Latest news with #TessMonaghan
Chicago Tribune
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Biblioracle: My favorite new page-turners from Rob Hart, Laura Lippman and Megan Abbott
The 600 words I'm allotted a week in this space is just enough to discuss one book in sufficient detail to make sure readers are sufficiently informed to make a reading choice for themselves. How am I going to possibly discuss three books in one column, as I feel I must this week? The fact of the matter is that there are too many books worth recommending coming out year-round now and it just so happens these three writers have new books coming out within a week of each other this month. One advantage is that these three books are by writers whom I've previously extolled in these pages, so I can, to some degree, cut to the chase, give you my impression of the book and let you, the reader, go from there. Let's get to it before I waste any more words describing what I plan to do for the benefit of you, my treasured audience of dedicated readers. Rob Hart's 'The Medusa Protocol' is a sequel to 2024's 'Assassins Anonymous' a thriller centered on Mark, once known as 'the Pale Horse,' the deadliest hired killer in the world, but who has renounced his murderous ways and joined a 12-step program for hired assassins. When forces from his past come for revenge, Mark needs to get himself out of the bind without killing anyone and ruining his non-killing streak. To say too much about 'The Medusa Protocol' is to give away parts of 'Assassins Anonymous,' which readers should start with first, but trust that both books are fun, quick involving adventures where you find yourself rooting for the deadliest people on the planet. Laura Lippman is my favorite crime/suspense fiction writer working today with an oeuvre that includes a very satisfying detective series (Tess Monaghan) and better than a dozen stand-alone novels, including my favorites, 'Dream Girl' and 'The Lady in the Lake.' Her newest, 'Murder Takes a Vacation,' is a fun departure, a cozy mystery with Mrs. Blossom moving from her supporting role as the assistant to Tess Monaghan to the central character as she heads off on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris and riverboat cruise up the Seine. On the flight to Paris, Mrs. Blossom meets the dashing Allan, who sparks the first romantic feelings she's had in ages since Mr. Blossom's death years before. Allan winds up dead and Mrs. Monaghan realizes she has the skills to solve the mystery. Less gritty than the usual Lippman fare, but great fun with her meticulous attention to character. Here's hoping for more novels with Mrs. Blossom in the lead. Megan Abbott is my favorite suspense/crime fiction writer working today. The order of those two words matter, because while there are often criminal (or sinister) activities at the center of her books (my favorites: 'Dare Me' and 'The Fever'), the chief pleasure is in the way she teases and develops the dread flowing from out of the central mystery. 'El Dorado Drive' is set in the Detroit suburbs and is the story of three sisters, the Bishops, who have seen their personal/family fortunes decline along with the region itself. They dive into 'The Wheel,' a multi-level marketing organization that promises riches and liberation for women who want to work on their own terms. As always happens in a Megan Abbott book, things go terribly awry and a novel of family and financial intrigue that will keep you guessing unfolds. Abbott packs more emotion and information into a single sentence than some writers can do in a page, making for and gripping reading experience. Three very different books that will keep you turning the pages. Why not read them all? John Warner is the author of books including 'More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI.' You can find him at Book recommendations from the Biblioracle John Warner tells you what to read based on the last five books you've read. 1. 'Empire Falls' by Richard Russo 2. 'The Ruins' by Steve Wick 3. 'After Oz' by Gordon McAlpine 4. 'All the Broken Places' by John Boyne 5. 'Safe Houses' by Dan FespermanI don't know what happened to this author named David Shafer. I've never seen another book by him, but his first, 'Whiskey Tango Foxtrot' is a super smart, very involving thriller that seems like a good fit for Jordan. 1. 'Emma' by Jane Austen 2. 'The Matriarch' by Tina Knowles 3. 'Big Little Lies' by Liane Moriarty 4. 'Pineapple Street' by Jenny Jackson 5. 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' by Shelby Van PeltThis book is a little slower burn than some of the novels on this list, more literary, less commercial, but I think it's a good fit for Jemma, 'The Book of Goose' by Yiyun Li. 1. 'A Season on the Brink' by John Feinstein 2. 'Feherty' by John Feinstein 3. 'A Walk in the Woods' by Bill Bryson 4. 'Confederates in the Attic' by Tony Horwitz 5. 'A River Runs Through It' by Norman MacleanI'm hoping Lyle is not yet familiar with the work of Patrick McManus, the funniest writer of outdoor adventures ever. He can start with 'A Fine and Pleasant Misery.' Get a reading from the Biblioracle Send a list of the last five books you've read and your hometown to biblioracle@
