Ah, That Extra Hour --- How Shall I Spend Thee?
This is one of my favorite weekends of the year. It’s like a holiday as we change our clocks and gain the hour that we gave up in March. It is especially fun this year as my husband, Tom, and I are in Charleston visiting our dear friend, Cathy, in her new home here. We also are attending some events at the Charleston Literary Festival. I am looking forward to introducing Tom and Cathy to my good friends, Betsy Prioleau and her husband, Philip. Betsy is speaking at the festival on Saturday, along with Tina Brown. And we are all going out on Saturday and Sunday nights. It is such fun when my worlds collide like this.
We spent Thursday afternoon sitting on Cathy’s deck and catching up. The weather was perfect for sitting and relaxing. She is in a book group down here, and they are reading THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Next time, I am going to time my trip to meet with her book group; I love hearing about book groups and what they are reading.
Before we left town, I spent hours cleaning my office. These past few months have been busy, and with the holidays coming up, I needed to tackle this before our trip. Piles of 2023 books were shelved, papers were sorted, and long lists of things that I need to do were written up. I feel much more organized now --- and ready to tackle the rest of 2022 as soon as we get back!
As promised, our video and podcast of last week’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event with Joyce Maynard are now up. We had a wonderful conversation about her most recent novel, COUNT THE WAYS, and fielded questions from two readers who appeared on camera before going to Q&A from our other attendees. Joyce is now writing a sequel to COUNT THE WAYS, so she was very interested in what readers loved about it and what they thought should happen to the characters. She also shared news about her original story that is now available as an e-book, THE INFLUENCER.
This is your last Bookreporter newsletter reminder to sign up for our final “Bookaccino Live” preview event of 2022, which will take place on Wednesday, November 9th at 2pm ET. The focus will be on titles releasing between November 8th and the end of the year, in addition to a few from January and February 2023, that I would like to get on your radar. Click here to register. 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.
We were shocked to hear the news this week that food writer Julie Powell passed away last Wednesday at the age of 49. Powell was on the verge of turning 30, trapped in a series of unfulfilling temp jobs, and living in a dreadful apartment in Queens. That's when she decided to break the monotony by attempting to make all 524 recipes in Julia Child’s MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING. One year later, Powell had achieved her goal, documented her experiences on one of the most popular blogs on the internet, and began the award-winning, bestselling book JULIE & JULIA: My Year of Cooking Dangerously, which inspired the 2009 movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. She was way, way too young!
In stores this week is TRIPLE CROSS, the 30th installment in James Patterson’s blockbuster Alex Cross series. This time, Cross --- who is now an investigative consultant for the Washington, DC, Metro Police --- hunts down a serial killer who targets entire families...and will be coming for the Crosses next.
Ray Palen has our review and says, “Throughout TRIPLE CROSS, I longed for more insight into the mind of the Family Man only to realize that Patterson avoids this to keep the subterfuge going. The result is a baffling case with double and triple crosses thrown in for good measure. It will keep loyal readers happy and entertain newcomers to the point where hopefully they will seek out the previous 29 novels in what remains one of the best thriller series ever created.”
B. A. Paris is back with a stunning new psychological thriller about a woman who is wed into a family with deadly intentions. THE PRISONER introduces readers to Amelie, the wife of billionaire Ned Hawthorne, who has been abducted and has no idea where she is. Why has she been taken, and who are her mysterious captors?
According to Ray Palen, “B. A. Paris’ psychological thrillers are often hard to predict. I can proudly state that her latest release, THE PRISONER, had me the most perplexed --- in a good way --- primarily because readers will be left wondering where exactly this novel is going, and they will feel like this right through to the very end.”
WEALTH MANAGEMENT by debut novelist Edward Zuckerman is the latest book we’re featuring in our New Release Spotlight.
