Category: Mystery

Ep 243: Patti Callahan Henry on The Story She Left Behind

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I’m so happy to share that Patti Callahan Henry returns to the podcast this week to discuss her new novel!

The Story She Left Behind is a beautiful, hopeful historical novel that explores female creativity, second chances, mother/daughter relationships, and a real-life literary mystery while also whisking us off to England’s Lake District and the world of Beatrix Potter.

Listen in as we dive into the kernels of curiosity and inspiration that led to the novel.

“Once again, Patti Callahan Henry proves that she is a magician with words… Graceful in its telling and so very wise in  its insights, The Story She Left Behind is a book that will capture your heart, lift your spirits, and delight your soul.”  —William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of This Tender Land 

 

Listen here or subscribe on Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.

 

About the Author:

Patti Callahan Henry is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of several novels, including Surviving Savannah and Becoming Mrs. Lewis. She is the recipient of the Christy Award, the Harper Lee Award for Alabama’s Distinguished Writer of the Year Award, and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year. She is the cohost and cocreator of the popular weekly online live web show and podcast Friends and Fiction. She lives in Alabama and South Carolina with her family. Find out more at PattiCallahanHenry.com.

 Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:

Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.

Links: 

Macmillan Audio

Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*A Bookish Home is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.

Ep. 223: Emily Layden on Once More From the Top – Think a Swift Style Rise to Fame Plus Murder

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Emily Layden is here this week to discuss her addictive new novel, Once More From the Top. Think a Taylor Swift style rise to fame—plus a possible murder.

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“A deliciously insider-y peek into the music industry and fame — Layden has a gift for making the world and her characters feel wonderfully real. You won’t be able to put it down.” — Rufi Thorpe, author of Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

 

About the Author:

Emily Layden is the author of All Girls, which she developed and wrote an adaptation of for HBO. A graduate of Stanford University, Emily has had her writing appear in The New York Times, Marie Claire, The Billfold, and Runner’s World. A former high school English teacher, she lives in upstate New York. Learn more: http://www.emilylayden.com

 

 Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:

Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.

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Links: 

Macmillan Audio

Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*A Bookish Home is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.

Ep. 218: Discover The Lost Letters from Martha’s Vineyard with Michael Callahan

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This week’s guest is Michael Callahan, author of The Lost Letters from Martha’s Vineyard, a captivating page-turner about two women bound by blood but divided by a long-buried secret, and the island that holds the key to the fateful summer that changed everything forever.

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“Compelling and evocative, The Lost Letters from Martha’s Vineyard is a page turner of the highest order. Michael Callahan’s novel does what few books do; it glued me to my seat. It is a great mystery with great insight into the secrets everybody keeps.” – Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Resurrection Walk

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

 

About the Author:

Michael Callahan is the author of the critically acclaimed novels Searching for Grace Kelly and The Night She Won Miss America, as well as a coffee-table history of the famed Musso & Frank Grill restaurant in Hollywood. A contributing editor at Vanity Fair, his work has been published in Esquire, Town & Country, and the New York Times, among others. He lives in Los Angeles. Learn more: http://www.callahanwrites.net

 

 Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:

Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.

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Links: 

Macmillan Audio

Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*A Bookish Home is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.

Ep. 206: Kristy Woodson Harvey on the Recipe for A Happier Life

Posted in Mystery, Romance, Summer Reading, WritingTagged , Leave a comment

What a joy to have bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey back on the podcast to discuss a must have book for your beach bag this summer- A Happier Life-about a woman who discovers the family she has always longed for when she spends a life-changing summer fixing up her grandparents’ mysterious house in North Carolina.

This is a big-hearted, feel good novel with mystery and romance plus a small town summer setting you won’t want to leave. I highly recommend picking up a copy.

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Everything about this novel reminded me of drinking sweet tea on a warm summer’s night while relaxing on a wide Southern porch, a ceiling fan slowly turning the air overhead. I smiled as I read the first page and breathed a contented sigh as I read the last—because A HAPPIER LIFE made me happier, too. Don’t miss it!

