S&S Book Club: Spencer Quinn’s Mrs Plansky’s Revenge
Lida looks at Spencer Quinn’s Mrs. Planksy’s Revenge. Lida writes: I love the premise–that’s what drew me to this book. Loretta’s determination and grit were admirable, but the novel wasn’t quite what I had hoped it would be.
The Inside Scoop with Jane Cleland
Sleuths and Sidekicks is honored to host award-winning writer Jane Cleland on The Inside Scoop.
S&S Book Club: Cheryl Head’s Time’s Undoing
Lida looks at Cheryl Head’s Time’s Undoing through a writer’s eye. Lida writes: The story is told in first person, present tense, using dual points of view and two different time periods: 1929 and 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. Not an easy task for any writer, and through it, all the author skillfully makes the reader feel very much in the moment.
S&S Book Club: Finlay DonovanElle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
We had so much fun talking with Elle Cosimano about her Finlay Donovan series, how she approaches writing, and what she’s learned along the way. Watch the recording of our live book club and here our thoughts.
The Inside Scoop with Rhys Bowen
Sleuths and Sidekicks is honored to host New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen on The Inside Scoop. Rhys has written more than 50 novels of historical fiction and mystery which have garnered multiple awards and nominations.
S&S Book Club: Karen Odden’s Down a Dark River
Tina and Lida chat about Carol’s pick: Karen Odden’s Down a Dark River (An Inspector Corravan Mystery #1). Carol writes: The story pulled me in from page one—both the protagonist and the setting felt immediately real.
S&S Book Club: Laura Dave’s The Last Thing He Told Me
Carol, Jen, and Lida chat about Tina’s pick: Laura Dave’s The Last Thing He Told Me. Tina writes: I chose this title after seeing the trailer for the Apple TV mini-series. The initial setting of this book is a houseboat community in Sausalito, California. I have always loved the idea of living on a houseboat—generally, I am drawn to unusual living arrangements. The scenes of this quaint community whet my appetite. Not one to watch before reading, I immediately requested the book from my library.
The Inside Scoop with Gabriel Valjan
Sleuths and Sidekicks is honored to host the prolific and talented Gabriel Valjan on The Inside Scoop. Gabriel writes multiple series, as well as short stories in several genres.
S&S Book Club: Emily Ecton’s The Ambrose Deception
Carol and Tina chat about Lida’s pick: Emily Ecton’s The Ambrose Deception. Lida writes: I loved the characters, from the smart little brother to the personal drivers who are responsible for the kids' safety.
S&S Book Club: Gigi Pandian’s The Raven Thief
Tina, Lida and Jen chat about Carol’s pick: Gigi Pandian’s The Raven Thief. Carol says: I also love Gigi Pandian’s Accidental Alchemist mysteries featuring Dorian the Notre Dame gargoyle. So, it was an easy move for me to check out Pandian’s new Secret Staircase series.
The Inside Scoop with Martin Edwards
Sleuths and Sidekicks is honored to host Martin Edwards, leading expert on the Golden Age of Mystery and President of the famed Detection Club, as our first Inside Scoop guest.
S&S Book Club: Jacqueline Winspear’s The White Lady
Carol and Jen chat about Jen’s pick: Jacqueline Winspear’s The White Lady. Jen says: I’ve loved Jacqueline Winspear since she first debuted the celebrated Maisie Dobbs series in 2003. When my sister gave me a copy of Winspear’s newest book, The White Lady, featuring a new heroine, I couldn't wait to dive in.
S&S Book Club: Ann Cleeves’ The Rising Tide
Lida, Tina & Jen chat about Carol’s pick: Ann Cleeves’s The Rising Tide, the 10th Vera Stanhope mystery. Carol says: I’ve read every book in the Vera series and can’t wait for the next one.
S&S Book Club: Carol Goodman’s Blythewood
Tina & Jen chat about Tina’s pick: Carol Goodman’s Blythewood. Tina says: I chose Blythewood because I was the lucky moderator with the talented Carol Goodman was a panel participant. Blythewood is atmospheric and chock full of charm and charms
S&S Book Club: Deanna Raybourn’s A Curious Beginning
Tina, Jen, Lida & Carol chat about Lida’s pick: Deanna Raybourn’s A Curious Beginning, #1 in the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries. Lida says: Always on the lookout for a read with action, snappy dialogue, and a mystery, I happened upon A Curious Beginning. An author new to me, I was very pleasantly surprised.
S&S Book Club: Barbara Neely’s Blanche on the Lam
Tina, Lida & Carol chat about Jen’s pick: Barbara Neely’s Blanche on the Lam. Jen says: Barbara Neely is a celebrated African American mystery writer, and when her name came up at a recent Sisters in Crime Chicagoland meeting, I realized it was time for me to finally pick up one of her books, and I’m so glad that I did.
S&S Book Club: Chris Pavone’s The Expats
Tina, Lida & Jen chat about Carol’s pick: Chris Pavone’s The Expats. Carol says: The Expats is what I want a thriller to be—a rollercoaster ride of never-ending twists that have me eagerly turning the pages.
S&S Book Club: Alexander McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
Lida & Jen chat about Lida’s pick: Alexander McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Lida writes: This is another book I hadn’t read in a long while, and I thought it was high time to see how it held up. I’d say not too badly at all.
S&S Book Club: Blacktop Wasteland by S. A. Cosby
Tina, Lida and Jen chat about Tina’s pick: S.A. Cosby’s Blacktop Wasteland. Tina writes: I have been meaning to read Blacktop Wasteland since 2020 when it garnered so many awards. This month it finally made it to the top of my never-ending TBR pile. I dug in with enthusiasm.
S&S Book Club: Nancy Atherton’s Aunt Dimity’s Death
Tina, Lida and Jen chat about Carol’s pick: Nancy Atherton’s Aunt Dimity’s Death. Carol writes: With the first couple of chapter-one sentences, I was hooked. Aunt Dimity’s Death is absolutely delightful—beautifully written, fun, and imaginative—with characters that I enjoy spending time with.