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I think the spring weather coming and going (it’s 70 degrees, now it’s 30, now it’s 65 and now there are snow flurries) has been making me a bit crazy. So when I saw an advance copy of THE LIFEGUARDS by Amanda Eyre Ward on my shelf, I decided to move right ahead to summer! I loved Amanda's previous book, THE JETSETTERS, and once again I plunged (pun intended) right into the story. The setting is Austin, Texas. One night, three moms are hanging out together as they are wont to do, sipping margaritas and catching up on life. Their three sons are lifeguards; the moms feel they have raised them well, and life is good. But then the boys come home on their bicycles late one night with haunted looks on their faces. What happened? Were they involved? Suddenly, this very cozy group is looking to be anything but. And everyone has their own point of view.
Betsy Prioleau’s DIAMONDS AND DEADLINES focuses on a woman in history who has been overlooked by many: Mrs. Frank Leslie, also known as Miriam Leslie. During the 19th century, she forged a life for herself, charting a course where she ran a successful publishing company for two decades. Ponder that for a while. Betsy’s research helped her build a story that is nonfiction, but has prose that glides so well that you will think it is a novel, or historical fiction set against the backdrop of the Gilded Age. Miriam has a biography-worthy life with not only her work life, but also the way she left her estate to the women’s suffrage movement --- the largest donation made for this effort. She also lived a scandalous life with four husbands, and there are questions about her race. Betsy definitely dishes it, but also introduces us to another formidable woman to close out Women’s History Month.
Betsy also has been my go-to person about all things Gilded Age, especially as I watched “The Gilded Age” on HBO.
Here is a confession. I do not remember most character names; I remember what they do. This is the same with books and television shows. When I watched “The Gilded Age,” it is the woman in the big white house and the two sisters across the street and their niece. Yes, I know Mrs. Astor, but Mr. McAllister was new to me. Betsy filled in a lot of details on some of the people from the show. Yes, we dished it. But back to characters, I recall few of their names. Many times, even when I am reading books, I focus on one or two character names; from there, I usually only remember what they do. Even if you were to quiz me on my 2022 Bookreporter.com Bets On titles, I could tell you plots a lot more than I could tell you character names!
There are exceptions when the characters are iconic --- like Nelson DeMille’s John Corey and Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum. With series characters like those, who are drawn so distinctly you can hear their voices, a book with them is like dropping into a world that you know, and there is something really lovely about that.
With that in mind (pun intended again), I want to remind you that on Thursday, March 31st at 8pm ET, I will be moderating Simon & Schuster’s Spring 2022 AuthorFest event featuring Janet and Nelson. They have created some of the most iconic recurring characters in fiction, and I’ll be talking to them about how they pull this off, book after book. Janet’s latest thriller, THE RECOVERY AGENT, kicks off a brand-new series introducing recovery agent Gabriela Rose. Nelson’s next book is THE MAZE, which marks the long-awaited return of John Corey and will be in stores on October 11th. Click here to RSVP for the event.
We have our review of THE RECOVERY AGENT this week from Roz Shea, who says, “[R]eaders are treated to plenty of action, complicated relationships, laughs, dangerous underwater chases, pirates, and a lunatic who thinks he holds the powers of Supay, the god of death. THE RECOVERY AGENT is an explosive start to this series, and I can’t wait to see what Janet Evanovich has in store for her protagonist next.”
On Wednesday night, we hosted our latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event. Our guest was Lisa See, and we had a wonderful conversation about her first book, ON GOLD MOUNTAIN, which is the story of the 100-year odyssey of her Chinese American family. It’s being adapted by the LA Opera for performances this May, and Lisa shared some information about that as well. We received over 40 questions from our attendees, and our producer Austin Ruh did his usual superb job of figuring out which ones to ask Lisa.
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. And if you’re interested in attending the opera, which will be produced in the Chinese Garden at The Huntington Library, Art Museums, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA, you can click here for all the details and to purchase your tickets.
I am thrilled to announce that Miranda Cowley Heller will be our next “Bookaccino Live” Book Group guest. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 20th at 8pm ET, and you can sign up for it here. We will be talking about Miranda’s debut novel, THE PAPER PALACE, an instant New York Times bestseller, a Reese’s Book Club pick and a Bets On selection. The hardcover released last year, and the paperback will be out the day before the event.
