Hey there!

I got a very special delivery two days ago, when my mother-in-law (hi Jean!) sent me a copy of Harlan Coben's newest book, Plot Twist: Life, Craft, and the Messy First Draft.

I haven't read a ton of Coben's mystery thrillers, but I've always enjoyed the ones I've picked up over the years—especially when I find one out in our Little Free Library. He's a really engaging writer, and as I settled down with Plot Twist and a cup of tea last night, I can already tell I'm going to enjoy his memoir/writing craft book.

I'm always wary of writing "rules"—they're almost always just a collection of things that worked for that specific writer, and each of us has to find our own path. So I appreciate that Coben says from the get-go that this book is just meant to be a peek into his process, not a class on "how to write."

This was a fantastic line from the introduction:

"I think most writing advice, including mine, is like your appendix—either superfluous or it hurts you."

I'm sure I'll have more gems to share with you as I get farther into the book. I can already tell it's going to be fun.

(By the way, if any of you are writers yourselves, hop on over to my Story Rebel website, where I've got a growing library of articlesabout the writing process. It's aimed primarily at people writing nonfiction, but fiction writers might find some gems there too!)

For Your TBR

I've got a handful of free books for you this week! If you haven't downloaded your copy of Smoke Screen yet, you can get it as part of the "Take the Darker Path" bundle that's currently live on BookFunnel!

Take the Darker Path; Thrillers, Crime, and Mysteries

Only until September 19th!

Smoke Screen has joined with 25 other mystery thriller and crime novels in a unique library geared towards the spooky season that is soon approaching.

Browse Free Books!

The Reluctant Coroner

by Paul Austin Ardoin

Fenway Stevenson swore she'd never go back to Estancia.

But after losing her mother and her job in one devastating week, she's left with no options and forced to ask her estranged father for help. That means returning to the coastal California town where he wields near-absolute power as the head of the region's largest oil company—and where Fenway is viewed as an outsider at best, and a political pawn at worst.

Then the county coroner is murdered.

Suddenly, Fenway is thrust into a spotlight she never wanted. Appointed as interim coroner—a move that reeks of backroom deals and her father's influence—she's immediately faced with a murder case that hits far too close to home. The evidence points in one direction: her father's oil company. And in Estancia, money has always had a way of silencing the truth.

Get My Copy!

Happy reading,

Jessie

Misadventures in the Multiverse

Plot Twisting

For Your TBR

Take the Darker Path; Thrillers, Crime, and Mysteries

The Reluctant Coroner

"The best ghost story I've ever read." 🥰 👻

This weekend! Escape the Plot Forest

Are You Burning For A New Series?