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In our latest "Bookreporter Talks To" interview, Carol chats with Shari Lapena, whose new
domestic thriller, SOMEONE WE KNOW, is now in stores and will be a Bets On pick.
Watch the interview by clicking on the image above.
This week, at a Barnes & Noble event on the Upper West Side, Elyssa Friedland (left) interviewed
Fiona Davis (right) about her just-released novel, THE CHELSEA GIRLS, which will be a Bets On pick.
Carol enjoyed reading Ruth Ware's latest psychological thriller,
THE TURN OF THE KEY, which releases on Tuesday, August 6th.
Click on the image above to see Carol previewing next week's Summer Reading contests,
which kick off Monday at noon ET.
Last Sunday, Carol had to rescue her patio cushions from some unexpected rain.
So she was quite amused to hear from our reader Margy, who shared that in Milwaukee
the weather forecast is accompanied each night by a "Cushion Cast."
Above is Quentin the hedgehog, who belongs to Cory's girlfriend
and is currently staying at Carol's house in Cory's old room.
Put Down the Phone --- My Secret to More Reading!
At our house each day, we get the local newspaper and the Wall Street Journal, and on weekends we get The New York Times. I read most of the news online, but my husband loves a physical paper, and a subscription gets us online access. Each weekend I pull out sections of the paper that I vow I am going to read --- like "Styles" and "Travel" in the Times and "Mansions" in the WSJ. Do I do this? No! So a few weeks ago, I recycled a high pile of yellowed papers, feeling like I was overcoming hoarder tendencies.
Last weekend, I headed outside with a book and a stack of my favorite newspaper sections. And I read all of them. The secret to accomplishing this: I left my phone in the house. There was no looking up recipes, checking social media, reading email and texts, or making calls. I really have a love/hate relationship with my phone.
Oh, and the book I was reading? It was THE TURN OF THE KEY by Ruth Ware, which I thoroughly enjoyed. When it opens, we know that a young woman is in jail, being held for having caused the death of a child. The story is told in her words about taking a job at a posh house on an estate in the middle of nowhere (Ruth loves the middle of nowhere as a setting). It is a “smart home” and is totally programmed. The parents are well-respected architects, and they need someone to be hands-on with their children, as their work takes them away a lot. But nannies do not seem to last there. And why is that? It’s a real one-sit read as readers tumble into the nanny’s world, and the story weaves and turns.
Note that I have been a fan of Ruth since her first book, IN A DARK, DARK WOOD; I was lucky enough to interview her at Book Expo when it was a Buzz book. Such fun! And if you type in "screw" instead of "key," yes, this book is a homage to THE TURN OF THE SCREW. Our review of THE TURN OF THE KEY will run next week.
It was a stunning day on Sunday, so we had all the patio cushions out and decided to leave them out before we headed in for the night. You know where this is going. Around 11:00, I heard a rumble of thunder and thought, That sounds far away. And then another, but I thought there had been nothing in the weather forecast about rain. Well, a few minutes later, there was a HUGE downpour, and I dashed outside to grab cushions like it was a Black Friday sale. I piled them in the kitchen. Now they all are water-resistant, but I was obsessed with getting this done. Margy, one of our readers, shared that in Milwaukee there is a “Cushion Alert” that runs on their weather forecast each night. I love it!
This week, I am happy to share our “Bookreporter Talks To” interview with Shari Lapena. We talk about her latest novel, SOMEONE WE KNOW (an upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On pick), as well as her three other thrillers. We also learn about her inspiration for her books and her writing process. And I brought her favorite writing snack as a surprise. Shari and I had only met to say hi before this interview, so it was great fun to do a deep dive into her work.
