Top Shelf with Carol Ann Tack

This special episode of Top Shelf features veteran journalist and author Dan Robson, co-author of Hammered: The Fight of My Life by hockey legend Dave Schultz. Dan joins me to discuss his latest collaboration, and from there, we dive right into the nuances of crafting compelling narrative non-fiction, and what it was like working alongside one of hockey’s most iconic figures: Dave “The Hammer” Schultz. We talk about Dave’s storied career, as well as the powerfully personal, candid, and heartbreaking journey Dave Schultz himself shares in this book. Dan tells us how the project first came together and their collaborative process. We also talk about some of the great tidbits in Dave’s memoir. This is a fascinating conversation, and I cannot thank Dan enough for sharing such incredible behind-the-scenes insight. Follow along with Dan Robson’s website or follow along with Dan Robson on The Athletic. Follow along with Dave Schultz.

“Captivating. Eleanor Shearer returns with a memorable tale of two young women yearning for home and love. I was drawn to the historical setting not typically seen in fiction – the lives of eighteenth-century Jamaican Maroons, removed to Canada, free on paper, yet still at risk.”—Charmaine Wilkerson, NYT best-selling author of Good Dirt In this episode Eleanor and I chat about her brand new book, Fireflies in Winter. We also talk about the Jamaican Maroon colony, queer love, her trips to Novia Scotia, her debut River Sing Me Home, and so much more. I loved this book, these characters, and the luminous prose. Fireflies in Winter is an excellent piece of historical fiction, that is not to be missed. Follow Eleanor on Instagram:@eleanorbshearer Place your holds here for Fireflies in Winter and River Sing Me Home, both by Eleanor Shearer. Eleanor Shearer recommends: Ever Since We Small by Celeste Mohammed.

Matthew Norman on Love, Loss, and Holiday Movie Magic “Why is it that the holidays always seem to arrive out of nowhere…?” That question comes from Henry, one half of the unforgettable duo in Matthew Norman’s latest novel, Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon. The book follows a sentimental advertising creative and a no-nonsense bar … Continue reading Episode 170! Interview with Matthew Norman, author of Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon →

Just in time for thrill-season, I sat down with author Jennifer Fawcett to talk about her second thriller, Keep This For Me. For this episode we discuss generational trauma, serial killers, ghost ships, and so much more. Give a listen. Thank you so much Jennifer! Jennifer recommends, The Ascent by Allison Buccola; A Gorgeous Excitement … Continue reading E169: Interview with Jennifer Fawcett, author of Keep This For Me →

“A loving ode to an extraordinary mother; a soulful coming-of-age; an unlikely portrait of Dylan in his prime as fresh as they come. Sam Sussman‘s, Boy from the North Country heralds the arrival of a blazing new literary talent.” ~ Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Ayad Akhtar I had the pleasure of sitting down with author Sam … Continue reading E168: Interview with Sam Sussman, author of Boy From the North Country →

For Episode 167, award-nominated author Delia Pitts joined me to discuss her latest release, Death of an Ex, the gripping follow-up to Trouble in Queenstown. Delia shares the inspiration behind her brilliantly drawn private investigator, Vandy Myrick, offers a glimpse into her writing process, and gives listeners an exclusive sneak peek at book three in … Continue reading E167: Interview with Delia Pitts, author of Death of an Ex →

For Episode 166, I had the incredible honor of hosting authors Nancy Grace and Benee Knauer to discuss their powerful new book, What Happened to Ellen: A Miscarriage of American Justice. Our conversation explored the heartbreaking case of Ellen Rae Greenberg, the authors’ remarkable collaboration, and their unwavering fight for justice. The authors share how … Continue reading E166: Interview with Nancy Grace & Benee Knaur, authors of What Happened to Ellen: A Miscarriage of American Justice →

Celebrating my 165th episode with award-winning author Frederic S. Durbin! Fred joined me to talk about his brand new historical fiction novel, The Country Under Heaven. Set in the 1880s, this western follows former Civil War soldier Ovid Vesper as he travels across the country haunted by visions from the Battle of Antietam, encountering both … Continue reading E165: Interview with Fred Durbin, author of The Country Under Heaven →

“James Wade’s newest novel, Hollow Out the Dark, is a masterpiece of atmospheric crime fiction; a worthy successor to the likes of William Gay and Cormac McCarthy. Set in East Texas, it is an epic, and age-old, story of greed and generational betrayal—where vengeance is swift and forgiveness a long time coming.” Kathleen Kent, NYT bestselling … Continue reading Episode 164: Interview with James Wade, author of Hollow Out the Dark →