In the lush world banking capital of Geneva, Switzerland, three friends from Harvard Business School find their lives and their work unexpectedly intertwined. Catherine and Majid are handling investments for clients with dubious pedigrees. When their friend Rafe shows up in Geneva, he claims to be just another start-up hedge fund manager. But Rafe, after a moral awakening, is now an undercover agent with the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, and he’s in Geneva secretly investigating his old friends, one of whom was his former lover. As the CIA closes in on the terrorists, Rafe, with the help of Detective Emmanuel Okoro of the Nigerian police, works to find a way to save his friends and the world at the same time.
In addition to TRIPLE CROSS and THE PRISONER, here are some other notable books we’re reviewing this week:
-
ENDLESS SUMMER: Elin Hilderbrand presents a newly assembled collection of nine captivating stories --- prequels, sequels and bonus chapters from her beloved books --- some of which have never been published, until now.
-
BOLDLY GO: William Shatner, the beloved star of "Star Trek" and recent space traveler, reflects on the interconnectivity of all things, our fragile bond with nature, and the joy that comes from exploration in this revelatory collection of essays.
-
WHITE HORSE: Erika T. Wurth's much-talked-about debut novel, which is this month's Target Book Club pick, revolves around an Indigenous woman who must face her past when she discovers a bracelet haunted by her mother’s spirit.
-
GILDED MOUNTAIN: Set in early 1900s Colorado, Kate Manning’s new novel is about a young woman who bravely faces the consequences of speaking out against injustice. Many thanks to Jesse Kornbluth for sharing his review, which originally ran on his site, HeadButler.com.
November’s New in Paperback Feature
Our New in Paperback roundups are now available for November. We’re featuring paperback reprints from such bestselling authors as Charmaine Wilkerson (BLACK CAKE), James Rollins (KINGDOM OF BONES), Richard Powers (BEWILDERMENT), and Rachel Hawkins (RECKLESS GIRLS); nonfiction titles, including THESE PRECIOUS DAYS: Essays by Ann Patchett and COKIE: A Life Well Lived by Steven V. Roberts; and paperback originals like THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT by Kimberly Belle and A WISH FOR WINTER by Viola Shipman.
Please keep in mind our “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event with Charmaine Wilkerson on Wednesday, November 30th at 8pm ET where we will be discussing BLACK CAKE. Click here for all the details and to register for the event.
This Month’s Books on Screen Offerings
We’ve also updated our Books on Screen feature for this month. November’s roundup includes the series premiere of FX's "Fleishman Is in Trouble"; the season two premiere of "The Mosquito Coast" on Apple TV+; the conclusion of AMC's "The Walking Dead"; the season finales of "The Handmaid's Tale" on Hulu and "Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire" on AMC; the films The Wonder, She Said, The Noel Diary, Capturing the Killer Nurse, Spirited and The People We Hate at the Wedding; and the DVD releases of The Power of the Dog and The Good House.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
We have a new Word of Mouth contest to tell you about. Let us know by Friday, November 18th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win THE LAST PARTY by Clare Mackintosh and SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX by Lisa Unger. These titles release on Tuesday, and we plan to feature our reviews of both in next week’s newsletter.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
For our latest poll, we’ve listed 30 fiction titles releasing this month, and we’re asking you which, if any, you’re planning to read. Click here to let us know.
Our previous poll asked what you typically do after you read the Bookreporter newsletter and our reviews. Here are the results:
-
29% - Buy the books you want
-
15% - Pre-order the books you want
-
45% - Borrow books from the library
-
60% - Reserve books from the library
-
45% - Make a list of what you want to buy later
-
50% - Make a list of what you want to borrow from the library later
-
26% - Think about titles to share with your book group
We also gave you a chance to submit your own responses beyond the ones that we provided. Here is a sampling of those “Other” answers:
-
Add titles to my Goodreads.
-
Check to see if the book is available to request on NetGalley.
-
Download the samples from Amazon so they are on my Kindle, then get on Libby’s waiting list.
-
Make a list of books to search for at used book sales.
-
I read many ARCs and plan my reading up to a year in advance, so I read the newsletter primarily to see Carol and the team's take.
