Bookreporter Talks To

Marie Benedict joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest book, THE QUEENS OF CRIME, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Marie read classic women's mysteries at a young age, as she was introduced to them by her aunt. Her love for the genre influenced this book, as well as her earlier work, THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE. Marie discusses the case that the five crime writers in the novel set out to unravel, explains why a case like this might have taken long to solve, and talks more about the legendary Detection Club. She also shares what she is working on now and notes a future collaboration, once again, with Victoria Christopher Murray.

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Joseph Finder: https://youtu.be/HIUUcBQeRWE

Scott Turow: https://youtu.be/tkbQ7yUU8GE

Michelle Horton: https://youtu.be/gQOWAirkZjE

Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/HCrR8j5CqT0

Lisa Genova: https://youtu.be/Bqo8ZBE52PU

Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/mazErQJJznY

Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs

Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE

Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT

Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI

Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg

Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs

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Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald

Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Joseph Finder joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss his latest thriller, THE OLIGARCH'S DAUGHTER, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Joe talks about writing the novel's two time frames and how the awareness of what oligarchs are has become a lot more timely in the past few years. He did some wilderness training for part of the book, and then vaulted to learn more about superyachts that are owned by the uber-wealthy. Joe explains the process of building his characters and what drives them. And yes, he shares what is next for him.

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Scott Turow: https://youtu.be/tkbQ7yUU8GE

Michelle Horton: https://youtu.be/gQOWAirkZjE

Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/HCrR8j5CqT0

Lisa Genova: https://youtu.be/Bqo8ZBE52PU

Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/mazErQJJznY

Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I

Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/1zF2MEJlito

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

Ashley Elston: https://youtu.be/nQgw214dyjs

Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE

Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT

Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI

Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg

Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs

Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/

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Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald

Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Ashley Elston joins us for our first "Bookaccino Live" Book Group event of 2025 to discuss her debut novel for adults, FIRST LIE WINS. This #1 New York Times bestseller and Bookreporter Bets On selection is now available in paperback.

Ashley talks about her writing process, which includes the brown butcher paper that lines her walls along with colored Post-it notes, and working with the software program Scrivener. Her past career as a wedding photographer enhanced her writing skills, and she explains how. She shares how the story's twists and turns came to her, as well as the reveals and how to keep the tension up.

Ashley also recalls how excited she was when the book was named a Reese's Book Club pick (which she had to keep secret) and what the past year has been like. Yes, it's been a whirlwind. And she talks about what's next for her.

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Michelle Horton: https://youtu.be/gQOWAirkZjE

Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/HCrR8j5CqT0

Lisa Genova: https://youtu.be/Bqo8ZBE52PU

Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/mazErQJJznY

Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I

Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/1zF2MEJlito

Susan Rieger: https://youtu.be/hl-ypqwZwfw

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE

Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT

Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI

Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg

Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs

Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/

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Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald

Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Scott Turow joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about his latest legal thriller, PRESUMED GUILTY. This Bookreporter Bets On selection marks the return of Rusty Sabich, following his starring roles in PRESUMED INNOCENT and INNOCENT. Scott explains his decision to write the book and why this may be the last time we see Rusty as a protagonist in one of his novels. He also shares the reason that he chose to make Aaron a young Black man who was adopted by white people.

Scott and Carol talk about the mantle of "accused murderer" and what that means to a person, which is something that two of his characters share. Carol notes Scott's very in-depth courtroom scenes, which leads to a discussion about their significance for the reader, as well as the topic of how justice may or may not be served according to who is on the bench, who is prosecuting and who is defending. And yes, they bring up some books-to-screen news.

