A graduate of Auburn, Carpenter’s career began on the production teams for soap operas “Guiding Light” and “As the World Turns”, where she read scripts and created episode summaries for various media use. Her first novel, “Bury the Honeysuckle Girls”, debuted in 2016 from Lake Union Publishing.

Her seventh release, A Spell for Saints and Sinners follows a young woman in Savannah following her grandmother’s death. Ingrid strives to keep the family business, a psychic parlor or reading room, up and running, and her efforts pay off when her path crosses that of a wealthy–and powerful–family. Family drama–and dark pasts–rise to the surface, coming to a tumultuous–and twisty!–conclusion.

The book’s setting is of particular interest for readers of southern gothic, as the city of Savannah is a famous setting for numerous tales of the genre, including the book and film “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Carpenter’s tale captures the city beautifully as Ingrid weaves her way through the many layers of society.

With the upcoming release of A Spell for Saints and Sinners, I was glad to have the opportunity for a recent chat with Emily.

Hi, Emily! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

I love to read, love to watch movies and great TV, I love to hang out with my dogs, my husband, and my new grandbaby. I text with my friends all day, every day. We must collectively comment on everything. It’s an utter delight. I have the itch to move every three years which drives my husband to distraction. Most of all I love to write suspense fiction – I’ve been doing it for over ten years and I hope to do it for at least ten more.

Your descriptions of Savannah show a deep love and appreciation for that city. What sparked this love or draw for this city in particular?

I adore Savannah. The history, the architectural beauty and the almost fairy tale quality to it. But it’s not all light; there’s dark there too. And that probably draws me too. Also, I think there’s something about a port city that attracts artists? It’s a place where the world intersects and we artists feel alive there. Savannah was a later discovery in life for me. I’ve lived in Geogia for over thirty years and visited a couple of times, particularly to visit my niece who attended SCAD. But it all clicked for me when I went several years ago, to attend the Savannah SCAD Film Festival. I was walking around, and I just thought, this is it. This is where I want to live. Of course, no one else in my family can move there, as they all have jobs elsewhere – I’m the only one who can work wherever, so we’ll see.

In the novel, A Spell for Saints and Sinners, you explain a bit of the effect of the film “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” on the inner workings of Savannah. For those also nursing a love for this city, what other films, shows, or books would you recommend? Are there any “off-the-beaten path” recommendations you might offer for those traveling to Savannah?

Well, obviously, the adaptation of Berendt’s book is a must-see. And when I was younger I loved Eugenia Price’s “Savannah Quartet”—although, a disclaimer, they were written in the early 1980s and it’s been decades since I’ve read them, so I have no idea how well they’ve aged. Aside from that, I actually didn’t want to read any books specifically about Savannah while I was writing my book. I didn’t want to get overloaded. Savannah has so much—there’s no way to show it fully. I will advise anyone traveling there, to take a ghost tour or some other kind of historical tour to learn about the city. Visit all the squares. Walk down West Jones Street. It’s not to be missed. Bull Street Taco is the best. Mirabelle’s Coffee and Clary’s Café are my favorites.

Any author updates that you are able to provide about the television show development of Gothictown? Because you do have experience in writing and production for television shows, will you be more involved in the scripts or production of this project?

I am not going to write for the show, but I will be involved creatively as co-producer. There’s not much to share at this point, but maybe I can ask for everyone to close their eyes and cross their fingers and repeat with me, “We do believe in a GOTHICTOWN TV show!” (That’s a Peter Pan reference, by the way, if you’re not familiar.)

What is something that you admire about Ingrid (or any one of your other main characters) and wish you could personally embody?

Ingrid is entirely herself. She wears her heart on her sleeve, so much so that she often is hurt by people, bullied as a kid and mocked as an adult. She is a bit of a loner, a bit of an oddball. A weird girl—and I think I’ve always had that side of me, the side that feels like what I’m interested in is strange. But Ingrid doesn’t mask. She’s just so earnest, wanted to be loved. She kind of broke my heart in that way and I admire her just living her truth.

Now that you’re several published books deep into your writing career, have you found ways to balance the needs of the artist/writer and the needs of the market/business aspect of writing?

It’s a constant act of readjustment and sort of feeling your way through the dark. I have a lot of ideas—ideas I’m drawn to for the pure excitement, challenge, and fun of the potential project. Are those always marketable books? Not they are not, but that’s what my agent is for…she is an incredibly astute guide and helps me sift through to get to that one idea that she thinks will click with editors and readers. In terms of protecting my life as an artist and writer, I stay away from reader reviews (unless I’m tagged on socials) and try not to focus on sales numbers. I try to stay in a creative possibility-type space so when I’m creating, I can approach book ideas with playfulness, like a child. It’s hard but it’s worth protecting that side. I try not to read too much publishing business news. It’s always dire, but not great for my state of mind.

