Category

Thriller

Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Dec 10: TEQUILA – A Story of Success, Love, & Violence with Tim Reuben

December 10, 2025

Suspense novel introduces young lawyer Brian Youngam

Tequila A Story of Success, Love, and Violence with author Tim Reuben

What happens when ambition, love, and lethal violence collide in the high-stakes world of tequila production?

Author and legal entrepreneur Tim Reuben joins us to talk about his powerful debut novel TEQUILA: A Story of Success, Love, & Violence, an epic tale set against the real-world landscape of Mexico’s booming tequila industry. It’s a story of risk, loyalty, betrayal – and the cost of chasing greatness.

We discuss craft, character, culture, and the line between success and destruction. Who Tim’s favorite character is, and why he made his lead antagonist absolutely irredeemable.

Tim also shares why writing his first fiction book was like “climbing a mountain“, from the highs and the thrills to the lows; and how he pushed through self-doubt.

Meet Tim Reuben

Novelist, Tim Reuben, is a veteran civil litigation attorney, a mediator, and a temporary judge in the LA courts. He founded his own law firm more than 30 years ago, and still manages the practice, while publishing widely on topics of law and society. Inspired by his law and travel experiences, and an appreciation of spirits, Reuben introduces his first novel, TEQUILA: A Story of Success, Love, & Violence, and has plans for at least two more-family saga suspense novels featuring protagonist, Brian Youngman.

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Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Nov 19: Kiss Her Goodbye, A Novel with Lisa Gardner

November 19, 2025

Can Frankie Elkin Find a Young Afghan Refugee in Time?

Kiss Her Goodbye with author Lisa Gardner

It’s always a great conversation with Lisa Gardner. As one of America’s leading thriller writers, Lisa loves to discuss the craft of writing. She also shares unique and interesting stories gathered from the extensive research she does to make her stories authentic.

When Frankie Elkin sets out to save an entire family from its haunting past in Kiss Her Goodbye, every decision could lead to disaster, as love and loss collide.

We discuss the emotional and moral undercurrents of Lisa Gardner’s Kiss Her Goodbye and hear some of the stories behind the story. We also learn how the concept for Kiss Her Goodbye was sparked by a conversation with strangers, while she was on sabbatical. And, Lisa shares some of the research that left her astonished.

Meet Lisa Gardner

Lisa Gardner, a #1 New York Times bestselling thriller novelist, has transformed her interest in police procedure and criminal minds into a streak of internationally acclaimed novels, published across 30 countries. She’s also had four books become TV movies (At the Midnight Hour; The Perfect Husband; The Survivors Club; Hide). Lisa’s books have received awards from across the globe. Her novel, The Neighbor, won Best Hardcover Novel from the International Thriller Writers, and the Grand Prix des Lectrices de Elle in France. She was also recognized with the Daphne du Maurier Award in 2000 for The Other Daughter.

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Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Nov 05: The Girl From Devil’s Lake with NYT Bestselling Author J. A. Jance

November 6, 2025

Joanna Brady Hunts a Serial Killer Hiding in Plain Sight

J. A. Jance Author of The Girl From Devil’s Lake, A Brady Novel of Suspense

THE GIRL FROM DEVIL’S LAKE is J. A. Jance’s 21st Joanna Brady novel. And it’s Brady’s biggest, most challenging case yet. As she digs into the investigation of a body discovered in the Arizona desert, Joanna Brady realizes this murder is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle, involving crimes that span decades, and even countries.

We discuss the story, characters, and how J. A. Jance captures the mind of a serial killer. J. A. also shares some of the challenges of writing while dealing with real life. Just turned 81 years old, J. A. cares for her husband, walks 10,000 steps per day — and is writing a new novel while promoting THE GIRL FROM DEVIL’S LAKE, and waiting on Ali Reynolds’ edits to come back from her publisher in New York. All without an assistant. Whew!

Meet Bestselling Suspense Author J.A. Jance

J. A. JANCE is the New York Times bestselling author of the J. P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, the Ali Reynolds series, six thrillers about the Walker Family, and one volume of poetry. In total, she’s written 70 books. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband around Seattle, Washington. THE GIRL FROM DEVIL’S LAKE.