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Michelle Horton: https://youtu.be/gQOWAirkZjE

Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/HCrR8j5CqT0

Lisa Genova: https://youtu.be/Bqo8ZBE52PU

Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/mazErQJJznY

Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I

Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/1zF2MEJlito

Susan Rieger: https://youtu.be/hl-ypqwZwfw

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE

Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT

Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI

Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg

Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs

Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/

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Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald

Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Michelle Horton joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about DEAR SISTER: A Memoir of Secrets, Survival, and Unbreakable Bonds, which has just released in paperback with bonus content and is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Michelle shares the harrowing story of how her sister, Nikki, a victim of domestic violence for years, was imprisoned after she killed her long-time partner. Two police officers knocked on Michelle's door one night and told her that she needed to come to the station to take Nikki's two- and four-year-old children to her home. She explains what that meant for her --- and her son --- and notes that she and her family were not aware of the abuse that Nikki experienced.

Michelle discusses how the Domestic Abuse Act that was passed in New York led to Nikki's early release. This law is only in effect in a few states, while others are fighting to get it on the books. She traces what happened at the trial and how information can be suppressed. Nikki was released on January 4, 2024, and the hardcover came out on January 30th. Michelle talks about including a chapter in the paperback edition to share what that experience was like, as well as the addition of a chapter from Nikki's point of view. The latter gives insight into how the past 16 years have taken a toll on Nikki and the path to normalcy.

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Tracey Lange: https://youtu.be/HCrR8j5CqT0

Lisa Genova: https://youtu.be/Bqo8ZBE52PU

Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/mazErQJJznY

Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I

Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/1zF2MEJlito

Susan Rieger: https://youtu.be/hl-ypqwZwfw

Jean Hanff Korelitz: https://youtu.be/EI-7XRrRWDI

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE

Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT

Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI

Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg

Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs

Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/

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Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald

Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Tracey Lange joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about her latest family-themed novel, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE McCRAYS?, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Tracey introduces readers to Kyle and Casey McCray, a divorced couple who are very much estranged. As Kyle returns home to Potsdam, New York, for a family emergency, their shared past haunts them in a way that gives them a chance to come back to one another.

But life gets in the way, again and again. There's middle-school hockey, which I never thought of as a way to bring a couple together, as well as the small town where people are close and are there for one another. The book is about trying to unwind the past in order to move forward. And yes, Tracey discusses Kyle's tattoos and why they were included in the story.

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Lisa Genova: https://youtu.be/Bqo8ZBE52PU

Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/mazErQJJznY

Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I

Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/1zF2MEJlito

Susan Rieger: https://youtu.be/hl-ypqwZwfw

Jean Hanff Korelitz: https://youtu.be/EI-7XRrRWDI

Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/1730g7zxRIc

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE

Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT

Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI

Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg

Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs

Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/

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Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald

Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Lisa Genova joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her latest novel, MORE OR LESS MADDY, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection. Lisa shares what drew her to write about a young woman with bipolar disorder and her research on the subject, which included conversations with people who have been diagnosed with it. She talks about how both the diagnosis and the treatment of bipolar disorder can be challenging; there is not one way to treat it, and treatment takes time.

Maddy longs to be a stand-up comedian, and Lisa explains how she learned more about that topic, including her own set on stage to give it a try. As always, Lisa speaks about wanting to have readers leave her books with empathy and understanding.

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Fiona Davis: https://youtu.be/mazErQJJznY

Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I

Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/1zF2MEJlito

Susan Rieger: https://youtu.be/hl-ypqwZwfw

Jean Hanff Korelitz: https://youtu.be/EI-7XRrRWDI

Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/1730g7zxRIc

Chris Whitaker: https://youtu.be/5pQQbuIA1GM

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE

Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT

Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI

Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg

Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs

Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/

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Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald

Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Fiona Davis joins Carol Fitzgerald to discuss her eighth novel, THE STOLEN QUEEN, which is set in Egypt in 1936 and New York City in 1978. The iconic New York building that is featured in this book, which is a Bookreporter Bets On selection, is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Fiona and Carol talk about the King Tut exhibit, as well as the Met Gala and how it has changed through the years. And yes, they share an admiration for Diana Vreeland. Fiona also reveals many details about her research, and she notes a book for further reading.

