March 7, 2025

March 7, 2025

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In Like a Lion

For years, my sons loved my line about whether March came in like a lion or a lamb. It came in here like a lion, and the winds have been rather crazy all week. Last night, the covers blew off our outdoor furniture. May March end like a lamb. There is no way we want a lion/lion month!

This is my least favorite weekend of the year as we move the clocks ahead to Daylight Saving Time. I know, I know, everyone loves daylight in the evening. But my weekend hours are precious as that is typically when I have time to read. I guess I will need to read faster. Speaking of which…

When we left off last weekend, I was reading BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall. I finished the book at 2:30am on Friday night/Saturday morning as I could not put it down. Yes, it will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On title. And I was happy to see that it's March's Barnes & Noble Book Club selection, as well as Reese's Book Club pick.

Reese calls it “an unforgettable story of love, loss, and the choices that shape our lives… but it’s also a masterfully crafted mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Seriously, that ending?! I did not see it coming.” I agree with all of that, including the ending.

Rebecca Munro has our review and raves, “Hall is wickedly clever in her intentional obfuscation of her murder plot, her writing is elegantly cadenced, and her cunning is bolstered and backed by her deep, perceptive portrayals of girlhood and womanhood, love of all kinds, and the ways in which guilt shapes and redeems us. Sure to top all of 2025’s 'Best Of' lists, BROKEN COUNTRY is a triumphant and truly exciting release from an author guaranteed to become your next favorite. Trust me, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.”

Rebecca is spot-on! BROKEN COUNTRY is such a compulsive read, and I’m so excited to talk to Clare about it on Tuesday. We will share my interview with her next week, followed by my Bets On commentary in two weeks.

Also, on Tuesday, April 1st at 3pm ET, Barnes & Noble will host a live virtual event with Clare, which you can sign up for here. She will be in conversation with Lexie Smyth, B&N’s Fiction Category Manager.

My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Charmaine Wilkerson, whose new novel, GOOD DIRT, is a Bets On selection that we reviewed a few weeks ago.

Charmaine explains how the character of Ebby Freeman came to her, along with the idea of the clay jar that has been in the family for generations. She shares the research that she did about the work of slaves in the South who created pottery with clay, tracing how an item like this could have made its way from the South to Connecticut with slaves who worked on sailing vessels. And she muses that what happened to Ebby would have a major impact on the rest of her life.

As she did in her New York Times bestseller, BLACK CAKE, Charmaine invites readers to look at traditions and ideas that they may not have heard about previously while at the same time telling the story of a family. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast.

This is your last Weekly Update newsletter reminder to sign up for this month’s “Bookaccino Live” book preview afternoon event, which will take place on Wednesday, March 12th at 2pm ET.

The focus will be on titles releasing between March 11th and April 1st, in addition to a few from May, that we think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up. Those who attend 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. We love doing these events and hope that you can join us!

This week, we kicked off a new contest for Brenda Coffee’s upcoming book, MAYA BLUE: A Memoir of Survival. New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laura Munson raves, “This riveting memoir reads like a thriller. Beautifully written with courageous self-reflection, Brenda Coffee’s harrowing story of survival took my breath away.” After reading the description below, you’ll know why Laura feels the way she does about the book --- and you’ll want to read it as soon as possible.

Brenda got married when she was 21 and would do almost anything that her charismatic and powerful older husband, Philip Ray, wanted. Their life together was a fairy tale until Philip, the founder of two high-profile, groundbreaking public companies, began making real cocaine in their basement and became addicted. The Big Six tobacco companies threatened their lives for creating the first smokeless cigarette (Brenda coined the terms vape and vaping), and brutal Guatemalan military commandos forced Brenda into the jungle at gunpoint.

In anticipation of the book’s publication on May 20th, we’re awarding an advance copy to 25 readers and asking them to share their feedback about it with us by Monday, May 12th. To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, March 21st at noon ET.

Sandra Brown is back with another gripping --- and romantic --- thriller. In BLOOD MOON, an unruly detective and an ambitious TV show producer are thrown together to work against the clock to prevent another young woman from disappearing before the next blood moon --- while trying to resist the growing attraction between them.

