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Recently I joined a health club as I love to do water exercises --- everything from water aerobics to lap swimming. When we are in the pool before we start, among the group there often is an exchange of ideas --- everything from what we are reading to what we are making for dinner or where something interesting is going on.
One person in the class told me that she is a big reader. I asked where she gets books, and she proudly told me that she uses pirated sites to get them for free. In fact, she uses three of them. I was completely taken aback by this. Today I overheard her mention it for the third time. I have not said anything as I do not want to make waves in the water (pun intended), but knowing authors --- and publishers --- this form of stealing really rankles me. It’s not like she is downloading books from the library, which also would be free but still would benefit the author.
Being mindful of the work that goes into a book and that it is someone’s livelihood, I feel readers should respect that by buying and borrowing through channels that support the authors and care about them. End of rant!
Speaking of positive sharing, Mary, who is a librarian, wrote this after receiving the video of Wednesday’s “Bookaccino Live” event: “I love the bookmarks! You are making my life easier. I am always recommending you and your wonderful programs. I actually just did five minutes ago. Now I can just hand the person a bookmark. Thank you for all you do!” If you are interested in sharing what we do, you can find our bookmarks here.
Tami Hoag has been absent from the writing scene for years after suffering an injury that had her off the grid for quite some time. Her long-awaited new novel, BAD LIAR, opens with a murder victim being dumped at the end of a deserted road in Louisiana. He was shot in his face and hands, making it difficult to identify him. At the same time, Marc Mercier has disappeared after going on a weekend hunting trip. Also missing is another young man, Robbie Fontenot, a former addict whose mother is desperate to find him. These three cases are being handled by sheriff’s detective Nick Fourcade and his wife, fellow detective Annie Broussard. I am halfway through the book and honestly have no idea how it will end or who the bad liar will be, but I am enjoying how the storytelling is unfolding. It is out September 24th, and I am glad that Tami is writing again!
I am listening to the newly released BLUE SISTERS by Coco Mellors on audio, which is narrated by Kit Griffiths, and I find myself wishing that I had more listening time! On the anniversary of their fourth sister Nicky’s death, three sisters are summoned by their mother to empty the family’s New York City apartment, which brings their very different personalities together. Avery is a recovering heroin addict who is now a lawyer, and she is living in London with her wife. Bonnie used to be a boxer and is now working in a bar in Los Angeles. Lucky, the youngest, models in Paris where she parties even in the middle of the day. I have been introduced to them thus far and look forward to sharing their journey with them. Now I need a few long car rides, or time to pull weeds, which is when I listen most!
Sophie Kinsella is best known for her Shopaholic series, which I loved. At the end of 2022, Sophie (her real name is Madeleine Sophie Wickham) was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of aggressive brain cancer with no cure. Her new novel is WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?, which is about an author with five children (Sophie also has five children) who is going through brain cancer and treatment. I have started it, and it truly is a special book, full of honesty as well as hope. It releases on October 8th. You can see her talking about her cancer journey, and the book, here on a “Nightline” segment with Robin Roberts in what is a really inspirational piece.
This is your last Weekly Update newsletter reminder to sign up for our special Fall Preview evening event next Wednesday, September 18th at 8pm ET.
I will be presenting a number of books releasing this fall that we think you will enjoy reading over the next few months. You can register for the program by clicking here. We have a fabulous lineup of titles, and I look forward to sharing them with you!
As I alluded to above, we hosted this month’s “Bookaccino Live” book preview afternoon event on Wednesday. I talked about 34 books releasing between now and October 1st, plus nine from November, that we wanted to get on your radar. You can watch the presentation here and see a list of the featured titles here.
Next month's “Bookaccino Live” book preview event will take place on Wednesday, October 9th at 2pm ET. The focus will be on titles releasing between October 8th and November 5th, in addition to a few from December, that we think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up.
Just like we’re doing for attendees of Wednesday evening’s Fall Preview event, those who join us live 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.
