Touchdown! Field Goal! Safety!
At our house, the Super Bowl always needs a menu. Each year, I seem to forget what we made in previous years, except pigs in a blanket, which are a must. We have to dash to the supermarket early on Saturday to get them before they sell out like they did two years ago. Yes, I have a long memory for things like that. I am thinking about homemade queso and guacamole with blue corn chips, and I ordered peach salsa from The Peach Truck, which is supposed to be here on time. Now I am fine with all kinds of appetizers. But Tom will ask, “What are we having for dinner?” or “What are we having for the main course?” And once again, I will have to define that Super Bowl Sunday has neither.
One very funny Super Bowl memory. A couple of years ago, our friend Cathy brought a friend from Portugal to our house to watch the game. My husband was explaining scoring for the game, including field goals and touchdowns. We sat down to watch, and the first play of the game was a safety. The young man turned to look at my husband, asking what score that one was. He said, “One that rarely happens.”
My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Jane Harper. Her new novel, EXILES, wraps up her Aaron Falk trilogy. I loved the book so much that I have made it a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick, and I look forward to catching up on the previous two installments of the series: THE DRY and FORCE OF NATURE.
Jane explains why she felt it was time to say goodbye to Falk. The book takes place in a lush area of South Australia, and Jane mentions a trip there that in her mind solidified the book’s setting. She discusses how a sense of place matters to her and addresses our reviewer Katherine B. Weissman’s question about why she may see place differently from someone who has been permanently rooted in Australia. We also talk about the movie adaptation of THE DRY and the one coming up for FORCE OF NATURE, and how similar plans may be forthcoming for EXILES. Click here to watch the video and here to listen to the podcast. And be sure to check out my Bets On commentary here.
We hosted this month’s “Bookaccino Live” preview event on Wednesday afternoon. I talked about 21 books releasing in February, along with 16 from March and April, that we wanted to get on your radar. You can watch it here and see a list of the featured titles here.
Our next “Bookaccino Live” preview event will take place on Wednesday, March 8th at 2pm ET. I will present titles releasing between March 7th and April 4th, in addition to a few from May, that we think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up. Those attending the live event will be asked to answer a survey about the books from the presentation that they are most interested in reading and will be eligible to win a prize.
Enter to Win an Advance Copy of an Emotional Mother-Daughter Novel --- and Share Your Comments with Us!
You have until Friday, February 17th at noon ET to enter our contest for THINGS I WISH I TOLD MY MOTHER by Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo. Releasing on April 10th, the book is about a mother and daughter who go on a vacation to Paris, where they unpack a lifetime of secrets and hopes. Elin Hilderbrand raves, “Every mother and daughter should have conversations that change their lives. This book will win your heart!”
We’re giving 50 of you the opportunity to win an advance copy of the book and let us know your thoughts on it. If you think you can read the book and give us your feedback by Friday, March 31st, then be sure to fill out the contest form by our February 17th deadline. These 50 lucky readers also will be able to submit a question for the two Susans. I will ask a few of these questions when I chat with them in April for a “Bookreporter Talks To” interview.
Sadeqa Johnson’s new novel, THE HOUSE OF EVE, is Reese’s Book Club pick for February and an upcoming Bets On selection. The book explores what it means to be a woman and a mother, and how much one is willing to sacrifice to achieve her greatest goal.
Here’s how Reese describes it: “Set in the 1950s, this unforgettable story follows Ruby, who dreams of being the first in her family to attend college, but her first love may derail her plans. And Eleanor, who marries into one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families but struggles to have a baby --- the thing she wants most. Their lives collide in the most unexpected way.”
We are featuring our review this week from Pamela Kramer, who says, “THE HOUSE OF EVE is touching and informative, but also detailed and carefully researched. There is a subtle reference to Johnson’s previous novel, YELLOW WIFE, and a sweet, small twist at the conclusion…. There are a lot of issues --- social, historical and racial --- to consider while pondering this lovely and well-written novel.”
Don’t miss my Bets On commentary in next week’s newsletter. I am planning to talk to Sadeqa about the book in March (she is on an extensive tour right now), which I am especially looking forward to as I interviewed her about YELLOW WIFE shortly after its release.