According to Pamela Kramer in her review, “The action heats up in more ways than one as we fly through this hefty novel. There's no flowery language, but that's not why we read Sandra Brown; we want the thrills, the heat, the connections and the suspense that she provides in plentiful proliferation. We don't know how the two main characters, so different in almost every way, could possibly end up together. But we have faith in Sandra Brown…”

I typically will read a Sandra Brown book while floating in the pool in August. I guess this time it will be a hot tub read!

Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
BLOOD MOON is one of our current Word of Mouth prizes, along with THE JACKAL’S MISTRESS by Chris Bohjalian, which we will review next week. 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, March 14th at noon ET.

Other books we’re reviewing this week include:

• THE DREAM HOTEL: Laila Lalami’s latest novel, which is March’s “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick, is about one woman’s fight for freedom, set in a near future where even dreams are under surveillance. Jenna says, “This is a book about how technology shackles us even when it connects us, how it can make us not feel present, and it’s a commentary on that.”
   
• KILLS WELL WITH OTHERS: In this riotous follow-up to Deanna Raybourn’s KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, four women assassins who are senior in status --- and in age --- sharpen their knives for another bloody good adventure. Their enemy this time is unlike any they’ve faced before, and it will take all their killer experience to get out of this mission alive.
   
• THE BOXCAR LIBRARIAN: Inspired by true events, this thrilling Depression-era novel from the author of THE LIBRARIAN OF BURNED BOOKS, Brianna Labuskes, is about a woman’s quest to uncover a mystery surrounding a local librarian and the Boxcar Library --- a converted mining train that brought books to isolated rural towns in Montana.

Spring Reading Contest Update
We kicked off our Spring Reading contests this week by giving away Elle Cosimano’s FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE, which is now in stores. Next week’s prize will be THE WOMEN ON PLATFORM TWO by Laura Anthony, a sweeping and timely novel inspired by a remarkable and little-known true story. The contest will go live at noon ET on the day of the book’s release, Tuesday, March 11th.

March’s New in Paperback Feature
Our New in Paperback roundups for March are now up. We’re featuring paperback fiction reprints from such bestselling authors as John Grisham (CAMINO GHOSTS), Ruth Ware (ONE PERFECT COUPLE), Megan Miranda (DAUGHTER OF MINE), Allison Pataki (FINDING MARGARET FULLER), Sally Hepworth (DARLING GIRLS), Anthony Horowitz (CLOSE TO DEATH), and Leigh Bardugo (THE FAMILIAR); nonfiction titles, including GHOST DOGS: On Killers and Kin by Andre Dubus III and THE WIVES: A Memoir by Simone Gorrindo; and paperback originals like THE LAST DAYS OF KIRA MULLAN by Nicci French and THE SAINT LAURENT MUSE by C. W. Gortner.

This Month’s Books on Screen Offerings
We’ve also updated our Books on Screen feature for this month. March’s roundup includes the series premieres of "Just One Look" and "Caught" on Netflix (both are adaptations of books by Harlan Coben), "Long Bright River" on Peacock, and "The Last Anniversary" on Sundance Now and AMC+; the season premieres of Prime Video's "Bosch: Legacy" and "The Wheel of Time," along with "Dark Winds" on AMC and "Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light" on PBS "Masterpiece"; the season finales of Prime Video's "Reacher," Hallmark Channel's "When Calls the Heart," and NBC's "The Irrational"; the films Snow White, In the Lost Lands, The Actor and The Friend; and the DVD/Blu-ray releases of The Room Next Door and Kraven the Hunter.

Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of 35 fiction titles releasing this month you are planning to read. Click here to let us know by Friday, March 14th at noon ET.

COUNT MY LIES by Sophie Stava is this month’s “Good Morning America” Book Club pick, which we plan to review next week. Here’s how “GMA” describes the book: “The novel follows Sloane Caraway, a compulsive liar who fabricates harmless stories to make her mundane life more exciting. But one small lie --- telling a handsome father she's a nurse --- lands her a job as a nanny for the wealthy Lockharts, a seemingly perfect New York couple with secrets of their own. As Sloane becomes entangled in their world, she realizes she's not the only one lying --- and some truths are far more dangerous than others.”

For more March selections, including the Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, see our “Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks” feature here.

