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Happy April! For the record, I will take the April showers if they bring the May flowers. Today the temperatures moved into the "more chilly than I would like" zone. Yes, the lettuce plants are still in containers in the kitchen, so it does not freeze.
Last weekend was another great reading weekend. My friend Nancy Simpson-Brice, a bookseller from Book Vault in Iowa, suggested that I read THE PHOTOGRAPHER by Mary Dixie Carter, which releases on May 25th. It’s a brisk psychological thriller about a young woman who photographs the birthday party of a child from a privileged family, and then insinuates herself into their lives. But, as you might expect from a suspense novel, she has a ton of issues. Readers spend a lot of time inside her head, and it’s one place full of dark imagination. It will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick as it is a total escape read, which we all need these days!
Last week, we featured SUNFLOWER SISTERS --- the final installment in Martha Hall Kelly’s trilogy of novels about Caroline Ferriday’s family (following LILAC GIRLS and LOST ROSES) --- in our New Release Spotlight. This highly anticipated conclusion to the series is now in stores, and we are happy to share our review from Rebecca Munro, who says, "As always, I am blown away by Kelly’s attention to detail and her love for the Woolsey family. She has cited real historical documents in her writing of Georgeanna, but she also brings to life small factual details that immerse you fully in the time period... SUNFLOWER SISTERS is a refreshing change from the wealth of World War II novels and a chance to examine our country’s history with the benefit of Martha Hall Kelly’s clear gaze, careful precision and all-encompassing love for the richness of women’s stories."
I am reading SUNFLOWER SISTERS now, and once again I am swept up in Martha’s writing. It’s my book group’s April selection; we spoke with Martha when we read LILAC GIRLS two years ago, and she told us so many details about this book, including the title, about which we were sworn to secrecy. Needless to say, we all are eagerly reading it!
This week, we bring back our Fiction Author Spotlight featuring OF WOMEN AND SALT by Gabriela Garcia --- a “Good Morning America” Book Club pick, an Indie Next pick and an upcoming Bets On selection. This debut novel revolves around a daughter's fateful choice, a mother motivated by her own past, and a family legacy that begins in Cuba before either of them were born. Gabriela told “GMA,” "Women have carried me, made me who I am, and I really wanted to write against tropes that reduce women --- in particular, immigrant mothers --- to their suffering or their sacrifice, and to really portray the depths and the multitudes that exist within every woman." I look forward to chatting with Gabriela next week for a “Bookreporter Talks To” interview.
Harvey Freedenberg has our review and says, “Garcia has succeeded in populating [the book] with memorable characters, focusing much of her attention on the often fraught relations between mothers and daughters…. Simultaneously sobering and inspiring, OF WOMEN AND SALT represents a promising start to her literary career.” Don’t miss my Bets On commentary in next week’s newsletter.
My latest Bets On pick is ETERNAL, Lisa Scottoline’s first historical novel, which we featured in last week’s newsletter. Click here for my commentary. I was thrilled to hear on Wednesday that the book debuted at #4 on the New York Times Hardcover Fiction list and #8 on their Combined Print and E-book Fiction list. Lisa made a bold move switching genres from suspense to historical fiction for this title, and it certainly was a great move. By the way, she writes a thoughtful essay column every Sunday, and this week she will be talking about this genre change --- and other things. Sign up to get that newsletter here.
Our reviewer Stuart Shiffman has written a special “In Memoriam” piece for bestselling author and award-winning screenwriter Larry McMurtry, who passed away last Thursday at the age of 84. According to Stuart, “In several ways [McMurtry’s] writing changed how both fiction and nonfiction writers treated western folklore. He brought the modern west into the 20th century. His characters were not just cowboys --- they were real people living in a contemporary and changing western culture.” Click here to read the full tribute.
On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of talking to Nadia Hashimi about her new novel, SPARKS LIKE STARS, which is a Bets On selection. The book centers on an Afghan American woman who returns to Kabul to learn the truth about her family and the tragedy that destroyed their lives. Nadia talked to me about the troubled history of American war and politics, and how questionable behavior from certain countries tread a gray line of morality. We also discussed the effects that war has had on culture in unexpected ways and what that means for changing personal decisions as people move on. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
Spring Preview Update
In this week’s Spring Preview contests, we gave away the aforementioned SUNFLOWER SISTERS by Martha Hall Kelly, along with WHAT’S MINE AND YOURS by Naima Coster and THE WOMAN THEY COULD NOT SILENCE by Kate Moore. Next week’s prizes will be ASTRID SEES ALL by Natalie Standiford, THE HENNA ARTIST by Alka Joshi (which releases in paperback on Tuesday), PROJECT HAIL MARY by Andy Weir, and YOU BELONG HERE NOW by Dianna Rostad (an upcoming Bets On pick; I will be interviewing Dianna soon!). The first contest of the week will go live on Monday, April 5th at noon ET.
