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I feel like I spend a good amount of time organizing and reorganizing my bookshelves. The other day, Francesca and I did a “re-file” of the shelves of upcoming books, pruning those that I already read --- and lining up April, May, June and July books on shelves. We also re-shelved the January through March books that I never got to read, but insist I still want to read. Now mind you, there are hundreds of books (actually a lot more than that) that I have wanted to read from the last 27 years since we started Bookreporter, and they are shelved beside those that I have read.
My husband has vowed that he is not going to build any more bookshelves. To be fair, he has built a large number of them! But Francesca and I have figured out that if some are stacked sideways, MANY more fit on a shelf. I know, we are so very clever. Even with me listening to audiobooks whenever possible and not finishing books that do not hold my interest, there is just not enough time to get to all the books that I want to read. I know many of you feel the same way. I share your frustration!
On Wednesday night, Anna Quindlen joined us for March’s “Bookaccino Live” Book Group event to discuss her most recent novel, AFTER ANNIE, a New York Times bestseller that is now available in paperback.
The book is told from the perspectives of three characters following Annie’s sudden death, and Anna explains why she felt this was the most effective way to tell the story. Anna talks about Annie’s oldest child, Ali, and how she copes with the reality of her mother’s passing. She also offers insight into the structure of the novel, which is divided into seasons, and what she hopes readers will take away from Annie’s story.
We had a terrific audience who asked some excellent questions. And we loved reading the chat afterwards and seeing how many attendees were planning to read AFTER ANNIE with their book group, or other titles by Anna that they were interested in reading following this discussion. She shared so much about her other work, as well as shouting out some of her favorite recently published books.
Anna’s next book is scheduled to be released sometime in 2026, and she gave us an overview of the plot. I already am looking forward to talking to her about it! Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast.
If you didn’t have a chance to watch or listen to my “Bookreporter Talks To” interview with Anna from last year when AFTER ANNIE came out in hardcover, I highly recommend that you check it out. We talked about many other aspects of the book --- and NO spoilers were mentioned.
To the readers from 26 states and Canada who joined us for this program, we appreciate you being part of this very special evening.
Our next “Bookaccino Live” Book Group guest will be Marjan Kamali. The event will be held on Tuesday, April 29th at 8pm ET, and you can sign up here for it. We will talk about her national bestseller, THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN, which was a 2024 Bookreporter.com Bets On selection. This heartfelt novel of friendship, betrayal and redemption is set against three transformative decades in Tehran, Iran.
Just as we did on Wednesday night, there will be a two-part Q&A session after I talk to Marjan. For the first part, those who are asking a question on camera will be featured. This includes spending time with Marjan backstage in our virtual green room before the show starts. If you would like to ask your question "live on screen" this way, please email me with the subject line "Marjan" by noon ET on April 29th. Be sure to include your name, city and state, as well as your question. If you do not want to appear on camera but still would like to ask a question, please note that you want to be off camera, and share your question --- adding your name, city and state.
These events are such fun for us to host, and we hope you can join us! My book group had a great conversation with Marjan last year, so we know this will be a fabulous evening.
In NOBODY’S FOOL, Harlan Coben’s twisty new thriller, a secret from former Detective Sami Kierce's college days comes back to haunt him. His memory is clear, but all these years later, the facts don’t add up…which is something he cannot ignore.
Ray Palen has our review and says, “In typical Harlan Coben fashion, NOBODY’S FOOL grabs you by the throat on the first page and leaves you gasping for air until he is done with you…. There are so many unexpected twists that at certain points I had no way of predicting where the story was going. Trust me when I say that Harlan Coben is in top form here…and Sami Kierce is indeed nobody’s fool.”
This month, series adaptations of two thrillers by Harlan premiered on Netflix --- “Just One Look” and “Caught” --- so the publication of NOBODY'S FOOL is timed perfectly for these releases.
