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Two years ago today was our last day in our New York office. There are times when it feels like a lifetime ago, and others when it feels like 20 minutes. We quickly set up workstations at home, and thanks to our really amazing team, we did not miss a beat. We built a studio for taping “Bookreporter Talks To” interviews in our dining room, setting up industrial lighting on a ladder and mike equipment. We downloaded Zoom, and we interviewed Harlan Coben our first week home.
In June, we moved 2,000 square feet of office furniture and books here to the house, and we put up bookshelves on every free wall. Sometime in October, my husband started hinting that I should think about vacating the dining room so we could have Thanksgiving at the table, which led us to create a new studio in my home office. And this week, we recorded our 130th author interview.
In the summer of 2020, we came up with the idea for our “Bookaccino Live” monthly preview events in a 30-minute Zoom planning call with Tom and Austin. For the first one, we were making it up as we went along, creating the format on the fly. We did not even tape it as we were not sure it was going to work. This week we hosted our 19th “Bookaccino Live” event following the same program idea that we christened in July 2020; 256 people were there. And then we developed our “Bookaccino Live” Book Group series; our guests have included Jeanine Cummins, William Kent Krueger, Kim Michele Richardson and Lisa Scottoline, with Lisa See coming up later this month.
None of this would be possible without our readers who show up for these programs --- and read this newsletter each week. So we thank you! From wherever we are, we will keep coming up with ways to bring you books and authors.
And I’m still doing a number of other virtual programs as well. Here’s an event that I think you might enjoy. On Thursday, March 31st at 8pm ET, I am going to be interviewing Janet Evanovich and Nelson DeMille as part of Simon & Schuster’s Spring 2022 AuthorFest. These authors have created some of the most iconic recurring characters in fiction, and I am going to talk to them about how they do it book after book. You can find information on how to attend here.
As I mentioned above, we hosted this month’s “Bookaccino Live” preview event on Wednesday afternoon. I talked about 30 books releasing between now and April 5th, along with eight from May, that we wanted to get on your radar. You can watch it here and see a list of the featured titles here. For the record, somewhere at the start of this video, I talk about turning the clocks back this weekend; it's AHEAD! I always say this wrong, though I manage to turn the clock the right way. Spring AHEAD! Fall BACK!
Next month’s “Bookaccino Live” preview event will take place on Wednesday, April 13th at 2pm ET. I will present titles releasing between April 12th and May 3rd, along with a few from June, that we think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up. Those attending the live event will be asked to answer a survey about the books from the presentation that they are most interested in reading and will be eligible to win a prize.
My latest "Bookreporter Talks To" interview is with Allison Pataki, whose new novel, THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST, is a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. Marjorie Merriweather Post created an amazing life for herself. She served as a host to presidents, accompanied her husband as an ambassador to the Soviet Union, and changed how Americans ate. This book tells the true story of how she made the journey from small town farm girl to a world of wealth, influence and high society.
In the interview, Allison talks to me about discovering Marjorie’s story and how Marjorie balanced her societal, political and charity efforts. And yes, we dish about her four marriages. It’s a lively conversation about a woman and a book that could make for a great book group discussion. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
Along with THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST, we’re featuring my Bets On commentaries for THE GOOD SON by Jacquelyn Mitchard and THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb. If you missed my interview with Jacquelyn, you can watch it here and listen to the podcast here. I look forward to bringing you my interview with Brendan in next week’s newsletter.
Today we kicked off a new contest for Julie Clark’s upcoming novel, THE LIES I TELL. Many of you know Julie as the author of THE LAST FLIGHT, which was a Bets On pick and one of my favorite books of 2020.
THE LIES I TELL revolves around a con artist who tells you exactly what you need to hear --- and by the time she's done, you've probably lost everything. Kat Roberts has been waiting a decade for the woman who upended her life to return. The moment is finally here, and Kat is determined to be the one to expose her. But as they grow closer, Kat's long-held assumptions begin to crumble, leaving her to wonder who Meg's target really is. I heard Julie talk about this book last week, and I can tell she has written another page-turner.