—Brenda Novak, New York Times bestselling author of Tourist Season

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

 

About the Author:

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including The Wedding Veil, Under the Southern Sky, and The Peachtree Bluff series, which is in development for television with NBC. A Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism, her writing has appeared in numerous online and print publications, including Southern Living, Traditional Home, USA TODAY, Domino, and O. Henry. Kristy is the winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize. Her books have received numerous accolades, including Southern Living’s Most Anticipated Beach Reads, Parade’s Big Fiction Reads, and Entertainment Weekly’s Spring Reading Picks. Kristy is the cocreator and cohost of the weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction. She blogs with her mom, Beth Woodson, on Design Chic, and loves connecting with fans on KristyWoodsonHarvey.com. She lives on the North Carolina coast with her husband and son where she is (always!) working on her next novel. Learn more: kristywoodsonharvey.com

 

Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:

Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.

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Links: 

Macmillan Audio

Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*A Bookish Home is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.

Ep. 195: Amy Tector on the Power of Critique Groups, Crafting Mysteries as a Pantser, and More

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This week, Amy Tector is back on the podcast to discuss Honor the Dead, the third book in her captivating Dominion Archives Mysteries series, which is perfect for Louise Penny fans.

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Honor the Dead is classic Amy Tector—an intriguing mystery peppered with fascinating historical tidbits and infused with a good dose of humor. Her cast of characters never disappoints and everyone is a suspect until the very last page. This book is too fun to put down. Don’t be surprised if you finish it in one sitting. —Kim Hooper, author of People Who Knew Me and No Hiding in Boise

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

About the Author:

Amy Tector was born and raised in the rolling hills of Quebec’s Eastern Townships. She has worked in archives for the past twenty years and has found some pretty amazing things, including lost letters, mysterious notes, and even a whale’s ear. Amy spent many years as an expat, living in Brussels and in The Hague, where she worked for the International Criminal Tribunal for War Crimes in Yugoslavia. She lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her daughter, dog, and husband. Learn more: https://www.amytector.com/

Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:

Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.

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Links: 

Macmillan Audio

Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*A Bookish Home is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.

Ep. 177: Ritu Mukerji Takes Us to 19th Century Philadelphia with a Pioneering Female Physician Turned Sleuth

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On this week’s episode, Ritu Mukerji is here to discuss Murder by Degrees, an atmospheric murder mystery set in 19th century Philadelphia, in which a pioneering woman doctor investigates the disappearance of a young patient.

murderbydegrees

“Like Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs, Lydia is a strong and indomitable woman who transcends her circumstances to become her true self and a crusader for social justice. This atmospheric novel heralds the arrival of a talented new writer and an unforgettable heroine.”—Kirkus Reviews (Starred)

 

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

About the Author:

Ritu Mukerji was born in Kolkata, India, and raised in the San Francisco Bay area. From a young age, she has been an avid reader of mysteries, from Golden Age crime fiction to police procedurals and the novels of PD James and Ruth Rendell. She received a BA in history from Columbia University and a medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. She completed residency training at the University of California, Davis and has been a practicing internist for fifteen years. She lives in Marin County, California, with her husband and three children. Learn more: https://ritumukerji.com/

 

Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:

Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.

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Links:

Macmillan Audio

Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*A Bookish Home is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.

Ep. 176: Nancy Jooyoun Kim Explores the Consequences of Family Secrets and Misunderstandings in What We Kept To Ourselves

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Today New York Times bestselling author Nancy Jooyoun Kim is here to discuss What We Kept to Ourselves, the much anticipated follow-up to Reese’s Book Club Pick, The Last Story of Mina Lee. Nancy began writing this riveting new novel twenty years ago and it follows a family’s search for answers after the disappearance of their mother.

What We Kept to Ourselves - Kim, Nancy Jooyoun

“Layers after layers of mystery are revealed with each chapter of this exquisitely written novel. What We Kept to Ourselves is a compelling, poetic, important, thought-provoking, and unforgettable read. Nancy Jooyoun Kim is a master storyteller who has the power to keep us spellbound and reminds us what we must do to make this world a better place.”–Nguyen Phan Que Mai, internationally bestselling author of The Mountains Sing and Dust Child

 

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

About the Author:

Nancy Jooyoun Kim is the New York Times bestselling author of What We Kept to Ourselves and The Last Story of Mina Lee, a Reese’s Book Club pick. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Learn more: https://www.nancyjooyounkim.com/

 

Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:

Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.

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Links:

Macmillan Audio

Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*A Bookish Home is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.

