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Bookish Conversation and Events
Last Sunday, my book club came to the house with their husbands and children for a pool party. It's one of those things that we tried to pull together the last two years, but either the date or the weather did not work for everyone. This time it was a perfect weather day, and we had 17 kids playing in the pool for five hours with a brief break to come out to eat. The moms and I hung out in the water, and the conversation continually turned to books --- what we are reading and what we are planning to read.
We are reading MAD MABEL by Sally Hepworth for our discussion on Monday night. I have read all of Sally's books --- this one has been a real breakout for her --- and it's been fun introducing her work to the group who had not read her before. If the weather holds, we will be in the pool for the discussion.
Amusingly, a couple of the children asked what book we would be discussing at the pool party. We also said that the cat is now out of the bag that there is a pool where they go to book group. One child said, “So wait, when you go to book club, there is a POOL?” I think getting out of the house on Monday night is going to be a lot more challenging for the book club moms!
When I am at the health club, the conversation often turns to books as I have done a half-dozen presentations about books there, similar to what we do for “Bookaccino Live”. It's always amusing to see people moseying over to where I am in the pool to share what they are reading. A couple of people missed the last talk, so the list of titles that I presented is being forwarded their way.
Does this same thing happen to you? Do you have friends who, even if you are not in a book group, talk books to you when you see them?
And since it is never too early to talk about book events, I am going to be moderating a few panels at the Morristown Festival of Books on Saturday, October 10th. You can see the list of authors attending here, with the schedule still to come. It is always fun to see our readers at this program.
I also have bought tickets to see Harlan Coben, Bonnie Garmus and Min Jin Lee as they have events in New Jersey in September and October. While I do head into New York City for programs as I did last night (more on that later), I love that more and more events are happening on this side of the river!
My latest “Bookreporter Talks To” interview is with Chris Bohjalian, whose new novel, THE AMATEUR, will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection.
Chris wrote in an “alchemic frenzy” over 90 days in the summer of 2024 without telling anyone --- not his wife, daughter, editor or agents --- until it was finished. It's his most autobiographical book in nature as he mined the days he spent as a “spectacular golf caddie” when he was in high school. Chris explains that his second summer at this job made him acutely aware of how golf displays the class divide in America as he was caddying for his classmates' parents.
In THE AMATEUR, Mira Winston hits a golf ball at a driving range. It goes through a net and kills 17-year-old caddie Kenny Foster by rupturing an artery. Chris shares that this prologue reads as if it is a third-person omniscient novel discussing the history of golf balls and country clubs, until the final sentences reveal Mira as the narrator.
The book’s title carries multiple meanings, including class elitism in golf culture and broader themes about Mira's identity and choices. The 1978 setting is integral to the novel's exploration of gender inequality, the dismissal of female athletes, and the systemic failure of adults to protect young women.
Chris acknowledges that THE AMATEUR, though based on his adolescence, is now considered historical fiction --- a reflection of how much the world has changed.
Click here to watch the interview or here to listen to the podcast. Find out why I’m betting you’ll love this book in next week’s newsletter.
We hosted this month’s “Bookaccino Live” book preview afternoon event on Wednesday. I talked about 28 books releasing between August 11th and September 1st, along with 13 from October, that we wanted to get on your radar. You can watch the presentation here and see a list of the featured titles here.
Next month's “Bookaccino Live” book preview afternoon event will take place on Wednesday, September 9th at 2pm ET. The focus will be on books releasing between September 8th and October 6th, in addition to some titles releasing in November, that we think will appeal to you. Click here to sign up.
Last Chance to Enter Our Contest for THE MUNICH AFFAIR
This is your last newsletter reminder to enter our contest for James Patterson and David Ellis’ upcoming thriller, THE MUNICH AFFAIR, which releases on September 21st and will be a Bets On pick. Twenty-five of you will win a copy and must be committed to sending us your feedback by Monday, September 14th. Be sure to submit your entries by THIS Monday, August 17th at noon ET.
Steve Berry has high praise for the book: “Much more than a historical murder mystery, this lively and engaging story --- from two masters at the top of their game --- reminds us that ‘those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’ You need to read this one and never forget.”
