Yes, it’s the first book of 2027, but it’s never too early to plan ahead is it?
And what’s it about you ask?
In 2061 New York City, Lt. Eve Dallas confronts the thin line between advanced technology and primal terror as the #1 New York Times-bestselling crime thriller series continues.
Donald Quinland was a husband and father, a teacher and writer. Now, on a dark cobblestoned street where his naked, beheaded body has been discarded like trash, Lt. Eve Dallas wonders what happened during the nineteen hours since he went missing. Forensic evidence indicates that the killer had medical knowledge—could this be the result of illegal organ harvesting, or some sick experiment? Or does the atrocity of the crime suggest a personal vendetta?
After speaking with the grieving family, Eve and her partner visit Columbia and Barnard, where the late professor taught. In these Ivy League halls filled with sharp and occasionally devious minds, it isn’t so easy to get at the truth—and among Manhattan’s elite doctors and scientists, God complexes are an occupational hazard.
I’ll be honest guys: I know I said Fury in Death (Sept release) is a top fave, but Perfect is up there too. Can’t wait to discuss them both.
Can’t quote The Beatles because it wasn’t lonely, but it’s been a long, cold winter. I’m very happy it’s over.
Right before we planted, and after a week of 90s, the temps dropped—collapsed for a night where it fell to the mid-20s. My poor yellow bells came up too fast and felt the brunt. I have to get out there and prune off the damage.
Otherwise, we made it.
As usual, BW and I hit Sunny Meadows hard. Their wide selection is always so lovely, so well maintained. We filled the bed of the truck, stuck more in the tub BW keeps in the bed, had a flat on the floor at my feet, and another on the seat between us.
Whew! (Then BW stopped in Boonsboro for another flat and a half an impatiens, a few more begonias and some rosemary at the excellent Cronise Market.)
No foxglove for me this year. They got swamped during that 90s week and just ran out. So I substituted, and this year I’m trying some different things in different places.
The best? Spending two entire days digging in the dirt, placing plants, shifting, deciding, arranging. Beds first, and that was a full day. And so worth it.
I’d already soaked and planted nasturtium seeds, and this year some sweet peas. Fun to see those starting to pop while I planted our truckload.
The second day, finish a few spots in the beds, then focus on pots. If my count’s right, that’s over 30 pots! BW’s clever idea was to half bury a broken one, then plant something at the mouth of it. I like it!
I have one more to do yet—some dianthus in a pot BW can see out his office window. But currently our front is dug up as the crew hunts for what’s probably a broken pipe in our septic tank. Finding it’s been an ordeal. And I’m trying not to think about it! And remind myself, the rest looks just great.
I’ve already enjoyed some walk-abouts, and get my smiles seeing how those seedlings grow, how the bedding and pot plants soak up the sun.
Cooler and some rain today, but I have inside activities. Sunday family dinner tomorrow to celebrate Logan’s 22nd birthday. He requested his Grandda’s flank steak and his Nana’s roasted potatoes, roasted carrots. Since Kat and Kayla can’t eat the steak, I’m trying my hand at risotto. Going to make that today, to be sure it doesn’t suck, and tomorrow, since Logan’s not fond of cake, I’m going to make his fave chocolate chip cookies to go with the ice cream cake for everyone else.
Then, on Thursday, we head to Louisville for Derby! We’re taking Kayla and J.R.—their first time—so lots of fun for a long weekend.
Then it’s back to work and gardening, along with Girls Night Out in Boonsboro, our Girl spa week, a shopping spree for Kat’s birthday (doing it early this year), a family week at Nemocolin. Then . . .
Our big summer trip. Ten of us are heading to Italy! A few days in Milan, then two weeks in Lake Como. I’d say I can’t wait, but I really do just love springtime in the gardens. And I have a book to write! So I’ll enjoy it all as it comes.
Hope your spring (or fall for those in the Southern Hemisphere) brings you a lot to enjoy as it comes.
Nora’s next trilogy — A Coven of Three — starts this November with Birth of the Witch
Here’s the official description:
Niamh McShane was born a witch and died a witch in the same moment, at the tender age of thirteen. A victim of the madness that spread from Salem Town to her home on Piety Island, her only comfort in her last hours came from the weavers imprisoned with her, who saw within her light and power and gave her some of their own.
Over three hundred years later, on the same island, Neve McShane wakes with excitement on her thirteenth birthday and unwraps gifts from her aunts: sneakers, an iPhone, and a stunning antique pendant. Then she receives something else: a revelation that will change her life.
