of falconers who can no longer hunt with eagles, even though their permits are in order. The more Joe investigates both cases, the more someone wants him to go away.
I WAS ANASTASIA by Ariel Lawhon (Historical Thriller)
Russia, July 17, 1918: Under direct orders from Vladimir Lenin, Bolshevik secret police force Anastasia Romanov, along with the entire imperial family, into a damp basement in Siberia where they face a merciless firing squad. None survive. At least that is what the executioners have always claimed. Germany, February 17, 1920: A young woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Anastasia Romanov is pulled from a canal in Berlin and claims to be the Russian Grand Duchess Anastasia.
JACKRABBIT SMILE: A Hap and Leonard Novel by Joe R. Lansdale (Thriller)
Hap is celebrating his wedding to his longtime girlfriend, Brett (who is also Hap and Leonard's boss), when their backyard barbecue is interrupted by a couple of Pentecostal white supremacists. Judith Mulhaney's daughter, Jackrabbit, has been missing for five years. Despite their misgivings about Judith and her son, Hap and Leonard take the case. It isn't long until they find themselves mixed up in a revivalist cult.
THE OTHER MOTHER by Carol Goodman (Psychological Thriller)
When Daphne Marist is diagnosed with Post Partum Mood Disorder, her downward spiral feels unstoppable --- until she meets Laurel Hobbes, who also has a daughter named Chloe. They immediately form an intense friendship, revealing secrets to one another they thought they’d never share. But Daphne realizes only too late that being friends with Laurel will come at a very shocking price.
TANGERINE by Christine Mangan (Psychological Thriller)
The last person Alice Shipley expected to see since arriving in Tangier with her new husband was Lucy Mason. Lucy helps Alice emerge from her flat and explore the country. But soon a familiar feeling starts to overtake Alice --- she feels controlled and stifled by Lucy at every turn. Then Alice’s husband, John, goes missing, and Alice starts to question everything around her.
TO DIE BUT ONCE: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear (Historical Mystery)
During the months following Britain’s declaration of war on Germany, Maisie Dobbs investigates the disappearance of a young apprentice working on a hush-hush government contract. As news of the plight of thousands of soldiers stranded on the beaches of France is gradually revealed to the general public, another young man beloved by Maisie makes a terrible decision that will change his life forever.
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Our Latest Poll: March Paperback Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following books releasing in paperback this month have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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ALL BY MYSELF, ALONE by Mary Higgins Clark
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ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE by Elizabeth Strout
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CAMINO ISLAND by John Grisham
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THE CHILD by Fiona Barton
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THE CONFESSIONS OF YOUNG NERO by Margaret George
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THE DEVIL AND WEBSTER by Jean Hanff Korelitz
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EARTHLY REMAINS: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery, by Donna Leon
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END GAME by David Baldacci
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THE FALLEN: A Testament Novel, by Eric Van Lustbader
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THE FORCE by Don Winslow
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HAUNTED: A Detective Michael Bennett Thriller, by James Patterson and James O. Born
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I FOUND YOU by Lisa Jewell
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JACKIE’S GIRL: My Life with the Kennedy Family, by Kathy McKeon
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THE LYING GAME by Ruth Ware
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NEVER LET YOU GO by Chevy Stevens
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PROOF OF LIFE: A J. P. Beaumont Novel, by J.A. Jance
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THE RADIUM GIRLS: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women, by Kate Moore
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THE STARS ARE FIRE by Anita Shreve
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THE ULTIMATUM by Karen Robards
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THE WHISPERING ROOM: A Jane Hawk Novel, by Dean Koontz
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None of these
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, March 30th at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You're Reading --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve finished reading with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from March 16th to March 30th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of ALTERNATE SIDE by Anna Quindlen and THE BISHOP'S PAWN by Steve Berry.
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.
Sounding Off on Audio Contest: Tell Us What
You're Listening to --- and You Can Win Two Audiobooks!
Tell us about the audiobooks you’ve finished listening to with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars for both the performance and the content. During the contest period from March 1st to April 2nd at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of J.A. Jance's DUEL TO THE DEATH: An Ali Reynolds Mystery, read by Karen Ziemba, and Lisa Genova's EVERY NOTE PLAYED, read by Dennis Boutsikaris and Dagmara Dominczyk.
To make sure other readers will be able to find the audiobook, please include the full title and correct author names (your entry must include these to be eligible to win). For complete rules and guidelines, click here.
- To see reader comments from previous contest periods, click here.
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