It was announced this week that TELL ME EVERYTHING is the latest Oprah’s Book Club selection. Here, Elizabeth Strout returns to the town of Crosby, Maine, and to her beloved cast of characters ---- Lucy Barton, Olive Kitteridge, Bob Burgess and more --- as they deal with a shocking crime in their midst, fall in love yet choose to be apart, and grapple with the question, as Lucy puts it, “What does anyone’s life mean?”
Oprah says, “Elizabeth Strout welcomes us home again, back to the small town where we witness the interconnection of all the characters we’ve ever loved in her previous novels. It’s a beautiful read reminding us that there is extraordinary love in ordinary actions.” And she points out, “You don’t need to read Strout’s previous work because everything you’ll need to know is contained within the pages of this marvelous book.”
On Tuesday, Strout appeared on “CBS Mornings” with Oprah to talk about the book. Click here to watch the segment. Also, if you’d like to read along with Oprah’s Book Club, you can do so by following the schedule on this page.
We have our review of TELL ME EVERYTHING this week from Kate Ayers, who says that the book “encompasses several years in the lives of the townspeople of Crosby, but it could be Anywhere, USA. People experience joys and tragedies. They need to get in touch with their feelings, dig deep into their hearts and understand what’s inside themselves, or they risk becoming numb. The characters here enrich themselves by exchanging stories --- by telling everything, as Olive asks Lucy. Readers will return to this novel time and again and always find some new nugget revealed to them. Don’t be the one to miss out.”
If you knew your future, would you try to fight fate? This intriguing question lies at the heart of Liane Moriarty’s latest novel, HERE ONE MOMENT, which will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. Aside from a delay, there will be no problems. The flight will be smooth and will land safely. Everyone who gets on the plane will get off. But almost all of them will be forever changed. Because on this ordinary, short, domestic flight, something extraordinary happens. People learn how and when they are going to die. If you were told you only had a certain amount of time left to live, would you do things differently? Would you try to dodge your destiny?
Our reviewer Eileen Zimmerman Nicol raves about the book in her review: “As a reader of HERE ONE MOMENT, you’ll be wondering how on earth Liane Moriarty can possibly resolve this premise…. But by then you're hooked. I can’t think of an author more adept at quickly (and cleverly) sketching a character, and it’s a good thing because there are so many characters in this novel…. Here’s my prediction for you, dear reader: I expect chuckling. I expect entertainment. I expect tears. Liane Moriarty is a master storyteller, and she has done it again.”
If you saw my comments about the book in last week’s newsletter, you won’t be surprised to hear that I completely agree with Eileen’s assessment. I will talk much more about the book in next week’s newsletter when we feature my Bets On commentary.
In a New York Times article this week, Liane talked about not wanting to talk about HERE ONE MOMENT as she feels uncomfortable talking about herself. Click here to read the piece. I would have liked to interview Liane, but instead I am going to see her next Saturday at an event in Manasquan, NJ, hosted by BookTowne. She will be in conversation with Ann Napolitano.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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DEATH AT THE SIGN OF THE ROOK: Welcome to Rook Hall. The stage is set. The players are ready. By night’s end, a murderer will be revealed in this highly anticipated sixth installment in Kate Atkinson’s series featuring private eye Jackson Brodie.
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COLORED TELEVISION: Danzy Senna’s instant national bestseller is this month’s Barnes & Noble and “Good Morning America” Book Club picks. This darkly funny novel explores who gets a say in what “diverse content” looks like and how career ambitions and artistry interact with marriage, motherhood and class.
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FATAL INTRUSION: As a wave of murders grips Southern California, an unlikely pair must untangle the mysterious patterns of an elusive killer in this opening installment of Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado’s propulsive new series.
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GUIDE ME HOME: In this stunning conclusion to Attica Locke’s award-winning Highway 59 trilogy, Detective Darren Mathews is pulled out of an early retirement to investigate the case of a missing Black college student from an all-white sorority and soon finds a town that will stop at nothing to keep its secrets hidden​.