Ep. 174: Vanessa Riley Gives Us a Master Class in All Things Researching and Writing Historical Fiction

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This week, I’m thrilled to have acclaimed historical novelist Vanessa Riley here to discuss Murder in Drury Lane, which portrays the true diversity of the Regency-era and the hidden intrigue of England’s abolitionist movement, with an engaging heroine who has a talent for sleuthing.

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“In a time when Black and mixed-race people were marginalized and overlooked, the author brings these voices to the forefront through vibrant and well-developed characters. Readers will enjoy the Bridgerton-esque setting and dialogue and will keep working to uncover the clues. Combining elements of an Agatha Christie–style whodunit with the vivid portrayal of a more encompassing view of Regency-era England, the second Lady Worthing mystery does not disappoint.” —Library Journal

 

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

About the Author:

Vanessa Riley is the award-winning author of Island Queen, a Good Morning America Buzz Pick. Riley‘s historical novels showcase the hidden histories of Black women and women of color, emphasizing strong sisterhoods and dazzling multicultural communities. Her works encompass historical fiction, historical romance, and historical mystery and have been reviewed by the Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Publishers Weekly, and the New York Times. This Southern, Irish, Trini girl holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering and an MS in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University. Riley also earned a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. Her research skills have helped NASA, GM, Hewlett Packard, and several startups. Yet, her love of history (Caribbean, Georgian, and Regency) and lattes overwhelmed her passion for math and has led to the publication of over twenty titles. Vanessa is a member and former president of Regency Fiction Writers, a member of Georgia Writers Association, the Historical Novel Society, Crime Writers of Color, and on the Board of Directors of Christian Book Lovers Retreat. She’s an avid baker who loves creating her Trinidadian grandma’s cake recipes. You can find Vanessa writing on her southern porch with proper amounts of caffeine. To learn more please visit www.vanessariley.com  

 

Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:

Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.

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Links:

Macmillan Audio

Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*A Bookish Home is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.

Ep 172: Nina Simon on the Bestselling Debut Novel She Wrote as a Love Letter to Her Mom

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This week my guest is Nina Simon, author of the debut novel, Mother Daughter Murder Night,  a Reese’s Book Club Pick, New York Times Bestseller, Indie Next Pick, and more. 

This is a big-hearted mystery about a trio of amateur sleuths–a grandmother, single mom, and teenage girl–who come together to solve a murder in their coastal California town.

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“No novel has ever made family drama (or murder) this much fun.”

KATY HAYS, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE CLOISTERS

 

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

About the Author:

Nina Simon writes crime stories about strong women. A former NASA engineer, slam poet, and museum director, Nina lives with her family in an off-grid community in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Mother-Daughter Murder Night is her first novel. Learn more: https://ninaksimon.com/

 

Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:

Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.

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Links:

Macmillan Audio

Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*A Bookish Home is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.

Ep. 155: Liz Alterman on the Dark Side of Suburbia in The Perfect Neighborhood

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This week, Liz Alterman is here to discuss her riveting new novel, The Perfect Neighborhood, a thought-provoking read about the dark side of suburbia that will keep you up late turning the pages.

perfectneighborhood

 

“In theory, The Perfect Neighborhood is the ideal place to raise a family. In reality, it’s disturbing and completely riveting. Inside every house is another fascinating character, another lie, another betrayal. Reading this book made me feel like I lived in Oak Hill, and I refused to leave until every secret was uncovered.” 
—Samantha Downing, internationally bestselling author of My Lovely Wife and For Your Own Good.

 

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

 

About the Author:

Liz Alterman’s work can be found in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Parents, and other publications. In addition to The Perfect Neighborhood she is also the author of a young adult novel, He’ll Be Waiting, and a memoir, Sad Sacked. Liz lives in New Jersey with her husband and three sons. When she isn’t writing, Liz spends most days reading, microwaving the same cup of coffee, and looking up synonyms.

 

Browse Books Mentioned On This Episode:

Looking for a book mentioned on the podcast? Want to browse books by past guests? Visit A Bookish Home Podcast’s Bookshop.org page.

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Links:

Macmillan Audio

 

Happy Reading and Listening,

Laura Szaro Kopinski

ABookishHome.com

*A Bookish Home is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. At no extra cost to you, we receive a small commission if you purchase something through the Bookshop.org links provided.