We are featuring our review of SOMEONE WE KNOW from Bronwyn Miller, who says, “In Lapena’s tale of secrets and lies, readers are drawn in from the start and captivated right through to its breathless resolution, making SOMEONE WE KNOW the perfect read for fans of Ruth Ware, Megan Miranda and Riley Sager. In addition to beguiling readers, it will, at the very least, send you running to clear your computer search histories.” I so agree with this assessment! My Bets On comments will appear in next week’s newsletter, and you can check out the discussion guide here on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
By the way, I thought it was amusing (and right on the nose) that Bronwyn mentions Ruth Ware in her review, as our two latest Word of Mouth prizes are SOMEONE WE KNOW and THE TURN OF THE KEY. Let us know by Friday, August 16th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win these perfectly paired thrillers.
Our Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight of NEVER HAVE I EVER wraps up this week. In Joshilyn Jackson’s first domestic thriller, a group of women play a harmless drinking game that escalates into a war of dark pasts. According to our reviewer, Rebecca Munro, "This is one of those rare books that gets better and better with each twist, and Jackson strikes the perfect balance between shock and humor while drawing upon heavy, poignant themes that will make for stellar book club conversations." Rebecca also conducted an interview with Joshilyn about the book; click here for the Q&A. NEVER HAVE I EVER will be a Bets On pick; don’t miss my commentary in next week’s newsletter. We also are featuring the discussion guide, which you can take a look at here.
Another future Bets On title that we’re reviewing this week is THE CHELSEA GIRLS, Fiona Davis’ new work of historical fiction --- set in 1950s New York and at the iconic Chelsea Hotel --- about a 20-year friendship that will irrevocably change the lives of two women. Amy Gwiazdowski has our review and says, “I absolutely adored this book --- from the settings to the friendships, and even the betrayals. It made me angry, it made me sad, and it made me laugh. I can’t ask for more than that.” Click here for the discussion guide.
On Tuesday night, I dashed over to Fiona’s launch event at Barnes & Noble on the Upper West Side. It was standing room only and such fun to see authors in the audience, like Lynda Cohen Loigman, Sally Koslow and Lauren Willig. Fiona was fabulous! I recently chatted with her for a “Bookreporter Talks To” interview, which we’re planning to post next week, along with my Bets On commentary.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include CHANCES ARE…, Richard Russo’s first stand-alone novel in 10 years (since 2009’s THAT OLD CAPE MAGIC), in which three men who were college friends in the '60s gather on Martha’s Vineyard to reminisce about life, including the disappearance of a woman on this island back in 1971 (I am listening to the audiobook, narrated by Fred Sanders, and it is so well done); THE RUSSIAN by Ben Coes, which finds covert operative Rob Tacoma having to fight back as the brutal Russian mafia becomes the most powerful and deadly criminal enterprise in the U.S.; and Megan Goldin’s much-talked-about debut novel, THE ESCAPE ROOM, in which four young Wall Street rising stars discover the price of ambition when an escape room challenge turns into a lethal game of revenge (I just started listening to this on audio).
In this week’s Summer Reading contests, we gave away the aforementioned NEVER HAVE I EVER and THE CHELSEA GIRLS, along with THE BOOKSHOP ON THE SHORE by Jenny Colgan and IT'S HOT IN THE HAMPTONS by Holly Peterson. Next week’s prizes will be OUTFOX by Sandra Brown, THE PERFECT WIFE by JP Delaney, SOMEONE KNOWS by Lisa Scottoline (now in paperback), and WHISPER NETWORK by Chandler Baker (a Bets On selection and last month’s Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club pick). The first contest of the week will go live on Monday, August 5th at noon ET.
My latest Bets On title is THE GIFTED SCHOOL by Bruce Holsinger, which we reviewed last month. Click here to see why I’m betting you’ll love this book.
We’ve updated our Books on Screen feature for August. This month’s roundup includes the feature films The Art of Racing in the Rain and Where’d You Go, Bernadette; the season three finale of The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu and the season two finale of “Sweetbitter” on Starz; and the DVD releases of Avengers: Endgame, A Dog's Journey, Tolkien and The Professor and the Madman.
This month’s Sounding Off on Audio contest kicked off this week. Submit your comments about the audiobooks you’ve listened to, and you’ll be in the running to win the audio versions of Laura Lippman's LADY IN THE LAKE, read by Susan Bennett, and Daniel Silva's THE NEW GIRL, read by George Guidall. Please do so by Tuesday, September 3rd at noon ET.