Revisiting My “Bookreporter Talks To” Interview with Thrity Umrigar
Out in paperback this week is THE MUSEUM OF FAILURES by Thrity Umrigar, which is a Bets On selection. I talked to Thrity about the book last October 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.
Fall Reading Contest Update
In this week’s Fall Reading contest, we gave away THE MOST FAMOUS GIRL IN THE WORLD by Iman Hariri-Kia. Next week’s prize book will be THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM by Laura Dave, an upcoming Bets On pick in which estranged siblings discover that their father has been keeping a secret for over 50 years, one that may have been fatal. The contest will be up at noon ET on the day of the book's release, Tuesday, September 17th.
Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
You have another chance to win THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM in our Word of Mouth contest, along with the aforementioned HERE ONE MOMENT by Liane Moriarty. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win both these titles. Be sure to enter by Friday, September 20th at noon ET.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
You also have until next Friday to answer our poll, which continues to ask which of 30 fiction titles releasing in September you are planning to read. Click here to let us know.
The longlists for this year’s National Book Awards have been announced. Click here to see all 50 titles in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. They include CREATION LAKE by Rachel Kushner (Fiction), KNIFE: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie (Nonfiction), WRONG NORMA by Anne Carson (Poetry), PINK SLIME by Fernanda Trías, translated from the Spanish by Heather Cleary (Translated Literature), and WILD DREAMERS by Margarita Engle (Young People's Literature).
The finalists will be named on October 1st, followed by the announcement of the winners on November 20th at the 75th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner, which will be live-streamed for all to see. You can sign up to watch it for free by clicking here.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Gerry wrote, “How exciting to come home today to a gift in my mailbox from Carol and Bookreporter.com! My prize from the most recent 'Bookaccino Live' event was a copy of THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM by Laura Dave. This is a title that was already on my Want to Read shelf, and I look forward to reading it soon. I loved her previous book, THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME. Thanks so much!”
Mary wrote, “I just finished my Bookreporter newsletter and was struck by all that you do: the lengthy newsletter that I really enjoy, floating in the pool reading a whole raft of books, gardening, watching tennis, knitting a baby blanket, cooking peach (and tomato) pies. I am so thankful that you find the time since, selfishly, I love the newsletter. Please keep up the great work!”
Jessica wrote, “Shame on me that I’ve never written to you before, but I just want to say a simple thank you for sharing so many reviews. My to-read list grows way faster than I can read and listen to books, but that’s a problem I’m happy to have. I sincerely appreciate all the work that goes into these newsletters, and reading every edition feels like it was curated especially for me. I am sure that other readers feel the same way. Again, thank you SO much, and happy reading to you too.”
Ingrid, a long-time reader from the Netherlands, wrote, “I completely missed your anniversary, and your weekly newsletter is something I look forward to every single Saturday evening (time difference). So, thank you so much and your wonderful team for supplying me with all the goodies you share --- from books to recipes to film and TV tips, not to forget great laughs!”
Carol wrote about winning CREATION LAKE and THE LIFE IMPOSSIBLE in our Word of Mouth contest: “Great! Thank you very much!”
“The Perfect Couple” on Netflix: This series has been getting a lot of buzz. Note that the ending does not follow the book (Elin Hilderbrand's THE PERFECT COUPLE). To be honest, the ending did not work for me. There is a reason that someone was murdered. But to me, there were enough clues along the way to justify who the killer was! Also, the dance scene at the beginning felt like it was a copy of the dance scene at the end of another Netflix movie about a wedding that I cannot remember the name of.
“Three Women” on STARZ: Premiering today, this series, starring Shailene Woodley, Betty Gilpin, Gabrielle Creevy and Blair Underwood, is adapted from Lisa Taddeo's bestseller, THREE WOMEN.
50th Anniversary of Robert Caro’s THE POWER BROKER: For years, Robert Caro did not want his work to appear in an e-book format. He loved the way the pages laid out. For this milestone anniversary on Monday, he has agreed to an e-version, trying to entice people who may be intimidated by the length of the book. Click here to read his thoughts on this latest format. I clearly remember reading this book when I was in college and having a great discussion about it.
