We’re back with another Sidebar conversation and coming into September aligned and invigorated with a sense of new beginnings and possibilities. We’ve got major back to school vibes that provide the momentum we need to propel us through the end of the year. Incredible new book releases and TV shows we’ve been waiting for are only adding to these inspiring feels. Listen now to our full episode to see what’s got us so excited!

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On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome Chelsea Bieker to discuss her new novel Madwoman, an emotionally gripping story about Clove, a mother who has constructed a perfect life based on lies. When she receives a letter from her mother in prison, her past comes crashing back, and she must confront the truth.

We chat with Chelsea about themes of motherhood, reinvention, the desire for self-improvement, the complexities of justice and pity, intergenerational trauma, the impact of male violence, and the healing power of storytelling. She tells us about her choice to use the second-person narrative and the intimately vulnerable power of addressing the reader directly.

Madwoman is out now and it will stay with you as it has with us long after you turn the last page. Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat with Chelsea wherever you get your podcasts.

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It’s time for another Sidebar conversation – a cheeky reference to the fact that we’re both lawyers and love to have conversations incidental to our main topics and episodes – where we let you in on our lives and what we’re obsessing over in pop culture. In today’s episode we talk about how sometimes real life is better than Instagram, the joyful status of Kate's summer bucket list, Carinn’s obsession with Chappell Roan, and whether Jennifer Lopez is the new Elizabeth Taylor. Listen to hear how the writer’s subconscious has manifested itself as Carinn has been discussing The Astrology House in interviews!

The PFW Sidebar is now in session! Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome back Colleen McKeegan to discuss her sophomore novel, Riptide, a heartfelt and suspenseful story about two sisters returning to their childhood beachfront home who are forced to confront their traumatic past when a body washes ashore.

We chat with Colleen about the two sisters at the heart of Riptide, Kimmy and Erin, and their complicated bond, weaving from their high school years and their present-day lives in their early 30s; the use of this dual timeline to build tension and explore the ways the past infects the present; the nostalgia of the early 2000s; the themes of female desire, slut-shaming, and the portrayal of sex in the novel; and finding that perfect title.

Riptide is out now!

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On today’s Complicated Conversation, we are thrilled to welcome back New York Times bestselling author, Karin Slaughter. Karin is one of the world's most popular and acclaimed storytellers, as well as one of the funniest and most entertaining interviewees! She talks with us about her new novel, This Is Why We Lied, Book 12 in the acclaimed Will Trent series, which is a locked room mystery set at a secluded lodge resort during Will and Sarah’s honeymoon.

We chat with Karin about the series, the TV adaptation on ABC, and how Will Trent always lives in her brain (even when writing her other stand alone novels); the exploration of intergenerational trauma in the novel and the importance of humanizing victims and challenging societal judgments; why she wanted to explore the themes of truth and lies; the enduring appeal of a locked room mystery; her role in the adaptations of her novels and the ways she continues to challenge herself professionally (which blew us away!).

This Is Why We Lied is out now! Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat wherever you get your podcasts.

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On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome back Rachel Koller Croft to discuss her new novel, We Love the Nightlife, a book that follows two best friends who open a nightclub in London, and also happen to be vampires.

We chat with Rachel about how vampires never go out of style; how the disco dancing queen era of the 70s is the epitome of glamor and why she wanted to incorporate this party girl era into her novel; the challenges of writing dual timelines and alternating points of view; the complexities of female friendship; and her personal inspirations (Michael Jordan and Judy Blume, yep you read that right!).

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It’s time for another Sidebar conversation – a cheeky reference to the fact that we’re both lawyers and love to have conversations incidental to our main topics and episodes – where we let you in on our lives and what we’re obsessing over in pop culture. In today’s episode - the last one of Leo season for Kate and the last one from LA for Carinn - we discuss live events (music and authors!), what makes us liars, summer bucket lists, movies and TV, former President Obama’s summer reading and playlist, and finally, the current state of reality TV shows. Listen to hear Carinn lament the offerings this summer and please watch Kate’s (always) clueless, yet intrigued, facial expressions in response! 

The PFW Sidebar is now in session!

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In this episode of Complicated Conversations we welcome back Laurie Elizabeth Flynn to discuss ‘Till Death Do Us Part, her new thriller set in the vineyards of Napa Valley that asks: what happens when the husband you thought died years ago shows up alive?

We chat with Laurie about her inspiration for the characters, the challenges of writing her second adult novel, how the use of dual timelines in her books allows her to explore the ways in which the past informs the present, the themes of motherhood and marriage in this novel and the recurring themes that emerge in her work, such as secrets, lies, grief, and second chances.

‘Till Death Do Us Part is out now and it’s an absolute page-turner! Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat with Laurie wherever you get your podcasts!

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It’s time for another Sidebar conversation – a cheeky reference to the fact that we’re both lawyers and love to have conversations incidental to our main topics and episodes – where we let you in on our lives and what we’re obsessing over in pop culture. In today’s episode, Kate’s high school reunion weekend leads to a discussion of being seen vs bearing witness and extroverts vs introverts; what interviews with Karin Slaughter and Laura Dave taught us about late-career breakthroughs; Maren Morris’ newly released EP following her divorce and, yes, that OTHER divorce news (could this really be our last Sidebar discussing Bennifer 2.0 and what went wrong!?).

All Rise! The PFW Sidebar is now in session!

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On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome Sophie Brickman to discuss her debut novel, Plays Well With Others, a wickedly funny and incisive story that follows a mother trapped in the rat race of NYC parenting as her life unravels.

We chat with Sophie about her journey from food writer/journalist to non-fiction author and now to debut novelist; her exploration of the themes of motherhood, identity, and the pressures of parenting; the satirical, insightful, and big-hearted tone of the novel; and her writing process and personal inspirations.

Plays Well With Others is out now!

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