YOU DESERVE TO KNOW by Aggie Blum Thompson

Mar 112025
 

A brand new suspense novel from “the master of the suburban scandal” (Samantha M. Bailey), Aggie Blum Thompson.

Neighbors Gwen, Aimee, and Lisa share more than playdates and coffee mornings on their tranquil street in East Bethesda. They confide their deepest secrets, navigate the challenges of motherhood together, and provide a support system that seems unbreakable.

But when Gwen’s husband is found murdered after one of their weekly Friday night dinners, the peaceful quiet of their cul-de-sac shatters. The seemingly idyllic world of the three close-knit mom friends becomes a web of deception, betrayal, and revenge.

As the police investigate, the veneer of friendship begins to crack, revealing hidden tensions, clandestine affairs, and long-buried jealousies among the three women. With suspicions mounting and the neighborhood gripped by fear, Gwen, Aimee, and Lisa must confront the chilling truth about their husbands, and the sinister undercurrents in their own friendship.

Starred Review: YOU DESERVE TO KNOW by Aggie Blum Thompson

Mar 062025
 

Library Journal: Thompson’s new novel of suburban scandals and secrets (following Such a Lovely Family) is set in a peaceful subdivision outside of Washington, DC. All appears normal for Aimee, Gwen, and Lisa, three neighborhood wives who share weekly dinners, exchange parenting advice, help each other out with their kids while their husbands tag along, and even go on family vacations together. One night after a group dinner in their neighborhood, Aimee overhears an argument between Gwen and her husband, Anton, from the next yard over. The following morning, the neighbors receive the news that Anton is dead—murdered. The subsequent police investigation creates waves among the group. Secrets begin to surface, and everyone’s perfect facades begin to crumble, creating doubt in all of the relationships. Some of the neighborhood’s residents are not who they say they are; many of them are harboring jealousy, judgment, and deceit.

VERDICT Thompson flawlessly creates engaging plot twists and imperfect, realistic characters that readers will love to hate. This is a must-buy for public libraries and perfect for fans of Adele Parks and Lisa Unger.

Deal: E.B. Asher

Mar 042025
 

Bridget Morrissey, Emily Wibberley, and Austin Siegemund-Broka writing as E.B. Asher’s THIS WILL BE INTERESTING, a stand-alone set in the same world as THIS WILL BE FUN, in which a resurrected hero, a disgraced assassin, a honeymooning king and queen, a criminal, and a writer are thrown together on an unlikely journey overseas where they have only one rule: don’t fall in love with your quest mates, to Priyanka Krishnan at Avon, in a good deal, for publication in spring 2026, by Taylor Haggerty at Root Literary for Morrissey, and by Katie Shea Boutillier at Donald Maass Literary Agency for Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka (world). Film/TV: Olivia Fanaro and Maialie Fitzpatrick at UTA

February Subsidiary Rights Deals

Feb 282025
 

a pair of black ear budsAudio rights to David Jones’ MISS UNIVERSE, to Kim Budnick at Tantor Media, by Katie Shea Boutillier for Jennie Goloboy (World English).

Audio rights to J.S. Fields’s FOXFIRE IN THE SNOW, to Kim Budnick at Tantor Media, by Katie Shea Boutillier (world English).

Audio rights to Katherine Addison’s THE ORB OF CAIRADO, a novella set in the world of THE GOBLIN EMPEROR featuring an unlikely hero in historian Ulcetha Zhorvena, to Kim Budnick at Tantor Media, by Katie Shea Boutillier on behalf of Cameron McClure (world English).

February Translation Deals

Feb 282025
 

Chinese (complex) rights to Nebula and World Fantasy Award winner Premee Mohamed’s NO ONE WILL COME BACK FOR US, to Apex, by Gray Tan at Grayhawk Agency in association with Michael Curry.

Czech rights to Robert McCammon’s SWAN SONG and BOY’S LIFE, to OneHotBooks (CZECH REPUBLIC), by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.

Hebrew rights to New York Times bestselling author Martha Wells’ ALL SYSTEMS RED and ARTIFICIAL CONDITION, the first two installments in the Murderbot Diaries series, to Opus Publishing House, by Beverley Levit at The Israeli Association Of Book Publishers Ltd in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

German rights to Miranda Lyn’s TILL DEATH and NEVERMORE, to Vajosh, by Sarah Knofius at Thomas Schlueck Agency, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Polish rights to Nnedi Okorafor’s BINTI: THE COMPLETE TRILOGY, to Vesper, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Donald Maass.

