Tag Archives: Mystery

E135: Interview with Danielle Arceneaux, author of Glory Be



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


E125: Interview with Erin E. Adams author of Jackal



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.

 


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



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


Episode 73: Interview with Wanda M. Morris!



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