A Book A Week

I’ve always been fascinated by what inspires an author to write a book. Think about it—authors have to come up with an idea compelling enough to sustain months, sometimes years, of writing. That idea then needs to be strong enough to get published, and ideally, resonate with readers. When you really stop to consider all that, it feels like a minor miracle that any book gets written at all. I’ve read and enjoyed several of Laura Lippman’s novels over the years, so when her publisher offered me a copy of her latest, Murder Takes a Vacation, I jumped at the chance. I was even more intrigued to learn that the protagonist is a side character from an earlier Lippman novel, one that the author now feels was shortchanged by the cultural blind spots of the time. That kind of creative reexamination is fascinating. But it left me wondering, can that kind of reflective impulse truly serve as the driving force for an entire novel?

Muriel Blossom never played the lottery, so it came as a shock when she stumbled upon a discarded ticket in a parking lot—one that turned out to be a winner. She tried to do the honest thing and return it. After all, she hadn’t purchased the ticket, so how could she claim the prize? But when no rightful owner came forward, the lottery board awarded the winnings to her. Suddenly, the widowed retiree found herself with more money than she’d ever dreamed, and she was determined to make the most of it.

That’s how Mrs. Blossom finds herself at the airport, about to embark on a European adventure and French river cruise. It feels like a turning point—a chance to shed the skin of the overweight, sixty-something grandmother and embrace something new. So when she meets the charming Allan in the airport security line, she allows herself to feel desirable again, something she hasn’t experienced since losing her husband a decade earlier. But when Allan turns up dead in Paris, a city he wasn’t even supposed to be visiting, Muriel’s suspicions grow. They only intensify aboard the river cruise, especially when Danny, a mysterious man with a knack for appearing at the wrong moments, begins shadowing her. He claims Allan was involved in smuggling a stolen, priceless work of art, and insists Muriel knows more than she’s letting on about both the artifact and Allan’s murder.

What began as a trip to reinvent herself is quickly turning into much more than she ever bargained for.

In the author’s note of Murder Takes a Vacation, Laura Lippman reflects on Muriel Blossom’s first appearance as a hired surveiller for her heroine Tess Monaghan back in the mid-2000s. At the time, Muriel was presented mainly as a caricature—an elderly grandmother figure defined by her flowery attire and weight. Now, Lippman writes of wanting to correct that, giving Muriel far more agency over her life, her appearance, and her desires. In this novel, that effort is largely successful. Muriel may retain many of the same surface characteristics, but she is now portrayed as a woman grappling with grief, aging, and a renewed determination to live life on her own terms. She remains a larger woman, but she embraces that fully. The stigma surrounding weight has rightfully shifted, and Lippman writes Muriel as vibrant, desirable, and a hero in her own right.

But does that transformation make for a compelling read? The answer is more complicated. Murder Takes a Vacation works well enough as a diverting summer mystery, but it often feels like a mash-up of genres. It leans toward the cozy mystery tradition, but there’s a darker undercurrent here that pushes beyond the usual conventions. While Lippman clearly set out to right some of the perceived wrongs of the character’s original portrayal, that effort sometimes feels more self-conscious than seamless. In the author’s note, she mentions learning more about obesity and aging, and working with sensitivity readers, but at times this seems to dilute the sharp, distinctive voice she’s known for. The result is a light, quick read whose aims I admire, even if the execution feels a bit more forced than organic.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 47)

I’ve often preached the good word about author Stephen King, urging readers to look beyond his horror proclivities—most of which he hasn’t fully embraced in decades—to recognize that he is, quite simply, one of the best authors writing today. His prose flows effortlessly, his plots are consistently imaginative (even if he doesn’t always stick the landing), and above all, he creates characters that feel fully lived-in. While I do enjoy the eerie, often unsettling situations that form the backbones of many of King’s novels, it’s the characters who keep me coming back.

Among the most compelling of those characters is Holly Gibney. What began as a supporting role in the Bill Hodges trilogy has evolved into something much larger—she’s now appeared in two standalone novels, a novella, and she continues to grow in complexity with each new outing. Clearly, she’s taken up as much space in King’s imagination as she has in ours. With Never Flinch, King brings Holly back for another dark, gripping mystery, cementing her place as one of his most enduring protagonists.

Detective Izzy Jaynes is at her wits’ end with her latest case. It begins with the Buckeye City Police Department receiving a letter from a disturbed individual threatening to kill thirteen innocent people and one guilty person, retribution, they claim, for a jury that wrongfully convicted an innocent man. The threat turns all too real when a murder victim is found clutching the photo of a juror involved in that conviction. When a second body turns up under the same circumstances, Izzy knows she needs help, and fast. She turns to her friend Holly Gibney.