THE CLOISTERS, Katy Hays’ debut novel, is November’s Barnes & Noble Book Club selection and Jenna Bush Hager’s “Read with Jenna” Today Show Book Club pick.
Jenna says, “I have recommended it to everybody that I possibly can because I feel like it's the perfect mystery…. The book reminds me of The Talented Mr. Ripley, but with twists that are Gone Girl. It's a story about female ambition and what's permissible when one person is born on Park Avenue and given everything, and the other person has to work hard for what they want.”
On Tuesday, December 6th at 3pm ET, Barnes & Noble will host a live virtual event with Katy. She will be joined in the discussion by Shannon DeVito, the Director of Category Management at B&N, and Miwa Messer, B&N’s Editorial Director. Click here to sign up. We look forward to sharing our review of the book next week.
This month’s “Good Morning America” Book Club pick is SOMEDAY, MAYBE by debut novelist Onyi Nwabineli. Here’s how “GMA” describes the book: “The story dives into one of the most harrowing human fears: losing the person you love most to suicide. Nwabineli explores grief, loss and healing from the perspective of a young woman named Eve, who is part of a tight-knit Nigerian family when tragedy strikes. When Eve loses her husband to suicide, her idea of the world --- her happiness, her loving family and her doting husband --- shatters. How will Eve pick up the pieces of her life?”
Reese’s Book Club pick for November is TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS by Cheryl Strayed, a new edition of which has just released to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Reese says, “At the beginning of her career, Cheryl took on the persona of Sugar and wrote an advice column, Dear Sugar, that became a sensation. Sugar’s advice is no nonsense, poignant, soul-searching, grounded and fierce in so many loving ways. This edition even includes new essays. No matter who I give this book to, the response is always a Big THANK YOU for sharing Sugar’s wisdom and humor.”
For more November selections, including the Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, see our “Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks” feature here.
News & Pop Culture
“The White Lotus” on HBO: Season two promises to be just as crazy as season one. Be forewarned: I read that there is a lot more sex in season two, and episode one confirmed that.
“Dedicated with Doug Brunt”: I loved Douglas Brunt’s book, TROPHY SON, which came out in 2017. So I was happy to read that he is doing an author interview series. His latest two are with Nelson DeMille and Lee Child, both of whom are in his book club. Good listening!
I just started to read the aforementioned THE LAST PARTY by Clare Mackintosh. I planned to get some reading done on the trip down here, but I ended up knitting and answering email. I bought some stunning Malabrigo mohair yarn and am making the Airplane Scarf by Alexandra Dane. I love the yarn I am working with.
I did some amaryllis shopping on Sunday. I love giving these as presents, so I bought dozens of bulbs that are sitting in the garage! There still are more to buy. I know that last year someone alerted me when the bulbs encased in wax were available at Trader Joe’s. I want to pick up some of those as well, so if you see them in the store, let me know!
We keep politics off this site, except for this one comment from me: Vote on Tuesday. We early-voted before we left. We are planning to be home by Monday night, but “just in case,” I am glad we thought ahead.
