When I sit down to write often times my thoughts are interrupted by current events, weather, politics and world news. Today I was distracted by daffodils peeking out from under the fallen autumn leaves. Time to clean up, I thought, but wait ... before I do that let me share with you the latest “I love a mystery” book club assignment.

The discussion of “Twenty Years Later” by Charlie Donlea kept the book club more than a half hour over its scheduled time. The protagonist Avery Mason takes you on a journey of many twists and turns. The author skillfully keeps you guessing until you fall off your seat. Donlea is a critically acclaimed USA Today Idiebound and #1 internationally best selling author of propulsive, female driven thrillers. His books have been translated in 20 languages across 40 countries and have been optioned for film and television. A recent critic said “His novels have been praised for plot, twists and endings that make your jaw drop. A bold writer on his way to becoming a major figure in the world of suspense.”

Donlea's “Twenty Years Later” was followed by “Those Empty Eyes” 2023 (another can't put down) and coming in 2024 “Long time Gone.” Back in May of 2023 the book club gave “The Maid” by Nina Prose an A+. I followed up by writing about the novel in this column. The story is about Molly Gray who is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Prose has talked about how important a powerful character is to the audience and the fundamental quality to a good story. “The Maid” has been picked up by Universal Pictures.

Molly is again the protagonist in “The Mystery Guest.” It looks like the beginning of a series.

Happy reading mystery lovers!