Holly, meanwhile, has her hands full. As the head of the private detective agency Finders Keepers, she’s juggling multiple cases while working to keep the business afloat. Her latest assignment is serving as bodyguard to Kate McKay, a controversial and outspoken women’s rights activist on a multi-city speaking tour. While McKay’s events draw passionate supporters, they also attract aggressive detractors—one of whom has begun actively targeting her. What starts as disruptions quickly escalates, and Holly is brought on to provide protection. The task is anything but easy. Kate is headstrong, and the stalker is growing bolder, driven by wrath and a dangerous sense of righteousness. With two intense cases demanding her attention, Holly must work quickly to untangle both before more lives are put at risk.

In Never Flinch, Stephen King puts his beloved hero Holly Gibney at the center of two intersecting mysteries. There's no supernatural twist this time. As with her previous outing, the real horror lies in the monstrous acts ordinary people are capable of. Both plotlines build toward a convergence that showcases King at his page-turning best. That said, I found myself wanting to enjoy this novel more than I actually did.

Part of the issue lies in the setup of the two central cases, both driven by timely but overtly political themes. The injustices of the court system and the attacks on women’s rights are undeniably relevant, especially in today's climate. I often agree with King’s views, but here the political messaging felt more forced than organic, unlike the seamless way he incorporated COVID into Holly. The themes themselves are worthy. It's their execution that feels heavy-handed.

Then there’s the handling of queer characters. There is one possibly transgender character and two gay characters who seem to exist mainly to serve tragic ends. The language used doesn’t always reflect contemporary understanding or nuance, either. While I know King is passionately progressive on many issues, his portrayal of queer characters continues to lag behind the care and depth he affords others.

These missteps might have been easier to overlook if the mystery had delivered more surprises. The story builds nicely and ends in a satisfying place, but it all feels too predictable. Never Flinch is a decent crime novel, but it doesn't reach the heights of the best entries in the Holly Gibney series or in King’s larger body of work. I enjoyed it, but I expected more.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 46)

S.A. Cosby has quickly become one of my favorite authors. He writes dark, gritty crime novels rooted in the American South, stories populated by deeply flawed characters grappling with race, class, masculinity, and generational trauma. These are crime novels with teeth. Cosby’s voice is distinct, his perspective unflinching, and his storytelling electric. I first encountered his work with Razorblade Tears, a breakout novel that blew me away, and I’ve been a fan ever since. Now, with his latest release, King of Ashes, Cosby may have delivered his most complex, haunting story yet. It's a Southern noir epic with echoes of The Godfather, soaked in blood, betrayal, and moral reckoning. The book is relentless, gripping, and impossible to put down.

Roman Carruthers, the eldest of three grown siblings, has spent years avoiding his roots in the rundown town of Jefferson Run, Virginia. A successful financial advisor with a talent for turning big risks into bigger rewards, Roman has built a comfortable life far from the shadows of his past. But when his father is left comatose after a mysterious car crash, Roman returns home to help his fractured family pick up the pieces.

Waiting for him is his sister Naveah, who’s spent years holding things together, running the family business, Carruthers Crematorium, and managing their father's care. She’s also still chasing answers about their mother’s decades-old disappearance, though deep down, she suspects she already knows the truth. After all, as their father always said: “Everything burns.”

Then there’s Dante, the youngest Carruthers sibling, and a mess of grief and panic. At first, Roman assumes it’s all about their father. But soon, he learns Dante has gotten in deep with a dangerous drug crew, is heavily in debt, and is convinced the car crash wasn’t an accident. Roman, ever the fixer, tries to throw money at the problem. But he underestimates how dangerous real gangsters can be.

With few options left and time running out, Roman makes a deal. He’ll utilize his financial expertise to aid their illicit activities. He launders money, manipulates markets, anything to keep his family safe. But as the stakes rise, so do the secrets. And the gangsters are about to learn that Roman is far more dangerous than they imagined. Because when it comes to protecting his family, Roman isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Or bloody.

In King of Ashes, S.A. Cosby delivers an epic American crime novel that's gritty, emotionally rich, and bursting with raw, grounded characters. This is a story steeped in themes of family, love, loss, and the dark legacies we inherit. Roman is a prodigal son returning to the small-town traumas he once escaped. He’s built a life for himself far removed from Jefferson Run, only to be pulled back into its web of secrets and sins. His siblings react much like those in the original parable, being either unable or unwilling to see the good that his return could bring. The tension that unfolds from these strained relationships is masterfully rendered.

Cosby plots this drama with precision, pacing the novel in a way that builds both dread and depth. The stakes rise with each chapter, culminating in an unforgettable ending that is full of revelations, brutal inevitabilities, and a reckoning with the past that feels as mythic as it is deeply personal. With King of Ashes, Cosby continues to cement himself as one of the most powerful and essential voices in American fiction today. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Add it to your list.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 45)

Happy Pride Month! While I try to read books that feature diverse stories year-round, having dedicated celebratory months is a great reminder to keep making space for them. I’ve always been a sucker for a good mystery, devouring crime novels as quickly as I can, so when I saw that Erin Dunn had written a murder mystery and a gay romance, it felt like the perfect match. I dove in eagerly, and He's To Die For turned out to be, well… to die for.

