Tag Archives: Mystery

Episode 154: Interview with Sharon Short, author of Trouble Island

December 17, 2024Author InterviewAmerican Historical Fiction, gangsters, historical mystery, Jess Montgomery, Minotaur Books, Mystery, prohibition, Sharon Short, suspense, Thrillertopshelfatmerricklibrary

Inspired by a real place and events from her own family history, Trouble Island marks Sharon Short’s gripping debut in standalone suspense.

Many of you may also know Sharon as Jess Montgomery , the acclaimed author of the Kinship Mystery Series and a beloved guest on our show from episodes 45, 57, and 99. But for this episode, we dive into Sharon’s deep personal connection to the story in Trouble Island, we chat about monkeys, macaws, and murder (oh my!), her must-read book recommendations, what’s next on her writing journey, and so much more. Place your hold here for Trouble Island. Please your hold here for books by Jess Montgomery. Thank you, Sharon, for an insightful and engaging conversation!

Sharon Short recommends: the work of Erin Flanagan; Christina Consolino; Katrina Kittle; Meredith Doench; and The Rumor Game by Thomas Mullen.

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Episode 153: Interview with Susan Fletcher, author of The Night in Question

December 3, 2024Author Interviewageing, corrag, eve green, family relationships, Mystery, oystercatchers, susan fletcher, the highland witch, the night in question, women empowerment, Women's fictiontopshelfatmerricklibrary

What a very special episode featuring award-winning and award nominated author: Susan Fletcher!

The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher is hands-down one of my favorite books of 2024. This contemporary mystery is also a heartfelt exploration of a woman’s life—grief, joy, regret, and resilience all wrapped into one.

In this special episode, Susan and I dive into the story of the remarkable Florence “Florrie” Butterfield, how the book emerged as a hopeful response to the pandemic, and why Susan shines a light on overlooked characters and and the challenges of their lives. We also explore the wisdom and richness of older generations and even get a peek into Susan’s next project.

This is an episode about the power of women and the friendships that sustain us; a moving interview and I’m so grateful to have had the chance to chat with Susan Fletcher —don’t miss it! Thank you Sue, from the bottom of my heart! Reserve books by Susan Fletcher here.

Follow Susan Fletcher on IG, Bluesky, Twitter: sfletcherauthor

Susan Fletcher recommends: Orbital by Samantha Harvey; Ahab’s Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund

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Episode 149: Interview with Robert Justice, author of They Can’t Take Your Name

August 12, 2024Author InterviewA Dream in the Dark, Crime, crime novel, Crime Writers of Color, Denver, five points, Mystery, Robert Justice, The Innocence Project, They Can't Take Your Name, wrongful convictionstopshelfatmerricklibrary

Laced with atmospheric poetry and literature and set in the heart of Denver’s black community, They Can’t Take Your Name by Robert Justice is a gripping crime novel that pits three characters in a race against time to thwart a gross miscarriage of justice—and a crooked detective who wreaks havoc…with deadly consequences. This is the first in a three-part series of crime novels based upon the greatest injustice in our justice system-—wrongful convictions. The second in the series, A Dream in the Dark is on shelves right now, so don’t miss it!

For this episode, Robert Justice shares the very personal inspiration for his fiction debut, his love letter to Denver, his passion project, what he’s working on next, and more. Click here for more information about the Read a Book, Right a Wrong Project. Thank you so much for joining me, Robert!

Robert Justice recommends: No One Will Save Us by Julie L. Brown; The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. Listen to the Crime Writers of Color Podcast here!

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E135: Interview with Danielle Arceneaux, author of Glory Be

December 22, 2023Author Interviewdanielle arceneaux, glory be, glory broussard, Louisiana, Mystery, Mystery Series, pegasus crime, Simon and Schustertopshelfatmerricklibrary

Top Shelf is ending 2023 with the glorious Glory Be, a fantastic mystery by debut author Danielle Arceneaux. Glory Be is “Murder She Wrote” with an African American lead. Instead of Cabot Cove, readers will find themselves in Lafayette, Louisiana and you will want to take that journey! Glory Be is the first in a vivid and charming crime series set in the bayou, introducing readers to the hilariously uncensored amateur sleuth Glory Broussard. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club. For this episode Danielle Arceneaux talks about writing her debut, what’s next for Miss Glory herself and so much more. Glory Be is a must read, a perfect gift, and a series we all look forward to. Thank you so much for joining me Danielle!