Our poll continues to ask what you typically borrow from the library. Click here to let us know. I read the results of these polls as I am so curious about what you are doing!
News & Pop Culture
Mary Lou wrote about our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Mary Beth Keane. “I have been reading and enjoying the weekly newsletter for years, and loving it. And it continues to please, and grow and expand with the times. I love that. And now, it seems like there is more and more good content in the TBR newsletter, and it takes me much longer to get through it all each Saturday morning. It’s a good thing, trust me. :)
"This week, I thoroughly enjoyed Carol’s video interview with Mary Beth Keane, author of ASK AGAIN, YES. I loved the discussion of the writing process, the difference in depth attainable in first person vs. third person, plus the discussion of the themes of mental illness and alcoholism. Not to mention the ’70s, a decade that I felt for me as my coming of age, where I transitioned from my 20s to my 30s. ASK AGAIN, YES was a gripping read, and I identified with so many of the characters. Anyway, I just wanted to say how much I liked the interview and continue to enjoy the newsletter.” Thanks, Mary Lou! I am enjoying doing these interviews and love hearing when our readers enjoy them too!
Betty wrote this about my comments on "Big Little Lies": “Sometimes I think you can read my mind! Ziggy turned into Sheldon with just a few sentences, a video 'suddenly' appears for Celeste, and Bonnie's mom gets better, then worse, then dies. I agree --- no need for a season three, but I did enjoy Meryl Streep’s creepy portrayal of the mother in-law.” I love that Betty and I channel each other, though we have never met!
We heard from two winners of OUR KIND OF CRUELTY by Araminta Hall in our Summer Reading contests. Barb said, “Thank you so much! I am looking forward to reading this one, and your email just made my day!” Heidi said, “Yay! Thank you so much!”
Here are some of August’s recently announced book club picks:
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Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine: THE LAST HOUSE GUEST by Megan Miranda. I was so excited to see this news, as the book was a Bets On pick and will be a Summer Reading prize title later this month. Click here to read our review.
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Jenna Bush Hager’s “Today” show book club, #ReadWithJenna: PATSY by Nicole Dennis-Benn, which we reviewed a few weeks ago.
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PBS NewsHour-New York Times “Now Read This”: The “Now Read This” book club asked LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE author Celeste Ng to choose a book that she loves and keeps returning to, and recommend it for us all to read. Her selection is THE WOMAN WARRIOR: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts. This 1976 memoir by Maxine Hong Kingston has become a classic in its innovative portrayal of multiple and intersecting identities --- immigrant, female, Chinese, American.
"50 States of True Crime": Here is a New York Times piece about true-crime books set in all 50 states. I loved this and the map that accompanied it, which looks good here and looked even better in the print edition. The latter happens when one takes time to read the print edition!
"She Grew Up in a House Without Books. A Teacher Helped Her Realize She Could Write One Herself.": Another terrific piece from the Times, this one written by the aforementioned Mary Beth Keane about her history with books.
"The Affair": This show has been a train wreck for a few years, and I am not sure why I keep watching. But I am two episodes into previewing the latest season, and I have liked seeing what's happened for Noah and Helen. There is a futuristic storyline with Alison’s daughter, Joanie, that feels a bit woo-woo so far, but I will see where this goes. Supposedly she is going to investigate her mother’s death. Well, someone has to!
I have been eyeing up two skeins of Prism Yarn in my yarn stash here (one is Cool Stuff, the other is Bon Bon) in the colorway Tutti Frutti; I think I have had them for about 15 years. I would love to find more in this “no longer made” colorway. I saw some on eBay, but did not like the look of that weight of yarn. It was suggested that I do some exploring for it on Ravelry; I went deep down that rabbit hole but did not see any for sale. I wrote Laura Bryant, the founder of Prism, because I learned long ago it is better to ask than not! Fingers crossed that she has a skein or two hidden away there, or I wonder if I can commission a dye lot!