When you are stuck in the “murky middle” of writing a book, where do you turn? What books do you pick up, or what actions do you take? What gets you “unstuck”?

The only thing that gets me unstuck is to keep going. Keep writing. No matter what. 2,000 words a day (that’s my goal). Often I will set up a midpoint plot turn that naturally lights a fire under my main character, so I usually don’t even allow myself to get stuck, but I can get stuck anywhere. It happens, but it’s like anything else difficult in life. Keep going and eventually you’ll get through it.

As a writer, are you a plotter, a pantser, or some hybrid of both? How much outlining or planning goes into a new project for you?

I should always plan more than I do. I plan…in a very zoomed out, macro way…which seems to work for me and then I pants the details, as it were. But there are always points in my books where I get stuck or back myself into a corner and I’ll say to myself, “Maybe you should have figured this out before you started.” But, look, by now, I fully trust my brain will come up with a solution, no matter what wall I hit. And it usually does.

What shows or books are you enjoying right now?

Loving “The Pitt” and “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” For books I just finished Jennifer Pashley’s “The House Guest,” and it is fantastic. Very creepy. I’m about to start George Saunders’ “Vigil” and I can’t wait. He’s so gifted. 

What is your “comfort watch” for television shows?

“Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” – I know, I know. It just soothes me, who’s to ask why. I sent an email to Heather Gay and asked her to blurb my book. I haven’t heard back.

Most of your work falls into the Southern Gothic category. Could you share your favorite Southern Gothic books and perhaps some that are lesser known?

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all-time favorites. Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers. Those are the oldies but goodies. For new Southern Gothic, anything by Attica Locke and S.A. Cosby.

You can find Emily on Instagram, Facebook, and at her website.

If you enjoyed this review and interview, check out another interview with Emily Carpenter from March 2025 about Gothictown here.

The post Q&A: Emily Carpenter, Author of ‘A Spell for Saints and Sinners’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

2026, here we go! With the new year just around the corner, it’s time to start focusing on something that really matters… NEW! BOOK! RELEASES!  We’ve rounded up some highly anticipated  books from a range of genres releasing between the months of January and June 2026.

So far the year promises new releases from Jennifer Niven, Jennette McCurdy, Jim Butcher, Heather Fawcett, Kerri Maniscalco, Edward Ashton, T. Kingfisher, Richard K. Morgan, Rainbow Rowell, TJ Klune, Katherine Center, Julie Murphy, Katherine Arden, Melissa Albert, and many more, plus some dazzling debuts!

You’ll find quite a few exciting new reads within this list and be sure to check out our other January to June 2026 lists, which we’ll be releasing over the next month! This article will also get updated with those links so you can easily find them, including our Anticipated Romance Reads, Anticipated Fantasy and Sci-Fi Books and Anticipated YA Reads… We apologise in advance to your TBR pile and wallet!

JANUARY 2026 BOOK RELEASES

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Funny, big-hearted, and deeply moving, Meet the Newmans is a rich family story about the dual lives we lead. Because even when our lives aren’t televised weekly, we all have a behind-the-scenes.

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Perfect for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six and In Five Years—a beautiful, powerful, and transportive new novel about a music executive desperately trying to bring a rock band back from the brink, from bestselling author Ashley Winstead.

The Poet Empress by Shen Tao

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Debut author Shen Tao introduces readers to the lush, deadly world of The Poet Empress, a sweeping, epic and intimate fantasy perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, The Song of Achilles and She Who Became the Sun.

Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of I’m Glad My Mom Died comes a sad, funny, thrilling novel about sex, consumerism, class, desire, loneliness, the internet, rage, intimacy, power, and the (oftentimes misguided) lengths we’ll go to in order to get what we want.

My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
My Husband’s Wife is a tangled web of deception, obsession, and mystery that will keep you guessing until the last page. Prepare yourself for the ultimate mind-bending marriage thriller and step inside Spyglass – if you dare – to experience a story where nothing is as it seems.

If All the Stars Go Dark by S. G. Prince

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
An out-of-this-world queer space opera (aka: sci-fi with magic) complete with a murder mystery, a prison break, and heist during which time the fate of the universe may or may not hang in the balance – and made even more exciting by the swoon worthy will-they-won’t-they romance.

Twelve Months by Jim Butcher

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, has always managed to save the day—but, in this powerful entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files, can he save himself?

