The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Thrillers

She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica

Mary Kubica is probably one of the nicest and sweetest people you will meet. How she can write page-turning thrillers so well is beyond me. She doesn’t disappoint in this new one at all. Meghan is a divorced mom of a teenage daughter who works long shifts as an ICU nurse. That job alone can weigh you down with stress. Add raising a daughter in a tiny apartment and worrying about her and finances in this world, and you can understand Meghan’s anxiety. Now, though, a woman comes under her care after a bad accident. The girl’s life was in disarray, and her grief-stricken parents hadn’t spoken to her in a long time. Will she wake up? Will she remember the minutes leading up to when she may have been pushed? What is the backstory between the two? I had no idea what was going to happen and gasped out loud when I found out. This book will be huge!

She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica, (List Price: $30, Park Row, 9780778308065, April 2024)

Reviewed by Suzanne Lucey, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

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The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

I knew I would like this book, having loved The Woman in the Library. However, it is hard to review because I feel like so much I have to say would be a spoiler. This book has one or two twists that I anticipated, but the big twist left me shocked. I was invested from the first page. I liked that all my original questions were answered while still being open-ended. I believe that leaves room for dialogue if you were to have a book club surrounding this book.

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill, (List Price: $16.99, Poisoned Pen Press, 9781728285184, March 2024)

Reviewed by Missy Kelly, Novel. in Memphis, Tennessee

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Spotlight On: The Fury by Alex Michaelides

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Alex Michaelides, photo credit the author

Well, [the narrator, Elliot] may not be likable per se, but I think he’s quite interesting. And I – what I tried to do – it was – honestly, The Fury was the most creative experience I’ve had because I changed the way that I write. My first two novels – The Silent Patient and The Maidens – I plotted them for about a year before writing a word. And then with The Fury, I really wanted to have some fun. And I thought, I’m not going to plot this. I’m just going to write it. And as I wrote it, Elliot told me the story himself. And it was an amazing experience because I wrote it, you know, with him speaking directly to the reader all the way through. And by doing that, I felt that he was sort of telling me the story, I suppose. And all of these things that I didn’t know, like about his childhood and his relationship with an older writer named Barbara West, just appeared, you know, on the page as I was writing, without me having even the names. Everything just sort of magically happened. So it felt like a really creative, joyous experience for me.
― Alex Michaelides, Interview, NPR

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

What booksellers are saying about The Fury

  • Escape January-wherever you are-and visit a balmy Greek island near Mykonos where an old goddess channels herself into a plume of wind called The Fury. Key ingredients include: gloriously prepared seafood, the famous and those who wish they were, flashy money, and so, so many secrets. Voiced by a narrator that lays bare the story of a treacherous murder, thread by thread, the reveal unwinds slowly and then all at once, down to the last word of this twisted thriller.
      ― Julia Paganelli Marin, Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville, Arkansas | Buy from Pearl’s Books

  • This one is a captivating blend of Agatha Christie vibes and modern-day drama, all wrapped in a little tragic love story bow. The short chapters make it an effortless read, but what truly sets it apart is the unique storytelling!
      ― Janisie Rodriguez, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida | Buy from Copperfish Books

  • The Fury is an exellent addition to Alex Michaelides’ body of work, with its back and forth discussion of reality and how we expect things to play out in our minds in a whodunit – meets confessional letter – meets tragedy format. Less startling than its predecessors, The Fury is a brain teaser that is engaging, easy to read, and can be read as part of Michaelides’ ongoing universe or as a standalone.
      ― Shannon Rogers, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina | Buy from Page 158 Books

About Alex Michaelides

Alex Michaelides was born and raised in Cyprus. He has an M.A. in English Literature from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and an M.A. in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. The Silent Patient was his first novel, debuting at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and has sold more than 6.5 million copies worldwide. The rights have been sold in a record-breaking 51 countries, and the book has been optioned for film by Plan B. His second novel, The Maidens, was an instant New York Times bestseller and has been optioned for television by Miramax Television and Stone Village.

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The Search Party by Hannah Richell

This is a spooky camping excursion dominated by missing children, adult friendships and their complexities, and Cornish storms. I couldn’t wait to figure out who was missing, who was involved, and where the red herrings were leading me astray.

The Search Party by Hannah Richell, (List Price: $17.99, Atria Books, 9781668036068, January 2024)

Reviewed by Lady Smith, The Snail On the Wall in Huntsville, Alabama

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Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham

This is an action-packed book, no one page can be skipped without missing an important tidbit. The angst of teenage life can be a sad reality, exacerbated by social media. This book manages to convey that without letting it become the focus of the book. That is clearly the twisted relationship between Margot, Lucy, Nicole, and Sloane. All very different and under the influence in some fashion by the mercurial Lucy. Even Margot’s deceased high school friend Eliza is not spared from the manipulation. The book paints a tale where you can believe that given the right circumstances, anyone can resort to the most extreme actions of self-preservation. This is not a heart-lifting book of survival, more a spine-chilling book of survival.I truly was captured by this book and had no idea how it would end. I can’t imagine any reader of mystery, suspense, or psychology not appreciating this book.