Word of Mouth Reminder
THE HOUSE OF EVE is one of our current Word of Mouth prizes; the other is MAAME by Jessica George, which we reviewed last week and is this month’s “Read with Jenna” pick. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win both these titles. Please do so by Friday, February 17th at noon ET. I read MAAME last weekend; Maame is such a well-developed character.
Jojo Moyes, who many of you know as the author of such books as ME BEFORE YOU and THE GIVER OF STARS, returns with her much-anticipated new novel. Who are you when you are forced to walk in someone else’s shoes? That’s the question at the heart of SOMEONE ELSE’S SHOES, which is a story of mix-ups, mess-ups and making the most of second chances.
According to our reviewer Norah Piehl, “Once [Sam and Nisha] join forces, the plot moves at a brisk and often hilarious pace. The book is indeed funny at times, even with moments of slapstick, but it also deals with more sober issues of mental health, class and emotional abuse. Moyes' countless fans would expect nothing less --- and they won't be disappointed with what they find when they discover SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOES.” And they are not just shoes...they’re Louboutins!
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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ENCORE IN DEATH: Eve Dallas, the homicide cop with a passion for justice, returns in this 56th installment of J. D. Robb’s In Death series. Navigating a media circus amid the glitz of Broadway, Eve investigates the murder of a beloved actor, while the pressure for a quick arrest is building.
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THE CRADLE OF ICE: James Rollins has written the second book in his Moonfalls thriller series, following last year’s THE STARLESS CROWN. This sequel is a page-turning tale of action, adventure, betrayal, ambition and the struggle for survival in a harsh world that hangs by a thread.
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COLD PEOPLE: Tom Rob Smith, the author of the acclaimed Child 44 trilogy, is back with a suspenseful and fast-paced novel about an Antarctic colony of global apocalypse survivors seeking to reinvent civilization under the most extreme conditions imaginable.
Winter Reading Update
We gave away five copies of REEF ROAD by Deborah Goodrich Royce (a Bets On pick) in this week’s Winter Reading contest. We wrap up these giveaways next week with our final prize book, THE HOUSE GUEST by Hank Phillippi Ryan, which is another Bets On title. The contest for it will go live on Tuesday, February 14th at noon ET. We will feature our review of the book and my interview with Hank in next week’s newsletter. In the meantime, you can read my Bets On commentary here.
This Month’s New in Paperback Feature
Our New in Paperback roundups for February are now up. We’re featuring paperback reprints from such bestselling authors as John Grisham (SPARRING PARTNERS), Harlan Coben (THE MATCH), David Baldacci (DREAM TOWN: An Archer Novel), Daniel Silva (PORTRAIT OF AN UNKNOWN WOMAN), Lucy Foley (THE PARIS APARTMENT), Gilly Macmillan (THE LONG WEEKEND), and Sally Hepworth (THE YOUNGER WIFE); nonfiction titles, including THE PALACE PAPERS: Inside the House of Windsor — the Truth and the Turmoil by Tina Brown and CASTE: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson; and paperback originals like CODE NAME SAPPHIRE by Pam Jenoff, MAUREEN: A Harold Fry Novel by Rachel Joyce, and THE WOMAN WITH THE CURE by Lynn Cullen.
Revisiting Two “Bookreporter Talks To” Interviews
Out in paperback this week are THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST by Allison Pataki (which is this month’s “What’s Your Book Group Reading This Month?” contest book on ReadingGroupGuides.com) and OLGA DIES DREAMING by Xochitl Gonzalez. I talked to Allison and Xochitl when their books came out in hardcover, so if you’d like to check out these interviews, you can watch the videos or listen to the podcasts using the links below.
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Allison Pataki (THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST) Video | Podcast
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Xochitl Gonzalez (OLGA DIES DREAMING) Video | Podcast
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of 30 fiction titles releasing this month you are planning to read or listen to. Click here to let us know.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Rose sent a photo of herself with her Word of Mouth prizes, THE VILLA and SAM. I loved seeing this. She said, “I should have gotten my shirt in the pic. It is turquoise --- Carol's favorite color! Thanks again for the books!”