Polish audio rights to New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher’s CHANGES, COLD DAYS, GHOST STORY, and SKIN GAME, all novels in the Dresden Files series, to Storytel, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava i Prevodi in association with Michael Curry for Jennifer Jackson.

Ukrainian rights to Melissa K. Roehrich’s The Legacy series, to Family Leisure Club, in a four-book deal, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier.

Ukrainian rights to Robert McCammon’s MISTER SLAUGHTER, THE PROVIDENCE RIDER and THE LISTENER, to Zhorzh, in a four-book deal, by Milena Kaplarevic at Prava I Prevodi, on behalf of Katie Shea Boutillier for Cameron McClure.

2025 ALA Rainbow Book List

Feb 262025
 

Congratulations to both Shaun David Hutchinson and Matthew Hubbard! Their respective works, SCHOOL FOR INVISIBLE BOYS (Hutchinson) and LAST BOYFRIENDS RULES FOR REVENGE (Hubbard) were listed in the American Library Association’s 2025 Rainbow Book List!

BOOK BOYFRIEND by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

Feb 252025
 

Devoted fangirl meets hesitant fanboy in this swoony contemporary love letter to readers who adore fantasy worlds, from the beloved authors of The Breakup Tour.

Jennifer Worth lives to escape into the world of her favorite romantasy series Elytheum Courts, where the romance is sweeping and the men are brave, chivalrous… and winged. Newly single and craving connection,she travels to an immersive fan experience celebrating all things Elytheum, only to see the last face she expected—Scott Daniels, her work nemesis, whose disinterest in Jennifer’s favorite series and standoffishness have made their publishing jobs feel like a feuding fae court.

Except the Scott she encounters at the Elytheum Experience, in his secondhand cosplay outfit, is… different. Swaggering, flirtatious, confident. Unlucky in romance himself and inspired by Jennifer’s love for the swoonworthy men of Elytheum, Scott is determined to remake himself into the perfect book boyfriend.

Review: YOU DESERVE TO KNOW by Aggie Blum Thompson

Feb 242025
 

Booklist: “Thompson initially creates a genial, sociable atmosphere that quickly turns dark, with steadily escalating tension, unexpected twists around every corner,revelations about how dark human nature can be, and an ending that is as shocking as it is shattering.”

A HOME FOR UNUSUAL MONSTERS by Shaun David Hutchinson

Feb 112025
 

A girl who has spent her life in disguise tackles a mission that uncovers lies and surprises around every corner. Nothing is as it seems in the next cozily creepy monster mystery from acclaimed author Shaun David Hutchinson.

Sam Osborne may have helped her new friend Hector Griggs save St. Lawrence’s Catholic School for Boys from a terrifying monster, but she is still trying to prove herself as a member of Kairos, the secretive and shadowy government agency devoted to investigating the strange and unusual. And her unique ability to control how others see her makes her the perfect agent…if she can learn to play by Kairos’ rules.

Her next mission? Use her powers of disguise to infiltrate the family of a former agent to find top secret information about monsters hiding in plain sight. But even though Sam is well versed in deception, she may not be prepared for the web of secrets she uncovers. Especially since she may not be the only one pretending to be someone—or something—she’s not. And once the clues are unraveled and the truth is revealed, the monsters she’s searching for might just be closer to home…

Review: OUT OF AIR by Rachel Reiss

Feb 102025
 

Kirkus: A group of scuba-diving friends from the Florida Keys go on an adventure after high school graduation—but it may be their last. Phoebe “Phibs” Ray is a natural underwater. Her instincts have led her not only to befriend the Salt Squad, her crew of dive shop pals, but also to discover historic gold coins. The Salt Squad—Phibs, Lani, Isabel, Gabe, and Gabe’s twin, Will—have gone viral on social media thanks to Phibs’ find and her photos and videos of their dives. Over this last summer before they embark on different paths, the teens decide to go to Australia. Phibs, who knows nothing about her father and whose mother abandoned her, lives with her grandmother, and unlike her rich, college-bound friends, she isn’t excited about her future: staying home and caring for Gram. But she’s looking forward to this trip to a remote atoll off the coast of Western Australia, not least because she’ll get to spend time with dark-skinned Gabe, her crush (most other characters present white). Their destination is also the subject of gruesome, creepy stories about a mysterious, treasure-filled cave. Alternating timelines slowly and effectively reveal the Salt Squad’s shared secret and the truth about Phibs’ past. Phibs is a compellingly strong, nuanced lead, and her romantic scenes with Gabe are steamy. The book, which delves into environmental themes, ultimately reaches a conclusion that’s unusual and effective.  A deep-sea adventure that snappily blends mystery and romance with social themes.

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