Read on, and have a great week + an extra 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: TRIPLE CROSS by James Patterson
TRIPLE CROSS: An Alex Cross Thriller by James Patterson (Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Wayne Carr, Inger Tudor, Kiff VandenHeuvel and Mela Lee
A precise killer, he always moves under the cover of darkness, flawlessly triggering no alarms, leaving no physical evidence. Alex Cross and John Sampson aren’t the only ones investigating. Also in on this most intriguing case is the world’s bestselling true-crime author, who sees patterns everyone else misses. The writer, Thomas Tull, calls the Family Man murders the perfect crime story. He believes the killer may never be caught. Cross knows there is no perfect crime. And he’s going to hunt down the Family Man no matter what it takes. Until the Family Man decides to flip the narrative and bring down Cross and his family. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE PRISONER by B. A. Paris
THE PRISONER by B. A. Paris (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Georgia Maguire
Amelie has always been a survivor, from losing her parents as a child in Paris to making it on her own in London. As she builds a life for herself, she is swept up into a glamorous lifestyle where she married the handsome billionaire Ned Hawthorne. But then Amelie wakes up in a pitch-black room, not knowing where she is. Why has she been taken? Who are her mysterious captors? And why does she soon feel safer here, imprisoned, than she had begun to feel with her husband? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: ENDLESS SUMMER by Elin Hilderbrand
ENDLESS SUMMER: Stories by Elin Hilderbrand (Fiction/Short Stories)
Audiobook available, read by Erin Bennett
Bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand revisits her most treasured and iconic characters in this magical collection of stories. Collected in a single volume for the first time, ENDLESS SUMMER ranges from fan favorites to original, never-before-seen works. In “The Surfing Lesson,” the marriage at the heart of BEAUTIFUL DAY crosses uncertain territory when Margot Carmichael encourages her husband to reunite with his ex-girlfriend. The legendary weekend of a Harvard-Yale football game in “The Tailgate” recharts the course of Matchmaker Dabney Kimball’s first --- and abiding --- true love. And in a brand-new novella, “Summer of ’89,” we reconnect with the Levin sisters, whose distant adult lives collide once again at a tumultuous family reunion on Nantucket. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
New Release Spotlight:
WEALTH MANAGEMENT by Edward Zuckerman
WEALTH MANAGEMENT by Edward Zuckerman (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Neil Shah
For fans of Jess Walter and Gary Shteyngart, WEALTH MANAGEMENT is a financial thriller featuring three Ivy League MBAs who must put their lopsided Love Triangle aside to snare international terrorists.
In the lush world banking capital of Geneva, Switzerland, three young wealth managers (Catherine, Majid and Rafe) are handling investments for clients with dubious pedigrees. When problems with troubled investments are “fixed” by murders and bombs, they come to suspect that their clients are Mafiosi and terrorists. But by then they are accomplices, and under threat, and have no easy way to back out.
Their efforts to save themselves --- and innocent lives --- are complicated by their being in a love triangle, by one of them secretly working with the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence to investigate the other two, and by the unexpected appearance of a detective from Nigeria who may or may not be in league with terrorists himself.
- Click here to read critical praise.
- Click here to read Edward Zuckerman's bio.
- Click here to visit Edward Zuckerman's website.
Click here to read more in our New Release Spotlight.
Featured Review: BOLDLY GO
by William Shatner with Joshua Brandon
BOLDLY GO: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder by William Shatner with Joshua Brandon (Memoir/Essays)
Audiobook available, read by William Shatner
Long before Gene Roddenberry put him on a starship to explore the galaxy, long before he actually did venture to space, William Shatner was gripped by his own quest for knowledge and meaning. Though his eventful life has been nothing short of extraordinary, Shatner is still never so thrilled as when he experiences something that inspires him to simply say, “Wow.” Within these affecting, entertaining and informative essays, he demonstrates that astonishing possibilities and true wonder are all around us. By revealing stories of his life --- some delightful, others tragic --- Shatner reflects on what he has learned along the way to his ninth decade and how important it is to apply the joy of exploration to our own lives. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan (www.RonKaplansBaseballBookshelf.com).