Tomorrow (Saturday), I am going to see the aforementioned Laura Dave, who is doing a special meet and greet signing at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ, at 1pm. You can purchase a ticket here.
The last week of summer is on the horizon. Let’s make the most of it. I am planning some pool time this weekend to get some reading accomplished, even though I think the pool is now down to 62 degrees.
I hope you have survived Friday the 13th! There will be one more Friday the 13th in December. Consider yourselves warned!
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:
TELL ME EVERYTHING by Elizabeth Strout
Oprah’s Latest Book Club Pick
TELL ME EVERYTHING by Elizabeth Strout (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Kimberly Farr
It’s autumn in Maine, and the town lawyer Bob Burgess has become enmeshed in an unfolding murder investigation, defending a lonely, isolated man accused of killing his mother. He also has fallen into a deep and abiding friendship with the acclaimed writer Lucy Barton, who lives down the road in a house by the sea with her ex-husband, William. Together, Lucy and Bob go on walks and talk about their lives, their fears and regrets, and what might have been. Lucy, meanwhile, is finally introduced to the iconic Olive Kitteridge, now living in a retirement community on the edge of town. They spend afternoons together in Olive’s apartment, telling each other stories. Stories about people they have known --- “unrecorded lives,” Olive calls them --- reanimating them, and, in the process, imbuing their lives with meaning. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
- 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 see why the book is Oprah's latest Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: HERE ONE MOMENT by Liane Moriarty
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
HERE ONE MOMENT by Liane Moriarty (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Caroline Lee and Geraldine Hakewill
Aside from a delay, there will be no problems. The flight will be smooth, it will land safely. Everyone who gets on the plane will get off. But almost all of them will be forever changed. Because on this ordinary, short, domestic flight, something extraordinary happens. People learn how and when they are going to die. For some, their death is far in the future --- age 103! --- and they laugh. But for six passengers, their predicted deaths are not far away at all. If you were told you only had a certain amount of time left to live, would you do things differently? Would you try to dodge your destiny? Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
Click here to read our review.
HERE ONE MOMENT will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's commentary in next week's newsletter.
Featured Review: DEATH AT THE SIGN OF THE ROOK
by Kate Atkinson
DEATH AT THE SIGN OF THE ROOK: A Jackson Brodie Book by Kate Atkinson (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Jason Isaacs
In his sleepy Yorkshire town, ex-detective Jackson Brodie is staving off boredom and malaise. His only case is the seemingly tedious matter of a stolen painting. But Jackson soon uncovers a string of unsolved art thefts that lead him down a dizzying spiral of disguise and deceit to Burton Makepeace, a formerly magnificent estate now partially converted into a hotel hosting Murder Mystery weekends. As paying guests, impecunious aristocrats and old friends collide, we are treated to Atkinson’s most charming and fiendishly clever mystery yet, one that pays homage to the masters of the genre --- from Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers to the modern era of Knives Out and "Only Murders in the Building." Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
COLORED TELEVISION by Danzy Senna
September’s Barnes & Noble
and “Good Morning America” Book Club Picks
COLORED TELEVISION by Danzy Senna (Fiction/Humor)
Audiobook available, read by Kristen Ariza
Jane and her family are living in luxury for a year, house-sitting in the hills above Los Angeles. The gig magically coincides with Jane’s sabbatical, giving her the time and space she needs to finish her second novel --- a centuries-spanning epic that her artist husband, Lenny, dubs her “mulatto WAR AND PEACE.” Finally, some semblance of stability and success seems to be within her grasp. But things don’t work out quite as hoped. Desperate for a plan B, Jane turns her gaze to Hollywood. When she finagles a meeting with Hampton Ford, a hot producer with a major development deal at a streaming network, he seems excited to work with a “real writer,” and together they begin to develop “the Jackie Robinson of biracial comedies.” Things finally seem to be going right for Jane --- until they go terribly wrong. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
