Vermont Author Honors Oklahoma Roots in Debut Historical Fiction

2 August 2023

HENDERSON HOUSE by Caren Simpson McVicker

When you browse historical fiction at your local bookstore, you’ll see plenty of novels set in London, Paris, and New York. On August 1st, a new title will join their ranks, only this story unfolds in an unexpected location: Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Henderson House, by Caren Simpson McVicker, follows Bessie Blackwell, an Oklahoma spinster who falls for a divorced man in May of 1941, and her manipulative sister who threatens Bessie’s chance at happiness when she exposes a dark family secret.

Born in Oklahoma City, McVicker grew up in New Jersey, but family stories kept her connected to her Oklahoma roots. McVicker’s late father, Charles “Chuck” Simpson, was a former University of Tulsa basketball star, and her mother, ninety-year-old Shirley Barbour Simpson, was Miss Oklahoma in 1952. Before her sophomore year in high school, McVicker’s family moved to Baton Rouge, and she and her father began making Memorial Day trips to Oklahoma.

“We’d pick up my grandma in Tulsa, then my great-aunt in Bartlesville, and head out to the Woodlawn Cemetery in Claremore,” McVicker said. “Teenage me was fascinated by these ancient sisters tottering around the headstones, arguing about what color plastic flowers to place on each grave. They were both born in Cherokee Indian Territory. My grandma lost her husband early and worked hard to raise my father. Aunt Boo Boo was an old maid in her forties, working for Phillips Petroleum, and living in a boardinghouse when she fell in love. Listening to their stories, I knew I wanted to write a novel inspired by them.”

But building a life can get in the way of starting a novel. It took thirty-five years for the idea to resurface.

“During one of my last visits with my father, we reminisced about our trips to Oklahoma. When I got stuck in the Atlanta airport on my way home, I took out my laptop and started writing.”

As winner of the Inkshares 2020 All Genre Contest, Henderson House earned a publishing contract with the Oakland-based indie press. McVicker resides in Vermont and is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation. For more information, visit www.hendersonhousenovel.com.

Sneak Peek: Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other: A Love Story by Bethany Turner

Jocie McKade

2 August 2023

Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other: A Love Story by Bethany Turner

She’s a sunny morning-show host. He’s a cynical ex-reporter. They’re destined to hate each other . . . Aren’t they?

Brynn Cornell has to be stuck in a nightmare. Just last week, she was riding high as cohost of the popular morning show Sunup. She’s America’s Ray of Sunshine—the girl-next-door beauty who drives up TV ratings while never exuding anything but her trademark positivity and poise. All it took was one huge on-air mistake to expose her snarky side to the world and make it all come crumbling down. Now she’s back in her hometown of Adelaide Springs, Colorado, in a last-ditch attempt to convince viewers she’s not the mean girl they think she is. All she has to do is apologize and capture some feel-good footage reminding everyone she’s just a girl from humble beginnings who’s grateful for her big break, and she might manage to preserve both her career and her image. But this town holds painful memories that she’s not ready to face.

Sebastian Sudworth was on the fast track to the journalist hall of fame. A superstar reporter with a reputation for being in the center of the action, his fearless, relentless coverage of major events around the globe was winning him awards and accolades—until something snapped inside him and he vanished from the scene under mysterious circumstances. Sebastian sought refuge in tiny Adelaide Springs, working odd jobs and trying to blend in as a scruffy mountain town citizen.

When Sebastian is assigned to chauffeur Brynn around town, Brynn is sure he can see right through her carefully cultivated, sunny persona. But she’s determined to do what it takes to maintain her image and save her career—so she’ll just have to charm the socks off Sebastian the same way she charmed her viewers. Easier said than done. It’s no picnic to play nice around someone you hate . . . especially when you might be crazy about them.

Sneak Peek: Ravage & Son By Jerome Charyn

Jocie McKade

2 August 2023

Ravage & Son By Jerome Charyn

A master storyteller’s novel of crime, corruption, and antisemitism in early 20th-century Manhattan

Ravage & Son reflects the lost world of Manhattan’s Lower East Side—the cradle of Jewish immigration during the first years of the twentieth century—in a dark mirror.

