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Want thrilling nonfiction or a historical romance

Hi friends,

Hope you’re doing well. This weekend, some friends and I visited an exhibit about romance novel cover art at McDaniel College in Maryland. It featured the behind-the-scenes sketches, photoshoots and early drafts that led to a final cover. You can see some photos on my Instagram if you’re interested.

And, now, what to read if …

You’re Watching “White Lotus” — or Miss “Succession”

The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha

HBO’s murder mystery/luxury resort/rich people problems show, “White Lotus,” is back, although sadly without Jennifer Coolidge this season. (I’m not caught up, but I know the big twist in the first episode.) If you’ve checked in to the White Lotus or are missing the Logan siblings’ chicanery on “Succession,” you’ll want to read Trisha Sakhlecha’s The Inheritance.

After recovering from a stroke, Raj Agarwal is finally ready to retire from the multi-million-dollar business he built — and announce his succession plan. He, his frail wife, their party girl daughter Aisha, son/assumed heir Aseem and his Instagram influencer spouse Zoe gather at the inn their eldest daughter Myra is building on a remote Scottish island.

The more time they spend together, the clearer it becomes each of the Agarwals is keeping things hidden. And, one of those secrets will lead to a murder.

I expected The Inheritance to be a locked-room mystery in the style of And Then There Were None, but it’s more of a family drama with a murder in the background. Trisha Sakhlecha does an admirable job building — and maintaining — the tension throughout the book. I was stressed for the Agarawals the whole time they were on the island.

You Want Some Propulsive Nonfiction

Dark Wire by Joseph Cox

A few weeks back, a friend said she was having trouble reading anything that wasn’t propulsive and asked for novel recommendations. I pointed her to The Favorites, asked how she’d feel about a nonfiction book and immediately began pushing Dark Wire, journalist Joseph Cox’s wild tale about the largest-ever FBI sting operation.

In 2018, members of the world’s most powerful organized crime cartels began using Anom, an encrypted messaging app to arrange for drug deals, money laundering and even murders-for-hire. Unbeknownst to the criminals, Anom was run by the FBI. Agents in San Diego obsessively monitored the messages, using them to build an unprecedented understanding of criminal syndicates worldwide. When possible, the agents used the intel to prevent crimes and make arrests without exposing the operation. But, as Anom grew exponentially, the FBI began to lose control of the fake company it stood up.

Dark Wire is a fascinating read that poses an eternal question: how do we balance civil liberties with combating crime? It reads more like a thriller — complete with speed boat drug deals and midnight raids on meth labs — than a nonfiction book. Cox spent years reporting on the encrypted phone industry and his expertise shines through every page.

You Studied the Recent “Bridgerton” Trailer

Ana María and the Fox by Liana De La Rosa

Netflix recently released a sneak peek of the fourth season of its blockbuster show “Bridgerton.” The book it’s based on is a Cinderella-esque story following Benedict, the second Bridgerton son, and Sophie, a woman serving as a maid for her demanding stepmother and stepsisters, but we’ll see where the show ends up. If you dissected the trailer, you’ll want to add Ana María and the Fox, a charming historical romance from Liana De La Rosa.

After French forces seize Mexico City in July 1863, Ana María and her two sisters flee their home for London, where their uncle is a diplomat. Their father, a powerful adviser to the Mexican president-in-exile, warns the young women to stay under the radar, but their uncle wants them to serve as unofficial ambassadors and convince the English to support their nation.

While courting the English, Ana captures the attention of Gideon Fox, a rising star in Parliament who overcame his impoverished childhood. Now, he’s on the cusp of passing a bill that would ban the Atlantic slave trade, a dream since he learned his grandmother was enslaved. Gideon has no time for distractions, even if he can’t stop thinking about Ana. But, when a dubious nobleman threatens Ana, Gideon offers his protection as a husband. He insists it’s a marriage of convenience, but it appears he and Ana are the only two who believe that.

Ana María and the Fox is a lush, gorgeous novel. I particularly loved the way De La Rosa incorporated the history of the French occupation of Mexico, which I, embarrassingly, hadn’t known about before. I love it when a historical romance surprises me with a fresh take on an established genre (see my love of Hotel of Secrets) and this one fits the bill.

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