» COLORED TELEVISION is September's Barnes & Noble Book Club pick. On Tuesday, October 1st at 3pm ET, B&N will host a live virtual event with Danzy Senna. Click here to sign up.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's "Good Morning America" Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: FATAL INTRUSION
by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado
FATAL INTRUSION by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Aida Reluzco and Andre Santana
Carmen Sanchez is a tough Homeland Security agent who plays by the rules. But when her sister is attacked, revealing a connection to a series of murders across Southern California, she realizes that a conventional investigation will not be enough to stop the ruthless perpetrator. With nowhere else to turn, Sanchez enlists the aid of Professor Jake Heron, a brilliant and quirky private security expert who believes rules are merely suggestions. The two have a troubled past, but he owes her a favor. They team up to catch the assailant, who has no discernible motive and fits no classic criminal profile. All they have to go on is a distinctive tattoo and a singular obsession that gives this chillingly efficient tactician his nickname: Spider. Over the next 72 hours, Sanchez and Heron find themselves in the midst of a lethal chess match with the killer as they race to stop the carnage. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: GUIDE ME HOME by Attica Locke
GUIDE ME HOME: A Highway 59 Novel by Attica Locke (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by JD Jackson
Texas Ranger Darren Mathews is in the midst of remaking his life with the woman he loves when he is visited by someone who always has been bent on tearing his life apart. His mother. Armed with a tall tale about a missing Black college student, Sera (whose white sorority sisters insist she isn’t missing at all). Darren must decide if he can trust that his mother is telling the truth --- and what her ulterior motive may be. He gets his hooks into the investigation, along the way discovering things about Sera’s family and her hometown that are odd at best, vaguely sinister at worst. Hamstrung by local law enforcement and the Texas Rangers who likewise doubt the account of a missing girl, if Darren wants answers, he’ll need help from the person whom he swore to never trust again --- his mother. Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's 14th Annual
Fall Reading Contests and Feature
Fall is known as the biggest season of the year for books. The titles that release during this latter part of the year often become holiday gifts, and many are blockbusters. In our Fall Reading Contests and Feature, we are spotlighting a number of outstanding books that we know people will be talking about this fall.
We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through October, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our next contest will be up on Tuesday, September 17th at noon ET. The prize book will be THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM by Laura Dave, an upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. This riveting page-turner has a heartbreaking final twist that you will never see coming.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
THE PERFECT SON by Freida McFadden (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Suzie Althens and Daniel Thomas May
Erika Cass has a perfect family and a perfect life. Until, one quiet evening, two detectives show up at her front door. A high school girl has vanished from their quiet neighborhood, and the police suspect the worst. Erika's teenage son, Liam, was the last person to see the girl alive. Erika has always sensed something…different in her seemingly perfect oldest child. He's charming, smart and popular, but mothers have the best instincts, and Erika knows there's more to her son than meets the eye. She wants to believe he's innocent, but as the evidence mounts, she can't deny the truth. Liam may have done the unthinkable. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
SO THIRSTY: A Vampire Novel by Rachel Harrison (Supernatural Thriller/Horror)
Audiobook available, read by Brittany Pressley
Sloane Parker is dreading her birthday. She doesn’t need a reminder she’s getting older, or that she’s feeling indifferent about her own life. Her husband surprises her with a birthday-weekend getaway --- not with him, but with Sloane’s longtime best friend, troublemaker extraordinaire Naomi. Sloane anticipates a weekend of wine tastings, cozy robes and strategic avoidance of issues she’d rather not confront, like her husband’s repeated infidelity. But when they arrive at their rental cottage, it becomes clear that Naomi has something else in mind. She wants Sloane to stop letting things happen to her, for Sloane to really live. So Naomi orchestrates a wild night out with a group of mysterious strangers, only for it to take a horrifying turn that changes Sloane’s and Naomi’s lives literally forever. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE REAPING: A Steinbeck and Reed Thriller by Jess Lourey (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by James Daniels