In anticipation of its June 21st release, we’re awarding an advance copy to 25 readers. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, March 25th at noon ET. You may remember Julie was a guest at one of our “Bookaccino Live” Book Group events last year. If you missed our discussion of THE LAST FLIGHT, you can watch it here and listen to the podcast here.
Mortician “Zig” Zigarowski and artist Nola Brown are back in THE LIGHTNING ROD, the highly anticipated follow-up to Brad Meltzer’s 2018 thriller, THE ESCAPE ARTIST. Our reviewer Ray Palen proclaims, “The release of a new Brad Meltzer novel is a special event that is always worth celebrating.... What really sets him apart is the legendary command of history packed into each of his books, to the point where you are almost guaranteed to walk away learning something new.... THE LIGHTNING ROD...is no exception to this successful formula.” He goes on to say that the book is “high-octane writing and historical intrigue as only Brad Meltzer can produce, and the ride is a relentless one.”
Two fun tidbits here. Brad wrote his first book, THE TENTH JUSTICE, 25 years ago, and we interviewed him when it came out. Back then, our interviews were typed as there was no broadband. Remember those days? And on Wednesday night, Brad was on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and did a really terrific segment. But Seth, we had Brad first!
Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen have teamed up once again for their latest psychological thriller, THE GOLDEN COUPLE. This time, a couple whose marriage is in trouble and a therapist are set on a collision course. Even after the wife’s infidelity is revealed, major secrets remain hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger. According to Ray Palen, “In a novel like this, you will need to have your antennas up as Hendricks and Pekkanen deftly peel away the plot layer by layer like the skin of an onion. THE GOLDEN COUPLE has more than a few surprising twists, which will keep you guessing right up until the final page.”
I was at an event a few years ago where Greer and Sarah talked about how they wrote. Each morning they would log on together and catch up by phone, and then they would write on a shared Google doc. I wondered how that changed when the pandemic hit. With children home, and homeschooling and lunch making going on, they would send chapters back and forth instead of writing together. Their storytelling did not suffer from the distance between their documents!
Word of Mouth Reminder
THE LIGHTNING ROD and THE GOLDEN COUPLE are our current Word of Mouth prizes. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win both these thrillers. Be sure to enter by Friday, March 18th at noon ET.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of 30 fiction titles releasing this month you are planning to read. Let us know by clicking here. We love seeing what you are excited about.
The longlist for the 2022 International Booker Prize was announced this week. Among the titles are THE BOOKS OF JACOB by Olga Tokarczuk, translated from Polish by Jennifer Croft (which we reviewed last week); MORE THAN I LOVE MY LIFE by David Grossman, translated from Hebrew by Jessica Cohen; and LOVE IN THE BIG CITY by Sang Young Park, translated from Korean by Anton Hur. Click here for all the longlisted titles. The shortlist will be revealed on April 7th, followed by the announcement of the winner on May 26th.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail: Pam wrote, “Who wins the contest’s prize the first time they enter the contest? I did!! And I can’t be more pleased and excited. I didn’t want to finish THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK because I was so proud of her. So now I’ll climb back in the saddle and hopefully revisit and also meet some more fascinating people and enjoy the hills of Kentucky!”
“The Dropout” on Hulu: I have now watched four episodes of this program about Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos. It is just crazy to see how many people she bamboozled. I would love to see her and Anna Sorokin from “Inventing Anna” in the same room. Who would con the con if the two of them were together?
“Bridgerton” on Netflix: Season two kicks off on March 25th. Here’s the trailer to give you a sneak peek!
“Pieces of Her” on Netflix: I watched the first episode, and wow, that was action-packed and terrifying. I watched a second episode last night. This is really creepy; I am wondering what comes next, but part of me also is really terrified to see what it's going to be!
“Bosch”: For all of you who loved “Bosch” on Amazon Prime, here’s news: A spinoff series, “Bosch: Legacy”, will premiere May 6th on IMDb TV.
Greg is playing in a curling bonspiel this weekend with other clubs. His team lost last night to a young team. It ends up they were the fourth-place qualifying team in the US Olympic trials!
Remember the amaryllis that was based in wax that I bought back in November? It’s still blooming. This will be the third flower, and there may be one still coming!