My friend Wendy Sheanin from Simon & Schuster spent this afternoon with me at the house where we lunched and talked books. I made gazpacho, and there were corn muffins with blueberries. I forgot to serve the watermelon that I cut up because, of course, it’s summer! I love days like this.
A few people have asked for a photo of Quentin, Cory’s girlfriend’s hedgehog who is currently hanging at our house in Cory’s old room. You can see our easy houseguest above!
Quiet weekend on tap. Greg is headed to a friend’s house for a weekend of off-roading with his Land Rover friends. He is bringing a huge burlap sack of corn and some pies. I am planning to leave my phone in the house again and delve into my book stack. And if I want to keep listening to CHANCES ARE..., there are many weeds still to be pulled! I am sure Tom will play golf, and I will do yoga. It sounds perfect!
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!
Featured Review: SOMEONE WE KNOW by Shari Lapena
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Pick
SOMEONE WE KNOW by Shari Lapena (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Kirsten Potter
In a quiet, leafy suburb in upstate New York, a teenager has been sneaking into houses --- and into the owners' computers as well --- learning their secrets, and maybe sharing some of them, too. Who is he, and what might he have uncovered? After two anonymous letters are received, whispers start to circulate, and suspicion mounts. And when a woman down the street is found murdered, the tension reaches the breaking point. Who killed her? Who knows more than they're telling? And how far will all these very nice people go to protect their own secrets? In this neighborhood, it's not just the husbands and wives who play games. Here, everyone in the family has something to hide. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Shari Lapena.
Click here to read the review.
SOMEONE WE KNOW will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary in next week's newsletter.
Featured Review: CHANCES ARE... by Richard Russo
CHANCES ARE... by Richard Russo (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Fred Sanders
One beautiful September day, three men convene on Martha's Vineyard, friends ever since meeting in college circa the '60s. They couldn't have been more different then, or even today --- Lincoln is a commercial real estate broker, Teddy a tiny-press publisher, and Mickey a musician beyond his rocking age. But each man holds his own secrets, in addition to the monumental mystery that none of them has ever stopped puzzling over since a Memorial Day weekend right here on the Vineyard in 1971: the disappearance of the woman each of them loved --- Jacy Rockafellow. Now, more than 40 years later, as this new weekend unfolds, three lives are displayed in their entirety while the distant past confounds the present like a relentless squall of surprise and discovery. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read the review.
Our Interview with Joshilyn Jackson
and Review of NEVER HAVE I EVER
A Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight Title
and an Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Pick
Joshilyn Jackson’s latest book, NEVER HAVE I EVER, is a twisting novel of domestic suspense in which a group of women play a harmless drinking game that escalates into a war of dark pasts. In this interview, conducted by Bookreporter.com reviewer Rebecca Munro, Jackson talks about the seductive, manipulative beauty at the heart of the story and what makes her so intriguing to the people with whom she comes into contact; explains her decision to have scuba diving be a major passion of her protagonist, small-town housewife Amy Whey; discusses why themes of class, redemption and paying dues to the universe figure so prominently in the plot; and gives us a sneak peek at her next book, TWO TRUTHS AND A LIAR, which is currently in the works.
NEVER HAVE I EVER by Joshilyn Jackson (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Joshilyn Jackson
Amy Whey's sweet, uncomplicated life begins to unravel when the mysterious and alluring Angelica Roux arrives on her doorstep one night. Amy knows that something wicked has come her way --- a she-devil in a pricey red sports car who seems to know the terrible truth about who she is and what she once did. Roux tells Amy that if she doesn’t give her what she asks for --- what she deserves --- she’s going to make Amy pay for her sins. To protect herself and her family, and save the life she’s built, Amy must beat the devil at her own clever game, matching wits with Roux in an escalating war of hidden pasts and unearthed secrets. Amy knows the consequences if she can’t beat Roux. What terrifies her is everything she could lose if she wins. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to read Joshilyn Jackson's bio.
- Click here to visit Joshilyn Jackson's website.
