It’s not too long until the first of Nora’s 2024 releases hit the shelves, so I thought it time to share the excerpt of Random in Death.*
Here’s the official cover copy:
Jenna’s parents had finally given in, and there she was, at a New York club with her best friends, watching the legendary band Avenue A, carrying her demo in hopes of slipping it to the guitarist, Jake Kincade. Then, from the stage, Jake catches her eye, and smiles. It’s the best night of her life. It’s the last night of her life.
Minutes later, Jake’s in the alley getting some fresh air, and the girl from the dance floor comes stumbling out, sick and confused and deathly pale. He tries to help, but it’s no use. He doesn’t know that someone in the crowd has jabbed her with a needle. When Nadine arrives, she knows the only thing left to do for the girl is call her friend, Lieutenant Eve Dallas.
Lab results show a toxic mix of substances in the victim’s body—and for an extra touch of viciousness, the needle was teeming with infectious agents. Dallas searches for a pattern but there are no obvious clues why this levelheaded sixteen-year-old, passionate about her music, would be targeted.
And that worries Eve. Because if Jenna wasn’t targeted, if she was just the random, unlucky victim of a madman consumed by hatred, there are likely more deaths to come.
*If you subscribe to Nora’s News, you read this nearly 3 weeks ago. A good reason to get on the list. Just go to the JD Robb website, scroll to the bottom, add your email to the box and hit enter.
As I posted on Facebook: Music chosen from beyond plays a part in Inheritance (it’s not a spoiler, it’s in the cover copy). In the spirit of the holidays, we put together Clover’s Clever Playlist as a little gift for you this season. And to carry you along until book 2 is on shelves in November 2024. – Nora, Laura & Team Nora
Last March I headed to the spa with Nora and JoAnne, ready for a quiet week of work, painting, puzzles and reading. Always reading.
People ask me regularly if I read Nora’s books while she’s writing them.
Laura is on the left.
I’m on the left.
No.
Nora writes alone, finishes alone, then sends the manuscript to her editor and agent. I knew this process going in 18 years ago. You don’t meddle with success.
However, over the years, on more than one occasion the publicity team asked me what I thought about quotes from an upcoming book — one I hadn’t read. So I did request to be part of the second tier of readers after the first editing pass.
Readers, I had Inheritance on my Kindle as we drove to the spa.
The week was March-y in that Laurel Highlands way — blustery, calm, sunny, overcast, freezing precip and then sudden dry over the course of a day. We came and went from the suite. I hit the gym, Nora and Jo did their ensuite workouts. We painted flowers in the art studio, did some puzzles. A good, relaxing week.
Then came that fateful day — Saturday, March 11.
A blustery, freezing precip kind of day, one that lent itself to just snuggling in. I’d sampled Inheritance a bit over the week, but this was a dedicated-to-reading kind of afternoon.
There I was, sipping a glass of Veuve, propped up by pillows on the couch, reading away. Time went by at a pleasant clip.
I really liked Sonya and Cleo, the music, the dogs, Trey and Owen, the town…I began to read faster. Then faster. I was gripped with a sense of urgency and when I glanced down at Time Remaining in Book — 20 minutes…14 minutes…6 minutes…the dread set in.
No! Wait! Really????
Yes my hair looked that good.
Yes, my hair looked that good after lying about on a couch.
I finished it.
Then my friends, I slapped my kindle shut with great emphasis and looked directly at the creator and said, “What the fuck????”
With a dazed look, Nora pulled herself up from the depths of her John Sandford novel, shook her head and said, “What?”
“Inheritance ends like that???” I demanded my voice pitching higher with each word.
“Well that was the right place to stop. Leslie liked it.” Then she kind of smiled, pleased with my reaction.
(This meant I had to text WTF to Nora’s editor next. And she, too, was pleased I liked the book.)
Now, dear readers, please keep in mind I’m pretty able to move on after finishing a book or a movie, but this was in the moment.