THE SECRETS WE HIDE is the second entry in Karin Slaughter’s North Falls series, following last year’s WE ARE ALL GUILTY HERE. Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, ex-federal agent Jude Archer, investigate a brutal attack that shatters their town's fragile peace. But the deeper Emmy digs, the more dangerous it gets.
Ray Palen has our review and says, “Nothing is predictable in THE SECRETS WE HIDE, and Slaughter is quietly building up a new series that almost rivals her Will Trent novels. Emmy and Jude are terrific characters, and their own family history and secrets act as the undercurrent to the myriad of surprises that this complex tale throws at you. The deepest secret of all sets the tone for the next installment, which I simply cannot wait for.”
Richard Russo, the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of EMPIRE FALLS, is back with what is being billed as his first full-blown thriller. UNDER THE FALLS is about a crime in a small town that exposes long-held secrets and betrayals among a group of lifelong friends.
According to Kate Ayers in her review, “Richard Russo is one in a million when it comes to writing a story so totally engaging you won’t be able to close the book. His characters have real dimension, deeply human emotions, heartbreaking backstories, and flaws that make a reader want to cry. Russo never fails to deliver. UNDER THE FALLS is certainly no exception. This incredible novel is his first thriller, and it's an unqualified success.”
Three lives, 100 years, one ghost town. SUNRISE is an explosive new novel from Téa Obreht, who many of you know as the bestselling author of THE TIGER’S WIFE. It’s about a mysterious place called Sunrise, where the secrets of the past refuse to stay buried.
Harvey Freedenberg has this to say in his review: “SUNRISE succeeds exceptionally well in triggering the ‘vivid and continuous dream’ that the late novelist and teacher John Gardner argued was the goal of the best fiction. Its characters are well drawn, and whether they're acting in the contemporary Old West or its historic version, Obreht makes their struggles both plausible and engaging. Anyone entering this richly imagined world will feel a tinge of regret when the time comes to leave it.”
Other books we’re reviewing this week include:
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THE WOMEN IN WHITE: Sarah Pekkanen combines a decades-old mystery with spine-tingling paranormal elements in a twisty novel of the seen and unseen. According to our reviewer Pamela Kramer, “Sarah Pekkanen is at her best as she keeps complex timelines, an exciting plot and admirable characters in perfect play.”
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THE BLUE FLAME: Private investigator Derek Strange returns in George Pelecanos’ riveting drama about revenge, greed and redemption. Ray Palen calls the book “a slick novel [that] treats its subject matter with more than enough edginess, and the grit leaps off the page.”
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BROKEN PLEA: Christopher Whitcomb questions what really happened in the house on King Road on November 13, 2022 --- and the results of that investigation, still unfolding in real time, are astounding. In the aftermath of Bryan Kohberger's recent request to withdraw his guilty plea, there are more questions than ever before.
I have listened to part of this book, and Chris has so many valid points about the evidence collection. I had met him when he wrote his first book, a memoir called COLD ZERO, which is about his time on the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team.
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TAKE WHAT YOU CAN: Naima Coster, author of the “Read with Jenna” pick WHAT’S MINE AND YOURS, is back with a rich, panoramic exploration of friendship, class, new motherhood and independence. As we mentioned in last week’s newsletter, Coster’s latest novel is this month’s “Good Morning America” Book Club selection.
Announcing This Year’s Fall Reading Feature
Our Summer Reading feature wrapped up this week, so now it’s time to shift our attention to the fall! We have brought back our Fall Reading feature for a 16th year.
On select days through mid-October, we will spotlight a different title that we know people will be talking about this fall and offer a 24-hour contest to win five copies of the book. We also will send a special newsletter to announce each day's title. You can sign up here to receive these dedicated newsletters.
Our first two prize books will be GOD'S COUNTRY by William Kent Krueger and THE UNSTOPPABLES by David Biro. The contests will be up at noon ET on Tuesday, August 18th and Wednesday, August 19th.