Quick Takes on Regular Features
Our Books on Screen feature has been updated for April. This month’s roundup includes the films Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse on Amazon Prime Video and Things Heard & Seen on Netflix; the season four premiere of "The Handmaid's Tale” on Hulu; the season one releases of Netflix's "The Innocent" and "Shadow and Bone"; the series premieres of "Made for Love" on HBO Max and "The Mosquito Coast" on Apple TV+; and the DVD releases of Nomadland and Son of the South.
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, April 16th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win MOTHER MAY I by Joshilyn Jackson and WHEN THE STARS GO DARK by Paula McLain. We will feature reviews of both titles over the next couple of weeks.
If you read e-books, where do you get them? That’s our latest poll question; let us know by clicking here.
Our previous poll asked which of 23 paperbacks releasing in March you have read or are planning to read. Here are your top five picks: WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens (69%), BECOMING by Michelle Obama (46%), THE BOOK OF LONGINGS by Sue Monk Kidd (33%), REDHEAD BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD by Anne Tyler (31%), and A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD by Therese Anne Fowler (30%). Click here for the full results.
A reminder that this Tuesday at 3pm ET, B&N will host a Facebook Live chat for their March pick, WE BEGIN AT THE END, featuring Chris Whitaker in conversation with A.J. Finn. I had such a wonderful time interviewing Chris a few weeks ago, so I trust this will be a fun and engaging discussion.
The longlist for the 2021 International Booker Prize has been announced. Among the titles are THE DANGERS OF SMOKING IN BED by Mariana Enríquez, translated by Megan McDowell; WHEN WE CEASE TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD by Benjamín Labatut, translated by Adrian Nathan West; and THE PERFECT NINE: The Epic Gikuyu and Mumbi, written and translated by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o (which marks the first time that a book translated by its author has been nominated). The shortlist will be revealed on April 22nd, followed by the announcement of the winner on June 2nd.
Bookish Final Four
Vote for your favorite John Grisham novel! The team at Doubleday has created a bracket where you can vote on your favorite Grisham books. They started with 32 titles and, through five rounds, will whittle it down to one winner. The first round ends tomorrow, April 3rd, so don't delay! Vote here.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail: Many of you wrote to share how you love the new format for the newsletter. We LOVED hearing this. Of course, we are wondering why we did not do this sooner. Here are some of the comments.
Maureen wrote, “Wonderful newsletter as usual. I enjoyed the new format with the pictures interspersed.” Carol wrote, “Like your new format! It is much easier to follow, the former was sometimes confusing. I’ve been receiving your newsletter forever and have based many of my book selections on your reviews.” Susan wrote, “Thanks for sharing. I really like this format much better! Cheri said, “I love the new placement of the pictures. It does make it easier to read the newsletter. Keep up the good work in keeping all of us informed on what is happening in the book world that we all love.”
Nancy wrote about winning SUNFLOWER SISTERS in our Spring Preview contest: “Thank you! I am thrilled about winning! I absolutely love Martha Hall Kelly's books and look forward to owning and reading SUNFLOWER SISTERS. And thank you for The Book Report Network and ALL that you do!”
Sue wrote about winning WE BEGIN AT THE END and WIN in our Word of Mouth contest: “I am so very excited to be the winner of these books. I can no longer claim 'I never win anything'! Thank you for all you do to bring new book selections to us. I hope you are considering continuing your 'Bookaccino Live' virtual events past the time when we can all gather again. They are so enjoyable!”
Lamar wrote, “WE BEGIN AT THE END was stunning! I read it in one day! Wow!”
"Formula 1: Drive to Survive" on Netflix: My husband is an amateur car racing instructor. Since I always am looking for things we can watch together, we enjoyed season three of "Formula 1." It's about the 2020 season, so besides the track drama, there is COVID-19 drama. It’s interesting to see how events around the world unfolded during the racing season.
