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People always are asking me what is next up on my reading pile. I actually have four two-foot-high piles of recently published or upcoming books that I want to read. I went through them, and above are the ones that I am looking forward to reading in the next couple of weeks. There have been so many books that I have enjoyed reading this summer. But I always seem to have a recently released book that I have not read --- and I feel like I am behind!
I had another bookish adventure on Tuesday night when I headed back to the Brielle Public Library to see Amy Neff interviewed about her debut novel, THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST, by Katie Runde (who I had interviewed about her first novel, THE SHORE). This event again was presented in conjunction with BookTowne, a fabulous bookstore in Manasquan, NJ.
Amy was beaming; she clearly was enjoying every moment of her launch day. I am so impressed that she writes with such savvy about a long marriage, considering she is just in her early 30s. Above are some pictures from the event, where I was lucky to meet Monica, one of our readers (who you can see in the last photo).
For those who would like to hear more about THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST, I am happy to share my “Bookreporter Talks To” interview with Amy. The book was this week’s Summer Reading prize title and will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Amy discusses her 10-year journey to write this beautiful novel and the influences that she had for it. She expounds upon why she chose the time frame that she did for the storyline and what she changed along the way. Amy also shares the story behind the artwork on the stunning cover and what it means to her.
Book groups will want to consider this book for a discussion! Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast. Don't miss my Bets On commentary in next week's newsletter.
Shari Lapena’s new novel, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?, unravels the secrets of the seemingly peaceful town of Fairhill, Vermont. When Diana Brewer is found dead in a local farmer’s hayfield, the town’s tranquility is shattered --- and everyone becomes a potential suspect. Diana’s boyfriend clams up under the pressure, and a teacher finds himself under intense scrutiny for his questionable behavior towards students.
Bronwyn Miller has this to say in her review: “Known for being the ‘Queen of Domestic Suspense’ and one of the most effective authors of the ‘one-weekend read,’ Shari Lapena is in fine form in this compelling tale of murder and intrigue, which fans of her earlier books will devour. It also will appeal to readers of thrillers like PRESUMED INNOCENT and DEFENDING JACOB. Lapena really knows how to unearth the grimy underbelly of small-town America with potent results.” WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? will be first up for me to read this weekend!
Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? is one of the prizes in our Word of Mouth contest; the other is HOUSE OF GLASS by Sarah Pekkanen, which is on my reading pile and we will review later this month. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read for a chance to win both these titles. Please do so by Friday, August 9th at noon ET.
Summer Reading Contest Update
You also will have the opportunity to win HOUSE OF GLASS in our Summer Reading contest, which will go live on Tuesday, August 6th at noon ET. On the outside, they were the golden family with the perfect life. On the inside, they built the perfect lie.
SLOW DANCE is Rainbow Rowell’s first novel for adults since 2014’s LANDLINE and this month’s Reese’s Book Club pick. Two star-crossed best friends come crashing back into each other’s orbits years later --- Shiloh, a hard-working single mom still living in their old neighborhood, and Cary, a career naval officer stationed thousands of miles away. Once upon a time, everybody thought Shiloh and Cary would end up together. And maybe it’s only now that they finally can work out what they’re supposed to be to each other.
According to Norah Piehl in her review, “SLOW DANCE is a determinedly grownup romance novel --- not because it’s particularly spicy (though it does have its moments), but because it shows two adults, who haven’t always had it easy, trying to figure out how to make their budding love story work amid family crises, professional demands, financial struggles, aging parents and custody arrangements. In this context, the slow progression of their romance makes total sense, and readers will feel lucky to get to spend time with these characters...”
We also are spotlighting reviews of these two books:
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LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER: In Kimberly McCreight’s latest work of psychological suspense (which also is on my reading pile), a daughter races to uncover her mother's secret life in the wake of her disappearance. This thrilling novel of emotional suspense questions the damaging fictions that we cling to and the hard truths we avoid.
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NICKED: Award-winning children’s and YA author M. T. Anderson has penned his first novel for adult readers. Based on a bizarre but true quest to steal the mystical corpse of a long-dead saint, it’s a swashbuckling saga, a medieval novel noir, a meditation on the miraculous and a monastic meet-cute.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
My latest Bets On selection is JACKIE, a mesmerizing novel about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in which Dawn Tripp crafts an intimate story of love and power, family and tragedy, loss and reinvention. Click here to find out why I’m betting you’ll love this book. And don’t miss my interview with Dawn in next week’s newsletter.