Katy Hays’ debut, THE CLOISTERS, was a “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick when it released in 2022. Her highly anticipated second novel, SALTWATER, came out this week and is March’s Top LibraryReads Pick. In this electrifying thriller, an opulent family retreat to Italy is shattered by the resurfacing of a decades-old crime.
According to Norah Piehl in her review, “SALTWATER is an ideal novel for those who like their thrillers with a little bit of glamour and a whole lot of family messiness…. [I]f readers just settle in and prepare themselves for a spectacularly bumpy ride, they’ll enjoy this escapist journey to a dazzling locale --- and be glad that they’re actually safe and sound at home.”
I am enjoying listening to this book (I think I am blissfully loving the idea of Capri as I impatiently wait for better weather). I will be setting up an interview with Katy.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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WILD DARK SHORE: A family on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. A rising storm on the horizon. That’s the intriguing premise of Charlotte McConaghy’s enthralling new novel, which is March’s #1 Indie Next pick.
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THE BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER: This chilling historical horror novel from Stephen Graham Jones traces the life of a vampire who haunts the fields of the Blackfeet reservation looking for justice.
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YOKO: David Sheff has written an intimate and revelatory biography of Yoko Ono, whose story has never been accurately told. This book promises not only to rehabilitate Yoko’s reputation, but to elevate it to iconic status.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
THE SUMMER GUESTS by Tess Gerritsen, which we reviewed last week, is my latest Bets On pick. Click here to see why I’m betting you’ll love this second installment in the Martini Club series, following 2023’s THE SPY COAST, which also was a Bets On selection.
Spring Reading Contest Update
We gave away THE FOURTH GIRL by Wendy Corsi Staub in this week’s Spring Reading contest. Our next prize book will be THE SIRENS by Emilia Hart, a spellbinding novel about sisters separated by centuries but bound together by the sea. The contest will go live at noon ET on the day of its release, Tuesday, April 1st.
Enter Our New Word of Mouth Contest
Let us know by Friday, April 11th at noon ET what books you’ve read, and you’ll be in the running to win HEARTWOOD by Amity Gaige (April’s “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick) and THE MAID’S SECRET by Nita Prose in our Word of Mouth contest.
Vote in Our New Poll --- and Check Out Results from the Last Poll
Authors are always asked to get pre-orders for their books. It’s a drumbeat that starts the minute a book is posted online, typically nine months before publication. We want to hear from you. Do you pre-order books? And if so, when? That's the subject of our latest poll. Be sure to let us know by Friday, April 11th at noon ET. Please note that we are only talking about books bought here, not those reserved at the library. I am looking forward to seeing what our readers do.
In our previous poll, we listed 35 titles releasing in paperback in March and asked which of them, if any, you have read or are planning to read. Below are your top five picks, and you can see all the results here.
I love Santa Fe, so I’d like to bring to your attention the Santa Fe International Literary Festival, which will take place at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center on May 16-18.
The festival will kick off the evening of May 16th with Percival Everett, followed by an entire weekend of programming, including big-stage presentations, intimate talks and curated excursions. The stellar author lineup includes Michael Cunningham, Jonathan Eig, Miranda July, Colum McCann, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Michael Pollan, Amy Tan, Terry Tempest Williams, Gabrielle Zevin, and so many more.
Click here for all the details and here to purchase your tickets.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
We love seeing photos of our readers with authors. Above you can see Debbie Moore at Patti Callahan Henry’s event in South Carolina, where Patti talked about her latest book, THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND. Debbie shared this about the program: “She was amazing. I am really looking forward to reading her new book. The premise is so interesting.”
Lisa wrote about winning one of our “Bookaccino Live” prizes for answering the survey following the event: “What a fantastic surprise to receive a much-wanted book in the mail today! Thank you for THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND. I’m a fan of Patti’s books.” Lisa, thank you for attending our program and sharing your feedback.
Kristin Hannah on the PBS Books Readers Club: Kristin was a recent guest, and she talked about THE WOMEN, which is the book club's March pick. You can see the episode here.