"Genius: Aretha" on Nat Geo: We watched all eight episodes of this series and enjoyed it. There are articles written about what may be true, and what is not. All I know is that Aretha Franklin certainly commanded the studio and the stage when she performed. There also are tons of personal details; I did not know Aretha had a son at the age of 12 and another when she was 14, and how she lost her mother so young.
"Shtisel" on Netflix: I am enjoying this season; I still am reading the subtitles as I know no Hebrew, except “Shalom”!
I bought a hyacinth plant and was sure that it was going to be deep purple, though there was no tag on it. And you can see how right I was about that! Lesson learned.
We are hosting Easter here, so bring on the bunny plates! I bought these two years ago, and they so make me smile. I will be looking for flowers for the table next; I am buying them in full bloom, so I am sure of their color and do not have "the hyacinth dilemma." We still are tweaking the menu. I am ready for black jelly beans, a decision that I will regret by midweek when I have the most intense sugar high as I cannot eat just one.
If you are celebrating Easter or continuing to celebrate Passover, enjoy! Oh, and for the record, it was a lion/lion March. Note that for the record books.
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:
SUNFLOWER SISTERS by Martha Hall Kelly
SUNFLOWER SISTERS by Martha Hall Kelly (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Saskia Maarleveld, Shayna Small, Jenna Lamia and Cassandra Campbell, with a note read by Martha Hall Kelly
The 2016 bestseller LILAC GIRLS introduced readers to Caroline Ferriday. Now, in SUNFLOWER SISTERS, Martha Hall Kelly tells the story of Ferriday’s ancestor Georgeanna Woolsey, a Union nurse during the Civil War whose calling leads her to cross paths with Jemma, a young enslaved girl who is sold off and conscripted into the army, and Anne-May Wilson, a Southern plantation mistress whose husband enlists. Inspired by true accounts, the novel provides a vivid, detailed look at the Civil War experience --- from the barbaric and inhumane plantations, to a war-torn New York City, to the horrors of the battlefield. It’s a sweeping story of women caught in a country on the brink of collapse, in a society grappling with nationalism and unthinkable racial cruelty. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
New Fiction Author Spotlight:
OF WOMEN AND SALT by Gabriela Garcia
April’s “Good Morning America” Book Club Pick
and an Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
OF WOMEN AND SALT by Gabriela Garcia (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Frankie Corzo
In present-day Miami, Jeanette is battling addiction. She is determined to learn more about her family history from her reticent mother, a Cuban immigrant named Carmen, and makes the snap decision to take in the daughter of a neighbor detained by ICE. Still wrestling with the trauma of displacement, Carmen must process her difficult relationship with her own mother while trying to raise a wayward Jeanette. Steadfast in her quest for understanding, Jeanette travels to Cuba to see her grandmother and reckon with secrets from the past destined to erupt.
From 19th-century cigar factories to present-day detention centers, from Cuba to Mexico, Gabriela Garcia's OF WOMEN AND SALT is a kaleidoscopic portrait of betrayals --- personal and political, self-inflicted and those done by others --- that have shaped the lives of these extraordinary women. A haunting meditation on the choices of mothers, the legacy of the memories they carry, and the tenacity of women who choose to tell their stories despite those who wish to silence them, this is more than a diaspora story; it is a story of America’s most tangled, honest, human roots.
- Click here to read Gabriela Garcia's bio.
- Click here to visit Gabriela Garcia's website.
- Connect with Gabriela Garcia on Twitter and Instagram.
- Click here to see why the book is April's "Good Morning America" Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
Click here to read more in our Fiction Author Spotlight.
Don't miss Carol's Bets On commentary and her "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Gabriela Garcia in next week's newsletter.
Bookreporter.com Bets On: ETERNAL by Lisa Scottoline
ETERNAL by Lisa Scottoline (Historical Fiction)
I love when authors step out of their comfort zone, stretch and leap --- and then land the jump. That is what Lisa Scottoline did in writing ETERNAL, a historical novel set in Italy in the late 1930s as Fascism is sweeping through the country, as well as anti-Semitism. While I confess to World War II reading fatigue, here I dashed that thought, as I fell in love with her three characters --- Elisabetta, Marco and Sandro --- who are childhood friends in Rome. Also, while I knew much about the war setting in England, France and Germany, I knew very little about the rise of Fascism in Rome and the terrible toll it took on the country.