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of First Lie Wins, a tense, feverish thriller about two women’s lives that are forever intertwined when a murder threatens to expose them both.

Last First Kiss by Julian Winters

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Sparks fly in this second chance m/m rom com when an unlucky-in-love event planner realizes the man-of-honor at the high profile wedding he’s planning is the same man who broke his heart.

A War of Wyverns by S. F. Williamson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Rebellion happens in the shadows. In the sequel to the New York Times bestseller A Language of Dragons, language is the greatest weapon in a war between humans and dragons—and one translator has the power to change the world. 

Vigil by George Saunders

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
An electric novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling, Booker Prize–winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo, taking place at the bedside of an oil company CEO in the twilight hours of his life as he is ferried from this world into the next.

Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily R. Austin

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A luminous new novel following a librarian who comes back to work after a mental breakdown only to confront book-banning crusaders in an empowering story of grief, love, and the power of libraries.

FEBRUARY 2026 BOOK RELEASES

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A woman who runs a cat rescue in 1920s Montreal turns to a grouchy but charming wizard to help save the shelter in this heartwarming cozy fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Wilde series.

The Girls Before by Kate Alice Marshall

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods, No One Can Know, and A Killing Cold, a new novel about a search & rescue expert, a kidnapped woman, and the lost girls who haunt them both.

Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Cleopatra tells her own story in this evocative and sensuous historical epic from the bestselling and award-winning author of Faebound and The Final Strife.

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn comes a gorgeously written fantastical adventure which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.

Game, Set, Match by Jennifer Iacopelli

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
She’s a tennis superstar on the rise. He’s the bad boy champ who broke her heart. When they meet on the court, their competition is hot—but their chemistry is even hotter.

Throne of Nightmares by Kerri Maniscalco

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In this action-packed standalone fantasy romance from New York Times bestselling sensation Kerri Maniscalco, a book of dangerous magic draws two readers into a perilous quest to find it—and their own happy ending.

It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Two families at a secluded lake resort are at the center of a chilling crime in this twisty thriller from the bestselling author of Local Woman Missing.

Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
This magical new YA romantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of To Kill a Shadow will steal your heart. Set in Andalay, a world where the ruling Fates bestow gifts among the favored, a thief must join forces with the palace darling after he unwittingly steals a necklace with the power to change everything.

After The Fall by Edward Ashton

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Part alien invasion story, part buddy comedy, and part workplace satire, After The Fall by Edward Ashton, author of Mickey7 (inspiration for the film Mickey 17), asks an important question: would humans really make great pets?

Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling co-author of Illuminae and Aurora Rising comes a high-stakes, high-chemistry, sci-fi romp about a stowaway girl and the richest boy in the galaxy, racing the clock to outwit a gang of mercenaries.

How To Kill A Guy In Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A humorous, swoony, and downright terrifying slasher rom-com in which a cinephile gets caught in the middle of a murder spree at a speed-dating event and must use her encyclopedic knowledge of the romance and horror genres to make it as a real-life Final Girl.

Half City by Kate Golden

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Crescent City meets Buffy, the Vampire Slayer in the first installment of a pulse-pounding dark academia fantasy series from USA Today bestselling author Kate Golden.

MARCH 2026 BOOK RELEASES

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Say You’ll Remember Me comes a beautiful, compelling novel that revels in laughter, friendship, and the messy choices life can throw our way.

Bloom by Robbie Couch

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling author of If I See You Again Tomorrow comes a delightful and heartwarming novel about family, love, grief, and one precocious houseplant, that reminds us of the beauty of living a life in full Bloom.

Strangers In The Villa by Robyn Harding

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the international bestselling author of The Drowning Woman, a psychological thriller about a couple rocked by infidelity who moves to a villa in Spain’s Costa Brava to rebuild their relationship, only to welcome a pair of visitors who have no intention of leaving.  

Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Something darker than the devil stalks the North Carolina woods in Wolf Worm, a new gothic masterpiece from New York Times bestselling author T. Kingfisher

The Ascension of Souls by Bronte-Marie Wesson

Publisher | Amazon | Goodreads
The first in the Broken Cycle trilogy, The Ascension of Souls is an epic fantasy with intricate worldbuilding, complex characters, political schemes and a unique magic system.

A Spell For Saints and Sinners by Emily Carpenter

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Like a gender-flipped You but dripping with Southern Gothic atmosphere, a young psychic on the verge of losing everything becomes obsessed with a wealthy, beautiful heiress in this clever, darkly atmospheric novel of psychological suspense set amid the lush, moss-draped beauty of Savannah.

Thirty Love by Tom Vellner

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Things heat up on and off the court for two tennis rivals in this steamy debut gay sports rom-com, perfect for fans of TJ Alexander and Casey McQuiston.