- Connect with Joshilyn Jackson on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
- Click here to see the 25 winners selected to read and comment on the book.
- Click here to read more in our Suspense/Thriller Author Spotlight.
Read the review and interview.
NEVER HAVE I EVER will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary in next week's newsletter.
Featured Review: THE CHELSEA GIRLS by Fiona Davis
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Pick
THE CHELSEA GIRLS by Fiona Davis (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kirsten Potter and Hillary Huber
The Chelsea Hotel has long been New York City's creative oasis for the many artists, writers, musicians, actors, filmmakers and poets who have called it home --- a scene playwright Hazel Riley and actress Maxine Mead are determined to use to their advantage. Yet they soon discover that the greatest obstacle to putting up a show on Broadway has nothing to do with their art, and everything to do with politics. A Red scare is sweeping across America, and Senator Joseph McCarthy has started a witch hunt for Communists. As the pressure builds to name names, it is more than Hazel and Maxine's Broadway dreams that may suffer as they grapple with the terrible consequences, but also their livelihood, their friendship and even their freedom. Reviewed by Amy Gwiazdowski.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read the review.
THE CHELSEA GIRLS will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary in next week's newsletter.
Featured Review: THE RUSSIAN by Ben Coes
THE RUSSIAN by Ben Coes (Political Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Ari Fliakos
The Russian mafia has rapidly taken over the criminal underworld in the U.S. When a powerful Russian mob family declares war by publicly executing two high-profile American politicians, the message is unmistakable --- opposition will be met with overwhelming deadly force. With no other viable options, the President creates a clandestine assassinations team to find and eliminate the unreachable men running this deadly criminal operation. The CIA recruits two Tier 1 operators: former Navy SEALs Billy Cosgrove and Rob Tacoma. But before they can even get started, the Russians murder Cosgrove in his own home. Now Tacoma is on his own against an organization with endless resources and no boundaries. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read the review.
Featured Review: THE ESCAPE ROOM by Megan Goldin
THE ESCAPE ROOM by Megan Goldin (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by January LaVoy and Ramon De Ocampo
Invited to participate in an escape room as a team-building exercise, four ferociously competitive co-workers crowd into the elevator of a high-rise building, eager to prove themselves. But when the lights go off and the doors stay shut, it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary competition: they’re caught in a dangerous game of survival. Trapped in the dark, the colleagues must put aside their bitter rivalries and work together to solve cryptic clues to break free. But as the game begins to reveal the team’s darkest secrets, they realize there’s a price to be paid for the terrible deeds they committed in their ruthless climb up the corporate ladder. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read the review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
THE GIFTED SCHOOL by Bruce Holsinger
THE GIFTED SCHOOL by Bruce Holsinger (Fiction)
I took a look at our review of THE GIFTED SCHOOL by Bruce Holsinger, which prompted me to read it. I love when that happens. In this novel, a school for gifted children is opening in the Denver area, and parents are vying to get their kids in. The moms are much like those we saw in BIG LITTLE LIES. They have befriended each other because of the children, but the competition for these slots is pitting them against one another in that oh-so-special way that privileged folks can twist things up.
When my boys were growing up, I remember sitting at a baseball game, and one of the moms said, “At some point all of these kids are not going to get VG+ on their work, because, being realistic here, they are all not going to Harvard.” It was such a funny line that stayed with me, as when children are young, no one knows who will excel in school, who will do just fine, and who will drift through.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read a review.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
Bookreporter.com's Summer Reading
Contests and Feature
Summer is here! At Bookreporter.com, this means it's time for us to share some great summer book picks with our Summer Reading Contests and Feature. We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through August 23rd, 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 next prize book will be announced on Monday, August 5th at noon ET.
This year’s prize books are:
Click here to read all the contest details.
See the prize books that were awarded in May, June and July,
and that will be awarded in August.
