Hi friends, Jennifer here!
As you know, connecting with readers is the heartbeat of my work. Whether it’s through my books, events, or forensic storytelling workshops, I love meeting the people who bring my characters and cases to life.
That’s why I’m overjoyed to share some big news: I’ve officially partnered with Adventures by the Book, a fabulous organization that brings authors and readers together in creative, intimate, and unforgettable ways.
And let me tell you, they don’t just organize book signings. They create experiences.
So whether you’re in a book club, love true crime, or just want to hang out with your favorite writers in your yoga pants, this post is for you. I’ll share how Adventures by the Book works, what we’re cooking up behind the scenes, and how YOU can bring me to your living room (or backyard, or virtual book club!) this season.
What Is Adventures by the Book?
Adventures by the Book was founded by the powerhouse Susan McBeth with a clear mission: connect readers with authors through meaningful, story-driven experiences.
These are not your standard bookstore Q&As or dry author talks. Nope. They’re immersive, joyful, human.
From author-hosted lunches to travel experiences, virtual book club chats to in-depth panels, Adventures by the Book (ABTB) is all about creating memorable moments around books. And they make it easy—for authors and for readers. You don’t have to navigate complicated logistics or awkward introductions. Just show up, connect, and enjoy the story.
If you run a book club, this is your golden ticket.
If you’re a fan of true crime, thrillers, and character-driven suspense, we’re going to get along just fine.
Why I Said Yes to Partnering with ABTB
As my new book What Darkness Does gets ready to launch this fall, I’ve been looking for ways to make this release more personal. To slow down and connect with readers in ways that feel meaningful—not just transactional. I want conversations, not just clicks. Relationships, not just reviews.
When the opportunity came up to join the Adventures by the Book author family, it was a no-brainer.
They’ve worked with some incredible names: Daniel Pink, Julia Alvarez, Jodi Picoult, Karen White—and now, this coroner’s daughter from Michigan gets to join their ranks. (Cue: me beaming.)
They value the same things I do:
- Connection over perfection
- Story over spotlight
- Curiosity over ego
I’m thrilled to be one of their featured authors, and I hope you’ll consider inviting me to your group!
Here’s my author page on ABTB where you can book me for your book club.
How It Works: Booking Me for Your Book Club
How It Works: Booking Me for Your Book Club
Adventures by the Book makes it super easy to host an author visit. Whether you’re a tight-knit group of five or a full neighborhood circle, we can tailor the experience to match your vibe. There are a few ways we can connect:
- Virtual Book Club Visit (Free!)
We can hop on Zoom, Google Meet, or FaceTime for 30 minutes of live Q&A, book talk, and a little forensic fun. You read the book, I show up with some behind-the-scenes goodies. No fee, no fuss. It’s casual, easy, and a great way to bring your pages to life. - Extended Virtual Session (Small Fee)
Want to go deeper? Need more time for crime scene trivia, writing tips, or a true crime chat? We can extend the visit for a small fee. These longer sessions allow more room for interaction—think breakout discussions, writing inspiration, or even sneak peeks of what’s coming next. - In-Person Visit
For SoCal-based readers or travel-ready book clubs: I’d love to join you live! We can chat over snacks, sign books, or even co-create a theme night (murder mystery dinner, anyone?). These take a little more planning, but I promise they’re worth it. I’ve done everything from backyard BBQs to library lounges—and each one is unforgettable. - Adventure Events These are signature ABTB events—think wine tastings, themed brunches, or even literary cruises with multiple authors. I’m working on planning one of these in 2026 (details to come!), and trust me, you’ll want to be there. It’s the perfect mix of community, creativity, and just a little bit of crime (fictionally speaking, of course!).
Need Ideas? Here Are a Few ABTB Events I’ve Loved Watching
Adventures by the Book has a killer track record (pun intended) of curating unforgettable literary events. They combine creativity, connection, and a serious love of storytelling. Here are a few past events that inspired me:
Books & Brunch with Karen White
Readers gathered for brunch and signed copies, complete with themed centerpieces, trivia games, and custom pastries inspired by the novel. Yes, please. It felt like stepping into the pages of her book—and that’s the kind of magic I’d love to bring to our own gathering.
Literary Travel with Frances Mayes
Yes—the Under the Tuscan Sun author herself! ABTB partnered with travel experts to host an Italian literary adventure where readers explored the setting of the book IRL. Local food, scenic strolls, and immersive book discussions under the Tuscan sun? Literal bucket list.
Virtual Crime Fiction Panels
Especially during 2020–2021, ABTB nailed the virtual pivot with multi-author mystery panels and true crime forums. These are still available and just as compelling. Think multiple authors, diverse perspectives, and readers logging in from all over the world—pajamas welcome.
So now I want to hear from you…
What Should We Do Together?
If you were to book a virtual or in-person book club visit with me, what would YOU want? Something cozy and casual? Or totally over-the-top themed? I’m game for either—and both.
Here are a few fun ideas I’ve been dreaming about:
- CSI-Style Book Club Night – Come dressed as your favorite fictional detective; I’ll bring the evidence photos, red string, and maybe even a case file or two. Let’s turn your living room into a crime-solving HQ.
- Murder & Mocktails – A themed drink pairing and dessert for each chapter. (Yes, I’ll help brainstorm recipes—just don’t ask me to bake them.)
- Character Roleplay – What if we each took a character from the book and shared their side of the story? It’s wild what you uncover when you “become” someone else in the narrative.
- Forensics 101 Demo – I can share actual crime scene processing tips that I’ve used in writing and research. Think: fingerprint basics, how to analyze blood patterns, and what TV always gets wrong.
Have an idea I haven’t thought of? Let’s build something totally new. You can DM me, email me through my website, or submit ideas on my Instagram. I love creating unexpected experiences with readers—and if you’ve got a little imagination and a lot of snacks, we’ll get along great.
Already Reading Last One Alive With Your Book Club?
I’ve got you covered.
If your club is diving into Last One Alive, be sure to download the free Book Club Discussion Guide I created just for you. It’s packed with:
- Deep-dive discussion questions
- Behind-the-scenes writing insights
- True crime connections
- Fun bonus content to spark conversation
You can get the guide right [here].
And psst… a new guide is coming soon.
I’m currently putting the finishing touches on a brand-new Book Club Guide for What Darkness Does—just in time for your fall reading list.
It’ll include:
- True crime background and timeline of the real-life case
- Exclusive character notes (including Nick’s PTSD arc)
- Questions that dig into trauma, suspense, and emotional stakes
- Ideas to turn your book club night into a thriller-themed event
Plus, I’m adding some never-before-seen content from my research files—things that didn’t make it into the book but offer fascinating context for the case. If you’re planning to read What Darkness Does with your club in November, December or next winter, stay tuned! The guide will be ready for you to download just before the book launches.
And yes, I’d love to join you to talk about it in person—or on Zoom in my hoodie with tea in hand.
Let’s Make Reading an Adventure Again
Whether you’re reading solo, leading a book club, or just love a juicy true crime plot, thank you for supporting authors like me.
Being part of Adventures by the Book means I get to show up for you in ways that go beyond the page. It means we can turn stories into shared experiences. We can dig deeper into character arcs, unpack real-life forensics, and laugh together about the wild, wonderful world of storytelling.
And isn’t that what books are all about?
Let’s make reading personal again.
Let’s blend fiction with real life.
Let’s get something on the calendar.
I can’t wait to meet you.
Xx, Jen
