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Bookish Fun with Events…and More!
Like many of you, I love author events. They give me an opportunity to hear more about a book, as well as the author. Tuesday night’s event with Lisa Scottoline in Doylestown, PA was a perfect mix of Lisa sharing her inspiration for the writing of her first psychological thriller, THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA, and telling stories from her life that were like staccato beats to explain how they brought her to the place to write this book. The night was laced with humor, much of it in Lisa’s self-deprecating style. My friend Annmarie Puleio joined me for this special evening, and above you can see photos of us with Lisa.
There was a full-stop fashion moment here as Lisa looked amazing in a stunning orange shift dress with orange kitten heels that I would have walked out of at least twice. (Yes, my Condé Nast fashion background kicked into high gear. I hope that my friend Beverley is impressed with that commentary, which includes actual fashion terms).
We are featuring our review of THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA this week from Jana Siciliano, who is a huge fan of Lisa and her work. She couldn’t wait to read this one and certainly wasn’t disappointed, as you can see in this sneak peek of the review:
“Scottoline creates an intergenerational thriller that is sure to exhilarate fans and newcomers alike… Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the book is the Italian history that Scottoline winds into the fabric of Julia’s search. Her struggle to overcome grief and live a new life with a family identity is a compelling and emotional pageant. Upgrade your vacation reading this summer and unravel yourself with this timeless novel.”
THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. Don’t miss my commentary in next week’s newsletter. In the meantime, as I mentioned last week, I highly recommend that you check out this terrific video series on Lisa’s website featuring her travels to Italy as she discusses her inspiration and research for the book. And if you’d like to see Lisa at one of her events over the next few weeks, be sure to check out her book tour schedule.
Speaking of Condé Nast, last week I raved about Michael M. Grynbaum’s book, EMPIRE OF THE ELITE. Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a launch party for the book, which was brilliant fun. I walked in just ahead of Tina Brown, who is one of the three former Condé Nast editors featured in the book. I remember her being a speaker at a luncheon series at the company, and she talked about wanting the cover of each issue to be “poster quality.” Think back on so many of Vanity Fair’s covers that really nailed that look.
It was a pleasure to meet Michael and share that so much of the book resonated with me and reminded me of a very memorable time in my life when I worked at Condé Nast. He is spot-on with so many of the stories --- and nailed what made this a really special place to work. He also captures the way that editors and publishers were treated lavishly, in the form of interest-free loans to support their lifestyles, and wardrobe allowances for many editors. I think I was there for some of the company’s best years. I often say that I feel like I was in business school watching the place grow from just five magazines when I started to 15 when I left.
There have been a number of excellent articles about EMPIRE OF THE ELITE this week, as well as interviews with Michael. Here is one of my favorites. Note that I do think there could have been a more attractive photo of Anna Wintour on the book's cover. Just saying.
A humorous note here. For years, the restaurant in the Royalton Hotel was like a high-end cafeteria for Condé Nast. My friend Beverley and I had lunch there on more than one occasion. When the Philippe Starck-designed hotel opened, one of the things that it was known for was a waterfall urinal in the men’s room on the first floor. We had heard about this...and yes, we guarded the door while we each checked it out. The waterfall was activated when someone walked in the room.
Like I said, these were some really crazy days. When the company moved to 4 Times Square, the in-house cafeteria was designed by Frank Gehry. I wish I had taken up an invite from a friend to have lunch there. One note: Condé Nast owner Si Newhouse did not like garlic, so nothing in the restaurant contained garlic.
Now I am listening to two books. The first is FOX by Joyce Carol Oates, which intimidated me with its almost 700 pages. So I decided to enjoy it on audio. The multi-cast narration is terrific, and it has a perfect creepy vibe.