August's Books on Screen Feature
TRUE BELIEVER by Jack Carr (Political Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Ray Porter
When a string of horrific terrorist attacks plagues the Western world during the holiday season, the broader markets fall into a tailspin. The attacks are being coordinated by a shadowy former Iraqi commando who has disappeared into Europe’s underground. The United States government has an asset who can turn the Iraqi against his masters: James Reece, the most-wanted domestic terrorist alive. When a series of events uncovers his whereabouts, the CIA recruits him. Now a reluctant tool of the United States government, Reece travels the globe, targeting terrorist leaders and unraveling a geopolitical conspiracy that exposes a traitorous CIA officer and uncovers a sinister assassination plot with worldwide repercussions. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
THE FLIGHT GIRLS by Noelle Salazar (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Xe Sands
Audrey Coltrane signed up to train military pilots in Hawaii when the war in Europe began. She insists she is not interested in any dream-derailing romantic involvements, even with the disarming Lieutenant James Hart, who fast becomes a friend as treasured as the women she flies with. Then one fateful day, she gets caught in the air over Pearl Harbor just as the bombs begin to fall. To make everything she’s lost count for something, Audrey joins the Women Airforce Service Pilots program. The bonds she forms with her fellow pilots reignite a spark of hope in the face of war, and --- especially when James goes missing in action --- give Audrey the strength to cross the front lines and fight for everything she holds dear. Reviewed by Cindy Burnett.
THE BOOK CHARMER by Karen Hawkins (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Tavia Gilbert, Amanda Ronconi and Sebastian York
Sarah Dove is no ordinary bookworm. To her, books have always been more than just objects: they live, breathe and sometimes even speak. When Sarah grows up to become the librarian in her quaint Southern town of Dove Pond, her gift helps place every book in the hands of the perfect reader. Recently, however, the books have been whispering about something out of the ordinary: the arrival of a displaced city girl named Grace Wheeler. If the books are right, Grace could be the savior that Dove Pond desperately needs. The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents --- Sarah chief among them. Reviewed by Susan Miura.
THE ARRANGEMENT by Robyn Harding (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Amanda Dolan
Natalie, a young art student in New York City, is struggling to pay her bills when a friend makes a suggestion: Why not go online and find a sugar daddy? Though more than 30 years her senior, Gabe, a handsome corporate finance attorney, seems like the perfect candidate. Within a month, they are madly in love. At least Nat is. Gabe already has a family, whom he has no intention of leaving. So when he abruptly ends things, Nat can’t let go. She begins drinking heavily and stalking him. But Gabe is not about to let his sugar baby destroy his perfect life. What was supposed to be a mutually beneficial arrangement devolves into a nightmare of deception, obsession and, when a body is found near Gabe’s apartment, murder. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
GRAVITY IS THE THING by Jaclyn Moriarty (Fiction/Humor)
Audiobook available, read by Aimee Horne
Twenty years ago, Abigail Sorenson’s brother, Robert, went missing one day before her 16th birthday, never to be seen again. That same year, she began receiving scattered chapters in the mail of a self-help manual, the Guidebook, whose anonymous author promised to make her life soar to heights beyond her wildest dreams. The Guidebook’s missives have remained a constant in Abi’s life --- through her family’s grief over her brother’s disappearance, a move across continents, the devastating dissolution of her marriage, and the new beginning as a single mother and café owner in Sydney. Now, two decades after receiving those first pages, Abi is invited to an all-expenses-paid weekend retreat to learn “the truth” about the Guidebook. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL by Michael Robotham (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Joe Jameson
A girl is discovered hiding in a secret room in the aftermath of a terrible crime. Half-starved and filthy, she won’t tell anyone her name or where she came from. Six years later, still unidentified, she is living in a secure children’s home with a new name, Evie Cormac. When she initiates a court case demanding the right to be released as an adult, forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven must determine if Evie is ready to go free. Meanwhile, Cyrus is called in to investigate the shocking murder of a high school figure-skating champion, Jodie Sheehan, who is portrayed by everyone as the ultimate girl-next-door. But as Cyrus peels back the layers, a secret life emerges --- one that Evie Cormac, the girl with no past, knows something about. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
NEVER LOOK BACK by Alison Gaylin (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Jorjeana Marie and James Fouhey
For 13 days in 1976, teenage murderers April Cooper and Gabriel LeRoy terrorized Southern California's Inland Empire, killing a dozen victims before perishing themselves in a fire. Or did they? More than 40 years later, twentysomething podcast producer Quentin Garrison blames his troubled upbringing on the murders. And after a shocking message from a source, he has reason to believe April Cooper may still be alive. Meanwhile, New York City film columnist Robin Diamond is coping with rising doubts about her husband and terrifying threats from internet trolls. But that's nothing compared to the outrageous phone call she gets from Quentin...and a brutal home invasion that makes her question everything she ever believed in. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on August 5th and 6th
Below are some notable titles releasing on August 5th and 6th 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 August 5th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
August 5th
THE INN by James Patterson and Candice Fox (Thriller)
James Patterson's strongest team since the Women's Murder Club are the first responders when their seafront town is targeted by vicious criminals.