I read JACKIE as a bedtime book for a few weeks. I now am doing the same with JFK JR.: An Intimate Oral Biography by RoseMarie Terenzio and Liz McNeil, which we reviewed last week. I love reading these vignettes from John F. Kennedy Jr.'s friends, co-workers, fellow students and more. I enjoyed the same kind of format with Laurie Woolever's book about Anthony Bourdain, BOURDAIN: The Definitive Oral Biography. Storytelling in bits and bytes really works when edited well, as both of these books are.
Revisiting My “Bookreporter Talks To” Interview with Liz Nugent
Out in paperback this week is STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND by Liz Nugent, a Bets On pick that follows an enigmatic woman confronting her unknown past. I talked to Liz about the book last August when it released in hardcover. So if you missed the discussion or would like to check it out again, you can watch it here or listen to the podcast here.
Books on Screen Offerings for August
We’ve updated our Books on Screen feature for this month. August’s roundup includes the films It Ends with Us, Rob Peace, Doctor Jekyll, Reagan and The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat; the series premiere of "Bad Monkey" on Apple TV+; the season premieres of Apple TV+'s "Pachinko" and Prime Video's "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power"; the conclusion of "Lady in the Lake" on Apple TV+ and "Mafia Spies" on Paramount+; the season finale of HBO's "House of the Dragon"; the continuation of "Emperor of Ocean Park" on MGM+; and the DVD releases of Force of Nature: The Dry 2, The Watchers and The Bikeriders.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of my Bets On picks that are now or soon will be in paperback you have read or are planning to read. Click here to let us know by Friday, August 9th at noon ET.
Acclaimed Irish author Edna O’Brien passed away last Saturday at the age of 93 after a long illness. O’Brien wrote numerous works of fiction and nonfiction, including THE LITTLE RED CHAIRS, COUNTRY GIRL and THE LIGHT OF EVENING. She also was the recipient of many awards, including the PEN/Nabokov Award for Achievement in International Literature, the Irish PEN Award for Literature, the National Arts Club Medal of Honor, and the Ulysses Medal.
We also mourn the loss of Francine Pascal, who died of lymphoma just one day after Edna O’Brien’s passing at the age of 92. Pascal is the creator of the Sweet Valley universe, which includes Sweet Valley Twins, Sweet Valley High and Sweet Valley Unicorn Club. Over their lifetime, Sweet Valley books have sold millions of copies, been adapted into a TV series, and inspired board games, puzzles and dolls. It’s one of the most popular kids' book series of all time.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Here are a few notes from the winners of our Summer Reading contest for THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN by Marjan Kamali.
Mitra wrote, “Thank you so much! This book is on the top of my TBR list, but the hold for it in our library is still eight weeks away. So you can imagine how delighted I am to receive your email. I will certainly listen to the interview and will send a picture for your newsletter when the book arrives. I just retired, and while I have always loved reading, I feel that I now have the time to indulge in my passion thoroughly. I am absolutely thrilled. Thank you so much.”
Rona wrote, “I was so shocked and elated to find out I won a copy of THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN. Based on your review, I knew I wanted to read this novel, so I am extremely happy to be the winner of that book. I can't thank you enough for all the joy you bring to me each Saturday morning with your Bookreporter email. Every Saturday I grab my cup of coffee and enjoy reading your newsletter on the latest books and TV shows.”
Peri wrote, “Thank you so much! I look forward to reading this book.”
Laura wrote about winning THE CLIFFS by J. Courtney Sullivan and HUSBANDS & LOVERS by Beatriz Williams in our Word of Mouth contest: “Woot! Thank you, Francesca and Carol. I'm very excited to receive these books and can take my name out of the library queue (a very long wait!). I appreciate what y'all do. I so look forward to Saturday mornings when I can take some time to read the newsletter and, when I am able, attend your online events. I also will be sure to share my winnings with my book club. They will love it too.”
Mary Lou agreed with my thoughts on the ending of Apple TV+'s “Presumed Innocent” (DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE ENDING): “Among the many interesting and fun items in this week’s newsletter, your comment about 'Presumed Innocent' really hit home. It took me a couple of episodes to get used to Jake Gyllenhaal's Rusty Sabich, because Harrison Ford did such a great job as that character in the movie. But I did get used to Jake, and he was a great Rusty after all. But the ending: Why did they do that? Why change it like that? It was perfect the way it was written originally (I loved the book too; thank you, Scott Turow). And how the family sat around the table laughing and eating at the end --- that girl needs some serious anger management therapy!!! There, that’s my rant. I do hope they bring on a second season.”