On Tuesday night, the Audio Publishers Association (APA) announced the Audie Award winners at the 30th Audie Awards Gala, which was hosted by Emmy-nominated actress, comedian and author Amy Sedaris. Barbra Streisand’s MY NAME IS BARBRA was named the 2025 Audiobook of the Year, Julia Whelan won Best Fiction Narrator for THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah, and Justin Vivian Bond was awarded Best Nonfiction Narrator for CANDY DARLING: Dreamer, Icon, Superstar, by Cynthia Carr.

Other winners included Percival Everett’s JAMES, read by Dominic Hoffman (Literary Fiction & Classics); Garrett M. Graff’s WHEN THE SEA CAME ALIVE: An Oral History of D-Day, read by Edoardo Ballerini and Garrett M. Graff, with a full cast (Multi-Voiced Performance); Amy Tintera’s LISTEN FOR THE LIE, read by January LaVoy and Will Damron (Mystery); Stephen King’s YOU LIKE IT DARKER: Stories, read by Will Patton (Short Stories/Collections); and Gregg Hurwitz’s LONE WOLF: An Orphan X Novel, read by Scott Brick (Thriller/Suspense). Click here to see all the winners and here to watch the ceremony.

News & Pop Culture

Reader Mail:

Here’s something interesting from a reader that shows the power of book discussion. Terry wrote, “The Lisa Wingate discussion was fascinating. Her comments changed my whole perspective and opinion on SHELTERWOOD. My initial impression was 'just okay.' I now have a much greater understanding and appreciation for her research and storytelling. Thank you for facilitating!”

Lorraine agreed with me about BROKEN COUNTRY, calling it “so exquisitely written and riveting.”

As I mentioned last week, I had seen only two Oscar-nominated films, so I am catching them as they are available on streaming. I watched A Real Pain on Hulu. Call me crazy, but I did not like it. The premise was good, but for me the execution did not work. 

The Only Girl in the Orchestra on Netflix: This won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film. We watched it last night and really enjoyed it. It’s a 38-minute film “celebrating trailblazing double bassist Orin O'Brien, the first woman to become a full-time member of the New York Philharmonic.” Bravo!

The “60 Minutes” Interview with Timothée Chalamet: As readers know, I loved A Complete Unknown so much. So I wanted to share this terrific interview with you.

Featured Review: BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall
March’s Barnes & Noble and Reese’s Book Club Picks
and an Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title

BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Hattie Morahan
Beth and her gentle, kind husband, Frank, are happily married, though their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager --- the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son, Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident. As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was and the woman she has become. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.

» BROKEN COUNTRY is March's Barnes & Noble Book Club pick. On Tuesday, April 1st at 3pm ET, B&N will host a live virtual event with Clare Leslie Hall. Click here to sign up.

- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's Reese's Book Club pick.

Click here to read our review.

BROKEN COUNTRY will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's interview with Clare Leslie Hall in next week's newsletter and her Bets On commentary in the March 21st newsletter.

Featured Review: BLOOD MOON by Sandra Brown

BLOOD MOON by Sandra Brown (Romantic Suspense)
Audiobook available, read by Kyf Brewer
Recently divorced and slightly heavy-handed with his liquor, Detective John Bowie does all that he can to cope with the actions taken (or not taken) during the investigation of Crissy Mellin, a teenage girl who disappeared more than three years prior. But now, “Crisis Point,” a long-running true crime television series, is soon to air an episode documenting the unsolved case. Beth Collins, a senior producer on “Crisis Point,” is convinced that Crissy’s disappearance was not an isolated incident. A string of disappearances of teenage girls in nearby areas has only one thing in common: They took place on the night of a blood moon. In a last-ditch effort to find out the truth, Beth leaves New York City for Louisiana to enlist Detective Bowie in helping her figure out what happened to Crissy and find the true culprit before he acts on the next blood moon --- in four days’ time. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.

- Click here to read more about the book.

Click here to read our review.

New Special Contest:
Enter to Win One of 25 Advance Copies of
MAYA BLUE by Brenda Coffee
and Share Your Comments on It

MAYA BLUE by Brenda Coffee is a searingly honest and unforgettable memoir that challenges women to rethink everything they know about survival, resilience and finding their voice.

We have 25 advance copies to give away to those who would like to read the book, which releases on May 20th, and share their comments on it. All winners must be prepared to provide their feedback by Monday, May 12th.