I spent most of this week at the American Bookseller Association’s winter conference. It was a pleasure to meet up even virtually with my bookseller friends, to be introduced to a number of new authors, and to hear what's upcoming from some familiar names. I took many notes to make plans for future reviews and features.
I have no weekend plans, which is lovely. Another winter storm (or should I say a bomb cyclone, as they are now called) is on the way, and I am ready to just hunker down. And oh, we lose an hour of sleep this weekend as we fall ahead with the clocks. I will be jet lagged most of next week like I traveled to Chicago. It will be a sluggish start to the week for everyone.
Read on, and have a great weekend...less an hour.
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 LIGHTNING ROD by Brad Meltzer
THE LIGHTNING ROD: A Zig & Nola Novel by Brad Meltzer (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Scott Brick
Archie Mint has led a charmed life. But when he’s killed while trying to stop a robbery in his own home, his family is shattered --- and then shocked when the other shoe drops. Mint has been hiding criminal secrets none of them could have imagined. While working on Mint’s body before his funeral, mortician “Zig” Zigarowski discovers something he was never meant to see. That telling detail leads him to Mint’s former top-secret military unit and his connection to artist Nola Brown. Following Nola’s trail, he uncovers one of the U.S. government’s most intensely guarded secrets --- an undisclosed military facility that holds the key to something far more sinister: a hidden group willing to compromise the very safety and security of America itself. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Featured Review: THE GOLDEN COUPLE
by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
THE GOLDEN COUPLE by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Karissa Vacker and Marin Ireland
Wealthy Washington suburbanites Marissa and Matthew Bishop seem to have it all --- until Marissa is unfaithful. Beneath their veneer of perfection is a relationship riven by work and a lack of intimacy. She wants to repair things for the sake of their eight-year-old son and because she loves her husband. Enter Avery Chambers. Avery is a therapist who lost her professional license. Still, it doesn’t stop her from counseling those in crisis, though they have to adhere to her unorthodox methods. And the Bishops are desperate. When they glide through Avery’s door and Marissa reveals her infidelity, all three are set on a collision course. Because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
New Special Contest: Enter to Win an Advance Copy of
THE LIES I TELL by Julie Clark, Releasing June 21st
THE LIES I TELL by Julie Clark is a twisted domestic thriller that dives deep into the psyches and motivations of two women and their unwavering quest to seek justice for the past and rewrite the future. The book doesn't release until June 21st, but we have 25 advance copies to give away to readers. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, March 25th at noon ET.
THE LIES I TELL by Julie Clark (Domestic Thriller)
Meg Williams. Maggie Littleton. Melody Wilde. Different names for the same person, depending on the town, depending on the job. She's a con artist who erases herself to become whoever you need her to be. A college student. A life coach. A real estate agent. Nothing about her is real. She slides alongside you and tells you exactly what you need to hear, and by the time she's done, you've likely lost everything.
Kat Roberts has been waiting 10 years for the woman who upended her life to return. And now that she has, Kat is determined to be the one to expose her. But as the two women grow closer, Kat's long-held assumptions begin to crumble, leaving Kat to wonder who Meg's true target is.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to read Julie Clark's bio.
- Click here to visit Julie Clark's website.
- Connect with Julie Clark on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click here to enter the contest.
