In Episode 152, author Liz Nugent talks about her latest novel, Strange Sally Diamond. Liz is known for her dark and psychological storytelling. Strange Sally Diamond is character-driven, delving deep into psychology and trauma, and despite Sally’s damaged nature, Liz portrays her with empathy and nuance. Strange Sally Diamond challenges us to consider the “why” behind someone’s behavior. Plus, we get some great book recommendations from Liz.

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CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.

Highlights

• Liz shares a spoiler-free summary of Strange Sally Diamond.
• The literary character who inspired this story.
• The amazing way Liz wrote the psychological aspects in Strange Sally Diamond.
• Why Liz finds it easier to write from the male perspective and how that changed (or didn’t!) for writing Sally.
• All about those two different endings (UK vs. US editions) and the reasoning behind it!
• Liz’s philosophy about opening lines.
• The inspiration behind the opening line for Strange Sally Diamond.
• Liz shares a little about her next book — including her opening line (though that could change)!
• We get a little behind-the-scenes scoop about book cover art and an author’s role in choosing their book cover.

Liz’s Book Recommendations [32:45]

Two OLD Books She Loves

• I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:58]
• Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [37:08]
• Other Books Mentioned:
  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen [33:12]
  • Bleak House by Charles Dickens [33:13]
  • She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb [36:02]
  • All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby [41:05]

Two NEW Books She Loves

• Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:21]
• I Will Find You by Harlan Coben | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:33]
• Other Books Mentioned:
  • The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena [42:08]

One Book She Didn’t Love

• American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:17]

TWO NEW RELEASES She’s Excited About

• The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose (November 28, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:58]
• End of Story by A. J. Finn (February 20, 2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[49:43]
• Other Books Mentioned:
  • The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn [49:46]

Last 5-Star Book Liz Read

• The Lost Man by Jane Harper | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:54]

Other Books Mentioned

• Unraveling Oliver by Liz Nugent [1:44]
• Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent [1:47]
• Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent [1:48]
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee [3:27]
• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. [10:33]
• The Maid by Nita Prose [21:52]

Other Links

• Esquire | Book Publishing’s Broken Blurb System (September 7, 2023)