Abraham Cahan, editor of the Jewish Daily Forward, serves as the conscience of the Jewish ghetto teeming with rogue cops and swindlers. He rescues Ben Ravage, an orphan, from a trade school and sends him off to Harvard to earn a law degree. But upon his return, Ben rejects the chance to escape his gritty origins and instead becomes a detective for the Kehilla, a quixotic gang backed by wealthy uptown patrons to help the police rid the Lower East Side of criminals. Charged with rooting out the Jewish “Mr. Hyde,” a half-mad villain who attacks the prostitutes of Allen Street, Ben discovers that his fate is irrevocably tied to that of this violent, sinister man.

A lurid tale of revenge, this wildly evocative, suspenseful noir is vintage Jerome Charyn.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jerome Charyn is the author of more than fifty works of fiction and nonfiction, including RAVAGE & SON; Sergeant Salinger; Cesare: A Novel of War-Torn Berlin; In the Shadow of King Saul: Essays on Silence and Song; Jerzy: A Novel; and A Loaded Gun: Emily Dickinson for the 21st Century. Among other honors, his work has been longlisted for the PEN Award for Biography, shortlisted for the Phi Beta Kappa Christian Gauss Award, and selected as a finalist for the Firecracker Award and PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. Charyn has also been named a Commander of Arts and Letters by the French Minister of Culture and received a Guggenheim Fellowship and the Rosenthal Family Foundation Award for Fiction from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He lives in New York.

Audible Announces Sci-Fi Comedy “Third Eye” From Genre Legend Felicia Day

Jocie McKade

1 August 2023

Audible today announced a new scripted science-fiction comedy Third Eye, written and created by actor, producer, writer and streamer, Felicia Day (The Guild, Geek & Sundry) and featuring author Neil Gaiman (The Sandman) as The Narrator. Set to premiere on October 5, the Audible Original produced alongside Clamor, stars Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings), LilyPichu (Offline TV), Wil Wheaton (Ready Player One), London Hughes (The Netflix Afterparty), Danny Pudi (Mythic Quest, Community), Alan Tudyk (Resident Alien), Hudson Yang (Fresh off the Boat), and Christopher Judge (God of War). Post-production for the Audible Original will be handled by Mumble Media, a worker-owned podcast production cooperative.

Third Eye tells the story of Laurel (Felicia Day), a “Chosen One” wizard still grappling with the fallout of failing a decade earlier in her fight with the ultimate evil Tybus (Christopher Judge). Day will write and star in the project, as our heroine is forced to overcome her tattered reputation and self-loathing in order to save her friends, eventually uncovering shocking secrets on the way toward re-confronting old enemies. The series takes listeners on a comedic ride, with one-of-a-kind characters including Kate Chen (LilyPichu), a quirky, teenage human girl on a quest for knowledge about the supernatural world; Frank Fletcher (Sean Astin), a cranky, stubborn vampire; Robigus (Wil Wheaton), the local San Francisco enforcer for Tybus the Terrible and a constant thorn in the side for Laurel; and Sybil (London Hughes), an exiled Faerie princess in her 20s who exemplifies “hot mess.” With a storyline written as a love letter to the fantasy genre, listeners can expect an abundance of iconic geek and gaming culture Easter eggs cleverly woven throughout the series.

“As my biggest passion project since ‘The Guild’, I am thrilled that Audible has allowed me to bring Third Eye to life in the exact way I’ve been imagining for years,” said Felicia Day. “I can’t wait for fans to listen and fall in love with these characters as much as I have.”

“Third Eye is a testament to Felicia Day’s unparalleled creativity, transporting listeners to a genre-bending universe of science-fiction blended with comedy,” said Zola Mashariki, Head of Audible Studios. “With a uniquely imaginative performance, Neil Gaiman headlines an outstanding cast comprised of genre royalty. Third Eye is sure to captivate audiences worldwide, and we’re thrilled to add yet another exciting show to our growing collection of Audible originals.”