As a side note, have you ever read the science on reaction? According to Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, author of A Stroke of Insight, “When a person has a reaction to something in their environment, there’s a 90-second chemical process that happens in the body; after that, any remaining emotional response is just the person choosing to stay in that emotional loop.”
A random aside I know, but it explains why I can move along — entertainment wise.
So I stomped around a bit, then remembered four decades of absolute trust in Nora to deliver a wonderful second book, and calmed down. All was good. (I did plan pick up some knitting to deal with the book hangover.)
Except then it hit me: “Do you realize what this will mean in terms of reader response at the end of November???” Delivered in a much higher pitch.
Again, my hair looked this good on a lazy Saturday in March. Then it reverted to the regular red mess.
Again my hair looked this good on a lazy Saturday in March. <g>
I needed to stomp it off again. Then settle in — crankily — for the 8.5 months until release day. Remember: I may read things early, but I still have the exact amount of time to wait as you do.
And you all delivered the reactions well. WTF???
But I’m not writing this post to dwell on our shock. That should pass.
Here’s what’s on my mind: in the heat of the moment, everyone seems to have forgotten that since 2016 Nora’s trilogies are published a year apart. We’ll get part 2 (which is titled The Mirror, no descriptions yet) in November 2024.
And the finale in November 2025.
We have to tuck our inner Veruca Salts away and be patient. And once you’ve gone through the 90 seconds of emotional reaction, you’ll see that we’re lucky readers overall.
If you read Nora and JD, there are four new books coming your way in 2024. If you only read Nora, there’s a summer read (the twisty, fascinating Mind Games in May) and The Mirror. Two books in a year is generous, to say the least.
In a couple weeks, I’ll share the link to Inheritance’s playlist. (Please note, Nora does NOT listen to music when she writes — the songs were all part of the story.)
The year will pass. And how we choose to fill that year is up to each individual. I’m opting to dance around, read other authors, watch a few movies and be grateful for what’s up ahead.
Inheritance is in stores today! The first book in The Lost Bride Trilogy sets the stage for what’s to come and this is the place to discuss.
First, the official description:
Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish is stunned to learn that her late father had a twin brother he never knew about. When her uncle, Collin Poole, left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast, his will stipulates she must live in it for at least three years. With her engagement recently broken, her freelance business just getting off the ground, she sets off to find out why the boys were separated at birth.
Trey Doyle welcomes Sonya to sprawling clifftop manor. He acknowledges that yes, the place is haunted…but just a little. Sure enough, Sonya finds objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office, and a portrait of a woman named Astrid — Trey refers to her as “the first lost bride.” It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it…
I don’t mind weekend busy, as long as I feel it was worth it.
This one has been.
But before I get to that, we spent a week in NYC earlier in the month. BW, Jason, Kat, Griffin, Kayla, Laura and her Mark and me—along with JR, Kayla’s boyfriend, for a couple of days.
We took a big party bus up, as we are many, and nobody enjoyed that more than Griffin. Going along our long, twisty road minutes after we left the house, he threw up his hands. WEEE!! Roller Coaster! So we all joined in.
A few hours later, and we’re in the city where Laura already waited.
A favorite view. Photo by Laura.
We zip up to our home away from home for the week, unpack, and enjoy and appreciate the lovely cheese service, the fruit, the views, and me—I pour a glass of champagne to help shake off the trip.
We take it pretty easy that first day—traveling will do that—order room service, play Monster trucks and Obstacle Course. Jason, BW and Kayla take a walk for some supplies.
The next day, as predicted, it’s raining. Off and on, but the on’s pretty heavy. Despite the wet, Kayla, Jason, Griffin and I head out—with Griffin pushing Baby (his doll) in the stroller. He’s not bothered by the rain a bit. We’re heading to FAO Swartz, and the fun for the wet boy begins.
While he’s interested and enjoying, what grabs him is the remote control cars on demonstration. He picks up one of them in a box, gives me a look, and hands it to me without a word. Okay then! I think he would’ve stayed there the entire day making the cat spin and flip. The only other thing he picks—again giving me a look, handing me the box—is a NYC yellow cab. Hey, his birthday is coming up.