We heard from three readers about winning EXILES and THE SHARDS in our previous Word of Mouth contest.
Sue: “How exciting! I can’t wait for their arrival, and I’ll do my due diligence to review them both and share my observations on social media. I love your newsletter and your online events --- you really give both your personal touch. Thanks!”
Beth: “What a nice surprise to learn I won copies of EXILES and THE SHARDS in the Word of Mouth contest. Thank you! I'm especially delighted about EXILES because Jane Harper is one of my favorite authors, and I've read all her books except this one. Of course, I'll write reviews of both books and post them to various websites, including Bookreporter.com. I also can send a picture to the Bookreporter.com Facebook page.”
Rosemary: “I was thrilled to learn that I won two books from the Word of Mouth contest. Both EXILES and THE SHARDS sound terrific, and I'm looking forward to receiving them. I can't wait to start reading them!”
“Dear Edward” on Apple TV+: I watched the first three episodes last Friday night and thought it was well done. Confession: I never read the book. I know, heresy. So for those of you who did, tell me what you think about the series.
Your Place or Mine on Netflix: With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I think I should catch this rom-com with Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher. I will report back on it.
My weekend reading is all lined up. I am about halfway through IT’S ONE OF US by J.T. Ellison (on sale February 21st). In it, a couple has been unable to conceive a child, and suddenly DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder investigation is the husband’s son. The wife knows this has to be a mistake. They do not have any children! But then she learns that her husband donated sperm years ago, so this could be true. I also read a few chapters of GO AS A RIVER by Shelley Read (on sale February 28th), and I am looking forward to reading more. It’s set in Colorado in a portion of the state that I love; it’s close to where I met my husband. And it references something that I did not know about the area. I heard Shelley talk about it, and she was terrific.
I am trying to figure out why I decided to make one knitting project on size three needles and another on size five. Each will take a very long time. I am a tad more into instant gratification. I finished knitting a blanket for a friend’s baby and just realized that the part of the project I love the least --- weaving in the ends --- still needs to be done. I remembered this after I found a cute little bag to mail the blanket in, and it was rolled perfectly in there.
Valentine’s Day means that it’s time for the heart-shaped cake with whipped cream and raspberries on a heart-shaped plate. Wishing you your own loved-filled celebrations!
Speaking of celebrations, our Editorial Director, Tom Donadio, has a birthday on Monday. If you would like to send him a birthday note, his email address is Tom@bookreporter.com. I am so grateful to him for his steady hand at the helm here. He has been with us for 20 ½ years now, and every review you see here was assigned, edited and posted by him. He is someone I celebrate daily!
As for THE game, I am pulling for the Chiefs. I love watching Patrick Mahomes play. Also, as a Giants fan, my husband was appalled when I cheered for the Eagles in the NFC Championship game, even after I told him that I was rooting for them because they had beaten the Giants. I wanted "our team" to be beaten by the team that went "all the way." He was not impressed with my speech. Mostly, I want pigs in a blanket for the win!
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 HOUSE OF EVE by Sadeqa Johnson
Reese’s Book Club Pick for February
and an Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE HOUSE OF EVE by Sadeqa Johnson (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Ariel Blake and Nicole Lewis
1950s Philadelphia: Fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright. Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his par¬ents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby --- and fitting in --- is easier said than done. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide.
- Click here to visit the Reese's Book Club website.
Click here to read our review.
THE HOUSE OF EVE will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary in next week's newsletter.
Featured Review:
SOMEONE ELSE’S SHOES by Jojo Moyes
SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOES by Jojo Moyes (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Daisy Ridley
Nisha Cantor lives the globetrotting life of the seriously wealthy, until her husband announces a divorce and cuts her off. Nisha is determined to hang onto her glamorous life. But in the meantime, she must scramble to cope --- she doesn’t even have the shoes she was, until a moment ago, standing in. That’s because Sam Kemp --- in the bleakest point of her life --- has accidentally taken Nisha’s gym bag. But Sam hardly has time to worry about a lost gym bag --- she’s struggling to keep herself and her family afloat. When she tries on Nisha’s six-inch-high Christian Louboutin red crocodile shoes, the resulting jolt of confidence makes her realize something must change --- and that thing is herself. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- 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.