This upcoming Audible Original joins an entertaining slate of original audio sci-fi and fantasy titles including Impact Winter, the fan-favorite post-apocalyptic drama created by Travis Beacham, that is set to launch two new installments, the #1 New York Times best-selling audio fiction The Sandman from Neil Gaiman, performed by James McAvoy, Kat Dennings, Michael Sheen and a full cast and its highly anticipated sequels The Sandman: Act II; and The Sandman: Act III; Middlespace: The Rebels Attack, And Then The Other Side Attacks As Well, a quirky tale from Paul Lieberstein starring Will Forte; Upgrade Soul adapted from the critically-acclaimed science fiction graphic novel by author Ezra Claytan Daniels; The Dispatcher series from New York Times best-selling author John Scalzi and starring Zachary Quinto; Carnival Row set in the world of the Amazon Original series of the same name and created by Travis Beacham and René Echevarria; and many more.

Immerse yourself in this epic tale, exclusively from Audible and available starting October 5, visit www.audible.com/thirdeye.

SDCC 2023: DARK HORSE PRESENTS A CYBERPUNK LOVE STORY IN “CYBERPUNK 2077: XOXO”

Jocie McKade

1 August 2023

Only two things can stop a heart from beating: love and death.

The writer of Netflix’s hit animated series Cyberpunk 2077: Edgerunner and multiple Cyberpunk 2077 comic series,

(Cyberpunk 2077: Blackout, Cyberpunk 2077: Big City Dreams) shares a love story tied to a gang war that just may take the Maelstrom and the Moxes down with it in Cyberpunk 2077: XOXO. Created in close collaboration with CD Projekt Red, Sztybor is joined by main cover and series artist Jakub Rebelka (Judas, Namesake, Dune: A Whisper of Caladan) and letterer Frank Cvetkovic (Cyberpunk 2077: You Have My Word). Variant covers for issue #1 are provided by Jeffrey Alan Love (Batman), Fabrizio De Tommaso (Morgan Lost) and Rion Chow.

Gang on gang violence rages towards a bloodbath when an ambush planned by the Maelstroms on the Moxes gets complicated. Corpo cargo worth a heavy sum is up for grabs, but loyalty only goes so far when love is on the line. One member of the Maelstroms has found something worth sacrificing for. He’s never known anyone like her. Jaw-dropping, eyes popping, pulse racing, could this be love at first sight?

Cybernetics can’t save you from heartbreak. Ensure you don’t miss this explosive love story: the 32 page Cyberpunk 2077: XOXO #1 (of 4) will be available at comic stores October 18, 2023, and is available for pre-order at your local comic shop for $3.99.

Praise for Cyberpunk 2077: Blackout:

“Cyberpunk 2077: Blackout #1 has all the spunk and rush of the original video games with a minor adjustment. As the issue follows Arturo through his work/life troubles and inner strife, the narrative maintains a steady pace that keeps the readers engrossed in the cogs and wheels of the year 2077.”—Cbr.com

“Cyberpunk 2077: Blackout #1 is a crazy story that explores the darkest parts of humanity. If you enjoy dystopia literature, then this is undoubtedly a comic for you.”—Major Spoilers

“Writer Bartosz Sztybor builds the world for us, its flaws, its scratches and dings. The elevator bells that ring a ding ding in your head, the incessantly littered landscape of the ruined city, the downtrodden plebes and peasants. It ain’t pleasant, but Sztybor makes us feel for Arturo, the repairman. There are twists, turns, surprises, and rhythms to the pacing, making us slow down and smell the chaos.”—Fanboy Factor

Dark Horse Comics

Sneak Peek: The Heart of It All by Christian Kiefer

Jocie McKade

1 August 2023

The Heart of It All by Christian Kiefer

“For anyone who believes, as I do, that the best hope for our fractured country is local, not national, Christian Kiefer’s new novel The Heart of it All will provide a welcome balm for the spirit. Here are people worth spending time with, not because they’re perfect, but because they’re not. What’s wrong with them isn’t nearly as consequential as how hard they fight for a better life, and not just for themselves. You set the book down and think, ‘This is what we’re made of.’ Or should be.”—Richard Russo, author of Somebody’s Fool

A small, declining town in Ohio. A family bereaved by terrible loss. A searing narrative about how American lives touch each other across divides both real and imagined…

Set in failing small town in central Ohio, The Heart of It All asks how one manages, in an America of increasing division, to find a sense of family and community.