To enter, please fill out this form by Friday, March 21st at noon ET.

MAYA BLUE: A Memoir of Survival by Brenda Coffee (Memoir)
At 21, Brenda Coffee surrendered herself to her marriage and became a woman who would do almost anything her charismatic and powerful older husband, Philip Ray, wanted. Regardless of whether it was dangerous, adventurous, sexual or illegal, she wanted to be the one woman he couldn’t live without.

Brenda and Philip’s life together was a fairy tale until it wasn’t. Until Philip, the founder of two high-profile, groundbreaking public companies, began making real cocaine in their basement and became addicted. Until the Big Six tobacco companies threatened their lives for creating the first smokeless cigarette --- Brenda coined the terms vape and vaping --- and brutal Guatemalan military commandos forced her into the jungle at gunpoint.

A suspenseful, fast-paced memoir that reads like a thriller, MAYA BLUE will strike a chord with those who have lost their voice or had trouble finding their power. It will resonate with those who live with an addict or have grieved the loss of a spouse. But above all, it is an inspiring reminder that as long as you never surrender your voice and always keep your wits about you, you can survive almost anything.

- Click here to read Brenda Coffee's bio.
- Visit Brenda Coffee's website and her popular Brenda's Blog.
- Connect with Brenda Coffee on Facebook and Instagram.

Click here to enter the contest.

Featured Review: THE DREAM HOTEL by Laila Lalami
March’s “Read with Jenna” Book Club Pick

THE DREAM HOTEL by Laila Lalami (Dystopian Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Frankie Corzo and Barton Caplan
Sara has just landed at LAX when agents from the Risk Assessment Administration pull her aside and inform her that she will soon commit a crime. Using data from her dreams, the RAA’s algorithm has determined that she is at imminent risk of harming the person she loves most: her husband. For his safety, she must be kept under observation for 21 days. The agents transfer Sara to a retention center, where she is held with other dreamers, all of them women trying to prove their innocence from different crimes. With every deviation from the strict and ever-shifting rules of the facility, their stay is extended. Months pass, and Sara seems no closer to release. Then one day, a new resident arrives, disrupting the order of the facility and leading Sara on a collision course with the very companies that have deprived her of her freedom. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.

- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to see why the book is this month's “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick.

Click here to read our review.

Featured Review: KILLS WELL WITH OTHERS
by Deanna Raybourn

KILLS WELL WITH OTHERS by Deanna Raybourn (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Jane Oppenheimer and Christina Delaine
After more than a year of laying low, Billie, Helen, Mary Alice and Natalie are called back into action. When they receive a summons from the head of the elite assassin organization known as the Museum, they are ready to tackle the greatest challenge of their careers. Someone on the inside has compiled a list of important kills committed by Museum agents, connected to a single, shadowy figure, an Eastern European gangster with an iron fist, some serious criminal ambition, and a tendency to kill first and ask questions later. This new nemesis is murdering agents who got in the way of their power-hungry plans, and the aging quartet of killers is next. Together the foursome embark on a wild ride across the globe on the double mission of rooting out the Museum’s mole and hunting down the gangster who seems to know their next move before they make it. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.

- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.

Click here to read our review.

Featured Review:
THE BOXCAR LIBRARIAN by Brianna Labuskes

THE BOXCAR LIBRARIAN by Brianna Labuskes (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Amy Melissa Bentley
When Works Progress Administration editor Millie Lang finds herself on the wrong end of a potential political scandal, she’s shipped off to Montana to work on the state’s American Guide Series --- travel books intended to put the nation’s destitute writers to work. Millie arrives to an eclectic staff claiming their missed deadlines are due to sabotage, possibly from the state’s powerful Copper Kings who don’t want their long and bloody history with union organizers aired for the rest of the country to read. More than a decade earlier, Alice Monroe created the Boxcar Library in order to deliver books to isolated mining towns. She thought she found the perfect librarian to staff the train car in Colette Durand. Now, no one in Missoula will tell Millie why both Alice and Colette went out on the inaugural journey of the Boxcar Library, but only Alice returned. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.

- Click here to read more about the book.

Click here to read our review.

Bookreporter.com’s 14th Annual
Spring Reading Contests and Feature

Spring is in the air (or will be very soon)! We’ve already caught the fever --- and it’s being fueled by some wonderful new and upcoming releases.

Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.

Our Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks for March

Each month, we share top book picks from Indie Next and LibraryReads. We also feature a number of other prominent selections, including the Barnes & Noble Book Club, the "Good Morning America" Book Club, Oprah’s Book Club, the PBS Books Readers Club, the "Read with Jenna" Book Club, Reese's Book Club, and the Target Book Club.

Below is a preview of March's "Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks." For the complete Indie Next and LibraryReads lists, as well as additional links pertaining to this month's selections, please click here.

Indie Next
#1 Pick: WILD DARK SHORE by Charlotte McConaghy
THE UNWORTHY written by Agustina Bazterrica, translated by Sarah Moses
THE RIVER HAS ROOTS by Amal El-Mohtar
DEEP CUTS by Holly Brickley
THE ANTIDOTE by Karen Russell

LibraryReads
Top Pick: SALTWATER by Katy Hays
PROMISE ME SUNSHINE by Cara Bastone
THE RIVER HAS ROOTS by Amal El-Mohtar
BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall
ALL THE OTHER MOTHERS HATE ME by Sarah Harman

Barnes & Noble Book Club
BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall

"Good Morning America" Book Club
COUNT MY LIES by Sophie Stava

PBS Books Readers Club
THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah

"Read with Jenna" Book Club
THE DREAM HOTEL by Laila Lalami

Reese's Book Club
BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall

Target Book Club
A HARVEST OF HEARTS by Andrea Eames

Click here for March's Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks.

March’s New in Paperback Roundups

March's roundup of New in Paperback fiction titles includes CAMINO GHOSTS, the third installment in John Grisham's Camino Island series, in which popular bookseller Bruce Cable tells Mercer Mann an irresistible tale that might be her next novel; ONE PERFECT COUPLE by Ruth Ware, a high-tension thriller that follows five couples trapped on a storm-swept island as a killer stalks among them; Megan Miranda's DAUGHTER OF MINE, an explosive, twist-filled mystery set in a small town suffering the effects of a drought that threatens to bring all of its secrets to the surface…and the harsh light of the truth; LUCKY, a soaring, soulful novel from Jane Smiley about a folk musician who rises to fame across our changing times; and FINDING MARGARET FULLER by Allison Pataki, an epic imagining of the life of Margaret Fuller, America’s forgotten leading lady and the central figure of a movement that defined a nation.

Among our nonfiction highlights are GHOST DOGS, Andre Dubus III's retelling of his own successes, failures, triumphs and pain, which he pulls off with emotional generosity and stylistic grace; Simone Gorrindo's THE WIVES, a profoundly intimate memoir about marriage, friendship and the power of human connection that tells the story of one woman’s experience of joining a community of army wives after leaving her New York City job; 3 SHADES OF BLUE by James Kaplan, the story of three towering artists --- Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Bill Evans --- and how they came together to create the most iconic jazz album of all time; and Cory Leadbeater's THE UPTOWN LOCAL, a brilliant debut memoir about a young writer --- struggling with depression, family issues and addiction --- and his life-changing decade working for Joan Didion.

Find out what's New in Paperback for the weeks of
March 3rd, March 10th, March 17th and March 24th.

March’s Books on Screen Feature

Here is a preview of this month's movies, TV shows and DVDs/Blu-rays that are based on books. For a complete list of March's offerings, please click here.
 

Film Releases

In the Lost Lands
Release Date: Friday, March 7th (wide release in theaters)
Based on: The short story "In the Lost Lands" by George R. R. Martin

The Actor
Release Date: Friday, March 14th (limited release in theaters)
Based on: MEMORY by Donald E. Westlake

Snow White
Release Date: Friday, March 21st (wide release in theaters)
Based on: The fairy tale "Snow White" by the Brothers Grimm
 

Series Premieres

"Just One Look" (6-episode limited series)
Release Date: Wednesday, March 5th on Netflix (all episodes of the series are available)
Based on: JUST ONE LOOK by Harlan Coben

"Long Bright River" (8-episode limited series)
Release Date: Thursday, March 13th on Peacock (all episodes of the series will be available)
Based on: LONG BRIGHT RIVER by Liz Moore

