|
And Just Like That…It’s Fall!
Today is the first FULL day of fall, and here it’s been a textbook fall day with beautiful blue skies. Well, maybe it could have had a bit less wind. For all those who are ready to write, “Carol, fall started yesterday,” Victoria on our team told me today that since it started at 9pm last night, today is the first full day. Semantics!
After the brutal heat of the summer, the garden is looking better than ever. I have been cutting flowers to make small arrangements of dahlias and zinnias. The rudbeckias and zinnias have the pop of color that I love. This is the first year that I am resisting buying the plants that are labeled Fall, namely more rudbeckias and mums. I typically put mums in baskets on the front porch and then forget to water them. And they die. I am hoping that the frost holds off for at least a month. Fingers and clippers crossed. Of course, we could go the route we went last year, draping the plants at the first sign of frost. It looks really artistic. With the weather cooling, my pool days are numbered, so I am back to reading on my recumbent bike.
I finished HONOR by Thrity Umrigar last weekend, and once again she wrote a book set in India that made me think. I am going to make a date to talk to Thrity about it, perhaps to coincide with its October 18th paperback release. Now I am well into THE MATCHMAKER’S GIFT by Lynda Cohen Loigman, which we are reviewing this week. I am intrigued by the world of arranged marriages and matchmaking. The last book by Lynda that I read was 2016's THE TWO-FAMILY HOUSE, which was so well done. I am interviewing her on Tuesday.
We were shocked and saddened to hear the news that Hilary Mantel passed away on Thursday night at the age of 70 due to complications from a stroke she suffered on Monday. Mantel was the two-time winner of the Booker Prize for her bestselling novels WOLF HALL and its sequel, BRING UP THE BODIES. The final novel of the Wolf Hall trilogy, THE MIRROR & THE LIGHT, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and won critical acclaim around the globe. Her other books include the memoir GIVING UP THE GHOST and two short story collections, LEARNING TO TALK and THE ASSASSINATION OF MARGARET THATCHER.
Mantel's publisher, Henry Holt, had this to say about her passing: “Everyone at Holt and Picador is heartbroken over the loss of our author and beloved friend Hilary Mantel. From her epic trilogy on the life of Thomas Cromwell to her poignant memoir and her cutting-edge short stories, everything about Hilary Mantel’s writing was perfection on the page and a gift for readers. We can cite the back-to-back Man Booker prizes, the glorious reviews, the triumph of 'Wolf Hall' on Broadway and so many other accolades. But moreover, we will miss her great spirit and kindness, and remember her with tremendous affection. Our hearts go out to her husband of 50 years, Gerald McEwen, and her longtime agent and friend Bill Hamilton.”
This is your last Bookreporter newsletter reminder to sign up for this month’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event, which will take place next Thursday, September 29th at 8pm ET.
Our guests will be Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, and we will be talking about their instant New York Times bestseller THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN, a “Good Morning America” Book Club pick and a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection that is now available in paperback. This remarkable novel is about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation.
You can register for the event by clicking here. If you would like to ask Marie and Victoria a question on camera during the event and chat with them in our “backstage green room” before the event, please email me with your question using the subject line “Personal Librarian” by Thursday the 29th at noon ET. Those who are camera shy can send their questions via the Q&A feature on Zoom. It promises to be a really special evening.
In stores this week is Nicholas Sparks’ new novel, DREAMLAND, a poignant love story about risking everything for a dream --- and whether it’s possible to leave the past behind. In the course of a single unforgettable week, Colby and Morgan will navigate the exhilarating heights and heartbreak of first love. Hundreds of miles away, Beverly will put her love for her young son to the test. And fate will draw all three of them together in a web of life-altering connections…forcing each to wonder if the dream of a better life can ever survive the weight of the past.
More plot details can be found here, and you can read an excerpt here. Also, be sure to take a look at this interview that Sparks did for “Good Morning America,” where he talks about his inspiration for writing DREAMLAND, how he’s able to constantly generate ideas for his novels, and the one performer he would love to see play the male lead in a potential movie adaptation of the book.
LUCY BY THE SEA is the fourth entry in Elizabeth Strout’s series featuring her beloved protagonist, Lucy Barton. This time, Lucy is stuck during lockdown with her ex-husband and on-again, off-again friend, William. This emotion-filled, pitch-perfect novel vividly captures the fear and struggles that come with isolation, as well as the hope, peace and possibilities that those long, quiet days can inspire.
