The Bookshop at the End of the Internet

Author Heather Weidner discusses her new cozy mystery series, the Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries. The first book, Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers, is out now. This series is set outside Charlottesville, VA in a luxury camping resort where, as in all good cozy mysteries, life seems to be complicated by mystery, mayhem and murder. Heather chats about how her love of mysteries started with Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew and how growing up as a cop's kid meant her family talked about "true crime" before it was popular.

Author Christopher Parker discusses his debut novel, The Lighthouse. A young couple's chance encounter in a small seaside town known for its haunted lighthouse places them on a path to discover long-kept secrets and the shocking reason why fate brought them together. Christopher has crafted a story that mixes mystery, adventure, romance and magical realism. After the birth of his daughter, he was inspired to write that full-length novel he'd always wanted to write. Ten years later, The Lighthouse is now complete.

Author Adrian Spratt discusses his new novel, Caroline. In 1980's New York City, practical, goal-driven lawyer Nick meets free-spirit Caroline, and they develop a romance that is at times wonderful but may ultimately be doomed. The story follows Nick as he navigates mainstream society as a blind man, something Adrian Spratt knows about personally, having lost his sight at age 13. Adrian also practiced law for 20 years in NYC, so he draws on his own experiences in this character-driven work of fiction.

Author Shirley Reva Vernick discusses her latest novel, Ripped Away. It is a YA mystery featuring a teen boy named Abe, his crush Mitzy, a fortune teller's prophecy, time travel, the slums of Victorian London and Jack the Ripper. The novel is based on real historic events, including the Ripper crimes and inquests, as well as the accusations made against Jewish immigrants at that time. Shirley hopes her books inspire teens to consider their own responses to intolerance and learn the importance of helping others.

Author Zach Sabra discusses his debut novel, Land of Demons: A New Age Dawns. It's the first installment in the Land of Demons series, a sweeping and gritty fantasy that starts as young adult but is intended to grow with readers in terms of content, symbolism and violence. Zach's background is in screenwriting and game design. Land of Demons has been 20 years in the making and is inspired by Zach's love of movies, anime and video games, especially Lord of the Rings, Samurai Jack and the video game Spyro.

Author Marina Brown discusses her latest work, a short story collection titled, When Women Danced with Trees. This collection contains thirty-five short stories, some of which are inspired by Marina's own life and travels. When Women Danced with Trees is a collection that was years in the making, and her stories will make you laugh and cry, daydream of far-away places, and contemplate both the fragility of life and resilience of the human spirit. Marina also gifts us with a reading of one of her stories.

Author George R. Dekle, Sr. discusses his latest true-crime book, The East River Ripper: The Mysterious 1891 Murder of Old Shakespeare. Shortly after Jack the Ripper terrorized London, New York City had its own Ripper-like murder—that of Carrie Brown, a prostitute who went by the name of Old Shakespeare. The police arrested a suspect, but much controversy surrounded the investigation, arrest and trial. Did the police arrest the right person? If not, who did commit the murder? Was it really Jack the Ripper?

Author Laurie Wallmark discusses her new children's picture book, Dino Pajama Party. With this book, Laurie explored her love of fiction and writing in verse. Dino Pajama Party is Laurie's first picture book for the youngest of readers, a departure from the books she usually writes. She is also the author of five other children's book biographies about women in STEM, and she has more STEM biographies on the way. For all her books, Laurie has activity kits and teacher guides available on her website.

Author D.S. Lang discusses her new series, the Arabella Stewart Historical Mysteries. Debbie's novels are set in Northern Ohio at the end of World War I. Her main character, Arabella Stewart, arrives back home after serving as a US Army Signal Corp operator in the Great War. Debbie's stories involve a colorful mix of post-war recovery, women's suffrage, prohibition, gangster bootlegging, championship golf tournaments and, of course, murder. The first four books in the series are available now.

Author Daniel Powell discusses his debut middle grade novel, Paper Birds and Other Flying Objects. This delightful story is about a ten-year-old girl named Ellie who loves books, origami and adventures. Unfortunately for Ellie, everyone thinks she's weird, and Ellie believes they may be right when she discovers she has magical powers. Paper Birds and Other Flying Objects is a story about being an outsider, which is a theme that Daniel has been writing about since he was a kid.