Years ago, I read a book called COLD ZERO, which was the story of Christopher Whitcomb's time on the FBI’s hostage rescue team. It came out right after 9/11, and so much of what Chris wrote about his memories of being on this elite team stayed with me. Now he has written a second memoir, ANONYMOUS MALE, which will be out on August 19th. I am thoroughly enjoying his narration. Chris is a great storyteller; his writing here is not linear, but rather a series of vignettes where he talks about his time with the FBI and beyond. I had the pleasure of having dinner with him on a couple of occasions, and his narration makes me feel like he is telling these stories from across the table.
I currently am reading THE IDAHO FOUR, in which James Patterson and investigative journalist Vicky Ward dive into the victims' connection to Bryan Kohberger and a possible motive. I listened to an interview with Vicky yesterday on Tina Brown’s podcast, “Fresh Hell,” which is available on her Substack. And here is a piece from ABC about the events and the feeling of the families now. I confess to being something of a true-crime junkie, and this book is so well done. From the first page, I felt like I was there.
This week, I also watched the four-part series “One Night in Idaho: The College Murders” on Prime Video. This was filmed while people were under a gag order anticipating a trial. I am sure more will be part of a future look at this case. The fact that Kohberger pleaded guilty changed how coverage can be shown and how details can be revealed. The way things unfolded is very interesting as there seems to have been one target, and the others were collateral damage.
My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Bruce Holsinger. His new novel, CULPABILITY, is Oprah’s Book Club pick for July and an upcoming Bets On selection. We also featured Norah Piehl’s glowing review in last week’s newsletter.
Bruce explains why he chose to explore AI and the decision to have each member of a family be culpable in a car accident involving an autonomously driven vehicle. The beach house that the Cassidy-Shaws retreat to is similar to the one that Bruce and his family enjoyed during the pandemic, and that peaceful setting kept coming back to him as he wrote. He also talks about the audiobook’s narrators, Stacy Carolan and January LaVoy, and how they each played roles that served the novel.
And yes, Bruce walks us through what it was like to get “the call” from Oprah. Click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast. My Bets On commentary will appear in next week’s newsletter.
Daniel Silva is back with the 25th entry in his wildly popular series starring Gabriel Allon. This time, in AN INSIDE JOB, the art restorer and legendary spy must solve the perfect crime as he journeys through the dark side of the art world and the Vatican's murky finances.
In her review, Kate Ayers proclaims that “Gabriel Allon is at the top of his game in AN INSIDE JOB” and goes on to say, “As one who enjoys Gabriel immensely, it’s good to see him come out of retirement to once again show off his incredible cunning in the world of espionage. And it’s a pleasure to witness his soft side as he plays the role of dad. There’s no question that Gabriel will be back. Daniel Silva would face the wrath of his readers if he dared forsake his greatest character.”
This week, we learned the sad news that Martin Cruz Smith passed away last Friday at the age of 82 following a decades-long battle with Parkinson’s disease. His death came just three days after his final book, HOTEL UKRAINE, released. In this 11th installment of his celebrated Arkady Renko series, the legendary Moscow investigator seeks to solve the murder of a diplomat as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine wears on and the effects of Arkady’s Parkinson’s disease worsen.
Ray Palen is covering the book for us this week. Click here to read his review, and below are a few words that Ray shared with us about Smith and his remarkable career.
“My journey with Martin Cruz Smith began when I was a boy and had picked up NIGHTWING, which is about a deadly group of bats and was a fun summertime read. It continued five years later with GORKY PARK. This was the first time I could remember reading a police procedural set behind the Cold War gates that surrounded the USSR --- a place as foreign to me as a distant planet in a science fiction tale.
“GORKY PARK was brilliant, and I instantly fell in love with the persona and methods of Detective Arkady Renko, who called to mind my boyhood literary hero, Sherlock Holmes. In 1983, the book was turned into an above-average film starring William Hurt and Lee Marvin. I eagerly followed the series, along with everything else that Smith wrote.