Special Contest: Enter to Win an Advance Copy of
THINGS I WISH I TOLD MY MOTHER
by Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo,
Releasing April 10th, and Share Your Comments on It
A mother and daughter on vacation in Paris unpack a lifetime of secrets and hopes --- with a giant Pattersonian twist at the end. That's the premise of Susan Patterson's debut novel, THINGS I WISH I TOLD MY MOTHER, which she wrote with Susan DiLallo and her husband, James Patterson.
The book doesn't release until April 10th, but we have 50 advance copies to give away to those who would like to read it and give us their feedback on it by Friday, March 31st. The winners also will have the option of sharing a question that they would like Carol to ask Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo during an upcoming "Bookreporter Talks To" interview. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, February 17th at noon ET.
THINGS I WISH I TOLD MY MOTHER by Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo, with James Patterson (Fiction)
Every daughter has her own distinctive voice, her inimitable style, and her secrets.
Laurie is an artist, a collector of experiences. She travels the world with a worn beige duffel bag.
Every mother has her own distinctive voice, her inimitable style, and her secrets.
“Dr. Liz,” Laurie’s mother, is an elegant perfectionist who travels the world with a matched set of suitcases.
When Laurie surprises her mother with a dream vacation, it brings an unexpected sparkle to her eyes. So begins THINGS I WISH I TOLD MY MOTHER. You will wish this novel never ends.
Click here to enter the contest.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
EXILES by Jane Harper
and THE HOUSE GUEST by Hank Phillippi Ryan
EXILES by Jane Harper (Mystery/Thriller)
EXILES wraps up Jane Harper’s trilogy featuring Aaron Falk. I had read her last stand-alone novel, THE SURVIVORS, and none of the Falk books, but I picked up this one and slid right into his world. Jane did a terrific job of creating enough backstory for me to appreciate his character and understand what makes him tick. He is a federal forensic accountant who has solved many a case.
Falk has come to a town in Southern Australia for a christening, not on an assignment. It’s an event that was postponed last summer after a young woman, a friend of the family named Kim Gillespie, went missing at the annual wine festival. Her baby daughter, Zoe, was found tucked up in her pram. Since then, her husband, Rohan, has been raising his daughter on his own back in Adelaide. People have been looking for Kim for a year, but nothing has been found except her sneakers near a drop-off to the water on some grounds beyond the festival area --- a place where teens regularly gather to hang out and drink.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here to watch Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Jane Harper.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on EXILES.
THE HOUSE GUEST by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Psychological Thriller)
Hank Phillippi Ryan gives readers a total treat in THE HOUSE GUEST!
Here’s how it sets up. Alyssa Macallan’s husband has left her. Suddenly her very posh and elegant lifestyle is being tugged away from her. When she married Bill, she gave up her friends and work to live life on his terms. It was a glittering fun world of the country club set, but now it’s a very lonely one. He has the friends. For the moment she still has the house, actually two of them, but all the other trappings of a cushy lifestyle are vanishing. And she is really not sure what is going to come next.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on THE HOUSE GUEST.
Don't miss Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview
with Hank Phillippi Ryan in next week's newsletter,
along with our review of the book.