Eileen Zimmerman Nicol has our review and says, “I won’t spoil the plot of Lucy and William’s lives in Maine, and you are already (hopefully) watching the same 'real' news that Lucy was, so I can’t spoil that. Perhaps under the circumstances, an alternate title for this book might be 'Lucy at Sea.' But if so, I was delighted to be in a boat with querulous, compassionate, curious Lucy and her quirky family and friends.”
Set in a futuristic New York City of 2061, DESPERATION IN DEATH pits Eve Dallas against a conspiracy of exploitation and evil. In this 55th installment of J. D. Robb’s In Death series, the homicide detective must investigate the death of a young teen runaway who she believes was being groomed, literally and figuratively, for sex trafficking --- and that whoever is investing in this high-overhead operation expects windfall profits.
According to our reviewer Jennifer McCord, “As always, Eve Dallas is an indomitable force for justice. She brings her skills, talents, intelligence and even her own painful experiences to every investigation.... A difficult story delivered with compassion, DESPERATION IN DEATH is fast-paced and suspenseful. Readers will want to cheer on Eve and her team as they race to bring down the criminal conspiracy behind the Pleasure Academy.”
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
-
THE MATCHMAKER’S GIFT: In Lynda Cohen Loigman’s aforementioned new novel, two extraordinary women from two different eras defy expectations to realize their unique talent of seeing soulmates in the most unexpected places
-
ACT OF OBLIVION: Robert Harris imagines one of the greatest manhunts in history: the search for two Englishmen involved in the killing of King Charles I and the implacable foe on their trail --- an epic journey into the wilds of 17th-century New England, and a chase like no other.
-
THE GIRL FROM GUERNICA: Set against the vividly rendered backdrops of the Spanish Civil War and WWII, Karen Robards’ latest novel explores the heroic acts of women during wartime. Inspired by Picasso’s great masterpiece Guernica, the book follows 17-year-old Sibil, who survives Germany’s bombing of the small Spanish town of Guernica in 1937.
-
PEOPLE PERSON: Dimple Pennington knows of her half siblings, but they’re virtually strangers. That is, until a catastrophic event brings them crashing back into her life. And when they’re all forced to reconnect with the absent father they never really knew, things get even more complicated.
The book is this month’s pick for Simon & Schuster’s Book Club Favorites. Next Wednesday, September 28th at 12:30pm ET, members of the S&S team will talk to Candice Carty-Williams about PEOPLE PERSON and her highly lauded debut, QUEENIE. You can RSVP by clicking here.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
My latest Bets On picks are DAISY DARKER by Alice Feeney and THE REAL MRS. TOBIAS by Sally Koslow, both of which we reviewed this month. Click on each of the titles for my commentaries. I talked to Sally this week, and we plan to share my interview with her in next week’s newsletter.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, October 7th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win MAD HONEY by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan and OUR MISSING HEARTS by Celeste Ng. Both these titles were among the top five books that our “Bookaccino Live” attendees were looking forward to reading.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
Our new poll asks which of 30 paperbacks releasing in September you have read or are planning to read. Click here to cast your votes.
In our previous poll, we listed 30 fiction titles that are being published this month for the first time and asked which of them, if any, you are looking forward to reading. Here are your top five picks: the aforementioned LUCY BY THE SEA by Elizabeth Strout (34%), THE WINNERS by Fredrik Backman (33%), THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT by Maggie O'Farrell (32%), THE BULLET THAT MISSED: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery by Richard Osman (25%), and FAIRY TALE by Stephen King (24%). Click here for all the results.
News & Pop Culture
“Five Days at Memorial” on Apple TV+: I finished the final episode last weekend, and it was a powerful conclusion to the series.
“Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives” on Netflix: A total guilty pleasure to have on in the background when I am doing paperwork.
“Dahmer” on Netflix: This is an absolutely chilling series about Jeffrey Dahmer.
Last night, we had a great time celebrating Dad's 93rd birthday with him. For humor, we told him that instead of bringing him a present, we were going to take some things out of the house. He loved that idea! He is trying to downsize, and let’s just say that this is a herculean task. We moved into that house in 1972, and though my parents have been good about paring things down, there is a long way to go!