“After battling Parkinson’s disease for nearly 30 years, Smith finally succumbed to it on July 11th --- just a day before I started reading HOTEL UKRAINE. The great Arkady Renko himself was stricken with Parkinson’s and attempting to hide it from his superiors. The one saving grace is that Smith realized this would be not only the final installment of the series, but also the last book he would ever write, which allowed him to say goodbye in his own way. I will miss Arkady Renko and all the other great fiction that Martin Cruz Smith has left behind as a permanent reminder of his enormous talent.”
Martin’s daughter, Luisa Smith, is a friend. Our thoughts go out to her and the rest of the family.
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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THE STOLEN LIFE OF COLETTE MARCEAU: Kristin Harmel’s electrifying new novel revolves around two jewel thieves, a priceless bracelet that disappears in 1940s Paris, and a quest for answers in a decades-old murder.
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VERA, OR FAITH: Gary Shteyngart’s latest book is a poignant, sharp-eyed and bitterly funny tale of a family struggling to stay together in a country rapidly coming apart, told through the eyes of their wondrous 10-year-old daughter.
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THE COMPOUND: Aisling Rawle’s much-talked-about debut novel --- this month’s “Good Morning America” Book Club pick --- is being described as “a mix of ‘Love Island’ and The Hunger Games, and as bingeable as the best reality TV.”
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THE MÖBIUS BOOK: A hybrid work across fiction and nonfiction with no beginning or ending, Catherine Lacey's genre-bending story troubles the line between memory and fiction with an openhearted defense of faith’s inherent danger.
Summer Reading Contest Update
In this week’s Summer Reading contest, we gave away the aforementioned THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA by Lisa Scottoline. Next week’s prize will be THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER by Karen White. Unfolding against the lush backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry, it’s about the unbreakable bonds of family and the gift of second chances. The contest will be up at noon ET on the day of the book’s release, Tuesday, July 22nd.
Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
If you weren’t a winner in this week’s Summer Reading contest, you’ll have another opportunity to win THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA in our Word of Mouth contest, along with the aforementioned CULPABILITY by Bruce Holsinger. 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, July 25th at noon ET.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask which of 35 fiction titles releasing this month you have read or are planning to read. Click here to let us know by Friday, July 25th at noon ET.
Along with Martin Cruz Smith, we mourn the loss of Paulette Jiles, who passed away on July 8th at the age of 82 after recently being diagnosed with a form of non-alcoholic cirrhosis. A novelist, poet and memoirist, Jiles was the author of a memoir, COUSINS, and the novels ENEMY WOMEN, STORMY WEATHER, THE COLOR OF LIGHTNING, LIGHTHOUSE ISLAND, SIMON THE FIDDLER, CHENNEVILLE and NEWS OF THE WORLD, the latter of which was a finalist for the 2016 National Book Award
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Donna sent the above photo with this nice note: “I want to thank Bookreporter for my Word of Mouth contest win of DON'T LET HIM IN and THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO. I was thrilled to find these beautiful books on my doorstep. They are two of my most anticipated and auto-buy authors. Bookreporter is my go-to for all bookish information. I appreciate all you do.”
Joan wrote this lovely note: “I have been reading Bookreporter for several years and always enjoy the author interviews. I think you are THE best interviewer, and I listen to a lot of podcasts and subscribe to several newsletters. Your questions are so insightful and really draw the authors out, even asking them questions about the book jackets. Keep up the good work!”
Holly wrote about our affiliate link: “Thank you for the reminders that Bookreporter benefits if books are purchased using a link from your website. It’s so easy to forget to do this in my haste to buy a book.”
Jennifer wrote, “I agree wholeheartedly with Bookreporter's review of CULPABILITY. I, too, saw all but one thing (with Blair) coming. I was waiting for 'the very last shocking sentence!' (Oprah) that I guess, pardon the pun, went over my head.
“Here are my other July reads that I didn't see when voting in the poll: A MARRIAGE AT SEA: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck by Sophie Elmhirst, CHEESECAKE by Mark Kurlansky, and MEAN MOMS by Emma Rosenblum.