While the historical details are firmly rooted in the story, what makes it soar is the storytelling. We see Elisabetta, a beautiful young woman, with two suiters: Sandro, who is bookish, and Marco, who is a brash biker. Visualizing the terrible toll of what is happening in Italy through their eyes gives readers a personal perspective. It will have them thinking again about the book’s tagline: “What war destroys, only love can heal.” The prologue teases some of what is to come; note that I recently have started revisiting prologues to see how they read once I have finished a book. It’s adding to my reading experience.
- 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.
- Click here to visit Lisa Scottoline's website.
- Click here for "Behind the Book" resources to enhance your reading experience.
- Click here for Lisa Scottoline's virtual book tour schedule.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
Remembering Larry McMurtry,
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Novelist of the American West (Among Many Other Distinctions)
We mourn the loss of legendary novelist, essayist, bookseller and screenwriter Larry McMurtry, who has died at the age of 84 from congestive heart failure.
McMurtry penned more than 30 novels --- most notably THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT and the Pulitzer Prize winner LONESOME DOVE --- as well as numerous works of nonfiction, including essay collections, histories and memoirs. In 2006, he won an Academy Award for the screenplay of Brokeback Mountain with cowriter Diana Ossana, and in 2014, he was awarded the National Humanities Medal for his body of work. Fans of McMurtry’s books and films may not know that he also was the founder and owner of Booked Up, a bookstore that began in Washington, D.C. and is now located in his hometown of Archer City, Texas.
Longtime Bookreporter reviewer Stuart Shiffman reflects on McMurtry’s prolific career and rich legacy in a special "In Memoriam" piece.
Click here to read Stuart Shiffman's tribute to Larry McMurtry.
Featured Review:
ELIZABETH & MARGARET by Andrew Morton
ELIZABETH & MARGARET: The Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters by Andrew Morton (Biography)
Audiobook available, read by Marisa Calin
They were the closest of sisters and the best of friends. But when their uncle Edward Vlll decided to abdicate the throne, the dynamic between Elizabeth and Margaret was dramatically altered. Elizabeth would always look upon her younger sister's antics with a kind of stoical amusement, but Margaret's struggle to find a place and position inside the royal system --- and her fraught relationship with its expectations --- was often a source of tension. From the idyll of their cloistered early life, through their hidden wartime lives, into the divergent paths they took following their father's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the throne, Andrew Morton's book explores their relationship over the years. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE COMMITTED by Viet Thanh Nguyen
THE COMMITTED by Viet Thanh Nguyen (Literary Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Francois Chau
THE COMMITTED follows the Sympathizer as he arrives in Paris as a refugee. There, he and his blood brother, Bon, try to escape their pasts and prepare for their futures by turning their hands to capitalism in one of its purest forms: drug dealing. No longer in physical danger, but still inwardly tortured by his reeducation at the hands of his former best friend, and struggling to assimilate into a dominant culture, the Sympathizer is both charmed and disturbed by Paris. As he falls in with a group of left-wing intellectuals and politicians who frequent dinner parties given by his French Vietnamese “aunt,” he finds not just stimulation for his mind but also customers for his merchandise. However, the new life he is making has dangers he has not foreseen. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE FINAL REVIVAL OF OPAL & NEV
by Dawnie Walton
THE FINAL REVIVAL OF OPAL & NEV by Dawnie Walton (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Janina Edwards, Bahni Turpin, James Langton, André De Shields, Dennis Boutsikaris, Steve West, Gabra Zackman and a full cast
Coming of age in Detroit, Opal believes she can be a star. So when the aspiring British singer/songwriter Neville Charles discovers her at a bar’s amateur night, she takes him up on his offer to make rock music together for the fledgling Rivington Records. In early ’70s New York City, just as she’s finding her niche as part of a flamboyant and funky creative scene, a rival band signed to her label brandishes a Confederate flag at a promotional concert. Decades later, as Opal considers a 2016 reunion with Nev, music journalist S. Sunny Shelton seizes the chance to curate an oral history about her idols. But as her interviews dig deeper, a nasty new allegation from an unexpected source threatens to blow up everything. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's 10th 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 10th 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 23rd at noon ET. 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, April 5th at noon ET.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
April’s Books on Screen Feature
Here is a preview of this month's movies, TV shows and DVDs that are based on books. For a complete list of April's offerings, please click here.