Word of Mouth Contest Reminder
We also are giving away GOD’S COUNTRY in our Word of Mouth contest, along with the aforementioned UNDER THE FALLS by Richard Russo. Submit your comments about the books you’ve read by Friday, August 21st at noon ET, and you’ll be in the running to win both these titles.
I’m Betting You’ll Love…
My latest Bets On selections are GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER by Shari Lapena and CITY OF WIDOWS by Nadia Hashimi. Click on each of the titles for my commentary. If you missed my conversation with Nadia from last week, click here to watch the video or here to listen to the podcast. We will feature my interview with Shari in next week’s newsletter.
Revisiting My “Bookreporter Talks To” Interview with Hank Phillippi Ryan
Out in paperback this week is ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS by Hank Phillippi Ryan, in which a glamorous book tour becomes a deadly cat-and-mouse chase. Is a debut author's blockbuster bestseller about to ruin her life? I talked to Hank about the book, which was a Bets On pick, shortly after its hardcover release. Be sure to watch or listen to the interview if you haven’t already.
Remember to Vote in Our Poll
Our poll continues to ask about your favorite Bookreporter features and programs as we approach our 30th anniversary. Let us know here by Friday, August 21st at noon ET. Please note that last Saturday we added two more features to the poll that we clearly missed: this newsletter and our “On Sale This Week” newsletter. Many thanks to our reader Mary Lou for suggesting we include these!
You have until THIS Wednesday, August 19th at noon ET to enter our ReadingGroupGuides.com contest for THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING by Lisa Scottoline, which is a Bets On selection.
One book group will win up to 10 copies of the book and a book group chat with Lisa. Additionally, we are awarding one copy to 10 readers who will give us their feedback on the book and share it with their book group. Even if you are not selected to win copies of the book, we are giving four readers and their book groups the chance to chat virtually with Lisa. Click here for all the details.
From left to right: Mark Cobrin, Bakithi Kumalo, Ashley Kahn, David Fricke
From left to right: Carol, Ashley Kahn
I headed to Rizzoli Bookstore in New York City last night for a wonderful program about DAYS OF MIRACLE AND WONDER: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland by Ashley Kahn, which I talked about last week. Joining Ashley was Bakithi Kumalo, who was part of the original Graceland band and accompanied Paul Simon on his most recent tour, and Mark Cobrin, who was one of the engineers on Graceland. The event was moderated by David Fricke, who is the senior editor at Rolling Stone magazine.
I had a wonderful time chatting with Ashley before the program, and with him, Bakithi, Mark and David after the program. The Graceland album was life-changing for Bakithi, and for Mark it was an opportunity to work with Paul and legendary record producer Roy Halee to create something special. Hearing the conversation about how this was all done with tape, not digital recording, was fascinating.
News & Pop Culture
Reader Mail:
Gail wrote about attending “Bookaccino Live” on Wednesday: “I really enjoyed the presentation yesterday. It was my first one! And I've already signed up for September! I'm an avid reader (but I imagine all your members are!), and I get most of my book recommendations from your newsletters. It's so helpful, and I pass ideas on to members of my book club and other friends. Thanks so much for what you do! I'm so glad I discovered your site. Have a great day, and keep up the good work!” Gail, we love that you found us and enjoyed this program.
Donna, who noted that she is a “very appreciative reader,” wrote about our Summer Reading Wrap-up newsletter, which we sent earlier today: “Thank you for this checklist of books. I will use it to choose my selection for my book club meeting next year. This is a big relief for me. I love your newsletters. They are so helpful in many different ways for my book group.”
Caro Claire Burke on YESTERYEAR: The New Yorker profiled Caro, who has written one of the most talked-about and popular books of 2026. She discusses the novel and what this newfound fame is like here. Note that The New Yorker does not have a system to share locked links, but my understanding is that you can read a few articles a month for free.
Whitney Frick from The Dial Press: The Wall Street Journal profiled Whitney, who has edited Belle Burden (STRANGERS: A Memoir of Marriage) and many more for The Dial Press. You can read the unlocked article here.
