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Mystery

Fiction, Mystery, Writers on Writing

Sep 10: Vianne with Award-Winning Author Joanne Harris

September 10, 2025

Spellbinding prequel reveals secrets, magic, & the making of a heroine

Vianne with author Joanne Harris

Joining us today, a multiple award-winning writer who is often called one of contemporary literature’s most beloved voices, Joanne Harris — an internationally bestselling author whose magical realism enchanted millions of readers worldwide.

You may know Joanne best for her novel, Chocolat, which introduced us to Vianne Rocher and later became an Academy Award–nominated film.

In Joanne’s latest work, Vianne, she takes us back in time to explore the origins of her unforgettable character in a much-anticipated prequel.

We explore the rich storytelling that makes Joanne’s work so compelling. We discuss character development, the craft of writing, and how Joanne has managed to successfully navigate across so many genres. We also learn a couple of fun facts about the author herself.

Meet Joanne Harris

Joanne Harris (OBE, FRSL) was born in Barnsley, of a French mother and an English father. She studied Modern and Mediaeval Languages at Cambridge and was a teacher for 15 years, during which time she published three novels, including Chocolat (1999), which was made into an Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche .

Since then, she has written over 20 more novels, plus novellas, short stories, game scripts, the libretti for two short operas, several screenplays, a stage musical (with Howard Goodall) and three cookbooks. Her books are published in over 50 countries and have won a number of British and international awards.

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Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Writers on Writing

Jul 30: Martha’s Vineyard Book & Beach Club

July 30, 2025

Martha Hall Kelly’s love letter to literature, resilient women and a very special island.

Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club with author Martha Hall Kelly

Martha Hall Kelly weaves fiction with reality in Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club, a story about a contemporary mystery that can only be solved by learning about the past. Kelly taps into her mother’s family history for her latest novel, making this her most personal work to date.

The story reveals little-known facts of what transpired on Martha’s Vineyard during WWII—that German U-boats cruised the surrounding waters, and Nazi spies snuck ashore. The novel centers on two sisters who alter history when they start a book club.

We discuss Martha’s journey getting into the head of a woman who came of age in WWII on Martha’s Vineyard. She shares her challenges in crafting the story. We dissect the power of storytelling through some of the literature discussed at the Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club.

Meet Martha Hall Kelly

Martha Hall Kelly is the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls, Lost Roses, Sunflower Sisters, and The Golden Doves. She was born and raised in Massachusetts, received Journalism degrees from Syracuse and Northwestern Universities, and worked as an advertising copywriter for many years before becoming a novelist. With more than two million copies of her books sold and translated in 50 countries, Martha lives in Litchfield, CT, Hobe Sound, FL, and New York City. 

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Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Writers on Writing

May 28: Martha Hall Kelly with Martha’s Vineyard Book & Beach Club

May 28, 2025

A love letter to literature. Resilient women. And a very special island.

Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club with author Martha Hall Kelly

A contemporary mystery that can only be solved by learning about the past, Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is based on many aspects of Martha Hall Kelly‘s mother’s family history, making it the author’s most personal work to date.

The story discloses little-known facts of what took place on Martha’s Vineyard during WWII—that German U-boats cruised the surrounding waters, and Nazi spies snuck ashore. At the novel’s center, two sisters start a book club that changes history.

We discuss Martha’s writing and the power of storytelling through some of the literature discussed at the Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club. Martha shares her challenges in crafting the story. And how she got into the head of a woman growing up in WWII on Martha’s Vineyard.

Meet Martha Hall Kelly

Martha Hall Kelly is the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls, Lost Roses, Sunflower Sisters, and The Golden Doves. She was born and raised in Massachusetts, received Journalism degrees from Syracuse and Northwestern Universities, and worked as an advertising copywriter for many years before becoming a novelist. With more than two million copies of her books sold and translated in 50 countries, Martha lives in Litchfield, CT, Hobe Sound, FL, and New York City. 

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Fiction, Mystery, Writers on Writing

Oct 02: #1 NYT Bestselling Author J.A. Jance with Den of Iniquity

October 2, 2024

J.P. Beaumont’s investigation of a seemingly accidental death reveals a complex web of evil

Den of Iniquity with author J.A. Jance

J.A. Jance has been writing about J.P. Beaumont – former Seattle homicide cop turned private investigator – for 41 years. “It’s like coming home to spend time with family and friends” says Jance. Den of Iniquity is the 26th story in the J.P. Beaumont series, and it does not disappoint.

Today we touch on some of the themes in Den of Iniquity, from family dynamics and generational gaps, to pursuing a cold case, a fentanyl overdose, and the devastation that drug use creates.

We discuss the evolution of Beaumont’s character, and why J.A. Jance placed him in a real location, Ashland, Washington, versus a fictional town. And how this busy author manages the whirlwind challenges of promoting Den of Iniquity, while simultaneously completing another Joanna Brady book, and editing a third novel. It might have something to do with walking 10,000 steps a day in nature. Just saying.

Meet #1 NYT Bestseller J. A. Jance

With a writing career spanning more than 40 years, J.A. Jance is the New York Times bestselling mystery author of more than 60 novels in four separate series:  J.P. Beaumont, Joanna Brady, Ali Reynolds, and the Walker Family.  She resides in the Seattle area with her husband, Bill, and two dachshunds, Mary and JoJo. More at J.A. Jance.

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