In today’s Complicated Conversations, we welcome bestselling author Samantha Downing to discuss her latest novel, Too Old For This, a story about a wickedly funny female serial killer who has to come out of retirement to protect her past. 

We chat with Sam about her unforgettable heroine, Lottie Jones, who came into her mind and demanded her story be told. We discuss the themes of anger, the societal expectations placed on women (particularly aging ones!), the nature of truth and lies, and the evolution of modern thrillers. 

Too Old For This is out now! Buy it, read it, and share it!

On this episode, we side bar on the identity crisis of the rom-com, how mutual admiration is the foundation for love, sexing up Taylor Swift and covering up Pam Anderson - why we're here for both. And since we're talking about bodies, we discuss anxiety disorders vs eating disorders by way of reality TV lessons.

On today’s episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome Cleyvis Natera to discuss her new thriller, The Grand Paloma Resort, which explores the complexities of sisterhood, the impact of tourism on local communities, and the themes of race and class in the Dominican Republic. Through the characters of Laura, Elena, and Vida, Cleyvis delves into the responsibilities and burdens of familial relationships, the healing power of community, and the dynamics of sex and power. She also shares insights into her writing process and the influences that shaped her work. 

The Grand Paloma Resort is out now! Buy it, read it, share it, and listen now to our chat!

In this episode, we deep dive into the soapy sapphic thriller, The Hunting Wives. Based on a book by May Cobb and led by showrunner Rebecca Cutter, this Netflix summer binge series has everyone talking - and for good reason!

At the heart of the story are two very complicated women, Sophie and Margo, played brilliantly by Brittany Snow and Malin Ackerman. Sophie, portrayed as an outsider grappling with her identity, finds herself drawn to Margo's seemingly carefree and untethered lifestyle. As we explore their dynamic, we uncover Sophie's internal struggle with control and desire, and Margo's influence on Sophie and so many others around her. We even see some similarities to our own dynamic - listen to hear how a 'Sophie' (Kate) and a 'Margo' (Carinn) try to unpack the psychology of this show.

We also delve into the show's steamy scenes, examining how they contribute to the narrative, and discuss the mystery and thriller elements that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Additionally, we ponder the show's mass appeal, trying to understand why it captivates us so thoroughly. Join us as we unravel the layers of this show and its characters.

On today’s Complicated Conversation we welcome back Karin Slaughter, the author of twenty-five instant New York Times bestselling novels, to delve into the gripping world of "We Are All Guilty Here," the first book in a thrilling new series. The story kicks off with the kidnapping of two young girls, drawing us into the life of Emmy Clifton, a determined sheriff's deputy. As Emmy navigates the complexities of her personal and professional life, we explore her deep connections to the case and her community. Alongside Emmy, we meet Jude, a retired FBI agent whose past intertwines with the present mystery. Together, they unravel a web of secrets in the fictional town of North Falls, Georgia. 

Listen as we reflect on Karin’s remarkable career, her writing process and the themes in her novel of family, community, accountability, the silent struggles of women, and society’s obsession with true crime. This episode promises a deep dive into character development and the intricate storytelling that makes Karin’s work so compelling.

We Are All Guilty Here is out now!

In today’s Sidebar episode we dive into the fiery energy of Leo season, reflecting on the transition from the emotional depths of Cancer; share personal experiences, from Kate's upcoming birthday trip to Las Vegas to see the Backstreet Boys at The Sphere, to Carinn's creative breakthroughs during Cancer season. We also explore the complexities of relationships, both fictional and real, discussing the latest season of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" and the dynamics of chemistry in Netflix's "Building the Band." The two are both obsessing over true stories of TV - The Jinx for Carinn and the Billy Joel docuseries for Kate.

In this episode of Debut Discussions, we dive into the captivating world of Our Secrets Were Safe with author Virginia Trench. Discover the inspiration behind this thrilling novel, where two friends grapple with the aftermath of a crime they thought was long ago buried. Virginia shares her journey from a lifelong dream to be a published author, exploring themes of past secrets, privilege, the role of female rage in contemporary literature, and the complex relationships that shape her characters. Join us as we unravel the layers of this gripping story and the intentionality behind giving a voice to the victim, Sophia, in a narrative filled with suspense and intrigue.

Listen now to Virginia’s story! Our Secrets Were Safe is out now - buy it, read it, share it (in other words, make a debut author’s dreams come true!).

On this episode of Seven Questions we welcome Emily Harding to take her chance with a deck of cards that will lead us on a hi-low therapy session, putting her and the characters of her new romance novel, How Freaking Romantic, on the “couch”! Emily chats with us about her journey as a writer, the complexities of love and anger, and the importance of vulnerability in relationships. She shares insights on creating “unlikable” characters, the struggle of asking for help, and the collaborative nature of writing (Emily is one-half of the writing duo behind the For the Love of Austen series, including Emma of 83rd Street and Elizabeth of East Hampton).

Emily was such a good sport - you’ll love this chat! How Freaking Romantic is out now!

"What if the perfect life you see online is just a well-crafted lie? In today’s episode of Complicated Conversations, we chat with bestselling author Jo Piazza about her new thriller, Everyone Here Is Lying. We explore the world of Tradwife influencers, the curated illusions they create, and the societal implications of these online personas. Jo shares her insights on the patriarchy, the reality behind influencer culture, and how these themes inspired her gripping novel. Don't miss this deep dive into the intersection of fiction and reality!

On today’s Complicated Conversations, we welcome Clemence Michallon, author of international bestseller The Quiet Tenant, to discuss her new thriller, Our Last Resort. Fifteen years ago, Frida and her brother escaped a cult. Now her brother is the prime suspect in a murder investigation—and it isn’t the first time.

We chat with Clemence about sibling dynamics, whether you can ever really know someone, her obsession with cults and their impact on identity, writing dual timelines “on steroids,” and the significance of music in her work.

Our Last Resort is out now! Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat wherever you get your podcasts!