Wretch by Eric LaRocca

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From rising horror star and award-winning author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke comes a nightmarish, haunting, tech-Gothic thrill ride about sorrow, memory, and the unabashed complexity of love as a transgressive act.

No Man’s Land by Richard K. Morgan

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A compelling standalone dark fantasy set in a gritty post-WWI Britain that has been overrun by the fae, from the award-winning author of Altered Carbon.

One Word, Six Letters by Adib Khorram

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Two teen boys grapple with identity and accountability and set off a ripple effect within their community after a school assembly is disrupted by a shouted slur.

Vow of Eternal Night by Lily Crozier

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A gothic romantasy Beauty and the Beast retelling about a vampire prince and the captive bride who will do anything to break his curse – for fans of Naomi Novik, Heather Fawcett and Howl’s Moving Castle.

The Fourth Wife by Linda Hamilton

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas meets “Sister Wives” in a deliciously chilling, darkly romantic, historical gothic horror with a feminist slant, as a young Mormon woman is haunted by a malevolent presence in the decrepit Salt Lake City mansion she shares with her new husband and his other wives…

APRIL 2026 BOOK RELEASES

The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Fans of Agatha Christie’s locked-room mysteries and modern tales like Knives Out will fall for The Ending Writes Itself, which masterfully blends classic mystery elements with genre-bending tropes. Crafted with razor-sharp wit and a meta twist, this satirical take on the publishing world ensures readers will hang on every word, right up to its breathtaking finale.

Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
#1 New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell returns with a breathtakingly honest novel about a woman who lost everything — and isn’t sure she wants it back.

Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

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In this lyrical, wildly inventive horror novel interwoven with Japanese mythology, two people living centuries apart discover a door between their worlds.

The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer and rising star Tamara Moss comes a twisty thrill-ride, filled with sabotage, betrayal, and puzzles to die for.

American Fantasy by Emma Straub

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From New York Times bestselling author of This Time Tomorrow, an irresistible story about what happens when your teenage fantasy comes true after you’re already an adult.

We Burned So Bright by T.J. Klune

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A heart-wrenching standalone novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, We Burned So Bright follows an elder gay couple on an end-of-the-world road-trip.

Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez

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New York Times bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez delivers a captivating story about a young woman whose life becomes ensnared in her glamorous neighbor’s secret past, laying bare the mounting tensions at play in a rapidly gentrifying, early 2000’s Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Subtle Art of Folding Space, is the exhilarating debut science fiction novel from Nebula and Hugo Award-winning author John Chu channels unhinged physics, generational trauma, and the comfort of really good dim sum. This isn’t your usual jaunt through quantum physics.

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Told with Sally Hepworth’s twists, humor, charm, and heart, MAD MABEL is novel that weaves past and present together–through the power of justice and redemption, and all the way to its stunning conclusion.

Odessa by Gabrielle Sher

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In a powerfully imagined Russia at the height of the pogroms, a grief-stricken family turns to ancient magic to bring their daughter back from the grave.

Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai

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A sweeping debut inspired by the Chinese folk practice of necromancy, Deathly Fates is perfect for fans of Descendant of the Crane, The Bone Shard Daughter, and A Magic Steeped in Poison.

How to Fake It in Society by KJ Charles

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Bridgerton meets The Goldfinch in How to Fake It in Society, a stunning queer romance by rising genre star KJ Charles.

MAY 2026 BOOK RELEASES

The Shippers by Katherine Center

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
No one does summer romance quite like Katherine Center. THE SHIPPERS will take readers on the cruise of a lifetime in a story awash with romantic longing, top-notch banter, long-held secrets . . . and true love rediscovered.

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Twisty, high-concept, and emotionally charged, this novel is an utterly compelling story of the hunt for a serial killer. But it’s also a heartfelt―and heartrending―novel about fate, innocence lost, and two souls who find that sometimes being broken is the only way for the light to get in. The Anniversary reaffirms Finlay as one of the leading thriller writers today.

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Best friends have one week in paradise to fix their friendship or fall apart in this heart-stopping, utterly romantic new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After and One Golden Summer.

The Midnight Train by Matt Haig

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
When your life flashes before your eyes, where would you stop? A magical, time-travelling love story, from the world of The Midnight Library.

Student Union by Julie Murphy

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From #1 New York Times–bestselling author Julie Murphy comes a sexy rom com about a college marriage of convenience that goes way beyond chemistry 101…The first in a trilogy of romance novels that follows a group of girls as they navigate love, friendship, and new adulthood, this is perfect for fans of Elle Kennedy and Hannah Grace.