Only If You’re Lucky by Stacy Willingham, (List Price: $29, Minotaur Books, 9781250887931, January 2024)

Reviewed by Jackie Willey, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina

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It: a Novel by Stephen King

It consistently tops lists of ‘scariest books of all time’ and after reading it for the third time, I’ve gotta say that I agree. It is an incredible achievement in horror fiction and a landmark book. The town of Derry, Maine is cursed, as a small group of children discover one summer. Years later, they reunite to finally deal with the evil that has ravaged their hometown. After you read It, read the Dark Tower books. It’s all connected, man!

It by Stephen King, (List Price: $21.99, Scribner, 9781982127794, July 2019)

Reviewed by Colin Sneed, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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The Manor House by Gilly Macmillan

MacMillan has crafted a twisting, well-plotted, multiview point mystery that sweeps between timelines without ever disorienting the reader as to where they are in the story. It’s an utterly readable tale of greed, avarice, and revenge. It reminded me in all the best ways of And Then There None, and MacMillan is fearless in revealing who each of her characters really are. Also? The ongoing subplot of the unreliability of smart home technology feels so current, relatable, and also informs the plot in surprising ways. Loved this book, can’t wait to sell it.

The Manor House by Gilly Macmillan, (List Price: $30, William Morrow, 9780063074385, November 2023)

Reviewed by Tracie Harris, The Book House in Smyrna, Georgia

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All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby

All The Sinners Bleed is crime fiction at its best. Cosby has created a genre all his own with this and his first two novels that I’d call “Virginia noir.” And I’m totally here for it. This one follows a small-town sheriff (with an FBI background) that’s chasing a serial killer that has an obsession with religious iconography and targeting very specific victims. This police procedural that sets a new standard for thrillers and it also highlights the overt/covert social tensions that are prevalent in rural communities.

All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby, (List Price: 27.99, Flatiron Books, 9781250831910, June 2023)

Reviewed by Stuart McCommon, Novel. in Memphis, Tennessee

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The Land of Lost Things by John Connolly

The Land of Lost Things is a extraordinary work, filled with both the original spirit of the Grimm fairy tales, and environmental concerns. Phoebe, an eight year old girl, has been severely injured in a car accident, and has been left in a comatose state. Her mother, Ceres, constantly reads to her, especially fairy tales. When the hospital can no longer help her, Phoebe is transferred to a chronic care facility, funded by the legacy of the missing author of The Book of Lost Things, and located very close to his deserted home. When Ceres explores the house, she somehow finds herself transported into the world of The Book of Lost Things. What then transpires is a joy to read, filled with both wonderful characters, and ones that are pure evil. Always stressing the importance and the meaning of books and stories. There are many allusions and characters taken from history and folktales/fairy tales/legends that make appearances, and also some wonderful touches of humor. Throughout the story you are constantly hypnotized by life’s fragility. It is impossible to put down, and you will dream about it if you do.

The Land of Lost Things by John Connolly, (List Price: 28, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, 9781668022283, September 2023)

Reviewed by Amy Loewy, Garden District Book Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana

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Spotlight on: Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward

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Catriona Ward, photo credit Robert Hollingworth

“I love horror. I think it’s one of the most expressive, most empathetic genres you can work in. Everyone feels afraid at some point in their life. Reading is a sustained act of telepathy or empathy, and reading horror is even more profound than that: it’s asking people to share real vulnerabilities of yours and open themselves up to their own. It is like going down a tunnel, and hopefully the writer is leading the way with a torch, taking the reader’s hand.

I think it’s because of the difficulty of engaging with it, and having to open yourself up to feelings which society dismisses as being quite childlike. Fear isn’t something we’re particularly interested in dissecting; it’s considered a bit schlocky. But when done right, horror is a transformative experience….” ― Catriona Ward, Interview, The Guardian

Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward

What booksellers are saying about Looking Glass Sound

  • A coming of age story that takes a very dark turn. Wilder meets Harper and Nathanial when his family is vacationing on the Maine coast. They discover friendship, love and a serial killer, The Dagger Man, that is plaguing the town. Fast-forward to college, where Wilder’s roommate, Sky, encourages him to write a story about his experiences from those times in Maine. Fast-forward many years ahead, and Sky has stolen Wilder’s story and now Wilder is plotting his revenge. This is three books in one and in typical Catriona Ward fashion, you will not know what hit you until the very end!
      ― Megan Bell, Underground Books in Carrollton, Georgia | Buy from Underground Books

  • I really enjoyed this and was hooked from the beginning. I was totally surprised by the ending and can definitely say it wasn’t like anything else I have read lately.
      ― Nancy McFarlane, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina | Buy from Fiction Addiction

  • Dare I say this is my favorite yet from Catriona Ward? It’s a story inside a story thriller set on a small coastal town in Maine where a serial killer stalks the townspeople. Teenage Wilder and his summer friends Nat and Harlow form bonds that will last into adulthood – whether they want them to or not. Adult Wilder is an author who is down on his luck and struggling with his final manuscript. As he tries to put his memoirs down on paper, the past won’t set him or his friends free. Haunting , layered, and twisty, this kept me on the edge of my seat until the final reveal.
      ― Andrea Richardson, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia | Buy from Fountain Booksttore

About Catriona Ward

Catriona Ward was born in Washington, DC, and grew up in the United States, Kenya, Madagascar, Yemen, and Morocco. She studied English at the University of Oxford and later earned her master’s degree in creative writing at the University of East Anglia. Ward is a three-time winner of the August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel: for The Girl from Rawblood, her debut; Little Eve; and The Last House on Needless Street. Little Eve also won the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel. Ward is the international bestselling author of The Last House on Needless Street and Sundial.