Just as we did on Wednesday night, there will be a two-part Q&A session after I talk to Miranda. For the first part, those who are asking a question “on camera” will be featured. Please note that this includes being able to spend time with the author backstage in our virtual green room before the show starts. Yes, there are perks for on-screen participation! If you would like to ask your question "live on screen" this way, please email it to me using the subject line “Question for Miranda.” For those who are camera shy, there will be a traditional Q&A segment as well. I interviewed Miranda last August, so I am looking forward to catching up with her and having much more conversation about the book.
My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with John Searles, whose new thriller, HER LAST AFFAIR, is a tense and atmospheric novel of love lost and found again. It opens with the sentence "Every marriage has its secrets," and those secrets are what drive the plot. Skyla is a burnt-out nurse stuck with regrets about her long marriage and late husband; Linelle is bored by her spouse; and Jeremy is reminiscing about his first great heartbreak. The book has been compared to a Coen brothers movie, and that description is dead on.
John’s idea for HER LAST AFFAIR first came as he traveled home to see his mom and saw a closed drive-in movie theater. There is something iconic and mysterious about this setting. John and I both worked in the magazine industry, so we spent some time paying homage to magazines and what has changed about them. We used to have gossipy conversations on 57th Street when we worked nearby each other, so this interview is like taking you behind the scenes for one of our dishy chats. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast.
Ray Palen has our review of HER LAST AFFAIR and says, “All of these characters will meet in the final third of the novel, and it will be explosive. There is also a completely unexpected twist that is absolutely brilliant. The finale takes a sharp turn into a much darker place, and the ending is a satisfying one. I was not familiar with John Searles' work before, but he has won me over and found himself a faithful new reader.”
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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FRENCH BRAID: Anne Tyler takes readers on a journey deep into one Baltimore family’s foibles --- from a boyfriend with a red Chevy in the 1950s up to a longed-for reunion with a grandchild in our pandemic present.
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A SUNLIT WEAPON: A series of possible attacks on British pilots leads Jacqueline Winspear's beloved heroine, Maisie Dobbs, into a mystery involving First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
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A SAFE HOUSE: In Stuart Woods’ latest thriller, Stone Barrington takes on a vengeful rival. From the English countryside to the balmy beaches of Key West, Stone is on an international mission to hide and protect those closest to him.
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PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING: Melissa Fu’s debut novel, which is about war, migration and the power of telling our stories, follows three generations of a Chinese family on their search for a place to call home.
Spring Preview is Back!
We have a new Spring Preview contest going up on Tuesday, March 29th at noon ET. You will have a 24-hour window of opportunity to win one of five copies of Lisa Scottoline’s latest thriller, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS, which releases that day.
Lisa has a number of online events scheduled over the next few weeks to celebrate its publication. It all kicks off this Monday at 6pm ET with the last of her “Lisa Live” Facebook events, where she has been giving readers fun-filled insider info on the inspiration and research for the book. Later that night, she will be doing events for Murder By The Book and The Poisoned Pen Bookstore. Click here for all the details on these and many other events that will be part of her virtual book tour!
Word of Mouth Update
We also are giving away WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS in our Word of Mouth contest, along with THE SHOP ON ROYAL STREET by Karen White. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll have a chance to win both these titles. Please do so by Friday, April 1st at noon ET.
Remember to Vote in Our Bookreporter Poll AND ReadingGroupGuides Survey
Our Bookreporter poll continues to ask which of 20 titles releasing in paperback this month you have read or are planning to read. Click here to let us know.
And if you are in a book group, please take a moment and answer our ReadingGroupGuides survey. We would like to know how you organize your book group. The survey will close on Thursday, March 31st at 11:59pm ET.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail: We got so much mail about our event with Lisa See on Wednesday night. Here are two notes that are emblematic of what we received.
Myra wrote, “Thank you so much for hosting this evening’s webinar with Lisa See. She is such a great writer/storyteller and a joy to listen to. She has been a guest author at Assistance League of San Fernando Valley’s Authors’ Luncheons several times. One time, the third author called to say that she was lost, and Lisa stepped up to the podium to fill in that author’s spot. She is never without something interesting to share. After COVID canceled our April 2020 event, we are finally scheduling a luncheon for May 21, 2022. She was asked but was busy at that time. I am certainly pleased to know that another book of hers may be out in March 2023. I also wrote a question for her and nearly fell off my chair when it was the first one read this evening. Our book club read several of her books, and when we discussed THE TEA GIRL OF HUMMINGBIRD LANE, our hostess purchased the tea kit to enjoy as we talked about the book. It was a delightful afternoon.”