Our friends Carolyn and Dennis are coming over tomorrow to give us some advice on the garden as they are Master Gardeners. I have a list of questions for them, and I will be taking notes. We both are looking forward to this. Then Tom is off to Texas on business for the week, which means I will be eating my usual diet for when he travels --- pizza on English muffins! We always joke about this. And I have ambitious plans to get caught up on all kinds of things…including more sympathy thank you notes.
For those observing Rosh Hashanah, Happy New Year! Enjoy celebrating with your family.
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!
Now Available: DREAMLAND by Nicholas Sparks
DREAMLAND by Nicholas Sparks (Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Austin Nichols and Thérèse Plummer
Colby Mills once felt destined for a musical career until tragedy grounded his aspirations. Now the head of a small family farm in North Carolina, he spontaneously takes a gig playing at a bar in St. Pete Beach, Florida. But when he meets Morgan Lee, his world is turned upside down, making him wonder if the responsibilities he has shouldered need to dictate his life forever. Fleeing an abusive husband with her six-year-old son, Beverly is trying to piece together a life for them in a small town far off the beaten track. With money running out and danger seemingly around every corner, she makes a desperate decision that will rewrite everything she knows to be true. Fate will draw Colby, Morgan and Beverly together in a web of life-altering connections.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to watch an interview with Nicholas Sparks on “Good Morning America.”
Click here to read more about the book.
Featured Review: LUCY BY THE SEA by Elizabeth Strout
LUCY BY THE SEA by Elizabeth Strout (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kimberly Farr
As a panicked world goes into lockdown, Lucy Barton is uprooted from her life in Manhattan and bundled away to a small town in Maine by her ex-husband and on-again, off-again friend, William. For the next several months, it’s just Lucy, William and their complex past together in a little house nestled against the moody, swirling sea. At the heart of this story are the deep human connections that unite us even when we’re apart --- the pain of a beloved daughter’s suffering, the emptiness that comes from the death of a loved one, the promise of a new friendship, and the comfort of an old, enduring love. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.
- 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: DESPERATION IN DEATH by J. D. Robb
DESPERATION IN DEATH by J. D. Robb (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Susan Ericksen
New York, 2061: The place called the Pleasure Academy is a living nightmare where abducted girls are trapped, trained for a life of abject service while their souls are slowly but surely destroyed. Dorian, a 13-year-old runaway, might never have made it out if not for her fellow inmate Mina, who’d hatched the escape plan. Unfortunately, they didn’t get away fast enough. Now Dorian is injured, terrified and wandering the streets of New York, and Mina lies dead near the waterfront while Lt. Eve Dallas looks over the scene. Mina’s expensive, elegant clothes and beauty products convince Dallas that she was being groomed, literally and figuratively, for sex trafficking --- and that whoever is investing in this high-overhead operation expects windfall profits. Reviewed by Jennifer McCord.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE MATCHMAKER’S GIFT
by Lynda Cohen Loigman
THE MATCHMAKER'S GIFT by Lynda Cohen Loigman (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Eva Kaminsky and Gabra Zackman
Even as a child in 1910, Sara Glikman knows her gift: she is a maker of matches and a seeker of soulmates. But among the pushcart-crowded streets of New York’s Lower East Side, Sara’s vocation is dominated by devout older men --- men who see a talented female matchmaker as a dangerous threat to their traditions and livelihood. After making matches in secret for more than a decade, Sara must fight to take her rightful place among her peers. Two generations later, Sara’s granddaughter, Abby, is a successful Manhattan divorce attorney. When her beloved Grandma Sara dies, Abby inherits her collection of handwritten journals recording the details of Sara’s matches. But among the faded volumes, Abby finds more questions than answers. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
DAISY DARKER by Alice Feeney
and THE REAL MRS. TOBIAS by Sally Koslow
DAISY DARKER by Alice Feeney (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
While Alice Feeney crafts a good plot, what I really enjoy about her writing is her twist of a phrase. As I read her work, I find myself folding down one page after the next where the writing gives me pause. Her plotting aside, this is what makes me want to read one of her books, and DAISY DARKER fits the bill for this. I am not sharing them here as I want you to uncover these little Easter eggs of word joy for yourself. The family has gathered at Nana’s house, Seaglass, for her 80th birthday, which is on Halloween. This is their last planned get-together as Nana long ago was told by a palm reader that she would not live past 80.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on DAISY DARKER.
