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Whooosh, There Goes February!
January felt like a year, and February has felt like a week! We are juggling a crazy number of projects, which may be why the time is passing so quickly. I have lists of authors to interview and other projects on spreadsheets all over my desktop. We use an organization program called Monday.com. We get a lot more done for having a place where we all can see what is going on --- and add projects. But just organizing things takes up so much of the day, even with the best tools on hand!
This morning, the trees here were laden with ice, and they looked so pretty. This afternoon, the wind blew; it "rained ice," and the trees are now all brown again.
I am reading THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST by Allison Pataki, and I just love, love, love it. It’s been a hectic week, so I am completely happy to collapse in bed and read it every night. In fact, I was awake for an hour last night and immediately reached for the book. Marjorie Merriweather Post’s life story is brilliant, and in Allison’s hands I am completely captivated by it. She told me a bit about it when I interviewed her two years ago, and I am so looking forward to talking to her next week! And yes, it will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. But you already guessed that, right?
Winter goes on and on, which means I need a break on the Amalfi Coast. So I am ready to read ONE ITALIAN SUMMER by Rebecca Serle. I loved both IN FIVE YEARS and THE DINNER LIST, so I cannot wait to see what she has on tap for me here. Rebecca was our last in-office interview in March 2020. In some ways, I can picture it like it was 20 minutes ago; in others, it feels like a lifetime.
On Wednesday night, we hosted our first "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event of 2022. Our guest was Lisa Scottoline, and we talked about her debut historical novel, ETERNAL, which released in paperback earlier this month. I loved hearing Lisa express her passion for this book, as well as details on her extensive research. It was one memorable and really fun evening! She definitely rocked the house.
A huge thanks to all of you who shared questions, either “on camera” or via the question queue on Zoom, as you helped to enhance the discussion. And a big shout-out to our producer extraordinaire Austin Ruh, who facilitated the Q&A portion of the program. Attendees who were not “on stage” with us submitted over 30 questions, and Austin did a wonderful job selecting which ones to ask Lisa --- and managing not to ask any repeat questions!
If you missed the event, or would like to revisit any part of it, you can watch it here and listen to the podcast here. Trust us, this was a terrific program.
I am thrilled to announce that Lisa See will be our next “Bookaccino Live” Book Group guest. The event will be held on Wednesday, March 23rd at 8pm ET, and you can sign up for it here. We will be talking about Lisa’s first book, ON GOLD MOUNTAIN, a memoir of her Chinese American family that will soon be an opera (more on that in a moment). Lisa spent five years collecting the details of her family’s remarkable history. She interviewed nearly 100 relatives --- both Chinese and white, rich and poor --- pored over documents at the National Archives and several historical societies, and searched in countless attics, basements and closets for the intimate nuances of her ancestors’ lives.
Just as we did on Wednesday night, there will be a two-part Q&A session after I talk to Lisa. For the first part, those who are asking a question “on camera” will be featured. If you would like to ask your question "live on screen" this way, please email it to me using the subject line “Question for Lisa See.” For those who are more camera shy, there will be a traditional Q&A segment as well. I have interviewed Lisa before but never about ON GOLD MOUNTAIN, so I am looking forward to what I am sure will be a fascinating discussion.
Tickets are now on sale for the opera based on the book, which will be produced in the Chinese Garden at The Huntington Library, Art Museums, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA, from May 5th to 8th and May 12th to 15th at 7:30 each night. The opera was commissioned and produced 20 years ago by LA Opera. Click here for more details and to purchase your tickets.
My latest "Bookreporter Talks To" interview is with Charmaine Wilkerson, whose debut novel, BLACK CAKE, is this month's "Read with Jenna" Today Show Book Club pick and a Bets On selection. After their mother's death, Byron and Benny are left a voice recording from her and a black cake that is not to be eaten until they finish listening. The siblings are taken on a journey into their mysterious family history.
In the interview, Charmaine explains how she approached the novel with small snippets of ideas (she called them scenes), which came together to weave a larger story. She also discusses her characters --- how she discovered them and where she took them. And yes, she talks about the preparation of a black cake. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
“In Case You Missed Them…and a Look Ahead”: Tarryn Fisher
Our “In Case You Missed Them…and a Look Ahead” feature is back! This time we bring to your attention two previous works of psychological suspense from Tarryn Fisher “in case you missed them”: THE WIVES and THE WRONG FAMILY. We also “look ahead” to Tarryn’s upcoming thriller, AN HONEST LIE, which will be in stores on April 26th. We have reviews of the earlier titles, along with excerpts --- and we look forward to reviewing AN HONEST LIE shortly after its release.