Focusing on the members of three families: the Baileys, a white family who have put down deep roots in the community; the Marwats, an immigrant family that owns the town’s largest employer; and the Shaws, especially young Anthony, an outsider whose very presence gently shakes the town’s understanding of itself.

A gorgeous, stirring novel in the classic vein of Richard Ford, Marilynne Robinson, Richard Russo, and Kent Haruf, The Heart of It All asks the reader to consider an America both divided and bound by its differences.

BOOK TRAILER: The Deadly Pieces: An Adam Frankenstein U.S. Marshal Novel

Sheila English

31 July 2023

The Deadly Pieces: An Adam Frankenstein U.S. Marshal Novel

After Mary Shelley died, Adam Frankenstein left her League of Supernatural Hunters. But when asked to work under contract, he was happy to take their money. Someone was experimenting on New Orleans’ homeless, and Adam’s mission was to find them. An easy job until he discovered the League’s star scientist, Dr. Laura Wells’ hidden lab and inhumane experiments.
When Wells escaped, Adam tracked her to Houston. Undercover as a U.S. Marshal he would capture the elusive doctor and recover the stolen works of Dr. Moreau. Hellhounds and werewolves weren’t something Adam feared. There was little the immortal creature found shocking after over 200 years. But he knew trouble when he saw it.
U.S. Marshal Rebecca Hughes was determined, brave and dangerous in ways Adam hadn’t expected. She knew only the world of men. He knew the secret world of monsters, and would do anything to keep her safe from it. When their worlds merge, each will need the other to be their greatest weapon.

Sheila English Author

Sheila English has written novels, short stories, comic books, and screenplays for over two decards. She’s always been interested in horror, science fiction, thrillers, and romance so writing a universe that includes Frankenstein as well as other classic horror creatures was a perfect mix for the stories she loves to read and write.

The Deadly Pieces starts Adam’s journey into the U.S. Marshal service though he secretly still serves Mary Shelley’s League of Supernatural Hunters. Stories that examine the true meaning of humanity and monsters are the basis for all of Adam’s journeys.

There’s a Book for That: National Parks

Jocie McKade

31 July 2023

As we say goodbye to July, we don’t want to miss recognizing that July is National Park and Recreation Month. “Since 1985, people in the United States have celebrated Park and Recreation Month in July to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation…This year’s theme — “Where Community Grows” — celebrates the vital role park and recreation professionals play in bringing people together, providing essential services and fostering the growth of our communities.” (NRPA)

Many families are vacationing in America’s great parks this summer – Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Appalachian Trail, the Everglades, and others. The grandeur of nature is so good for all of us to behold and experience. The following books take you there, with classic and acclaimed novels, histories, memoirs, and travelogues set in our National Parks for all ages.

The Last Ranger by Peter Heller THE LAST RANGER: A NOVEL by Peter Heller

The best-selling author of The River returns with a vibrant, lyrical novel about an enforcement ranger in Yellowstone National Park who likes wolves better than most people. When a clandestine range war threatens his closest friend, he must shake off his own losses and act swiftly to discover the truth and stay alive.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC COMPLETE NATIONAL PARKS OF THE UNITED STATES, 3RD EDITION

400+ Parks, Monuments, Battlefields, Historic Sites, Scenic Trails, Recreation Areas, and Seashores

This 544-page reference is the ultimate travel planner for all things national parks, filled with full-color photos, detailed maps, historical background, and practical facts on the location of the park system properties, as well as the best times to visit and top-rated activities.

Stepping Back from the Ledge by Laura Trujillo STEPPING BACK FROM THE LEDGE: A DAUGHTER’S SEARCH FOR TRUTH AND RENEWAL by Laura Trujillo

In this stunning memoir, a daughter seeks renewal as she confronts her family’s history of secrets, in the aftermath of her mother’s death. Punctuated by gorgeous descriptions of the Grand Canyon, a place her mother loved, the place where she died, and a place to which Laura returns in her search for redemption and peace, Stepping Back from the Ledge is a beautiful and courageous memoir offering an intimate window into the healing and hope that can come from facing painful truths.