In 1998, an Alku, Minnesota, family of five was brutally murdered in their sleep. The event shook the insulated community but, without any solid leads, was relegated to the cold case files, where it moldered for 25 years. Until today. Agent Harry Steinbeck hoped never to return to the northland, a place that holds terrible memories of his sister’s abduction. But when a recent homicide is connected to Alku’s unsolved mass murder, he and cold case agent Evangeline Reed have no choice but to investigate. The case grows impossibly darker as, one by one, the children of Alku begin disappearing. Harry and Van can’t shake the sensation that someone is watching every move they make --- and the elusive killer’s trail leads to a truth more sinister than either imagined. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
LUCY UNDYING: A Dracula Novel by Kiersten White (Gothic Fantasy/Romance)
Audiobook available; read by Nicky Endres, Linda Jones, Elizabeth Knowelden, Billie Fulford-Brown and Jeremy Carlisle Parker
Her name was written in the pages of someone else’s story: Lucy Westenra was one of Dracula’s first victims. But her death was only the beginning. Lucy rose from the grave a vampire and has spent her immortal life trying to escape from Dracula’s clutches --- and trying to discover who she really is and what she truly wants. Her undead life takes an unexpected turn in 21st-century London, when she meets another woman, Iris, who is also yearning to break free from her past. Iris’ family has built a health empire based on a sinister secret, and they’ll do anything to stay in power. Lucy has long believed she would never love again. Yet she finds herself compelled by the charming Iris, while Iris is equally mesmerized by the confident and glamorous Lucy. But their intense connection and blossoming love is threatened by outside forces. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE TELEGRAM FROM HELL: A World War I Adventure by Nicholas Meyer (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by David Robb
June, 1916. With a world war raging on the continent, exhausted John H. Watson, M.D. is operating on the wounded full-time when his labors are interrupted by a knock on his door, revealing Sherlock Holmes, with a black eye, a missing tooth and a cracked rib. The story he has to tell will set in motion a series of world-changing events in the most consequential case of the detective’s career. Amid rebellion in Ireland and revolution in Russia, Germany has a secret plan to win the war, and Sir William Melville of the British Secret Service dispatches the two aging friends to learn what the scheme is before it can be put into effect. In pursuit of a mysterious coded telegram sent from Berlin to an unknown recipient in Mexico, Holmes and Watson seek to foil the schemes of Holmes’ nemesis, the escaped German spymaster Von Bork. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
TWO-STEP DEVIL by Jamie Quatro (Fiction)
In 2014, in Lookout Mountain, Alabama, the Prophet --- a 70-year-old man who paints his visions --- lives off the grid in a cabin near the Georgia border. While scrounging for materials at the local scrapyard, the Prophet sees a car pull up to an abandoned gas station. In the back seat is a teenage girl with zip ties on her wrists, a girl he realizes he must rescue from her current life. Her name is Michael, and the Prophet feels certain that she is a messenger sent by God to take his end-time warnings to the White House. Michael finds herself in the Prophet’s remote, art-filled cabin, and as their uncertain dynamic evolves into tender friendship, she is offered a surprising opportunity to escape her past --- and perhaps change her future. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
THE DEVIL RAISES HIS OWN by Scott Phillips (Historical/Noir Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by L.J. Ganser
Los Angeles, 1916: Photographer Bill Ogden has opened a portrait studio in the seedy noir world of early Hollywood, where he is joined by his granddaughter, Flavia, who is need of a fresh start after bludgeoning her drunken, abusive husband to death in Wichita. Though his business is mainly legit, Bill finds himself brushing up against the “blue movie” porn industry growing in the shadows of the motion picture mainstream. When a series of grisly murders take place across the city, Bill and his capable granddaughter are pulled into events as tricky and tangled as anything this side of The Big Sleep. We meet dreamers, opportunists, washed-up former stars and starry-eyed newcomers --- a cast of unforgettable characters living on the margins looking to make a quick buck, launch a career or just keep their family together. Reviewed by Jack Kramer.