Featured Review: SHADOWS REEL by C. J. Box
SHADOWS REEL: A Joe Pickett Novel by C. J. Box (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by David Chandler
A day before the three Pickett girls come home for Thanksgiving, Joe is called out for a moose poaching incident that turns out to be something much more sinister: a local fishing guide has been brutally tortured and murdered. At the same time, Marybeth opens an unmarked package at the library where she works and finds a photo album that belonged to an infamous Nazi official. Who left it there? And why? When a close neighbor is murdered, Joe and Marybeth face new questions: Who is after the book? And how will they solve its mystery before someone hurts them…or their girls? Meanwhile, Nate Romanowski is on the hunt for the man who stole his falcons and attacked his wife. Reviewed by Roz Shea.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: BOOTH by Karen Joy Fowler
BOOTH by Karen Joy Fowler (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by January LaVoy
In 1822, a secret family moves into a secret cabin some 30 miles northeast of Baltimore and bears 10 children over the course of the next 16 years. Junius Booth is at once a mesmerizing talent and a man of terrifying instability. One by one the children arrive, as year by year the country draws frighteningly closer to the boiling point of secession and civil war. As the tenor of the world shifts, the Booths emerge from their hidden lives to cement their place as one of the country’s leading theatrical families. But multiple scandals, family triumphs and criminal disasters begin to take their toll, and the solemn siblings of John Wilkes Booth are left to reckon with the truth behind the destructively specious promise of an early prophecy. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: MY DARLING HUSBAND
by Kimberly Belle
MY DARLING HUSBAND by Kimberly Belle (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Natalie Duke, Seth Podowitz and Charlie Kevin
Jade and Cam Lasky are by all accounts a happily married couple with two adorable kids, a spacious home and a rapidly growing restaurant business. But their world is tipped upside down when Jade is confronted by a masked home invader. As Cam scrambles to gather the ransom money, Jade starts to wonder if they’re as financially secure as their lifestyle suggests, and what other secrets her husband is keeping from her. Cam may be a good father, a celebrity chef and a darling husband, but there’s another side he’s kept hidden from Jade that has put their family in danger. Unbeknownst to Cam and Jade, the home invader has been watching them and is about to turn their family secrets into a public scandal. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Don't miss Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with
Kimberly Belle later this month.
Bookreporter.com Bets On: THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES
OF MARJORIE POST by Allison Pataki,
THE GOOD SON by Jacquelyn Mitchard, and
THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb
THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST by Allison Pataki (Historical Fiction)
In THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST, Allison Pataki once again delivers a powerful work of historical fiction. Marjorie Merriweather Post led a brilliantly storied life that started in Battle Creek, Michigan, where as a child she glued the labels on boxes of Grape-Nuts and Postum, their first food products. From these humble roots, the Post family grew their empire.
Over the course of her life, Marjorie built the company. She added other brands that would strengthen their reputation and bottom line, as well as deliver to the American housewife prepared foods that would make meal prep for their families easier, such as breakfast cereal in boxes and frozen vegetables for dinner. She understood the everyday woman, even as she garnered wealth and employed a large staff to run her many homes. She had style and grace, as well as a seemingly unstoppable drive.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Allison Pataki.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on
THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST.
THE GOOD SON by Jacquelyn Mitchard (Fiction)
In THE GOOD SON, Jacquelyn Mitchard opens the book with Thea Demetriou at the prison gates waiting to pick up her son, Stefan, as he is released from prison. It’s a brilliant “cold open” with this line: “I was picking my son up at the prison gates when I spotted the mother of the girl he had murdered.” And she goes on to say, “Two independent clauses, ten words each, joined by an adverb, made up entirely of words that would once have been unimaginable to think, much less say.”
Right from the start, we see the depths of a mother’s love --- and we also see the conflict in Thea’s eyes as she watches the other mother and realizes that she will never have this type of reunion with her daughter.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Jacquelyn Mitchard.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE GOOD SON.
THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb (Mystery/Thriller)
I absolutely loved THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb. I have never been a fan of classical music, so reading a book about a concert artist is not something that typically would grab my attention. But I was riveted.
Ray McMillian loves playing the violin, but he’s using a school rental instrument, which is not the way one is going to get ahead in the music world. When visiting his grandmother, she suggests that he look around the attic in her house where her grandfather’s fiddle is. He treks up there, and after days of searching, he finds a green alligator case with a violin inside. Ray practices for hours on it, with his mom complaining about “that noise” and lending no support. As he studies music in school, a teacher takes him under her wing and guides him as she sees real talent in him.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY.
Don't miss Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with
Brendan Slocumb in next week's newsletter.
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 new and 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.
Please note: We will announce more Spring Preview contests later this month.
This year's featured titles include:
Click here to learn more about our featured titles.
