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A Walk Along the Beach

Debbie Macomber (Goodreads Author)

4.11 · Rating details · 5,646 ratings · 828 reviews

Two sisters must learn from each other’s strengths and trust in the redeeming power of love in a touching new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

The Lakey sisters are perfect opposites. After their mother died and their father was lost in grief, Willa had no choice but to raise her sister, Harper, and their brother, Lucas. Then, as an adult, sh ...more

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Paperback, 400 pages

Published August 6th 2020 by Arrow (first published July 14th 2020)

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· 5,646 ratings · 828 reviews

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Jul 23, 2020 Debra rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

4.25 teary heart swelling stars

After their mother's death and their father deep grief, Willa Lakey was left to raise not only herself but her younger siblings, Harper and Lucas. Then her sister Harper was diagnosed with Cancer and once again, Willa put her life on hold to nurse her sister through it. Now Willa runs a successful bakery/coffee shop and life is beginning to show promise. She has a customer who has turned her eye, and her business is growing strong. The only thing that stresses her 4.25 teary heart swelling stars

After their mother's death and their father deep grief, Willa Lakey was left to raise not only herself but her younger siblings, Harper and Lucas. Then her sister Harper was diagnosed with Cancer and once again, Willa put her life on hold to nurse her sister through it. Now Willa runs a successful bakery/coffee shop and life is beginning to show promise. She has a customer who has turned her eye, and her business is growing strong. The only thing that stresses her out is her sister's insistence in pushing herself with a goal of climbing Mount Rainier.

Sean O'Malley is a freelance photographer who is a frequent customer at Willa's coffee shop and bakery. He is quite smitten with her and hopes she is willing to take a chance on a man who travels often for work.

This is family and romance Debbie Macomber style. I do not read her books often, but when I do, I always enjoy them. In this book she covers several topics: stray animals, starting over, being your own boss, going after your goals, coping with loss, cancer, death, and of course, walks along the beach.

As always, she sucked me in with her likable characters, engaging and riveting plot, a bandit dog, and compelling storytelling. This was a fast read for me as I wanted to know what was going to happen. I was the proverbial fly on the wall watching as the various characters each had their own relationship issues and challenges. Willa became a parentified child when her Mother died and has sense struggled with being less of a mothering figure and more of a sister to her siblings but especially her sister, Harper. I thought Macomber handled this very well.

Fans of Macomber will be incredibly happy with this book. She does handle tough subjects with grace. Fans of Macomber also know she does not use excessive language or gratuitous scenes in her books. Romance books are all about the journey as we typically know how the book is going to end -even though the ending is predictable, it was enjoyable and just I wanted. My only complaint is that with most romance books - after they work out the conflict there is that rushed ending. Nothing in this book felt rushed until the very, very end. Which of course was upsetting because I wanted to spend just a little bit longer with these characters. Otherwise, this was a solid book which had me reaching for the Kleenexes and wishing I had on my waterproof mascara.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
...more

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Jul 17, 2020 Tina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audiobooks, read-in-2020

I listen to this book on audiobook, and I really love both the narrators (Sandy Rustin and Roger Wayne). Now, On to the story... I really loved the story. Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors and I buy her books without looking at what the book is about. This book is nothing like her our books, and It was not what I was thinking it would be. I have to say I loved it, and It is now one of my new favorite books. This book is about a family dealing with cancer and grief. Also the main char ...more

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Jun 07, 2020 Debbie Oliphant rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book!! The development of the characters in the first half along with the pace makes you feel as if there is a nice story to unfold as the characters are so likable. But at the halfway point......POW......the story takes a turn and you are on a roller coaster of emotions.

Willa is the sister to Harper and Sean and she also had the role of parent when her mother died when they were young. Their father is still alive bu I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book!! The development of the characters in the first half along with the pace makes you feel as if there is a nice story to unfold as the characters are so likable. But at the halfway point......POW......the story takes a turn and you are on a roller coaster of emotions.

