Dr. Tess Gerritsen is a Stanford grad whose 31 novels have sold 40 million copies around the world and won numerous awards. She is also a screenwriter and filmmaker and the TV show Rizzoli and Isles, based on her novels, ran for seven seasons.

The Summer Guests, March 18, 2025

Ex-spy Maggie Bird and the Martini Club, the circle of ex-CIA friends in her cocktail-sipping book club, have formed an uneasy alliance with young police chief Jo Thibodeau. But a teenager vanishes and Maggie’s neighbor becomes the prime suspect―prompting the Martini Club to prove her friend’s innocence. But the girl’s wealthy family pushes for an arrest. And when authorities discover a long-dead corpse in a nearby pond, the case becomes doubly complicated, with unthinkable ties to long-buried secrets.

As Jo grapples with two unexplained mysteries, the Martini Club races to uncover the truth behind shadowy secrets… before more lives are lost.

Maggie Bird’s favorite drink is, of course, a vodka martini. See recipe below, and pair it with her favorite snack—an antipasti tray with olives, slices of mortadella, salami, and prosciutto, and wedges of aged parmesan cheese.

Art Bell is a former television executive, who started Comedy Central and served as president of CourtTV. His memoir Constant Comedy: How I Started Comedy Central and Lost My Sense of Humor, was a finalist in the 2020 Best Book Awards in both the memoir and business categories. He lives with his wife in Utah.

What She’s Hiding, March 25, 2025

In this debut novel, lawyer Henry Gladstone’s ex-wife Leslie bursts into his office and announces that if he doesn’t hand over a quarter-million dollars, they’ll both be killed. Henry dismisses her story as a stupid attempt to steal his money and—despite his still-smoldering desire for her—tells her to get lost. But when he comes home to find his apartment ransacked, he begins to think this time Leslie may be telling the truth. And now that he desperately needs to find her, she’s disappeared again.

Henry and Leslie drink vodka martinis (which Art drinks, too, but his preference is a Hendrick’s (gin) martini “up with a twist, very very dry”).

They also share Chinese dumplings on their first date—see recipes below!

Born and raised in New York City, Saratoga Schaefer is an avid reader and writer. ‘Toga’ is also sober, and in their spare time, teaches yoga, climbs rocks, and hikes mountains.

Serial Killer Support Group, March 18, 2025

When Cyra Griffin’s younger sister is murdered by a serial killer, Cyra follows the blood trail and finds her own way forward. Using insider information (don’t ask) Cyra infiltrates a support group for serial killers by pretending to be one herself. Proving herself to them comes at a cost, but it’s one Cyra is willing to pay in the name of revenge.

But the dangerous men in the group aren’t the only obstacle in Cyra’s path for vengeance, and the further Cyra descends into the deadly world of serial killers, the harder it becomes to hold on to her own humanity.

Saratoga’s favorite snack: sharp cheddar cheese and almonds. Their favorite drink is Golden Milk—see recipe below!

Our own Rogue Karna Bodman began her career in San Francisco and Washington DC as a television news reporter and anchor and became Deputy Press Secretary to President Ronald Reagan. She was also sent to South America and the Far East to give speeches to government, business and student groups on the President’s economic priorities. Next, she was named Senior Director of the National Security Council. She attended arms control talks with the Soviets and traveled with the team that briefed the leaders of Great Britain, France and Italy as well as Pope John Paul II. These days will find her in Naples, Florida or Washington DC with her husband.

Protecting Jess, March 11, 2025

White House economist Jessica Tanner is a rising star—young, brilliant, and beautiful. When her boss falls ill, she is sent to Brazil on his behalf to speak at an international conference. Assigned to accompany her is Bill Black, a stoic State Department official tasked with keeping her out of trouble. However, a year earlier Black was part of a covert operation to intercept a massive drug shipment in Brazil and the kingpin is hunting for revenge. Bill knows that returning to Brazil could cost him everything—but with a powerful enemy closing in, he must protect Jess while staying one step ahead of those who want him dead.

Jess likes Pinot Noir, and she learns (in the story) to make a simple Coq au Vin—see recipe below!