Karen wrote, “Thank you so much for the Lisa See event yesterday. I have read most of her books and have heard her speak a few times. Always a treat!”
“Bridgerton” on Netflix: Season two is out today, which I know means that it will be binge time for a number of you! I also will know NO character names. Seriously!
“Pachinko” on Apple TV+: This series based on the bestselling book by Min Jin Lee begins airing tonight. You can see a trailer here.
“WeCrashed” on Apple TV+: If you watch the first 10 minutes of this, I think you are going to want to watch more. It's about the rise and fall of WeWork. Let's just say that Adam and Rebekah Neumann are legends in their own minds. Someone called it a typical rich people rom-com, and I think that is dead on. But it's also like the train wreck that you cannot look away from. Between this, “Inventing Anna” (Netflix), “The Dropout” (Hulu) and “Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber” (Showtime), there is a chance to watch people who dreamed, crashed and burned as they chased money. Here's an article about this very topic.
Lead Me Home on Netflix: This film is a gut-wrenching story about homelessness in Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles that was shot between 2018 and 2020. Knowing what the last couple of years have been like during the pandemic, I cannot even imagine what the situation is like there now.
Where the Crawdads Sing: This is slated for release in theaters on July 15th. You can watch the trailer here.
Basketball was on the menu for tonight. I cheered on Saint Peter’s from Jersey City, New Jersey, who took on mighty Purdue. They won; it's the first time a 15 seed has made it to the Elite Eight! I do love a Cinderella story. And I have some history with Saint Peter’s. You might even say I am an alumna.
When I was in eighth grade thinking ahead to high school and college reading, my mom signed me up for a speed reading class. We took a test on the first day, and the teacher asked when I had taken the class. I said that this was my first day there. I read that quickly. I did finish the class, and I did improve my already brisk reading speed. I have a certificate about that somewhere. I guess I can call it a degree, so I am an alumna of speed reading from Saint Peter’s!
The Oscars will air on Sunday night. I have seen most of the films, and I am working my way through some shorts that I have missed on Netflix as they have an Oscar nominee section with about eight titles, if I remember correctly. There are so many ways that these awards can go. I am hoping for an entertaining evening.
Beyond that, I will be doing a lot of reading for my Thursday interview with Nelson and Janet. I hope many of our readers can join us. And okay, one of the benefits of it being cold is that I can get a fire going in the fireplace as I read!
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 RECOVERY AGENT
by Janet Evanovich
THE RECOVERY AGENT by Janet Evanovich (Thriller/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Lorelei King
As a recovery agent, Gabriela Rose is hired by individuals and companies seeking lost treasures, stolen heirlooms or missing assets of any kind. But her latest job isn’t for some bamboozled billionaire. It’s for her own family, whose home is going to be wiped off the map if they can’t come up with a lot of money fast. Inspired by an old family legend, Gabriela sets off for the jungles of Peru in pursuit of the Ring of Solomon and the lost treasure of Cortez. But this particular job comes with a huge problem attached to it --- Gabriela’s ex-husband, Rafer. It’s Rafer who has the map that possibly points the way to the treasure, and he’s not about to let Gabriela find it without him. It’s going to take a team to defeat the vicious drug lord who also has been searching for the fabled ring. Reviewed by Roz Shea.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Featured Review: FRENCH BRAID by Anne Tyler
FRENCH BRAID by Anne Tyler (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kimberly Farr
The Garretts take their first and last family vacation in the summer of 1959. They hardly ever leave home, but in some ways they have never been farther apart. Mercy has trouble resisting the siren call of her aspirations to be a painter, which means less time keeping house for her husband, Robin. Their teenage daughters, steady Alice and boy-crazy Lily, could not have less in common. Their youngest, David, is already intent on escaping his family's orbit, for reasons none of them understand. Yet, as these lives advance across decades, the Garretts' influences on one another ripple ineffably but unmistakably through each generation. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: A SUNLIT WEAPON
by Jacqueline Winspear