Young World by Soman Chainani

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series comes a renegade thriller, about a teenager elected President of the United States, sparking a global revolution of young leaders—until one of them is murdered and he’s the prime suspect.

The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A battle-worn corporate samurai undertakes one last mission on a merciless planet where death is always a mere breath away, in this standalone dystopian epic from the author of the modern fantasy classic Jade City. 

The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A bookseller must escape the infamously haunted library that holds her darkest secrets, but with a murderer in her tour group, escaping alive is not as simple as it seems, in this twisty locked-room thriller from bestselling author of You Are Fatally Invited.

Bone of My Bone by Johanna van Veen

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Bram Stoker Award–nominee and USA Today bestseller Johanna van Veen unveils a sapphic folk-horror tour de force―perfect for fans of The VVitch and The Salt Grows Heavy. A skull’s grin is eternal…

The Dorians by Nick Cutter

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
On a remote island in the Canadian wilderness, five elderly volunteers from different walks of life are given a tantalizing offer: to stall their biological clocks or even reverse them, restoring their lost youth. 

We Dance Upon Demons by Vaishnavi Patel

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling author of Kaikeyi, a galvanizing stand-alone contemporary fantasy following a burnt-out reproductive health care worker as she fights back against escalating attacks on her clinic and the malevolent forces in hot pursuit of her newly acquired power.

The House of Now and Then by Edward Underhill

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the author of The In-Between Bookstore, the sweet, unforgettable story of a trans man in his thirties who books a Cape Cod cottage for one lonely summer—only to have its magic bring him visitors from the past and romance where he least expects it, perfect for fans of TJ Klune and Ashley Poston.

JUNE 2026 BOOK RELEASES

The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The new head gardener at the enchanting Lilymoor House stumbles upon a secret garden . . . with a mysterious man trapped inside, in the next magical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Sounds Like Love and The Seven Year Slip.

The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
With her country’s future and her own life at stake, an orphaned duchess must journey into a world of myth and there discover a power that may be her salvation—or her demise—in this enchanting historical fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale.

The Heirs by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the award-winning New York Times and Indie bestselling author of Ace of Spades comes a mystery about five teen geniuses, their billionaire father, and the aftermath of his murder―perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying, Holly Jackson, and How to Get Away with Murder!

Whistler by Ann Patchett

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The acclaimed, prize-winning #1 New York Times bestselling writer returns with a moving, luminous novel that reminds us of the sweetness and impermanence of life and the power of connection to defy time.

This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The epic, captivating tale of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who must reconcile her mind and heart when she is drawn against all odds to Ares, the god of war, from the internationally bestselling author of Ariadne and Hera.

Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A young reaper hunter must conspire with her enemy to uproot the ancient evil that threatens her world in this heart-pounding romantic fantasy from the bestselling author of The Prison Healer.

The Children by Melissa Albert

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The haunting new novel from New York Times bestselling author Melissa Albert, in which the estranged adult children of a legendary author, written into their dead mother’s beloved fantasy series, must contend with the vine-like creep of legacy, memory, and magic

You Won’t Forget Me by Mazey Eddings

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Cubby Clark is spiralling—her band is broken, her ex is famous, and inspiration is gone. As tabloids spin a love triangle and a summer tour amplifies tensions, Cubby and her best friend Darcy must confront buried feelings or risk losing each other and the music they love.

Dearly Departed by Chip Pons

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A Hades-inspired gay rom-com, in which the former god of the Underworld turned grumpy funeral director must find a loophole in the Immortal Retirement Act that banished him to Earth, until the florist next door who sees life in full bloom begins to unravel all his carefully laid plans.

The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the author of The Bright Years, the story of April and Leo, a couple on the brink of collapse. When their house goes up in flames, family secrets and thorny histories emerge as they are forced to decide what is worth salvaging.

There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood by Rasheed Newson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A cinematic, razor-sharp novel following a backlot fixer’s daring investigation into the suspicious death of a closeted Black actor within the glamorous world of Hollywood, from the bestselling author of My Government Means to Kill Me.

Songs of the Dead by Brandon Sanderson and Peter Orullian

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A London rocker is faced with a life-or-death choice when he realizes that a powerful society of magic wielders are the only ones keeping London safe in this deft contemporary fantasy cowritten by #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson with author and musician Peter Orullian.

What new book releases are you looking forward to picking up this year? Tell us in the comments below! And be sure to check back later in the year for our August to December picks!