Detective Rav Trivedi is a hotshot, and he knows it. At 29, he’s the youngest homicide detective in the NYPD, with a solve rate that even seasoned vets envy. He stands out in more ways than one. He’s a gay Brit with an Ivy League education and an impeccable sense of fashion. But his instincts are razor-sharp, and he has the track record to prove it. So when a high-profile record executive turns up dead, Rav is the obvious choice for the case.

He approaches the investigation with the confidence and precision it demands. The media is watching, the tabloids are circling, and social media is already buzzing. Rav stays focused until he meets Jack, the smoldering, emotionally tortured rock star with a potential connection to the crime. Is Jack a suspect? Absolutely. Is he also the kind of swoon-worthy distraction Rav doesn’t need but can’t resist? Also yes. And just like that, things start to get very complicated.

He's To Die For is a delightful genre mash-up that delivers something for everyone. There's a compelling murder mystery to satisfy crime lovers, and a slow-burn romance full of chemistry and charm for fans of love stories. Dunn strikes a smart balance between stakes and levity, infusing the novel with plenty of heart and humor. It’s the kind of feel-good, fast-paced story that’s incredibly hard to put down.

No, the mystery isn’t the most shocking I’ve ever read, but that’s not the point. This is warm, escapist fun that just happens to center on a queer love story, and that representation makes it all the more enjoyable. A little murder, a little romance, a lot of charm—He's To Die For is a stylish, satisfying read that's a perfect pick for Pride.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 44)

Dating in New York City isn’t easy, and Jane knows this all too well. While striving to make it as a playwright, she’s also on a quest for true love. Nothing less will do. It’s a tall order, so it’s no wonder her romantic luck has been dismal. That is, until she meets Colin, a kind, thoughtful software engineer who seems to understand her in a way no one else does. After six perfect dates, Jane is convinced he’s The One. So when Colin suddenly ends things, she’s blindsided but not discouraged. To her, it’s just a minor setback. She knows they’re destined to be together, and she’s determined to prove it.

Things take a turn when Colin starts dating Zoe, a rising Brooklyn artist who’s maddeningly perfect and, even worse, genuinely kind. But Jane is convinced Zoe can’t love Colin like she can. Determined to show him the truth, Jane takes matters into her own hands. When she sneaks into Colin’s apartment to dig up intel on her so-called rival, she makes a discovery that completely unravels her plan. What begins as a romantic pursuit quickly spirals into a tangled web of deception, secrets, and ultimately, murder.

In So Happy Together, Olivia Worley delivers a campy, twisty, over-the-top story of obsession, delusion, and desire. Told entirely from Jane’s perspective, we’re given full access to her warped logic and increasingly questionable motivations. I was immediately reminded of Caroline Kepnes’s Joe Goldberg from You, another character whose obsession is tethered to a bizarre sense of morality that only makes sense in their own mind. Worley writes with propulsive energy, dropping twists, reveals, and red herrings at just the right moments. It all culminates in a finale that’s as satisfying as it is unhinged. Is it realistic? Not at all. But that’s not the point. This is a quick, wild, and thoroughly entertaining page-turner that leans into the absurd, and that’s precisely what makes it so much fun.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 43)

"Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"

For fifty years, Saturday Night Live has graced the airwaves, delivering a steady stream of hilarious sketches, iconic guest stars, and unforgettable musical performances to audiences across the country. It has become synonymous with American comedy, launching the careers of countless stars over its half-century run. Yet for all that’s known about the show, far less is known about its creator and long-running producer, Lorne Michaels. The quiet Canadian has long kept a low profile, rarely speaking to the press. With the exception of a brief hiatus, during which NBC foolishly parted ways with him, Michaels has remained at the helm for nearly the entirety of the show’s run, recently completing its milestone 50th season. Now, for the first time, author Susan Morrison has been granted full access to Michaels, offering readers an unprecedented look at the man behind the legendary show and his extraordinary career.

It seems like destiny now, but for young Canadian Lorne Lipowitz, the path to comedy stardom was anything but guaranteed. Raised in a modest household, he discovered early on that he had a sharp wit and a natural ear for humor. Morrison traces Michaels’s journey from those formative years through his time in Canadian broadcasting, where he honed his skills as a writer and producer. She charts the ups and downs of his career, revealing how the groundwork for Saturday Night Live slowly came together long before the show ever aired.

How do you capture a lifetime, especially one intertwined with half a century of comedy history, in a single book? Morrison tackles the challenge by cleverly structuring the biography around the making of a single episode of SNL: the 2018 installment hosted by Jonah Hill. Each section corresponds to a day in the show's intense weekly schedule, from the pitch meeting on Monday to the live broadcast on Saturday night. The format serves as both a behind-the-scenes look at how the sausage gets made and an innovative framework to explore the many facets of Michaels’s life and legacy.

The result is a thorough and incredibly well-done biography. Lorne is insightful, entertaining, and rich with detail. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Saturday Night Live or simply fascinated by the people who shape pop culture from behind the scenes, Morrison’s portrait of Lorne Michaels is a must-read.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 42)