Willa is the sister to Harper and Sean and she also had the role of parent when her mother died when they were young. Their father is still alive but a part of him never survived their mother's passing which put the weight of the world on Willa's shoulders. After their mom died, Harper learned she had cancer and while she survived, the battle to beat it took an emotional toll on the family. Harper is emboldened and wants to take risks and live with no regrets. Enev though it's been years of remission for Harper, Willa can't seem to move forward. She is constantly worried and is putting her needs last. Harper is helping Willa with her business at a coffee shop and notices a male customer who seems to have eyes for Willa. Willa can't believe this as she sees Harper as the "beautiful" sister. Sean is attracted to Willa and can't seem to find the courage to ask her out until Harper forces the two to interact. The two admit their attraction from there and decide to see where this chemistry can lead them. Their courtship is very sweet and he wants her to know how beautiful she is and that he is "all-in" with their relationship.

But their relationship gets tested on a couple of fronts and Willa is not sure their relationship can withstand the pressure. She is faced with some news that will change her life and not sure if she has the strength to weather through this. The second half of the book does an amazing job of detailing the tough events that occur and if you have walked in the shoes of the character, you will recognize the care that the author took to get the details right. This was an emotional story that I read in one sitting. Well done. ...more

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Apr 29, 2020 Chris C - A Midlife Wife rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: clean-romance, contemporary-fiction, random-house-loveswept, reviews, romance, womens-fiction

Gahhhh the ending was too quick. I wanted more of them together finally. 4.5 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The queen of conversation and small-town life has brought together another wonderful story. This one is definitely a story that pulls on your heartstrings and became an emotional read.

With family being the top of the list for most people, reading through this story about illness and loss was sometimes tough. And while the strength of a good strong person next to you can sometimes help, many tim ...more

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Jul 09, 2020 Carrie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley

Having read several books by Debbie Macomber and really enjoying them I was excited to be able to pick up her latest contemporary romance A Walk Along the Beach. Of course what I expected was some really solid writing and she did not disappoint yet again.

Willa Lakey grew up rather fast when her mother passed away and Willa took over the motherly role to her brother and sister. While Willa kept the family pulled together things were not easy as her younger sister Harper was diagnosed with a serio ...more

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Jul 27, 2020 Amanda rated it did not like it

I wonder if Debbie Macomber is still writing the books with her name on them. This book did not read like it was written by a seasoned author, but rather someone who was just learning. The text was so simplistic that I skimmed most of the book. I also found the story to be lacking. The relationship between the Willa and Sean was never fully developed.

I haven't really enjoyed a book by Debbie Macomber in awhile, luckily I read her books through the library, but this could be my last one because ...more

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Sep 21, 2020 Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020

I was so disappointed with this book. All the gloom and doom and dying it was just to much. I read to escape reality not to be sad and upset.
Just one persons opinion. It was not a good read for me.

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Jul 20, 2020 Shelleen Toland rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley-read

This book is very emotional and have the kleenex ready.
The Lakey sisters are perfect opposites. After their mother died and their father was lost in grief, Willa had no choice but to raise her sister, Harper, and their brother, Lucas. Then, as an adult, she put her own life on hold to nurse Harper through a terrifying illness.
Now as adults Harper and Willa are roommates. Willa owns a coffee/bakery shop and Harper is a yoga instructor. When Harper announces her plan to summit Mount Rainier, Willa ...more

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Apr 23, 2020 Angie rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-read-in-2020

This book is set in a small coastal town in Washington, and is about two sisters that share a close bond, as well as being roommates. Willa has taken on the role of Mom in raising her brother and sister, Harper. Now an adult, Harper lives with Willa and helps run her bakery/coffee-shop.
While Willa is falling in love with a cute customer, Sean, Harper learns that her illness is back and she has to fight for her life.
This was a sweet story of sisterhood, love and heartbreak. I laughed, I cried an ...more

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Aug 24, 2020 Kay rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, women, fiction, audiobook, libby, contemporary, library-cc, family

It's difficult to rate a book like this! It's a romance novel with a wonderful Pacific northwest setting. The catch? Cancer... I hate this C word. So in a way it was depressing. I don't think I was in the mood for that part of the story. Overall I liked it, except the C.