The Trial of Lindsay Clancy on YouTube: This high-profile trial has been airing on YouTube, and it's been interesting to follow the coverage on video. For those not familiar with the case, Lindsay strangled her three young children, slit her wrists, and threw herself from the second-floor window at her home while she sent her husband to pick up takeout dinner and an item at the local pharmacy. Were her actions caused by postpartum psychosis?
Hold Music at the Eye Doctor: I called my eye doctor to order more contact lenses, and the hold music was so clever. It included snippets from “Doctor My Eyes” by Jackson Browne, “Double Vision” by Foreigner, “I Saw the Light” by Todd Rundgren, “Blinded by the Light” by Manfred Mann's Earth Band, and “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash. I did not mind being kept on hold. For me, clever always wins!
We are working on our fall programming for our afternoon and evening events. In a couple of weeks, we hope to announce our full schedule. Fingers crossed.
Our friend Cathy, aka Dez, is coming here on Saturday night, and we are planning a fun family dinner. The rest of the weekend will be a lot of reading. I have a couple of interviews that I still want to do before our break the week before Labor Day.
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 Bookshop/IndieBound. As you read our reviews and features, we would appreciate your considering this as you buy!
Featured Review:
THE SECRETS WE HIDE by Karin Slaughter
THE SECRETS WE HIDE by Karin Slaughter (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Kathleen Early
1601 Iris Drive looks like any other house on the quiet, residential street. But rumors are rampant about the Vickery family and what goes on behind closed doors. When gunshots ring out, Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, ex-federal agent Jude Archer, discover a devastating crime scene. Allison Vickery has been murdered in her own kitchen, and her teenage daughter is bleeding upstairs, left for dead. Everyone thinks they know what happened. But secrets are buried everywhere in this small town. And it’s up to Emmy Clifton to uncover the truth. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: UNDER THE FALLS by Richard Russo
UNDER THE FALLS by Richard Russo (Literary Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available; read by Zachary Chastain, Emma Ladji, Matt Godfrey, Fred Berman and Leeanna Albanese
When Tyler Sinclair left Stone Mountain at 18, he had no plans of returning. Armed with a guitar, his most prized possession, he disappeared without so much as a goodbye. Eighteen years later, Tyler, now the frontman of a famous band aptly named Stone Mountain, finds himself returning to his hometown for a one-night-only benefit concert to support his old friend, Doc, who lost feeling in his legs following a childhood accident. As Tyler ascends the mountain, memories of his childhood come rushing back --- memories of his abusive father and despondent mother, of the friends he left behind. And he quickly learns that, for many people on Stone Mountain, the past does not feel like so long ago, and not everyone has been eagerly awaiting his return. Reviewed by Kate Ayers.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: SUNRISE by Téa Obreht
SUNRISE by Téa Obreht (Fiction)
Audiobook available; read by Christine Lakin, Mark Deakins and Kristen Sieh
In 2024, Nina’s small-engine plane crashes into a lake in the Wyoming mountains. She stumbles upon Sunrise, a town of the Old West that holds the missing link to a ghost story 100 years in the making. In 2003, Sand Daw’s golden boy, Coll, is putting the finishing touches on the town’s annual historical reenactment. But when an upstart would-be author comes to him with questions about one of Sunrise’s most beloved figures, it threatens to upend everything he thought he knew about the city --- and himself. In 1902, town founder, gunslinger and legendary pulp hero Anton Vargas returns to Sunrise and quickly takes charge of a group searching for a missing boy. But who really is Vargas? These three strangers are separated by time and circumstance. But Sunrise’s many secrets are like gunpowder: quiet and contained until they encounter a spark. Reviewed by Harvey Freedenberg.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- Click here to read an excerpt.
Click here to read our review.
Special Contest: Enter by THIS Monday at Noon ET to Win One of 25 Copies of THE MUNICH AFFAIR by James Patterson and David Ellis, an Upcoming Bookreporter.com Bets On Title, and Share Your Feedback on It!
Based on a true story, THE MUNICH AFFAIR is a suspenseful thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling authors James Patterson and David Ellis that spans a century --- set in motion by the murder of Adolf Hitler's young lover by his own hand.