Film Releases
Things Heard & Seen
Release Date: April 29th on Netflix
Based on: ALL THINGS CEASE TO APPEAR by Elizabeth Brundage
Tom Clancy's Without Remorse
Release Date: April 30th on Amazon Prime Video
Based on: WITHOUT REMORSE by Tom Clancy
Series Premieres
"Shadow and Bone"
Release Date: April 23rd on Netflix (Season One)
Based on: The Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo (SHADOW AND BONE, SIEGE AND STORM, RUIN AND RISING)
"The Innocent" (8-part limited series)
Release Date: April 30th on Netflix (Season One)
Based on: THE INNOCENT by Harlan Coben
"The Mosquito Coast" (7-part limited series)
Release Date: Fridays on Apple TV+; the first two episodes will be available on April 30th
Based on: THE MOSQUITO COAST by Paul Theroux
Season Premiere
"The Handmaid's Tale"
Release Date: Wednesdays on Hulu; the first three episodes of Season Four will be available on April 28th
Based on: THE HANDMAID'S TALE by Margaret Atwood
On DVD
Nomadland
DVD Release Date: April 27th
Based on: NOMADLAND: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century, by Jessica Bruder
From left to right: Jenny Lawson, Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, Donna Freitas
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
As so many book and author events are happening online these days, we are highlighting a number of them that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links below for more info and to register.
Tuesday, April 6th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble Virtual Book Club Event: Barnes & Noble will host a Facebook Live discussion for their March book club pick, WE BEGIN AT THE END, featuring Chris Whitaker in conversation with A. J. Finn.
Tuesday, April 6th at 7pm ET: Parnassus Books: Parnassus Books is pleased to welcome Martha Hall Kelly to celebrate her new novel, SUNFLOWER SISTERS. She will be in conversation with ETERNAL author Lisa Scottoline.
Tuesday, April 6th at 7pm ET: Warwick's: This Couch Surfing Book Tour event features Donna Freitas as she discusses her new book, THE NINE LIVES OF ROSE NAPOLITANO, in conversation with Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke.
Wednesday, April 7th at 7pm ET: "Friends and Fiction": The "Friends and Fiction" authors --- Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Patti Callahan Henry and Mary Alice Monroe --- will talk to Joshilyn Jackson about her new psychological thriller, MOTHER MAY I.
Thursday, April 8th at 7:30pm ET: HarperCollins: Join the New York Times bestselling author of THE NEST, Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, in conversation with actor, singer and writer Kate Flannery. This will be a lively talk between friends to mark the publication of Sweeney’s highly anticipated second novel, GOOD COMPANY.
Thursday, April 8th at 8pm ET: Powell's Books: Powell’s presents a virtual event with Dawnie Walton, author of THE FINAL REVIVAL OF OPAL & NEV, who will be joined in conversation by Nadia Owusu, author of AFTERSHOCKS.
Friday, April 9th at 6pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome New York Times bestselling author Jenny Lawson for a live virtual event to discuss BROKEN (in the best possible way), her most personal book yet. She will be in conversation with actress and author Felicia Day.
"Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts
“Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers a long-form, in-depth author interview every week. 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:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Gabriela Garcia (OF WOMEN AND SALT)
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Dianna Rostad (YOU BELONG HERE NOW)
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Lisa Scottoline (ETERNAL)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
THE RED BOOK: A Black Book Thriller by James Patterson and David Ellis (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Edoardo Ballerini
When a drive-by shooting on Chicago's west side turns political, Detective Billy Harney leads the way to a quick solve. But his instincts --- his father was once chief of detectives, and his twin sister, Patti, is also on the force --- run deep. As a population hungry for justice threatens to riot, he realizes that the three known victims are hardly the only casualties. When Harney starts asking questions about who's to blame, the easy answers prove to be the wrong ones. On the flip side, the less he seems to know, the longer he can keep his clandestine investigation going…until Harney's quest to expose the evil that's rotting the city from the inside out takes him to the one place he vowed never to return: his own troubled past. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
RED WIDOW by Alma Katsu (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Mozhan Marnò
Lyndsey Duncan worries that her career with the CIA might be over. After lines are crossed with another intelligence agent during an assignment, she is sent home to Washington on administrative leave. So when a former colleague --- now Chief of the Russia Division --- recruits her for an internal investigation, she jumps at the chance to prove herself. Lyndsey was once a top handler in the Moscow Field Station and was praised for recruiting some of the most senior Russian officials. But now, three Russian assets have been exposed --- including one of her own --- and the CIA is convinced there's a mole in the department. With years of work in question and lives on the line, Lyndsey is thrown back into life at the agency, this time tracing the steps of those closest to her. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
TELL NO LIES by Allison Brennan (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Suzanne T. Fortin
Something mysterious is killing the wildlife in the mountains just south of Tucson. When a college intern turned activist sets out to collect her own evidence, she, too, ends up dead. Local law enforcement is slow to get involved. That’s when the mobile FBI unit goes undercover to infiltrate the town and its copper refinery in search of possible leads. Detective Kara Quinn and FBI agent Matt Costa find themselves scouring the desolate landscape, which keeps revealing clues to something much darker. As the body count adds up, it’s clear they have stumbled onto much more than they bargained for. Now they must figure out who is at the heart of this mayhem and stop them before more innocent lives are lost. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
LAST CALL: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York by Elon Green (True Crime)
Audiobook available, read by David Pittu
The Townhouse Bar, midtown, July 1992: The piano player seems to know every song ever written, and a man standing nearby is drinking a Scotch and water. The man strikes the piano player as forgettable. He looks bland and inconspicuous. Not at all what you think a serial killer looks like. But that’s what he is, and tonight he has his sights set on a gray-haired man. He will not be his first victim. Nor will he be his last. The Last Call Killer preyed upon gay men in New York in the ’80s and ’90s. Yet because of the sexuality of his victims, the sky-high murder rates and the AIDS epidemic, his murders have been almost entirely forgotten. LAST CALL tells the story of the Last Call Killer and the decades-long chase to find him. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
OUR TEAM: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series That Changed Baseball by Luke Epplin (Sports/History)
Audiobook available, read by Leon Nixon
OUR TEAM traces the story of the integration of the Cleveland Indians and their quest for a World Series title through four key participants: Bill Veeck, an eccentric and visionary owner adept at exploding fireworks on and off the field; Larry Doby, a soft-spoken, hard-hitting pioneer whose major-league breakthrough shattered stereotypes that so much of white America held about Black ballplayers; Bob Feller, a pitching prodigy from the Iowa cornfields who set the template for the athlete as businessman; and Satchel Paige, a legendary pitcher from the Negro Leagues whose belated entry into the majors whipped baseball fans across the country into a frenzy. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan (www.RonKaplansBaseballBookshelf.com).
THE AGITATORS: Three Friends Who Fought for Abolition and Women's Rights by Dorothy Wickenden (History)
Audiobook available; read by Heather Alicia Simms, Anne Twomey and Gabra Zackman, with a prologue read by Dorothy Wickenden
Harriet Tubman --- no-nonsense, funny, uncannily prescient and strategically brilliant --- was one of the most important conductors on the underground railroad and hid the enslaved men, women and children she rescued in the basement kitchens of Martha Wright, Quaker mother of seven, and Frances Seward, wife of Governor, then Senator, then Secretary of State William H. Seward. Beginning two decades before the Civil War, when Tubman was still enslaved and Martha and Frances were young women bound by law and tradition, THE AGITATORS ends two decades after the war, in a radically changed United States. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
QUEENS OF THE CRUSADES: England's Medieval Queens Book Two by Alison Weir (History)
The Plantagenet queens of England played a role in some of the most dramatic events in our history. Crusading queens, queens in rebellion against their king, seductive queens, learned queens, queens in battle, queens who enlivened England with the romantic culture of southern Europe --- these determined women often broke through medieval constraints to exercise power and influence, for good and sometimes for ill. This second volume of Alison Weir’s history of the queens of medieval England now moves into a period of even higher drama, from 1154 to 1291: years of chivalry and courtly love, dynastic ambition, conflict between church and throne, baronial wars, and the ruthless interplay between the rival monarchs of Britain and France. Reviewed by Pauline Finch.