The post Anticipated Book Releases Hitting Shelves In 2026 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, Emily! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

I’m a Southerner, a mom, and a lover of scary stories. I live in Georgia but I’m from Alabama, so all my books take place in those two states and invariably incorporate a slew of Southern Gothic themes. Lots of crumbling mansions, creepy family secrets, and hauntings of ghosts, both real and imagined. I also have two perfect and adorable dogs.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t obsessed with stories – books, movies, TV. I remember when I was five and not yet reading, I was playing with a friend and she said she’d been reading since she was four, and I was so envious because she could READ BOOKS and I still had to be read to by my mother.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Nancy and Plum by Betty McDonald.
• The one that made you want to become an author: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: North Woods by Daniel Mason

Your latest novel, Gothictown, is out March 25^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Juliana, Georgia: run, girl, run.

What can readers expect?

The first chapter tells the reader in chilling detail how Juliana got its ghastly start. From there, you’re going to watch Billie, my protagonist, arrive in town full of hope and slowly uncover the truth about what happened there for herself. It’s unsettling, creepy, dread-inducing, and hopefully tons of fun.

Where did the inspiration for Gothictown come from?

Back in 2017 I started noticing a lot of American city governments offering people economic incentives to move to their cities and raise families. It seemed like a uniquely contemporary situation, especially with remote work booming. And then I came across an article about a small Italian village offering medieval villas for free as long as you promised to invest money in restoring them and stay for decades in the town. I immediately thought that was the most gothic thing ever and that town had to be full of vampires or something equally horrifying. All I had to do was move the setting to the South, and I was off to the races with the novel.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

Honestly, I loved writing Billie because she’s a smart woman, but she’s flawed. Her need to be successful, to feel that rush of being known as the “hot restaurateur” causes her to overlook a lot of red flags. I did enjoy writing a smart, interesting, capable woman who just wants to get back to doing what she’s good at. I think we can all identify with the frustrations of a career that’s maybe not going in the direction we want and maybe being willing to compromise at some points to achieve success.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

For me, with the kind of books I write, it’s always a challenge to have this element of ghostly influence happening that stays in that liminal area between the physical and spiritual world. Like, is this a ghost I’m seeing or am I simply uncomfortable in this creepy old house I live in? That gray area is where my books live and it’s a bit of a tightrope to walk.

What’s next for you?

My next book A SPELL FOR SAINTS AND SINNERS is about a young woman who works as a psychic in Savannah and who gets pulled into the privileged and amoral world of an extremely wealthy family in town who she realizes she has a past connection to.

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?

Susan Barker’s OLD SOUL (which I happened to read early but am definitely picking up in hardback to add to my shelves), Shannon Kirk’s TENKILL, Kimberly Belle’s THE EXPAT AFFAIR, and Layne Fargo’s THE FAVORITES, which I’m about to start right now.

Will you be picking up Gothictown? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Emily Carpenter, Author of ‘Gothictown’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the cover and synopsis for Emily Carpenter‘s Gothictown, which hits shelves on March 25th 2025 and you can pre-order your copy here!

But first, here’s what Emily thought about the cover!

“I actually gasped when they showed me this cover. The wilting, thorny roses and vintage font hit that classic Southern gothic aesthetic of heat, humidity, and haunting. In my book, there are friendly smiles that hide chilling secrets that you should DEFINITELY think twice about before uncovering.” 

Drumroll…..

The email that lands in Billie Hope’s inbox seems like a gift from the universe. For $100, she can purchase a spacious Victorian home in Juliana, Georgia, a small town eager to boost its economy in the wake of the pandemic. She can leave behind her cramped New York City rental and the painful memories of shuttering her once thriving restaurant and start over with her husband and her daughter. Plus, she’ll get a business grant to open a new restaurant in a charming riverside community laden with opportunity.

A few phone calls and one hurried visit later, and Billie, Peter, and six-year-old Meredith are officially part of the Juliana Initiative. The town is everything promised—two hours northwest of Atlanta but a world away from city living, a “gentle jewel” with weather as warm as its people. Between settling into their lavish home and starting her new restaurant, Billie is busy enough to dismiss niggling concerns. Yet those misgivings grow. Billie’s sleep is marred by haunting dreams, and her marriage with Peter is growing increasingly strained. Meanwhile the town elders, all descended from Juliana’s founding families, exert a level of influence that feels less benevolent and more stifling day by day.