Featured Review: ENCORE IN DEATH by J. D. Robb
ENCORE IN DEATH by J. D. Robb (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Susan Ericksen
It was a glittering event full of A-listers, hosted by Eliza Lane and Brant Fitzhugh, a celebrity couple who had conquered both Hollywood and Broadway. And now Eve Dallas has made her entrance --- but not as a guest. After raising a toast, Fitzhugh fell to the floor and died, with physical symptoms pointing to cyanide. From all accounts, he wasn’t the kind of star who made enemies. And since the champagne cocktail that killed him was originally intended for Eliza, it’s possible she was the real target, with a recently fired assistant, a bitter rival and an obsessed fan in the picture. With so many attendees, staff and servers, Eve has her work cut out determining who committed murder in the middle of the crowd --- and what their motivation was. Reviewed by Jennifer McCord.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE CRADLE OF ICE by James Rollins
THE CRADLE OF ICE by James Rollins (Fantasy/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Nicola Barber
To stop the coming apocalypse, a fellowship was formed. A soldier, a thief, a lost prince and a young girl bonded by fate and looming disaster. Each step along this path has changed the party, forging deep alliances and greater enmities. All the while, hostile forces have hunted them, fearing what they might unleash. Armies wage war around them. For each step has come with a cost --- in blood, in loss, in heartbreak. Now they must split, traveling into a vast region of ice and to a sprawling capital of the world they’ve only known in stories. Time is running out, and only the truth will save us all. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: COLD PEOPLE by Tom Rob Smith
COLD PEOPLE by Tom Rob Smith (Dystopian Thriller/Science Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Rebecca Lowman
The world has fallen. Without warning, a mysterious and omnipotent force has claimed the planet for their own. There are no negotiations, no demands, no reasons given for their actions. All they have is a message: humanity has 30 days to reach the one place on Earth where they will be allowed to exist --- Antarctica. COLD PEOPLE follows the perilous journeys of a handful of those who endure the frantic exodus to the most extreme environment on the planet. But their goal is not merely to survive the present. Because as they cling to life on the ice, the remnants of their past swept away, they also must confront the urgent challenge: Can they change and evolve rapidly enough to ensure humanity’s future? Can they build a new society in the sub-zero cold? Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's Eighth Annual
Winter Reading Contests and Feature
Bookreporter.com's Winter Reading Contests have returned for an eighth year! On select days through mid-February, we are hosting a series of 24-hour contests spotlighting a book releasing this winter and giving five lucky readers the chance to win it. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our final prize book will be announced on Tuesday, February 14th at noon ET.
This year's contest titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
February’s New in Paperback Roundups
February's roundup of New in Paperback fiction titles includes SPARRING PARTNERS, John Grisham's first collection of novellas, the common thread of which is law --- but the master of the legal thriller has several surprises in store; THE PARIS APARTMENT, a fiendishly clever locked room mystery from Lucy Foley, set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide; FRENCH BRAID by Anne Tyler, a funny, joyful and brilliantly perceptive 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; and Allison Pataki's THE MAGNIFICENT LIVES OF MARJORIE POST, a powerful story of one woman falling in love with her own voice and embracing her own power while shaping history in the process.
Among our nonfiction highlights are Tina Brown's THE PALACE PAPERS, the inside story of the British royal family’s battle to overcome the dramas of the Diana years, only to confront new, 21st-century crises; the original, revealing and eye-opening CASTE, in which Isabel Wilkerson examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions; Amy Bloom's powerful memoir, IN LOVE, an illuminating story of two people whose love leads them to find a courageous way to part --- and of a woman’s struggle to go forward in the face of loss; and THE CORRESPONDENTS by Judith Mackrell, the riveting, untold history of a group of heroic female reporters who revolutionized the narrative of World War II.
Find out what's New in Paperback for the weeks of
February 6th, February 13th, February 20th and February 27th.
UNRAVELING: What I Learned About Life While Shearing Sheep, Dyeing Wool, and Making the World's Ugliest Sweater by Peggy Orenstein (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Peggy Orenstein
The COVID pandemic propelled many people to change their lives in ways large and small. Some adopted puppies. Others stress-baked. Peggy Orenstein, a lifelong knitter, went just a little further. To keep herself engaged and cope with a series of seismic shifts in family life, she set out to make a garment from the ground up: learning to shear sheep, spin and dye yarn, then knitting herself a sweater. Orenstein hoped the project would help her process not just wool but her grief over the recent death of her mother and the decline of her dad, the impending departure of her college-bound daughter, and other thorny issues of aging as a woman in a culture that by turns ignores and disdains them. What she didn’t expect was a journey into some of the major issues of our time. Reviewed by Pauline Finch.
