Award-winning Author of the thrillers THE EMPTY KAYAK, HOOKER AVENUE & THE MIDNIGHT CALL, and SEATS:NY Theatre Guides. Book reviewer, columnist and podcaster.
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Articles by Jode Millman
S.A. Crosby Joins the Marvel Universe With “Truth to Power”
Truth to Power by S.A. Cosby It is not easy being a mutant super-hero. Luke Cage, a six foot-six, 425-pound Black man, can’t even shake hands or give hugs without crushing the other person. In this newest entry into the Marvel Universe, bestselling author S.A. Crosby examines the Luke’s strengths and weaknesses when he investigates the murder of his cousin, Rashon, in Truth to Power.
Victorian Ghosts Haunt a Modern Murder in “Miss Wolcott’s Ghost”
Miss Wolcott's Ghost by Louise Penny "Questions of death, courage, cowardice, avarice and how acts of the past influence the present are like the leaves that compose the mysterious plant at the heart of this story." Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, head of the Sûrete du Quebec homicide division, returns for his 21st investigation in bestselling author Louise Penny’s Miss Wolcott’s Ghost.
An Epic Tale of Love, Loss, and Sacrifice in World War II Is Sir Jeffrey Archer’s Swan Song to the Publishing World
Adam and Eve by Jeffrey Archer As the world celebrated World War I’s Armistice Day, two children were born on the Brancaster Estate in Norfolk, England, in bestselling author Sir Jeffrey Archer’s Adam and Eve. One, the son of the estate’s chief shepherd, Adam Preston, arrives in a simple cottage, while the other, the child of the Earl of Brancaster, Charles Clarence Arthur Pierpont Brancaster, enters the world in the lush bedroom of the glorious manor house.
The Tragic Fates of Two Teenage Girls Unravel Dark, Hidden Secrets in “The Dying Light”
The Dying Light by Ann Cleeves Detective Inspector Matthew Venn returns for a third case in bestselling author Ann Cleeves’ latest mystery, The Dying Light. Eager to celebrate the end of their high school exams, teenage Hannah Armstrong and Lottie Cauldwell set out for Hannah’s family’s luxurious holiday home, The Tide House, along the Devon shore in Millscombe.
A Bodyguard’s Death Sparks a Madcap Murder Mystery in “We Chase Shadows”
We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman "He is the master of comedic crime fiction that transports the reader into the international crime world of guns, knives, and poison, without them having to leave the safety of their own armchairs." It is not easy to start a detective agency from scratch. Especially one that specializes only in solving murders.
An Incident From the Past Draws the Martini Club Back Into Action in “The Shadow Friends”
The Shadow Friends by Tess Gerritsen In bestselling author Tess Gerritsen’s third installment of The Martini Club mysteries, The Shadow Friends (Thomas & Mercer), the members of the club — Maggie, Declan, Ben, Ingrid and Lloyd — have reached the stage of life when retirement should mean a good meal, good booze and early to bed. After years as CIA “spooks,” they thought they had found that simpler life in Purity, a quiet coastal Maine town where they could spend their days sipping martinis.
A Chance Encounter Resurrects Love and Loss in Ann Patchett’s “Whistler”
Whistler by Ann Patchett "Once again, in "Whistler," Patchett has woven a rich, complex saga of love and loss destined to become a novel not to be missed." Do not be misled by the cover portrait of a horse or the title of bestselling author Ann Patchett’s latest book Whistler. In fact, the story is not an equestrian tale like Bagnold’s National Velvet, O’Hara’s My Friend Flicka, or Brooks’ Horse, per se.
A Mother and Daughter Reconcile to Solve a Mystery in “The Last Mandarin”
The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung "For Penny fans, they can eagerly devour this novel filled with Chinese history, lore and family loyalty, until the next Gamache arrives in the fall." Bestselling author Louise Penny joins forces with Mellissa Fung, a documentary producer and non-fiction writer, to pen The Last Mandarin, a political thriller centered on contemporary American and Chinese politics.
Baldacci’s Latest Combines International Intrigue and Complex Revenge Plot
Hope Rises by David Baldacci If readers are seeking a thrill-a-minute adventure filled with international intrigue and exotic locations, Hope Rises fits the bill. Walter Nash, working undercover for the FBI as Dillion Hope, returns in the latest installment of David Baldacci’s riveting Hope Rises, the second book of a series. In the previous number-one bestseller, Nash Falls, unfounded murder accusations forced Nash to go underground and reinvent himself to protect his wife and himself.
