Bookwild

This week, I got to talk with Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado about their second in their Sanchez & Heron series The Grave Artists. We dive into how they create a Serial Killer 2.0, the positive and negative uses of technology, and how they write together. The Grave Artist Synopsis A wedding reception is coming to a close in the Hollywood Hills when the blissful day is shattered by the death...

This week, Gare, Steph and I share books we are excited about on our Fall TBRs! Books We Talked About The Reformatory by Tananarive Due Salt Bones by Jennifer Givhan Keep This for Me by Jennifer Fawcett The Women of Wild Hill by Kirsten Miller Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens The Mad Wife by Meagan Church Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber The Intruder b...

This week, I got to talk with L.S. Stratton about her newest thriller In Deadly Company! We dive into how she wanted to write a fun, bingey thriller, how she used the meta approach of a movie being made about the past timeline, and how she crafted the very corrupt, very welathy family in the middle of it all. In Deadly Company Synopsis As the assistant of the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Nicole U...

This week, Steph and I talk about fiction books that taught us about different subjects! Books We Talked About Play Nice by Rachel Harrison Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper Wordslut by Amanda Montell Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall The Great Mann by Kyra Davis Lurie Francine’s Spectacular Crash and Burn Renee Swindle You Know Her by Meagan Jennett The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali What Come...

This week, I got to talk with Penny Zang about her debut novel Doll Parts! We dive into her inspiration for the story, the importance of music throughout, and the ways Sylvia Plath's life and writing influenced Doll Parts. Doll Parts Synopsis Some stories refuse to stay buried. For best friends Nikki and Sadie, college was supposed to be a fresh start, a way to blast Courtney Love from car speaker...

This week, Gare, Steph and I talk about some of our favorite books we read in August! Books We Talked About My Husband by Maud Ventura Too Old for This by Samantha Downing Don’t Forget to Write by Sarah Goodman-Confino Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen Knife River by Justine Champine Dominion by Addie Citchens Everyone is Lying to You by Jo Piazza Everything is T...

This week, I got to talk with Rebecca McKanna with Steph Lauer IN PERSON about Rebecca's book Don't Forget the Girl. We dive into how a short story collection inspired the book, how she got to know her characters, and why she chose the ending she chose. Don't Forget the Girl Synopsis We never remember the dead girls. We never forget the killers.  Twelve years ago, 18-year-old University of Iowa fr...

This week, Gare, Steph and I share short, bingey books we highly recommend! Books We Talked About Everyone Is Lying to You – Joe Piazza The Favorite Girl – Monica Arya The Mad Wife - Meagan Church The Grave Artist – Isabella Maldonado & Jeffrey Deaver Happy Land – Dolen Perkins-Valdez Bath Haus – P.J. Vernon Short & Bingey Everything Is Tuberculosis – John Green The Trap – Catherine Ryan Howard Th...

This week, I got to talk with Kaila Yu about her memoir Fetishization: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty.  We dive into her experience growing up amidst yellow fever, how her self image was affected, and how she learned to love and accept herself. Fetishization: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty Synopsis No one fetishized Kaila Yu more than she fetishized hersel...

This week, I talk with Zoe B. Wallbrook about her hilariously funny and suspenseful mystery novel History Lessons. We dive into her inspiration for the book, how she incorporated misogynoir and how she injected so much humor. History Lessons Synopsis A college history professor must solve her superstar colleague's murder before she becomes the next target in this funny, romantic debut mystery, per...

This week, Gare shares all the ins and outs of Ethel Cain's dark, haunting album Preacher's Daughter! Check out the album here . Check Out Author Social Media Packages Check out the Bookwild Community on Patreon Check Out My Stories Are My Religion Substack Get Bookwild Merch Follow @imbookwild on Instagram Other Co-hosts On Instagram: Gare Billings @gareindeedreads Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerlan...

This week, I chat with Leigh Dunlap about her darkly comical debut thriller Bless Your Heart. We dive into her inspiration for the story, how her screenwriting background influenced her novel writing process, and how her relationship with her son formed the story. Bless Your Heart Synopsis Anderson Tupper, a member of one of Atlanta’s richest families, has been murdered in the dugout of the Little...

This week, I talk with Samantha Downing about her snarky new thriller Too Old for This. We dive into her inspiration for the story, her favorite parts about writing Lottie, and how she chooses memorable names for her characters. Too Old for This Synopsis Lottie Jones thought her crimes were behind her. Decades earlier, she changed her identity and tucked herself away in a small town. Her most exci...