Graydon Carter on “CBS Sunday Morning”: Graydon was interviewed about his memoir, WHEN THE GOING WAS GOOD: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines. You can watch it here.
“Long Bright River” on Peacock: We finished watching this series earlier this week. There are changes from the book by Liz Moore, but it is very well done. Liz co-wrote a few of the episodes, which I think could be why we liked it so much. The same edge is there.
“Bosch: Legacy” on Prime Video: We watched the first episode of the final season last night. Now typically this series seems to air in April, and I binge it when my husband is away playing golf. This time, I was trying to catch him up on the previous seasons as we watched last night. I want to see if Honey Money becomes the DA. Politics can be really brutal.
“Reacher” on Prime Video: The third season ended with some big gun battles. I have enough friends who write for TV that I watch these scenes and think about how they were written on the page for the show, and how they were choreographed. It was not my favorite season, but I was watching the hand-to-hand combat and the gunslinging at the end with awe at what went into making it all happen. Writers with a thirst for murder!
There are things I watch so you do not have to. Put “Good American Family” on Hulu in that category. I also watched part of a series about the young woman who was adopted by a family when she was seven. But they insisted that she was an adult and left her on her own when she was eight. It’s called “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace”, and it’s on Max. Skip both. The drama is nuts. I knit while watching each of the shows, all the while thinking, WHY am I doing this? It is beyond bizarre.
I am going to a baby shower this weekend, hence the knitting. I cannot remember the last time I was at a baby shower. I had fun knitting a baby blanket as a gift. I love that they are asking us to bring books for the baby instead of cards. Our boys loved David A. Carter’s Bugs pop-up books when they were growing up, so my choice will be either ALPHA BUGS or BEDTIME BUGS. The woman who usually finishes the things that I knit for myself is away. So I will be weaving in many ends.
I picked up the Nature’s Palette Blanket project that I started a couple of years ago. See the blue on the far left; that is where I am. And it’s the seed stitch, which is knit one, purl one, and reverse on the next row. If you make a mistake, reverse knitting is involved, also known as ripping out. I am an expert at reverse knitting.
My husband and I are celebrating our 40th anniversary on Sunday. Actually it's 43 years since we met on a mountain in Crested Butte, Colorado, on March 30, 1982. It is just crazy to think that so much time has gone by since we met each other. We still consider each other to be the best company we can have! We want to plan a trip to celebrate, but neither of us has had time for that right now. We have started a discussion about where we want to go. I anticipate much more conversation before anything is booked.
For our readers who are celebrating Eid al-Fitr, we say Eid Mubarak!
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: NOBODY’S FOOL by Harlan Coben
NOBODY'S FOOL by Harlan Coben (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Vikas Adam
Sami Kierce, a young college grad backpacking in Spain with friends, wakes up one morning covered in blood. There’s a knife in his hand. And beside him is the lifeless body of his girlfriend, Anna. He doesn’t know what happened. His screams drown out his thoughts --- and then he runs. Twenty-two years later, Kierce, now a private investigator, is a new father who’s working off his debts by doing low-level surveillance jobs and teaching wannabe sleuths at a night school in New York City. One evening, he recognizes a familiar face at the back of the classroom. It’s unmistakably Anna. As soon as Kierce makes eye contact with her, she bolts. For Kierce, there is no choice. He knows he must find this woman and solve the impossible mystery that has haunted his every waking moment since that terrible day. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: SALTWATER by Katy Hays
March’s Top LibraryReads Pick
SALTWATER by Katy Hays (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Allyson Ryan, Cassandra Campbell and Carlotta Brentan
In 1992, Sarah Lingate is found dead below the cliffs of Capri, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter, Helen. Despite suspicions that the old-money Lingates are involved, Sarah’s death is ruled an accident. And every year, the family returns to prove it’s true. But on the 30th anniversary of Sarah’s death, the Lingates arrive at the villa to find a surprise waiting for them --- the necklace Sarah was wearing the night she died. Haunted by the specter of that night, the legendary Lingate family unity is pushed to a breaking point, and Helen seizes the opportunity. Enlisting the help of Lorna Moreno, a family assistant, the two plot their escape from Helen’s paranoid, insular family. But when Lorna disappears and the investigation into Sarah’s death is reopened, Helen has to confront the fact that everyone who was on Capri 30 years ago remains a suspect. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
THE SUMMER GUESTS by Tess Gerritsen
THE SUMMER GUESTS by Tess Gerritsen (Thriller)
I realized the other day that lately I have been reading more stand-alone titles than series books. But I was excited to pick up THE SUMMER GUESTS, the second entry in Tess Gerritsen’s series that is set in the town of Purity, Maine, and features a group of ex-CIA agents who have settled there. They have a book club, they drink martinis, and they call themselves the Martini Club. They also are the bane of police chief Jo Thibodeau as they nose their way into crimes, bringing their unique set of skills. Jo tells them to “stay away” when a teen goes missing, but this only motivates them to help as much as they can.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read our review.