“Thanks for sharing some of your early memories at Condé Nast, including the 'Miss Mirabella' tidbits! (Fun fact: She was a part of my senior thesis in undergrad, after which I did stints in magazine publishing --- under Sassy Jane Pratt and Ms. Gloria Steinem --- before entering grad school.)”
The next two notes were such fun as I loved their devotion to the series.
Patricia wrote, "I, a devotée of Michael Connelly, woke up at 3am for 'Ballard' and watched five episodes. I saw the remaining five in the afternoon. It was SPECTACULAR, in my opinion. Maggie Q and the entire cast were great, and the storylines were well woven from the books! Now what??? I have to wait a year for the next ones! Oh, what is a girl to do??? READ! I have 14 in the queue and the big Robert Galbraith coming in September!”
Anne wrote, "I watched 'Ballard' in two evenings. I loved it! There are wonderful surprise visits from the Bosch community. Ballard and her group are well developed, and each has a story. I also like the wide scenes of the cities as were seen in 'Bosch.' There MUST be a second season!!! I was left hanging. I truly enjoyed 'Bosch,' and 'Ballard' brings the same enjoyment. So well done!”
“Ballard” on Prime Video: I have not binged the entire series. I think we have one or two episodes left as my husband is much better at rationing our viewing than I am! It is as terrific as both Patricia and Anne noted. I do love Patricia waking up at 3am to watch!
My Mom Jayne on HBO Max: I confess that I had NO idea that Mariska Hargitay of “Law & Order” fame is the daughter of Jayne Mansfield. She was just three when her mom died, and this documentary shows her brothers and sister sharing their memories of their mom with her. I do remember hearing that Jayne was decapitated when I was a child, and asking about that completely flipped me out! Now I have learned that was not true. Mariska and her brothers were sleeping in the back seat of the car when the accident happened. She shares that she has no memories of her mother, and her siblings fill her in on life with her mom.
“Stick” on Apple TV+: I got a big kick out of Santi saying that when he comes up to the tee, he thinks about “Cecilia” by Simon and... He cannot remember the other guy’s name. Very funny. The finale is on Wednesday.
Mercury is retrograde from yesterday until August 10th. Longtime readers know what this means.
Today I got to spend a lovely afternoon with my friend, Colleen O’Connell, who I have known since she was an intern at HarperCollins. I made gazpacho, guacamole and a peach pie, and we had a great time catching up. We cannot recall the last time we saw each other, but it could be as long as eight years!
I have no weekend plans except continuing to decorate outside (Tom hooked up the outdoor TV that friends gave us), read and swim. I am loving kicking things back a huge notch. Summer weather arrived so late this year that I cannot believe it already is mid-July. The time is flying by much too quickly!
I still have a huge stack of books that I want to read staring me down. I have to say that I am finding this to be an exceptional year of reading. On Monday, I did a “Bookaccino Live”-like presentation of books at my health club, and I was amazed at how many of the books I shared were unknown to those attending. We are noodling a few ideas on how you can help us increase our readership to bring more news about books to your friends. If you have thoughts on this, please let me know!
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:
THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA by Lisa Scottoline
An Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title
THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA by Lisa Scottoline (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Maria Marquis
Lately, Julia Pritzker is beginning to think she’s cursed. She’s lost her adoptive parents, then her husband is murdered. When she realizes that her horoscope essentially foretold his death, she begins to spiral. Then a letter arrives out of the blue, informing her that she has inherited a Tuscan villa and vineyard --- but her benefactor is a total stranger named Emilia Rossi. In Tuscany, Julia is horrified to discover that Rossi was a paranoid recluse with delusions of grandeur, who believed herself to be a descendant of Duchess Caterina Sforza, a legendary Renaissance ruler. Julia is stunned by her uncanny resemblance to Rossi, and even to Caterina. Then she unearths eerie parallels between them. Before long, Julia suspects that she’s being followed, and strange things begin to happen. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to watch a video series where Lisa Scottoline reveals her inspirations behind the book and shares the locations and flavors of Italy.