Astonished, Neve learns that her aunts’ abilities go beyond simple kitchen magic and the potions they sell in their shop. Their tales of past lives aren’t just whimsical fantasies. They are witches, and so is she. Their lives–past and present–are bound together by that pivotal day centuries ago. Now Neve has been tasked with stopping a growing darkness. To prepare for the dangerous enemy that awaits, Neve hones her skills and searches for clues to aid in her quest. And at night, she dreams of a young man from Ireland whose eyes met with hers for a fateful moment, centuries ago…
Two posts in a row? We’re busy this week. OK, Nora’s writing another In Death at the moment (64 or 65, not quite sure) so I’m sharing the cover for #63: Fury in Death — out September 8.
What’s it all about?
Lt. Eve Dallas never knows what to expect when she gets word of a body. It could be an elderly man who made the mistake of climbing a ladder in slippery footwear. And the next call could be a wealthy biotech executive beaten to death in his home office—but what was Larry Chu’s mistake?
The victim’s corpse is so mangled and damaged it’s hard to believe a lone, unarmed assailant could have managed it. The killer was clearly unnaturally strong—and smart enough to find a way into Chu’s highly secure building. Most of all, whoever did this was very, very angry.
The excessive violence leads Dallas to conclude that this was a deeply personal act, born of a rage that she can’t excuse but can understand thanks to her own traumatic past. And though the motive seems rooted in heated emotion rather than cold hard cash, she can’t ignore the suspicious bank account in the Cayman Islands, or the shadowy, profit-hungry company Chu worked for. The mystery only grows when it turns out Chu isn’t the only victim—and Dallas will need to tear through one layer of secrecy after another to reveal what lies behind this explosion of fury…
We’re just under 100 days from the release of The Final Target on May 26, so I thought it time to share the excerpt.
LBUK cover
First, here’s the official description:
He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.
Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…
An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude—but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.
Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden’s purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?
I had a chance to read The Final Target a while back and I think it’s going to be the perfect entry to summer reading (or a cozy winter read if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere.
And here we go: Stolen in Death is on shelves/ereaders today! Yes, it’s been a wait, but I think this story is worth it.
Plus, there’s a huge surprise (IMO).
Here’s the official description:
A blow to the head with a block of amethyst has left multibillionaire Nathan Barrister dead—while nearby, a vault, its door ajar, sits filled with priceless paintings, jewelry, and other treasures. Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband, Roarke—who misspent his youth in Ireland as a scrappy thief—recognizes at least two stolen pieces among the hoard. The crime scene suggests a burglar caught in the act. But only one item seems to be missing.
Then it’s revealed that the vault had actually belonged to the victim’s late father—and no one in the household knew it was there until a recent remodeling project exposed it. To protect the family name and business, they explain to Eve, they’d been looking for a way to return the ill-gotten gains anonymously and avoid the police. But now the police are all over their elegant house, and have a bigger, bloodier mystery to solve.
By all accounts, Nathan Barrister was a good man, a generous employer, a devoted husband and father. As for his father—he clearly had secrets. Now it’s up to Eve and her team to find out if those secrets got Nathan killed—and if it was a crime of passion or revenge.
This is the space to discuss all things Stolen in Death. (How did you react to the surprise?)
Please share in the comments — and beware that spoilers are allowed here.
So it’s been a while—apologies! Fall and early winter have been crammed with work, holidays and other personal stuff. Coming up for air now, and all’s well.
First, BW is so much improved, which is huge relief all around. Logan, so willing and able, did so much to help when we needed it. And still shows up whenever we call. I don’t know how we’d have managed without him.
BW continues PT, and is making big strides, literally. That area of life is getting much closer to normal.
Our holidays were fabulous. I carved out a couple of days for our annual holiday girl trip. So much fun, and a whirl of shopping with our friends at Saks. They always make our day there so special for all. A short and lovely break from the madness of holiday prep, plus that precious gift of girl time.
Gorgeous table for a holiday lunch. Photo by Laura
Then we made wreaths! Photo by Laura
A zillion cookies were baked, with loads of help from Kayla, JR, Colt, Logan and Logan’s gorgeous girlfriend, Loren. Much deliciousness enjoyed, with Kat doing heroic work on the clean up!
Mid-December view from Nora’s kitchen.
Then, boom, it’s Christmas, so all those presents bagged or wrapped (while I watched Hallmark Christmas movies) are torn open in a glorious kind of chaos. I love the noise, the happy faces, and the crowded mess of it.
One of my fave gifts is a sweatshirt that says:
Be Kind . . . Of a bitch.
My grandkids know their nana!
We had the whole gang having fun, then sitting down to the three casseroles of lasagna I made, slices of garlic bread from the Italian bread I baked. And no room after for the planned ice cream bar.
The whole gang.
I loved every minute.
During all this, I’m working on next year’s standalone and signing ten million books as orders for The Seven Rings flooded in, along with orders for the In Death cookbook. The TTP staff worked like maniacs through all this. And hey, me, too!