Danielle Arceneaux recommends: The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman; The Housekeepers by Alex Hay

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E125: Interview with Erin E. Adams author of Jackal

June 8, 2023Author Interviewbantam books, Black fiction, Erin E Adams, Horror, horror debut, Jackal, johnstown, Mystery, penguin random house, Pennsylvania, suspense, Thrillertopshelfatmerricklibrary

This marvelous debut, Jackal, by author Erin E. Adams is one of those books best read with the lights on! Recommended by Gillian Flynn on the Today Show, Jackal is the story of a young Black girl who goes missing in the woods outside her rust belt town. But she isn’t the first—and she may not be the last. So when Liz Rocher goes back to this town to attend her best-friend’s wedding she gets much more than she bargained for. Filled with gorgeous prose, this hair-raising debut will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. I loved it. For this episode, we chat about Erin’s inspiration for the story, her hometown of Johnstown, PA, her love for libraries, what she’s working on next and so much more. Thank you Erin!

Erin E. Adams recommends the Fall 2023 releases of, What Kind of Mother by Clay McLeod Chapman; Nestlings by Nat Cassidy; The Black Girl Survives in this One: A YA Horror Fiction Anthology.

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E115: Interview with Cheryl A. Head, author of Time’s Undoing

February 27, 2023Author InterviewAlabama, Cheryl A. Head, Crime, dutton press, Mystery, Mystery Series, penguin random house, Thriller, Time's Undoingtopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Times Undoing is a harrowing yet beautiful journey into the heart of darkness that beats in the center of the American Experience. A tour de force.” —S.A. Cosby, NYT bestselling author of Razorblade Tears and Blacktop Wasteland

Totally star-struck to have interviewed Cheryl A. Head for this episode and she was kind enough to let me wax rhapsodic about all her books, especially Time’s Undoing. For E115, Cheryl explained how Time’s Undoing was inspired by her own family history, and what it was like to write in the voice of her grandfather. We also talk about her fantastic Charlie Mack Motown Mystery Series, and what Cheryl is working on next. Cheryl A. Head has some marvelous things to share on that topic, so give a listen to find out what’s next for her. Thank you so much for sharing your story in Time’s Undoing, Cheryl!

Cheryl A. Head recommends: Shutter by Ramona Emerson. Authors noted: Wanda M. Morris; Denny S. Bryce; Sadeqa Johnson.

Follow Cheryl on Twitter: @cheaddc and Instagram: @cheadwrites

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Episode 73: Interview with Wanda M. Morris!

November 5, 2021Author InterviewAtlanta, Harper Collins, Lawyers, Lesa Holstine, Library Love Fest, Mystery, Secrets, Thriller, Wanda Morristopshelfatmerricklibrary

This buzzy debut thriller, All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris has all the things and has made all the lists! NYT best-selling author Karin Slaughter says, “All Her Little Secrets is a brilliantly nuanced but powerhouse exploration of race, the legal system, and the crushing pressure of keeping secrets. Morris brings a vibrant and welcome new voice to the thriller space.” — Karin Slaughter

In this fast-paced debut, Wanda M. Morris crafts a twisty mystery about a black lawyer who gets caught in a dangerous conspiracy after the sudden death of her boss. Perfect for fans of Attica Locke, Alyssa Cole, Harlan Coben, and Celeste Ng, with shades of How to Get Away with Murder and John Grisham’s The Firm.

We talked about her incredible main character, Ellice Littlejohn, Wanda’s love for libraries, and what it was like being a Library Journal cover girl. This episode is action packed and to say I loved speaking with Wanda M. Morris is an understatement. Give a listen!

Wanda M. Morris recommends: Her Name is Knight by Yasmin Angoe

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