Village Gossip Fuels a Chilling Death in Tana French’s “The Keeper”
The Keeper by Tana French "This triumvirate creates a dynamic tension that consumes every page of the novel, making “The Keeper” unputdownable and creating a mystery for the ages." The West Irish village of Ardnakelty is filled with characters who love to gossip about the doings in their close-knit hamlet. They discuss their sheep, and football, but most of the time, they gossip about each other.
A Fond Farewell Starz’s Outlander Series: A Celebration of Time, Faith, Prophecy and Love
Through eight seasons — 101 episodes — and a dozen years, Starz’s adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling Outlander series has swept the world up into its universe. This genre-bending show has followed Claire Randall, a World War II combat nurse, as she stumbled through the standing stones at Craigh na Dun, Scotland, in 1945, into the wilds of the 18th-century Scottish Highlands.
Hamish Macbeth Investigates a Bloody Valentine’s Day Wedding in “Death of a Groom”
Death of a Groom by M.C. Beaton "This lighthearted quick read will keep the reader turning pages long into the cold winter night, and while readers naturally expect Hamish to solve the crime, his powers of deduction always come as a surprise." In MC Beaton’s latest Police Sergeant Hamish Macbeth mystery, Death of a Groom, the mystery not only involves who is the killer and how it was accomplished, but which groom becomes the victim.
Julia Quinn Spills the Tea on Bridgerton Season 4 – Plus a Subscription Box | BookTrib.
Sex, romance and class conflict spice up the latest season of the Netflix smash. Greetings from the Bridgerverse, where anticipation for Bridgerton Season 4 is reaching a fever pitch as the first four episodes drop today. So far in everyone’s favorite Regency romance series, we have been thrilled by the exploits of a sexy duke (Season 1), a confirmed bachelor turned family man (Season 2), and a friends-to-lovers arc of our favorite Ton couple, Polin (Season 3). So what does Season 4 have in store?
How Three Little Letters Changed Shonda Rhimes’s Life Forever
In 2015, American Television producer, screenwriter and founder of “Shondaland Productions” Shonda Rhimes penned Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person. It was the bestselling memoir of the woman who created the strong, independent and unapologetic female leads of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Commit Murder, yet who struggled to explore her own personal and professional growth. She was an introverted adult who lived within the realm of her own imagination.
Jeffrey Archer’s Ultimate Olympic Thriller Blurs the Line Between Fact and Fiction
End Game by Jeffrey Archer Bestselling author, Jeffrey Archer takes the reader inside the terrifying events surrounding London’s 2012 Olympic Games in his latest thriller, End Game (Harper Collins). Working closely with Bob Broadhurst, the real commander for the Olympics Gold campaign, in researching his book, Archer teases the reader from the first page.
The Thursday Murder Club Returns with Mayhem and Cryptocurrency
The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman Let us hope Netflix brings this latest mystery to the screen as soon as possible. The gang from Coopers Chase retirement home is back! The spunky octogenarians who comprise Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club return with their fourth witty and charming installment in The Impossible Fortune.
Ann Cleeves Talks the Return of Fan Favorite Detective Jimmy Perez in “The Killing Stones”
The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves In The Killing Stones, bestselling crime novelist Ann Cleeves heralds in the return of a fan favorite, Detective Jimmy Perez of the Shetland Series. Jimmy and his partner, Willow, have relocated from the Shetland Islands to Orkney, near where he grew up in Fair Isle, Scotland. Surrounded by his friends and the police work he loves, he and Willow have established a new life with their toddler son and a baby on the way.
The Intertwined Fates of Two Star-Crossed Couples in Outlander Spinoff “Blood of My Blood”
For more than three decades, readers and viewers have been enthralled with the timeless love story of Jamie and Claire Fraser of the Outlander series, both in print and the Starz television series. On August 8, the Outlander universe expands even further into a new Starz series, Blood of My Blood, a prequel featuring Jamie and Claire’s parents. From the moment they meet, Bryan Fraser and Ellen Mackenzie are star-crossed lovers who must overcome obstacles created by their warring Scottish clans.
From Luxury to Terror: Ruth Ware Returns With a Riveting Sequel
The Woman In Suite 11 by Ruth Ware From the first page, Lo’s escapades will keep readers engaged and rooting for her to return to her loving family as quickly as possible. Bestselling author Ruth Ware returns in the thrilling sequel to The Woman in Cabin 10 in The Woman in Suite 11. Laura “Lo” Blacklock is itching to return to work as a reporter. Her youngest child is three, and it’s time to start writing again. But she has no prospects … until a fortuitous invitation arrives.