CASTLE IN THE AIR by Donald E. Westlake (Thriller/Humor)
When four groups of international heist artists team up to pull off the theft of the century --- stealing an entire castle and the treasure hidden in its walls --- what could possibly go wrong? Well, consider this: None of the master thieves speak each other’s languages, no one knows precisely where the loot is stashed, and every one of them wants to steal it all for himself or herself. It’s MWA Grand Master Donald E. Westlake at his wildest, a breathless slapstick chase through the streets of Paris only one step ahead of the law --- and each other. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub.
THE JIGSAW MAN by Nadine Matheson (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Davine Henry
On the day she returns to active duty with the Serial Crimes Unit, Detective Inspector Anjelica Henley is called to a crime scene. Dismembered body parts from two victims have been found by the river. The modus operandi bears a striking resemblance to Peter Olivier, the notorious Jigsaw Killer, who has spent the past two years behind bars. When he learns that someone is co-opting his grisly signature --- the arrangement of victims’ limbs in puzzle-piece shapes --- he decides to take matters into his own hands. As the body count rises, DI Henley is faced with an unspeakable new threat. Can she apprehend the copycat killer before Olivier finds a way to get to him first? Or will she herself become the next victim? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
FLOAT PLAN by Trish Doller (Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Sarah Naughton
After a reminder goes off for the Caribbean sailing trip Anna was supposed to take with her fiancé, she impulsively goes to sea in the sailboat he left her, intending to complete the voyage alone. But after a treacherous night’s sail, she realizes she can’t do it by herself and hires Keane, a professional sailor, to help. Much like Anna, Keane is struggling with a very different future than the one he had planned. As romance rises with the tide, they discover that it’s never too late to chart a new course. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE GIRLS ARE ALL SO NICE HERE by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Erin Mallon with Alex Allwine
Ambrosia Wellington receives in the mail an invitation to her 10-year reunion, along with an anonymous note that reads “We need to talk about what we did that night.” It seems that the secrets of Ambrosia’s past aren’t as buried as she’d believed. Amb can’t stop fixating on what she did or who she did it with: larger-than-life Sloane “Sully” Sullivan, Amb’s former best friend, who could make anyone do anything. At the reunion, Amb and Sully receive increasingly menacing messages, and it becomes clear that they’re being pursued by someone who wants more than just the truth of what happened that first semester. This person wants revenge for what they did and the damage they caused --- the extent of which Amb is only now fully understanding. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
ELEANOR IN THE VILLAGE: Eleanor Roosevelt's Search for Freedom and Identity in New York's Greenwich Village by Jan Jarboe Russell (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Samantha Desz
Hundreds of books have been written about FDR and Eleanor, both together and separately, yet she remains a compelling and elusive figure. And not much is known about why in 1920, Eleanor suddenly abandoned her duties as a mother of five and moved to Greenwich Village, then the symbol of all forms of transgressive freedom --- communism, homosexuality, interracial relationships and subversive political activity. Now, in ELEANOR IN THE VILLAGE, Jan Jarboe Russell pulls back the curtain on Eleanor’s life to reveal the motivations and desires that drew her to the Village and how her time there changed her political outlook. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUMPED by Jenny Colgan (Fiction/Humor)
Audiobook available, read by Penelope Rawlins
Posy Fairweather is over the moon when her boyfriend, Matt, proposes in what is probably the most romantic way possible --- on top of a mountain, in a thunderstorm, like something from a Nicholas Sparks novel. But a few days later he dumps her. Crushed and humiliated, Posy wonders why all her romances have always been such train wrecks. Determined to gain some insight, Posy resolves to get online, track down her exes and ask them. Which doors from Posy’s past should stay closed? Which might open? Can she learn from past mistakes? And what if she has let Mr. Right slip through her fingers along the way? Reviewed by Alison Lee.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on April 6th
Below are some notable titles releasing on April 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 April 5th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
ANIMAL INSTINCT: A K Team Novel by David Rosenfelt (Mystery)
The K Team is back in the second installment of this spinoff series from David Rosenfelt's beloved Andy Carpenter mysteries.
ASTRID SEES ALL by Natalie Standiford (Fiction)
New York’s last bohemia --- the glittering, decadent downtown club scene of the 1980s --- is the setting for this brilliantly winning novel about a smart, vulnerable young woman taking a deep dive into her dark side, essential for fans of SWEETBITTER, "Fleabag" and books by Patti Smith.
BROKEN (in the best possible way) by Jenny Lawson (Humor/Essays)
From the author of FURIOUSLY HAPPY and LET'S PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED comes a deeply relatable book filled with humor and honesty about depression and anxiety.