Click here to read more of Carol's Bets On commentary.
Featured Review:
WILD DARK SHORE by Charlotte McConaghy
March’s #1 Indie Next Pick
WILD DARK SHORE by Charlotte McConaghy (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld and Steve West
Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore. As they nurse Rowan back to strength, it begins to feel like she might be just what they need. Rowan starts imagining a future where she could belong to someone again. But she isn’t telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes that Dominic is keeping his own secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, they all must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it’s too late. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
- 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.
Featured Review: THE BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER
by Stephen Graham Jones
THE BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER by Stephen Graham Jones
(Historical Fantasy/Horror)
Audiobook available; read by Shane Ghostkeeper, Marin Ireland and Owen Teale
A diary, written in 1912 by a Lutheran pastor, is discovered within a wall. What it unveils is a slow massacre, a chain of events that go back to 217 Blackfeet dead in the snow. THE BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER is told in transcribed interviews by a Blackfeet named Good Stab, who shares the narrative of his peculiar life over a series of confessional visits. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: YOKO by David Sheff
YOKO: A Biography by David Sheff (Biography)
Audiobook available, read by Max Meyers
John Lennon once described Yoko Ono as the world’s most famous unknown artist. “Everybody knows her name, but no one knows what she does.” She has only been important to history insofar as she impacted Lennon. Throughout her life, Yoko has been a caricature, curiosity and, often, a villain --- an inscrutable seductress, manipulating con artist and caterwauling fraud. The Lennon/Beatles saga is one of the greatest stories ever told, but Yoko’s part has been missing --- hidden in the Beatles’ formidable shadow, further obscured by flagrant misogyny and racism. This definitive biography of Yoko Ono’s life will change that. In this book, Yoko Ono takes center stage. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com’s 14th Annual
Spring Reading Contests and Feature
Spring is in the air! We’ve caught the fever --- and it’s being fueled by some wonderful new and upcoming releases.
Our 14th annual Spring Reading Contests and Feature spotlights many of these picks, which we know people will be talking about over the next few months. We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through mid-April. You will need to check the site to see the featured book and enter to win.
We also are sending a special newsletter to announce each title, which you can sign up for here.
Our next contest will be up on Tuesday, April 1st at noon ET. The prize book will be THE SIRENS by Emilia Hart, a spellbinding novel about sisters separated by centuries but bound together by the sea.
This year's contest titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
What’s New This Month on ReadingGroupGuides.com
We currently are featuring the following guides on ReadingGroupGuides.com:
Please note that these titles, for which we already had the guides when they appeared in hardcover, are now available in paperback:
Click here to visit ReadingGroupGuides.com.
