Monthly Archives: March 2023

E120: Interview with Eli Cranor, author of Ozark Dogs

March 30, 2023Author InterviewArkansas, Don't Know Tough, Eli Cranor, Ozark Dogs, Ozarks, Soho Crime, southern crime, Thrillertopshelfatmerricklibrary

“A feud between Arkansas families escalates with the fury of Greek tragedy. Family loyalty, young love, honoring the dead—they’re all here, and they all go terribly wrong in Ozark Dogs.” –Kirkus

Eli Cranor joined me for Episode 87 to talk about his gripping debut, Don’t Know Tough, and for this episode he joins me to talk about his brand new book, Ozark Dogs. Once again, Eli’s book hits all the must-read lists and it’s easy to see why: in this Southern thriller, two families grapple with the aftermath of a murder in their small Arkansas town. I devoured Ozark Dogs in two days – it’s fantastic. Give a listen to our conversation. Thanks so much to Eli Cranor for joining me once again!

Eli Cranor recommends: Everybody Knows by Jordan Harper; Five Decembers by James Kestrel; The Hunt by Kelly Jo Ford; The Good Ones by Polly Stewart; The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grames; How Children Succeed by Paul Tough; the works of Alex Taylor; the works of Walter Tevis

Follow Eli Cranor on Twitter: @elicranor. Reserve copies of both of Eli’s books here.

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E119: Interview with Jenny Jackson, author of Pineapple Street

March 23, 2023Author Interviewbestseller, brooklyn, debut, debut author, family drama, family fiction, family life, jenny jackson, Pamela Dorman Books, penguin random house, pineapple streettopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Full of witty and caustic observations about a privileged class of New Yorkers, Pineapple Street is a sharp and juicy satire.” So says bestselling author Nita Prose about the transporting and lush debut by Jenny Jackson, Pineapple Street.

For E119, best-selling debut author Jenny Jackson shares what it’s like to be on the other side of the editorial desk, a potential screen treatment of the book, what she’s working on next and more. Please don’t miss the audiobook of Pineapple Street performed by the amazing Marin Ireland. Thank you so much Jenny!

Jenny Jackson recommends: Games and Rituals by Katherine Heiny; Big Swiss by Jen Beagin. Follow Jenny Jackson on Instagram @jennyjacksonpineapple; on Twitter @JennyeJackson. Read Jenny’s Literary Hub piece here. Place you hold for Pineapple Street here.

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E118: Interview with Alma Katsu, author of Red London

March 20, 2023Author Interviewalma katsu, espionage, red london, red widow, the deep, the fervor, the hunger, the wehrwolf, Thrillertopshelfatmerricklibrary

“The whole reason I started to write this series was to showcase women in the intelligence field today; what they’re like and how they do their job.” ~Alma Katsu on writing the Red Widow series.

Red London is a sharp and nuanced race-against-the-clock story ripped from today’s headlines, a testament to author Alma Katsu’s thirty-five-year career in national security. It’s a rare spy novel written by an insider that feels as prescient as it is page-turning and utterly unforgettable. The thrills begin with the very first sentence.

Alma Katsu’s Lyndsey Duncan character appears in both in Red Widow and Red London. The best part is, you don’t have to read these titles in any particular order; start with either and hang on for the ride. Both books offer a fresh look at the high cost of doing business as an agent. Impossible to put down. Thank you so much for joining me Alma Katsu!

Alma Katsu recommends: The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka; Women Talking by Miriam Toews Follow Alma Katsu on Twitter & Instagram: @almakatsu. Reserve all Alma Katsu titles here!

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E117: Interview with Kristen Loesch, author of The Last Russian Doll

March 13, 2023Author Interviewberkley publishing, dual timelines, historical fiction, Kristen Loesch, penguin random house, Russia, russian history, Russian Revolution, The Last Russian Doll, The Porcelain Dolltopshelfatmerricklibrary

“With hauntingly beautiful prose, Kristen Loesch has delivered an epic, dual timeline tale that deftly transports you to the Russian revolution and the life-altering crucible that came after it. The Last Russian Doll is utterly compelling. You won’t be able to put it down.”
—Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things

For this episode, debut author Kristen Loesch shares the story of her childhood dream of writing an epic love story which in turn, becomes her epic novel, The Last Russian Doll. We also talk about Kristen’s inspiration for the story, her gorgeous flash fiction, what she’s working next, and so much more. I loved this interview, thank you so much Kristen!

Kristen recommends: Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu; and The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

Follow Kristen on Instagram @kristenloeschwriter; and place your hold here for The Last Russian Doll.

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E116: Interview with Ed Ashton, author of Antimatter Blues

March 7, 2023Author Interviewantimatter blues, ed ashton, genetic engineering, Macmillan, mickey 7, Science Fiction, St. Martin's Press, the end of ordinary, three days in apriltopshelfatmerricklibrary

“I felt like there was more to be said…that’s the essence of all writing.” ~ Edward Ashton on continuing the Mickey7 series.

For Episode 82, I had the pleasure of hosting Edward Ashton to talk about Mickey7 and for this episode, we talk about the sequel, Antimatter Blues. Antimatter Blues is a thrilling follow-up to Mickey7, soon to be a major motion picture by Academy Award-winning director Bong Joon-Ho. Library Journal gave Antimatter Blues a starred review and says the book is, “a nonstop SF adventure from beginning to end.” Antimatter Blues is a direct sequel and picks up two years after the events in Mickey7 so hold on to your hats! Thanks so much for joining me once again Ed!