Book & Author 2026 Event
February 22-23, 2026
MEET THIS YEAR'S AUTHORS
Elizabeth George • A Slowly Dying Cause • Mystery
Marjan Kamali • The Lion Women of Tehran • Historical Fiction
Madeline Martin • The Secret Book Society • Historical Fiction
Matthew Quirk • The Method • Thriller
Tracy Sierra • Warning Signs • Mystery & Suspense
Elizabeth George
Elizabeth George is a New York Times bestselling author known for her popular series of British crime novels featuring Inspector Thomas Lynley and his working-class partner, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers.
Born in Ohio in 1949, George moved to California at a young age and later taught high school English before dedicating herself to writing full-time after her debut novel, A Great Deliverance, was published in 1988.
Her work is celebrated for its intricate plots, nuanced character development, and deep exploration of complex relationships and social issues, all set against the backdrop of the English landscape.
Her Inspector Lynley novels have recently been adapted for a new television series, Lynley, shown on Britbox. The first 11 books in the series were adapted for a TV series called Inspector Lynley. It was on the air from 2001 to 2008, a total of 24 episodes on BBC. They can now be seen on Britbox and other streaming services.
George is the author of 21 psychological suspense novels, five young adult novels, two books of nonfiction, and two short-story collections. Her work has been honored with the Anthony and Agatha awards, two Edgar nominations, and both France’s and Germany’s first prize for crime fiction, as well as several other prestigious prizes. She lives in Washington State.
A Slowly Dying Cause
NEWS, REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS
Video Chat with the Author
"It’s tough to resist the pull of [George’s] storytelling once hooked."
—USA Today
"George can do it all, with style to spare."
—The Wall Street Journal
"[Lynley is] one of the greatest character portraits in contemporary crime fiction."
—The Boston Globe
"George again delivers a winner…this is George at her best; she delivers a stunning must-read for Lynley fans new and old."
—Booklist (starred review)
"Plenty of intriguing twists and turns that will leave the reader guessing. Trademark George, with a satisfying resolution that’s a long time coming."
—Kirkus Review
"[George] is an essential writer of popular fiction today."
—The Washington Post
Marjan Kamali
Marjan Kamali is an Iranian-American novelist, born in Turkey to Iranian parents, whose globally nomadic childhood significantly influences her writing. Her novels, including the international bestseller The Stationery Shop (2019) and The Lion Women of Tehran ( 2024), are known for exploring themes of love, memory, friendship, and identity, often set against the backdrop of political and cultural change in Iran.
A 2022 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship, Kamali's work is celebrated for its emotionally rich storytelling that captures the complexities of the Iranian diaspora experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of California, Berkeley, an MBA from Columbia University, and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from New York University. She currently resides in the Boston area. She has taught at Boston University and was a writer-in-residence at Brandeis University during the 2024-2025 academic year.
The Lion Women of Tehran
NEWS, REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS
Video Chat with Author [Spoilers]
"Elegant...A tender, beautifully written examination of two women—and their choices—over more than 30 years."—Oprah Daily
“Riveting...Reminiscent of The Kite Runner and My Brilliant Friend, The Lion Women of Tehran is a mesmerizing tale featuring endearing characters who will linger in readers’ hearts.” —BookPage
"In The Lion Women of Tehran, Marjan Kamali brings to life the beauty and tragedy of Iran in the 1960s. From the delicious scent of spices simmering, to the colors of the bazaar, to the snowflakes landing on a certain character’s hair, this story came brilliantly alive to me from the very first page. Courage, friendship, loyalty, hardship, love—this novel has everything." —Mary Beth Keane, New York Times bestselling author of Ask Again, Yes
"An evocative read and a powerful portrait of friendship, feminism, and political activism." —People
"More than a tale of friendship or a coming-of-age story, it’s a beautifully crafted and subtle exploration of love, family, friendship, ambition, betrayal and redemption in a socio-political powder keg...This finely written novel emphasizes the human experience in the face of turmoil.” —Bookreporter
“Kamali tells a moving story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and how a country’s transformation, in turn, transforms the lives of two unforgettable women. Simultaneously heartbreaking and life affirming, it’s a book that you won’t be able to put down until you’ve read every word.” —Adrienne Brodeur, New York Times bestselling author of Little Monsters
“An emotionally captivating page-turner about women’s friendship and the fight for women’s rights…a must-read.” —Denny S. Bryce, NPR (A Best Book of the Year)
Madeline Martin
A captivating new historical novel from Madeline Martin, The Secret Book Society is set in Victorian London about a forbidden book club, dangerous secrets, and the women who dare to break free.
