Two posts in a row? We’re busy this week. OK, Nora’s writing another In Death at the moment (64 or 65, not quite sure) so I’m sharing the cover for #63: Fury in Death — out September 8.
What’s it all about?
Lt. Eve Dallas never knows what to expect when she gets word of a body. It could be an elderly man who made the mistake of climbing a ladder in slippery footwear. And the next call could be a wealthy biotech executive beaten to death in his home office—but what was Larry Chu’s mistake?
The victim’s corpse is so mangled and damaged it’s hard to believe a lone, unarmed assailant could have managed it. The killer was clearly unnaturally strong—and smart enough to find a way into Chu’s highly secure building. Most of all, whoever did this was very, very angry.
The excessive violence leads Dallas to conclude that this was a deeply personal act, born of a rage that she can’t excuse but can understand thanks to her own traumatic past. And though the motive seems rooted in heated emotion rather than cold hard cash, she can’t ignore the suspicious bank account in the Cayman Islands, or the shadowy, profit-hungry company Chu worked for. The mystery only grows when it turns out Chu isn’t the only victim—and Dallas will need to tear through one layer of secrecy after another to reveal what lies behind this explosion of fury…
You can officially talk about The Seven Rings (and the entire trilogy) today!
Sonya, Trey, Cleo and Owen have a huge job ahead of them when The Seven Rings opens. What did you think of the plan and how it played out? What did you think of Clover’s musical accompaniment? What did you think of the end?
This is the safe space to talk about all things related to The Lost Brides Trilogy so if you haven’t read it, be very aware that spoilers are ahead.
Laura
A quick PS: Shared this in the newsletter and on socials. Sorry I forgot to post here:
When creative women are in a haunted space, they create. Last July, we were inspired by the ghosts at The Greenbrier. Nora and I along with Kat (cinematographer) and Sarah (action figure) spent a fun couple hours filming video for The Seven Rings. Nora and I ran up and down the hallway to open and shut doors. Sarah moved as directed. Kat kept the camera steady. And we came up with this.
Today’s the day: Framed in Death is in stores/on e-readers/in headphones. And this is the place to discuss all your thoughts about the 61st full-length entry in the series.
The official description goes like this:
Manhattan is filled with galleries and deep-pocketed collectors who can make an artist’s career with a wave of a hand. But one man toils in obscurity, his brilliance unrecognized while lesser talents bask in the glory he believes should be his. Come tomorrow, he vows, the city will be buzzing about his work.
Indeed, before dawn, Lt. Eve Dallas is speeding toward the home of the two gallery owners whose doorway has been turned into a horrifying crime scene overnight. A lifeless young woman has been elaborately costumed and precisely posed to resemble the model of a long-ago Dutch master, and Dallas plunges into her investigation.
But the artist is passionate about his work—and prolific. Dallas has barely made a dent in the case before a second twisted masterpiece is unveiled. There are countless struggling artists in New York, but this one refuses to wait for the attention he craves. Like the geniuses who’ve come before him, he is willing to sacrifice for his art—as long as it’s someone else being sacrificed . . .
What did you think of Framed in Death? Share all your thoughts in the comments. Spoilers are very much allowed.
I’ll start with the fact that Nora is home safe and sound. Being herself, she got straight back to work on Wednesday, then will host the family summer barbeque this Sunday.
I, on the other hand, am doing laundry and clearing out the things that built up while away.
In another compare/contrast: Nora’s approximately 93.5% finished with her holiday shopping. I’ve scheduled mine for 12/1. Yet we get along nicely. [I did see the comments hoping to see the gifts, but knowing Nora as I do, they are all put away and she will not look at them again until about Thanksgiving. By that point, they will be split up into bags for the recipients and won’t be together again. If I remember, I’ll share my gift in December.]
The last day at Ashford Castle was absolutely picture-perfect: sunny with a light breeze. Nora got up, worked out, then started the packing process. Over at The Lodge, I chatted with some readers who’d stayed after the event, then thought about packing. But didn’t.
