Why we chose this: A.J. Finn's last book The Woman in The Window was a captivating psychological thriller (in the annals of The Silent Patient). One where you're never entirely sure where the story is going, or you think you know what's happening but you're certainly wrong. The Woman in The Window was a blockbuster, but it's been 16 years since A.J. Finn's debut novel, leaving fans excitedly awaiting this new release.

About the book: Sebastian Trapp, a dying mystery novelist, invites detective fiction expert Nicky Hunter to his San Francisco mansion to tell his life story, including the mysterious disappearance of his first wife and son two decades ago. As Nicky delves into Sebastian's past, she becomes entangled in a real-life mystery, questioning if the perfect crime writer committed the perfect crime. 

Release date: February 20, 2024

Chandler's Pick | Fourteen Days by The Authors Guild

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Why we chose this: It would have seemed - to me - odd not to put this book on the list. It's not everyday you see Margaret Atwood, Emma Donoghue, John Grisham and Celeste Ng all working on the same book (among a few dozen other big name authors). If for no other reason than fascination, this had to be on my list. 

About the book: Set in a Lower East Side tenement in the early days of the COVID-19 lockdowns, tenants of a Lower East Side apartment building in Manhattan have begun to gather on the rooftop and tell stories. Fourteen Days is an irresistibly propulsive collaborative novel from the Authors Guild, with an unusual twist: each character in this diverse, eccentric cast of New York neighbours has been secretly written by a different, major literary voice—from Margaret Atwood and Celeste Ng to Tommy Orange and John Grisham. 

Why we chose this: I studied Philosophy in university - specifically the idea of the 'self' or simply, what makes me, me. Memory forms so much of how we see ourselves and understand our lives, and yet, memory is deeply fallible. We forget so much, we misremember, and we can even create false memories. I find myself fascinated by memory, and how we can better understand it. 

About the book: A groundbreaking exploration of the mind and brain, a leading memory researcher unveils the transformative power of memory, revealing its impact on learning, decision-making, trauma, and healing. Contrary to conventional views, memory is not a static repository of the past but an active force shaping our present. By understanding memory's mechanisms, we gain control over our unconscious mind, unlocking the key to happier, deliberate lives. The book teaches the principles of memory storage, retrieval, and the dynamic nature of memories, empowering us to remember and understand ourselves more effectively.

Release date: February 20, 2024

Why we chose this: This is a book from a new author who specialized in antiquities most of her life, it feels very authentic thanks to her knowledge. This takes an Agatha Christie-esque turn and has daring characters of the Indiana Jones type. There's plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing accompanied by a fun plot.

About the book: Freya Lockwood returns to her childhood village after twenty years when her mentor, Arthur Crockleford, dies unexpectedly. Suspecting foul play after receiving a warning letter from Arthur, Freya and her eccentric aunt, Carole, investigate. They discover Arthur's journals and attend an antiques enthusiasts' weekend, where they unravel a web of deceit. As Freya and Carole delve into the mysteries, they must uncover the truth before a killer strikes again.

Release date: February 13, 2024

About this book:  In January 1918, after receiving news of her brother Freddie's death in Flanders, field nurse Laura Iven returns to Belgium to uncover the truth. She volunteers at a private hospital where rumors circulate about haunted trenches and a mysterious hotelier. Meanwhile, in November 1917, Freddie forms an unlikely alliance with a wounded German soldier, Hans Winter, after an explosion in a pillbox. Seeking refuge, they encounter a man with the power to make the horrors of the trenches vanish. As shells rain down on Flanders and ghosts mingle with the living, Laura and Freddie must confront their deepest traumas and decide whether their world is worth saving or abandoning.

Release date: February 6, 2024

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