THE WRITER by James Patterson and J.D. Barker (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Peter Ganim
NYPD Detective Declan Shaw gets a call: How fast can you get to the Beresford building on Central Park West? In the tower apartment, Shaw finds a woman waiting for him. She’s covered in blood. A body is lying dead on the floor of the luxurious living room. Every book in the apartment’s floor-to-ceiling shelves is by the same author: bestselling true-crime writer Denise Morrow. "This is you?" Shaw asks the woman. "You're a writer?" Only one person knows the ending to this story. Is it the victim or the killer? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME by Ashley Winstead (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Leslie Howard
After the unexpected death of her father, college student Jane Sharp longs for a distraction from her grief. She becomes obsessed with true crime, befriending armchair detectives who teach her how to hunt killers from afar. So when news of the shocking deaths of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho, takes the world by storm, and sleuths everywhere race to solve the crimes, Jane and her friends are determined to beat them. But the case turns out to be stranger than anyone expected, and they begin to suspect that the killer may be smarter and more prolific than any they've faced before. Told one year after the astounding events that concluded the case, when Jane has finally decided to break her silence about what really happened, she tells the true story of the Delphine Massacres. And what she has to confess will shock even the most seasoned true crime fans. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE HUMAN SCALE by Lawrence Wright (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Peter Ganim
Tony Malik, a half-Irish, half-Arab FBI agent based in New York, specializes in tracking money from drug and arms deals. His life takes a dramatic turn when a long-term relationship ends and his job hangs in the balance. Amid personal turmoil, Malik becomes intrigued by his Palestinian father's past. He decides to visit his ancestral homeland for his niece's wedding, accepting a seemingly simple FBI assignment along the way. Upon arrival in Gaza, Malik's world is upended when the Israeli police chief is murdered. Initially a suspect, Malik's investigative prowess soon earns him a place in the Israeli investigation. At the heart of the story is Malik's complex relationship with Yossi, the hardline anti-Arab Israeli police officer leading the case. Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro.
THE LAST MANAGER: How Earl Weaver Tricked, Tormented, and Reinvented Baseball by John W. Miller (Sports/Biography)
Audiobook available, read by Johnny Heller
Long before the Moneyball Era, the Earl of Baltimore reigned over baseball. History’s feistiest and most colorful manager, Earl Weaver transformed the sport by collecting and analyzing data in visionary ways, ultimately winning more games than anybody else during his time running the Orioles from 1968 to 1982. Beyond being a great baseball mind, Weaver was a rare baseball character. Major League Baseball is show business, and Weaver understood how much of his job was entertainment. THE LAST MANAGER uncovers the story of Weaver’s St. Louis childhood with a mobster uncle, his years of minor-league heartbreak, and his unlikely road to becoming a big-league manager, while tracing the evolution of the game from the old-time baseball of cross-country trains and “desk contracts” to the modern era of free agency, video analysis and powerful player agents. Reviewed by Ron Kaplan (www.RonKaplansBaseballBookshelf.com).
HOT AIR by Marcy Dermansky (Fiction/Dark Humor)
Audiobook available, read by Emily Woo Zeller
Joannie hadn’t been on a date in seven years when Johnny invites Joannie and her daughter to dinner. His house is beautiful, his son is sweet, and their first kiss is, well, it’s not the best, but Joannie could convince herself it was nice enough. But when Joannie’s childhood crush, a summer-camp fling turned famous billionaire, crash-lands his hot-air balloon in Johnny’s swimming pool, Joannie dives in. Soon she finds herself alighting on a lost weekend with Johnny the bad kisser, Jonathan the billionaire, and Julia, his smart, stunning wife. Does Joannie want Jonathan? Does Julia want her husband? Or Joannie? Or Joannie’s beautiful little girl? Does Johnny want Julia? Does Jonathan want Joannie, or Julia, or maybe his much younger personal assistant, Vivian, who is tasked to fix it all? Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman.