THE REAL MRS. TOBIAS by Sally Koslow (Fiction)
I have long enjoyed Sally Koslow’s writing, and her latest, THE REAL MRS. TOBIAS, is another great read. The book revolves around three women, all of whom are known as Mrs. Tobias. The first is Veronika, the matriarch of the family. A psychotherapist, she sets a very high bar for everyone with her lovely dinners, impeccable outfits (she does not know the meaning of the word casual) and exacting nature. The second is her daughter-in-law, Mel, who also is a therapist, albeit with fewer degrees than Veronika, which is duly noted. Mel has an artistic nature and is more of a free spirit. The third is Birdie. She is married to Micah, Mel’s son, and her daughter is Alice, a very doted-upon little girl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE REAL MRS. TOBIAS.
Featured Review: ACT OF OBLIVION by Robert Harris
ACT OF OBLIVION by Robert Harris (Historical Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Tim McInnerny
1660 England. General Edward Whalley and his son-in law, Colonel William Goffe, board a ship bound for the New World. They are on the run, wanted for the murder of King Charles I --- a brazen execution that marked the culmination of the English Civil War, in which parliamentarians successfully battled royalists for control. But now, 10 years after Charles’ beheading, the royalists have returned to power. Under the provisions of the Act of Oblivion, the 59 men who signed the king’s death warrant and participated in his execution have been found guilty in absentia of high treason. Some of the Roundheads, including Oliver Cromwell, are already dead. Others have been captured, hung, drawn and quartered. A few are imprisoned for life. But two have escaped to America by boat. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE GIRL FROM GUERNICA by Karen Robards
THE GIRL FROM GUERNICA by Karen Robards (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Nancy Peterson
On an April day in 1937, the sky opens and fire rains down upon the small Spanish town of Guernica. Seventeen-year-old Sibi and her family are caught up in the horror. Griff, an American military attaché, pulls Sibi from the wreckage, and it’s only the first time he saves her life in a span of hours. When Germany claims no involvement in the attack, insisting the Spanish Republic was responsible, Griff guides Sibi to lie to Nazi officials. If she or her sisters reveal that they saw planes bearing swastikas, the gestapo will silence them. As war begins to rage across Europe, Sibi joins the underground resistance, secretly exchanging information with Griff. But as the scope of Germany’s ambitions becomes clear, maintaining the facade of a Nazi sympathizer becomes ever more difficult. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
PEOPLE PERSON by Candice Carty-Williams
September’s Simon & Schuster Book Club Favorites Pick
PEOPLE PERSON by Candice Carty-Williams (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Danielle Vitalis
Dimple Pennington knows of her half siblings, but she doesn’t really know them. Five people who don’t have anything in common except for faint memories of being driven through Brixton in their dad’s gold jeep, and some pretty complex abandonment issues. Dimple has bigger things to think about. She’s 30, and her life isn’t really going anywhere. An aspiring lifestyle influencer with a terrible and wayward boyfriend, Dimple’s life has shrunk to the size of a phone screen. And despite a small but loyal following, she’s never felt more alone in her life. That is, until a dramatic event brings her half siblings crashing back into her life. And when they’re all forced to reconnect with Cyril Pennington, the absent father they never really knew, things get even more complicated. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
» PEOPLE PERSON is this month’s pick for Simon & Schuster’s Book Club Favorites. On Wednesday, September 28th at 12:30pm ET, members of the S&S team will talk to Candice Carty-Williams about the book. Click here to sign up.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's 12th Annual
Fall Preview Contests and Feature
Fall is known as the biggest season of the year for books. The titles that release during this latter part of the year often become holiday gifts, and many are blockbusters. To celebrate the arrival of fall, we are spotlighting a number of outstanding books that we know people will be talking about in the days and weeks to come.
We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days between now and early October, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
We plan to add more contests shortly!
This year's featured titles include:
Click here to read more about our featured titles.