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: WHITE HORSE by Erika T. Wurth
November's Target Book Club Pick
WHITE HORSE by Erika T. Wurth (Supernatural Thriller/Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Tonantzin Carmelo
Kari James spends most of her time at her favorite spot in Denver, a bar called White Horse. There, she tries her best to ignore her past and the questions surrounding her mother who abandoned her when she was just two years old. But soon after her cousin, Debby, brings her a traditional bracelet that once belonged to Kari’s mother, Kari starts seeing disturbing visions of her mother and a mysterious creature. When the visions refuse to go away, she must uncover what really happened to her mother. Kari’s journey toward a truth long denied by both her family and law enforcement forces her to confront her dysfunctional relationships, thoughts about a friend she lost in childhood, and her desire for the one thing she’s always wanted but could never have. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's Target Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: GILDED MOUNTAIN by Kate Manning
GILDED MOUNTAIN by Kate Manning (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Dawn Harvey
Sylvie Pelletier recounts leaving her family’s snowbound mountain cabin to work in a manor house for the Padgetts, owners of the marble-mining company that employs her father. Her fairy-tale ideas of romance take a dark turn when she realizes the Padgetts’ lofty philosophical talk is at odds with the unfair labor practices that have enriched them. Outside the manor walls, the town of Moonstone is roiling with discontent. The editor of the local newspaper --- a bold woman who takes Sylvie on as an apprentice --- is publishing unflattering accounts of the Padgett Company. Sylvie navigates vastly different worlds and struggles to find her way amid conflicting loyalties. When the harsh winter brings tragedy, Sylvie must choose between silence and revenge. Reviewed by Jesse Kornbluth for HeadButler.com.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
Click here to read our review.
November’s New in Paperback Roundups
November's roundup of New in Paperback fiction titles includes BLACK CAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson, a moving debut novel in which two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with their mother’s death and her hidden past --- a journey of discovery that takes them from the Caribbean to London to California and ends with her famous black cake; KINGDOM OF BONES, the 16th entry in James Rollins' riveting, deeply imaginative Sigma Force thriller series, which is told with his trademark blend of cutting-edge science, historical mystery and pulse-pounding action; and BEWILDERMENT by Richard Powers, an Oprah's Book Club pick that poses the intriguing question: How can we tell our children the truth about this beautiful, imperiled planet?
Among our nonfiction highlights are THESE PRECIOUS DAYS, a deeply personal collection of essays from Ann Patchett, who talks about home, family, friendships and writing; COKIE, Steven V. Roberts' loving tribute to his wife of 53 years, legendary journalist Cokie Roberts, in which he reflects not only on her many accomplishments, but on how she lived each day with a devotion to helping others; and LOST & FOUND, a profound meditation on the families that make us and the families we make from Pulitzer Prize winner Kathryn Schulz, who writes with curiosity, tenderness and humor about the connections between joy and sorrow --- and between us all.
November’s Books on Screen Feature
Here is a preview of this month's movies, TV shows and DVDs that are based on books. For a complete list of November's offerings, please click here.
Film Releases
The Wonder
Release Dates: November 2nd (limited release in theaters); November 16th on Netflix
Based on: THE WONDER by Emma Donoghue
Series Premiere
Series Finale
"The Walking Dead"
Air Dates: Sundays at 9pm ET/PT on AMC; Series Finale on November 20th
Based on: The comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard
Season Finales
A STRANGE HABIT OF MIND: A Cameron Winter Mystery by Andrew Klavan (Hard-boiled Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Adam Barr
The world of Big Tech is full of eccentric characters, but shamanic billionaire Gerald Byrne may be the strangest of the bunch. The founder of Byrner, a global social media platform, Byrne is known for speaking with vague profundity and dabbling in esoteric spiritual practices. And every person who gets in the way of his good work seems to die. When a former student commits suicide, English professor and ex-spy Cameron Winter takes it upon himself to understand why. The young man was expelled from the university in an unfortunate episode that left Winter sympathetic to his plight. After a prolonged silence, he reached out to his teacher with two words just before taking the fatal plunge from the roof of his San Francisco apartment: “Help me.” Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE HOLLOW KIND by Andy Davidson (Gothic Horror/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Susie James
Nellie Gardner is looking for a way out of an abusive marriage when she learns that her long-lost grandfather, August Redfern, has willed her his turpentine estate. It turns out that the "estate" is a decrepit farmhouse on a thousand acres of old pine forest, but Nellie is so thrilled about the chance for a fresh start for her and her son that she doesn't notice there's something wrong with Redfern Hill. Something lurks beneath the soil, ancient and hungry, with the power to corrupt hearts and destroy souls. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