"Caught" (6-episode limited series)
Release Date: Wednesday, March 26th on Netflix (all episodes of the series will be available)
Based on: CAUGHT by Harlan Coben

"The Last Anniversary" (6-episode limited series)
Release Date: Sundays on Sundance Now and AMC+; Series Premiere on March 30th
Based on: THE LAST ANNIVERSARY by Liane Moriarty
 

Season Premieres

"Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light"
Release Dates: Sundays at 9pm ET/PT on PBS "Masterpiece"; Season 2 Premiere on March 23rd
Based on: THE MIRROR & THE LIGHT by Hilary Mantel

"Bosch: Legacy"
Release Dates: Thursdays on Prime Video; Season 3 Premiere on March 27th (the first four episodes of Season 3 will be available)
Based on: DESERT STAR: A Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel and THE BLACK ICE: A Bosch Novel, by Michael Connelly

Season Finales

"When Calls the Heart"
Air Dates: Sundays at 9pm ET/PT on Hallmark Channel; Season 12 Finale on March 23rd
Based on: The When Calls the Heart series by Janette Oke

"Reacher"
Release Dates: Thursdays on Prime Video; Season 3 Finale on March 27th
Based on: PERSUADER: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child
 

On DVD

The Room Next Door
DVD Release Date: Tuesday, March 18th
Based on: WHAT ARE YOU GOING THROUGH by Sigrid Nunez

More Reviews This Week

PROPAGANDA GIRLS: The Secret War of the Women in the OSS by Lisa Rogak (History)
Audiobook available, read by Samara Naeymi
Betty MacDonald was a 28-year-old reporter from Hawaii. Zuzka Lauwers grew up in a tiny Czechoslovakian village and knew five languages by the time she was 21. Jane Smith-Hutton was the wife of a naval attaché living in Tokyo. Marlene Dietrich, the German-American actress and singer, was one of the biggest stars of the 20th century. As members of the OSS during World War II, their task was to create a secret brand of propaganda produced with the sole aim to break the morale of Axis soldiers. Betty, Zuzka, Jane and Marlene forged letters and “official” military orders, wrote and produced entire newspapers, scripted radio broadcasts and songs, and even developed rumors for undercover spies and double agents to spread to the enemy. And outside of a small group of spies, no one knew they existed. Until now. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.

WARD D by Freida McFadden (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Leslie Howard
Ward D is the hospital's mental health unit, and as a medical student, Amy is required to gain experience on the floor. But little do her colleagues know that it may force her to confront a past she has fought hard to forget. The night starts. The countdown begins. As the hours tick by, Amy grows increasingly convinced that something terrible is happening within the ward's tightly secured walls. When patients and staff start to vanish without a trace, it becomes clear that everyone on the unit is in grave danger. Amy never wanted to spend the night on Ward D. Now she might not make it out alive. Reviewed by Ray Palen.

HANG ON ST. CHRISTOPHER: A Sean Duffy Novel by Adrian McKinty
(Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Gerard Doyle
It's July 1992, and the Troubles in Northern Ireland are still grinding on after 25 apocalyptic years. Detective Inspector Sean Duffy got his family safely over the water to Scotland, to "Shortbread Land." Duffy is a part-timer now, only returning to Belfast six days a month to get his pension. It's an easy gig, if he can keep his head down. But then a murder case falls into his lap while his protege is on holiday in Spain. A carjacking gone wrong and the death of a solitary, middle-aged painter. But something is not right, and as Duffy probes, he discovers that the painter was an IRA assassin. So the question becomes: Who hit the hitman, and why? This is Duffy's most violent and dangerous case yet, and the whole future of the burgeoning "peace process" may depend upon it. Reviewed by Ray Palen.

THE MOTHER NEXT DOOR: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy by Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber (True Crime)
Audiobook available, read by Andrea Dunlop
No one is more sympathetic than a mother whose child faces a life-threatening illness. But what if the mother is the cause of the illness? What if the sympathy is the point? Munchausen by proxy (MBP) has fascinated and horrified both professionals and the general public since this disturbing form of child abuse was first identified. But even as the public has been captivated by these tales of abuse and deception, there remains widespread misinformation and confusion about MBP. Are these mothers unfeeling psychopaths, or sick women who need help? And how can we protect the children whose lives are at stake? THE MOTHER NEXT DOOR offers a groundbreaking look at MBP from an unlikely duo: a Seattle novelist whose own family was torn apart by it, and the Texas detective who has worked on more medical child abuse cases than anyone in the nation. Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.