Announcing This Year’s Spring Preview Contests
Our 11th annual Spring Preview contests will launch next Tuesday, March 1st at noon ET. As we’ve done for the past 10 years, we’ll be spotlighting a number of upcoming releases that we think people will be talking about this spring --- and beyond. We’ll be hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these books on select days this month and next. You can sign up here for alerts so you’ll be notified as soon as these giveaways go live.
Our first two prize books will be THE CATCH by Alison Fairbrother and JOAN: A Novel of Joan of Arc by Katherine J. Chen. Please note that we are planning to add more books to this feature in the days and weeks to come.
Lucy Foley follows up her two previous novels, THE HUNTING PARTY and THE GUEST LIST, with her latest effort, THE PARIS APARTMENT. This new locked room mystery is set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide.
According to our reviewer Norah Piehl, the book “is cleverly and intricately plotted, told from several different points of view and occasionally moving forward and backward chronologically. This gives readers just enough clues to allow them to try to solve the mystery while continually pulling the rug out from under them so they remain off-balanced and surprised.” I completely agree with Norah’s review. I read the book last weekend, and just when I thought I knew what was going on, the story spun me again!
Word of Mouth Reminder
THE PARIS APARTMENT is one of our current Word of Mouth prizes; the other is the aforementioned ONE ITALIAN SUMMER by Rebecca Serle, which we will review next week. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read by Friday, March 4th at noon ET, and you’ll have a chance to win both these novels.
Sarah Weinman, author of THE REAL LOLITA, has penned another intriguing true crime book, SCOUNDREL. Here, she recounts the astonishing story of a murderer who conned the people around him --- including conservative thinker William F. Buckley --- into helping set him free.
Our reviewer Stuart Shiffman calls the book “a captivating history on several levels. Extraordinarily detailed and wonderfully written, it chronicles the Edgar Smith case from all aspects. In its own style, it exposes celebrity and the criminal justice system from a different perspective…. Great books have been written about [sadistic criminals]. SCOUNDREL is such a book, and Edgar Smith is such a man.”
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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LIFE WITHOUT CHILDREN: In 10 short stories written mostly over the last year, Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle paints a collective portrait of our pandemic lives. It cuts to the heart of how we are all navigating loss, loneliness and the shifting of history underneath our feet.
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MOON WITCH, SPIDER KING: In this middle installment of the Dark Star trilogy, following BLACK LEOPARD, RED WOLF, Marlon James delves into Sogolon’s world as she fights to tell her own story. The book explores power, personality and the places where they overlap.
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NOTHING TO LOSE: In this 25th entry in J.A. Jance’s series featuring J. P. Beaumont, the former Seattle homicide cop is approached by a visitor from the past and finds himself drawn into a missing person’s case where danger is lurking and family secrets are exposed.
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THE SILENT SISTERS: In the conclusion to Robert Dugoni’s Charles Jenkins trilogy, an American sleeper cell in Russia goes silent --- and it’s one man’s duty to find them.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
THE CAGE by Bonnie Kistler, which we reviewed last week, is my latest Bets On selection. Find out why I’m betting you’ll love this book here. If you missed my interview with Bonnie, which we featured in last week’s newsletter, you can watch it here and listen to the podcast here.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
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News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Cecelia wrote about winning two Word of Mouth prizes: “Thank you for letting me know that I've won copies of DARK HORSE and THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST. I'm a retired public librarian (originally from Old Bridge, NJ), and I'm especially grateful for these books since I no longer have access to advance reading copies. I recommend Bookreporter to all of my friends and always sign up for 'Bookaccino Live' since it's fantastic.”
Kelly wrote this about winning a copy of SHADOWS OF BERLIN: “Thank you! What a nice surprise! I look forward to reading this and will definitely send a review. I really enjoy your weekly newsletter, monthly 'Bookaccino Live' and author interviews. I have read your reviews for years, but it has been especially wonderful during the last two crazy years!”