Subpar Parks by Amber Share SUBPAR PARKS: AMERICA’S MOST EXTRAORDINARY NATIONAL PARKS AND THEIR LEAST IMPRESSED VISITORS by Amber Share

Based on the wildly popular Instagram account, Subpar Parks features both the greatest hits and brand-new content, all celebrating the incredible beauty and variety of America’s national parks juxtaposed with the clueless and hilarious one-star reviews posted by visitors.

Leave Only Footprints by Conor Knighton LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS: MY ACADIA-TO-ZION JOURNEY THROUGH EVERY NATIONAL PARK by Conor Knighton

From CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Conor Knighton shares informative and entertaining dispatches from what turned out to be the road trip of a lifetime. Whether he’s waking up early for a naked scrub in a historic bathhouse in Arkansas or staying up late to stargaze along our loneliest highway in Nevada, Knighton weaves together the type of stories you’re not likely to find in any guidebook. Through his unique lens, America the Beautiful becomes America the Captivating, the Hilarious, and the Inspiring.

When the Killing's Done by T.C. Boyle WHEN THE KILLING’S DONE: A NOVEL by T.C. Boyle

Principally set on the wild Channel Islands off the coast of California, T.C. Boyle’s novel is a gripping adventure with a timely theme. Alma Boyd Takesue is a National Park Service biologist spearheading the efforts to save the islands’ native creatures from invasive species. Her antagonist, Dave LaJoy, is a local businessman who is fiercely opposed to the killing of any animals whatsoever and will go to any lengths to subvert her plans.

MY FIRST SUMMER IN THE SIERRA by John Muir; Introduciton by Mike Davis; Photographs by Herbert W. Gleason

My First Summer in the Sierra, whose heart is the diary Muir kept while tending sheep in Yosemite country, enticed thousands of Americans to visit this magical place, and resounds with Muir’s regard for the “divine, enduring, unwasteable wealth” of the natural world.

Letters from Yellowstone by Diane Smith LETTERS FROM YELLOWSTONE by Diane Smith

Brimming with humor, excitement, and the romance of the Yellowstone landscape, Letters from Yellowstone is a love letter to the joys of scientific discovery and America’s majestic natural beauty, as well as a thoughtful reflection on environmentalism, Native American displacement, and feminism at the dawn of a new century.

Wild (Movie Tie-in Edition) by Cheryl Strayed WILD: FROM LOST TO FOUND ON THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL by Cheryl Strayed

In the wake of her mother’s death, with no experience or training and driven only by blind will, Cheryl Strayed hiked more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—alone.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson A WALK IN THE WOODS: REDISCOVERING AMERICA ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL by Bill Bryson

Back in America after twenty years in Britain, Bill Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. To a writer with the comic genius of Bill Bryson, it also provides endless opportunities to witness the majestic silliness of his fellow human beings.

FOR YOUNG READERS

Eyewitness National Parks by DK EYEWITNESS NATIONAL PARKS (DK)

A picture-packed guide to every US National Park, from the geyser-rich Yellowstone to the watery Everglades. Find out about the history of all 63 US National Parks, and discover their countless treasures!

Parks for the People by Elizabeth Partridge PARKS FOR THE PEOPLE: HOW FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED DESIGNED AMERICA by Elizabeth Partridge; Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

National Book Award finalist Elizabeth Partridge reveals the life and work of Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park and who went on to design parks across America, including Yosemite National Park and even the grounds for the United States Capitol.

I Am Made of Mountains by Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs I AM MADE OF MOUNTAINS by Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs, Vivian Mineker

From the volcanos of Haleakalā National Park in Hawai’i to waterfalls of Yosemite to the churning ocean at Acadia National Park in Maine, I Am Made of Mountains takes readers on a tour to honor America’s great outdoors. Sixteen parks are highlighted, and the story follows a different child visiting each park and exploring the natural wonders of each location. The lyrical text paired with the expansive illustrations is an ode to the outdoors that will inspire nature lovers and National Park visitors of all ages.