WITNESS 8 by Steve Cavanagh (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Adam Sims
A former resident of the ultra-elite Manhattan upper class, Ruby Johnson now works as a maid in the type of houses she used to live in. Unassuming, she sees everyone’s dirty secrets from the inside of their beautiful, renovated brownstones. But when Ruby witnesses a murder, she has wicked plans in mind that don’t involve telling the authorities the truth. Eddie Flynn, a streetwise ex-con-artist-turned-defense attorney, is the only lawyer in New York City willing to take on hopeless cases. And none is more hopeless than John Jackson’s --- the gun that killed his neighbor was found, with Jackson’s DNA, in his own home. Flynn and his unconventional team will need to use every trick they know to keep an innocent man from being locked up. But to save his client’s life, Eddie must first protect his own, as the scariest organized criminals in the city are out for his head. Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman.
SISTER EUROPE by Nell Zink (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Lisa Flanagan
Naema, an elderly princess dedicated to her pet causes, is in a bind. Struck by a malady that maroons her in Montreux, she’s unable to host an exclusive gala dinner in Berlin to honor author Masud al-Huzeil for his lifetime achievement in Arabic literature. Not only is she unable to attend, RSVPs have been slow to materialize. Masud invites his old friend Demian, a native Berliner, who in turn invites his two best friends: the troubled, innocent Livia and an American publisher, Toto. But Toto doesn’t come alone. In tow are his younger internet date and Demian’s 15-year-old daughter, Nicole. Not to mention the cop who’s been trailing Nicole since she left the red-light district. Presiding over the affair is Naema’s infinitely rich, endlessly disaffected grandson, Prince Radi, whose pass at Nicole culminates in an epic midnight food run that changes all their lives. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
I WOULD DIE FOR YOU by Sandie Jones (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Imogen Wilde
California, 2011: A writer knocks on Nicole Forbes’ door asking for her personal insight into the downfall of the biggest British band of the 1980s. The same day, her daughter goes missing. The school claims her aunt picked her up…but she doesn’t have an aunt. Convinced of a link between the two, Nicole is forced to revisit long-abandoned memories from her past to protect everything she now holds dear. London, 1986: Sixteen-year-old Cassie is obsessed with Secret Oktober, the hottest band of the moment. Harboring an intense crush on the leading man, Ben Edwards, she will do anything she can to capture his attention. But when Ben discovers her older sister, Nicole, singing at a local bar one night, he can’t help but feel drawn to her, setting in motion a collision course that could tear their family apart. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
WIZARD OF MOST WICKED WAYS by Charlie N. Holmberg (Historical Fantasy)
Audiobook available; read by Graham Halstead, Amanda Leigh Cobb and Nicholas Boulton
Whimbrel House is changing. Merritt and Hulda are raising a family. Owein has signed a marriage contract with the magically compatible Lady Cora, a heavyweight of British nobility who’s an ocean away. And the lovely shape-shifting druid Fallon makes a distractingly fetching friend for Owein. But another change is in the air. The greatest wizard of the millennium, Silas Hogwood, is back --- after five years dead. New body, same foul scent, and driven by madness and revenge. Fearing he isn’t strong enough to fend off Silas, Owein seeks Cora’s help and influence in England. Queen Victoria dispatches her League of Magicians, including her personal necromancer, to aid in Owein’s defense. As magic, both good and evil, converges on Blaugdone Island, Owein realizes how harrowing the forces against them are. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on April 1st
Below are some notable titles releasing on April 1st 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 31st, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
BOAT BABY: A Memoir by Vicky Nguyen (Memoir)
In a memoir where heroism meets humor, NBC News anchor and correspondent Vicky Nguyen tells the story of her family’s daring escape from communist Vietnam and her unlikely journey from refugee to reporter with laughter and fierce love.
THE FOURTH GIRL by Wendy Corsi Staub (Psychological Thriller)
On the anniversary of a teen’s disappearance, three friends face a deadly hometown reunion in this twisty suspense novel by New York Times bestselling author Wendy Corsi Staub.
HEARTWOOD by Amity Gaige (Literary Mystery)
HEARTWOOD takes you on a gripping journey as a search and rescue team races against time when an experienced hiker mysteriously disappears on the Appalachian Trail in Maine.
