Thoughts from a Page Podcast

Marie discusses her latest novel The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, writing about the venerated Agatha Christie, telling the stories of women that history forgot, the event that changed the trajectory of Agatha Christie’s career, and much more.  The Mystery of Mrs. Christie can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Marie’s 8 recommended reads are: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner The Rose Code by Kate Quinn The Arctic Fury by Greer Macallister Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

Sarah discusses her debut novel The Wrong Kind of Woman, writing about women’s issues in the 1970s, how her story resonates in today’s world, including the music and television of the era into her research, how long it took for certain college to admit women, finding just the right title for her book, and much more. The Wrong Kind of Woman can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Sarah’s 2 recommended reads are: Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce Faye, Faraway by Helen Fisher

Lainey discusses her debut novel The Exit Strategy, working in the tech industry as a one of the only women in the boardroom, her desire to inspire and empower women with this story, the importance of titles and covers, publishing during the pandemic and the fabulous 2020 debut group, and much more. The Exit Strategy can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Lainey’s 5 recommended reads are: The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai A Door Between Us by Ehsaneh Sadr After Elias by Eddie Boudel Tan Forever 51 by Pamela Skjolsvik Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho

Sharon speaks about her debut novel Half, writing about twin sisters who speak in one voice, publishing during the pandemic, the inspiration for her story, and much more. Half can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Sharon’s 7 recommended reads are: You Will Never Be Forgotten by Mary South You Again by Debra Jo Immergut Book of the Little Axe by Lauren Francis-Sharma Pale Morning Light with Violet Swan by Deborah Reed The Heart and Other Monsters by Rose Hendersen I Have the Answer by Kelly Fordon The Fear of Everything by John McNally

Denise discusses her debut novel How to Fail at Flirting, tackling a tough subject matter in her novel, how comparing oneself to others is a “thief of joy”, the struggle to find the perfect title for her book, serving as a mentor in Pitch Wars, and much more. How to Fail at Flirting can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Denise’s 4 recommended reads are: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras The Roommate by Rosie Danan   If you enjoy reading contemporary fiction and want to listen to more episodes like this one, try Jane Igharo, Lauren Ho, A.H. Kim, and Pamela Redmond.  

Heather discusses how she started Book Club Chat, her favorite and least favorite aspects of what she does, how she decides which books to select, her favorite genres, recent changes and trends in the publishing industry, celebrity book clubs and much more. Heather’s 2 recommended reads are: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult

Julie discusses her instant New York Times bestseller The Last Flight, writing her first thriller, her advice for aspiring authors, the importance of the right book cover and how the cover sets up expectations for readers, and more. The Last Flight can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Julie’s 2 recommended reads are: And Now She’s Gone by Rachel Howzell Hall Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Malloy

Halley discusses her debut novel The Lady Upstairs, her love of murder bus tours, writing feminist noir, participating as a mentee and mentor in Pitch Wars, the importance of building a community in the book world, and more. The Lady Upstairs can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Halley’s 2 recommended reads are: Little Threats by Emily Schultz The Anthill by Julianne Pachico   If you enjoy reading mysteries and want to listen to more episodes like this one, try Alice Henderson, Megan Collins, David Heska Wanbli Weiden, and/or Wendy Walker.

Katharine discusses her latest novel Majesty, the amount of world building she did for this series, writing a uchronic book, the difficulties in writing a sequel, her efforts to upend reader expectations, and much more. Majesty can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Katharine’s 3 recommended reads are: The Quest for Queen Mary by James Pope-Hennessy Pretty Things by Janelle Brown Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

Ehsaneh discusses her debut novel A Door Between Us, her desire to portray all sides of a conflict, writing about an event that is not frequently covered in literature, growing up in a Muslim/Mormon home, what she hopes readers take away from her book, and much more. A Door Between Us can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Ehsaneh’s 2 recommended reads are: Spring by Leila Rafei Bladebone by Ausma Zehanat Khan

Ann discusses her debut novel A Good Family, her very personal inspiration for the book, joining the amazing debut author community on Facebook, trying to settle on the perfect title for the book, publishing during the pandemic, and much more. A Good Family can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Ann’s 2 recommended reads are: A Door Between Us by Ehsaneh Sadr Remembrance by Rita Woods

Alice discusses her new mystery A Solitude of Wolverines, combining her passion for wildlife and writing, how she settled on wolverines for the first book in this new series, the research she conducted for the book, her current wildlife research studies, and much more. A Solitude of Wolverines can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Alice’s recommended reads are: White Fire by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child Demon Crown by James Rollins The River is Dark by Joe Hart Everything’s Trash, But It’s Okay by Phoebe Robinson The Molly Murphy series by Rhys Bowen   If you enjoy reading mysteries and want to listen to more episodes like this one, try Lisa Gardner, Megan Collins, David Heska Wanbli Weiden, and Wendy Walker.

Fiona and M.J. discuss Stories from Suffragette City, the inspiration for this compilation, the speed with which the project came together, honoring the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote, how each author is reflected in their individual story, the bright and engaging cover, and much more. Stories from Suffragette City can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  M.J.’s 2 recommended reads are: A Splendid Ruin by Megan Chance The Wicked City by Beatriz Williams Fiona’s 2 recommended reads are: The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline Gilded Suffragists: The New York Socialites who Fought for Women’s Right to Vote by Johanna Neuman

Rhys discusses her latest novel The Last Mrs. Summers, creating an homage to Rebecca, writing two books a year, reading historical fiction during these stressful times, advice for aspiring authors, and much more. The Last Mrs. Summers can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Rhys’s 2 recommended reads are: Paris Is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay The Lost Girls of Devon by Barbara O’Neal

Lauren discusses her debut novel Last Tang Standing, the importance of humor in books, the way reading promotes empathy and understanding, choosing to write the book in diary format, coming up with the idea for the novel while she was an amateur stand-up comic, and much more. Last Tang Standing can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Lauren’s 6 recommended reads are: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett The Other Americans by Laila Lalami The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel Forever 51 by Pamela Skjolsvik White Coat Diaries by Madi Sinha The Exit Strategy by Lainey Cameron