The book --- which will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On selection --- doesn't release until September 21st, but we have 25 copies to give away to those who would like to read it and give us their feedback on it by Monday, September 14th.
To enter the contest, please fill out this form by Monday, August 17th at noon ET.
THE MUNICH AFFAIR by James Patterson and David Ellis (Historical Thriller)
Spanning a century, THE MUNICH AFFAIR is set in motion by the murder of Adolf Hitler's young lover by his own hand.
A determined detective, Thomas Bauer, obsessively pursues Hitler --- putting Bauer’s Jewish wife and children in grave danger.
A courageous journalist, Fritz Gerlich, writes story after story detailing the murder --- making Gerlich a target for Hitler’s Gestapo.
An American professor, Eleanor Robbins, picks up the trail of evidence from present-day Neo-Nazis guarding the Führer’s long-held secrets to the death.
- Click here to read James Patterson's bio.
- Click here to visit James Patterson's website.
- Connect with James Patterson on X, Instagram and Threads.
- Click here to read David Ellis' bio.
- Click here to visit David Ellis' website.
- Connect with David Ellis on Facebook and Instagram.
Click here to enter the contest.
Announcing Bookreporter.com's 16th Annual
Fall Reading Contests and Feature
Fall is known as the biggest season of the year for books. The titles that release during this latter part of the year often become holiday gifts, and many are blockbusters. In our Fall Reading Contests and Feature, we are spotlighting a number of outstanding books that we know people will be talking about this fall.
We are hosting a series of 24-hour contests for these titles on select days through mid-October, so you will have to check the site each day to see the featured prize book and enter to win. We also are sending a special newsletter to announce the day's title, which you can sign up for here.
Our first two contests will be up at noon ET on Tuesday, August 18th and Wednesday, August 19th. The prize books will be GOD'S COUNTRY by William Kent Krueger and THE UNSTOPPABLES by David Biro.
This year's featured titles are:
Click here to read all the contest details
and learn more about our featured titles.
Bookreporter.com Bets On:
GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER by Shari Lapena
and CITY OF WIDOWS by Nadia Hashimi
GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER by Shari Lapena (Domestic Thriller)
Ahhhh the pleasure of holding a Shari Lapena book in my hands and knowing I am headed for what I call “a one-sit read.”
In GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER, we meet Jill and Ted, who are living in a stunning brownstone that they have meticulously finished. They are able to stay on top of the maintenance around the place as Ted earns a substantial salary working in finance. But then the day comes when he makes a big investment, and it does not deliver. It actually tanks --- and with it goes their security as they try to keep up with their day-to-day costs, as well as appearances.
Jill and Ted can’t just lick their wounds and move on. The way things have been leveraged, they are at risk of losing their brownstone, which feels like a character of its own. It's definitely part of their identity.
- Click here to read the book description.
- Click here to read our review.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on
GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER.
Don't miss Carol's interview with Shari Lapena in next week's newsletter.
CITY OF WIDOWS by Nadia Hashimi (Fiction)
When the United States left Afghanistan for the last time in August 2021, the photos of the Afghan people who were racing to leave with our soldiers were embedded in my memory. What was that moment like? What was going to happen to the women of that country as we departed after two decades? It's one of the images that continues to haunt me.
Women had flourished while the US military was there. They had gone to school, gotten jobs and contributed to their families outside of their homes. For nearly 20 years, they had tasted freedom. But then their worlds changed, seemingly overnight. Taliban rule was back as the order of the land, and once again pickup trucks with machine gun-toting soldiers on board were in the streets.
This countdown to the departure of the Americans is the time period that Nadia Hashimi writes about in her latest novel, CITY OF WIDOWS. We see what is happening day by day in August 2021 and then are brought back in time to what transpired in the last two decades in dated chapters that are woven throughout the book.
- Click here to read the book description.
- Click here to read our review.
- Click here for the discussion guide on ReadingGroupGuides.com.
- Click here to watch Carol's “Bookreporter Talks To” interview with Nadia Hashimi.
- Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
Click here to read more of Carol's commentary on CITY OF WIDOWS.
Featured Review:
THE WOMEN IN WHITE by Sarah Pekkanen
THE WOMEN IN WHITE by Sarah Pekkanen (Psychological/Historical Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Saskia Maarleveld
In 1964, four remarkable young women at a prestigious university became the subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough, the women mysteriously vanished and the program was erased from history. Decades later, Riley Bell accepts a caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. Riley steps into a home that is frozen in another era --- no microwaves, televisions or cell phones, and Betty has never heard of the internet. As the story unfolds across two timelines --- Betty’s 1960s era of 5:00 martinis and high-stakes experiments, and Riley’s quest to uncover the truth about the missing women --- old secrets rise to the surface. And the only way to survive is to confront the mystery that has lingered for 60 years. Reviewed by Pamela Kramer.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: THE BLUE FLAME by George Pelecanos
THE BLUE FLAME by George Pelecanos (Hard-boiled Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Dion Graham
The neon “Strange Investigations” sign may be flickering in disrepair outside his office, but private investigator Derek Strange is still accepting new cases. When a flashy drug lawyer hires him to prove an alibi for an accused murderer, Strange can’t help getting drawn into the darkness. In his hunt for answers, he stands his ground against some of Washington, D.C.’s most dangerous criminals, and a police department that doesn’t entirely welcome his interference. As the violence escalates and claims another victim, the raised stakes force Strange to question his own moves. Are his instincts still intact? Reviewed by Ray Palen.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review:
BROKEN PLEA by Christopher Whitcomb
BROKEN PLEA: The Explosive Search for Truth Behind the Idaho Murders by Christopher Whitcomb (True Crime)
Audiobook available, read by Dion Graham
The neon “Strange Investigations” sign may be flickering in disrepair outside his office, but private investigator Derek Strange is still accepting new cases. When a flashy drug lawyer hires him to prove an alibi for an accused murderer, Strange can’t help getting drawn into the darkness. In his hunt for answers, he stands his ground against some of Washington, D.C.’s most dangerous criminals, and a police department that doesn’t entirely welcome his interference. As the violence escalates and claims another victim, the raised stakes force Strange to question his own moves. Are his instincts still intact? Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro.
- Click here to read more about the book.
Click here to read our review.
Featured Review: TAKE WHAT YOU CAN by Naima Coster
August’s “Good Morning America” Book Club Pick
TAKE WHAT YOU CAN by Naima Coster (Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by January LaVoy
Val and Milly fell in love with France at the same time they fell in love with each other and became immediate best friends. Then they bonded as the only Black students on a study-abroad trip. Now they are in their 30s, each married and with a baby girl on the way. When Milly suggests Val move to New York so they can raise their daughters together, it’s a resounding yes. Despite their excitement, the pair secretly wonders if their friendship has always worked best as a trio. On that first trip to France, these two motherless daughters were taken under the wing of an older woman named Helene. She showered them with money, love and attention and showed them the possibilities of an independent and abundant future. But now, without Helene and her guidance, who are Milly and Val? Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
- Click here to read more about the book.
- 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.
