Friday Reads 7.18.25
Friday, at last! It’s been a long and steamy week here in Nashvegas, and I’m not thrilled to be entering the official dog days of summer for the next two weeks (nor Mercury going retrograde-UGH!). Staying inside where it's cool is definitely the order of the day. It’s the perfect time of year to chill and write.
I’ve been listening to a fabulous book recommended by a friend, THE DEVIL AT HIS ELBOW, about Alex Murdaugh and his extended family’s legacy of crimes. You know how the universe gives you what you need when you need it, as long as you’re open to that? Well, this is so perfectly timed, it’s almost breathtaking. It’s helping me conquer something I’ve been struggling with in the book I’m writing. Actually, it’s something I struggle with in every book.
I’m always fascinated by what drives people to do such terrible things. Why do they willingly break the law? I’m not talking about speeding, I’m talking about the laws of humanity. I have to put myself into the minds of criminals constantly, and I resist every time. I remind myself again and again that people are devious, and the more devious my characters are, the better. Just because I can’t fathom doing what they do doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen every day.
The Murdaugh book reminded me of this. It’s a wild story, full of generational shenanigans, and it proves the old adage: Evil hides in plain sight. The worst evil, actually, is the most innocuous. Who would expect a red-headed good old boy lawyer to be a third generation criminal? Murdaugh is a thug in frat boy’s clothing, and I really needed to be reminded of how simple crime fiction can be. Yes, we can have the monsters, and the psychopaths, and the serial killers, and the spies, but we can also have a bloviating country lawyer with a pill problem who will do pretty much anything — lie, cheat, steal, kill — to stay afloat.
Very helpful, and the audio is wonderfully engaging.
I also attended a virtual presentation on the prison system by my friend James L’Etoile. A former warden and hostage negotiator, he is a font of information, and his stories are gritty and full of very real people and situations. His new book, RIVER OF LIES, is atop my TBR.
I’m very much enjoying Megan Miranda’s YOU BELONG HERE. I love a good campus mystery, and this delivers all the vibes.
Daniel Silva’s newest Gabriel Allon book, AN INSIDE JOB, dropped this week. Silva is an auto-buy for me; I love the main character, the storytelling style, and everything about this series.
So did Jeneva Rose’s THE GIRL I WAS. I love Jeneva; she is an absolute hoot and a really talented author. I can’t imagne I won’t adore this one, too!
I also snatched up THE WOMEN OF ARLINGTON HALL, by Jane Healey, which looks super cool. I love a good female spy novel.
On the homefront…
Step Nineteen is live! I go deep into the marketing and PR campaign for LAST SEEN as well, and what I’m seeing in the industry right now.
Last but not least, I continue to be blown away by your support for LAST SEEN. Thank you for downloading, purchasing, reviewing, and sharing. It means the world to me!
I hope you have fun plans for the weekend, and a good book on tap. What are you reading this weekend? Any recommendations for us?