MARMEE by Sarah Miller (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kirsten Potter
In 1861, war is raging in the South, but in Concord, Massachusetts, Margaret March has her own battles to fight. With her husband serving as an army chaplain, the comfort and security of Margaret’s four daughters --- Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy --- now rest on her shoulders alone. Yet even with all that weighs upon her, Margaret longs to do more, so she fills her days with humdrum charity work. All of that is interrupted when she receives a telegram from the War Department, summoning her to her husband’s bedside in Washington, D.C. While she is away, Beth falls dangerously ill, forcing Margaret to confront the possibility that the price of her own generosity toward others may be her daughter’s life. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
EXCUSE ME WHILE I DISAPPEAR: Tales of Midlife Mayhem by Laurie Notaro (Humor/Essays)
Audiobook available, read by Hillary Huber
Laurie Notaro has proved everyone wrong: she didn’t end up in rehab, prison or cremated at a tender age. She just went gray. At past 50, every hair’s root is a symbol of knowledge (she knows how to use a landline), experience (she rode in a car with no seat belts) and superpowers (a gray-haired lady can get away with anything). Though navigating midlife is initially upsetting --- the cracking noises coming from her new old body, receiving regular junk mail from mortuaries --- Laurie accepts it. And then some. With unintentional abandon, she shoplifts a bag of russet potatoes, heckles a rude driver from her beat-up Prius, and engages in epic trolling on Nextdoor.com. That, says Laurie, is the brilliance of growing older. With each passing day, you lose an equivalent amount of fear. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
NAVIGATING GRIEF AND LOSS: 25 Buddhist Practices to Keep Your Heart Open to Yourself and Others by Kimberly Brown (Self-Help/Mental Health)
NAVIGATING GRIEF AND LOSS is a book for anyone who has experienced the pain of mourning, struggled to find a job, or is devastated by a bad breakup. It's a guidebook filled with relatable stories and practical meditations to help navigate the profound experience of death and loss. Filled with traditional Buddhist wisdom into the nature of life, each short chapter honestly describes a personal experience dealing with death or grief, followed by compassionate and mindful practices --- meditations, exercises or contemplations that readers can use to discover insights and truths, and bring comfort and friendship to their own struggles and sorrow. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
THE BODY FALLS: An Inishowen Mystery by Andrea Carter (Mystery)
Benedicta (Ben) O’Keeffe returns to Glendara, Inishowen, where a charity cycle event is taking place. But rain causes the cyclists to postpone the start of their event and stay overnight in the town. In the middle of the night, Police Sergeant Tom Molloy is called out to Mamore Gap. A body, dislodged from a high bank by the heavy rain, has fallen onto a passing vehicle. It is identified as Bob Jameson, a well-known charities boss and the organizer of the cycling event. Stunned, the local doctor finds evidence of a recent snakebite. Terrible weather persists, and soon bridges are down and roads are impassable. Glendara is completely cut off. Since there are no native snakes in Ireland, could there be a killer trapped in the community? Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy.
» Click here to read our interview with Andrea Carter.
LAVENDER HOUSE by Lev AC Rosen (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Vikas Adam
Lavender House, 1952: the family seat of recently deceased matriarch Irene Lamontaine, head of the famous Lamontaine soap empire. Irene’s recipes for her signature scents are a well-guarded secret, but it's not the only one behind these gates. This estate offers a unique freedom, where none of the residents or staff hide who they are. But to keep their secret, they've needed to keep others out. And now they're worried they're keeping a murderer in. Irene’s widow hires Evander Mills to uncover the truth behind her mysterious death. Andy, recently fired from the San Francisco police after being caught in a raid on a gay bar, is happy to accept. However, he quickly finds himself a pawn in a family game of old money, subterfuge and jealousy --- and Irene’s death is only the beginning. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
ONE WOMAN'S WAR: A Novel of the Real Miss Moneypenny by Christine Wells (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Saskia Maarleveld
From the author of SISTERS OF THE RESISTANCE comes the story of WWII British Naval Intelligence officer Victoire Bennett, the real-life inspiration for the James Bond character Miss Moneypenny, whose international covert operation is put in jeopardy when a volatile socialite and Austrian double agent threatens to expose the mission to German High Command. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on November 8th
Below are some notable titles releasing on November 8th 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 November 7th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
BLOOD MOON by Heather Graham and Jon Land (Thriller)
The recipient of RWA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and ITW’s ThrillerMaster Award, Heather Graham is at the pinnacle of her career. Now she has teamed up with USA Today bestselling author Jon Land to continue the story of high school seniors Alex Chin and Samantha Dixon.