- Click here to visit Lisa Scottoline's website.
- Click here to see Lisa Scottoline's book tour schedule.
Click here to read our review.
THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick.
Don't miss Carol's Bets On commentary in next week's newsletter.
Featured Review: AN INSIDE JOB by Daniel Silva
AN INSIDE JOB by Daniel Silva (Thriller/Adventure)
Audiobook available, read by Edoardo Ballerini
Gabriel Allon has been awarded a commission to restore one of the most important paintings in Venice. But when he discovers the body of a mysterious woman floating in the waters of the Venetian Lagoon, he finds himself in a desperate race to recover a lost masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci. The painting, a portrait of a beautiful young girl, has been gathering dust in a storeroom at the Vatican Museums for more than a century, misattributed and hidden beneath a worthless picture by an unknown artist. Because no one knows that the Leonardo is there, no one notices when it disappears one night during a suspicious power outage. No one but the ruthless mobsters and moneymen behind the theft --- and the mysterious woman whom Gabriel found in a watery grave in Venice. A woman without a name. A woman without a face. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: HOTEL UKRAINE by Martin Cruz Smith
HOTEL UKRAINE: The Final Arkady Renko Novel by Martin Cruz Smith (Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Jeremy Bobb
In the final installment of Martin Cruz Smith’s celebrated Arkady Renko series, the legendary Moscow investigator seeks to solve the murder of a diplomat as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine wears on and the effects of Arkady’s Parkinson’s disease worsen. Helped by his lover, journalist Tatiana Petrovna, Arkady traces the murder to a Russian paramilitary group aided by a government official who also used to be a romantic partner of Arkady. Before long, those responsible for the killing look to similarly dispatch Arkady and Tatiana --- all of it leading to a thrilling and action-packed climax. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
THE STOLEN LIFE OF COLETTE MARCEAU
by Kristin Harmel
THE STOLEN LIFE OF COLETTE MARCEAU by Kristin Harmel (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Madeleine Maby
Colette Marceau has been stealing jewels for nearly as long as she can remember, following the centuries-old code of honor instilled in her by her mother, Annabel: take only from the cruel and unkind, and give to those in need. Never was their family tradition more important than seven decades earlier, during the Second World War, when Annabel and Colette worked side by side in Paris to fund the French Resistance. But one night in 1942, Annabel was arrested by the Germans, and Colette’s four-year-old sister, Liliane, disappeared, along with an exquisite diamond bracelet sewn into the hem of her nightgown for safekeeping. Soon after, Annabel was executed, and Liliane’s body was found floating in the Seine --- but the bracelet was nowhere to be found. Seventy years later, Colette’s life begins to unravel when the long-missing bracelet suddenly turns up in a museum exhibit in Boston. 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: VERA, OR FAITH by Gary Shteyngart
VERA, OR FAITH by Gary Shteyngart (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Shannon Tyo
The Bradford-Shmulkin family is falling apart as the pressures of life in an unstable America are fraying their bonds. There's Daddy, a struggling, cash-thirsty editor whose Russian heritage gives him a surprising new currency in the upside-down world of 21st-century geopolitics; his wife, Anne Mom, a progressive, underfunded blue blood from Boston who's barely holding the household together; their son, Dylan, whose blond hair and Mayflower lineage provide him pride of place in the newly forming American political order; and young Vera, half-Jewish, half-Korean and wholly original. Vera wants only three things in life: to make a friend at school; for Daddy and Anne Mom to stay together; and to meet her birth mother, Mom Mom, who at last will tell Vera the secret of who she really is and how to ensure love's survival in this great, mad, imploding world. Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE COMPOUND by Aisling Rawle
July’s “Good Morning America” Book Club Pick
THE COMPOUND by Aisling Rawle (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Lucy Boynton