A Walk Along the Beach was written in memory of the author's best friend Christina Skye. ...more

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Jul 05, 2020 Gloria rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-arc, romance, rated, reviewed, netgalley-2020

This is a very emotional read that covers what a family goes through when a family member is diagnosed with a serious illness. The Lakey family has been through a lot starting with the loss of their mother years before. Willa became a substitute mom when their father was so depressed that he disappeared in a bottle of alcohol. Willa, brother, Lucas, and youngest sister, Harper are close, brought closer when Harper is diagnosed with Leukemia. She is a spunky extravert, has been free of cancer for ...more

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Aug 04, 2020 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, debbie-macomber

Keep the tissues close by as you are reading A WALK ALONG THE BEACH by Debbie Macomber. She will have your emotions all over the place. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop! The twists and turns made it impossible to put down, as I had to know what was going to happen to Willa and Sean after so much heartache! What an awesome story. All of Debbie’s characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yours Keep the tissues close by as you are reading A WALK ALONG THE BEACH by Debbie Macomber. She will have your emotions all over the place. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop! The twists and turns made it impossible to put down, as I had to know what was going to happen to Willa and Sean after so much heartache! What an awesome story. All of Debbie’s characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again. You will also wonder how much heartbreak a person can stand before they completely break down and shatter.

A WALK ALONG THE BEACH is all about family and the past and the secrets that come out are heart tugging. It had me flipping through the pages like a woman on a mission. Willa has been taking care of her younger sister Harper since their mom passed away and their dad pretty much checked out. She has turned into a complete helicopter sister/mom and is driving Harper crazy! I laughed and cried while reading, sometimes On the very same page. A WALK ALONG THE BEACH is a heart tugging story that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to put down!

A WALK ALONG THE BEACH is without a doubt one of the most memorable books I’ve read in 2020 so far. Willa has a successful coffee shop, Bean There. When Sean O’Malley walks in her shop, the two are drawn together. But, when traumatic and tragic events occur, the lives of all of the characters are forever altered. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. Debbie Macomber really knows how to write about family drama, heartbreak, and forgiveness, which is why she has been an auto buy author for me for many years! I can not wait to read more by this wonderful and heart tugging author. I have many of her older books to read and that brings me so much joy and happiness to know they are waiting for me!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Ballantine Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ...more

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Apr 14, 2020 mindful.librarian ☀️ rated it really liked it

Shelves: advanced-reader-copies, adult-reads

(free review copy) CLASSIC Macomber! I've been a DM fan for decades now and can always trust that her books will let me escape my world to a heartfelt, safe fictional world. A Walk Along the Beach did not disappoint, and brought me to tears numerous times. There was one tiny part of one of the characters and that character's actions that bugged me, but overall, this will be a hit for fans of the author's other works. It is in the same world as her title from a few years ago, "A Cottage By the Se ...more

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Dec 30, 2020 Tina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is a women's fiction. I listen to this book on audiobook, and I really love both the narrators (Sandy Rustin and Roger Wayne). Now, On to the story... I really loved the story. Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors and I buy her books without looking at what the book is about. This book is nothing like her our books, and It was not what I was thinking it would be. I have to say I loved it, and It is now one of my new favorite books. This book is about a family dealing with cancer an ...more

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Apr 09, 2020 Donna Hines rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, netgalley

Two sisters and the power of bonding, love, friendships, and relationships!
The Lakey Sisters are about to take the world by storm as they prioritize family relationships and sucess.
Willa is the caretaker while Harper suffers from an illness but neither of which refuses to simply give up and give in.
Independently they are tough ladies yet together they are a force to reckon.
Leukemia is a cancer that's unforgiving yet demands attention and poor Harper is struggling with it all.
While the pain and s ...more