TIME TO BURN by Ellery Lloyd (Mystery/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Louise Brealey
Mercurial tech entrepreneur Inigo Frank has perfected commercial time travel. His company, Tempus Tours, has been approved for just one route so far: a journey back to London in 1941, to the days of the Blitz, allowing the super-rich to experience the awesome sights and sounds of the aerial bombardment of the capital during World War II. To immortalize his achievement, Frank enlists award-winning filmmaker Phoebe Hunt to create a fly-on-the-wall documentary. On her first day shadowing Inigo, she is set to witness the return of a billionaire property developer and his family from their trip to the past. But instead of their awe-filled return, she captures the group arriving bloodied and traumatized, with one of their number missing. Phoebe recognizes the missing woman, who is not who she claims to be and has every reason to harbor a grudge against her. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
MEET ME IN THE GARDEN by Nina LaCour (Historical Fiction)
Audiobook available, read by Angel Pean
New Orleans, 1944. Odette has always been one of the Honore sisters, glamorous and admired in their Creole community. But while Odette’s older sisters are content to be wives and mothers, Odette has always wanted something else. It is only with her beloved cousin, Delphine, that Odette can tell her secret: she is in love with a woman, and she longs to be an artist. Delphine has a secret lover, too, a white man. In the hidden garden they’ve discovered, Odette and Delphine can dream of futures full of passion and freedom. But five years later, Odette's life is nothing like what she'd planned. She's a widowed mother, and she and Delphine have spiraled away from each other. When Delphine reaches a breaking point, Odette must make a shattering choice to try to hold her family together. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
RELIQUARY by Hannah Whitten (Gothic Horror/Dark Fantasy)
Audiobook available, read by Lauren Fortgang
When Claire’s fiancé mysteriously dies of an unknown neurological illness, she’s prepared to sink back into the lonely life she lived before. Orphaned by a freak boating accident in her childhood, she never expected to find connection like she did with Elias. When Elias’ family reaches out and invites her to a three-day wake at Harrow Point, their family home on a private island, Claire is given the chance to find family again. Even if that family is a little strange. Even if their coastal home stirs up memories of the accident that killed her parents and sister. Even if Ash, Elias’ older brother, seems insistent on Claire leaving as soon as possible. As she dives deeper into the world of Harrow Point, she will uncover the nature of her own traumatic connection to the ocean. There is something swimming in the bowels of Harrow Point, and it is hungry. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
DREAMLAND by Olivie Blake (Gothic Fantasy)
Audiobook available; read by Chloe Nosan, Ferdelle Capistrano, Maggie Thompson, Max Meyers, Mia Wurgaft and Steve West
The headlines are calling it the "summer of exsanguination" in LA. Girls are being murdered, the Santa Ana winds are blowing a strange energy into the city, and all signs point to fire season. Anya Morris receives a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, an invitation to work for the de Witt family, one of LA’s most influential film dynasties. Soon, she’s spending her days and nights at their strange villa high in the Hollywood Hills, where she meets Jude, a recluse who is both the family’s heir apparent and its most closely guarded secret. There’s a magnetism to Jude that Anya cannot resist, despite warning signs that scream like sirens in the night. Because the villa holds generations of bloodstained history, and an occult family curse may even live within its walls --- or within Jude himself. Reviewed by Rebecca Munro.
MY INNER CHILD WANTS TO KILL: A Mindful Murder Novel written by Karsten Dusse, translated by Florian Duijsens (Crime Fiction/Dark Humor)
Audiobook available, read by L.J. Ganser
Björn Diemel, once an overworked defense lawyer for very nasty organized criminals, has mastered the principles of mindfulness, and he only had to kill a couple of people to pull it off. Now, running his own practice, spending more time with his daughter, and arguing less with his wife, he should be sitting pretty, but he keeps losing his cool --- with deadly results. Why can’t Björn just enjoy his new mindful life? Over the course of one outrageous week, Björn and his inner child confront overzealous helicopter moms, hypocritical startup bros, and mysterious blackmailers as they race to solve all their problems at once before the criminal empire Björn has built for himself comes crumbling down. Reviewed by Jack Kramer.
ICEFALL: The Rise of the Nine by Michael Newman and Jon Land
(Science Fiction/Thriller)
Audiobook available, read by Scott Aiello
An alien ship crashed into Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier 150,000 years ago and froze within the ice...until glacial melting thawed out its deadly inhabitants in the present day. Kai and Jules Bevins, both professors of astrobiology at Caltech, are roused from their home and whisked away to the site where a special division of the army has taken charge. But not before something escaped through a breach in the hull. Thousands of miles away in Pakistan, the Nine --- a team of superbeings placed on Earth a million years ago by intergalactic colonizers that seeded our planet to create human life --- are lifted from their long slumber. This all leads to a confrontation on a volcanic island that will determine the fate of civilization, even as the Nine uncover the shattering truth behind their own tragic paths and learn of a much greater battle to come. Reviewed by Ray Palen.