Beth wrote, “I felt compelled to write when I saw your reference to 'Fun at One.' I had never heard of it, but it sounds like it took a page from a show that aired when I was a little girl called 'Romper Room.' In that show, the woman running it (I don’t remember her name) would also hold up a magic mirror and say that she saw children. Like with your experience, I waited and waited for her to say 'Beth,' but she never did! It was not a popular name in the early '60s, but Carol was and I bet the 'Romper Room' lady said it!” Ha, I think that mirror may have been on “Romper Room,” not “Fun at One.” Thanks for reminding me. And I never heard “Carol”!
“Inventing Anna” on Netflix: I was riveted by all nine episodes of this Shonda Rhimes-developed series about Anna Sorokin, aka Anna Delvey, who completely captivated some of the most powerful people in New York City with her completely fabricated past and ideas for her plans for a salon of sorts --- one that would be a place where only the best of the city would spend their time. She conned her way around the city, running up hotel bills that were not paid and wooing some of the top financiers and real estate folks in the city to get on board. I am shocked she was not figured out sooner! I had read about her, but watching the story is even crazier, if that is possible.
Julia Garner, who many of you may know from “Ozark”, plays Sorokin, aka Delvey, and is so well suited for the role. The real Sorokin is currently being held in an ICE detention center for overstaying her visa; she's already out of jail. You can read an interview with her about the series, and her own future plans, here.
“Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber” on Showtime: This series begins airing on Sunday and is about the meteoric rise and fall of Uber founder Travis Kalanick. He is a character...and this should be Silicon Valley over the top. Bro on!
“My Brilliant Friend” on HBO: Season three kicks off on Monday. McNally Jackson, in partnership with HBO, Europa Editions and Harper’s Magazine, presents #OurBrilliantFriends2022, a weekly conversation and watch party for the series. If you would like to register to participate in this event, you can do so here.
Last weekend, I spent a lot of time re-arranging my office with the new side table that my husband built. I am very close to being done with this new phase, but fear not: the last eight boxes that we brought home from the city two years ago still are there to be unpacked. I started and stopped going through four of them. That counts, right? I am all about making this space efficient, and also decorated. I want to paint the doors and change the hardware on them. Yes, I am overthinking what to do, but I spend a lot of time there.
The other day, I took another Peloton class and read my way through it. Seriously. I pulled up the class on my phone, climbed on the bike, grabbed my book and started reading. I heard commands to speed up, and I did. I heard commands to slow down, and I did. My reading speed? Well, that stayed exactly the same! I will do this again.
I have no weekend plans, which is exactly what I need. After a very busy week, I want no agenda. See you in March!
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: THE PARIS APARTMENT by Lucy Foley
THE PARIS APARTMENT by Lucy Foley (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
Audiobook available; read by Clare Corbett, Daphne Kouma, Julia Winwood, Sope Dirisu, Sofia Zervudachi and Charlie Anson
Jess needs a fresh start. She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less than ideal circumstances. Her half-brother, Ben, didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only when she shows up --- to find a very nice apartment, could Ben really have afforded this? --- he’s not there. The longer Ben stays missing, the more Jess starts to dig into her brother’s situation, and the more questions she has. Ben’s neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not particularly friendly. Jess may have come to Paris to escape her past, but it’s starting to look like it’s Ben’s future that’s in question. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Featured Review: SCOUNDREL by Sarah Weinman
SCOUNDREL: How a Convicted Murderer Persuaded the Women Who Loved Him, the Conservative Establishment, and the Courts to Set Him Free by Sarah Weinman (True Crime)
Audiobook available, read by Gabra Zackman
In the 1960s, Edgar Smith, in prison and sentenced to death for the murder of teenager Victoria Zielinski, struck up a correspondence with William F. Buckley, the founder of National Review. Buckley, who refused to believe that a man who supported the neoconservative movement could have committed such a heinous crime, began to advocate not only for Smith’s life to be spared but also for his sentence to be overturned. So begins a bizarre and tragic tale of mid-century America. Sarah Weinman’s SCOUNDREL leads us through the twists of fate and fortune that brought Smith to freedom, book deals, fame...and eventually to attempting murder again. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com’s "In Case You Missed Them…and a Look Ahead" Spotlight, Featuring Tarryn Fisher's Books
Sometimes you hear about a book and just do not have time to read it. Other times, you have missed hearing about a book, and we would like to tell you about it. We do not want you to miss books that we think you will enjoy! In this feature, we are sharing books that you might not have read, and we also are getting the author’s next book on your radar. So then you never will need to say, “I missed them!”