Lily --- a bored, beautiful twentysomething --- wakes up on a remote desert compound, alongside 19 other contestants competing on a massively popular reality show. To win, she must outlast her housemates to stay in the Compound the longest, while competing in challenges for luxury rewards, plus communal necessities to outfit their new home. Cameras are catching all her angles, good and bad, but Lily has no desire to leave. Why would she, when the world outside is falling apart? As the competition intensifies, intimacy between the players deepens, and it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish between desire and desperation. When the unseen producers raise the stakes, forcing contestants into upsetting, even dangerous situations, the line between playing the game and surviving it begins to blur. 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 see why the book is this month's "Good Morning America" Book Club pick.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE MÖBIUS BOOK by Catherine Lacey
THE MÖBIUS BOOK by Catherine Lacey (Memoir & Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Gabra Zackman
Adrift in the winter of 2021 after a sudden breakup and the ensuing depression, the novelist Catherine Lacey began cataloguing the wreckage of her life and the beauty of her friendships, a practice that eventually propagated fiction both entirely imagined and strangely true. Betrayed by the mercurial partner she had trusted with a shared mortgage and suddenly catapulted into the unknown, Lacey’s appetite vanished completely, a visceral reminder of the teenage emaciation that came when she stopped believing in God. Through relationships, travel, reading and memories of her religious fanaticism, Lacey charts the contours of faith’s absence and reemergence. Bending form, she and her characters recall gnostic experiences with animals, close encounters with male anger, grief-driven lust, and the redemptive power of platonic love and narrative itself. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Bookreporter.com's 21st Annual
Summer Reading Contests and Feature
Summer is here! At Bookreporter.com, this means it's time for us to share some great summer book picks with our Summer Reading Contests and Feature. We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through mid-August, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our next contest will be up on Tuesday, July 22nd at noon ET. The prize book will be THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER by Karen White, a captivating Southern drama about sisterhood, secrets, and one woman’s reckoning with the past.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
DO NOT DISTURB by Freida McFadden (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Holly Adams and Daniel Thomas May
Quinn Alexander has committed an unthinkable crime. To avoid spending her life in prison, Quinn makes a run for it. She leaves behind her home, her job and her family. She grabs her passport and heads for the northern border before the police can discover what she's done. But when an unexpected snowstorm forces her off the road, Quinn must take refuge at the broken-down, isolated Baxter Motel. The handsome and kindly owner, Nick Baxter, is only too happy to offer her a cheap room for the night. Unfortunately, the Baxter Motel isn't the quiet, safe haven it seemed to be. The motel has a dark and disturbing past. And in the dilapidated house across the way, the silhouette of Nick's ailing wife is always at the window. Always watching. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
MRS. PLANSKY GOES ROGUE by Spencer Quinn (Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Petrea Burchard
Mrs. Plansky is fresh off of winning a thrilling senior tennis championship with her doubles partner, Kev Dinardo, and is gearing up to celebrate with him on his yacht. That is, until the yacht is destroyed in a fire. Kev claims the fire was caused by a lightning strike, but there's one small problem --- Mrs. Plansky didn't see any lightning. Her curiosity turns to concern when Kev goes missing. Her suspicion gets the better of her and leads her to break into his house, only to find it ransacked. But Kev isn't the only person Mrs. Plansky has to worry about. A conversation with her dad reveals that not long ago, he'd introduced Kev to Jack, Mrs. Plansky's wayward tennis pro son. And now, her dad either can't remember or has no interest in divulging any details. Worse? Now Jack has gone missing, too. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
SLOW BURN SUMMER by Josie Silver (Romantic Comedy)
Audiobook available, read by Anna Acton
Talent agent Charlie Francisco has three problems: a divorce that ended his screenwriting career, a business he never planned to inherit, and a take-your-breath-away romance novel whose author wants nothing to do with its publication. The book is a surefire hit, if only his agency can find someone to “play” author on its summer book tour. Enter Kate Elliott, a former soap actress who’s miraculously right for the part at the very moment her life seems to be going all wrong. But she can’t know who really wrote the remarkable story --- the one so beautiful it’s made her believe in love again. When Kate and Charlie meet, they’re all friction and sparks. As the summer heat ups and the lies get bigger and bigger, can they stick to their lines…or will they go off-script? Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE HOUSE AT DEVIL'S NECK: A Joseph Spector Locked-Room Mystery by Tom Mead (Historical Mystery)