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Book Review: An aging widow's European river cruise turns deadly in 'Murder Takes a Vacation'
Muriel Blossom began her fictional career as a minor character in 2008, serving as an assistant to private detective Tess Monaghan, the protagonist in twelve of Laura Lippman's fine crime novels. Over the years, she proved valuable to Tess, excellent at surveillance because of an uncanny ability to blend into the background. But now, in 'Murder Takes a Vacation,' Mrs. Blossom, as she is always called, gets her star turn. 'She was a large woman,' Lippman writes. 'OK, fine. She was fat.' But Mrs. Blossom is comfortable with her body although she occasionally feels self-conscious when she senses others are judging her. She is in her late 60s now, widowed and a grandmother, but thanks to a winning lottery ticket she found in a parking lot, she has money for the first time in her life. One of the things she does with it is take her first trip to Europe. On the cross-Atlantic flight, and again when she reaches Paris, younger men begin showing Mrs. Blossom a great deal of attention. She rather likes this, although she wonders if they might be after her money. But soon, after she boards the cruise ship to tour the Seine, she becomes aware that she is being followed. Eventually her stateroom is ransacked and a stranger tries to mug her. To explain why would reveal too much of the story. Suffice it to say that Mrs. Blossom unwittingly gets caught up in something nefarious involving a jewel-encrusted bird that will remind readers of 'The Maltese Falcon.' And like Sam Spade, she has the strength and guile to deal with it. Lippman's crime novels are often gritty and street-smart, but in this funny, charming cozy about Mrs. Blossom's vacation, both the prose and the plot are playful. 'As someone who often writes about terrible people,' she says in her author's note, 'I loved every minute I spent with Muriel Blossom.' ___ Bruce DeSilva, winner of the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award, is the author of the Mulligan crime novels including 'The Dread Line.' ___ AP book reviews: Bruce Desilva, The Associated Press
Al Arabiya
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Arabiya
Book Review: An aging widow's European river cruise turns deadly in 'Murder Takes a Vacation'
Muriel Blossom began her fictional career as a minor character in 2008, serving as an assistant to private detective Tess Monaghan, the protagonist in twelve of Laura Lippman's fine crime novels. Over the years, she proved valuable to Tess, excellent at surveillance because of an uncanny ability to blend into the background. But now, in 'Murder Takes a Vacation,' Mrs. Blossom–as she is always called–gets her star turn. 'She was a large woman,' Lippman writes. 'OK, fine. She was fat.' But Mrs. Blossom is comfortable with her body, although she occasionally feels self-conscious when she senses others are judging her. She is in her late 60s now, widowed and a grandmother, but thanks to a winning lottery ticket she found in a parking lot, she has money for the first time in her life. One of the things she does with it is take her first trip to Europe. On the trans-Atlantic flight and again when she reaches Paris, younger men begin showing Mrs. Blossom a great deal of attention. She rather likes this, although she wonders if they might be after her money. But soon after she boards the cruise ship to tour the Seine, she becomes aware that she is being followed. Eventually, her stateroom is ransacked, and a stranger tries to mug her. To explain why would reveal too much of the story. Suffice it to say that Mrs. Blossom unwittingly gets caught up in something nefarious involving a jewel-encrusted bird that will remind readers of 'The Maltese Falcon.' And like Sam Spade, she has the strength and guile to deal with it. Lippman's crime novels are often gritty and street-smart, but in this funny, charming cozy about Mrs. Blossom's vacation, both the prose and the plot are playful. As someone who often writes about terrible people, she says in her author's note, 'I loved every minute I spent with Muriel Blossom.'