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Jun 01, 2020 Debbie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I usually love Macomber-her stories just help me to escape to another place where everything works out all right. I just couldn't warm to the main character in this one-Willa. She's had a lot of tragedy in her life which I sympathized with but the insta-love that hero Sean has for her is never really cemented for me. The central storyline was hard to read but that's okay. I'm just not sure if I could understand either of the reactions to it-the hero's or the heroine's. I don't want to say more f ...more

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May 06, 2020 Linden rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: advance-review-copy

Willa runs a small coffee shop on Oceanside, WA, and shares an apartment with her sister Harper, a yoga instructor who is a cancer survivor. Harper encourages Willa to get to know one of her customers, Sean, and they start dating. But then Harper appears to be getting sick again, and Sean is always traveling for his work. Will Sean be there for Willa when she needs him? Can Harper beat cancer for a second time? Debbie writes another novel with well-drawn characters you'll care about. Thanks to N ...more

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Apr 30, 2020 Jeanne rated it did not like it · review of another edition

I didn't feel for the characters which, for me, is most important in a story like this. The love story didn't move me. The sisters had more of a mother/ daughter relationship which just doesn't work
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc ...more

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Jul 29, 2020 Cathy rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, digital-library-books, romance

Not one of my favorite Macomber books. For me, it was kind of schmaltzy and predictable.

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Jul 23, 2020 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing

I laughed and I cried! Great book. I consider this is a book that mimics real life. We all have issues at one time or other with family and relationships. While this is not a prescription on how to mend relationships, it is relatable.

Willa and Harper are sisters. Willa is the "stable" one, the big sister who has taken on a lot of responsibility because she loves her family. She raised Harper, the younger sister. Harper is full of life and wants to do it all. But she has had some tough times of ...more

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Jul 24, 2020 Celestemcolon rated it it was ok

Shelves: didn-t-finish

Let's start by saying two things - I have read all of the Blossom Street and Cedar Cove series and I didn't finish this book. I stopped after 100 pages; I just couldn't read anymore. The relationship in the book starts off strangely and soon they are calling each other babe after one date and taking a day long car trip to missing one another with such longing. If this is taking place over the span of a week, these two adults, after all of their life experiences and focus on their businesses, hav ...more

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May 13, 2020 Sue rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: family-fiction

Debbie Macomber is one of those authors who writes books that you know you are going to love before you even start reading. She always has wonderful, real characters to connect with and a plot that will keep you reading. Her books have a few laughs and a few tears; a little romance and a lot of positive changes in the characters. A Walk Along the Beach is way more than the simple romances that she used to write - this one definitely fits in the Women's/Family Fiction category.

Willa's mother died Debbie Macomber is one of those authors who writes books that you know you are going to love before you even start reading. She always has wonderful, real characters to connect with and a plot that will keep you reading. Her books have a few laughs and a few tears; a little romance and a lot of positive changes in the characters. A Walk Along the Beach is way more than the simple romances that she used to write - this one definitely fits in the Women's/Family Fiction category.

Willa's mother died when she was 13 and she had to become the mother to Lucas and Harper. She cooked and cleaned and tried to protect her siblings. Their father coped with his grief with alcohol so he wasn't helpful to the family at all. Now they are all grown up and Willa owns a coffee shop, Harper teaches yoga and Lucas lives with his wife. (Note - Lucas isn't a major part of the story line which mostly concentrates on the two sisters.) Willa and Harper share an apartment and are each other's best friend but are completely opposite - Willa is quiet and reserved while Harper is outgoing, happy and always looking for fun. Due to the cancer that Harper survived in her teens, Willa continues to try to be overprotective which results in some tension between them. Willa meets Sean at her coffee shop and soon they are dating. He is a free-lance photographer and is often away on photo shoots, not only in the US but in places like South America where it is difficult to find internet or cell phone availability. When Harper begins to get sick again and Willa needs someone to comfort her, Sean is out of the country and not able to communicate with her. She needs to decide if this is a relationship that she really wants or needs.