This week, Steph and I talk about books with memorable characters who we will never forget! Books We've Been Reading You Belong Here Don’t Forget the Girl Recursion Doll Parts Honey and Spice Do What Godmother Says Books with Memorable Characters Junie Remarkably Bright Creatures Dissolution The Paper Palace An Inconvenient Woman None of This is True Check Out Author Social Media Packages Check ou...

This week, I talk with Cobie LaJeanne about her pitch-black thriller Blood in the Cradle. We dive into her inspiration for the story, how the book developed over time, and what it was like creating a detective with synesthesia! Blood in the Cradle Synopsis When decorated detective Chloe Van Belle receives a call about a severed limb in a fountain, she dreads returning to Encounters, a renowned ang...

This week, Gare, Steph and I talk about new-to-us authors we discovered and love! Books We Talked About The Book of Accidents The Babysitter Lives The Killer on the Road Unlikely Animals History Lessons What Lies Between Us Behind Every Good Man Love You to Death Deeper Than the Dead This Violent Heart Check Out Author Social Media Packages Check out the Bookwild Community on Patreon Check Out My...

This week, Gare and I talk with Clèmence Michallon about her new thriller Our Last Resort. We dive into her inspiration for the book, her fresh take on a locked room thriller, and how she crafted a believable cult. Our Last Resort Synopsis Innocence doesn't bail you out; it just makes you easier to trap. Frida and Gabriel arrive seeking a fresh start at the stunning Ara Hotel in the secluded deser...

This week, Halley Sutton and I chat with Melanie Anagnos about her new noir Nightswimming. We dive into her love for 70s culture, how reading noir shaped Nightswimming, and the future for the trilogy. Nightswimming Synopsis Paterson, New Jersey, 1979: Jamie Palmieri is an up-and-coming patrol officer, three years out of the academy and frustrated with his slow rise to detective. That all changes o...

This week, I talk with Christina Dotson about her voice-y thriller loosely inspired by Thelma & Louise. She shares how she created Kayla and Zorie's friendship, why she set the story in the south, and what she loves about writing "unlikeable" characters. Love You to Death Synopsis When two best friends' hobby of crashing weddings takes a deadly turn, they’re forced to embark on a road trip of surv...

This week, Halley Sutton and I catch up about where we are with our writing processes (spoiler: I am focusing more on building Bookwild than writing). Halley shares a new approach to writing that has worked for her that she found on TikTok . Halley also shares some insights into the traditional publishing industry and we discuss the appeal of self publishing. Check Out Author Social Media Packages...

This week, I got to talk with Cebo Campbell and MacKenzie Green about Cebo's speculative novel Sky Full of Elephants. We dive into his inspiration for the story, how he chose Charlie and Sidney as the characters to lead the story, and get a few details into the production of the Sky Full of Elephants movie! Sky Full of Elephants Synopsis n this exquisite speculative novel set in a world where whit...

This week, Steph and I talk about some our favorite books outside the thriller genre, since we've both been expanding our genres a little. Books We Talked About Project Hail Mary The Road to Tender Hearts Sky Full of Elephants PS You’re the Worst The Three Lives of Cate Kay The Seven O’Clock Club An Academy for Liars Shy Girl Things Don’t Break On Their Own The Book Club for Troublesome Women Chec...

This week, I talk with M.M. Deluca about her new thriller The Divorce Party! We dive into why she wanted to write a thriller with some humor, how her trip to Vegas inspired the story, and the way well developed characters with complete character arcs improve thrillers. The Divorce Party Synopsis Savannah, Daisy, and Zoe haven’t spoken in almost twenty years, since the night that changed everything...

Last year, Sabrina Thatcher (aka Olivia Day Wallce) and Lori Brand shared their experiences at ThrillerFest, and this year, since I got to go for the first time, we all get back together to discuss Thrillerfest 2025! Check Out Author Social Media Packages Check out the Bookwild Community on Patreon Check Out My Stories Are My Religion Substack Get Bookwild Merch Follow @imbookwild on Instagram Oth...

This week, I talked with Kaira Rouda about her new thriller Jill Is Not Happy. We dive into how her own road trip inspired the story, what Kaira loves about writing domestic thrillers, and the likeable unlikeability of Jill. Jill is Not Happy Synopsis Some secrets keep a couple together. If you ask Jill Tingley, she’ll tell you she and her husband Jack are college sweethearts living the dream in S...