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On this episode, I chat with author Tova Mirvis about her novel, We Would Never, a psychological exploration inspired by a real murder case she discovered on Facebook.

Mirvis reveals how true crime reporting always left her hungry for the human story beneath the headlines, and how she carefully crafted characters who start as a typical family with typical problems before spiraling into darkness.

Having written a memoir about leaving Orthodox Judaism and her marriage, Mervis brings profound insight into the gap between our public and private selves. "What does it mean to not be the person you were expected to be?" she asks, a question that resonates throughout her fiction.

Mirvis says of writing We Would Never, "It taught me about the willingness to go dark," and the craft of creating suspense. Her insights into character development, the ethics of fictionalizing real events, and the thin line between ordinary people and extraordinary acts offer a valuable perspective for writers and readers alike.

Ready to explore the shadowy corners of family dynamics? Listen now, and discover why fiction reveals what true crime can never tell.

Tova Mirvis

We Would Never, Tova Mirvis

Orbital, Samantha Harvey

The Safekeep, Yael Van Der Wouden

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The Bookshop Podcast
Mandy Jackson-Beverly
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In this episode, I chat with James Anderson, co-owner of Saturn Press with his with Diedre. The humble greeting card might seem like a relic in our digital age, but as James reveals, these tactile treasures carry meaning far beyond their paper boundaries.

James shares how Saturn Press creates distinctive cards using vintage presses from the 1940s-60s, explaining that the very constraints of letterpress technology drive a creativity that digital perfection cannot replicate. "I'm not a Luddite who hates technology," he clarifies. "I just love that technology from 60 or 80 years ago remains relevant today." These limitations in color palette and printing technique result in cards that feel comforting, unique, and beautiful – qualities increasingly sought after in our screen-dominated world.

Behind each Saturn Press card lies a thoughtful process of selecting art from their extensive ephemera collection, commissioning licensed artists, or revitalizing work from overlooked historical artists. The company prints on carefully selected natural white paper with deckle edges, creating a wholesome tactile experience that enhances the visual design. Sustainability guides their decisions too, as they work to eliminate plastic from packaging while maintaining the product's integrity.

Perhaps most compelling is James's insight into why greeting cards still matter: "A sympathy text just doesn't cut it. If you're participating in a social relationship, you want to show it's worth enough to buy a nice card, write something meaningful, and put it in the mail." This intentionality explains why independent bookshops increasingly embrace stationery as both a profit center and a natural extension of their literary community.

Discover the magic of letterpress and why these cards aren't just purchased but treasured, displayed, and even framed as keepsakes. Visit saturnpresscards.com to experience these distinctive designs for yourself.

Saturn Press

The Gold, Neil Forsyth and Thomas Turner

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Mandy Jackson-Beverly
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In this episode, I chat with author Kendra Elliot about her new novel, Her First Mistake.

Kendra Elliot has sold thirteen million books, hit the Wall Street Journal top ten bestseller list more than a dozen times, and is a three-time winner of the Daphne du Maurier award.

She is an International Thriller Writers' finalist and a Romantic Times finalist. She grew up in the lush and rainy Pacific Northwest.

Synopsis of Her First Mistake:

Thirteen years ago, Assemblyman Derrick Bell was murdered in his home by an intruder. His wife, Noelle Marshall, was left for dead. The crime was unsolved, but it wasn’t forgotten.

Today the FBI is tackling a fresh perspective on the case and looking to Noelle, now a detective for the Deschutes County sheriff’s office, for new clues. It is reopening everything Noelle thought was behind her. Memories of her escape from a traumatic childhood. A marriage that wasn’t the perfect love story she’d been promised. And a husband whose charm and privilege hid a dark side. But Noelle has been hiding something too: a secret about the night Derrick died that she has never told anyone.

As past and present and leads and misleads collide, one thing is frighteningly clear. Derrick’s murder wasn’t just unsolved. It’s unfinished. And only the truth—no matter the risk—can save the next victim.

Kendra Elliot

Her First Mistake, Kendra Elliot

Julia Quinn Books

Stephanie Laurens

Karen Marie Moning

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Mandy Jackson-Beverly
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