THE CHASE by Candice Fox (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by David de Vries and Lisa Negron
In response to a hostage situation, more than 600 inmates from the Pronghorn Correctional Facility, including everyone on Death Row, are released into the Nevada Desert. John Kradle, convicted of murdering his wife and son, is one of the escapees. Now, desperate to discover what really happened that night, Kradle must avoid capture and work quickly to prove his innocence as law enforcement closes in on the fugitives. Death Row Supervisor, and now fugitive-hunter, Celine Osbourne has focused all of her energy on catching Kradle and bringing him back to Death Row. She has very personal reasons for hating him --- and she knows exactly where he’s heading. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
SUNDIAL by Catriona Ward (Gothic Horror/Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Katherine Fenton
All Rob wanted was a normal life. She almost got it, too: a husband, two kids, a nice house in the suburbs. But Rob fears for her oldest daughter, Callie, who collects tiny bones and whispers to imaginary friends. Rob sees a darkness in Callie, one that reminds her too much of the family she left behind. She decides to take Callie back to her childhood home, to Sundial, deep in the Mojave Desert. And there she will have to make a terrible choice. Callie is worried about her mother. Rob has begun to look at her strangely and speaks of past secrets. And Callie fears that only one of them will leave Sundial alive. The mother and daughter embark on a dark, desert journey to the past in the hopes of redeeming their future. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
BY ANY OTHER NAME by Lauren Kate (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available, read by Brittany Pressley
With a successful career as a romance editor, and an engagement to a man who checks off all 99 boxes on her carefully curated list, Lanie is more than good. She's killing it. Then she’s given the opportunity of a lifetime: to work with world-renowned author and her biggest inspiration in love and life --- the Noa Callaway. All Lanie has to do is cure Noa's writer's block and she'll get the promotion she's always dreamed of. Simple, right? But there's a reason no one has ever seen or spoken to the mysterious Noa Calloway. And that reason will rock Lanie’s world. It will call into question everything she thought she knew. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
CHECKOUT 19 by Claire-Louise Bennett (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Claire-Louise Bennett
In a working-class town in a county west of London, a schoolgirl scribbles stories in the back pages of her exercise book, intoxicated by the first sparks of her imagination. As she grows, everything and everyone she encounters become fuel for a burning talent. The large Russian man in the ancient maroon car who careens around the grocery store where she works as a checkout clerk, and slips her a copy of BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL. The growing heaps of other books in which she loses --- and finds --- herself. Even the derailing of a friendship, in a devastating violation. The thrill of learning to conjure characters and scenarios in her head is matched by the exhilaration of forging her own way in the world. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE DARK QUEENS: The Bloody Rivalry That Forged the Medieval World by Shelley Puhak (History)
Audiobook available, read by Cassandra Campbell
In sixth-century Merovingian France, Brunhild and her sister-in-law, Fredegund, were iron-willed strategists who reigned over vast realms, changing the face of Europe. The two queens commanded armies and negotiated with kings and popes. They formed coalitions and broke them, mothered children and lost them. They fought a decades-long civil war --- against each other. With ingenuity and skill, they battled to stay alive in the game of statecraft, and in the process laid the foundations of what would one day be Charlemagne's empire. Yet after the queens' deaths, their stories were rewritten, their names consigned to slander and legend. In THE DARK QUEENS, Shelley Puhak sets the record straight. Reviewed by Carly Silver.
THE SCHOOL OF MIRRORS by Eva Stachniak (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Ell Potter
During the reign of Louis XV, impoverished but lovely teenage girls from all over France are sent to a discreet villa in the town of Versailles. Overseen by the King’s favorite mistress, Madame de Pompadour, they will be trained as potential courtesans for the King. When the time is right, each girl is smuggled into the palace of Versailles, with its legendary Hall of Mirrors. There they meet a mysterious but splendidly dressed man who they’re told is merely a Polish count, a cousin of the Queen. Living an indulgent life of silk gowns, delicious meals and soft beds, the students at this “school of mirrors” rarely ask questions, and when Louis tires of them, they are married off to minor aristocrats or allowed to retire to one of the more luxurious nunneries. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
THE NIGHT SHE WENT MISSING by Kristen Bird (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Megan Tusing
Emily, a popular but bookish prep school senior, goes missing after a night out with friends. She was last seen leaving a party with Alex, a football player with a dubious reputation. But no one is talking. Now three mothers, friends turned frenemies, have their lives turned upside down as they are forced to look to their own children --- and each other’s --- for answers to questions they don’t want to ask. Each mother is sure she knows who is responsible, but they all have their own secrets to keep and reputations to protect. And the lies they tell themselves and each other may just have the potential to be lethal. Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.
