Top Shelf at the Merrick Library Carol Ann Tack

With Trouble in Queenstown, Delia Pitts introduces private investigator Vandy Myrick in a powerful mystery that blends grief, class, race, and family with thrilling results. I could not put this book down and it started with the very first sentence! We talk about the book, Delia’s short stories, her familial influences, and her terrific Ross Agency Mystery Series. That series will be on my summer reading list and I cannot wait to start it. In the meantime, check out, Trouble in Queenstown. Thank you for joining me Delia!

Delia Pitts recommends: Devil in Profile by Kimberly Giarratano;  Hall of Mirrors by John Copenhaver; Blessed Water: A Sister Holiday Mystery by Margaret Douaihy; Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett; Echo by Tracy Clark

 

Oh my goodness, how thrilled are we all that Ethan Joella is back with his third book,The Same Bright Stars. This uplifting and emotionally resonant novel set in a Delaware beach town, follows a local restaurant owner at a turning point in their life.The Same Bright Stars comes right at you in technicolor, and I loved every single page. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, so be sure to give it a listen. And if you haven’t already, check out our very first interview together in Episode 78!

Ethan Joella recommends: Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout; Yellowface by R.F. Kuang; Until August by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.  Follow Ethan Joella on Instagram: @joellawriting and place your holds for all Ethan’s books right here!

 

Claire Lombardo, NYT bestselling author of The Most Fun We Ever Had, returns with another brilliantly observed family drama in which the enduring, hard-won affection of a long marriage faces imminent derailment from events both past and present: Same As It Ever Was. Author Bonnie Garmus calls it, “Witty and insightful…a powerful exploration of marriage, motherhood, and self.” For this episode we talk about Claire’s brilliant character development, our shared love of music, and more! This is a perfect summer read, don’t miss it. Thank you so much for joining me, Claire!

Claire Lombardo recommends: The Rich People Have Gone Away by Regina Porter.

Place holds here for both of Claire’s terrific books!

What You Leave Behind is the powerful new book by Wanda M. Morris, and I am thrilled to host her for this episode! What You Leave Behind is a haunting thriller following a lawyer who after the mysterious disappearance of a local landowner, uncovers a conspiracy that dates back to Reconstruction and still persists in half the US today. For this episode we talk about why she writes thrillers, what she’s working on next and more. We share quite a few laughs in this episode, don’t miss it. Wanda is the only author I boost on the Long Island Railroad, so go back and listen to the first episode we did to find out why this is so!

Thank you so much Wanda! Follow Wanda on IG & Threads: @wandamowrites; on Twitter: @WandaMo14; and on Facebook: @WandaMorris. Place your holds for all Wanda’s books right here.

Wanda M. Morris recommends: You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen; Not What She Seems by Yasmin Angoe.

For this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing author Henry Wise. He sat down with me to talk about his terrific southern crime debut, Holy City. We talked about his poetry, the craft of writing, his book recommendations, and more. Henry, thank you so much for joining me.

Holy City is a captivating debut about a deputy sheriff who finds himself on the outs from his sheriff’s department over his unwillingness to look the other way when an innocent man is arrested for murder.

Henry Wise recommends: Broiler by Eli Cranor; Don’t Let the Devil Ride by Ace Atkins; Smoke Kings by Jahmal Mayfield; Lilith by Eric Rickstad; The Great State of West Florida by Ken Wascom; Sanctuary by William Faulkner; Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad.

Follow Henry Wise on Instagram: @buzzbuzzbang and on Twitter (X): @henrywise05

I was thrilled to welcome back Edward Ashton for his third visit to talk about his latest release, Mal Goes to War. Mal is a dark comedy wrapped in a techno-thriller that is a a satirical take on war, artificial intelligence, and what it really means to be human. For this episode we talk about the amazing personality of Mal, the ensemble cast, some Mickey17 movie updates (based on Mickey7), and of course, spiders. Thank you so much Ed – this was great!

Edward Ashton recommends The Children of Time series by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Click here to reserve all Ed’s books.