A SUNLIT WEAPON: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Orlagh Cassidy
Jo Hardy, a 22-year-old ferry pilot, is delivering a Supermarine Spitfire --- the fastest fighter aircraft in the world --- to Biggin Hill Aerodrome, when she realizes someone is shooting at her aircraft from the ground. Returning to the location on foot, she finds an American serviceman in a barn, bound and gagged. She rescues the man, who is handed over to the American military police; it quickly emerges that he is considered a suspect in the disappearance of a fellow soldier who is missing. Tragedy strikes two days later, when another ferry pilot crashes in the same area where Jo’s plane was attacked. At the suggestion of one of her colleagues, Jo seeks the help of psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: A SAFE HOUSE by Stuart Woods
A SAFE HOUSE: A Stone Barrington Novel by Stuart Woods (Thriller/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Tony Roberts
Stone Barrington is looking forward to some quiet time in New York City, until he is asked to transport precious, top-secret cargo across the Atlantic. Taking on the challenge, Stone flies off unaware of what --- or who --- he is bringing with him. But his plans to lie low are quickly spoiled when a dangerous dispatcher tracks down Stone and his tantalizing mystery guest, intent on payback --- and silencing anyone who poses a threat. From the English countryside to the balmy beaches of Key West, Stone is on an international mission to hide and protect those closest to him. Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: HER LAST AFFAIR by John Searles
HER LAST AFFAIR by John Searles (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Jane Oppenheimer
Ever since her husband’s death in a freak accident the year before, Skyla spends her nights ruminating about the regrets and deceptions in her long marriage. That is, until she rents a cottage to a charming British man, Teddy Cornwell. A thousand miles away, Linelle is about to turn 50. Bored by her spouse and fired from her job, her only source of joy is an online affair with her very first love, a man she’s not seen in nearly 30 years, Teddy Cornwell. While in New York City, Jeremy, a failed and bitter writer, accepts an assignment to review a new restaurant in Providence. Years ago, Providence was the site of his first great love and first great heartbreak --- and maybe, just maybe, he’ll look her up when he’s back in town. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with John Searles.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING by Melissa Fu
PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING by Melissa Fu (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Eugenia Low
It is 1938 in China. As a young wife, Meilin’s future is bright. But with the Japanese army approaching, Meilin and her four-year-old son, Renshu, are forced to flee their home. Relying on little but their wits and a beautifully illustrated hand scroll, filled with ancient fables that offer solace and wisdom, they must travel through a ravaged country, seeking refuge. Years later, Renshu has settled in America as Henry Dao. Though his daughter is desperate to understand her heritage, he refuses to talk about his childhood. How can he keep his family safe in this new land when the weight of his history threatens to drag them down? Yet how can Lily learn who she is if she can never know her family’s story? Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's 11th 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 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 next prize book will be announced on Tuesday, March 29th at noon ET.
This year's featured titles include:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
What’s New This Month on ReadingGroupGuides.com
"What's Your Book Group Reading This Month?" Contest: Win Up to 12 Copies of THE PARIS LIBRARY by Janet Skeslien Charles for Your Group
Each month in our "What's Your Book Group Reading This Month" contest, we ask book groups to share the titles they are reading that month and rate them. From all entries, three winners will be selected, and each will win up to 12 copies of that month’s prize book for their group.
Our latest prize book is THE PARIS LIBRARY by Janet Skeslien Charles, a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick that is now available in paperback. Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this instant New York Times, Washington Post and USA TODAY bestseller is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family and the power of literature to bring us together. Enter here by Wednesday, April 6th at noon ET.
Here are our latest featured guides:
Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:
Click here to visit ReadingGroupGuides.com.