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I

Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/1zF2MEJlito

Susan Rieger: https://youtu.be/hl-ypqwZwfw

Jean Hanff Korelitz: https://youtu.be/EI-7XRrRWDI

Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/1730g7zxRIc

Chris Whitaker: https://youtu.be/5pQQbuIA1GM

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE

Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT

Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI

Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg

Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs

Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/

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Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald

Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Carol Fitzgerald shares commentary about her 40 Bookreporter Bets On selections from 2024. These are books that she is betting Bookreporter readers will love! (* means a video/podcast interview with that author is available.)

The Women by Kristin Hannah *

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali *

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston *

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews *

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams *

The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff *

The Stolen Child by Ann Hood *

Long After We Are Gone by Terah Shelton Harris *

The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella

The Mistletoe Mystery: A Maid Novella, by Nita Prose

The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl *

Leaving by Roxana Robinson

Boss Lady by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans

Like Mother, Like Mother by Susan Rieger *

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon *

Jackie by Dawn Tripp *

Did I Ever Tell You?: A Memoir, by Genevieve Kingston *

The Wives: A Memoir, by Simone Gorrindo *

What I Ate in One Year: (and related thoughts) by Stanley Tucci

Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir, by Ina Garten

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins *

What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena

End of Story by A. J. Finn

Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate *

Bad Liar by Tami Hoag

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker *

Bad Tourists by Caro Carver *

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave *

The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz *

The Grays of Truth by Sharon Virts *

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman *

What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan

Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger

One Wrong Word by Hank Phillippi Ryan *

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I

Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/1zF2MEJlito

Susan Rieger: https://youtu.be/hl-ypqwZwfw

Jean Hanff Korelitz: https://youtu.be/EI-7XRrRWDI

Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/1730g7zxRIc

Chris Whitaker: https://youtu.be/5pQQbuIA1GM

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE

Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT

Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI

Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg

Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs

Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/

FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter

Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald

Edited by Jordan Redd Productions

Carol Fitzgerald and Tom Donadio talked to seven Bookreporter reviewers about two of their favorite books of 2024. Our guests were Kate Ayers, Harvey Freedenberg, Pamela Kramer, Bronwyn Miller, Rebecca Munro, Ray Palen and Stuart Shiffman. Four reviewers — Sarah Rachel Egelman, Megan Elliott, Eileen Zimmerman Nicol and Norah Piehl — were not able to join us, so we presented their top picks and their comments about them in a slideshow. Their selections cover a wide variety of genres, and there may be a few books you haven't heard of that you will want to check out.

You can see a list of the featured titles, along with their covers, here: https://www.bookreporter.com/sites/default/files/Bookaccino_Live_Special_Event_Bookreporter_Reviewers_Share_Their_Favorite_Books_of_2024.pdf

Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews:

Sharon Virts: https://youtu.be/uXd5BHo2I1I

Paula Hawkins: https://youtu.be/1zF2MEJlito

Susan Rieger: https://youtu.be/hl-ypqwZwfw

Jean Hanff Korelitz: https://youtu.be/EI-7XRrRWDI

Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/1730g7zxRIc

Chris Whitaker: https://youtu.be/5pQQbuIA1GM

Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events:

Ariel Lawhon: https://youtu.be/rowGE3T2rfE

Amanda Peters: https://youtu.be/sWX2Mxw5fT

Shelley Read: https://youtu.be/3KdG1kIfcgc

William Kent Krueger: https://youtu.be/IsIQJn3vYNI

Ann Napolitano: https://youtu.be/VNYNugzjVbo

Kate Morton: https://youtu.be/P8nwLRTAaFg

Shelby Van Pelt: https://youtu.be/V2RbvnDn_rs

Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/

FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter

Website: https://www.bookreporter.com

Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald

Edited by Jordan Redd Productions