Widow’s Long-Awaited European Vacation Becomes Murderous, Madcap Romp in “Murder Takes a Vacation”
Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman A lighthearted romp that is like a breath of springtime. In bestselling author Laura Lippman’s Murder Takes a Vacation, Muriel Blossom, a long-widowed woman in her late 60s, has lived her life for others — her deceased husband Horace, her daughter and her grandchildren. After dedicating 10 years to helping raise her daughter’s family in Arizona, they have moved to Japan without her, sparking her return home to Baltimore. There’s a wrinkle, though.
S. A. Cosby Stokes the Flames of Revenge in Latest Thriller, “King of Ashes”
King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby A dark, complicated “Southern noir” tale of family relationships. In S. A. Cosby’s latest novel, King of Ashes, money manager to the stars Roman Carruthers has long abandoned his Virginia roots. For years, he’s been living large in Atlanta, making millions for his clients and indulging in every fantasy he can imagine.
Sunrise at the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins "For the young and old, Sunrise at the Reaping is the latest worthwhile victor in The Hunger Games franchise." Happy 16th Birthday, Haymitch! In Sunrise on the Reaping, Suzanne Collins’ latest amazing installment in The Hunger Games franchise, readers are thrust into the treacherous world of Haymitch Abernathy’s origin story. Each year, Haymitch’s birthday is marked by the cruelest of events in the history of Panem.
The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen
The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen "Gerritsen has cleverly crafted a mystery that contains as many twists and turns as the delicate shoreline of Maiden Pond." Purity, Maine, is nothing like its name. It is a summer tourist destination divided into the wealthy and the working-class, seasonal residents and townies, and their secrets. It is also a place where CIA agents retire, seeking the peace and quiet of a remote, pastoral lifestyle.
A Lonely Young Woman Travels to Sicily to Eat, Pray and Love
To Sicily With Love by Jennifer Probst Like a granita al lemone, an icy lemon Sicilian treat, which melts on your tongue with delight. Sicily is a magical island afloat in the Mediterranean Sea and filled with ancient ruins, welcoming people, and delicious local cuisine. In bestselling author Jennifer Probst’s new novel, To Sicily with Love (Berkley Books), Probst shares the story of Aurora York, an ambitious New York millennial driven to tackle the world of self-help.
Pledge to Protect Orphaned Teen Brings Danger to the 6:20 Man in New Baldacci
To Die For by David Baldacci "A quick read that sucks the reader in from page one and never lets go." Trouble always seems to find Travis Devine, former Army Captain and Wall Street trader, and now a member of a stealth sub-group of Homeland Security. In To Die For (Grand Central Publishing) the third installment of David Baldacci’s 6:20 Man series, trouble comes in a small package.
In New Louise Penny, Gamache Must Foil an Eco-Terrorisim Plot With International Implications
The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny "Penny and Gamache remain at the top of their game." Each time bestselling author Louise Penny releases a new installment in her Three Pines Series, it is an exciting event. Readers cannot wait to be wrapped into the warmth of the cozy, hidden village with its unique residents guided by Armand Gamache, Chief Inspector of the Sûreté du Québec.
Richard Osman delivers laughs and twists with a new wacky crime-fighting trio
Whenever Richard Osman releases a murder mystery, readers know they are in for a clever, good time. In "We Solve Murders," (Pamela Dorman Books), Osman creates a wacky trio on the run from a Russian oligarch and a stream of anonymous assassins. When the bullets fly, Osman keeps his readers guessing about who the shooter is and who is the intended target. The caper begins as a bodyguard, Amy Wheeler, is assigned to protect the octogenarian bestselling author and diva Rosie D’Antonio.
Time is Ticking for Agatha Raisin to Solve Another Murder in “Killing Time”
Killing Time by MC Beaton and RW Green The latest Agatha Raisin mystery is a fresh take on the series, while remaining true to its roots. In MC Beaton’s Killing Time (Minotaur), Agatha Raisin again proves that no one can outsmart her; not her friend and former lover Sir Charles Fraithe, her assistant Toni, her BFF Roy Silver, or the many criminals trying to best her in her 35th mystery.
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman A bestselling author, a bodyguard, and her father-in-law embark on a madcap globetrotting caper in “We Solve Murders” by Richard Osman Whenever Richard Osman releases a murder mystery, readers know they are in for a clever, good time. In We Solve Murders, (Pamela Dorman Books), Osman creates a wacky trio on the run from a Russian oligarch and a stream of anonymous assassins.
Moriarty’s Latest Thrilling Novel Asks: Can Fate Be Changed?