DAPHNE by Josh Malerman (Thriller/Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Patricia Santomasso
It’s the last summer for Kit Lamb: The last summer before college. The last summer with her high school basketball team, and with Dana, her best friend. The last summer before her life begins. But the night before the big game, one of the players tells a ghost story about Daphne, a girl who went to their school many years ago and died under mysterious circumstances. Some say she was murdered, others that she died by her own hand. And some say that Daphne is a murderer herself. They also say that she is still out there and will appear to kill again anytime someone thinks about her. After Kit hears the story, her teammates vanish, one by one, and she begins to suspect that the stories about Daphne are real…and fears that her own mind is conjuring the killer. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
DRUNK ON LOVE by Jasmine Guillory (Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Heidi Franklin and Ryan Vincent Anderson
Margot Noble needs some relief from the stress of running the family winery with her brother. Enter Luke Williams: sexy, charming and, best of all in the too-small world of Napa, a stranger. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and Margot is delighted that she lucked into the perfect one-night stand she’ll never have to see again. That is, until the winery’s newest hire, Luke, walks in the next morning. Margot is determined to keep things purely professional, but when their every interaction reminds her of the attraction still bubbling between them, it proves to be much more challenging than she expects. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
CAPTIVE: An Eve Duncan Novel by Iris Johansen (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Elisabeth Rodgers
Jane MacGuire is enjoying a period of domestic bliss as she focuses on her art, and her partner, Seth Caleb, uses his unique abilities as an agent for the MI6 intelligence service. But when Seth crosses crime lord Hugh Bohdan, he incurs the wrath of one of the world’s most powerful criminal empires, and Jane is soon on the run. With that peril, though, comes an astonishing discovery: a 200-year-old secret on the brink of becoming lost to history. Jane and Seth must join forces to unlock the fascinating puzzle, even as they hurtle toward a lethal final confrontation in the Highlands. But before their adventure is over, they will encounter their biggest shock of all…and realize nothing can be the same for them ever again. Reviewed by Christine M. Irvin.
PRISONERS OF THE CASTLE: An Epic Story of Survival and Escape from Colditz, the Nazis' Fortress Prison by Ben Macintyre (History)
Audiobook available, read by Ben Macintyre
During World War II, the German army used the towering Colditz Castle to hold the most defiant Allied prisoners. For four years, these prisoners of the castle tested its walls and its guards with ingenious escape attempts that would become legend. But as Ben Macintyre shows, the story of Colditz was about much more than escape. Its population represented a society in miniature, full of heroes and traitors, class conflicts and secret alliances, and the full range of human joy and despair. PRISONERS OF THE CASTLE traces the war’s arc from within Colditz’s stone walls, where the stakes rose as Hitler’s war machine faltered and the men feared that liberation would not come soon enough to spare them a grisly fate at the hands of the Nazis. Reviewed by Lorraine W. Shanley.
FORSAKEN COUNTRY by Allen Eskens (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Brian Troxell
Max Rupert has left his position as a Minneapolis homicide detective to live in solitude. Mourning the tragic death of his wife, he's also racked by guilt --- he alone knows what happened to her killer. But then the former local sheriff, Lyle Voight, arrives with a desperate plea: Lyle’s daughter, Sandy, and his six-year-old grandson, Pip, have disappeared. Lyle is certain that Sandy's ex-husband, Reed, is behind it, but the new sheriff is refusing to investigate. When Max reluctantly looks into their disappearance, he too becomes convinced something has gone very wrong. But the closer Max and Lyle get to finding proof, the more slippery Reed becomes, until he makes a break for the beautiful but formidable Boundary Waters wilderness with vulnerable Pip in tow. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
UNCULTURED: A Memoir by Daniella Mestyanek Young (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Daniella Mestyanek Young
Daniella Mestyanek Young was raised in the religious cult The Children of God, also known as The Family, as the daughter of high-ranking members. Beholden to The Family’s strict rules, Daniella suffers physical, emotional and sexual abuse --- masked as godly discipline and divine love --- and is forbidden from getting a traditional education. At 15 years old, Daniella escapes and bravely enrolls herself in high school. After graduating as valedictorian of her college class, she elects to join the military to begin a career as an intelligence officer. But she soon learns that her new world --- surrounded by men on the sands of Afghanistan --- looks remarkably similar to the one she desperately tried to leave behind. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
ITHACA by Claire North (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Catrin Walker-Booth
Seventeen years ago, King Odysseus sailed to war with Troy, taking with him every man of fighting age from the island of Ithaca. None of them has returned, and the women of Ithaca have been left behind to run the kingdom. Penelope was barely into womanhood when she wed Odysseus. While he lived, her position was secure. But now, years on, speculation is mounting that her husband is dead, and suitors are beginning to knock at her door. Everyone waits for the balance of power to tip, and Penelope knows that any choice she makes could plunge Ithaca into bloody civil war. Only through cunning, wit and her trusted circle of maids can she maintain the tenuous peace needed for the kingdom to survive. Reviewed by Eleni Karavoussianis.