The Secret Book Society is a magnificent historical novel about the bonds of sisterhood and the power of books to unite and inspire. She brings the Victorian era to breathtaking life with her lush descriptions and perfectly paced storytelling.
Madeline Martin is a New York Times and internationally best-selling author who specializes in historical fiction and historical romance with works translated into over 25 languages. She graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Flagler College and has a deep passion for history, often immersing herself in research for her novels. She resides in Florida.
The Secret Book Society
NEWS, REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS
Video Chat with Madeline Martin
"Sometimes, velvet-draped parlors conceal more than scandal...they hide whispers of rebellion. And so unfolds a tale of courage, friendship, and the power of books explored in Madeline Martin's latest, The Secret Book Society. Poignant, subversive, and sure to be a hit with book clubs."
—Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Amalfi Curse
“Martin delivers a compelling tale of four Victorian women finding strength and friendship through forbidden literature, using evocative prose that captures the restrictions of their society and the liberation found in the written word…" –Booklist
"A top choice for book clubs." –Bookreporter
Matthew Quirk
Matthew Quirk is a New York Times bestselling author, an Edgar nominee and the winner of the Thriller and Strand Critics Awards. His novels have been translated into 20 languages, and his The Night Agent was a television series on Netflix.
His new novel has been described as “A pulse-pounding knockout that’s part Hollywood thriller, part high-stakes spy game. Glamorous and gritty, The Method delivers relentless tension, jaw-dropping twists, and a heroine you’ll root for on every page.” It features a young actress who must go undercover in a dangerous world of espionage to save her best friend
Matthew Quirk studied history and literature at Harvard College. After graduation, he spent five years at The Atlantic reporting on crime, private military contractors, terrorism prosecutions, and international gangs. He lives in San Diego.
The Method
NEWS, REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS
This book will be published January 20, 2026
Tracy Sierra
Tracy Sierra’s new book, Warning Signs, has been described as “a clear-eyed exploration of mother-son relationships, toxic masculinity, and greed—all wrapped up in a terrifying, high-altitude adventure novel.” In this heart-stopping second novel, a father-son ski weekend becomes a desperate fight for survival. The novel. which is scheduled for publication in February, is already creating a buzz.
Sierra was born and raised in the Colorado mountains. She is an attorney who currently lives in New England in an antique colonial-era home complete with its own secret room. Nightwatching was her debut novel and was selected as a Fallon Book Club pick.
Warning Signs
NEWS, REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS
This book will be published February 10, 2026
Amy Silverman, Moderator
Amy Silverman is a journalist, author and teacher based in her hometown of Phoenix.
Over the last 30 years, she has covered everything from juvenile justice to the history of the Valley's food scene to the John McCain only Arizonans knew.
Her work has appeared on KJZZ, as well as radio shows and in The Forward, Literary Hub, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. Previously, Amy worked for 25 years as a staff writer and managing editor at New Times, the alternative weekly in Phoenix.
Along with Phoenix, Amy's work has focused on issues related to disability, often weaving narrative with investigative reporting to tell stories about her daughter, Sophie, who has Down syndrome, and others with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
In 2020, Amy worked with the Arizona Daily Star and Pro Publica's Local Reporting Network on "State of Denial," a yearlong project focused on services for Arizonans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Amy is a three-time winner of the Arizona Press Club’s Journalist of the Year award, most recently for “State of Denial.” The series won first place for public service from the Arizona Press Club, along with other awards.
Her first book, My Heart Can't Even Believe It: A Story of Science, Love, and Down Syndrome, was published in 2016. A graduate of Scripps College (B.A. American Studies) and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism (M.S.), she lives in Tempe with her husband, Ray Stern, a reporter for the Arizona Republic. They have two daughters.