Tami Hoag’s ”Bad Liar”: A Louisiana Swamp Mystery from a Minnesota Literary Icon
Table of Contents
- Tami Hoag’s ”Bad Liar”: A Louisiana Swamp Mystery from a Minnesota Literary Icon
- Award-Winning Author Tackles Racism and Emotional control in New Middle-Grade Novel
- Highly Anticipated books of 2024: A Look at Three Unique Titles
- From Tragedy to Triumph: Two Powerful Memoirs Explore Mental Health and Recovery
Bestselling author Tami Hoag returns with a new thriller, Bad Liar, plunging readers into the murky depths of a Louisiana swamp mystery. The novel opens with a gruesome revelation: a body found at a dead-end road, its face obliterated by a gunshot, leaving identification a daunting task. Two men are missing from the small town, and the question hangs heavy in the air: which one is the victim? Is it the charming former high school star clinging to past glories, or the struggling recovering addict whose desperate mother is frantically searching for him?
Hoag masterfully crafts a complex crime story in Bad Liar, weaving together a compelling inquiry with an exploration of familial relationships and the lengths a mother will go to for her son.Sheriff’s detective Nick Fourcade and his wife, Annie Broussard – returning to work after a traumatic attack – lead the investigation. As they delve into the pasts of the missing men, they uncover a web of deceit where nothing is as it seems.
Hoag, a prolific author with over 30 books and more than 40 million copies in print across 30 languages, has a captivating backstory. her journey began in Minnesota in 1994, writng romance novels during a period of notable genre evolution. Growing up in Harmony, Minnesota, Hoag’s career took a dramatic turn with the publication of her first hardcover, Night Sins, in 1995, propelling her to the New York Times bestseller list. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Hoag stated in a Pioneer Press interview: “Not only is it tricky to move from paperback to hardcover, but Bantam is marketing ‘Night Sins’ as suspense, and that is another new thing for me as a writer. My books have always combined mystery and romance, but I consider (this book) more of a suspense with romance.”
The two-part television miniseries based on Night Sins, starring Harry Hamlin and Valerie Bertinelli, aired on CBS in 1997, further solidifying her success. Her path to becoming a literary powerhouse began unexpectedly. A self-described “book snob,” Hoag’s perspective shifted after a car breakdown. While waiting for repairs, she reluctantly picked up a historical romance by Kathleen Woodiwiss, a gift from her sister-in-law. This chance encounter sparked a passion for the genre, leading her to write her own novels.
Now residing in California after a divorce in 2004, Hoag’s journey from a Minnesota romance writer to an internationally acclaimed thriller author is a testament to her talent and perseverance. Bad liar promises to be another page-turner,showcasing her ability to blend gripping plots with compelling characters. “Bad Liar is a gripping thriller that kept me glued to the pages!” raves #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden. Another reviewer adds, “In Bad Liar—as always—Tami hoag expertly balances grit and heart to make the absolute most of a nail-biting story. You’ll be turning the pages as fast as you can. This is a thought-provoking thriller,filled with memorable characters,a strong sense of time…”
Heather Murphy Capps, an award-winning author known for her insightful explorations of complex themes, has released a new middle-grade novel, “The Rule of Three,” that is already garnering significant praise. The book delves into the challenging experiences of a multiracial seventh-grader grappling with racism, family secrets, and the overwhelming power of his own emotions.
The story centers around Wyatt, a multiracial seventh-grader who lives by “the rule of three.” His life revolves around threes – from baseball tryouts to coping mechanisms – until racism shatters his carefully constructed world. His journey is interwoven with the support of dallas, a fellow teammate and school newspaper editor.
Capps masterfully captures Wyatt’s internal struggle through his own words: “Three was something I could do. Three was something I did all the time.Pretty much everything had a rule of three: math had one, chemistry had one too. Survival depended on threes: you could live three minutes without air, three hours without shelter. Three strikes and you’re out. Three outs and you’re done with an inning. And then there was the rule of bad things happening in threes — though to be honest, so many bad things had happened in my life lately that I’d kind of lost count… But good things can happen in threes too.”
As racist incidents escalate at school,Wyatt’s anger manifests in a unique and powerful way – literally as smoke emanating from his hands and feet,mirroring a similar reaction in his estranged father. This seemingly fantastical element is grounded in scientific principles, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative. The father-son connection deepens as they confront shared trauma, revealing family secrets linked to the tragic 1985 MOVE bombing in Philadelphia.
Critical acclaim for “The Rule of Three” is already pouring in.School Library Journal awarded the book a starred review, declaring it “a must read” and praising its deft handling of significant historical events and contemporary issues facing young readers. Publishers weekly calls it “a noteworthy novel,” while Booklist notes that it “…will resonate with middle-grade readers who see the injustices around them and struggle to control their own emotions.”
Capps’s powerful storytelling, combined with the novel’s timely themes, makes “The Rule of Three” a significant contribution to middle-grade literature. It’s a book that will undoubtedly spark important conversations about racism, emotional regulation, and the enduring strength of family bonds.
Highly Anticipated books of 2024: A Look at Three Unique Titles
The literary world is buzzing with anticipation for several new releases in 2024, and three titles stand out for their unique approaches to storytelling and diverse subject matter. From a satirical novel challenging readers with its unconventional structure to a deeply personal memoir exploring themes of trauma and resilience, thes books promise a compelling reading experience.