THE SANCTUARY by Katrine Engberg (Literary Thriller/Noir Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Graeme Malcolm
Jeppe Kørner, on leave from the police force and nursing a broken heart, has taken refuge on the island of Bornholm for the winter. Also on the island is Esther de Laurenti, a writer working on a biography of a female anthropologist with a mysterious past and coming to terms with her own crushing sense of loneliness in the wake of a dear friend’s death. When Jeppe lends a helping hand at the island’s local sawmill, he begins to realize that the island may not be the peaceful refuge it appears to be. Back in Copenhagen, Anette Werner is tasked with leading the investigation into a severed corpse discovered on a downtown playground. As she follows the strange trail of clues, they all seem to lead back to Bornholm. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
SPILLANE: King of Pulp Fiction by Max Allan Collins and James L. Traylor (Biography)
Beginning in 1947 with I, THE JURY and continuing with his next six novels, Mickey Spillane quickly amassed a readership in the tens of millions, becoming the bestselling novelist in the history of American publishing. There is, however, more to Spillane’s life than the books. He also starred as Mike Hammer in a movie, was a circus performer, worked with the FBI in capturing a notorious criminal, and starred in Miller Light beer commercials that were so popular they ran for a quarter of a century. Max Allan Collins became Spillane’s friend and collaborator, continuing the Mike Hammer series for years after the author's death. Now, with co-author James Traylor, Collins has produced the first comprehensive and authoritative profile of the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
- Click here to read a Q&A with Max Allan Collins and James L. Traylor.
EVERYBODY KNOWS by Jordan Harper (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Megan Tusing and William DeMeritt
As a “black-bag” publicist tasked not with letting the good news out but keeping the bad news in, Mae Pruett works for one of LA’s most powerful and sought-after crisis PR firms, at the center of a sprawling web of lawyers, PR flaks and private security firms she calls “The Beast.” After her boss is gunned down in front of the Beverly Hills Hotel in a random attack, Mae takes it upon herself to investigate and runs headfirst into The Beast’s lawless machinations and the twisted systems it exists to perpetuate. It takes her on a roving neon joyride through a Los Angeles full of influencers pumped full of pills and fillers; sprawling mansions footsteps away from sprawling homeless encampments; crooked cops; and mysterious wrecking crews in the middle of the night. Reviewed by Lorraine W. Shanley.
STEALING by Margaret Verble (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by DeLanna Studi
Kit Crockett and her new neighbor, Bella, become fast friends. Both outsiders, they take comfort in each other’s company. But malice lurks near their quiet bayou, and Kit suddenly finds herself at the center of a tragic, fatal crime. Soon, Kit is ripped from her home and Cherokee family and sent to Ashley Lordard, a religious boarding school. Along with the other Native students, Kit is stripped of her heritage, force-fed Christian indoctrination, and sexually abused by the director. But Kit, as strong-willed and shrewd as ever, secretly keeps a journal recounting what she remembers --- and revealing just what she has forgotten. Over the course of STEALING, she slowly unravels the truth of how she ended up at the school --- and plots a way out. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
VENCO by Cherie Dimaline (Magical Realism/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Michelle St. John
Métis millennial Lucky St. James is barely hanging on when she learns she’ll be evicted from her tiny Toronto apartment. But something strange and irresistible calls out to Lucky one night. She burrows through a wall to find a tarnished silver spoon, humming with otherworldly energy, etched with a crooked-nosed witch and the word SALEM. Lucky has no idea that the spoon connects her to a teeming network of witches across North America who have anxiously awaited her discovery. Enter VenCo, a front company fueled by vast resources of dark money. Since colonial times, they have awaited the moment the seven spoons will come together and ignite a new era, returning women to their rightful power. But as reckoning approaches, a very powerful adversary is stalking their every move. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
VAMPIRE WEEKEND by Mike Chen (Urban Fantasy)
Audiobook available, read by Emily Woo Zeller
Everything you’ve heard about vampires is a lie. They can’t fly. No murders allowed (the community hates that). And turning into a bat? Completely ridiculous. In fact, vampire life is really just a lot of blood bags and night jobs. For Louise Chao, it’s also lonely since she swore off family ages ago. At least she’s gone to decades of punk rock shows. And if she can join a band of her own (while keeping her...situation under wraps), maybe she’ll finally feel like she belongs, too. Then a long-lost teenage relative shows up at her door. Whether it’s Ian’s love of music or his bad attitude, for the first time in ages, Louise feels a connection. But as Ian uncovers Louise’s true identity, things get dangerous --- especially when he asks her for the ultimate favor. Reviewed by Eleni Karavoussianis.