PETS AND THE CITY: True Tales of a Manhattan House Call Veterinarian by Dr. Amy Attas (Memoir)
Audiobook available, read by Adrienne Cornette
When a pet is sick, people --- even the rich and famous --- are at their most authentic and vulnerable. They could have a Monet on the wall and an Oscar on the shelf, but if their cat gets a cold, all they want to talk about are snotty noses and sneezing fits. That’s when they call premier in-home veterinarian Dr. Amy Attas. In PETS AND THE CITY, Dr. Amy shares all the funny, heartbreaking and life-affirming experiences she’s faced throughout her 30-year career treating the cats and dogs of New Yorkers from Park Avenue to the projects. Some of her stories are about celebs, like the time she saw a famous singer naked (no, her rash was not the same as her puppy’s). Others are about remarkable animals, like the skilled service dog who, after his exam was finished, left the room and returned with a checkbook in his mouth. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
I NEED YOU TO READ THIS by Jessa Maxwell (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Carlotta Brentan
Years ago, Alex Marks escaped to New York City for a fresh start. But her carefully cultivated world is upended when her childhood hero, Francis Keen, is brutally murdered. Francis was the woman behind the famous advice column "Dear Constance," and her words helped Alex through some of her darkest times. When Alex sees an advertisement searching for her replacement, she impulsively applies. Against all odds, she is given the position and quickly proves herself skilled at solving other people’s problems. But she soon begins to receive strange, potentially threatening letters at the office. Francis’ murderer was never identified, turning everyone around her into a threat. As Alex is drawn into the details surrounding her predecessor’s murder, her own dark secrets begin to rise to the surface. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on September 17th
Below are some notable titles releasing on September 17th that we would like to make you aware of. We will have more on many of these books in the weeks to come. For a list of additional hardcovers and paperbacks available the week of September 16th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
CONNIE: A Memoir by Connie Chung (Memoir)
In a sharp, witty and definitive memoir like no other, iconic trailblazer and legendary journalist Connie Chung delves into her storied career as the first Asian woman to break into an overwhelmingly white, male-dominated television news industry.
ENTITLEMENT by Rumaan Alam (Fiction)
Taut, unsettling and alive to the seductive distortions of money, ENTITLEMENT is a riveting tale for our new gilded age, a story that confidently considers questions about need and worth, race and privilege, philanthropy and generosity, passion and obsession.
I DREAMED OF FALLING by Julia Dahl (Psychological Thriller/Mystery)
In acclaimed author Julia Dahl's new stand-alone novel, the death of a young mother triggers an avalanche of secrets in a small Hudson Valley town.
THE MOST FAMOUS GIRL IN THE WORLD by Iman Hariri-Kia (Fiction)
Campy, satirical and utterly hilarious, THE MOST FAMOUS GIRL IN THE WORLD is both a scathing indictment of modern celebrity and a thrilling rollercoaster ride of unhinged hijinks that will keep you gasping at every turn of the page.
THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM by Laura Dave (Domestic Thriller/Mystery)
In this riveting novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME, estranged siblings discover their father has been keeping a secret for over 50 years, one that may have been fatal.
A PLACE TO HIDE by Ronald H. Balson (Historical Fiction)
Powerful and dramatic, National Jewish Book Award winner Ronald H. Balson’s A PLACE TO HIDE explores the deeply moving actions of an ordinary man who resolves, under perilous circumstances, to make a difference.
PRECIPICE by Robert Harris (Historical Thriller)
PRECIPICE is a spellbinding novel of passion, intrigue and betrayal set in England in the months leading up to the Great War from the bestselling author of ACT OF OBLIVION, FATHERLAND, THE GHOSTWRITER and MUNICH.
SHE-WOLVES: The Untold History of Women on Wall Street by Paulina Bren (History)
Award-winning historian Paulina Bren tells the story of how women infiltrated Wall Street from the swinging '60s to 9/11 --- starting at a time when “No Ladies” signs hung across the doors of its luncheon clubs and (more discretely) inside its brokerage houses and investment banks.
