New Website, New Books
A few changes at my virtual home
I am thrilled to announce I’ve launched a brand new website which, I hope, will be easier for my readers to navigate and learn about my current and upcoming books. You can check it out here!
And, because I’ve moved my website over to a new host, I decided to change the way I send my newsletter.
Twenty years ago, I launched the Murder She Writes blog with a small group of amazing writers. Authors have come and gone … and then there was just one. Me. I moved the blog to Substack three years ago with the plan to blog at least weekly … and that didn’t happen. As you know, writing books will always come before writing blogs.
However, I love how easy Substack is to write and send newsletters, so now my newsletter will come from here. (Specifically, murdershewrites.substack.com). Like my previous newsletter, it will land in your inbox (I hope not your junk folder!) and you can read at your leisure. Or, you can download the Substack app to read on your phone.
My goal is to write one newsletter a month — but as my long-time readers know, I tend to send out one newsletter a quarter. I’ll also send a notice whenever I have a new book out — you’ll get the announcement, plus the “story behind the story” which is always fun for me to write.
Also in the monthly newsletter, I’ll link to any articles I’ve written for aspiring writers (such as my “Lessons” post), interviews, or podcasts I’ve recently done talking about my books or writing, and the occasional book review. But to avoid sending out too many Substacks, these extras will be archived on Murder She Writes or my website.
For example, right now you can read a free short story about a teen-age thief and a lost dog, or check out the “story behind the story” for my most recent Quinn & Costa thriller, SEE HOW THEY HIDE.
I’m open to suggestions on what you, my faithful readers, want from my newsletter as well as from my blog, so I’m opening up comments below!
Now that housekeeping is out of the way, here’s my book news:
This stand alone romantic mystery is a slight deviation from my traditional thrillers — it’s a bit lighter, a bit more romantic, and a complete blast to write.
Elle Cosimano, the NYT bestselling author of the Finlay Donovan mysteries, said:
“The literary escape I didn't know I needed—a luxurious private resort, a steamy romance, and a captivating cast of sleuths and suspects . . . Allison Brennan has crafted the perfect summer read.”
Isn’t this an amazing, fun cover?
Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds is available for pre-order wherever you buy your books, and signed copies are available exclusively through The Poisoned Pen, the independent mystery bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona. They ship anywhere! Details are here on my website.
Early praise from NetGalley:
Stacy E: “First off, this is NOT a typical book by Allison Brennan, it was even better! ... This is not a typical cozy, whodunit, or beach read but has the best of all those genres wrapped up in one book.”
Crystal B: “Allison Brennan delivers a pitch-perfect mix of cozy mystery and classic whodunnit—with bookish banter, smart sleuthing, and just enough twists to keep you guessing until the final wave crashes. The amateur detective energy? Immaculate. The tension? Deliciously tangled. The vibe? Murder mystery meets beach book club—and I’m absolutely here for it.”
Lisa L: “Overall this was a delightful blend of luxury, mystery, and romance. It's a true page-turner that entertains from start to finish, delivering both humor and heart with its well-crafted characters and engaging plot. Whether on a sandy beach or snug at home, this book offers the perfect getaway.”
I also have two new stories coming out in the Angelhart Investigations series — a novella, Out of the Shadows, on August 12 and book two, Don’t Say a Word, on September 16. More about these soon! But one little secret: the series is getting a whole new look. My publisher wants to better distinguish these mysteries from the Quinn & Costa thrillers, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with. You can read the book summaries or pre-order here.
I just turned in the 7th Quinn & Costa thriller, Make It Out Alive, which is definitely one of the most intense books I’ve written. It’ll be out in January of 2026! Now, I’m about to start writing the third Angelhart book.
I’m keeping comments open on this post so that you can share comments or suggestions about what you want to see from me here in the newsletter, or on my blog. And if you have questions, ask away! I am an open book.
Thank you for being my readers. I truly appreciate you.
This is all good news💜