RADICAL LOVE: From Separation to Connection with the Earth, Each Other, and Ourselves by Satish Kumar (Philosophy/Inspirational)
Environmental activist Satish Kumar is well known for his epic walk for world peace in his youth in the 1960s from India to the nuclear capitals of Moscow, Paris, London and Washington, DC. Wherever he traveled, he found that human beings were capable of a love that could overcome hatred and division. Settling down in the UK, he married his wife, June Mitchell, and founded eco-university Schumacher College in Devon, eventually becoming a leading figure in the UK green movement. RADICAL LOVE distills the author's lifetime of experience as a lover, parent, activist and educator into simple lessons on transforming our time of ecological crisis, conflict and scarcity into one in which we experience harmony with nature, safety and abundance. Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott.
THE LAST GRUDGE: A Ghosts of the Past Novel by Max Seeck (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Abby Craden
Powerful executive Eliel Zetterborg has been found murdered in his upscale Helsinki home. What at first seems like a straightforward case soon proves to be anything but when it becomes clear the murderer has other targets. The only clue the police have is a photo of Zetterborg with three men whose faces have all been scratched off. Detective Jessica Niemi has taken some time off from her work with the Helsinki police to track down the coven that nearly killed her, and her partner, Yusuf, is assigned to lead the investigation. But as Yusuf delves into the case, he realizes he needs Jessica’s help. And as they dig deeper, they realize that the evil they’ve been hunting all along has returned and is lying in wait for the right moment to strike. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on February 14th
Below are some notable titles releasing on February 14th that we would like to make you aware of. We will have more on many of these books in the weeks to come. For a list of additional hardcovers and paperbacks available the week of February 13th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
3 DAYS TO LIVE by James Patterson (Thriller)
The people closest to you can be your most dangerous enemies in this heart-pounding collection of three brand-new thrillers from the master of suspense, James Patterson.
BLACK WOLF by Kathleen Kent (Thriller)
This "masterful" and "riveting" thriller is about a female CIA agent whose extraordinary facial recognition powers lead her into the dangerous heart of the Soviet Union --- and the path of a killer who shouldn’t exist (Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author).
THE CLIFF'S EDGE: A Bess Crawford Mystery by Charles Todd (Historical Mystery)
In the aftermath of World War I, nurse Bess Crawford is caught in a deadly feud between two families in this 13th book in the beloved mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Charles Todd.
DEATH OF A TRAITOR: A Hamish Macbeth Murder Mystery by M. C. Beaton with R.W. Green (Mystery)
Sergeant Hamish Macbeth --- Scotland's most quick-witted but unambitious policeman --- is back to investigate the disappearance of a local woman who is more than she seems in this new mystery in M. C. Beaton's beloved New York Times bestselling series.
THE LAST ORPHAN: An Orphan X Novel by Gregg Hurwitz (Thriller)
Evan Smoak returns in THE LAST ORPHAN, the latest New York Times bestselling Orphan X thriller --- when everything changes and everything is at risk.
LYING BESIDE YOU: A Cyrus Haven Novel by Michael Robotham (Psychological Thriller)
Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac return in Michael Robotham’s latest page-turning, psychological thriller in this “gripping and eerie” (Karin Slaughter) series, reaffirming why Stephen King has proclaimed this author “an absolute master.”
ON THE SAVAGE SIDE by Tiffany McDaniel (Fiction)
Six women --- mothers, daughters, sisters --- gone missing. Inspired by the unsolved murders of the Chillicothe Six, this harrowing novel tells the story of two sisters, both of whom could be the next victims.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Michael Robotham, J.T. Ellison, Joshua Moehling
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.