For more information on these and related titles visit: National Park and Recreation Month

Penguin Random House

Sneak Peek: Mugshots of Manhattan by Christin Brecher

Jocie McKade

31 July 2023

Mugshots of Manhattan by Christin Brecher

With biting wit, a young lens, and satisfying sleuthing that’s “right in focus (Kirkus),” Christin Brecher’s refreshingly fun Snapshot of NYC mysteries has rising star photographer Liv Spyers living the dream in New York City when she lands an assignment with an award-winning pop star–until a murder means Liv must focus her camera’s lens into sleuth mode…

“A twisty-turny, witty and wonderful, mysterious romp through New York City that was a pure delight to read.” —New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay

“Brecher has a winner with this new series that will delight cozy mystery readers!” —Abby Collette, author of A Killer Sundae

Liv Spyers hits the big time when she lands a photography assignment with Grammy Award-winning pop star, the one and only Bisa. A huge fan, Liv is extra thrilled that her new boyfriend, Harry, will join her at the glamorous premiere of Bisa’s debut movie. But when the music icon’s estranged sister, Anna, threatens to turn photo ops into PR disasters during Bisa’s parties and pop-up concerts, Liv finds that the star-studded world she’s joined is filled with images she’d rather delete—especially when Anna winds up dead . . .

Bisa’s inner circle has secrets Liv must expose before she can bring the right mugshot to the police. And while Harry has a mystery of his own to solve, the two must navigate glossy stories that can be cancelled in a snap —before the killer strikes again . . .

Behind The Words with Author Sara DiVello

Jocie McKade

31 July 2023

Welcome Sara, we’re excited to have you on Reader’s Entertainment today. First, tell our readers a bit about yourself.

Hi All! I’m a true-crime writer and lifelong mystery-lover. I love to cook (and EAT!), sew, knit, and take my beloved 14# rescue dog for leisurely walks with my husband. I’m also an urban gardener—I grow strawberries, herbs, lettuce, peppers, sugar peas, and greenbeans.

Is writing your full-time job?

I consider myself a writer first and foremost, but it’s not my only source of income. I also work as the director of social media strategy for International Thriller Writers Association and I teach yoga.

How long have you been writing?

Honestly, since I could write! But this is only my second published book. It took me nine years to research and write Broadway Butterfly, in large part because the case is so complicated and I was also learning how to write a mystery—craft, pacing, red herrings, how to build tension, etc.

What does your typical writing day look like?

I’ve always been a night owl. The moon comes up and I come alive. I do my best work (writing and editing!) at night. But I still research, draft, write, and edit during the day.

Where the did the idea for Broadway Butterfly come from? Perhaps some fun moments, or not so fun moments?

Broadway Butterfly is the true story of the murder of Dot King, a scandalous flapper in 1923 Manhattan, and the ramifications from the investigation that ripple from the gangster underworld all the way up to the White House. It’s told through four real-life characters: Julia Harpman, a lead crime reporter who covered the case; John D. Coughlin, the head of the NYPD Detective’s Unit, who was in charge of the investigation; Ella Bradford, the murder victim’s closest friend and confidant; And Frances Stotesbury, one of the most powerful female members of Society, and the daughter of the richest man in Pennsylvania.

My research took me to some pretty far-flung and fascinating places, and I even hired a psychic who works with law enforcement on cold cases. She gave me a clue that meant I had to rewrite a huge portion of the book, but it was worth it! The most important thing is to get the story right.

Could you share one detail from your current release with readers that they might not find in the book?

Dot King’s roommate Hilda Ferguson was a showgirl who went on to become Zigfield Follies girl. She was known as “The Body,” and had a relationship with Nucky Johnson, who ran all things illegal in Atlantic City—bootlegging, gambling, prostitution. He was the main character in the hit HBO show Boardwalk Empire.

If you could be one of your characters for a day which character would it be?

Definitely Julia Harpman!

If you could spend the day with your character, what would you do? What would that day look like?

Julia Harpman, my new best friend, would let me be her partner in crime for the day. We would take the subway or a taxi (maybe a Model T with one of those ahhhooogah horns) to the New York Daily News office. We’d sit at her battered desk in the newsroom and start making calls on candlestick telephones to chase down leads. This would, of course, make us hungry. So we’d head out to a lunch counter where we’d get coffee and a full lunch for the bargain price of $0.25. Then we’d get back to work. Suspects would try to give us the runaround but fortunately I’m prepared to say things like, “Don’t give me any guff, ya hear?”