There’s something about Juliana—something off-kilter and menacing beneath that famous Southern hospitality. And no matter how much Billie longed for her family to come here, she’s starting to wonder how, and if, they’ll ever leave.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emily Carpenter is the bestselling author of novels of suspense. Her previous novels include Burying the Honeysuckle Girls, The Weight of Lies (which received starred reviews by both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly), Every Single Secret, Until the Day I Die, and Reviving the Hawthorn Sisters, which Publishers Weekly called a “refreshingly modern gothic tale” and Kirkus called “an exciting, gothic-tinged quest.” After graduating from Auburn University in Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, Emily moved to New York City. She’s worked as an actor, producer, screenwriter, and behind-the-scenes soap opera assistant for the CBS shows, As the World Turns and Guiding Light. She’s a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, she now lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her family.

The post Exclusive Cover Reveal: Gothictown by Emily Carpenter appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be reading any!

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A new novel from Lisa See, the New York Times bestselling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, about female friendship and family secrets on a small Korean island.

Eight Lives by Susan Hurley
Goodreads | Book Depository

Former refugee David Tran becomes the Golden Boy of Australian medical research and invents a drug that could transform immunology. Eight volunteers are recruited for the first human trial, a crucial step on the path to global fame for David and windfall gains for his investors. But when David dies in baffling circumstances, motives are put under the microscope.

Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the hugely talented author of The Kind Worth Killing comes an exquisitely chilling tale of a young suburban wife with a history of psychological instability whose fears about her new neighbour could lead them both to murder . . .

The Shadow Between Us by Carol Mason
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When Olivia moves to Port Townsend, her marriage is floundering, and her life is in pieces. Joining a letter-writing club seems like a harmless decision. But when she meets Ned, an ex-soldier badly wounded in Afghanistan, this unlooked-for friendship revives unexpected emotions and memories she’d rather forget.

Save Me From Dangerous Men by S.A. Lelchuk
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Part Lisbeth Salander, part Jack Reacher, part Jessica Jones, Nikki Griffin is a kickass character who readers will root for as she seeks to right the world’s wrongs. S.A. Lelchuk’s Save Me From Dangerous Men marks the beginning of a gripping new series and the launch of a fabulous new character.

If, Then by Kate Hope Day
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The residents of a sleepy mountain town are rocked by troubling visions of an alternate reality in this dazzling debut that combines the family-driven suspense of Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere with the inventive storytelling of The Immortalists.

Until The Day I Die by Emily Carpenter
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the bestselling author of Burying the Honeysuckle Girls comes a riveting novel about a mother and daughter separated by grief, secrets, and a conspiracy that threatens to destroy their lives.

Where The Forest Meets The Stars by Glendy Vanderah
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this gorgeously stunning debut, a mysterious child teaches two strangers how to love and trust again.

The River by Peter Heller
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the best-selling author of The Dog Stars, the story of two college students on a wilderness canoe trip–a gripping tale of a friendship tested by fire, white water, and violence

A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Introducing a brave, new Arab-American voice, an unflinching debut novel that takes us inside a world where few of us have been before: the lives of conservative Arab women living in America.

Beautiful Bad by Annie Ward
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In the tradition of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train comes the psychological thriller everyone is talking about, a twisted novel about a devoted wife, a loving husband, and a chilling crime that will stun even the cleverest readers.

Cemetery Road by Greg Iles
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Natchez Burning trilogy returns with an electrifying tale of friendship, betrayal, and shattering secrets that threaten to destroy a small Mississippi town.

What March releases are you excited to read? Tell us in the comments below!

The post March Book Releases: Fiction appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Check out our picks and tell us if you’ll be reading one of them in the comments below!

Midnight At The Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan | June 13 | Goodreads
Lydia Smith is a clerk at the Bright Ideas bookstore where she keeps a meticulously crafted existence among her beloved books, eccentric colleagues, and the BookFrogs—the lost and lonely regulars who spend every day marauding the store’s overwhelmed shelves. But when Joey McGinty, a young, beguiling BookFrog, kills himself in the bookstore’s back room, Lydia’s life comes unglued and she must unravel the puzzle he left behind and finds herself unearthing a long-buried memory from her own violent childhood.

Roar by Cora Carmack | June 13 | Goodreads
Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty to Aurora Pavan’s family in exchange for safe haven as their kingdom was sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen, but she’s yet to show any trace of the magic to protect her people. To keep her secret and save her crown, she is arranged to marry a dark, brooding Stormling prince. With secrets kept by her betrothed, Aurora soon learns there’s a third option besides ruin or marriage: steal the magic, if she’s brave enough.

The Weight of Lies by Emily Carpenter | June 6 | Goodreads
Reformed party girl Meg Ashley leads a life of a privilege, thanks to a bestselling horror novel her mother wrote decades ago. Desperate to break free of her mother, Meg writes a scandalous, tell-all memoir and while digging into the past, and her mother’s cult classic, draws Meg to Bonny Island, Georgia and an unusual woman said to be the inspiration for the book. As Meg starts to ask tough questions, disturbing revelations come to light and soon, Meg’s search leads her to question the facts of a decades-old murder.