Yes, I’ll lean heavily on our different approaches here.
Nora had tried to visit a jewelry shop in Cong twice and I offered to go along to watch the third time be a charm. We walked over to Cong, chatting about the event on Sunday and dinner at George V. As the sun set everything aglow, I told Nora this is Ireland’s perfect farewell: we’d remember the sun, not necessarily the rain that punctuated the trip.
The shop was open! We puttered, consulted about stocking stuffers (Who does that in July???), chatted with the shop owner and left well satisfied.
I suggested we head back a different way because I wanted to see the small ruins on the Cong River and remembered a back way to the Castle from my stay in 2019. A new route through the property? Nora was in!
My memory served me correctly! We crossed the bridge past the ruin, then made a left. Ahead of us, we could hear the crack of gunshot and soon enough we came upon the Clay Pigeon shooting range. Orange shards spread over a bank of land about 75 yards across from the shooting hut. Behind it was an eerie series of downed branches from the January storm.
Kept on. As we neared the equestrian center what to our wondering eyes should appear? Jason, Kat, Griffin, Colt, Savanna and JR waiting for transport back to the Castle. They’d gone to see the Guinness Tower and after the hike and climb, were willing to wait for a ride.
Nora and I continued on the way back to the castle. My last event was at 1 pm — a wine tasting with Paul Fogerty, Ashford’s head sommelier. He’d been a guide during my solo Fancy Dinner — and was the reason Nora and I did the Kitchen Garden tour. Since I’d be sipping wine on a warm day, I thought it important to prove my maturity and have a little food first.
Nora’s room was in the stages of cleaning so she headed to the Drawing Room with me for a nibble. Kat had beaten us there and already let the maitre d’ know I needed food before wine. A bowl of courgette and leek soup and several slices of brown bread later, I was ready to learn about wines.
Do I remember what the rest of the gang had? No, because I left before they fully arrived and ordered.
I had a lovely hour drinking and chatting. Paul chose wines with Irish vintners, all with interesting creative stories. My favorite was the Sugrue South Downs Rose Ex Machina. But I loved the story behind Roisin Curley — an Irish pharmacist and a master of wine. Her Bouzeron was my wine of choice on Fancy Dinner night.
All too soon, we were done. I planned to walk back to The Lodge to start that packing, but the second I arrived in my room, I received a text about an ice cream truck and an adventure. Savanna texted that she and Colt were in a van and were coming for me. Clare, from the Ashford team, and John, the driver (on his first day as head driver), were taking us to a secret location where there would be ice cream. Nora would meet us there.
And there was the Americano Ice Cream truck with a full menu of soft ice cream swirls.
As a side note, I’d had my first 99 with a flake on Monday evening when with family. My cousin was bewildered by the fact my husband and I both pulled the flake of chocolate out and ate it first. When I told the LBUK team about this at dinner on Saturday they alternated between horror and hilarity that we’d cheated ourselves of the chocolate while munching the cone experience. I was determined to try again.
Back to the lovely shady spot just up from the Falconry spot. Catherine had seen the truck along the road in Cong and invited the owner to come on the property for a few minutes as a surprise for Nora and family. It was a lovely final surprise. Everyone was full for the moment, but there was still final dinner to come.
Fortunately, the plan already in place was to walk to Cong for dinner at Danagher’s Pub for an early-ish dinner. And the place to take a circular panorama group shot. The first attempt ended up with a panorama of Jason’s arm.
So KatGyver promptly pulled out her bag to set it up properly. I swear to all I hold dear that she had yarn, needles, tape, batteries, bowling balls (ok the last two are an exaggeration). She built an easel of sorts for my phone to stand on. Then she set it in the middle of the table and we took turns moving it in a full circle. Here’s the result.
Then it was time to walk back to the Castle. I gave everyone good-bye hugs and set on my way back to The Lodge. Tuesday morning, they took off for Hagerstown while I flew east to Heathrow to meet my husband. We came home on Wednesday.