In our latest "In Case You Missed Them...and a Look Ahead" feature, we are spotlighting three psychological thrillers by Tarryn Fisher: the previously released THE WIVES and THE WRONG FAMILY, and the forthcoming AN HONEST LIE, which will be in stores on April 26th.
THE WIVES: Imagine that your husband has two other wives. You’ve never met the other wives, and none of you know each other. One day, you find a scrap of paper in his pocket --- an appointment reminder for a woman named Hannah, and you just know it’s another of the wives. You thought you were fine with your arrangement, but you can’t help yourself: you track her down, and, under false pretenses, you strike up a friendship. Hannah has no idea who you really are.
THE WRONG FAMILY: Juno was wrong about Winnie Crouch. Before moving in with the Crouch family, Juno thought Winnie and her husband, Nigel, had the perfect life. Only now that she’s living in their beautiful house, she sees the cracks in the crumbling facade are too deep to ignore. Still, she isn’t one to judge. After her grim diagnosis, the retired therapist simply wants a place to live out the rest of her days in peace. But that peace is shattered the day Juno overhears a chilling conversation between Winnie and Nigel.
AN HONEST LIE: Lorraine --- “Rainy” --- lives at the top of Tiger Mountain. Remote, moody, cloistered in pine trees and fog, it’s a sanctuary, a new life. She can hide from the disturbing past she wants to forget. If she’s allowed to. When Rainy reluctantly agrees to a girls’ weekend in Vegas, she’s prepared for an exhausting parade of shots and slot machines. But after a wild night, her friend Braithe doesn’t come back to the hotel room. And then Rainy gets the text message, sent from Braithe’s phone: someone has her.
Click here to read more in our
"In Case You Missed Them...and a Look Ahead" feature.
Announcing Bookreporter.com's 11th Annual
Spring Preview Contests and Feature
Spring is in the air (or will be very soon)! We’ve already caught the fever --- and it’s being fueled by some wonderful upcoming releases. Our 11th 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 in March and April. 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 first prize book will be announced on Tuesday, March 1st at noon ET.
This year's featured titles include:
* Please note that more books will be added in the days and weeks to come.
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
THE CAGE by Bonnie Kistler
THE CAGE by Bonnie Kistler (Psychological Thriller)
I read THE CAGE by Bonnie Kistler a few months ago. The story was so well written that writing this I feel like I read it yesterday. The setup is great. Two women are working late at a high-end fashion company on a Sunday night. They get on the same elevator. The lights go out, and the elevator stalls. Help is called. By the time they get to the lobby and the doors open, one woman is dead. Was it a murder or a suicide? The survivor is Shay Lambert, the company’s newest lawyer; the deceased is Lucy Barton-Jones, their seemingly unflappable human resources director. Shay immediately calls it a suicide, but Lucy’s husband is stumped.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Bonnie Kistler.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary.
Featured Review:
LIFE WITHOUT CHILDREN by Roddy Doyle
LIFE WITHOUT CHILDREN: Stories by Roddy Doyle (Fiction/Short Stories)
Audiobook available, read by Roddy Doyle
Love and marriage. Children and family. Death and grief. Life touches everyone the same. But living under lockdown, it changes us alone. In these 10 beautifully moving short stories written mostly over the last year, Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle paints a collective portrait of our strange times. A man abroad wanders the stag-and-hen-strewn streets of Newcastle, as news of the virus at home asks him to question his next move. An exhausted nurse struggles to let go, having lost a much-loved patient in isolation. A middle-aged son, barred from his mother’s funeral, wakes to an oncoming hangover of regret. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: MOON WITCH, SPIDER KING
by Marlon James
MOON WITCH, SPIDER KING by Marlon James (Historical Fantasy)
Audiobook available, read by Bahni Turpin
In BLACK LEOPARD, RED WOLF, Sogolon the Moon Witch proved a worthy adversary to Tracker as they clashed across a mythical African landscape in search of a mysterious boy who disappeared. In MOON WITCH, SPIDER KING, Sogolon takes center stage and gives her own account of what happened to the boy, and how she plotted and fought, triumphed and failed as she looked for him. It’s also the story of a century-long feud --- seen through the eyes of a 177-year-old witch --- that Sogolon had with the Aesi, chancellor to the king. It is said that Aesi works so closely with the king that together they are like the eight limbs of one spider. It takes brains and courage to challenge him, which Sogolon does for reasons of her own. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
What’s New This Month on ReadingGroupGuides.com
Here are our latest featured guides on ReadingGroupGuides.com:
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.