Audiobook available, read by Philip Battley
An apparent suicide in a London townhouse uncannily mirrors a similar incident from 25 years ago, prompting Scotland Yard's George Flint to delve deep into the past in search of the solution to a long-forgotten mystery. Meanwhile, Joseph Spector travels with a coach party through the rainy English countryside to visit an allegedly haunted house on a lonely island called Devil’s Neck. The visitors hold a seance to conjure the spirit of a long-dead soldier, but a storm causes them to be stranded in the haunted house. Before long, the guests begin to die one by one, and it seems that the only possible culprit is the phantom soldier. Flint's and Spector's investigations are in fact closely linked, but it is only when the duo are reunited at the storm-lashed Devil's Neck that the truth is finally revealed. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE FINER THINGS by J.D. Barker and Kyle Dunn (Historical Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Nick Mills and Piper Goodeve
In the shadows of 1950s New York, a brilliant mind teeters on the edge of madness. Edgar Maguire's sculptures are taking the art world by storm, but behind each masterpiece lies a horrifying secret. When Fiona, the object of Edgar's lifelong obsession, reenters his life, it ignites a passion that blurs the lines between creation and destruction. As his art evolves into something terrifyingly beautiful, a trail of bodies begins to surface across the city. Detective George Snyder is closing in, but can he unravel the connection between the murders and Edgar's rising star before it's too late? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
THE BLACK HIGHWAY by Simon Toyne (Psychological Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Shazia Nicholls
Forensic specialist Laughton Rees is not ashamed of her checkered past. After all, her youthful indiscretions led to the birth of her daughter, Gracie. But when Gracie’s father unexpectedly turns up in their lives again, Laughton is automatically wary. Shelby Facer is a dangerous man, formerly imprisoned for his involvement in an international drug trafficking ring. But when Shelby claims that he has information about an especially difficult murder case she is working, she can’t turn him down. A body with no head or hands has recently turned up in the river Thames, and the police are at a loss until Shelby identifies the man. The victim was part of a highly secretive smuggling ring Shelby was involved with during his and Laughton’s youth --- which Laughton’s father was investigating before he died. Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro and L. Dean Murphy.
Next Week's Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on July 21st and 22nd
Below are some notable titles releasing on July 21st and 22nd 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 July 21st, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
July 21st
THE HAMPTONS LAWYER: A Jane Smith Thriller by James Patterson and Mike Lupica (Legal Thriller)
When undefeated criminal defense attorney Jane Smith takes on a famous celebrity client, she’s armed and ready: with brilliant arguments, hard evidence --- and two Glocks. Yet she is chased down and shot at, and she risks contempt of court. That’s when mounting a legal defense turns into self-defense.
July 22nd
GREENWICH by Kate Broad (Fiction)
A riveting debut novel for readers of Celeste Ng and Liane Moriarty, GREENWICH explores the nature of desire and complicity against the backdrop of immense wealth and privilege, the ways that whiteness and power protect their own, and the uneasy moral ambiguity of redemption.
THE LAST WIZARDS' BALL by Charlaine Harris (Dark Fantasy/Thriller)
#1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Charlaine Harris returns with the sixth and final installment in her critically acclaimed Gunnie Rose series as sisters Lizbeth Rose and Felicia must face their fates at the last Wizards’ Ball.
THE LIST by Steve Berry (Legal Thriller)
In the vein of David Baldacci, John Grisham and Harlan Coben, this is Steve Berry like you’ve never read him before.
MAGGIE; OR, A MAN AND A WOMAN WALK INTO A BAR by Katie Yee
(Fiction/Humor)
A Chinese American woman spins tragedy into comedy when her life falls apart in a taut, wry debut novel that grapples with grief, motherhood and myths.