GIVE UNTO OTHERS: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery by Donna Leon (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by David Colacci
Commissario Guido Brunetti is approached for a favor by Elisabetta Foscarini. Her son-in-law, Enrico Fenzo, has alarmed his wife (her daughter) by confessing that their family might be in danger because of something he’s involved with. Since Fenzo is an accountant, Brunetti logically suspects the cause of danger is related to the finances of a client. Yet his clients seem benign. However, when his friend’s daughter’s place of work is vandalized, Brunetti asks his own favors --- that his colleagues Claudia Griffoni, Lorenzo Vianello and Signorina Elettra Zorzi assist his private investigation, which soon enough turns official as they uncover the dark and Janus-faced nature of a venerable Italian institution. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
NEVER SIMPLE: A Memoir by Liz Scheier (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Amy Landon
On an uneventful afternoon when Liz Scheier was 18, her mother, Judith, sauntered into the room to tell her two important things: one, she had been married for most of Scheier’s life to a man she’d never heard of, and two, the man she’d told Scheier was her father was entirely fictional. It took dozens of smaller lies to support them, and by the time she was done, she had built a farcical, half-true life for the two of them. Twenty years later, Scheier receives a voicemail from Adult Protective Services, reporting that Judith has stopped paying rent and is refusing all offers of assistance. That call is the start of a shocking journey that takes Liz and Judith deep into the cascading effects of decades of lies and deception. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
SECRET IDENTITY by Alex Segura (Literary Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Aida Reluzco
Carmen Valdez, an assistant at Triumph Comics, is tantalizingly close to fulfilling her dream of writing a superhero book. That dream is nearly a reality when one of the Triumph writers enlists her help to create a new character, which they call “The Lethal Lynx,” Triumph's first female hero. But her colleague is acting strangely and asking to keep her involvement a secret. And then he’s found dead, with all of their scripts turned into the publisher without her name. Carmen is desperate to figure out what happened to him. But that’s complicated by a surprise visitor, a tenacious cop who is piecing everything together too quickly for Carmen, and the tangled web of secrets and resentments among the passionate eccentrics who write comics for a living. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
KINGDOMS OF DEATH: The Sun Eater, Book Four by Christopher Ruocchio (Space Opera/Fantasy)
Audiobook available, read by Samuel Roukin
Hadrian Marlowe is trapped. For nearly a century, he has been a guest of the Emperor, forced into the role of advisor, a prisoner of his own legend. But the war is changing. Mankind is losing. The Cielcin are spilling into human space from the fringes, picking their targets with cunning precision. The Great Prince Syriani Dorayaica is uniting their clans, forging them into an army and threat the likes of which mankind has never seen. And the Empire stands alone. Now the Emperor has no choice but to give Hadrian Marlowe, once his favorite knight, one more impossible task: journey across the galaxy to the Lothrian Commonwealth and convince them to join the war. Reviewed by Stephen Hubbard.
A HARMLESS LIE by Sara Blaedel (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Christine Lakin
Detective Louise Rick is on a beach in Thailand when the panicked call from her father comes through. Louise′s beloved brother, Mikkel, has attempted suicide. His wife, Trine, left him days earlier, walking out the door one day with no warning and leaving Mikkel devastated. Louise rushes home to Osted, the small, insular Danish town where she grew up and where Mikkel still lives. But the more Louise learns about Trine --- a devoted wife and the mother of two young children --- and her state of mind in the days before she left Mikkel, the more Louise begins to wonder if Trine really meant to leave him. Or if something much darker may have taken place. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
FENCING WITH THE KING by Diana Abu-Jaber (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Rasha Zamamiri
The King of Jordan is turning 60! How better to celebrate the occasion than with his favorite pastime --- fencing --- and with his favorite sparring partner, Gabriel Hamdan. Amani, a divorced poet, jumps at the chance to accompany her father to his homeland for the King’s birthday. Her father’s past is a mystery to her --- even more so since she found a poem on blue airmail paper slipped into one of his old Arabic books, written by his mother, a Palestinian refugee who arrived in Jordan during World War I. Her words hint at a long-kept family secret, carefully guarded by Uncle Hafez, an advisor to the King, who has quite personal reasons for inviting his brother to the birthday party. The Hamdan brothers must face a reckoning, with themselves and with each other --- one that almost costs Amani her life. Reviewed by Lorraine W. Shanley.