THE COMPLICITIES by Stacey D'Erasmo (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Xe Sands
After her husband Alan’s decades of financial fraud are exposed, Suzanne’s wealthy, comfortable life shatters. Alan goes to prison. Suzanne files for divorce, decamps to a barely middle-class Massachusetts beach town, and begins to create a new life and identity. Then Alan is released early, and the many people whose lives he ruined demand restitution. But when Suzanne finds herself awestruck at a major whale stranding, she makes an apparently high-minded decision that ripples with devastating effect not only through Alan’s life as he tries to rebuild but also through the lives of Suzanne and Alan’s son, Alan’s new wife, his estranged mother and, ultimately, Suzanne herself. When damage is done, who pays? Who loses? Who is responsible? Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
LANDSLIDE by Adam Sikes (Thriller/Adventure)
U.S. Marine veteran Mason Hackett moved to London to start his life over, and he’s done his best to convince himself that what happened 15 years ago doesn’t matter --- the people he killed, the men he lost, the lives he ruined. But when Mason sees the face of a dead friend flash on a television screen and then receives a mysterious email referencing a CIA operation gone bad, no longer can he ignore his inner demons. Driven by loyalty and a need to uncover the truth, Mason launches on a perilous journey to honor a 15-year-old promise. The answers he seeks --- the fate of a friend and his connection to the underworld of international arms dealers and defense corporations --- throw him into the cauldron of a covert war where no one can be trusted. Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on September 27th
Below are some notable titles releasing on September 27th 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 September 26th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
THE GOLDEN ENCLAVES by Naomi Novik (Fantasy)
Saving the world is a test no school of magic can prepare you for in this triumphant conclusion to the New York Times bestselling trilogy that began with A DEADLY EDUCATION and THE LAST GRADUATE.
JACQUELINE IN PARIS by Ann Mah (Historical Fiction)
From the bestselling author of THE LOST VINTAGE comes a rare and dazzling portrait of Jacqueline Bouvier’s college year abroad in postwar Paris, an intimate and electrifying story of love and betrayal, and the coming-of-age of an American icon --- before the world knew her as Jackie.
KILLING THE LEGENDS: The Lethal Danger of Celebrity by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard (Biography)
In the latest book in their multimillion-selling Killing series, Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard tell the larger-than-life stories of Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Muhammad Ali.
LARK ASCENDING by Silas House (Dystopian Fiction)
LARK ASCENDING is a riveting story of survival and hope, set in the not-too-distant future, about a young man forced to flee the United States and seek refuge across the Atlantic.
NEXT IN LINE: A William Warwick Novel by Jeffrey Archer (Mystery/Thriller)
Set in 1988 London, Jeffrey Archer's NEXT IN LINE follows Detective Chief Inspector William Warwick and puts him front and center with the people’s princess: Princess Diana.
RUIN: A Novel of Flyfishing in Bankruptcy by Leigh Seippel (Fiction)
This vivid story opens with every couple’s nightmare --- the disappearance of their comfortable known world. RUIN’s adventure explores the unpredictable progression of character and chance for Francy and Frank Campbell, newly destitute in their early 30s, along with their lovers and foes. And a murder investigator.
THE SHADOW MURDERS: A Department Q Novel written by Jussi Adler-Olsen, translated by William Frost (Mystery/Thriller)
In this exhilarating penultimate thriller in the #1 internationally bestselling Department Q series, the team must hunt for a nefarious criminal who has slipped under the radar for decades.
SHRINES OF GAIETY by Kate Atkinson (Historical Fiction)
The #1 national bestselling, award-winning author of LIFE AFTER LIFE transports us to a restless London in the wake of the Great War --- a city fizzing with money, glamour and corruption --- in this spellbinding tale of seduction and betrayal.
SUSPECT by Scott Turow (Legal Thriller)
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of PRESUMED INNOCENT and THE LAST TRIAL returns with a riveting legal thriller in which a reckless private detective is embroiled in a fraught police scandal.
TREASURE STATE: A Cassie Dewell Novel by C. J. Box (Mystery/Thriller)
#1 New York Times bestselling author C. J. Box's TREASURE STATE finds Private Investigator Cassie Dewell in Montana on the trail of a con man.