August 6th
BARNUM: An American Life by Robert Wilson (Biography)
Robert Wilson has penned the first major biography of P.T. Barnum in a generation, a vivid account of the forefather of American entertainment.
THE BIRTHDAY GIRL by Melissa de la Cruz (Psychological Thriller)
In this thrilling, suspenseful new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz, all of Ellie de Florent-Stinson’s secrets come to light in one eventful evening full of twists, turns and surprises.
CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR by Hallie Ephron (Psychological Thriller)
From the New York Times bestselling author of THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN comes a novel about a professional organizer with a deadly problem she may not be able to clean up.
A DANGEROUS MAN: An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel by Robert Crais (Thriller)
A DANGEROUS MAN is a brilliant new crime novel from the beloved, bestselling and award-winning master of the genre --- and Joe Pike's most perilous case to date.
THE GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz-Age America by Karen Abbott (True Crime)
THE GHOSTS OF EDEN PARK is the epic true crime story of the most successful bootlegger in American history and the murder that shocked the nation.
IS THERE STILL SEX IN THE CITY? by Candace Bushnell (Fiction)
Twenty years after her sharp, seminal first book SEX AND THE CITY reshaped the landscape of pop culture and dating with its fly-on-the-wall look at the mating rituals of the Manhattan elite, the trailblazing Candace Bushnell delivers a new book on the wilds and lows of sex and dating after 50.
OUTFOX by Sandra Brown (Psychological Thriller/Romantic Suspense)
#1 New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown combines heart-stopping suspense and forbidden passion in this psychological thriller about an FBI agent's hunt for a ruthless conman turned serial killer.
THE PERFECT WIFE by JP Delaney (Psychological Thriller)
The perfect life. The perfect love. The perfect lie. From the bestselling author of THE GIRL BEFORE comes a gripping new psychological thriller.
THE TURN OF THE KEY by Ruth Ware (Psychological Thriller)
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of IN A DARK, DARK WOOD, THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10, THE LYING GAME and THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY comes Ruth Ware’s highly anticipated fifth novel.
THE WOMEN OF THE COPPER COUNTRY by Mary Doria Russell (Historical Fiction)
From the bestselling and award-winning author of THE SPARROW comes an inspiring historical novel about “America’s Joan of Arc,” Annie Clements --- the courageous woman who started a rebellion by leading a strike against the largest copper mining company in the world.
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Our Latest Poll: Borrowing from the Library
What do you typically borrow from the library? Please check all that apply.
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Print books
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E-books
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Physical audiobooks
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Digital audiobooks
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DVDs
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Other (Please specify)
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I do not go to the library.
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, August 9th 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 July 26th to August 9th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of SOMEONE WE KNOW by Shari Lapena and THE TURN OF THE KEY by Ruth Ware.
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 August 1st to September 3rd at noon ET, two lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win the audio versions of Laura Lippman's LADY IN THE LAKE, read by Susan Bennett, and Daniel Silva's THE NEW GIRL, read by George Guidall.
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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