Pat wrote, “I look forward to your interview with Chris Whitaker. I just finished WE BEGIN AT THE END. Such a thoughtful, complicated book. I'm now reading THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN, and I love it.” I will be talking to Chris on August 20th.
Anne, a friend who lives in Tucson, shared this recipe: “I saw in your recent newsletter you got a ton of peaches. I also have a bunch, and lately I've been obsessed with substituting them for tomatoes in a caprese salad over baby spinach. With a little balsamic vinaigrette and fresh cracked pepper, it's great. Or swap in a giant burrata (like the kind I sometimes get from Roma Imports, my family restaurant we went to when you visited back in 2019).” I did peaches and blackberries last weekend, and they were amazing with mozzarella and peach and blackberry balsamic vinegars on top.
“America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” on Netflix: I watched this series and found the whole process of selecting the cheerleading team interesting, along with the former cheerleaders who still meet up. I confess the high kick that drops down into a split is one crazy maneuver.
The Olympics: I am not sure if I am used to streaming, but I am finding that the way we jump around from event to event --- sometimes with good commentary, sometimes with not-so-good commentary --- is not the best. I found the comments during the opening ceremony to be as mind-numbing as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, so I turned it off. There have been some great moments, but I just have not found my groove with these this time simply because of the hopping around and the “highlight reel” feel to things.
I like to say that I am ahead of the curve...and I really feel like I was this week with a favorite astrology topic at Bookreporter: Mercury Retrograde. Yes, folks, it’s that time of year again from August 4th until the 27th. The way my last two weeks went, I honestly thought we were mid-cycle already.
I have an interesting week coming up. I won't say anything about it now, but I will have lots to share in the next newsletter.
Read on, and have a great week.
Carol Fitzgerald (Carol@bookreporter.com)
P.S. For those of you who shop online, if you use the store links that appear on our site for shopping, Bookreporter.com gets a small affiliate fee on your purchases from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieBound. As you read our reviews and features, we would appreciate your considering this as you buy!
Featured Review:
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? by Shari Lapena
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? by Shari Lapena (Domestic Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by January LaVoy, Jorjeana Marie and Barrett Leddy
Nothing ever happens in sleepy little Fairhill, Vermont. But this morning that will change. And one innocent question could be deadly. What have you done? The teenagers get their kicks telling ghost stories in the old graveyard. The parents trust that their kids will arrive home safe from school. Everyone knows everyone. Curtains rarely twitch. Front doors are left unlocked. But Diana Brewer isn’t lying safely in her bed where she belongs. Instead she lies in a hayfield, circled by vultures, discovered by a local farmer. How quickly a girl becomes a ghost. How quickly a town of friendly, familiar faces becomes a town of suspects, a place of fear and paranoia. Someone in Fairhill did this. Everyone wants answers. Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: SLOW DANCE by Rainbow Rowell
Reese’s Book Club Pick for August
SLOW DANCE by Rainbow Rowell (Romance)
Audiobook available, read by Rebecca Lowman
Shiloh and Carey were best friends. They spent entire summers sitting on Shiloh’s porch steps, dreaming about the future. They were both going to get out of north Omaha --- Shiloh would go to college and become an actress, and Cary would join the Navy. They promised each other that their friendship would never change. Well, Shiloh did go to college, and Cary did join the Navy. And yet, somehow, everything changed. Now Shiloh is 33, and it’s been 14 years since she talked to Cary. She’s been married and divorced. She has two kids. And she’s back living in the same house in which she grew up. When she’s invited to an old friend’s wedding, all Shiloh can think about is if Cary will be there --- and if she hopes he will be. Would Cary even want to talk to her? After everything? The answer is yes. And yes. And yes. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to visit the Reese's Book Club website.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER
by Kimberly McCreight
LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER by Kimberly McCreight (Domestic Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Olivia Campbell and Cassandra Campbell
When Cleo, a student at NYU, arrives late for dinner at her childhood home in Brooklyn, she finds food burning in the oven and no sign of her mother, Kat. Then Cleo discovers her mom’s bloody shoe under the sofa. Something terrible has happened. But what? Kat is the essence of Park Slope perfection: a happily married, successful corporate lawyer. Or so Cleo thinks. Kat has been lying. She’s not just a lawyer; she’s her firm’s fixer. And in the days leading up to her disappearance, Kat has become aware of multiple threats: demands for money from her unfaithful soon-to-be ex-husband; evidence that Cleo has slipped back into a relationship that’s far riskier than she understands; and menacing anonymous messages from her past --- all of which she’s kept hidden from Cleo. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: NICKED by M. T. Anderson
NICKED by M. T. Anderson (Historical Fantasy)
Audiobook available, read by Euan Morton
The year is 1087, and a pox is sweeping through the Italian city of Bari. When a lowly monk is visited by Saint Nicholas in his dreams, he interprets the vision as a call to serve the sick. But his superiors, and the power brokers they serve, have different plans for the tender-hearted Brother Nicephorus. Enter Tyun, a charismatic treasure hunter renowned for “liberating” holy relics from their tombs. The 700-year-old bones of Saint Nicholas are rumored to weep a mysterious liquid that can heal the sick, Tyun says. For the humble price of a small fortune, he will steal the bones and deliver them to Bari, curing the plague and restoring glory to the fallen city. And Nicephorus, the “dreamer,” will be his guide. What follows is a heist for the ages, as Nicephorus is swept away on strange tides, and alongside even stranger bedfellows, to commit sacrilegious theft. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Now Available:
THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST by Amy Neff
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST by Amy Neff (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Andi Arndt, Robert Fass, Ferdelle Capistrano, Katie Koster and Sean Patrick Hopkins
In the summer of 1941, on the New England shores where they were raised, Evelyn and Joseph fell in love. Now, more than 60 years later, with a lifetime between them, they have gathered their three grown children to share the staggering news: she has received a tragic diagnosis, and he cannot live without her. So in one year’s time, they will end their lives on their own terms. As the couple comes to grips with their fate, they retrace their past --- the joys and regrets, the laughter and the sorrow --- that brought them to this moment. They embark on a journey to live out their greatest dreams and to comfort and connect with each of their children before they're gone. But as their final days draw closer, they must confront the stark reality of what they are about to do, and make peace with the legacy they will leave behind for their family.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to visit Amy Neff's website.
- Click here to see Amy Neff's book tour schedule.
Watch or listen to our "Bookreporter Talks To" interview with Amy Neff.
Click here to read more about the book.
THE DAYS I LOVED YOU MOST will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's Bets On commentary in next week's newsletter.
Bookreporter.com Bets On: JACKIE by Dawn Tripp
JACKIE by Dawn Tripp (Historical Fiction)
Yes, there have been many books written about Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, but I really appreciate the fresh way that Dawn Tripp wrote her novel, JACKIE. Dawn explores Jackie’s love of literature and how she applied her intellect and desire to learn throughout her entire life. She looks at Jackie and Jack as intellectuals who challenged each other, and what she brought to his world as well as to the country. While Jackie was known as a style and fashion icon, Dawn pulls back her many layers, ensuring that her life is viewed more broadly. There are nuggets tucked between the pages that I am sure will be news to you, as they were to me.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
Click here to read more of Carol's Bets On commentary.
Don't miss Carol's "Bookreporter Talks To" interview
with Dawn Tripp in next week's newsletter.
Bookreporter.com's 20th Annual
Summer Reading Contests and Feature
Summer is here! At Bookreporter.com, this means it's time for us to share some great summer book picks with our Summer Reading Contests and Feature. We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through early August, 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.