SOMETHING LOST, SOMETHING GAINED: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty by Hillary Rodham Clinton (Memoir)
What would it be like to sit down for an impassioned, entertaining conversation with Hillary Clinton? In SOMETHING LOST, SOMETHING GAINED, Hillary offers her candid views on life and love, politics, liberty, democracy, the threats we face, and the future within our reach.
WE SOLVE MURDERS by Richard Osman (Mystery)
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the beloved Thursday Murder Club series comes an iconic new detective duo. And a new murder --- or two --- to solve in a caper that spans the globe.
THE WILDES: A Novel in Five Acts by Louis Bayard (Historical Fiction)
In this singularly powerful novel, bestselling author Louis Bayard brings Oscar Wilde’s wife, Constance, and two sons out from the shadows of history and creates a vivid and poignant story of secrets, loss and love.
Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.
From left to right: Julia Dahl, Jodi Picoult, Willy Vlautin
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are four upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Monday, September 16th at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Julia Dahl will talk to special guest host Gillian Flynn about her new stand-alone thriller, I DREAMED OF FALLING, in which the death of a young mother triggers an avalanche of secrets in a small Hudson Valley town.
Tuesday, September 17th at 10pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Willy Vlautin will talk about his latest book, THE HORSE, a poignant novel --- his most personal to date --- that captures the life of a journeyman musician who is unable to escape the tragedies of his past.
Wednesday, September 18th 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 Jodi Picoult about her new novel, BY ANY OTHER NAME, which is the F&F Pick of the Month.
Wednesday, September 18th at 8pm ET: "Bookaccino Live" Fall Preview Event: Carol Fitzgerald will talk about a number of books releasing this fall that we think you will enjoy reading over the next few months. Included will be fiction; historical fiction; thrillers and mysteries; and memoirs, biographies and other nonfiction.
"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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Laura Dave (THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: September Fiction Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following fiction titles releasing in September have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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BLUE SISTERS by Coco Mellors
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CLIVE CUSSLER GHOST SOLDIER: A Novel of the Oregon Files, by Mike Maden
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COLORED TELEVISION by Danzy Senna
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COUNTING MIRACLES by Nicholas Sparks
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CREATION LAKE by Rachel Kushner
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DEATH AT THE SIGN OF THE ROOK: A Jackson Brodie Book, by Kate Atkinson
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ENTITLEMENT by Rumaan Alam
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AN EYE FOR AN EYE by Jeffrey Archer
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FATAL INTRUSION by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado
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THE FOREST OF LOST SOULS by Dean Koontz
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GUIDE ME HOME: A Highway 59 Novel, by Attica Locke
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THE HAUNTING OF MOSCOW HOUSE by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
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HERE ONE MOMENT by Liane Moriarty
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INTERMEZZO by Sally Rooney
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LIES HE TOLD ME by James Patterson and David Ellis
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THE LIFE IMPOSSIBLE by Matt Haig
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THE MOST FAMOUS GIRL IN THE WORLD by Iman Hariri-Kia
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THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM by Laura Dave
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ON THE HUNT by Iris Johansen
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PASSIONS IN DEATH by J. D. Robb
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PLAYGROUND by Richard Powers
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QUEEN MACBETH by Val McDermid
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A REASON TO SEE YOU AGAIN by Jami Attenberg
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THE REAPING: A Steinbeck and Reed Thriller, by Jess Lourey
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ROBERT B. PARKER'S BUZZ KILL: A Sunny Randall Novel, by Alison Gaylin
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SAFE ENOUGH: And Other Stories, by Lee Child
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SKY FULL OF ELEPHANTS by Cebo Campbell
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TELL ME EVERYTHING by Elizabeth Strout
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WE SOLVE MURDERS by Richard Osman
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THE WILDES: A Novel in Five Acts, by Louis Bayard
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, September 20th 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 September 6th to September 20th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of HERE ONE MOMENT by Liane Moriarty and THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM by Laura Dave.
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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