Back home and a fun visit with Griffin’s triplet cousins and their moms. And Kayla, Laura and I grab a little shoe shopping time. Success all around!
Sunday is for the zoo—just Jason, the boy and me. A lovely day after the rain, a nice walk though we compete with the Sunday parade on Fifth. Just like last year, all Griffin wants is to bounce on the spider web trampoline. We finally convince him to explore, which he does, but somehow he manages to wind him way right back to the spider web.
Adventure time. Photo by Nora.
Eventually, we tear him away and with Jason’s phone GPS, make our way to the carousel. This year our nearly 5-year-old boy sits his own horse.
Then he crashed on the couch.
A good day. Photo by Nora
We have our foundation meeting Monday—and since the BIG parade is happening, it’s a good day to stay away from the crowds.
Before we start, while I’m working out, Kat comes up and asks if I have scissors.
I have little, folding travel scissors, but Griffin’s decided he wants a hair cut. We can’t miss that decision!
And Kat makes that happen with my tiny scissors.
Pretty sure we did our Facebook Live, Laura and I, that day. But it blurs.
And Tuesday is for serious shopping. I’m close to finishing up Christmas by the end of it. But before shopping, Laura, Kayla and I head out to The NY Times where I do a podcast. Not sure of the broadcast date, but I know Laura will let you know when we are.
What an amazing building. It’s my first time there. Impressive!
Wednesday is seeing my editor and agent—and long-time friends—more shopping, a lot of hanging out. So good to see them, and have time with them.
Kayla’s JR is in NY for a college program, and as he finishes up, he can stay with us for a couple days. We have dinner out, with our long-time friends, their spouses, before we see our first Broadway play since Covid.
JR and Kayla with a view. Photo by Laura
Six. Absolutely wonderful! The energy, the voices, the costumes. It reminds me why seeing live theater on Broadway is so very special.
Kayla and JR head out on their own on Thursday while Jason, Kat and Griffin find a playground. Leslie—my editor—Laura and I have some hang out time before everyone gathers again. And my beloved editor when I wrote for Silhouette, her husband, come over for drinks and dinner.
It’s been way too long! Lovely to see them and share our last night in the city.
The long road home on Friday—why are the east-bound lanes in PA so bumpy??? Then home again to happy dogs. Kayla’s headed out to the Era’s movie, and I figure I have the weekend to deal with all the shopping successes—and the stuff I ordered that came in during our week away.
Which I did. My One More Room resembles a storeroom at a department store, but it’s organized. After all, I have four birthdays and Christmas—so that’s a lot.
Spent the week getting seriously back to work. And that felt just fine.
Then it’s the weekend, again.
The season’s are changing, so that means shifting seasonal clothes—a chore! And done. More packages come in. Opened, organized and set there. Yes! Really nearly done.
Other organizing must be done on Saturday, but I get to it.
And it’s Sunday. Time to make soup—three bean and ham for this gorgeous, sunny fall day, and why not make some facoccia bread to go with it? BW’s out splitting wood (not with an axe, he has a splitter) and I spend the bulk of the day in the kitchen.
Three bean soup. Photo by Nora.
It’s nice, harvesting some herbs for the soup, the bread. And seeing my gardens still blooming. BW will watch football, and I’ll just veg the rest of the day.
Focaccia. Photo by Nora.
I believe I’ll do just that, with an adult beverage.
While I’m grateful it’s mostly stayed warm enough to keep the windows open, summer’s definitely over around here.
Things are still blooming—more grateful—and I’m snipping a bit here and there to have some pretty in the house.
For the most part, my nose has been to the grindstone, and no complaints from me. Working hard on the second book of the new trilogy—the first book, Inheritance—will hit next month.
I’m having fun with ghosts!
But this weekend, I’ve been busy around and outside the house. I’ve harvested most of my oregano—chopped it up, froze in ice cube trays for use all winter in soups and stews. Did the same yesterday with basil. Smells so good.