A quiet New Year’s—I made chicken en cocotte—with Jason, Kat and Griffin. Griffin lasted until about ten minutes before the ball drop, then announced Bedtime! But he enjoyed the screening of the first part of Wicked.
We saw this on Broadway years ago, with the original cast. It left such an impression on me. The movie didn’t disappoint.
The very next day I started my full house purge. An exhausting but satisfying annual task. It’s restricted to weekends because I write all week, but I got ‘er done.
My house is organized, clean and shiny. As I purge a room, I clean the room which includes feeding all the wood. We have about 24 wood doors in this house, not to mention shelves, trim, windows, beadboard, wainscoting, furniture. After all, I married a carpenter.
Still working on the first draft of the standalone, and that work will go with me when we take a much deserved week break to Nemocolin with Jason and family and our friends Bill and Nicole. Another annual tradition I very much prize. I’ll work some, hang out some, get a longed-for massage, have time to read—haven’t had much of that—and recharge from the crowded, busy, chaotic, stressful few months.
In the new thing for a new year category, Nora made buttermilk biscuits for the first time.
Hope your holidays were as full of fun, family and friends as mine were, and that the new year brings health and happiness.
As of this writing we have fewer than 70 sleeps until Stolen in Death is in your hands. So, I thought it was time to share an excerpt. *
First, the official description:
A blow to the head with a block of amethyst has left multibillionaire Nathan Barrister dead—while nearby, a vault, its door ajar, sits filled with priceless paintings, jewelry, and other treasures. Lieutenant Eve Dallas’s husband, Roarke—who misspent his youth in Ireland as a scrappy thief—recognizes at least two stolen pieces among the hoard. The crime scene suggests a burglar caught in the act. But only one item seems to be missing.
Then it’s revealed that the vault had actually belonged to the victim’s late father—and no one in the household knew it was there until a recent remodeling project exposed it. To protect the family name and business, they explain to Eve, they’d been looking for a way to return the ill-gotten gains anonymously and avoid the police. But now the police are all over their elegant house, and have a bigger, bloodier mystery to solve.
By all accounts, Nathan Barrister was a good man, a generous employer, a devoted husband and father. As for his father—he clearly had secrets. Now it’s up to Eve and her team to find out if those secrets got Nathan killed—and if it was a crime of passion or revenge.
*As always, if you subscribe to Nora’s News you received the excerpt last week. To get in on the early info, go to either http://www.noraroberts.com or http://www.jdrobb.com, scroll to the bottom and sign up.
You can officially talk about The Seven Rings (and the entire trilogy) today!
Sonya, Trey, Cleo and Owen have a huge job ahead of them when The Seven Rings opens. What did you think of the plan and how it played out? What did you think of Clover’s musical accompaniment? What did you think of the end?
This is the safe space to talk about all things related to The Lost Brides Trilogy so if you haven’t read it, be very aware that spoilers are ahead.
Laura
A quick PS: Shared this in the newsletter and on socials. Sorry I forgot to post here:
When creative women are in a haunted space, they create. Last July, we were inspired by the ghosts at The Greenbrier. Nora and I along with Kat (cinematographer) and Sarah (action figure) spent a fun couple hours filming video for The Seven Rings. Nora and I ran up and down the hallway to open and shut doors. Sarah moved as directed. Kat kept the camera steady. And we came up with this.
It pains me a great deal to have to share this, and I cannot apologize enough: less than half of The Seven Ring preorders from Turn the Page will arrive by tomorrow. I know so many people have waited months for The Seven Rings to finish the trilogy. Some have waited years to start the trilogy.
It’s absolutely gutting to disappoint readers like this.
For 30 years, TTP and I have taken great pride in shipping out signed new releases to arrive on publication date. The process takes time, coordination and many evenings signing books after a full work day.
What happened this year? The sheer number of orders for Framed in Death, The In Death Cookbook and The Seven Rings, along with BW undergoing spinal surgery, (he’s recovering nicely) overwhelmed the tightest of plans and put us way behind the curve.
Normally, I sign four tubs of books three times a week, and that works. But it hasn’t been close to enough this fall. Please know, the staff at TTP is doing their very best, and working so hard to fulfill orders. I’ve signed my hand off, but it just hasn’t been enough this time. And I understand this time is so important for the readers who’ve waited so long for the conclusion to The Lost Bride Trilogy.
Until the backlog is cleared, I’ll sign six tubs of books nightly, and TTP will ship them out daily. That has to exclude this Thursday when I’ll sign books at TTP for Girls Night out, and next Thursday when I host 11 for Thanksgiving.
Again, I’m so very sorry that The Seven Rings won’t be in your mailbox tomorrow. It doesn’t lessen the disappointment in any way, but we’ll do everything possible to ship the rest of the books out as quickly as possible.