NOTHING TO LOSE: A J.P. Beaumont Novel by J.A. Jance (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Mike Ortego
Years ago, when he was a homicide detective with the Seattle PD, J. P. Beaumont’s partner, Sue Danielson, was murdered. Volatile and angry, Danielson’s ex-husband came after her in her home. With nowhere else to turn, Jared, Sue’s teenage son, frantically called Beau for help. As Beau rushed to the scene, he urged Jared to grab his younger brother and flee the house. In the end, Beau’s plea and Jared’s quick action saved the two boys from their father’s murderous rage. Now, almost 20 years later, Jared reappears in Beau’s life seeking his help once again --- his younger brother, Chris, is missing. Beau encounters a tangled web of family secrets in which a killer with nothing to lose is waiting to take another life. Reviewed by Roz Shea.
THE SILENT SISTERS by Robert Dugoni (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Edoardo Ballerini
After a harrowing escape from Russian agents on his last mission, Charles Jenkins thinks he’s finally done with the spy game. But then the final two of the seven sisters --- American assets who have been deep undercover in Russia for decades --- cut off all communication with their handlers. Are they in hiding after detecting surveillance? Or have they turned and become double agents? It’s Jenkins’ duty to find out, but he’s been added to a Russian kill list. It will require all of Jenkins’ knowledge of spycraft --- and an array of disguises --- to return to the country undetected. But when plans go awry his first night in Moscow, mafia henchmen, Russian agents and a particularly dogged Moscow police detective pursue him. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
RAMSES THE DAMNED: THE REIGN OF OSIRIS by Anne Rice and Christopher Rice (Supernatural Thriller/Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Katharine Lee McEwan
A pharaoh made immortal by a mysterious and powerful elixir, Ramses the Great became counselor and lover to some of Egypt's greatest and most powerful rulers before he was awakened from centuries of slumber to the mystifying and dazzling world of Edwardian England. Having vanquished foes both human and supernatural, he's found love with the beautiful heiress Julie Stratford, daughter of Lawrence Stratford, the slain archaeologist who discovered his tomb. Now, with the outbreak of a world war looming, Ramses and those immortals brought forth from the mists of history by his resurrection will face their greatest test yet. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THIS MIGHT HURT by Stephanie Wrobel (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Laurel Lefkow
Natalie Collins hasn’t heard from her sister, Kit, in more than half a year. Not since Kit found Wisewood. On a private island off the coast of Maine, Wisewood’s guests commit to six-month stays and are prohibited from contact with the rest of the world so they can focus on achieving true fearlessness. Natalie thinks it’s a bad idea, but Kit has had enough of her sister’s cynicism and voluntarily disappears off the grid. Six months later, Natalie receives a menacing email from a Wisewood account threatening to reveal the secret she’s been keeping from Kit. Panicked, Natalie hurries north to come clean to her sister and bring her home. But she’s about to learn that Wisewood won’t let either of them go without a fight. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
CALL ME A CAB by Donald E. Westlake (Romantic Suspense)
In 1977, Donald E. Westlake turned his pen to suspense of a very different sort --- and the results have never been published…until now. A New York City taxi driver is hired to drive a beautiful woman all the way across America, from Manhattan to Los Angeles, where the biggest decision of her life is waiting to be made. From Pennsylvania to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Nevada on the way to California, the characters’ odyssey takes them through uncharted territory --- on the map and in their lives. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
WALKING THE BOWL: A True Story of Murder and Survival Among the Street Children of Lusaka by Chris Lockhart and Daniel Mulilo Chama (True Crime/Biography)
Audiobook available, read by Daniel Mulilo Chama and Hlonela Ngqwebo
Based on years of investigative reporting and unprecedented fieldwork, WALKING THE BOWL immerses readers in the daily lives of four unforgettable characters: Lusabilo, a determined waste picker; Kapula, a burned-out brothel worker; Moonga, a former rock crusher turned beggar; and Timo, an ambitious gang leader. These children navigate the violent and poverty-stricken underworld of Lusaka, one of Africa’s fastest growing cities. When the dead body of a 10-year-old boy is discovered under a heap of garbage in Lusaka’s largest landfill, a murder investigation quickly heats up. The children’s lives become more closely intertwined as each child engages in a desperate bid for survival against forces they never could have imagined. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
CIRCUS OF WONDERS by Elizabeth Macneal (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Tuppence Middleton