Over this weekend I’ll finish my personal travelogue on Substack and will share when it’s posted.
Greenbrier week starts July 20 so it’s just a short time at home. We plan to film more In Death In Depth episodes as well as chat about The Lost Brides Trilogy. And meet up with our ghostly pals. So you’ve got another recap coming your way in early August.
On this rainy morning, Griffin and his daddy are the other early risers. They greet me as they pass the gym on their way upstairs. Workout done, dressed for the lazy, rainy day, I head up to find some of the group at breakfast. Jason makes me some toasted brown bread and butter. Yum.
The bay’s all misty with the rain and little boats float on the gray.
Photo by Nora
With the rain, some lounging, some still sleeping, I decide to write for an hour or two. Jason helps me set up my lap top on the big dining room table. I need an extension cord, which—being Jason—he’s brought along. As I write, others get up, and I hear lots of talk and laughter from the kitchen. It’s a very nice playlist for someone who generally works in silence.
I put in my time, and satisfied, shut down. And the rain’s stopped, the skies are clearing a bit. I fix Kayla a little lunch, JR and Kat go for a few more supplies. I put my boots on, a vest and scarf and go out for a tour of the gardens. Our neighbor, the donkey, runs to the stone fence to bray at me.
The gardens, photos by Nora.
Jason and Griffin come out, and this time Daddy’s challenged to races. More blue than gray now in the sky, and a brisk breeze along with the sunlight. It feels marvelous. I decide to go get scissors and cut some flowers for the house. Shasta daisies, yellow daisies, pink roses, flowers I don’t recognize. They make a nice bright spot on the kitchen table.
Photo by Nora.
I see in the distance, Savanna’s lead Logan and Kat down to the edge of the bay. I’ll have to try that—need to pick the way over rocks.
#randomkatnessAmid the rocks. Photo by Kat.
I’ve opened a window in my room and now can’t close it. Apparently everyone’s got the same problem, but JR figures it out, and demonstrates the little release button.
Good to know.
Kayla’s up and around, but doesn’t feel up to going out to dinner. We plan to go for pub grub, and a first Guinness for Logan, JR and Savanna. But it’s a small village, and it’s Sunday. Options are very limited.
Viewing the bay (Kayla, JR, Griffin). Photo by Kat.
We change out of lounge around clothes and head out to the one open pub. Really more of a bar, as it turns out. Pool table in the front, tables in the back. A few people playing pool, but we’re the only patrons in the back.
Group shot! Logan, Savanna, Colt, Nora, Kat, Griffin, JR, Jason.
Half pints of Guinness for the three who want to try it. JR likes, Logan likes, Savanna likes a bit less so Logan drinks most of her glass. And I think, the last he was in Ireland with me, Logan was about three, younger than Griffin.
Logan and a Guinness. Photo by Savanna.
Time zooms.
Since the bar doesn’t serve food, Kat’s found a take-away fish and chips place that also has burgers and chicken, etc. We’ll take a veggie burger back to Kayla. JR, Kat, Griffin and Colt once again head out for supplies. We always seem to forget one thing. The rest of us head to place our dinner order.
It’s a cute little place, efficient and friendly. They also have milkshakes which my three companions order. It’s spitting some rain now and considerably colder. Then before our order’s up—very efficient—the rain’s stopped.
We start back, relying on the GPS, which doesn’t tell us to turn right or left out of the tiny lot. We choose incorrectly and end up going for an adventurous, scenic ride on a seriously skinny road around the bay in a tidy little neighborhood. Up, down, wind, wind. It’s really pretty, and a challenge for Jason.
He meets the challenge, and we’re back. Time to use the big dining table, set out plates, divvy up the orders. I open my take-away box to a HUGE slab of golden fried cod and a football field of fries.
It’s all delish.
Everyone’s happy and very well-fed.
The bay. Photo by Savanna.
There’s been talk about streaming the Minecraft movie on this chilly evening. Lounging clothes again, and my choice is pjs. We gather in what we think of as the TV room, on the big couch, big beanbag chairs, wherever, and Jason sets up the streaming on the big TV through his laptop.