They All Fall the Same by Wes Browne has already made waves, earning a spot as one of Goodreads’ biggest mysteries and thrillers of 2025 and a most anticipated book of the year by Book Riot’s Read or Dead. Author Kelly J. Ford raves, “The hills of Kentucky burn in this thrilling tale of warring … Continue reading Epsiode 163: Interview with Wes Browne, author of They All Fall the Same →

Belinda Bauer on The Impossible Thing… A Crime Story Like No Other A taut, brilliantly imagined novel packed with intrigue at every turn, The Impossible Thing cements Belinda Bauer’s place as one of our great crime writers. From the two-time winner of the CWA Crime Novel of the Year and Sunday Times bestselling author of … Continue reading Episode 162: Interview with Belinda Bauer, author of The Impossible Thing →

One of my favorite mystery series just got a brand-new installment! Glory Daze by Danielle Arceneaux has officially launched, and I couldn’t be more excited. In this highly anticipated follow-up to the award-winning Glory Be, Glory Broussard is drawn into the mystery of her ex-husband’s death—this time with an unexpected ally by her side. Compelling, … Continue reading Episode 161: Interview with Danielle Arceneaux, author of Glory Daze →

I had the absolute honor of hosting international best-selling author, producer, screenwriter, and filmmaker, Tess Gerritsen on the podcast! Tess joined me to talk about her brand-new series, The Martini Club, set in the Midcoast region of Maine. The first book, The Spy Coast, introduces Maggie Bird, a retired spy who stumbles upon a secret … Continue reading E160: Interview with Tess Gerritsen, author of The Summer Guests →

An exuberant debut, The Husbands delights in how do we navigate life, love, and choice in a world of never-ending options. Holly Gramazio’s first novel, The Husbands, was an instant NYT bestseller, a Read With Jenna Pick for April of 2024, made so many best-of lists for 2024, and rightly so! As Holly heads out … Continue reading E159: Interview with Holly Gramazio, author of The Husbands →

A series about older women doing kick-ass things, in this case? Assassins! Four women assassins, senior in status, and in age, sharpen their knives for another bloody good adventure in Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn, a riotous follow-up to the NYT bestselling sensation Killers of a Certain Age. We had such a great … Continue reading E158: Interview with Deanna Raybourn, author of Kills Well With Others →

Award-winning author William Boyle joins me to discuss his eighth novel, The Saint of Narrows Street—a gripping tale set in Gravesend, Brooklyn, spanning 18 years in the lives of two sisters and the life-changing decision they made one fateful night. William shares insights into his drafting process, the joy of discovering small yet impactful details … Continue reading E157: Interview with William Boyle, author of Saint of the Narrows Street →

Love Lies in the Throes of Rhetoric by Anthony Gedell is an incredible debut featuring a rookie PI thrust into the deadly game of hunting a killer on the loose as fast-paced, intertwining narratives collide with volatile characters in an unforgettable story. Praised as “literary lightning” by Eli Cranor and a “white-knuckle thrill ride” by … Continue reading E156: Interview with Anthony Gedell, author of Love Lies in the Throes of Rhetoric →

Hold on to you hats, folks! I had the pleasure of sitting down with Michael Cannell to talk about the jaw-dropping, true story of law enforcement and the Mafia in the 1970s. Absolutely compelling interview – thank you so much, Michael! For the first time in forty years, former New York Times editor Michael Cannell … Continue reading Episode 155: Interview with Michael Cannell, author of Blood and the Badge →

Inspired by a real place and events from her own family history, Trouble Island marks Sharon Short’s gripping debut in standalone suspense. Many of you may also know Sharon as Jess Montgomery, the acclaimed author of the Kinship Mystery Series and a beloved guest on our show from episodes 45, 57, and 99. But for … Continue reading Episode 154: Interview with Sharon Short, author of Trouble Island →

What a very special episode featuring award-winning and award nominated author: Susan Fletcher! The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher is hands-down one of my favorite books of 2024. This contemporary mystery is also a heartfelt exploration of a woman’s life—grief, joy, regret, and resilience all wrapped into one. In this special episode, Susan and … Continue reading Episode 153: Interview with Susan Fletcher, author of The Night in Question →