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Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Oct 22: Joe Hart’s Novel Will Make You Question How Well You Know Your Lover

October 22, 2025

I Become Her — A Thriller

I Become Her with author Joe Hart

When Imogen Carmichael’s honeymoon shifts from bliss to a nightmare in the blink of an eye, paranoia builds and trust unravels. Is Imogen going crazy, or is something more sinister going on?

Master of psychological suspense, Joe Hart, joins us to discuss I Become Her.

We explore the story behind a honeymoon gone disastrously wrong. Joe shares how he developed the voice of a strong female protagonist, and some of the most challenging aspects of writing a thriller.

We also look at how memories — factual or dramatized — often shape how we see the truth. And, Joe shares insight into how he’s successfully crossed genres, something many authors struggle to do.

Meet Joe Hart

Joe Hart is an Edgar Award–winning and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 17 novels, including Or Else, The River Is Dark, Obscura, and The Last Girl. He’s also written several novella’s and dozens of short stories. Known for his taut pacing and psychological depth, Hart crafts stories that keep readers on edge until the final page. He lives in Minnesota with his family and continues to explore the darker side of human nature through fiction.

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Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Sep 03: #1 NYT Author Lisa Gardner with Kiss Her Goodbye

September 3, 2025

Missing persons’ locator Frankie Elkin in latest domestic thriller

Kiss Her Goodbye with author Lisa Gardner

Kiss Her Goodbye: When love and loss collide, every character becomes a mystery, and every decision could be one that leads to disaster. When a young Afghan refugee goes missing, and her four-year-old daughter’s life is on the line, can Frankie Elkin save an entire family from its haunting past?

Today we venture beyond the plot and characters of Kiss Her Goodbye, and explore the emotional and moral undercurrents running through Lisa’s new story.

We also learn how the idea for this story came to Lisa while on sabbatical, and some of the research that left her astounded.

Meet Lisa Gardner

Lisa Gardner, a #1 New York Times bestselling thriller novelist, has transformed her interest in police procedure and criminal minds into a streak of internationally acclaimed novels, published across 30 countries. She’s also had four books become TV movies (At the Midnight Hour; The Perfect Husband; The Survivors Club; Hide). Lisa’s books have received awards from across the globe. Her novel, The Neighbor, won Best Hardcover Novel from the International Thriller Writers, and the Grand Prix des Lectrices de Elle in France. She was also recognized with the Daphne du Maurier Award in 2000 for The Other Daughter.

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Fiction, Thriller, Uncategorized

Aug 27: I Become Her with Edgar Award-winning Author Joe Hart

August 27, 2025

Ever wonder if you really know the person you love? Joe Hart’s new thriller dares you to find out.

I Become Her with author Joe Hart

Joe Hart, master of psychological suspense joins us to discuss his chilling new novel I Become Her.

The story follows Imogen Carmichael, a newlywed whose honeymoon turns into a nightmare when her husband Lev falls overboard during a heated argument—he survives, but with no memory of what happened. As paranoia builds and trust unravels, the question becomes: Is Lev hiding something sinister—or is Imogen losing her grip on reality?

In our conversation we explore what inspired the central premise of a honeymoon gone disastrously wrong. How Joe developed the voice of a strong female lead. The most challenging aspects of writing a thriller. And, how memory—real or imagined—can shape the truth we cling to.

Meet Joe Hart

Joe Hart is an Edgar Award–winning and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 17 novels, including Or Else, The River Is Dark, Obscura, and The Last Girl. He’s also written several novella’s and dozens of short stories. Known for his taut pacing and psychological depth, Hart crafts stories that keep readers on edge until the final page. He lives in Minnesota with his family and continues to explore the darker side of human nature through fiction.

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Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Writers on Writing, Young Adult Fiction

Aug 13: Hayley Krischer’s You Belong to Me

August 13, 2025

What if living your best life had deadly consequences?

You Belong to Me with author Hayley Krischer

Teens and adults alike are captivated by Hayley Krischer’s latest gripping YA novel. You Belong to Me is a dark, atmoshperic, emotionally charged story where the stakes are high and hit too close to home.