Our next contest will be up on Tuesday, August 6th at noon ET. The prize book will be HOUSE OF GLASS, the latest thrilling novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen. On the outside, they were the golden family with the perfect life. On the inside, they built the perfect lie.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
August’s Books on Screen Feature
THE BEST LIES by David Ellis (Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Vas Eli, Emana Rachelle, Lee Osorio, Natasha Soudek and Philip Hernandez
Leo Balanoff is a diagnosed pathological liar with unthinkable skeletons in his family's closet. He's also a crusading attorney who seeks justice at all costs. When a ruthless drug dealer is found dead and Leo’s fingerprints show up on the murder weapon, no one believes a word he says. But he might be the FBI’s only shot at taking down the dealer’s brutal syndicate. Risk his life going undercover for the feds or head straight to prison for murder? Leo accepts the FBI’s offer --- but it comes with a price, including a collision course with his ex, Andi Piotrowski, a former cop and “the one who got away.” Forced to walk a tightrope between an ambitious FBI agent and a cruel, calculating crime boss, Leo is trapped in a corner. But he has more secrets than anyone realizes, and a few more cards left to play. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
SUGAR ON THE BONES: A Hap and Leonard Novel by Joe R. Lansdale
(Mystery/Humor)
Audiobook available, read by Christopher Ryan Grant
Minnie Polson has been burned to a crisp in a fire so big and bad that it had to have been deliberate. She had a feeling she was being targeted, but when she solicited Hap and Leonard, all it took was one off-color joke for her to call them off the investigation. As they look closer, Hap and Leonard dredge up troublesome facts. For one, Minnie’s daughter, Alice, has recently vanished. She’d been hard up after her pet grooming business went under and was in line to collect a whopping insurance sum should anything happen to her mother. The same was due to Minnie’s estranged husband, Al, whose kryptonite (beautiful, money-grubbing women) had left him with only a run-down mobile home. But did Minnie’s foolish, cash-strapped family really have it in them to commit a crime this grisly? Or is there a larger, far more sinister scheme at work? Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro.
THE WILDS by Sarah Pearse (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Elizabeth Knowelden
Since the dark events that scarred her childhood, Kier Templer escaped her hometown to live life on the road. She and her twin have never lost contact until, on a trip to a Portuguese national park, Kier vanishes without a trace. Detective Elin Warner arrives in the same park ready to immerse herself in its vast wilderness --- only to hear about Kier’s disappearance and discover a disturbing map she left behind. The few strangers at an isolated campsite close ranks against Elin’s questions, and the park’s wild beauty starts to turn sinister. Elin must untangle the clues to find out what really happened to Kier. But when you follow a trail, you have to be careful to watch your back. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE HORSE by Willy Vlautin (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Willy Vlautin
Al Ward lives on an isolated mining claim in the high desert of central Nevada 50 miles from the nearest town. A grizzled man in his 60s, he survives on canned soup, instant coffee, and memories of his ex-wife, friends and family he’s lost, and his life as a touring musician. Al finds himself teetering on the edge of madness and running out of reasons to go on --- until a horse arrives on his doorstep: nameless, blind and utterly helpless. Is the animal real, or a phantom conjured from imagination? As Al contemplates the horse’s existence --- and what, if anything, he can do --- his thoughts are interspersed with memories, from the moment his mother’s part-time boyfriend gifts him a 1959 butterscotch blonde Telecaster, to the day his travels begin. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
LOVE LETTERS TO A SERIAL KILLER by Tasha Coryell (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Andi Arndt
Recently ghosted and sick of watching her friends fade into the suburbs, thirty-something Hannah finds community in a true-crime forum that’s on a mission to solve the murders of four women in Atlanta. After William, a handsome lawyer, is arrested for the killings, Hannah begins writing him letters --- and he writes back. Her interest in the case goes from curiosity to obsession, leaving space for nothing else as her life implodes around her. After she loses her job, she heads to Georgia to attend the trial and befriends fellow true-crime junkies. When a fifth woman is discovered murdered, the jury has no choice but to find William not guilty, and Hannah is the first person he calls upon his release. The two of them quickly fall into a routine of domestic bliss. Well, as blissful as one can feel while secretly investigating their partner for serial murder. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
BURY YOUR GAYS by Chuck Tingle (Horror)
Audiobook available, read by a full cast
Misha knows that chasing success in Hollywood can be hell. But finally, after years of trying to make it, his big moment is here: an Oscar nomination. And the executives at the studio for his long-running streaming series know just the thing to kick his career to the next level: kill off the gay characters, "for the algorithm," in the upcoming season finale. Misha refuses, but he soon realizes that he’s just put a target on his back. And what’s worse, monsters from his horror movie days are stalking him and his friends through the hills above Los Angeles. Haunted by his past, Misha must risk his entire future --- before the horrors from the silver screen find a way to bury him for good. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