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty A tense psychological thriller that makes the reader question what they would do if they knew their days were numbered. Bestselling author Liane Moriarty returns with a gripping story of love and loss in Here One Moment. On a delayed flight from Hobart to Sydney, Australia, Cherry Lockwood is a nondescript passenger who does something out of the ordinary. Forty-five minutes into the flight, she unbuckles her seat belt and wanders down the aisle.
What to Expect From the Upcoming Hunger Games Book and Movie
Fans of the blockbuster The Hunger Games series are in for two new thrilling installments in the world of Panem soon. Scholastic Publishing recently announced it has acquired the world English rights to the fifth entry in Suzanne Collins’ series, Sunrise on the Reaping, which “will revisit the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games.” The novel, which is slated for release on March 18, 2025, will also be adapted into a feature film by Lionsgate Pictures.
A “Survivor-Like” Reality-TV Show Tests a Couple’s Love and Lives in “One Perfect Couple”
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware In Ruth Ware’s latest psychological thriller, One Perfect Couple (Scout Press) Lyla’s life and career are at a crossroads. Her postdoctoral contract in virology at a London University is expiring and her relationship with Nico, an aspiring actor, is stagnating. When Nico is offered the chance to participate in a new reality show, One Perfect Couple, he convinces Lyla to join the cast with him.
Sex and Scandals Sizzle in Kevin Kwan’s Extravagant Comedy, “Lies and Weddings”
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan What's It About? A forbidden affair erupts volcanically amid a decadent tropical wedding in this outrageous comedy of manners. Kevin Kwan, the bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians, is the king of dishing dirt about rich and famous Asians with flair and pizazz. His latest novel, Lies and Weddings (Doubleday), continues the tradition with a witty, biting tale of the power and pitfalls of the globetrotting super-rich.
Netflix’s Spicy “Bridgerton” Season 3 Brings “Romancing Mister Bridgerton” to Life
Dearest Gentle Reader, the Droughteron is almost over. Although we were mildly entertained with Queen Charlotte last year, we have received no installments of the original Shonda Rhimes/Julia Quinn’s blockbuster Netflix Bridgerton series since 2022. It is now a short carriage ride to the big Bridgerton premiere of Season 3 on May 16th. Four installments will drop on that glorious day, with the remaining four becoming available on June 13th. So where are we now and what can we expect?
Whisk Yourself Away to Scenic Scottish Village in Beguiling Crime Thriller
The Death of A Spy by MC Beaton What's it About? Sergeant Hamish Macbeth faces a string of mysterious robberies that are only the beginning of an international threat to his sleepy Scottish village of Lochudch. Poor Hamish MacBeth. In “Death of a Spy” (Grand Central), the 39th Hamish MacBeth murder mystery, his neighbors still view him as an outsider in his patch in the Scottish Highlands, Lochdubh.
Whisk Yourself Away to Scenic Scottish Village in Beguiling Crime Novel
Death of A Spy by MC Beaton What's it About? Sergeant Hamish Macbeth faces a string of mysterious robberies that are only the beginning of an international threat to his sleepy Scottish village of Lochudch. Poor Hamish MacBeth. In “Death of a Spy” (Grand Central), the 39th Hamish MacBeth murder mystery from MC Beaton and RW Green, his neighbors still view him as an outsider in his patch in the Scottish Highlands, Lochdubh.
Army Nurse Comes of Age During the Vietnam War in Kristin Hannah’s Latest Historical Epic, “The Women”
The Women by Kristin Hannah Imagine you are a veteran returning home from war after serving in the terrifying jungles of Vietnam. Then imagine that no one ever acknowledges your service. In fact, you are spat upon, shamed, and ignored by the country whose freedom you have sworn to protect. In Kristin Hannah’s latest novel, The Women (St. Martin’s Press), Frances “Frankie” McGrath faces those heartbreaking hurdles, and more.
A Surprising “Hunger Games” Movie Prequel Thrills Fans in “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”
In 2019, Suzanne Collins, author of the blockbuster trilogy, The Hunger Games, picked up the phone and called Director Frances Lawrence to tell them “Surprise! I’ve written another book.” This shocked him and the producers because after the Mockingjay films Collins had affirmed “there were no plans for any other books.” Like the eternal chaos in Panem, things change.
RW Green Continues MC Beaton’s Legacy in Cozy Agatha Raisin Mystery, “Dead on Target”
Dead on Target by M.C. Beaton and R.W. Green M.C. Beaton, with R.W. Green, hits the bulls-eye with her latest, and 36th, Agatha Raisin mystery, Dead on Target (Minotaur). Feisty, middle-aged Agatha is attending the Carsely Village fete when she’s enticed to participate in an archery exhibition presented by the Anscombe Archers. Before a large crowd, Agatha nails the golden circle with her bow and arrow, but this is just the beginning.