A CHRISTMAS DELIVERANCE by Anne Perry (Historical Mystery)
A courageous doctor and his apprentice fight to save London’s poor --- and discover that the hearts of men can be colder than a winter chill --- in this gripping holiday mystery from New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry.
CLIVE CUSSLER'S THE SEA WOLVES: An Isaac Bell Adventure by Jack Du Brul (Thriller/Adventure)
Detective Isaac Bell battles foreign spies, German U-boats and an old nemesis to capture a secret technology that could alter the outcome of World War I.
DAWNLANDS by Philippa Gregory (Historical Fiction)
Philippa Gregory’s Fairmile series continues as the fiercely independent Alinor and her family find themselves entangled in palace intrigue and political upheaval in 17th-century England.
DESERT STAR: A Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel by Michael Connelly (Thriller)
LAPD detective Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch team up to hunt the brutal killer who is Bosch’s “white whale” --- a man responsible for the murder of an entire family.
FLIGHT by Lynn Steger Strong (Fiction)
Following WANT, Lynn Steger Strong once again turns her attention to the structural and systemic failings that are haunting Americans, but also to the ways in which family, friends and strangers can support each other through the gaps.
GALATEA: A Short Story by Madeline Miller (Historical Fiction)
GALATEA is an enchanting short story from Madeline Miller that boldly reimagines the myth of Galatea and Pygmalion, now in hardcover for the first time.
THE LAST PARTY by Clare Mackintosh (Psychological Thriller)
This first installment in Clare Mackintosh’s new DC Ffion Morgan series is about the murder of a local celebrity in small-town Wales --- a man everyone in the village had good cause to murder.
THE MAGIC KINGDOM by Russell Banks (Fiction)
From one of America’s most beloved storytellers comes a profound novel about belief, betrayal and the transformation of one corner of the country.
MURDER AT BLACK OAKS: A Robin Lockwood Novel by Phillip Margolin (Legal Thriller)
Attorney Robin Lockwood finds herself at an isolated retreat in the Oregon mountains, one with a tragic past and a legendary curse. She is surrounded by many suspects and confronted with an impossible crime.
NOVELIST AS A VOCATION written by Haruki Murakami, translated by Philip Gabriel and Ted Goossen (Literary Criticism/Essays)
The internationally bestselling author and famously private writer Haruki Murakami shares with readers his thoughts on the role of the novel in our society; his own origins as a writer; and his musings on the sparks of creativity that inspire other writers, artists and musicians.
NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PANIC by Kevin Wilson (Fiction)
This exuberant, big-hearted novel is about two teenage misfits who spectacularly collide one fateful summer, and the art they make that changes their lives forever.
PERIL IN PARIS: A Royal Spyness Mystery by Rhys Bowen (Historical Mystery)
Lady Georgiana Rannoch and her dashing husband, Darcy, are awaiting a bundle of joy, but an unexpected trip to Paris will thrust them straight into a tangled web of international intrigue.
SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX by Lisa Unger (Psychological Thriller)
Three couples rent a luxury cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway to die for in this chilling locked-room thriller by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Philippa Gregory, Michael Connelly, Clare Mackintosh
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.
Monday, November 7th at 7:30pm ET: “Lisa Live!”: Join Lisa Scottoline every Monday night starting November 7th as she hosts her weekly “Talking LOYALTY” video series and Facebook Live events leading up to the publication of her historical novel, LOYALTY, on March 28, 2023. And be sure to enter the LOYALTY Pre-order Sweepstakes!
