Tag Archives: Thriller

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, ThrillerTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

“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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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 UndoingTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

“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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E114: Interview with Deepti Kapoor, author of Age of Vice

February 24, 2023Author Interviewage of vice, Crime, debut, deepti kapoor, delhi, family saga, india, ThrillerTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

Equal parts crime thriller and family saga, transporting readers from the dusty villages of Uttar Pradesh to the urban energy of New Delhi, Age of Vice, a stunner by Deepti Kapoor is an intoxicating novel of gangsters and lovers, false friendships, forbidden romance, and the consequences of corruption. It is binge-worthy entertainment at its literary best. Age of Vice has already been optioned as a series by FX with Deepti Kapoor and her husband sharing screenwriting duties as they work together on the TV pilot. Age of Vice is the first in a trilogy about the Wadia crime family and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the second installment! What a wonderful interview, thank you so much Deepti!

Follow Deepti Kapoor on Instagram: @deeptikp

Deepti Kapoor recommends: Cremation by Rafael Chirbes; Ice by Anna Kavan; Masahisa Fukase Retrospective – Editions Xavier Barral

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Episode 94: Interview with May Cobb author of My Summer Darlings

June 2, 2022Author Interviewberkley publishing, Contemporary Fiction, East Texas, May Cobb, penguin random house, summer reading, Texas, ThrillerTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

“My Summer Darlings is spicy enough to make you sweat – until the suspense chills you to your core.” ~ Riley Sager, bestselling author of Survive the Night.

Named A Most Anticipated Novel of 2022 by Crime Reads, Goodreads, and more. My Summer Darlings is the story of three life-long friends and a dangerous, sexy new stranger in town which leads to a scorching summer of manipulation, obsession, and murder. Jen, Kittie, and Cynthia are three main characters in My Summer Darlings you won’t soon forget. For E94, May & I talked about how these women try to keep up appearances and keep their desires a secret. We also chat about Jake Ryan (yes that Jake Ryan), and what May is working on next. Thank you so much May!

May’s interview with the Dallas Morning News

May Cobb recommends: The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager; Watch Out For Her by Samantha Bailey; Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Sutanto

Follow May Cobb on Instagram @may_cobb; on Twitter @maykcobb; and on Facebook @MayKCobb

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Episode 76: Interview with Jeffery Deaver

December 3, 2021Author InterviewAmelia Sachs, Author Interview, Friday Reads, Jeffery Deaver, Lincoln Rhyme, locksmithing, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, The Bone Collector, The Locksmith, The Midnight Lock, The Steel Kill, Thriller, thrillers, toothpasteTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

Jeffery Deaver, the #1 international bestselling and award winning author of over 40 books, yes that Jeffery Deaver, sat down with me and man, what at a thrill! I’ve been a fan for a looong time. We talked about his latest book The Midnight Lock, writing books that make me lose sleep at night and why Jeffery Deaver is better than toothpaste. Not sure what all that means? Give a listen!

The Midnight Lock is a roller-coaster read that takes place over just a few days’ time, features surprise after surprise and offers a fascinating look at the esoteric world of lockpicking.

Jeffery Deaver recommends: Elsewhere by Dean Koontz

Place your hold here for The Midnight Lock by Jeffery Deaver

Place your holds here for our entire Jeffery Deaver collection!

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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 MorrisTop Shelf With Carol Ann Tack

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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