In 1860s England, circus mania is sweeping the nation. When Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders pitches its tent in a poor coastal town, the life of one young girl changes forever. Sold to the ringmaster as a “leopard girl” because of the birthmarks that cover her body, Nell is utterly devastated. But as she grows close to the other performers, she finds herself enchanted by the glittering freedom of the circus, and by her own role as the Queen of the Moon and Stars. Before long, Nell’s fame spreads across the world --- and with it, a chance for Jasper Jupiter to grow his own name and fortune. But what happens when her fame begins to eclipse his own, when even Jasper’s loyal brother, Toby, becomes captivated by Nell? Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
JANE THE YEAR WITHOUT A SUMMER: Being a Jane Austen Mystery by Stephanie Barron (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Kate Reading
Jane Austen is not feeling well. She attributes her poor condition to the stress of family burdens, which even the drafting of her latest manuscript cannot alleviate. Her apothecary recommends a trial of the curative waters at Cheltenham Spa, in Gloucestershire. Jane decides to use some of the profits earned from her last novel, EMMA, and treat herself to a period of rest and reflection at the spa, in the company of her sister, Cassandra. Cheltenham Spa hardly turns out to be the relaxing sojourn Jane and Cassandra envisaged, however. It is immediately obvious that other boarders at the guest house where the Misses Austen are staying have come to Cheltenham with stresses of their own --- some of them deadly. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE DEEPEST OF SECRETS: A Rockton Novel by Kelley Armstrong (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Thérèse Plummer
It’s not always easy to live in the hidden town of Rockton, something Detective Casey Duncan knows firsthand. Tucked away in the Yukon wilderness, the community survives and thrives because the residents' many secrets stay just that --- secret. But what happens when these secrets start to come out? Overnight, no one is safe. Casey and her boyfriend, Sheriff Eric Dalton, need to find the culprit while protecting those who have been thrust into the spotlight. For a place built on privacy and new beginnings, Rockton isn’t handling these revelations very well. People are turning on one another, and when one of the loudest complainers turns up barely alive, it's clear that their trickster is actually a murderer. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
FAKE by Erica Katz (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Andi Arndt
Emma Caan is a forger, an artist who specializes in 19th-century paintings. But she isn’t a criminal; her copies are commissioned by museums and ultra-wealthy collectors protecting their investments. Emma has more than mastered a Gauguin brushstroke and a van Gogh wheat field, but her work is sometimes a painful reminder of the artistic dreams she once chased for herself. When oligarch art collector Leonard Sobetsky unexpectedly appears with an invitation, Emma sees a way out --- a new job, a new path for herself, and access to the kind of money she needs to support her unstable and recently widowed mother. But every invitation incurs an obligation…and Emma isn’t prepared for what’s to come. Reviewed by Lorraine W. Shanley.
CHERISH FARRAH by Bethany C. Morrow (Psychological Thriller/Social Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Angel Pean
Farrah Turner is one of two Black girls in her country club community, and the only one with Black parents. Her best friend, Cherish Whitman, was adopted by a white, wealthy family. With Brianne and Jerry Whitman as parents, Cherish is given the kind of adoration and coddling that even upper-class Black parents can’t seem to afford --- and it creates a dissonance in her best friend that Farrah can exploit. When her own family is unexpectedly confronted with foreclosure, the calculating Farrah is determined to reassert the control she’s convinced she’s always had over her life by staying with Cherish. As troubled Farrah manipulates her way further into the Whitman family, the longer she stays, the more her own parents suggest that something is wrong in the Whitman house. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on March 1st
Below are some notable titles releasing on March 1st 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 February 28th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
THE ATLAS SIX by Olivie Blake (Dark Fantasy)
The much-acclaimed viral sensation from Olivie Blake is now newly revised and edited with additional content.
BURNING QUESTIONS: Essays and Occasional Pieces, 2004 to 2021 by Margaret Atwood (Essays)
In this brilliant selection of essays, Margaret Atwood offers her funny, erudite, endlessly curious and uncannily prescient take on everything from debt and tech to the climate crisis and freedom, and the importance of how to define granola.
THE CLUB by Ellery Lloyd (Mystery/Thriller)
From the author of PEOPLE LIKE HER comes a smart and sinister murder mystery set in the secretive world of exclusive celebrity clubs.