A Gathering of Ravens by Scott Oden | June 20 | Goodreads
From the Corpse-maker to the Brother of the Serpent, Grimnir has been called many names. As the last of his kind, he is the last in a long line of monsters who have plagued humanity. With a thirst for vengeance against the Dane who slew his brother, he emerges into a world that’s changed. Taking a young Christian hostage to be his guide, he embarks on a journey that takes him from the hinterlands of Denmark, where the wisdom of the ancient dwarves has given way to madness to the Viking stronghold of Dubhlinn, where his enemy awaits.

The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz | June 20 | Goodreads
“I very much need to be dead.”—These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for but took his own life. In the aftermath, his widow, Jane Hawk, does what all her grief, fear, and fury demands: find the truth no matter what. With people of talent and accomplishment and sound of mind committing suicide in surprising numbers, Jane seeks to learn why. She soon becomes the most-wanted fugitive in America with powerful enemies protecting a secret so important they will exterminate anyone in their way.

The Black Elfstone by Terry Brooks | June 13 | Goodreads
The end of the Shannara novels are finally upon us! The Four Lands has been at peace for generations, but now a mysterious army of invaders is cutting a bloody swath across a remote region of the land and no one knows who they are. Most seem content to ignore these disturbing events but the only people who sense a greater threat and wish to uncover the truth are society’s outcasts: an exiled High Druid, a conflicted warrior, a teenage girl struggling to master a prodigious magic and a scrappy young orphan, improbably named Shea Ohmsford.

Murder Games by James Patterson and Howard Roughan | June 26 | Goodreads
A serial killer known as The Dealer is loose on the streets of Manhattan and his victims appear to be total strangers. The only clue uniting the crimes is the playing card left behind hinting at the next target. Elizabeth Needham, the gorgeous, tenacious cop in charge of the case turns to an unlikely ally—Dylan Reinhart, a handsome and brilliant professor whose book turned up in connection with the murders. The frenzy reaches a fever pitch so Dylan and Elizabeth must discover what the victims have in common before The Dealer runs through his entire deck.

Want by Cindy Pon | June 13 | Goodreads
Jason Zhou survives in a divided society where the elite use their wealth to buy longer lives. Frustrated by his city’s corruption and still grieving the loss of his mother who died as a result of it, Zhou is determined to change things. With the help of his friends, he infiltrates the lives of the wealthy in hopes of destroying the international Jin Corporation from within, yet the deeper Zhou delves into this new world, the more muddled his plans become. And against his better judgement, Zhou finds himself falling for Daiyu, the daughter of Jin Corp’s CEO.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn | June 6 | Goodreads
1947. In the aftermath of World War II, Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family and concerned for her cousin who disappeared during the war. Banished to Europe, she breaks free determined to find out what happened. 1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans. She’s soon recruited to work as a spy and be trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the “Queen of Spies”, who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy’s nose. Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded until a young woman barges in uttering a name Eve hasn’t heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth …no matter where it leads.

Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau | June 6 | Goodreads
Twins Carys and Andreus were never destined to rule Eden. With their older brother next in line to inherit the throne, the future of the kingdom was secure until the king and crown prince are killed by assassins. Now with the line of succession no longer clear, Carys and Andreus are faced with only one option: to take part in a Trial of Succession that will determine which one of them is worthy of ruling the kingdom. With their country and their hearts divided, Carys and Andreus will discover exactly what each will do to win the crown. 

Dead Certain by Adam Mitzner | June 1st | Goodreads
Ella Broden lives a double life: By day, she’s a buttoned-up attorney working gruelling cases and by night, she secretly pursues her passion for singing in the darkest clubs of Manhattan. When Charlotte announces she’s sold her first novel, Ella couldn’t be more thrilled until she gets a call that her sister’s gone missing. With the help of Detective Gabriel Velasquez, an old flame in the NYPD, she learns if art imitates life, then her sister’s novel may contain details of her real-life affairs. And any one of her lovers could be involved in her disappearance.

The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss | June 20th | Goodreads
Mary Jekyll is alone and penniless when she discovers a clue that hints Edward Hyde, her father’s former friend and a murderer, may be nearby, and there is a reward for information leading to his capture…a reward that would solve all of her immediate financial woes. But her hunt leads her to Hyde’s daughter, Diana and with the assistance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Mary continues her search for the elusive Hyde, and soon befriends more women, all of whom have been created through terrifying experimentation: Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherin Moreau, and Justine Frankenstein.

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