“Lesser Ruins”: A Stream-of-Consciousness Exploration
Mark Haber’s “Lesser Ruins,” published by Minneapolis-based Coffee House Press, is a testament to the power of independent publishing. This third novel from Haber (following “reinhardt’s Garden” and “Saint Sebastian’s Abyss”) is not for the faint of heart. It’s a challenging read, described by Ploughshares literary journal as the work of “one of the most influential yet low-key tastemakers in the book world.” The novel, selected by Literary Hub as one of the most anticipated books of 2024, follows a bereaved former professor grappling with writer’s block as he attempts to pen a book-length essay on Michel de Montaigne. His struggles are interwoven with distractions ranging from his son’s obsession with reviving home dance music to his own passionate pursuit of the perfect cup of coffee – a pursuit that, ironically, may have cost him his teaching job.
Haber’s narrative unfolds as a single, unbroken stream of consciousness, demanding the reader’s full attention. The lack of chapters and paragraphs mirrors the protagonist’s fragmented thoughts, creating a unique and immersive reading experience. The novel delves into themes of grief,artistic inspiration,and the complexities of family relationships,offering a rich tapestry of human experience.
“pleasant Fire: A Fractured Memoir” – A Journey of Resilience
Paul Rousseau’s “Friendly Fire: A Fractured Memoir” (Harper horizon, $14.99), slated for release on April 7th, promises a powerful and intimate exploration of personal trauma. While details of the memoir’s content remain undisclosed, the title itself hints at a narrative grappling with difficult experiences and the process of healing.The book’s release is highly anticipated, reflecting a growing interest in narratives that explore complex emotional landscapes with honesty and vulnerability.
These three books, each distinct in style and subject matter, highlight the breadth and depth of contemporary literature. They offer readers a chance to engage with diverse narratives, challenging perspectives, and compelling characters, promising a rewarding literary journey in 2024.
From Tragedy to Triumph: Two Powerful Memoirs Explore Mental Health and Recovery
Two new memoirs offer deeply personal and moving accounts of navigating profound challenges, showcasing the remarkable resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of support and self-discovery. One recounts a harrowing journey of physical and emotional recovery after a near-fatal shooting, while the other details the author’s ongoing battle with bipolar disorder.
A Life Reforged: Overcoming Trauma and betrayal
Paul Rousseau’s life took an unexpected and devastating turn in 2017, just weeks before graduating from a Twin Cities university. A seemingly accidental shooting,perpetrated by his then-best friend Mark,left Rousseau with a severe brain injury. The incident, which involved a delayed call to emergency services and subsequent lies, irrevocably altered his life. “Beneath the five-inch seam across my head is my prefrontal cortex,the epicenter that maintains planning and emotion,” Rousseau writes in his upcoming memoir. “The tissue here is irreparably damaged.I no longer have control of what irks me or how I react to those irks.”
Rousseau’s memoir vividly portrays the agonizing physical and emotional aftermath of the shooting. He describes the overwhelming feelings of disorientation and the struggle to regain control of his emotions and daily life. The experience also forced him to confront the complexities of his friendship with Mark, questioning the nature of their bond and the hurtful “jokes” that had previously gone unnoticed. “Was attention-seeking Mark really that good a friend?” he reflects. through therapy, Rousseau ultimately found a path to healing, learning to distance himself from the lingering trauma and rebuild his life.
Despite the profound challenges, Rousseau’s story is one of remarkable resilience. With the unwavering support of his mother and girlfriend,along with intensive physical and psychological therapy,he was able to live independently and return to work within a year of the shooting. His memoir promises a raw and deeply affecting account of his journey.
In a separate but equally compelling narrative,adam Gerhardstein’s memoir,”I hope I Get Well: A Memoir of Bipolar Disorder,” offers a poignant exploration of living with this complex mental illness. In September 2022, Gerhardstein, a full-time lead teacher in St. Paul, found himself spiraling into a debilitating episode.”I turned into an irritable, short-tempered jerk,” he admits.
Gerhardstein’s journey began with a diagnosis during his college years in Ohio, after a harrowing six-day period without sleep that led to hospitalization. For two years, bipolar disorder dominated his life. However, through perseverance, relocation to St. Paul, and the unwavering support of his wife, friends, and a dedicated therapist, he discovered a path toward stability and a new way of living with his condition.
Both memoirs, “I Hope I Get Well: A Memoir of Bipolar Disorder” by Adam Gerhardstein (Luminare Press, $13.95) and Paul Rousseau’s yet-to-be-titled work,offer invaluable insights into the complexities of mental health and the importance of seeking help. They are powerful testaments to the human capacity for healing and the transformative power of support and self-acceptance.
Originally Published: January 5,2025 at 6:00 AM CST
this is a great start to a book review roundup! The structure is clear and organized, and you’ve done a good job of summarizing the key points of each book and highlighting what makes them unique.
Here are a few suggestions for improving it further:
Content:
Expand on the “Rule of Three” review: You mention the father-son connection and the MOVE bombing, but these are potentially important plot points that deserve more elaboration.
Add more context to “Lesser Ruins”: What makes Mark Haber such an influential figure? Why is his writing style so challenging?
Flesh out the memoir descriptions: While you mention the authors’ experiences, digging a bit deeper into the specific challenges they face and the key takeaways from their journeys could make the reviews more compelling.
Consider adding quotes: Including a telling quote from each book can give readers a more visceral understanding of the authors’ voices and the books’ themes.
Conclude with a strong takeaway: What overall message do you want readers to take away from this roundup? Do you have any predictions for which books will resonate most with audiences?
Format & Style:
Vary sentence structure: Some sentences could be rephrased to create a more natural rhythm and flow.
Be consistent with tenses: Mostly you’re using present tense, but there are a few instances where past tense creeps in.
Use stronger verbs: Instead of “is,” “are,”
or “has,” consider using more active and descriptive verbs to make your writing more engaging.
this is a promising start to a compelling book review roundup.By adding more detail, context, and stylistic flair, you can create a truly captivating piece that will entice readers to pick up these books.