GROUNDSKEEPING by Lee Cole (Fiction)
This indelible love story is about two very different people navigating the entanglements of class and identity and coming of age in an America coming apart at the seams.
I WAS BETTER LAST NIGHT: A Memoir by Harvey Fierstein (Memoir)
This poignant and hilarious memoir from the cultural icon, gay rights activist, and four-time Tony Award–winning actor and playwright reveals never-before-told stories of his personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, and of his fabled career.
THE LOVE OF MY LIFE by Rosie Walsh (Mystery/Thriller)
From the New York Times bestselling author of GHOSTED comes a love story wrapped in a mystery: an up-all-night page-turner with a dark secret at its core.
ONE ITALIAN SUMMER by Rebecca Serle (Fiction)
The New York Times bestselling author of IN FIVE YEARS and THE DINNER LIST returns with a moving and unforgettable exploration of the powerful bond between mother and daughter set on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.
THE TOBACCO WIVES by Adele Myers (Historical Fiction)
Shedding light on the hidden history of women’s activism during the post-war period, at its heart THE TOBACCO WIVES is a deeply human, emotionally satisfying and dramatic novel about the power of female connection and the importance of seeking truth.
THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES by Jennifer E. Smith (Fiction)
An indie musician reeling from tragedy and a public breakdown reconnects with her father on a weeklong cruise in “a pitch-perfect story about the ways we recover love in the strangest places” (Rebecca Serle).
WILD IRISH ROSE: A Molly Murphy Mystery by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles (Historical Mystery)
New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen, now writing in partnership with her daughter, Clare Broyles, transports and enthralls readers through the incomparable Molly Murphy Sullivan.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Margaret Atwood, Roddy Doyle, Rosie Walsh
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.
Monday, February 28th at 2pm ET: Murder By The Book: Lucy Foley will talk about her new novel, THE PARIS APARTMENT, a locked room mystery set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide. She will be in conversation with Mystery & Thriller Maven’s Sara DiVello.
Tuesday, March 1st at 8pm ET: Murder By The Book: Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles will be in conversation with Deborah Crombie about their latest Molly Murphy mystery series, WILD IRISH ROSE.
Tuesday, March 1st at 8pm ET: Square Books: Square Books is pleased to partner with Books & Books and other indie bookstores across the country to present "An Evening with Margaret Atwood and Judy Blume" in celebration of the publication of Atwood's essay collection, BURNING QUESTIONS: Essays and Occasional Pieces, 2004-2021.
Tuesday, March 1st at 9pm ET: Live Talks Los Angeles: Roddy Doyle will be in conversation with Lorrie Moore discussing his new collection of stories, LIFE WITHOUT CHILDREN, a brilliantly warm and witty portrait of our pandemic lives.
Wednesday, March 2nd at 12pm ET: Simon & Schuster's Book Club Favorites: Elizabeth Macneal will join members of the Simon & Schuster team to talk about her new novel, CIRCUS OF WONDERS, which is February's pick for S&S's Book Club Favorites.
Wednesday, March 2nd at 7pm ET: "Friends and Fiction": The "Friends and Fiction" authors --- Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey and Patti Callahan Henry --- will talk to Colleen Hoover about her latest novel, REMINDERS OF HIM.
Wednesday, March 2nd at 9pm ET: Vroman's Bookstore: "Vroman's Live!" presents Jennifer E. Smith in conversation with Lauren Graham about her first novel for adults, THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES.
Thursday, March 3rd at 3pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's will host Rosie Walsh as she discusses her new book, THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, with Ashley Audrain, the bestselling author of THE PUSH.
"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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Jacquelyn Mitchard (THE GOOD SON)
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Allison Pataki (THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: Paid Subscription Services
Which, If Any, Do You Use?
Which of the following paid subscription services do you use? Please check all that apply.
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Acorn TV
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Amazon Prime Video
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AMC+
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Apple TV+
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Basic cable
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BritBox
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Cinemax
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Discovery+
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Disney+
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Epix
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HBO
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HBO Max
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Hulu
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Netflix
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Paramount+
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Peacock
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Showtime
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Starz
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Sundance Now
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None of the above
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Other (Please specify)
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, March 4th 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 February 18th to March 4th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of ONE ITALIAN SUMMER by Rebecca Serle and THE PARIS APARTMENT by Lucy Foley.
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.
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