Griffin’s already seen the movie two or three times, but this doesn’t lessen his enjoyment. It’s bright, funny, wacky and sweet.
Then it’s definitely time for bed. Made it till almost 11!
And still I’m awake shortly after five. WHY? Give sleep another shot, but fail. So upstairs I go to get a Diet Coke to fuel me to write the blog. And there’s Griffin sitting at the counter watching a Minecraft video. He invites me to watch with him, but I tell him I need to write the blog, workout, then I can watch.
Five minutes later, he peeks in my room, tells me he’s just checking on me. LOL. So I suggest he bring his IPad down and we can watch while I write the blog. So while I write this, he’s stretched out on my bed, explaining Obsidian, Hacker Blocks, zombies, and many other aspects to me.
And I think how lovely it is he wants to share and keep me informed.
I’m nearly done when Jason comes in, wondering where his kid is. So three generations sit on the bed awhile until the video ends.
Now my boy’s upstairs making breakfast for his boy.
I’m going to work out, get dressed and see what the day has in store.
Hidden Nature is on sale now — and this is the best place to discuss it.
The official description goes like this:
Natural Resources police officer, Sloan Cooper, and her partner had just taken down three men preying on hikers in the Western Maryland mountains. Driving back, she pulled in at a convenience store—and walked right into a robbery in progress. One gunshot from a jittery thief was about to change her world.
After being shocked back to life on the operating table, she has a long recovery ahead, so she moves back to her parents’ peaceful house in Heron’s Rest. As for the boyfriend who dumped her via text while she was in the hospital, good riddance.
She may be down, but she’s not out. So when a woman vanishes, leaving her car behind in a supermarket parking lot, Sloan searches online for similar cases. She finds them, spread across three states. Men and women, old and young—the missing seem to have nothing in common. And the abductions keep happening.
Luckily, the new man in her life shares her passion for solving this mystery. But it will take every ounce of endurance to get to the dark heart of this bizarre case—and she’s willing to risk her life again if that’s what it takes to stop the horror.
Nora’s deep into the second In Death book for 2026, so I thought I’d share some updates. She’ll be back here soon enough with The Garden updates, a Kentucky Derby recap and, of course, a full Girls Spa Week post. Promise.
A late winter break
The first week in March saw the 3rd annual Do-Puzzles-Do-NOT-Play-Games Week at Nemacolin come to pass. In a fairly new tradition, Nora treated her business manager (and lifelong friend) JoAnne and me to a week of relaxation, treatments and business discussions at one of her favorite destinations – Nemacolin.
We all met at Nora’s house for the ride out. BW mentioned it was the first time Nora was leaving the house since their last visit to Nemacolin in January. I’ve been walking every day this winter so I had a good laugh at that one.
When we arrived after a very smooth drive west, the team at Nemacolin greeted Nora with the news that our first night would actually mark the 1001st night she’s stayed at the resort since 2003. (See? Told you it was a favorite!)
This was what greeted us when we walked into the Presidential Suite. Later in the week, Maggie Hardy, the owner of Nemacolin, and her son, PJ Magerko, sent a lovely gift and note to thank Nora for her loyalty to the resort.
It was the first time JoAnne and I visited the reimagined Chateau (last year we stayed at the Grand Lodge). We were both looking forward to seeing what was new and different. Lighter colors, wood floors, a bit more space added up to a stunning set of rooms.
There’s now a tv above the fireplace (the better to view games, I suppose). Nora and JoAnne used it for their daily workouts. And we all settled in to watch the Oscars on a cold Sunday night. The butlers supplied us with popcorn and a reconfiguration of the furniture so we could all see the screen. A fun night.
At one point during the week, Nora said all she really needs during her stays at Nemacolin are some treatments and a chance to paint. The delightful, talented Claire Hardy and her current co-Artist in Residence, Julia Lamothe, came up to the suite to lead us through an oil painting class.