Next Week’s Notables:
Noteworthy Books Releasing on August 17th and 18th
Below are some notable titles releasing on August 17th and 18th that we would like to make you aware of. We will have more on many of these books in the weeks to come. For a list of additional hardcovers and paperbacks available the week of August 17th, see our “On Sale This Week” newsletter here.
August 17th
DELUSIONAL: A Michael Bennett Thriller by James Patterson and James O. Born (Thriller)
Detective Michael Bennett and army sniper turned NYPD officer Rob Trilling travel to Montana to investigate a case that crosses state borders and family lines.
August 18th
BRAIN DAMAGE by Freida McFadden (Psychological Thriller)
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden comes a scalpel-sharp psychological thriller about fractured memory, buried secrets, and how far the mind will go to protect you from the truth.
THE CRYING KILLER by Jess Lourey (Domestic Thriller)
A woman’s secret. A small town with a dark past. A serial killer bent on revenge. Lies kill in a shocking true crime–inspired thriller by the Edgar-nominated author of THE QUARRY GIRLS.
GOD'S COUNTRY by William Kent Krueger (Mystery)
Cork O’Connor is troubled by ominous visions about his future. Ignoring the warnings, he uncovers signs of violence while searching for his missing friend, Cordell Bishop. Soon, he is forced to negotiate with dangerous criminals, the Kennedy brothers, who are seeking their late father’s hidden stash.
MY SISTER IS GOING TO KILL ME by Nina Simon (Mystery)
From the New York Times bestselling author of the runaway hit MOTHER-DAUGHTER MURDER NIGHT comes another fun, family-centered whodunit about two sisters who work together to find a killer as they raft down the rapids of the Grand Canyon.
PROMISE ME NEVER by Liv Constantine (Psychological Thriller)
From the New York Times bestselling author of THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH comes an unmissable thriller about a woman who becomes embroiled in the mystery of her husband’s deceased first wife --- and, after moving to his remote house in the woods, uncovers terrifying secrets.
THE SECRET DINNER by Raphael Montes (Literary Thriller/Horror)
Four childhood friends, eager for a taste of city life, swap rural Brazil for an apartment in Copacabana, Rio. But they have no idea of the fate that awaits them there.
THAT NIGHT by Gillian McAllister (Domestic Thriller)
From the author of the Reese’s Book Club pick and New York Times bestseller WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME comes an electrifying thriller about three siblings torn apart by the cover-up of a death while on a family vacation in Italy.
Click here to see the latest “On Sale This Week” newsletter.
From left to right: Karin Slaughter, Raphael Montes
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.
Wednesday, August 19th at 7pm ET: “Friends & Fiction”: Join “Friends & Fiction” for a conversation with Karin Slaughter about her latest book, THE SECRETS WE HIDE, the second thrilling mystery in her new North Falls series.
Thursday, August 20th at 3pm ET: Barnes & Noble: Join Barnes & Noble as they welcome bestselling Brazilian novelist Raphael Montes for a live virtual discussion of THE SECRET DINNER as part of their B&N Midday Mystery Virtual Event series. Raphael will be in conversation with #1 New York Times bestselling author Jeneva Rose.
Thursday, August 20th at 8pm ET: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore: Raphael Montes will talk about THE SECRET DINNER, his internationally acclaimed #1 bestselling thriller that is now in English. Four childhood friends swap rural Brazil for an apartment in Copacabana, Rio. But they have no idea of the fate that awaits them there.
"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 recently include:
Upcoming interviews include:
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Shari Lapena (GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER)
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Hank Phillippi Ryan (MOTHER DAUGHTER SISTER STRANGER)
Click here for a complete list of our
"Bookreporter Talks To" videos and podcasts.
Our Latest Poll: Bookreporter
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Which of the following features and programs do you enjoy on Bookreporter.com? Please check all that apply.
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Click here to vote in the poll by Friday, August 21st 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 August 7th to August 21st at noon ET, three lucky readers each will be randomly chosen to win a copy of GOD'S COUNTRY by William Kent Krueger and UNDER THE FALLS by Richard Russo.
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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