Associated Press
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Book Review: An aging widow's European river cruise turns deadly in 'Murder Takes a Vacation'
Muriel Blossom began her fictional career as a minor character in 2008, serving as an assistant to private detective Tess Monaghan, the protagonist in twelve of Laura Lippman's fine crime novels. Over the years, she proved valuable to Tess, excellent at surveillance because of an uncanny ability to blend into the background. But now, in 'Murder Takes a Vacation,' Mrs. Blossom, as she is always called, gets her star turn. 'She was a large woman,' Lippman writes. 'OK, fine. She was fat.' But Mrs. Blossom is comfortable with her body although she occasionally feels self-conscious when she senses others are judging her. She is in her late 60s now, widowed and a grandmother, but thanks to a winning lottery ticket she found in a parking lot, she has money for the first time in her life. One of the things she does with it is take her first trip to Europe. On the cross-Atlantic flight, and again when she reaches Paris, younger men begin showing Mrs. Blossom a great deal of attention. She rather likes this, although she wonders if they might be after her money. But soon, after she boards the cruise ship to tour the Seine, she becomes aware that she is being followed. Eventually her stateroom is ransacked and a stranger tries to mug her. To explain why would reveal too much of the story. Suffice it to say that Mrs. Blossom unwittingly gets caught up in something nefarious involving a jewel-encrusted bird that will remind readers of 'The Maltese Falcon.' And like Sam Spade, she has the strength and guile to deal with it. Lippman's crime novels are often gritty and street-smart, but in this funny, charming cozy about Mrs. Blossom's vacation, both the prose and the plot are playful. 'As someone who often writes about terrible people,' she says in her author's note, 'I loved every minute I spent with Muriel Blossom.' ___ Bruce DeSilva, winner of the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award, is the author of the Mulligan crime novels including 'The Dread Line.' ___ AP book reviews:
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tomorrow Studios Acquires Tess Monaghan Book Series By Laura Lippman For TV Adaptation
Laura Lippman's series of books following private investigator Tess Monaghan may soon hit the small screen: Tomorrow Studios (The Better Sister, One Piece) has acquired the series. Lipplan, a New York Times bestselling author, will co-write the television series with Edgar-winning author Megan Abbott. The Tess Monaghan series follows the investigative pursuits of Tess Monaghan, a former reporter turned private investigator in Baltimore. Each book explores intricate plots with intriguing characters in Baltimore's diverse neighborhoods More from Deadline Cop Drama In Works At Max From Eileen Myers, Liz Garbus & Tomorrow Studios As Part Of Streamer's New Strategy Kara Swisher's 'Burn Book' Optioned By Tomorrow Studios For Series Development Gabriel Sloyer & Matthew Modine Join 'The Better Sister' As Series Regulars 'Tess Monaghan is an iconic character, and we are thrilled that Laura has entrusted us to help tell her story. We couldn't imagine a better team than Laura and Megan, both masters of crime storytelling, to bring this series to life,' according to a joint statement from Tomorrow Studios' CEO/Partner Marty Adelstein, President/Partner Becky Clements and EVP Alissa Bachner. The adaption will be developed by Tomorrow Studios, which is an ITV Studios Partnership. Adelstein, Clements and Bachner will executive produce the series through Tomorrow Studios, along with Lippman and Abbott. Lippman is repped with Vicky Bijur Literary Agency, Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein, and WME. Abbott is represented by WME, Stephanie Rostan at Levine, Greenberg, Rostan, Bard Dorros and Robyn Meisinger at Anonymous Content, Eric Brooks at Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, LPP. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About Celine Song's 'Materialists' So Far Everything We Know About Netflix's 'Ransom Canyon' So Far 'The Last of Us' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