TRUTH AND OTHER LIES by Maggie Smith (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Amy McFadden
After losing both her job as a reporter and her boyfriend in the same day, Megan Barnes retreats to Chicago and moves in with Helen, her overprotective mother. Before long, the two are clashing over everything from pro-choice to #MeToo, not to mention Helen's run for U.S. Congress, which puts Megan's career on hold until after the election. Desperate to reboot her life, Megan gets her chance when an altercation at a campus rally brings her face-to-face with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jocelyn Jones, who offers her a job on her PR team. Before long, Megan is pulled into the heady world of fame and glamour that her charismatic new mentor represents. Until an anonymous tweet brings it all crashing down. To salvage Jocelyn's reputation, Megan must locate the online troll and expose the lies. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
MUST LOVE DOGS: LUCKY ENOUGH by Claire Cook (Fiction)
If you live in Marshbury, Massachusetts, that picture postcard perfect seaside town an hour south of Boston and the epicenter of the Irish Riviera, it’s pretty much mandatory to be a little bit Irish for the whole month of March. Preschool teacher Sarah probably should have warned John about that once they bought the Hurlihy family house. And she definitely should have told him that half the town would be watching the St. Patrick’s Day parade from their front yard. In her defense, Sarah has a lot on her plate. Hormones are flying every which way as she and John ramp up their fertility journey, their five rescue cats get spayed and neutered, and assistant teacher-slash-housemate Polly gets ready to give birth with Sarah’s bossy big sister as her labor coach. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on March 15th
Below are some notable titles releasing on March 15th 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 March 14th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
THE BOOK OF COLD CASES by Simone St. James (Supernatural Thriller)
A true crime blogger gets more than she bargained for while interviewing the woman acquitted of two cold case slayings in this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of THE SUN DOWN MOTEL.
CITIZEN K-9: A K Team Novel by David Rosenfelt (Mystery)
In CITIZEN K-9, bestselling author David Rosenfelt masterfully blends mystery with dogs and humor to create an investigative team that readers will be rooting for book after book.
FENCING WITH THE KING by Diana Abu-Jaber (Fiction)
With sharp insight into modern politics and family dynamics, taboos around mental illness, and our inescapable relationship to the past, FENCING WITH THE KING asks how we contend with inheritance: familial and cultural, hidden and openly contested.
GIVE UNTO OTHERS: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery by Donna Leon (Mystery)
What role can or should loyalty play in the life of a police inspector? It’s a question Commissario Guido Brunetti must face and ultimately answer in GIVE UNTO OTHERS, Donna Leon’s splendid 31st installment of her acclaimed Venetian crime series.
THE MATCH by Harlan Coben (Thriller)
From the creator of the #1 hit Netflix series "Stay Close" comes a gripping new thriller in which Wilde follows a tip that may finally reveal the truth behind his abandonment --- only to end up in the sights of a ruthless killer.
MURDER AT THE PORTE DE VERSAILLES: An Aimée Leduc Investigation Set in Paris by Cara Black (Mystery)
This riveting 20th installment entangles Parisian private investigator Aimée Leduc in a dangerous web of international spycraft and terrorist threats in Paris’s 15th arrondissement.
NINE LIVES by Peter Swanson (Mystery/Thriller)
From the New York Times bestselling author of EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS comes the heart-pounding story of nine strangers who receive a cryptic list with their names on it --- and then begin to die in highly unusual circumstances.
OCEAN STATE by Stewart O'Nan (Fiction)
Set in a working-class town on the Rhode Island coast, Stewart O’Nan’s latest is a crushing, beautifully written and profoundly compelling novel about sisters, mothers, daughters and the terrible things love makes us do.
PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING by Melissa Fu (Historical Fiction)
A novel about war, migration and the power of telling our stories, PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING follows three generations of a Chinese family on their search for a place to call home.
THE SUMMER GETAWAY by Susan Mallery (Fiction)
One woman takes the vacation of a lifetime in this poignant and heartwarming story about the threads that hold a family together.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Harlan Coben, Susan Mallery, Peter Swanson
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.