THE WINNERS by Fredrik Backman (Fiction)
A breathtaking new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ANXIOUS PEOPLE and A MAN CALLED OVE, THE WINNERS returns to the close-knit, resilient community of Beartown for a story about first loves, second chances and last goodbyes.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Sarah Horowitz, Jeffrey Archer, Candice Carty-Williams
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
As many book and author events are still happening online these days, we are highlighting a number of them that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links below for more info and to register.
Tuesday, September 27th at 4pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Jeffrey Archer will discuss his latest novel, NEXT IN LINE, the fifth installment in his thriller series featuring Detective Chief Inspector William Warwick.
Wednesday, September 28th at 12:30pm ET: Simon & Schuster's Book Club Favorites: Candice Carty-Williams will join members of the Simon & Schuster team to discuss her new novel, PEOPLE PERSON, which is September's pick for S&S's Book Club Favorites.
Wednesday, September 28th at 6pm ET: Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe: Sarah Horowitz will talk about her newly released book, THE RED WIDOW: The Scandal that Shook Paris and the Woman Behind It All, an unforgettable true account of sex, scandal and murder.
Wednesday, September 28th 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 Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout about her latest work of fiction, LUCY BY THE SEA.
Thursday, September 29th at 8pm ET: "Bookaccino Live" Book Group: Carol Fitzgerald will talk to Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray about their novel, THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN, which is now in paperback. Marie and Victoria also will answer questions from guests who will be "on stage," as well as from other members of the audience. If you would like to be one of our featured audience guests and ask the authors a question on camera, please send Carol an email with the subject line “Personal Librarian” by Thursday the 29th at noon ET.
"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 are our latest interviews:
-
Bonnie Garmus (LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY) Video | Podcast
-
Casey Sherman (HELLTOWN: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer on Cape Cod)
Video | Podcast
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
-
Sally Koslow (THE REAL MRS. TOBIAS)
-
Lynda Cohen Loigman (THE MATCHMAKER'S GIFT)
-
Scott Shepherd (SHOULD I FALL)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll:
September Paperback Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following titles releasing in paperback in September have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
-
APRIL IN SPAIN by John Banville
-
BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY: A Memoir of an Undocumented Childhood, by Qian Julie Wang
-
THE BOYS: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family, by Ron Howard and Clint Howard
-
THE BRIDES OF MARACOOR by Gregory Maguire
-
BROTHERS AND WIVES: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan, by Christopher Andersen
-
CLOUD CUCKOO LAND by Anthony Doerr
-
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: A Stone Barrington Novel, by Stuart Woods
-
A DARKER REALITY: An Elena Standish Novel, by Anne Perry
-
DEAR SANTA by Debbie Macomber
-
E.R. NURSES: Walk My Rounds with Me: True Stories from America's Greatest Unsung Heroes, by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann, with Chris Mooney
-
THE FAMILY CHAO by Lan Samantha Chang
-
FEAR NO EVIL: An Alex Cross Thriller, by James Patterson
-
FEMLANDIA by Christina Dalcher
-
FLYING ANGELS by Danielle Steel
-
GO TELL THE BEES THAT I AM GONE by Diana Gabaldon
-
THE JEALOUSY MAN AND OTHER STORIES written by Jo Nesbø, translated by Robert Ferguson
-
KILLING THE MOB: The Fight Against Organized Crime in America, by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
-
THE KING OF INFINITE SPACE by Lyndsay Faye
-
LAST GIRL GHOSTED by Lisa Unger
-
THE LIGHTNING ROD: A Zig & Nola Novel, by Brad Meltzer
-
THE MAGICIAN by Colm Tóibín
-
MATRIX by Lauren Groff
-
OUR COUNTRY FRIENDS by Gary Shteyngart
-
THE SENTENCE by Louise Erdrich
-
SMILE: A Memoir, by Sarah Ruhl
-
THREE SISTERS by Heather Morris
-
UNREQUITED INFATUATIONS: A Memoir, by Stevie Van Zandt
-
VANDERBILT: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty, by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe
-
WHERE THEY WAIT by Scott Carson
-
THE WOMEN OF TROY by Pat Barker
-
None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, October 7th 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 September 23rd to October 7th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of MAD HONEY by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan and OUR MISSING HEARTS by Celeste Ng.
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.
|
