What a thrill to host Garrard Conley for this episode! Conley is the author of the bestselling memoir, Boy Erased, about his time in a church supported conversion therapy facility, which became a major motion picture. For E141, we spoke about his fiction debut, All the World Beside, an electrifying, deeply moving novel about the love story between two men in Puritan New England. We talk about this time period, small town communities, religion & sexuality, writing ensemble characters, big hair (you’ll have to listen to find out), what he’s working on next, and more. Garrard, what a pleasure ..read more

Set against the unyielding backdrop of the Great Depression with an unforgettable cast of ornery characters, The County Line by Steve Weddle is a lyrical, loving celebration of community and opportunity in 1933 America. For this episode, Steve talked about outlaw camps, his deep dive into the history of the 1930s, his character development, and his “downright dazzling” debut novel, Country Hardball. He also shares some excellent book recommendations. I had such a blast, thank you so much Steve! Steve Weddle recommends:  Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett; Little Underworld by Chris Har ..read more

For this episode I was thrilled to host Anders de la Motte, one of Sweden’s most cherished crime writers, to talk about his latest American release, The Mountain King. This page-turning thriller is the first bestselling installment in his new Leo Asker series and The Mountain King is not to be missed. The son of a librarian, Anders talks all about his love of reading, being in the library during off hours, his love of Agatha Christie, his writing origin story and so much more. Thank you Anders! Anders recommends: the work of Jo Nesbo; Long Bright River by Liz Moore; the work of Agatha Christie ..read more

For this episode I was thrilled to host Guggenheim Fellow author Ellen Feldman to discuss her latest release, The Trouble With You. Ellen shares the inspiration behind this captivating 1940s NYC tale of women’s roles in the aftermath of WWII, the legacy these women left behind, and how it paved the way for the women’s movement of the 1970s. Ellen also provides a sneak peek into her next project and offers some fantastic book recommendations. Author Stacy Schiff says “The Trouble With You is exhilarating.” Thank you for joining me, Ellen! Ellen Feldman recommends: the work of Lissa Evans; The C ..read more

“Titles pop into my head as I’m falling asleep.” ~ Heather Levy What a thrill to host Heather Levy for this episode! I missed Heather for her debut Walking Through Needles and to say I was excited to host her for Hurt For Me, is an understatement! Edgar Award-nominated author Jess Lourey says, “Levy’s latest grips you by the throat from page one and never lets up. It’s a riveting, sexy, twisty mystery full of beautiful writing and characters you can’t help but care about.” And boy is that the truth about this terrific dark romance! For E137, we talk about the fabulous Hurt For Me, her debut Wa ..read more

“Roofers are the best storytellers…” ~ Amy Jo Burns We kick off 2024 the right way with author Amy Jo Burns! She sat down with me to talk about her 2024 release, Mercury, a compelling family drama about the Joseph family that takes place in the town of Mercury. The Josephs are a roofing family and their bonds of loyalty are tested when they uncover a long-hidden secret at the heart of their blue-collar town. The characters will stay with you long after you turn the last page. We also chat about her terrific debut Shiner, what she’s working on next, and more. Thank you Amy Jo! Follow Amy Jo Bur ..read more

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 Gl ..read more

May Day! May Day! One of the most likeable authors I know, May Cobb sat down with me for this episode to talk about her latest thriller, A Likeable Woman. Author Eliza Jane Brazier calls it, “An evocative tale filled with sultry glamour and secrets as thick as an East Texas pine forest.” May also shared ALL the info about her second book, The Hunting Wives becoming a limited series over on STARZ, and man I can hardly wait for that. And I also can’t wait for May’s 2024 release, The Hollywood Assistant. Great episode, thank you so much May! May Cobb recommends: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for ..read more

I am so late to the Suzanne Crain Miller party, and boy am I thrilled to be here! I read Suzanne’s most recent novel, Temperatures, over the summer and to say I was riveted is an understatement. Temperatures is a Southern noir page-turning thriller set in the oppressive summer heat of rural North Carolina. Police officers Mitchum Cobb and Cyrus Hogue partner up to battle what the volatile south dishes out in the wake of 2020. For this episode we talk about her amazing book Temperatures, how she develops her characters, how improv classes help her writing; what she’s working on next, and more ..read more

You all remember Episode 27 when I hosted Angie Kim for her Edgar Award winning debut, Miracle Creek. Well what a thrill to host Angie once again for her best-selling, GMA book of the month club choice, Happiness Falls! For this episode we go in depth to talk about Angelman Syndrome, non-verbal communication, flipping the mystery/suspense trope, the science behind the happiness quotient and so much more. Please give a listen to this fantastic episode. Thank you Angie Kim for taking time out of your busy tour to sit down with me for this episode! Angie Kim recommends: The Reason I Jump by KA Yo ..read more