Out of Her Depth

A gripping romantic thriller about an idyllic summer of young love and friendship in Italy that surprisingly turned deadly.

 

Florence, Italy and the hills of Tuscany serve as the backdrop for Out of Her Depth, a menacing psychological thriller from Lizzy Barber.

 

The novel is told via the intimate, first-person narrative voice of Rachel, a Brit. At 21-years-old, Rachel travels to Italy for the summer, working as a maid in a quaint Villa in Florence. Hoping to brush up on her Italian-language skills before setting off to Cambridge in the fall, working class Rachel falls in with—and falls under the spell of—a wealthy gal, Diana, who is shrewd and manipulative…especially when it comes to Sebastian, the rich and very handsome godson of the Villa's owner, and Valentina, a new recruit to the hotel staff.  A fun, exciting summer filled with budding friendships--lust and love--suddenly shifts into dark power-plays, resentments and jealousies.

 

The story then cuts to twenty years later: Rachel, now 41-years-old, is a teacher at an exclusive, private school in England who remains traumatized and haunted by secrets from that one life-changing Italian holiday. Readers learn that the foursome never again saw each other, and Sebastian has spent 20 years in prison for a murder that played out that fateful, tragic summer. What exactly happened? What went wrong?

 

Barber (A Girl Named Anna) suspensefully rolls out details of a surprising friends-to-enemies story that probes themes of guilt and shame, secrets and regrets. Barber’s skillful storytelling elevates a traditional beach read into a stunningly deep page-turner.

Out of Her Depth: A Novel by Lizzy Barber

Mira Books (Original Edition), $16.99 paperback, 9780778386445, 400 pages

Publication Date: July 12, 2022

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Sadie on a Plate

A deliciously appealing romcom about a jilted Seattle-based chef who competes in a high-stakes reality TV cooking show competition.

Readers who hunger and thirst for juicy cooking show competitions will eagerly lap up every last drop of Amanda Elliot’s delicious romcom Sadie on a Plate.

Sadie Brooks Rosen--a saucy, 27-year-old, Seattle-based chef--has her up-and-coming career dismantled by her jealous boss and beau when local media highlights her menu dishes instead of his in a feature about his restaurant. Suddenly unemployed, with her confidence shaken, Sadie is selected to compete on Chef Supreme, a high-stakes reality TV show where chefs face-off to win big money and national recognition. 

On a plane bound for NYC, where the show is set, Sadie meets handsome and charming, New York-based Luke Weston. Instant chemistry bonds the two as they share passions for food and cooking. Sadie is lured by upscale presentations of Jewish foods; Luke leans toward Korean influences. When they get to New York, they have dinner together and soon part ways. Until the next day, when they learn they are both affiliated with Chef Supreme: Sadie’s a contestant; Luke, a fill-in judge. Keeping their attraction secret, Sadie competes among talented chefs with distinct personalities, quirks and modi operandi. Can she regain her confidence and rise to the top of the cut-throat pack? 

Under the name Amanda Panitch, Elliot writes thrillers and character-driven novels for young adults and middle-grade readers. In Sadie on a Plate, her first adult romcom, detailed food descriptions, recipes and kitchen culture--along with a diverse cast--spice up a well-plotted story warmed with romance, humor and heart.

 

Sadie on a Plate by Amanda Elliot

Berkley, $18.99 paperback, 9780593335710, 352 pages

Publication Date: March 15, 2022

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