NO LESS STRANGE OR WONDERFUL: Essays in Curiosity by A. Kendra Greene (Essays)
Audiobook available, read by A. Kendra Greene
In 26 sparkling essays, illuminated through both text and image, celebrated author and artist A. Kendra Greene is trying to make sense of the things that matter most in life: love, connection, death, grief, the universe, meaning, nothingness and everythingness. Through a series of encounters with strangers, children and animals, the wild merges with the domestic; the everyday meets the sublime. Each essay returns readers to our smallest moments and our largest ones in a book that makes us realize --- through its exuberant language, playful curation and delightful associative leapfrogging --- that they are, in fact, one and the same. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

THE DOLLHOUSE ACADEMY by Margarita Montimore (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Brittany Pressley and Xe Sands
For the past 18 years, Ivy Gordon has been the most famous star at the Dollhouse Academy, the elite boarding school and talent incubator that every aspiring performer dreams of attending. But in secret diary entries, she begins to reveal the truth of her life at the Dollhouse: strange medical exams, mysterious supplements, and something unspeakable that has left her terrified and feeling like a prisoner. Ramona Halloway and her best friend, Grace Ludlow, grew up idolizing Ivy. Neither has made much headway in showbiz until a lucky break grants them entry to the Dollhouse. When Ramona begins to receive threatening anonymous messages, it’s easy to dismiss them as a prank from a rival. Her bigger concern is Grace’s skyrocketing success. But as the messages grow more unsettling, so does life at the Dollhouse. Reviewed by Ray Palen.

- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.

SMOKE ON THE WATER: An Amos Walker Mystery by Loren D. Estleman (Historical Mystery)
As the smoke from Canadian wildfires chokes Detroit, PI Amos Walker is tasked with investigating a fatal hit-and-run. The victim is Spencer Bennett, a junior law associate with the Waterford Group, and he supposedly had a file of confidential documents on him when he died. But those documents have now gone missing, and the firm is dead set on Walker finding them. As Walker digs deeper into the events leading to Bennett's death, all signs are pointing towards the crash being anything but accidental. Summer in Detroit was hot enough before the smoke descended, but as the temperature rises and more bodies crop up in connection to the missing file, Walker will have to track down those documents --- and unearth why they were worth killing over --- before it's too late. Reviewed by Ray Palen.

A MURDER IN ZION: A National Park Mystery by Nicole Maggi (Mystery/Thriller)
Grief-stricken over her mother’s death and bruised by her failure on her most recent case, Special Agent Emmeline Helliwell with the National Park Service returns to her Utah hometown to heal and regroup. She’s determined to turn in her badge and take over her mother’s bakery for a much quieter life…until the body of a childhood friend turns up in The Narrows of Zion National Park. The case is too personal for Emme to turn down, but the seemingly simple investigation turns treacherous as clues that connect to her previous case grow too glaring to ignore. When bodies start to pile up, Emme must track down the killer before they take more lives, venturing deep into Zion National Park to uncover the sordid secrets hiding beneath its stunning beauty. Reviewed by L. Dean Murphy.

Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on March 11th

Below are some notable titles releasing on March 11th 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 March 10th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.

THE ANTIDOTE by Karen Russell (Historical Fiction)
From Pulitzer Prize finalist Karen Russell comes a gripping Dust Bowl epic about five characters whose fates become entangled after a storm ravages their small Nebraskan town.

GALAPHILE: The First Druids of Shannara by Terry Brooks (Fantasy)
New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks makes his triumphant return to the world of Shannara, delving deep into the origin story of the druid order and its enigmatic creator that will change the face of the Four Lands forever.

GIRL ANONYMOUS by Christina Dodd (Romantic Suspense)
The Godfather meets West Side Story in this twisty, darkly romantic thriller from New York Times bestselling author Christina Dodd. A dangerous blast sends a girl into hiding to escape a deadly family feud.