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Spotlight on: Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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Silvia Moreno-Garcia, photo credit Martin Dee

“Because I grew up in radio stations, I also grew up with sound as the massive cornerstone of my life. I used my parents’ tape recorders and microphone to record sounds when I was a kid. Later on, I fell in love with film and ransacked the local video store for all the horror movies I could carry home. My best friends were long-dead actors and rubber monsters.” ― Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Letter from the Author

Silver Nitrate
 by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

What booksellers are saying about Silver Nitrate

  • Montserrat and Tristan are childhood friends who are nearing forty and disappointed in both their professional and personal lives. When Tristan moves into a new building and meets an elderly director who has an unfinished film that has ties to a Nazi occultist they are intrigued. When that director enlists their help in finishing the film to unleash magic powers they see a chance to change their luck. Unfortunately this comes with unexpected consequences. A must read book for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and anyone who loves old movies, magic and horror. A great read.
      ― Kathy Clemmons from Sundog Books in Santa Rosa Beach, FL | Buy from Sundog Books

  • Every time I read a new book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I think “now this one is my favorite”.
      ― Rosie Dauval from One More Page Books in Arlington, VA | Buy from One More Page Books

  • Silver Nitrate is a wild ride of a book that I couldn’t put down. It’s a perfect combination of horror fandom, occult sorcery, cinematic storytelling, and crime fiction. The protagonist, Montserrat, displays the ideal mix of sarcasm and intelligence and she has a keen eye for solving puzzles. Also, her attraction to understanding oddities makes this a bit of a modern detective novel as well. This is a great addition to Moreno-Garcia’s catalog.
      ― Stuart McCommon from Novel in Memphis, TN | Buy from Novel

About Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the author of the novels The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, Velvet Was the Night, Mexican Gothic, Gods of Jade and Shadow, and a bunch of other books. She has also edited several anthologies, including the World Fantasy Award–winning She Walks in Shadows (a.k.a. Cthulhu’s Daughters). She has been nominated for the Locus Award for her work as an editor and has won the British Fantasy Award and the Locus Award for her work as a novelist. 

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The Woods are Waiting by Katherine Greene

I really enjoy books about secluded mountain towns and the people who live there. The traditions are so rich, the community and family connections so strong. Like any town, especially one somewhat isolated from the outside your fate and reputation might be established before you are born. Cheyenne was an Ashby and the Ashby’s held a relationship with the forest. Rituals were established to keep children safe from the forest, silver in your pockets and dirt in your shoes. The rituals became more extreme when more children continued to disappear. Cheyenne cannot take the constant stress and leaves home. Called back five years later to care for her Mother by the only man she trusts after another child goes missing. She arrives to a Mother she barely recognizes and the animosity of Natalie and Jackson, her two best friends she left behind. Old friendships are tested and many secrets are uncovered. Sometimes you learn you really can’t rely on those you have trusted forever.

The Woods are Waiting by Katherine Greene, (List Price: $28.99, Crooked Lane Books, 9781639103805, July 2023)

Reviewed by Jackie Willey, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina

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Zero Days by Ruth Ware

Gabe and Jacinta are professional "hackers" hired by companies to investigate security weaknesses. After one such investigation, Jacinta returns home to find Gabe murdered. When Jacinta realizes she’s the prime suspect, she runs, trying to survive long enough to discover who murdered Gabe and why. You will be racing with her, pursuing the culprit in an effort to prevent his escape and stop Zero Day and disaster. You may recognize this story as a 21st century version of the movie, The Fugitive, with similar action and suspense. Zero Days…another exciting thriller by Ruth Ware!

Zero Days by Ruth Ware, (List Price: 29.99, Gallery/Scout Press, 9781982155292, June 2023)

Reviewed by Karen Solar, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, Florida

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All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby

A June 2023 Read This Next! Title

Mr. Cosby has upped the ante once again! Instead of down at the heel ne’er do wells searching for something better he has segued to a sheriff fighting the ills permeating the air of his small town. Bad air that wasn’t know until a school shooting that opens up a veritable Pandora’s box of evil and depravity. Written in his inimitable style, strong yet compassionate, he gets deep into the heart and soul of his characters and makes them come alive like no one else writing today.

All Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby, (List Price: 27.99, Flatiron Books, 9781250831910, June 2023)

Reviewed by Pete Mock, McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro, North Carolina

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