THE LYING CLUB by Annie Ward (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Teri Schnaubelt
At an elite private school nestled in the Colorado mountains, Natalie, an office assistant, dreams of having a life like the school moms she deals with every day. Women like Brooke --- a gorgeous heiress, ferociously loving mother and serial cheater --- and Asha, an overprotective mom who suspects her husband of having an affair. Their fates are bound by the handsome assistant athletic director Nicholas, whom Natalie loves, Brooke wants and Asha needs. But when two bodies are carried out of the school one morning, it seems the tension between mothers and daughters, rival lovers and the haves and have-nots has shattered the surface of this isolated, affluent town --- where people stop at nothing to get what they want. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
THE HEIGHTS by Louise Candlish (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Genevieve Gaunt, Milo Twomey and Louise Candlish
The Heights is a tall, slender apartment building among warehouses in London. Its roof terrace is so discreet, you wouldn’t know it existed if you weren’t standing at the window of the flat directly opposite. But you are. And that’s when you see a man up there --- a man you’d recognize anywhere. He may be older now, but it’s definitely him. But that can’t be because he’s been dead for over two years. You know this for a fact. Because you’re the one who killed him. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE TSARINA’S DAUGHTER by Ellen Alpsten (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Anna Krippa
Born into the House of Romanov to the all-powerful Peter the Great and his wife, Catherine, a former serf, beautiful Tsarevna Elizabeth is the envy of the Russian empire. She is insulated by luxury and spoiled by her father, who dreams for her to marry King Louis XV of France and rule in Versailles. But when a woodland creature gives her a Delphic prophecy, her life is turned upside down. Her volatile father suddenly dies, her only brother has been executed and her mother takes the throne of Russia. As friends turn to foe in the dangerous atmosphere of the Court, the princess must fear for her freedom and her life. Elizabeth matures from suffering victim to strong and savvy survivor. But only her true love and their burning passion finally help her become who she is. Reviewed by Carly Silver.
THE WRONG WOMAN by Leanne Kale Sparks (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Erin DeWard
The only survivor of Denver’s notorious “Reaper” serial murders, FBI Special Agent Kendall Beck grapples with the ghosts of her past by seeking justice for victims of abuse. She’s neck deep in a particularly ugly case involving the disappearance of five-year-old Emily Williams. But her investigation is derailed when her best friend and roommate, Gwen Tavich, turns up dead floating in a nearby lake. Devastated by the news of Gwen’s death, Kendall teams up with Denver detective Adam Taylor to find the killer. With every new clue, Kendall questions how well she really knew her friend. And when Gwen’s dark secrets begin spilling out one by one, she begins to understand the devastating magnitude of her murder. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on March 29th
Below are some notable titles releasing on March 29th 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 28th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
THE DIAMOND EYE by Kate Quinn (Historical Fiction)
The New York Times bestselling author of THE ROSE CODE returns with an unforgettable World War II tale of a quiet librarian who becomes history’s deadliest female sniper.
DIAMONDS AND DEADLINES: A Tale of Greed, Deceit, and a Female Tycoon in the Gilded Age by Betsy Prioleau (Biography)
DIAMONDS AND DEADLINES is the first major biography of the glamorous and scandalous Miriam Leslie, titan of publishing and an unsung hero of women’s suffrage.
THE LONG WEEKEND by Gilly Macmillan (Psychological Thriller)
In this pulse-pounding thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of THE NANNY, a group of women travel to the most remote place in England for a weekend escape, only to discover a startling note that one of their husbands will be killed before they return home.
THE MISSING PIECE by John Lescroart (Thriller)
The beloved New York Times bestselling Dismas Hardy series returns with this “perfect piece of entertainment from a master storyteller” (Steve Berry) about a relentlessly twisty murder mystery.
A RELATIVE MURDER: A Medlar Mystery by Jude Deveraux (Mystery)
Even the closest families have secrets hidden away. Bestselling novelist Sara Medlar is skilled at sharing stories about other people, but she hoped the truth about her own family would never surface.
THE SHOP ON ROYAL STREET by Karen White (Mystery)
Nola Trenholm is hopeful for a fresh start in the Big Easy but must deal with ghosts from her past --- as well as new ones --- in this first book in a spinoff series of Karen White's New York Times bestselling Tradd Street novels.
THE WEDDING VEIL by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Fiction)
In the vein of Therese Anne Fowler’s A WELL-BEHAVED WOMAN and Jennifer Robson’s THE GOWN, THE WEDDING VEIL brings to vivid life a group of remarkable women forging their own paths --- and explores the mystery of a national heirloom lost to time.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS by Lisa Scottoline (Thriller)
From #1 bestselling author Lisa Scottoline comes a pulse-pounding new novel. Your family has been attacked, never again to be the same. Now you have to choose between law...and justice.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Gilly Macmillan, Lisa Scottoline, Kate Quinn
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, March 28th at 1pm ET: Murder By The Book: Gilly Macmillan will talk about her new novel, THE LONG WEEKEND, in which a group of women travel to the most remote place in England for a weekend escape, only to discover a startling note that one of their husbands will be killed before they return home. She will be in conversation with Mystery & Thriller Maven’s Sara DiVello.