Saturday, February 11th at 12:30pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick’s will host Jojo Moyes as she discusses her new book, SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOES, with Laura Dave. Full of Moyes’ signature humor, brilliant storytelling and warmth, this is a story of mix-ups, mess-ups and making the most of second chances.
Monday, February 13th at 5pm ET: RJ Julia Booksellers and Parnassus Books: Jojo Moyes will be in conversation with Lisa Taddeo about her latest novel, SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOES, a story about how just one little thing can suddenly change everything.
Monday, February 13th at 7:30pm ET: “Lisa Live!”: Join Lisa Scottoline every Monday night 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 28th. And be sure to enter the LOYALTY Pre-order Sweepstakes!
Tuesday, February 14th at 6pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Michael Robotham will talk about his latest novel, LYING BESIDE YOU, a page-turning psychological thriller that marks the return of Cyrus Haven and Evie Cormac.
Wednesday, February 15th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome debut author Joshua Moehling for a live, virtual discussion of AND THERE HE KEPT HER (now available in paperback) as part of the B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. Moehling will be in conversation with the author of THE OVERNIGHT GUEST, Heather Gudenkauf.
Wednesday, February 15th 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 J.T. Ellison about her latest thriller, IT'S ONE OF US. Appearing on the Aftershow will be Jill Santopolo, whose new novel is STARS IN AN ITALIAN SKY.
Thursday, February 16th at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Charles Todd will discuss THE CLIFF'S EDGE, the latest installment in his mystery series that he co-wrote with his mother, the late Caroline Todd. In the aftermath of World War I, nurse Bess Crawford is caught in a deadly feud between two families.
"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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Sadeqa Johnson (THE HOUSE OF EVE)
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Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo (THINGS I WISH I TOLD MY MOTHER)
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Shelley Read (GO AS A RIVER)
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Hank Phillippi Ryan (THE HOUSE GUEST)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: February Fiction Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following fiction titles releasing in February do you plan to read or listen to? Please check all that apply.
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3 DAYS TO LIVE by James Patterson
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ARCH-CONSPIRATOR by Veronica Roth
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THE CLIFF'S EDGE: A Bess Crawford Mystery, by Charles Todd
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COLD PEOPLE by Tom Rob Smith
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THE CRADLE OF ICE by James Rollins
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DON'T FEAR THE REAPER by Stephen Graham Jones
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ENCORE IN DEATH by J. D. Robb
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EVERY MAN A KING: A King Oliver Novel, by Walter Mosley
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GO AS A RIVER by Shelley Read
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THE HOUSE GUEST by Hank Phillippi Ryan
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THE HOUSE OF EVE by Sadeqa Johnson
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IT'S ONE OF US by J.T. Ellison
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KILL NIGHT by Victor Methos (Amazon Original Stories)
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THE LAST KINGDOM by Steve Berry
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THE LAST ORPHAN: An Orphan X Novel, by Gregg Hurwitz
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THE LEVEE by William Kent Krueger, read by JD Jackson (An Audio Original Novella)
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THE MALTESE IGUANA by Tim Dorsey
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MAUREEN: A Harold Fry Novel, by Rachel Joyce
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MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen
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NEVER NEVER by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher
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PIGEON TONY’S LAST STAND by Lisa Scottoline (Amazon Original Stories)
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SOMEONE ELSE'S SHOES by Jojo Moyes
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A SPELL OF GOOD THINGS by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
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STORM WATCH: A Joe Pickett Novel, by C. J. Box
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THESE COLD STRANGERS by J.T. Ellison (Amazon Original Stories)
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TROUBLE by Janelle Brown (Amazon Original Stories)
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UNKNOWN CALLER by Lisa Unger (Amazon Original Stories)
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UNNATURAL HISTORY: An Alex Delaware Novel, by Jonathan Kellerman
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VICTORY CITY by Salman Rushdie
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THE WOMAN WITH THE CURE by Lynn Cullen
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, February 17th at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You're Reading --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve finished reading with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from February 3rd to February 17th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of THE HOUSE OF EVE by Sadeqa Johnson and MAAME by Jessica George.
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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