BW requested tortilla soup, so after my workout this morning, I got that started. And decided to make some sour dough bread while I was at it. The house smells so good!
As we’re heading to NY in a few days—BW, me, Kat, Jason, Griffin and Kayla—I spent way too much time packing. Don’t want to take a work day to deal with that, so it’s mostly done.
Our week in NY is pretty well packed as well. But we’ll carve out time for shopping! And a visit to the Central Park Zoo, which Griffin couldn’t get enough of last fall. Laura will also be there, so we plan to do a Facebook Live sometime during the week.
I’m meeting pals for lunch tomorrow. BW points out it’s the first time I’ve left the house since Mexico. I think he may be right, but my response was: And???
Still, it’ll be nice to get out and about for a day, and see pals face-to-face.
Then it’s back to work until it’s time to load it up for NY. Excited to see Kayla on her fall break from college, and have time to play with family and friends.
I hope this first day of October is treated all of you well.
We’re officially 10 weeks away from the debut of Inheritance, book 1 in the Lost Bride Trilogy, and I thought it was time to share the excerpt.
Nora wrote about the Why of writing Inheritance a few weeks back in case you want to refresh your memory.
The official description of Inheritance reads:
1806: Astrid Poole sits in her bridal clothes, overwhelmed with happiness. But before her marriage can be consummated, she is murdered, and the circle of gold torn from her finger. Her last words are a promise to Collin never to leave him…
Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish is stunned to learn that her late father had a twin he never knew about―and that her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast. And the will stipulates she must live in it for at least three years. Her engagement recently broken, she sets off to find out why the boys were separated at birth―and why it was all kept secret until a genealogy website brought it to light.
Trey, the young lawyer who greets her at the sprawling clifftop manor, notes Sonya’s unease―and acknowledges that yes, the place is haunted…but just a little. Sure enough, Sonya finds objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office, and a portrait of a woman named Astrid, whom the lawyer refers to as “the first lost bride.” It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it…
I read this book back in March and LOVED it. Can’t wait until you get the chance to read it and we all discuss.
Today’s the day! Payback in Death is on store shelves and e-readers.
Before skipping to the comments to share your thoughts, here’s the official description:
Lt. Eve Dallas is just home from a long overdue vacation when she responds to a call of an unattended death. The victim is Martin Greenleaf, retired Internal Affairs Captain. At first glance, the scene appears to be suicide, but the closer Eve examines the body, the more suspicious she becomes.
An unlocked open window, a loving wife and family, a too-perfect suicide note―Eve’s gut says it’s a homicide. After all, Greenleaf put a lot of dirty cops away during his forty-seven years in Internal Affairs. It could very well be payback―and she will not rest until the case is closed.
Share your thoughts about Payback in Death in the comments. Please be aware that spoilers are very much allowed here.
We’re 8 days from Payback in Death hitting store shelves and ereaders. And in what’s become a tradition, I’ll share some teasers for you to look for as you read. As always, these are not spoilers to the case, just items that caught my eye.
First, here’s the official copy about Payback in Death:
Lt. Eve Dallas is just home from a long overdue vacation when she responds to a call of an unattended death. The victim is Martin Greenleaf, retired Internal Affairs Captain. At first glance, the scene appears to be suicide, but the closer Eve examines the body, the more suspicious she becomes.
An unlocked open window, a loving wife and family, a too-perfect suicide note―Eve’s gut says it’s a homicide. After all, Greenleaf put a lot of dirty cops away during his forty-seven years in Internal Affairs. It could very well be payback―and she will not rest until the case is closed.
– BUT is such a flexible word. – Jenkinson still has a way with a certain word. – when you look at the list, friends come in all shapes and sizes. – there are still arguments for buying v shopping. – one can have concerns about in utero anchoring. – Fate has lovely decorating tricks up her sleeve. – Peabody still looks good in a righteous rage. – Eve has some issues with ice pops. – it’s not hard to follow Roarke’s example.