THE ANTHROPOLOGISTS by Aysegül Savas (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kathryn Aboya
Asya and Manu are looking at apartments, envisioning their future in a foreign city. What should their life here look like? What rituals will structure their days? Whom can they consider family? As the young couple dreams about the possibilities of each new listing, Asya, a documentarian, gathers footage from the neighborhood like an anthropologist observing local customs. “Forget about daily life,” chides her grandmother on the phone. “We named you for a whole continent and you're filming a park.” Back in their home countries, parents age, grandparents get sick, nieces and nephews grow up --- all just slightly out of reach. But Asya and Manu's new world is growing, too, they hope. As they open the horizons of their lives, what and whom will they hold onto, and what will they need to release? Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE by Lauren Thoman (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Christina Ho
When 16-year-old Angie Stewart starts hearing a mysterious voice in her house, she’s thrilled at the possibility of a ghost. Finally, something interesting is happening in her boring hometown of East Henderson, Pennsylvania. But why is she the only one who can hear it? And what does it want from her? Meanwhile, first-year teacher Madelyn Zhao just got the keys to her new home, which is in the same town where her cousin went missing several years ago. No one in East Henderson wants to talk about what happened, but Madelyn is determined to find answers. As the two strangers search for clues, their investigations begin to point toward the same dark place. But by the time they realize that the truth could be deadly, it’s too late to turn back. And someone out there will stop at nothing to make sure their secrets stay buried. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
CABARET MACABRE: A Joseph Spector Locked-Room Mystery by Tom Mead (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Philip Battley
Victor Silvius has spent nine years as an inmate at The Grange, a private sanatorium, for the crime of attacking judge Sir Giles Drury. Now, the judge’s wife, Lady Elspeth Drury, believes that Silvius is the one responsible for a series of threatening letters her husband recently has received, so she seeks out retired stage magician Joseph Spector. Meanwhile, Miss Caroline Silvius is disturbed after a recent visit to her brother Victor, convinced that he isn’t safe at The Grange. Someone is trying to kill him, and she suspects that the judge, who already has made Silvius’ life a living hell, may be behind it. Caroline hires Inspector George Flint of Scotland Yard to investigate. The two cases collide at Marchbanks, the Drury family seat of over 400 years, where a series of unnerving events interrupt the peace and quiet of the snowy countryside. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
PINK SLIME written by Fernanda Trías, translated by Heather Cleary (Dystopian Fiction/Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Frankie Corzo
In a city ravaged by a mysterious plague, a woman tries to understand why her world is falling apart. An algae bloom has poisoned the previously pristine air that blows in from the sea. Inland, a secretive corporation churns out the only food anyone can afford --- a revolting pink paste, made of an unknown substance. In the short, desperate breaks between deadly windstorms, our narrator stubbornly tends to her few remaining relationships: with her difficult but vulnerable mother; with the ex-husband for whom she still harbors feelings; with the boy she nannies, whose parents sent him away even as terrible threats loomed. Yet as conditions outside deteriorate further, her commitment to remaining in place only grows --- even if staying means being left behind. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on August 6th
Below are some notable titles releasing on August 6th 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 August 5th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
AND SO I ROAR by Abi Daré (Fiction)
AND SO I ROAR is a stunning, heart-wrenching new novel from Abi Daré, the New York Times bestselling author of THE GIRL WITH THE LOUDING VOICE.
ARKANGEL: A Sigma Force Novel by James Rollins (Thriller/Adventure)
Currently in development as a TV series from Amazon MGM Studios, ARKANGEL is the story of a thrilling hunt around the globe, pitting nation against nation, as ancient myths of a lost continent prove all too real.
THE BOOKSHOP: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss (Social History)
THE BOOKSHOP is an affectionate and engaging history of the American bookstore and its central place in American cultural life --- from department stores to indies, from highbrow dealers trading in first editions to sidewalk vendors, and from chains to special-interest community destinations.
A FAREWELL TO ARFS: A Chet & Bernie Mystery by Spencer Quinn (Mystery)
Spencer Quinn's A FAREWELL TO ARFS ups the ante in this action-packed and witty New York Times and USA Today bestselling series that Stephen King calls "without a doubt the most original mystery series currently available."
FIRE AND BONES: A Temperance Brennan Novel by Kathy Reichs (Mystery/Thriller)
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs returns with a twisty, unputdownable thriller featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, who finds herself at the center of a Washington, D.C. arson investigation that spawns deepening levels of mystery and, ultimately, violence.
HOUSE OF GLASS by Sarah Pekkanen (Domestic Thriller)
A young nanny who plunged to her death. Or was she pushed? A nine-year-old girl who collects sharp objects and refuses to speak. A lawyer whose job it is to uncover who in the family is a victim and who is a murderer. But how can you find out the truth when everyone here is lying?