Tuesday, November 8th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble Book Club: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Jess Kidd for a live book club event to discuss THE NIGHT SHIP, October's B&N Book Club pick. Jess will be in conversation with Shannon DeVito, the Director of Category Management at B&N, and Miwa Messer, B&N’s Editorial Director.
Tuesday, November 8th at 4pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Clare Mackintosh will discuss THE LAST PARTY, the first installment in her series starring DC Ffion Morgan, which has this intriguing tagline: At midnight, one of them is dead. By morning, all of them are suspects.
Wednesday, November 9th at 2pm ET: "Bookaccino Live: A Lively Talk About Books": Carol Fitzgerald will present titles coming out between November 8th and the end of the year, along with a few from January and February, that she would like to get on your radar.
Wednesday, November 9th 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 Philippa Gregory about her latest novel, DAWNLANDS, the third installment in her Fairmile series. Here, the fiercely independent Alinor and her family find themselves entangled in palace intrigue and political upheaval in 17th-century England.
Thursday, November 10th at 1pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Philippa Gregory will discuss her new historical novel, DAWNLANDS, the continuation of her Fairmile series. She will be in conversation with special guest host Gareth Russell, author of THE SHIP OF DREAMS.
Friday, November 11th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Harry Bosch series, Michael Connelly, for a live virtual discussion of his riveting new thriller, DESERT STAR, as part of the B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. He will be in conversation with Lisa Scottoline.
"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:
-
Jamie Fiore Higgins (BULLY MARKET: My Story of Money and Misogyny at Goldman Sachs)
-
Scott Shepherd (SHOULD I FALL)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll:
November Fiction Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following fiction titles releasing in November are you planning to read? Please check all that apply.
-
ALL THE BROKEN PLACES by John Boyne
-
THE CHOICE: The Dragon Heart Legacy, Book 3 by Nora Roberts
-
A CHRISTMAS DELIVERANCE by Anne Perry
-
A CHRISTMAS MEMORY by Richard Paul Evans
-
THE CLOISTERS by Katy Hays
-
THE COUPLE AT THE TABLE by Sophie Hannah
-
DAWNLANDS by Philippa Gregory
-
DESERT STAR: A Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel, by Michael Connelly
-
FLIGHT by Lynn Steger Strong
-
GALATEA: A Short Story, by Madeline Miller
-
GILDED MOUNTAIN by Kate Manning
-
GOING ROGUE: A Stephanie Plum Novel, by Janet Evanovich
-
HUNTING TIME: A Colter Shaw Novel, by Jeffery Deaver
-
THE LAST PARTY by Clare Mackintosh
-
LAWS OF DEPRAVITY: A Martyr Maker Novel, by Eriq La Salle
-
THE MAGIC KINGDOM by Russell Banks
-
MURDER AT BLACK OAKS: A Robin Lockwood Novel, by Phillip Margolin
-
NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO PANIC by Kevin Wilson
-
NYPD RED 7: THE MURDER SORORITY by Marshall Karp
-
THE PERFECT ASSASSIN: A Doc Savage Thriller, by James Patterson and Brian Sitts
-
THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT by Kimberly Belle
-
THE PRISONER by B. A. Paris
-
RACING THE LIGHT: An Elvis Cole and Joe Pike Novel, by Robert Crais
-
SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX by Lisa Unger
-
SOMEDAY, MAYBE by Onyi Nwabineli
-
THE TWIST OF A KNIFE by Anthony Horowitz
-
WE ARE THE LIGHT by Matthew Quick
-
WHITE HORSE by Erika T. Wurth
-
A WISH FOR WINTER by Viola Shipman
-
A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES by Louise Penny
-
None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, November 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 November 4th to November 18th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE LAST PARTY by Clare Mackintosh and SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX by Lisa Unger.
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.
|