Episode 92 Writing Thriller Novels and Must-Read Summer Book Recommendations with Author Andrea Bartz
Bestselling thriller author Andrea Bartz talks about her latest novel "The Last Ferry Out" and her journey from magazine editor to full-time author. Andrea shares the inspiration behind her Mexico-set thriller about expats harboring secrets, discusses her writing process as a "pantser" rather than plotter, and reveals how she built her authority in the publishing world through her popular Substack newsletter "Get It Write."
The conversation also features fantastic summer reading recommendations of speculative fiction, psychological thrillers, and compelling memoirs. Andrea recommends "Darkly" by Marisha Pessl and "The Guilt Trip" by Somya Dave. Maura and Christie share their picks, including "Cloud Cuckoo Land" by Anthony Doerr, "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern, and Ina Garten's memoir.
Perfect for book lovers seeking their next great read and aspiring authors interested in the writing life and insights into the publishing industry.
Episode recorded June 25, 2025, at the LMC Media studio.
Andrea Bartz Bio:
Andrea Bartz is a journalist and the New York Times bestselling author of Reese’s Book Club pick We Were Never Here, The Spare Room, The Lost Night, and The Herd. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, Vogue, and many other outlets, and she’s held editorial positions at Glamour, Psychology Today, and Self, among other publications. Originally from Wisconsin; She lives in Brooklyn and the Hudson Valley.
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Books by Andrea Bartz
The Last Ferry Out (2025)
We Were Never Here (2021)
The Spare Room (2023)
The Herd (2020)
The Lost Night (2019)
The Other Side of the Road, part of Amazon Original Series “Never Tell” Collection (2024)
Stuff Hipsters Hate (2010) with Brenna Ehrlich