I am so happy for you. I’ll never forget your first book event (Bibelot for Baltimore Blues). As the events coordinator there my job was to be your cheerleader and that was not hard to do. You were delightful and humble. Was that 1996? Wow - 30 years and 30 books. Still delightfully humble in your special way!!
Congrats on publication! Can’t wait to read it. But really came here to say:
1. I loved every single one of your Tess Monaghan books, and miss her to this day ( and told you so when you were at the Cuyahoga County Public Library outside of Cleveland for a talk). So I don’t know what the eff those reviewers were talking about.
2. If that is your living room in the picture, my living room is the exact.same.color. Which is Benjamin Moore’s Concord Ivory, which doesn’t sound yellow but it is. And is probably different than your actual color because, you know, photos. I also have the plantation shutters and just exchanged my 30 year old red couch for green. And if I could find a rug like that, my life would be complete.
3. Obviously, you’re a person of exquisite taste, which is what we all say when what we mean is, someone has our taste, which we want to believe is exquisite.
I rarely read reviews, particularly of authors whom I am familiar. I rely more on reading squibs of the plots and determine whether it's something in which I would be interested. I've read all of your books and they are, uniformly, superb. So, in short, your poor reviews reflect poorly on the reviewer, rather than you. Really looking forward to starting your latest tonight.
Congratulations on the new book! Sorry you won’t be in Tampa/St. Pete for the launch—hope to meet you in NOLA. So impressed (and a little jealous) that you made Joel Coen laugh!
All this and Paris, too. Laura, my mother grew up in Paris and my sisters were born there but my Yankee self merely said, oh, someday. I was about Muriel Blossom’s age when one of my adult daughters insisted we go. I’ve been there five times in the three years since and if I’m ever allowed to retire I might spend a month or three in France. My mother’s food was as delicious as Paris, and this wonderful book was as delicious as both. Can’t wait for more Mrs. Blossom.
I timed my reading poorly and finished The God of the Woods before your new book was available. I couldn't convince myself to read anything else--only you would do! So, I listened to Jeff Hiller's Actress of a Certain Age to tide me over. Congratulations on your pub day!
Can't wait to read this one. I wish you a fantastic tour. By the way, I went to an estate sale in Catonsville a few years ago. The ladies running the sale told me that the deceased homeowner was your former English teacher Carol Klemm, who was so very proud of you!
I am so happy for you. I’ll never forget your first book event (Bibelot for Baltimore Blues). As the events coordinator there my job was to be your cheerleader and that was not hard to do. You were delightful and humble. Was that 1996? Wow - 30 years and 30 books. Still delightfully humble in your special way!!
Laura: I wanted to let you know that I chose Murder Takes a Vacation as one of the books to read this summer over at The Saturday Evening Post:
https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2025/05/news-of-the-week-desi-arnaz-spelling-bees-and-what-you-need-is-some-good-country-cooking/
Congrats on publication! Can’t wait to read it. But really came here to say:
1. I loved every single one of your Tess Monaghan books, and miss her to this day ( and told you so when you were at the Cuyahoga County Public Library outside of Cleveland for a talk). So I don’t know what the eff those reviewers were talking about.
2. If that is your living room in the picture, my living room is the exact.same.color. Which is Benjamin Moore’s Concord Ivory, which doesn’t sound yellow but it is. And is probably different than your actual color because, you know, photos. I also have the plantation shutters and just exchanged my 30 year old red couch for green. And if I could find a rug like that, my life would be complete.
3. Obviously, you’re a person of exquisite taste, which is what we all say when what we mean is, someone has our taste, which we want to believe is exquisite.
4. Love your stories! All of them.
Ha ha, great memories, Laura, and a fun write-up!
Congratulations on your new book. I look forward to reading it.
And here's wishing you many more wonderful memories, especially along the lines of "JULES FUCKING FEIFFER!" 😊
I rarely read reviews, particularly of authors whom I am familiar. I rely more on reading squibs of the plots and determine whether it's something in which I would be interested. I've read all of your books and they are, uniformly, superb. So, in short, your poor reviews reflect poorly on the reviewer, rather than you. Really looking forward to starting your latest tonight.
Congrats on the new book, Laura!
Looking forward to the July 10th event! <3
Congratulations on the new book! Sorry you won’t be in Tampa/St. Pete for the launch—hope to meet you in NOLA. So impressed (and a little jealous) that you made Joel Coen laugh!
Can’t wait to read your latest!
Happy publication day! My copy is preordered. Don’t break a leg on book tour (sorry, one cup of coffee ☕️).
Whee! I preordered and can’t wait for Mrs Blossom to come along with me to work! Congratulations!
All this and Paris, too. Laura, my mother grew up in Paris and my sisters were born there but my Yankee self merely said, oh, someday. I was about Muriel Blossom’s age when one of my adult daughters insisted we go. I’ve been there five times in the three years since and if I’m ever allowed to retire I might spend a month or three in France. My mother’s food was as delicious as Paris, and this wonderful book was as delicious as both. Can’t wait for more Mrs. Blossom.
Love these, Laura. <3
Happy pub day! Come read at Books and Books!
I timed my reading poorly and finished The God of the Woods before your new book was available. I couldn't convince myself to read anything else--only you would do! So, I listened to Jeff Hiller's Actress of a Certain Age to tide me over. Congratulations on your pub day!
Can't wait to read this one. I wish you a fantastic tour. By the way, I went to an estate sale in Catonsville a few years ago. The ladies running the sale told me that the deceased homeowner was your former English teacher Carol Klemm, who was so very proud of you!
You remain a modest, revealing and straight-shooting gal, dear Laura. I like you!
Can't wait to get cracking on VACA. God bless Jules.