HOW TO LOVE BETTER: The Path to Deeper Connection Through Growth, Kindness, and Compassion by Yung Pueblo (Love & Relationships/Personal Growth)
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of LIGHTER offers a blueprint for deepening your compassion, kindness and gratitude so you can truly grow in harmony with another person and build stronger connections in all your relationships.

THE JACKAL'S MISTRESS by Chris Bohjalian (Historical Thriller)
In this Civil War love story, inspired by a real-life friendship across enemy lines, the wife of a missing Confederate soldier discovers a wounded Yankee officer and must decide what she’s willing to risk for the life of a stranger.

SHOOT YOUR SHOT by Lexi LaFleur Brown (Romantic Comedy)
Don’t miss NHL insider and #BookTok influencer Lexi LaFleur Brown’s steamy and superstitious hockey rom-com debut.

SILENT AS THE GRAVE: A Molly Murphy Mystery by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles (Historical Mystery)
Retired Detective Molly Murphy Sullivan goes undercover in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series from Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles.

THE TELL: A Memoir by Amy Griffin (Memoir)
This astonishing memoir explores how far we will go to protect ourselves, and the healing made possible when we face our secrets and begin to share our stories.

THE WOMEN ON PLATFORM TWO by Laura Anthony (Historical Fiction)
In 1970s Dublin, all forms of contraception are strictly forbidden, but an intrepid group of women will risk everything to change that in this sweeping, timely novel inspired by a remarkable and little-known true story.

Click here to see the latest "On Sale This Week" newsletter.

From left to right: Lisa Unger, Patti Callahan Henry, Hannah Morrissey

Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events

Here are five upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.

Tuesday, March 11th at 9pm ET: Killer Author Club: Be there when the one and only Hannah Morrissey joins the Killer Author Club --- Kimberly Belle, Heather Gudenkauf and Kaira Rouda --- to talk all things writing and her latest bone-chilling page-turner, THE UNLUCKY ONES.

Wednesday, March 12th at 2pm ET: "Bookaccino Live" Book Preview: Carol Fitzgerald will present titles releasing between March 11th and April 1st, along with a few from May, that we would like to get on your radar. Included will be fiction; historical fiction; thrillers and mysteries; and memoirs, biographies and other nonfiction.

Wednesday, March 12th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Patti Callahan Henry about her latest novel, THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND, the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter’s search for them both.

Wednesday, March 12th at 7pm ET: Tewksbury Public Library: In this installment of “Author Hour in Massachusetts,” Lisa Unger will discuss her new thriller, CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10, with Tim Ehrenberg, creator of Tim Talks Books.

Wednesday, March 12th at 7pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's presents Nathaniel Ian Miller as he discusses his new book, RED DOG FARM, with Thao Thai. This atmospheric novel is about family, friends and falling in love, as a young man tries to find purpose on a struggling Icelandic cattle farm.

 "Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts

“Bookreporter Talks To” is a video and podcast series that delivers long-form, in-depth author interviews. 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:

• Charmaine Wilkerson (GOOD DIRT) Video | Podcast

Other authors we've interviewed include:

• Marie Benedict (THE QUEENS OF CRIME) Video | Podcast
• Fiona Davis (THE STOLEN QUEEN) Video | Podcast
• Joseph Finder (THE OLIGARCH'S DAUGHTER) Video | Podcast
• Lisa Genova (MORE OR LESS MADDY) Video | Podcast
• Paula Hawkins (THE BLUE HOUR) Video | Podcast
• Michelle Horton (DEAR SISTER: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds) Video | Podcast
• Tracey Lange (WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS?) Video | Podcast
• Susan Rieger (LIKE MOTHER, LIKE MOTHER) Video | Podcast
• Scott Turow (PRESUMED GUILTY) Video | Podcast
• Sharon Virts (THE GRAYS OF TRUTH) Video | Podcast

Upcoming interviews include:

• Jeff Hobbs (SEEKING SHELTER: A Working Mother, Her Children, and a Story of Homelessness in America)

Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.

Our Latest Poll: March Fiction Releases to Anticipate

Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, March 14th at noon ET.

Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You've Read --- and You Can Win Two Books!

Click here to enter the contest.

Quick Links to Features on Bookreporter.com

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"Bookreporter Talks To" Videos & Podcasts | "Bookaccino Live: A Lively Talk About Books"
  Favorite Monthly Lists & Picks | Book Festivals

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