Unfortunately, because women have to wear skirts and dress shoes, I wouldn’t be very fast if I had to chase down a source, but hopefully, they’d be charmed by inquiring nature and wouldn’t run away.

We’d chase around Manhattan interviewing persons of interest and then it’s back to the news desk to type up our notes. There is no backspace key on a typewriter so I type extra slowly and carefully, but Julia’s fingers practically fly over the keys.

Philip, the editor, partially deaf, near-sighted, wild-haired, and legendary in his ability to sniff out a story, shouts motivational things like, “Get me a lead or get out of town!”

We submit our story with minutes to spare and a copyboy runs it up to be typeset. Julia and I head out to dinner and then to catch a Broadway show. It’s the greatest day of my life.

What’s your take on research and how do you do it?

My take on research is that it’s necessary and also incredibly fun for this history-loving, research-loving, nerdy-girl at heart! I spent many hours in the microfilm rooms in both the Boston Public Library and the New York Public Library. I also applied for research passes to the JP Morgan Library and Museum, Columbia University, and University of Pennsylvania Rare Books Collection. I also utilized online collections at various presidential libraries, universities, and the Library of Congress. My approach is to run it to ground, obsessively. Then run it to ground again.

Do you have a secret talent readers would be surprised by?

I love to cook, sew, and knit. I sew my own Halloween costumes, pillow cases, and curtains, and I cook elaborate dinners for friends and family. My sister Hanna and I make a Feast of the Seven Fishes every holiday season, which is an Italian tradition, but we’ve upped it to nine fishes, with printed menus, matched wine pairings, and a bite-size dessert cookie bar.

Your favorite go to drink or food when the world goes crazy!

Honestly, I just love to eat. I love popcorn as a late-night snack. I love to make fish tacos with fresh guacamole. I love the gluten-free egg noodle fettucine at Trader Joe’s. I love cheese and crackers. I love it all!

What is your writing kryptonite?

I can be a bit wordy, verbose, long-winded, rambling…I could go on, but then I’d just be proving my point. 😉

Why do you thank your dog in your acknowledgements?

I absolutely love dogs (and all animals). Pelu, our 12 and a half year old rescue dog from Texas has patiently sat and snoozed by my side throughout the long journey of writing and publishing this book. Her sweet expressions melt my heart and listening to her rhythmic breathing while she takes her 17th nap of the day is very meditative. I’m passionate about animal rescue and look for any chance to raise awareness or money for this important cause.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Sara! And, I want to spend a day in that newsroom!!!

Here’s a look at BROADWAY BUTTERFLY

New York in the Roaring Twenties—a riveting true-crime novel, based on one of the most notorious unsolved murders of the era, where power, politics, and secrets conspire to bury the truth.

Manhattan, 1923. Scandalous flapper Dot King is found dead in her Midtown apartment, a bottle of chloroform beside her and a fortune in jewels missing. Dot’s headline-making murder grips the city. It also draws a clutch of lovers, parasites, and justice seekers into one of the city’s most mesmerizing mysteries.

Among them: Daily News crime reporter Julia Harpman, chasing the story while navigating a male-dominated industry; righteous NYPD detective John D. Coughlin, struggling against city corruption; and Ella Bradford, the victim’s Harlem maid, closest confidante, and keeper of secrets. Adding fuel to the already volatile crime: a politically connected Philadelphia socialite, an Atlantic City bootlegger, Dot’s dicey gigolo lover, a sultry Broadway dancer, and a cagey sugar daddy guarding secrets of his own.

From Broadway’s glittering lights to its sordid underbelly to the machinations of the country’s most powerful men, Julia embarks on a quest for justice. What she discovers, twist after breathtaking twist, might be even more nefarious than murder.

Buy Links

Hardcover: https://www.murderbooks.com/book/9781662510137

Paperback: https://www.murderbooks.com/book/9781662510151

Social Media Links

https://www.instagram.com/saradivello/

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSaraDiVello/

https://www.tiktok.com/@saradivello

https://twitter.com/saradivello

https://www.threads.net/@saradivello