HUM by Helen Phillips (Dystopian Science Fiction/Thriller)
HUM is a work of speculative fiction that unflinchingly explores marriage, motherhood and selfhood in a world compromised by global warming and dizzying technological advancement, a world of both dystopian and utopian possibilities.
THE LOST COAST by Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman (Mystery/Thriller)
From the minds of Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman comes a heart-stopping tale of deception and redemption --- bursting with action, suspense and unforgettable characters.
THE PAIRING by Casey McQuiston (Romantic Comedy)
Two bisexual exes accidentally book the same European food and wine tour and challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they're over each other --- except they're definitely not.
THE PERFECT SON by Freida McFadden (Psychological Thriller)
#1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden delivers a twisted, thought-provoking story about a family's loyalty pushed to the limits.
THE ROSE ARBOR by Rhys Bowen (Historical Mystery)
An investigation into a girl’s disappearance uncovers a mystery dating back to World War II in a haunting novel of suspense by the bestselling author of THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK and THE PARIS ASSIGNMENT.
THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Historical Fiction)
A young woman wins the role of a lifetime in a film about a legendary heroine --- but the real drama is behind the scenes in this sumptuous historical epic from the author of MEXICAN GOTHIC.
SHADOW OF DOUBT by Brad Thor (Political Thriller)
In a world shrouded in shadows, where doubt is the only weapon, can one spy expose the truth? #1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brad Thor delivers his latest high-octane thriller.
THE THIRTEENTH HUSBAND by Greer Macallister (Historical Fiction)
Based on a real woman from history, THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO meets THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE in this fictional tell-all narrated by the glamorous Aimee Crocker.
WANTED: TODDLER'S PERSONAL ASSISTANT: How Nannying for the 1% Taught Me about the Myths of Equality, Motherhood, and Upward Mobility in America by Stephanie Kiser (Memoir)
In this unputdownable memoir, Stephanie Kiser chronicles her journey from newbie nanny to beloved caregiver --- and the painful decision to eventually say goodbye to the children she has grown to love.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Rhys Bowen, Liz Moore, Jessica Knoll
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are six upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Monday, August 5th at 9pm ET: Killer Author Club: Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Kaira Rouda will talk to Jessica Knoll about her most recent novel, BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN, which is soon to be released in paperback. This exhilarating thriller masterfully blends elements of psychological suspense and true crime.
Tuesday, August 6th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble Book Club: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Liz Moore for a live virtual event to discuss THE GOD OF THE WOODS, July's B&N Book Club pick. Liz will be in conversation with Lexie Smyth, B&N's Fiction Category Manager, and bestselling author Kiley Reid.
Wednesday, August 7th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome #1 international bestselling author Liz Nugent for a live virtual discussion of STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND as part of their B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. Liz will be in conversation with the New York Times bestselling author of THE MIDNIGHT FEAST, Lucy Foley.
Wednesday, August 7th 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 Rhys Bowen about her latest historical novel, THE ROSE ARBOR.
Wednesday, August 7th at 9pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Rhys Bowen will discuss her new book, THE ROSE ARBOR, a haunting novel of suspense in which an investigation into a girl’s disappearance uncovers a mystery dating back to World War II.
Wednesday, August 7th at 10:15pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman will talk about the latest installment in their Clay Edison thriller series, THE LOST COAST. This heart-stopping tale of deception and redemption bursts with action, suspense and unforgettable characters.
"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 this year include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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T.J. Newman (WORST CASE SCENARIO)
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Dawn Tripp (JACKIE)
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Chris Whitaker (ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: Which of Carol’s "Bets On" Selections Appeal to You the Most?
We have listed nine of Carol’s Bookreporter.com Bets On picks that are now or soon to be in paperback. Which of these books have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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THE BLOCK PARTY by Jamie Day
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BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN by Jessica Knoll
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THE CONNELLYS OF COUNTY DOWN by Tracey Lange
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EVERGREEN: A Japantown Mystery, by Naomi Hirahara
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EVERYONE HERE IS LYING by Shari Lapena
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LADY TAN'S CIRCLE OF WOMEN by Lisa See
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ONE WRONG WORD by Hank Phillippi Ryan
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THE SPECTACULAR by Fiona Davis
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STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND by Liz Nugent
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, August 9th at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You've Read --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve read with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from July 26th to August 9th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of HOUSE OF GLASS by Sarah Pekkanen and WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? by Shari Lapena.
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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