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A Talent for Murder follows Martha, a newly married librarian who suspects her husband Alan, a traveling salesman, might be involved in a series of murders. Martha enlists the help of her old friend Lily to investigate Alan's activities, which uncovers other mysterious individuals tracking him. In this episode, we also discuss some of Peter Swanson's other works and classic mystery authors, such as Patricia Highsmith and Agatha Christie. Peter also shares insights about the influence of these authors on his writing and provides some of his favorite book recommendations.

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The Blackhouse unfolds on a remote Scottish island, and it integrates two narratives: a man grappling with past actions and a bipolar woman investigating a historical murder. The novel combines supernatural elements, suspense, and deep character studies. Carol shares insights on the eerie setting of the Outer Hebrides, her inspirations, and the process of writing complex, multi-faceted characters. She also touches on her journey as an author, her past work, 'Mirrorland,' and hints at her upcoming book. The episode emphasizes the atmospheric settings and richly layered plots that Carol is known for.

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Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell centers on Hannah, a young woman obsessed with a true-crime case in Atlanta after a breakup, who starts writing to the suspect, leading to an unexpected romance. The discussion also touches on the phenomenon of women falling in love with real-life serial killers and explores themes of modern dating and millennial struggles. Additionally, Tasha shares her reading preferences and inspirations for the book, giving readers a mix of thrill, fun, and relatability.

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Begin Again follows Frankie McKenzie, who, after a freak accident, finds herself in an otherworldly Station where she can revisit key moments in her past to explore alternate life paths. Victoria and Heli discuss the book's themes, the inspiration behind the Station, and the idea of life's pivotal crossroads. They also play a fun time travel game and delve into Heli's previous works, 'The Shelf' and 'The Couple.' Heli shares her writing journey, advice for her younger self, and a glimpse into her current project focused on motherhood. They also touch on favorite reads and the charm of indie bookstores. The episode wraps up by encouraging readers to reflect on their own life choices and to be content with their journey.

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Tell Me Who You Are is a gripping psychological thriller where Brooklyn psychiatrist Dr. Caroline Strange's life unravels after a patient, Nelson Schack, confesses plans to kill someone and claims to know her true identity. When detectives investigate a missing woman, Dr. Caroline becomes the prime suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, she pursues Nelson, confronting a past she's long tried to escape. Louisa Luna joins me on the couch to talk more about her novel Tell Me Who You Are, also contrasts this book with her previous Alice Vega series and shares insights into her writing process and favorite books.

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Finding Margaret Fuller is a fictionalized account of 19th-century feminist Margaret Fuller's life, including her influential relationships, work in women's rights, and role as the first female foreign correspondent for the New York Tribune. Despite being a mentor to significant figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Louisa May Alcott, Fuller remains an unsung heroine. Alison shares the process of discovering and writing about Fuller, and they discuss her profound impact on modern society despite her tragic early death.

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Wedding objections are a thing! In this episode, I'm joined by author Lynn Painter to talk about her novel "Happily Never After." The story follows Sophie Steinbeck, a bride-to-be who hires a professional wedding objector named Max Parks to call off her wedding after discovering her fiancé's infidelity. We then see Sophie getting interested in Max's job, and they team up to disrupt nuptials. But Sophie and Max have a bond and share undeniable chemistry despite their belief that love doesn't exist. Their dynamic shifts when a groom-to-be hires Sophie to object, revealing that his fiancée is Max's ex, forcing both to confront their feelings for each other.

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This semester, let's go to a quaint English boarding school by the sea! Author Jenny Colgan joins me to talk about her series "The School by the Sea" which explores life at Downey House, an English boarding school. Book one, 'Welcome to the School by the Sea,' introduces new teacher Maggie and her journey from Glasgow to the posh Downey House, as well as her interactions with students Fliss, Alice, and Simone. Book two, 'Rules at the School by the Sea,' follows Maggie into her second year, grappling with her feelings for a colleague, David, and headmistress, Veronica, confronting a past secret. In book three, 'Lessons at the School by the Sea,' scandal hits the school, and we see Maggie's growing feelings for David jeopardize her engagement, plus the students face their own challenges after summer break. Book four, 'Studies at the School by the Sea,' sees Maggie questioning her future at Downey House, caught between her love of teaching and the pull of her Scottish hometown, while we see the students prepare for graduation. During the episode, Jenny also hints at an upcoming fifth book where readers can look forward to more of these evolving tales. So tune in to discover how Jenny's books aim to offer cozy comfort with every page.