Saturday, March 12th at 3pm ET: Anderson's Bookshops: Join Anderson's Bookshops for a virtual event with Rosie Walsh to celebrate the release of her new book, THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, which is March's "Good Morning America" Book Club pick. Rosie will be in conversation with fellow bestselling author Laura Dave.
Monday, March 14th at 7:30pm ET: “Lisa Live”: Join Lisa Scottoline for her “Lisa Live” Facebook events every Monday night through March 28th for fun-filled insider info on the inspiration and research for her upcoming novel, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS, culminating in champagne-popping on the night before publication to celebrate.
Tuesday, March 15th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Harlan Coben for a live virtual event to celebrate the release of his latest book, THE MATCH, as part of their B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. Harlan will be in conversation with Lee Child.
Tuesday, March 15th at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's and HQN Books will host Susan Mallery as she discusses her new book, THE SUMMER GETAWAY, with Katherine Center.
Tuesday, March 15th at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Harlan Coben will talk about his new thriller, THE MATCH, in which Wilde follows a tip that may finally reveal the truth behind his abandonment...only to end up in the sights of a ruthless killer.
Wednesday, March 16th at 6pm ET: Murder By The Book: Peter Swanson will be in conversation with Lynne (Liv) Constantine to celebrate the publication of his latest novel, NINE LIVES.
Wednesday, March 16th 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 John Searles about his latest book, HER LAST AFFAIR.
Wednesday, March 16th at 7pm ET: Harvard Book Store: Harvard Book Store's virtual event series and GrubStreet will welcome Melissa Fu for a discussion of her debut novel, PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING.
Thursday, March 17th at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Peter Swanson will discuss his latest thriller, NINE LIVES, the heart-pounding story of nine strangers who receive a cryptic list with their names on it --- and then begin to die in highly unusual circumstances.
"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:
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Allison Pataki (THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST) Video | Podcast
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Kimberly Belle (MY DARLING HUSBAND)
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John Searles (HER LAST AFFAIR)
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Brendan Slocumb (THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: March Fiction Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following fiction titles releasing in March are you planning to read? Please check all that apply.
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BOOTH by Karen Joy Fowler
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THE CLUB by Ellery Lloyd
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THE DIAMOND EYE by Kate Quinn
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DOUBLEBLIND: A Georgia Davis Novel of Suspense, by Libby Fischer Hellmann
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FRENCH BRAID by Anne Tyler
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GIVE UNTO OTHERS: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery, by Donna Leon
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THE GOLDEN COUPLE by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
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GROUNDSKEEPING by Lee Cole
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HER LAST AFFAIR by John Searles
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THE LIGHTNING ROD: A Zig & Nola Novel, by Brad Meltzer
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THE LONG WEEKEND by Gilly Macmillan
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THE LOVE OF MY LIFE by Rosie Walsh
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THE MATCH by Harlan Coben
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THE MISSING PIECE by John Lescroart
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MY DARLING HUSBAND by Kimberly Belle
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OCEAN STATE by Stewart O'Nan
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ONE ITALIAN SUMMER by Rebecca Serle
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PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING by Melissa Fu
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THE RECOVERY AGENT by Janet Evanovich
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A RELATIVE MURDER: A Medlar Mystery, by Jude Deveraux
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RUN, ROSE, RUN by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
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A SAFE HOUSE: A Stone Barrington Novel, by Stuart Woods
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SHADOWS REEL: A Joe Pickett Novel, by C. J. Box
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THE SHOP ON ROYAL STREET by Karen White
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THE SUMMER GETAWAY by Susan Mallery
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A SUNLIT WEAPON: A Maisie Dobbs Novel, by Jacqueline Winspear
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THE TOBACCO WIVES by Adele Myers
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THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES by Jennifer E. Smith
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THE WEDDING VEIL by Kristy Woodson Harvey
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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS by Lisa Scottoline
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, March 18th at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You're Reading --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve finished reading with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from March 4th to March 18th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE GOLDEN COUPLE by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen and THE LIGHTNING ROD: A Zig & Nola Novel by Brad Meltzer.
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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