What to Expect From Highly Anticipated “Lessons in Chemistry” Adaptation
For more than a year, Bonnie Garmus’ debut novel, Lessons in Chemistry, has clinched a berth on the New York Times bestseller list. On October 13, the beloved characters will leap off the page and into an Apple TV+ miniseries. Oscar-winner Brie Larson stars as the uncompromising chemist-turned-television-chef Elizabeth Zott, and this will be Ms. Larson’s first starring role in a series in over a decade.
Celebrity’s Murder Forebodes a Maelstrom for Secluded Village in Ann Cleeves Mystery
The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves What's it About? Celebrity Jem Rosco disappears as abruptly as he arrived in town, his lifeless body discovered in a dinghy, anchored off a cove with legends of its own. Superstition and rumor mix with fact as another body is found, and Detective Inspector Matthew Venn realizes that no one is safe from a storm of dark secrets. New York Times bestselling author Ann Cleeves returns with an evocative third mystery in the Two Rivers series featuring DI Matthew Venn.
Summer Stock Romance Forever Alters a Young Woman in New Patchett
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett What's it About? In this moving novel about family, love and growing up from bestselling author Ann Patchett, three daughters return to their family’s orchard to learn about their mother’s love affair with the famous actor she once shared the stage with. Ann Patchett, the Pulitzer Prize Finalist for The Dutch House, returns with Tom Lake(Harper), her latest tale to grip the heart and soul.
jerseygirlbookreview recommends The Empty Kayak: A Queen City Crimes Mystery (A Queen City Crimes Novel Book 3)
In The Empty Kayak, book three of the Queen City Crimes Series, author Jode Millman transports the reader back to the tranquil Hudson Valley town of Poughkeepsie, New York, for another intriguing story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages. Poughkeepsie Police Detective Ebony Jones responds to a report of a missing kayaker after a rainstorm capasizes his kayak in the Hudson River.
Epic of Love, Family Curses and Faith From Author of “Cutting for Stone”
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Rarely, I find myself at a loss for words on how to review of novel. The Covenant of Water, (Grove Atlantic), the long-awaited, bestselling saga by Abraham Verghese is one such occasion. Oprah chose Covenant as the 101st selection for her book club, and it is easy to understand why. Covenant is so beautifully written, so rich in context, with unique characters and exotic settings that it demands acclaim.
A Magnificent Tale of Love and Survival Shines in “The Covenant of Water”
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Rarely, I find myself at a loss for words on how to review of novel. The Covenant of Water, (Grove Atlantic), the long-awaited, bestselling saga by Abraham Verghese is one such occasion. Oprah chose Covenant as the 101st selection for her book club, and it is easy to understand why. Covenant is so beautifully written, so rich in context, with unique characters and exotic settings that it demands acclaim.
A Hidden Utopia Isn’t All It Appears to Be in Suspenseful Sci-Fi
The Ferryman by Justin Cronin What's it About? An island lies hidden from the horrors of a deteriorating outside world, where lucky citizens enjoy long lives until the monitors that measure their well-being fall below 10 percent. Then they retire themselves, embarking on a ferry ride to another island, where their failing bodies are renewed, their memories are wiped clean, and they are readied to restart life afresh.
May 2023 | BookTrib.
EXTREME VETTING By Roxanne Arama A heart-pumping read that will have you rooting for justice and freedom! THE BOOK Attorney and single mom Laura Holban is in for the fight of her life as she takes on the seemingly impossible task of securing asylum for her client, Emilio Ramirez. But when Emilio is arrested in front of his children and thrown into detention, Laura’s world turns upside down.
New Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth Mysteries Bring Murder and Mayhem
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New Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth Mysteries Bring Murder and Mayhem
Devils Delight | Death of a Traitor by M.C. Beaton What's it About? M.C. Beaton, being written with R.W. Green has recently released two fun-filled, thrilling cozies to keep readers warm during these cold winter months and to transport them to the quaint British Isles. M.C. Beaton, being written with R.W. Green, has recently released two fun-filled, thrilling cozies to keep readers warm during these cold winter months and to transport them to the quaint British Isles.
Old Enemies Threaten Gamache in “A World of Curiosities”, Soon to Be a Prime Original Series
A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny What's it About? Chief Inspector Armand Gamache returns to investigate murders while dredging up old village secrets and facing his own demons. In Louise Penny’s new mystery, World of Curiosities (Minotaur), the past and present of Québec Sûreté Chief Inspector Armand Gamache once again collide in the idyllic village of Three Pines. But this time, in its most deadly form possible.
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