CAUL BABY by Morgan Jerkins (Fiction/Magical Realism)
Morgan Jerkins makes her fiction debut with this electrifying novel, for fans of Ta-Nehisi Coates and Jacqueline Woodson, that brings to life one powerful and enigmatic family in a tale rife with secrets, betrayal, intrigue and magic.
THE DROWNING KIND by Jennifer McMahon (Supernatural Thriller)
From the author of THE INVITED and THE WINTER PEOPLE comes a chilling new novel about a woman who returns to the old family home after her sister mysteriously drowns in its swimming pool…but she’s not the pool’s only victim.
FIRST PERSON SINGULAR: Stories written by Haruki Murakami, translated by Philip Gabriel (Fiction/Short Stories)
From memories of youth, meditations on music, and an ardent love of baseball, to dreamlike scenarios and invented jazz albums, together these stories challenge the boundaries between our minds and the exterior world.
THE GIRLS IN THE STILT HOUSE by Kelly Mustian (Historical Fiction)
Set in 1920s Mississippi, this debut Southern novel weaves a beautiful and harrowing story of two teenage girls cast in an unlikely partnership through murder.
GOOD COMPANY by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (Fiction)
Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of the instant New York Times bestseller THE NEST, has written a warm, incisive new novel about the enduring bonds of marriage and friendship.
HUMMINGBIRD SALAMANDER by Jeff VanderMeer (Speculative Thriller)
From the author of ANNIHILATION comes a brilliant speculative thriller of dark conspiracy, endangered species, and the possible end of all things.
I HAVE BEEN BURIED UNDER YEARS OF DUST: A Memoir of Autism and Hope by Valerie Gilpeer and Emily Grodin (Memoir)
This remarkable memoir is by a mother and her autistic daughter who’d long been unable to communicate --- until a miraculous breakthrough revealed a young woman with a rich and creative interior life, a poet, who’d been trapped inside for more than two decades.
MOTHER MAY I by Joshilyn Jackson (Psychological Thriller)
A mother must decide how far she is willing to go to protect her child and the life she loves in this chilling and thoughtful tale of power, privilege, lies, revenge and the choices we make --- ones that transform our lives in unforeseen ways.
THE NINE LIVES OF ROSE NAPOLITANO by Donna Freitas (Fiction)
This deeply moving novel is about a woman who thought she never wanted to be a mother --- and the many ways that life can surprise us.
PEACES by Helen Oyeyemi (Fiction/Magical Realism)
The prize-winning, bestselling author of GINGERBREAD; BOY, SNOW, BIRD; and WHAT IS NOT YOURS IS NOT YOURS returns with a vivid and inventive new novel about a couple forever changed by an unusual train voyage.
PHILIP ROTH: The Biography by Blake Bailey (Biography)
Appointed by Philip Roth and granted independence and complete access, Blake Bailey spent years poring over Roth’s personal archive, interviewing his friends, lovers and colleagues, and engaging Roth himself in breathtakingly candid conversations. The result is an indelible portrait of an American master and of the postwar literary scene.
STRONGHEART: The Lost Journals of May Dodd and Molly McGill by Jim Fergus (Historical Fiction)
STRONGHEART is the final installment in the One Thousand White Women trilogy, a novel about fierce women who are full of heart and the power to survive.
YOU BELONG HERE NOW by Dianna Rostad (Historical Fiction)
In this brilliant debut reminiscent of Kristina McMorris’ SOLD ON A MONDAY and William Kent Krueger's THIS TENDER LAND, three orphans journey westward from New York City to the Big Sky Country of Montana, hoping for a better life where beautiful wild horses roam free.
YOUR INNER HEDGEHOG: A Professor Dr von Igelfeld Entertainment by Alexander McCall Smith (Fiction/Humor)
In the latest entertaining and hilarious Professor Dr. Dr. Moritz-Maria Von Igelfeld novel, our hopelessly out-of-touch hero is forced to confront uppity librarians, the rector of the university, and a possible hostile takeover, all while trying to remain studiously above it all.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
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If you read e-books, where do you get them? Please check all that apply.
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SimplyE
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Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, April 16th 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 April 2nd to April 16th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of MOTHER MAY I by Joshilyn Jackson and WHEN THE STARS GO DARK by Paula McLain.
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.
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