Debbie Macomber has brought her readers another wonderful novel with characters who are so well written that they seem like friends - characters that readers will laugh with and cry with and won't soon forget. The plot is emotional and full of love. The scenery near the beach in Washington State is lovely. And the bond between the two sisters is incredible. This is a story about family and friendship, heartache and love, illness and happiness, happy tears and sad tears.

Note: Be sure to have tissues at hand for the last half of the book - you're going to need them!

Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own. ...more

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Jul 10, 2020 Kristina rated it really liked it

Shelves: christian-romance, 2020, romance, womens-fiction, 2020-netgalley-books, netgalley

A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber takes readers to Oceanside, Washington. The Lackey family has had its share of tragedies over the years and now they are all on the right track. Willa has the bakery/café she has dreamed of and it is popular with the locals. I liked the strong characters the author created for this story. Willa became the “mother” of the family after their matriarch died when she was thirteen. She was there for her younger sister, Harper when she received her treatment f ...more

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Sep 12, 2020 Sherri Thacker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-star-books-that-i-loved

Another great book by this author!!! Read it in a day!

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Aug 06, 2020 Kristy Johnston rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-mf, borrowed, chef-baker-foodie

This book doesn’t feel like a seasoned writer’s work. Is this really Debbie Macomber? Parts read like a research paper followed by simplistic sentences. The relationship development between the female and male protagonists was lacking. The book is told from first person dual point of view. Expectations were a little high for a new relationship while communication was really low. While some of the communication issues were due to Sean’s job involving working in remote places, some of the main iss This book doesn’t feel like a seasoned writer’s work. Is this really Debbie Macomber? Parts read like a research paper followed by simplistic sentences. The relationship development between the female and male protagonists was lacking. The book is told from first person dual point of view. Expectations were a little high for a new relationship while communication was really low. While some of the communication issues were due to Sean’s job involving working in remote places, some of the main issues developed from Willa just not picking up the phone or responding to texts. I liked the supporting characters, which was exactly what Willa needed, though their presence almost seemed superfluous. In addition, I had some serious issue with certain points in the story. Maybe it’s because I was a career woman and have a husband who is extremely passionate about his career.

(view spoiler) ...more

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May 24, 2020 Cecelia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was one of the strongest, most compelling Debbie Macomber books that I’ve ever read.

Willa happily runs her coffee shop, Bean There, on the beachy shore of Oceanside. Harper, her sister/best friend/roommate, often hangs around the coffee shop, often stepping in to assist Willa when Willa is short-staffed. Harper is happy and she embraces life to the fullest. Harper is also beautiful and has her share of male admirers. Willa is not as pretty as her sister and is often in the background as Har ...more

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Apr 22, 2020 Janet rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 30, 2020 Elyse rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: usa-publication-2020, gr-challenge-2020, stars-3, free-netgalley-arcs, genre-romance, genre-contemporary, netgalley-challenge-2020, netgalley-approved-2020

NetGalley ARC.

This was my first Debbie Macomber book. Annnnd well, I wasn't impressed. It was not the best. It was so sickeningly saccharine. Like sappy and cheesy. So it was kind of annoying. I wanted to enjoy it! But I was put off but the overwhelming sweetness. It wasn't awful but it wasn't quite the light, fluffy romance I was looking for. I guess I was looking for more of a rom-com and that this is not. This is like a Christian romance novel. I hope her many other books are better than this ...more

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Jul 06, 2020 Kristen rated it it was ok

Typical book by this author, nothing great, but an enjoyable read

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Jan 07, 2021 Kirsten rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reading-with-catherine, library-book

Another solid book by Debbie Macomber. A book about family and finding love, I really enjoyed it. It wasn't her best book, but it was certainly moving.

I liked Willa and Sean, and Harper was great, but the characters of the brother and father seemed just tagged on. And even Harper's relationship seemed to happen off stage. I don't know if Ms Macomber meant to do that, but it was strange. ...more

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About Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber

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Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Time ...more