While we waited for our mani-pedi session, I saw this piece of art in the salon. JoAnne liked it too and we sent a text to Claire that we wanted to try it. Nora went in a more colorful direction and I sent off another text to Claire with a photo of a vivid floral she’d brought along.
We dived in to explore colors and technique. Julia was a fun addition to Claire, bringing along some textured palette knives and suggestions on how to use them. Nora was pretty fine using a variety of paintbrushes.
Her final product was absolutely stunning!
JoAnne and I were pleased with our results as well.
The overall theme to the week was the puzzle. Remember, the first year we did that insane cupcake one? This year was a gorgeous, glowing mermaid surrounded by elements of the deep. And when I say deep, I mean black/purple/crimson colors. It was hard. Nora focused a great deal of her energy on the mermaid while JoAnne and I worked the perimeter.
OK, full disclosure, I popped in and out. Most of my evening time was spent reading The Seven Rings with a notebook in hand so I could create the final Clover’s Clever Playlist. (You’ll find Part 1 and Part 2 on Spotify.) The book was wonderful and Clover communicates through 100 plus songs!
But I digress.
Despite seven days of work, we didn’t finish the puzzle. Here she is in all her final-day confusion.
Nora packed her up in the puzzle bag and planned to let Kat have a go at it. Haven’t heard if that’s happened yet. But I’ll find out.
Departure day we woke to snow — that fortunately didn’t impeded our travel home. We’ve set the dates for the 2026 stay and that countdown has begun.
Video time
For me, there was work amid the fun. Early in the week, I posted the cover reveal for The Seven Rings. You can find all the ordering options at this link: Pre-order The Seven Rings. As always, you can order a signed copy from Turn the Page Bookstore.
And late in the week, I unveiled a new series of videos: In Death in Depth. When we were at Greenbrier last summer, Nora and I sat down for a video interview about the In Death series to celebrate Bonded in Death (the 60th full-length title).
We covered a lot of subjects from how the series evolved to specific characters. We’ll release a new video every Friday for the foreseeable future. Bookmark that page to check for new episodes.
We’re 77 days out from Hidden Nature — Nora’s 2025 stand alone novel.
Here’s the official description:
Natural Resources police officer, Sloan Cooper, and her partner had just taken down three men preying on hikers in the Western Maryland mountains. Driving back, she pulled in at a convenience store—and walked right into a robbery in progress. One gunshot from a jittery thief was about to change her world.
After being shocked back to life on the operating table, she has a long recovery ahead, so she moves back to her parents’ peaceful house in Heron’s Rest. As for the boyfriend who dumped her via text while she was in the hospital, good riddance.
She may be down, but she’s not out. So when a woman vanishes, leaving her car behind in a supermarket parking lot, Sloan searches online for similar cases. She finds them, spread across three states. Men and women, old and young—the missing seem to have nothing in common. And the abductions keep happening.
Luckily, the new man in her life shares her passion for solving this mystery. But it will take every ounce of endurance to get to the dark heart of this bizarre case—and she’s willing to risk her life again if that’s what it takes to stop the horror.
Bonded in Death marks the 60th full-length In Death novel. Kind of mind-boggling, right??
When Nora started this journey back in 1994, she couldn’t imagine the path the series would take. But I also know she still truly enjoys visiting Eve Dallas’ world twice a year.
Here’s a quick note she wrote for readers before diving back into the 62nd In Death:
As I type this, we’re only 61 days from release — February 4, 2025. So I think it’s time to share the excerpt. Before I share the link, I want to let you know two things:
First, the excerpt is the prologue. Nothing else.
Second, I will not do teasers for this book. I decided that when I read Bonded for the first time back in the late spring. It’s honestly in my personal top 3 In Deaths and I think everyone deserves to go into it cold.
Oh wait! There’s a third point: if you subscribe to Nora’s News, you received this excerpt on November 19. How to subscribe? Go to the JD Robb website, scroll to the bottom of the homepage and subscribe.