Hayley reveals the dark side of the wellness industry, a multi-trillion dollar economy encompassing many false claims and scams.

We look at why Hayley’s favorite characters were inspired by followers of an infamous cult (think Charles Manson). The challenges of pace in plot, and how she develops characters to meet it. And some of the themes at the heart of You Belong to Me such as the need to belong, and what it means to trust yourself.

Meet Hayley Krischer

Hayley Krischer is an award-winning journalist who has written for the The New York Times, The Atlantic, Elle and more. She has an MFA from Lesley University. Her books include fiction and nonficiton. Find out more at her website.

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Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Aug 06: Brad Taylor Returns with Into the Gray Zone

August 6, 2025

Pike Logan is in India to expose a geopolitical scheme gone awry

Into the Gray Zone with author Brad Taylor

Former Special Forces officer turned New York Times bestseller Brad Taylor is back to discuss his latest pulse-pounding thriller in the Pike Logan series, Into the Gray Zone.

As he develops new ideas, Brad puts his vast knowledge of military threats, hybrid warfare, and covert operations to work. Coupled with endless research, a trip to India, and a vivid imagination, Brad stories are crafted with stunning realism, even incorporating real-life news.

Today, we talk about some of the topics of Into the Gray Zone, including Sikh revolutionaries, rare earth minerals, and Brad’s travels in India. A little about writing. And what’s not in the news, that should be.

Meet Brad Taylor

A veteran of the US Army infantry and Special Forces, including eight years with Delta Force, Brad Taylor retired as Lieutenant Colonel, in 2010, after 21 years of service, including participation in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He’s written 17 NYT bestsellers and consults on asymmetric security threats for various agencies. Today we’re talking about his 19th book, Into The Gray Zone.

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Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Jun 25: Ryan Steck with Gone Dark

June 25, 2025

As Montana goes up in flames, former marine raider Matt Redd isn’t looking for trouble, but it sure finds him.

Gone Dark with author Ryan Steck

Join Vicki with bestselling thriller author Ryan Steck, who celebrates the release of Gone Dark, the fourth installment in his exciting Matthew Redd series.

As smoke jumpers brave Montana wildfires, Matt Redd receives an unexpected call that leads him to protect a terrified young witness, confront a medical crisis linked to opioids, and face institutional corruption with a bombshell connection to Big Pharma.

Ryan Steck is known for blending intense action with emotional stakes. We dig into his approach to the writing craft, research, character evolution. And what it takes to write a thriller pulsating with authenticity.

Meet Ryan Steck

Ryan Steck is a freelance editor, author, and founder and editor-in-chief of The Real Book Spy. Ryan has been named an “Online Influencer” by Amazon and is a regular columnist at CrimeReads. He also coauthors with other novelists and continues the late Ted Bell’s legacy by authoring new books in the Alex Hawke series. Gone Dark is the latest in Steck’s Matt Redd Thriller series.

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Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Jun 18: Robert Bailey with The Boomerang

June 18, 2025

A Desperate Fight for Family Uncloaks a Shocking Government Secret

The Boomerang with author Robert Bailey

Robert Bailey calls on his own personal challenges as well as a jarring conspiracy theory for inspiration in his exhilarating political thriller, The Boomerang.

The story follows Chief of Staff Eli James, who also happens to be best friends with the President of the United States. Upon the President’s terminal cancer mysteriously improving, Eli journey’s from the White House to New Mexico as he unravels a devastating cover-up involving the government and Big Pharma.

We discuss all of this, as well as Robert’s own journey with his family’s issues; writing The Boomerang; character development, and more.

Meet Robert Bailey

Robert Bailey is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of THE BOOMERANG, the Jason Rich series, the McMurtrie and Drake legal thrillers, the Bocephus Haynes series, and the inspirational novel, THE GOLFER’S CAROL. Robert’s books are imbued with a keen sense of justice and a profound understanding of what drives people to commit the worst crimes and fight hardest for those they love, gained from his decades as a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama.

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