Monday, March 28th at 6pm ET: “Lisa Live”: Join Lisa Scottoline on her Facebook page to celebrate the publication of her new pulse-pounding novel, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS.
Monday, March 28th at 7pm ET: Murder By The Book: Lisa Scottoline will talk about her new novel, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS, with Mystery & Thriller Maven’s Sara DiVello.
Monday, March 28th at 9pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Lisa Scottoline looks forward to discussing her latest thriller, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS, the premise of which is this: Your family has been attacked, never again to be the same. Now you have to choose between law…and justice.
Tuesday, March 29th at 7pm ET: Reads & Company Bookshop: Join Lisa Scottoline for a special publication day virtual celebration for WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS, her latest domestic thriller. Lisa will be joining Reads & Company to celebrate the launch of what surely will be one of the hottest books of the spring.
Tuesday, March 29th at 10pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: John Lescroart will discuss the latest installment in his Dismas Hardy series, THE MISSING PIECE, a relentlessly twisty murder and a first-rate thriller that you’ll savor to the last word.
Wednesday, March 30th at 7pm ET: "Friends and Fiction": The "Friends and Fiction" authors --- Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey and Patti Callahan Henry --- will throw a launch party for Kristy's new book, THE WEDDING VEIL.
Wednesday, March 30th at 7pm ET: RJ Julia Booksellers: Join Lisa Scottoline for the launch of her new book, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS.
Thursday, March 31st at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's, in partnership with William Morrow, will host Kate Quinn as she discusses her new book, THE DIAMOND EYE.
Thursday, March 31st at 8pm ET: Simon & Schuster's Spring 2022 AuthorFest: Simon & Schuster partners with the book festival community each season to bring exclusive author programming to readers across the US. Their Spring 2022 AuthorFest event will feature #1 internationally bestselling authors Nelson DeMille and Janet Evanovich in conversation with Carol Fitzgerald.
Thursday, March 31st at 8:30pm ET: Book Passage: Join Book Passage for an evening with Lisa Scottoline, who will be in conversation with Luisa Smith about her new novel, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS.
Friday, April 1st at 7pm ET: Cuyahoga Public Library: Join Cuyahoga Public Library for a conversation with Lisa Scottoline about her latest thriller, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS.
"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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Jane Green (SISTER STARDUST)
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Gilly Macmillan (THE LONG WEEKEND)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: March Paperback Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following titles releasing in paperback in March have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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21st BIRTHDAY by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
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BAND OF SISTERS by Lauren Willig
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THE BEAUTY OF LIVING TWICE by Sharon Stone
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BLACK ICE by Brad Thor
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BLIND TIGER by Sandra Brown
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THE COMMITTED by Viet Thanh Nguyen
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EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME: Seasons of Love and Loss, by Jenna Bush Hager
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THE FINAL REVIVAL OF OPAL & NEV by Dawnie Walton
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THE FINAL TWIST: A Colter Shaw Novel, by Jeffery Deaver
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GOOD COMPANY by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
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THE GOOD SISTER by Sally Hepworth
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HER PERFECT LIFE by Hank Phillippi Ryan
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HOLLYWOOD PARK: A Memoir, by Mikel Jollett
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KLARA AND THE SUN by Kazuo Ishiguro
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THE KOBALT DOSSIER: An Evan Ryder Novel, by Eric Van Lustbader
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MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW by Stephen Graham Jones
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THE PARIS LIBRARY by Janet Skeslien Charles
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ROBERT B. PARKER'S PAYBACK: A Sunny Randall Novel, by Mike Lupica
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TRANSIENT DESIRES: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery, by Donna Leon
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WHO IS MAUD DIXON? by Alexandra Andrews
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, April 1st 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 18th to April 1st at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE SHOP ON ROYAL STREET by Karen White and WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BENNETTS by Lisa Scottoline.
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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