THE LAST SESSION by Julia Bartz (Psychological Thriller)
From the instant New York Times bestselling author of THE WRITING RETREAT comes a white-knuckled locked-room thriller about a social worker who, after coming face to face with her dark past, must infiltrate a mysterious wellness center in the deserts of New Mexico.
THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK: A Sequel to The Three Musketeers written by Alexandre Dumas, translated by Lawrence Ellsworth (Historical Fiction/Adventure)
The final adventure of the greatest heroes in French literature takes the musketeers on an epic saga from the royal palace of Louis XIV to the dreaded dungeons of the Bastille.
OVERKILL: An Ali Reynolds Mystery by J.A. Jance (Mystery/Thriller)
Chuck Brewster, the former business partner of Ali Reynolds’ husband, B. Simpson, once carried on an affair with Clarice, B.’s first wife. So when he’s found murdered with Clarice standing nearby covered in blood, it seems to be an open-and-shut case. But Clarice swears she’s innocent and begs for Ali’s help.
THE RIVER KNOWS YOUR NAME by Kelly Mustian (Historical Fiction)
From the acclaimed author of THE GIRLS IN THE STILT HOUSE comes a long-awaited novel both atmospheric and lyrical, a haunting Southern story about memory, family secrets, and fierce and fragile love.
SAY YOU'LL REMEMBER ME by Abby Jimenez (Romantic Comedy)
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of JUST FOR THE SUMMER comes a playful yet deeply emotional romance where one date is all it takes for two people to know they're perfect for each other...until one of them moves 2,000 miles away the next day.
THE SIRENS by Emilia Hart (Historical Fiction/Magical Realism)
From Emilia Hart, the author of the runaway New York Times bestseller WEYWARD, comes a spellbinding novel about sisters separated by centuries but bound together by the sea.
THE WORLD'S FAIR QUILT: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini (Fiction)
THE WORLD'S FAIR QUILT, the latest novel in Jennifer Chiaverini's perennially popular Elm Creek Quilts series, is a timely celebration of quilting, family, community and history.
Click here to see the latest “On Sale This Week” newsletter.
From left to right: Nita Prose, Susan Meissner, Clare Leslie Hall
Upcoming Virtual Book and Author Events
Here are three upcoming virtual book and author events that you may be interested in attending. Click on the links for more info and to register.
Monday, March 31st at 5pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Susan Meissner will talk about her latest historical novel, A MAP TO PARADISE. Award-winning, agoraphobic screenwriter Elwood Blankenship has seemingly disappeared from his house. But how does a person with agoraphobia go missing?
Tuesday, April 1st at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble Book Club: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome Clare Leslie Hall for a live virtual event to discuss their March B&N Book Club pick, BROKEN COUNTRY. Clare will be in conversation with Lexie Smyth, B&N's Fiction Category Manager.
Wednesday, April 2nd at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Nita Prose about THE MAID'S SECRET, the latest installment in her series featuring Molly the Maid. When a daring art heist takes place at the Regency Grand Hotel, Molly’s life is threatened.
"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:
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Jeff Hobbs (SEEKING SHELTER: A Working Mother, Her Children, and a Story of Homelessness in America) Video | Podcast
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Georgia Hunter (ONE GOOD THING)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: Pre-ordering Books
Do you typically pre-order books online or from bookstores? Please check all that apply.
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I pre-order books online less than a month in advance.
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I pre-order books online 1-2 months in advance.
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I pre-order books online 3-4 months in advance.
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I pre-order books online 5-8 months in advance.
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I pre-order books online 9-12 months in advance.
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I never pre-order books online.
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I pre-order books from bookstores less than a month in advance.
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I pre-order books from bookstores 1-2 months in advance.
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I pre-order books from bookstores 3-4 months in advance.
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I pre-order books from bookstores 5-8 months in advance.
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I pre-order books from bookstores 9-12 months in advance.
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I never pre-order books from bookstores.
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, April 11th 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 March 28th to April 11th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of HEARTWOOD by Amity Gaige and THE MAID'S SECRET: A Maid Novel by Nita Prose.
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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