PARIAH by Dan Fesperman (Thriller)
This adrenaline-fueled thriller is about a disgraced comedian-turned-politician who takes on the role of a lifetime: infiltrating a corrupt Eastern European country to spy on their brutal dictator.
THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER by Karen White (Fiction)
Beloved bestselling author Karen White returns with a captivating Southern drama about sisterhood, secrets, and one woman’s reckoning with the past.
Click here to see the latest “On Sale This Week” newsletter.
From left to right: Lisa Scottoline, Tom Mead, Rachel Joyce
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.
Saturday, July 19th at 1pm ET: Warwick's: Warwick's and Books & Books present Rachel Joyce as she discusses her latest book, THE HOMEMADE GOD, with Rachel McMillan. This powerful novel from the author of THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY reminds us that family is everything, even when it falls apart.
Monday, July 21st at 4pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Tom Mead will talk about his new historical mystery, THE HOUSE AT DEVIL'S NECK, in which amateur sleuth Joseph Spector pits his knowledge of stage magic against the seemingly supernatural when a séance at an isolated old hospital turns deadly.
Wednesday, July 23rd at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Lisa Scottoline about her latest novel, THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA. This gripping psychological thriller takes readers to the breathtaking hills of Tuscany, where a crumbling villa hides a long-buried family secret.
"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:
Other authors we've interviewed include:
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: July Fiction Releases to Anticipate
Which of the following fiction titles releasing in July have you read or do you plan to read? Please check all that apply.
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THE BEWITCHING by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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CULPABILITY by Bruce Holsinger
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DAIKON by Samuel Hawley
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DO NOT DISTURB by Freida McFadden
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DOGGED PURSUIT: An Andy Carpenter Mystery, by David Rosenfelt
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EDGE OF HONOR by Brad Thor
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THE ENCHANTED GREENHOUSE by Sarah Beth Durst
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FAST BOYS AND PRETTY GIRLS by Lo Patrick
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FINDING GRACE by Loretta Rothschild
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THE HAMPTONS LAWYER: A Jane Smith Thriller, by James Patterson and Mike Lupica
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THE HOMEMADE GOD by Rachel Joyce
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HOTEL UKRAINE: The Final Arkady Renko Novel, by Martin Cruz Smith
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AN INSIDE JOB by Daniel Silva
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THE LAKE ESCAPE by Jamie Day
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THE LAST WIZARDS' BALL by Charlaine Harris
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THE LETTER CARRIER written by Francesca Giannone, translated by Elettra Pauletto
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LIKENESS by Samsun Knight
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THE LIST by Steve Berry
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THE ORIGINAL by Nell Stevens
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OUR LAST RESORT by Clémence Michallon
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THE RED QUEEN: A Richard Jury Mystery, by Martha Grimes
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THE SATISFACTION CAFÉ by Kathy Wang
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SHE DIDN'T SEE IT COMING by Shari Lapena
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SPECTACULAR THINGS by Beck Dorey-Stein
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THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER by Karen White
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THESE SUMMER STORMS by Sarah MacLean
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TYPEWRITER BEACH by Meg Waite Clayton
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UNDER THE STARS by Beatriz Williams
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THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA by Lisa Scottoline
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VERA, OR FAITH by Gary Shteyngart
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THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO by Adriana Trigiani
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WAYWARD GIRLS by Susan Wiggs
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THE WOMAN IN SUITE 11 by Ruth Ware
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WRITERS AND LIARS by Carol Goodman
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YOU BELONG HERE by Megan Miranda
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None of the above
Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, July 25th at noon ET.
Word of Mouth Contest: Tell Us What
You've Read --- and You Can Win Two Books!
Tell us about the books you’ve read with your comments and a rating of 1 to 5 stars. During the contest period from July 11th to July 25th at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of CULPABILITY by Bruce Holsinger and THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA by Lisa Scottoline.
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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