Emily Bain Murphy’s Novel Is the Magical Mystery Your Summer Needs

You’ve got your BBQ’s skewers grilling, your beach bags packed, and your summer hair on lock. It’s a system you’ve perfected thanks to so many endless summer nights, but it doesn’t really leave that much room for mystery. For that, you need Emily Bain Murphy’s The Disappearances tucked away in your tote. It’s a dreamy and spooky story about Sterling, a town where scents, reflections, dreams, and more go missing every seven years… and Aila Quinn’s mother might be the reason why. When Aila’s mother dies, Aila returns to the town in the hopes of uncovering the mystery of Sterling’s disappearances and exposing its biggest secrets. Today we’re chatting with author Emily Bain Murphy about her novel, her creative advice, and more. Scroll on to learn more from this brilliant author!

Brit + Co: Describe your book in six words or less.

Emily Bain Murphy: Historical mystery with magic and Shakespeare.

B+C: Where/when do you do your best writing?

EBM: I usually do my best writing in bed after my kids are asleep, or in a coffee shop — preferably with some sort of baked good within reach. This is especially true if it’s been a few days since I’ve had some good writing time, and by then it can feel like an itch that needs scratching. (Photo via Black Pixel Studio)

B+C: What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever done for book research?

EBM: I rode this charming vintage train in Danbury, Connecticut; studied a bunch of creepy birds that do legitimately terrifying things like impaling their prey on spikes; and interviewed my grandfather, a WWII Navy veteran, about drinking pineapple juice from spigots out of the wall of the Hawaiian Dole factory.

B+C: What’s your go-to cure for when you’re stuck in a creativity rut?

EBM: Secret Pinterest boards! I love finding lush, gorgeous scenes and thinking about describing them. That’s the quickest way to get me out of a rut. Or I’ll pick up a book with particularly stunning language or good plotting and try to soak it up through osmosis.

B+C: What two lady heroes do you turn to for inspiration, and why?

EBM: The unknown girl who was marked with the number 146 instead of her own name and inspired the beginning of an organization called Love146. To me, she represents the very real, gritty, and courageous ways that survivors of trafficking and exploitation are fighting for their futures and finding hope and light after darkness. You can find her story at Love146.

The second would be my younger sister Hannah, who beat Stage-4 cancer at 13 years old and is now a strong, generous, lovely, and hilarious 31-year-old woman who will not hesitate to take you down in any board game.

If I could cheat with a third, I would also add Jane Austen — talk about staying power and transcending time and space! It’s astonishing how her words, humor, and stories are still delighting so many people centuries after she wrote them. (Photo via Hulton Archive/Getty)

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Model: @miss_anastasia_u // Moscow «Даже если бы ты посвятил все отпущенное тебе время бесконечному исполнению своих бесчисленных маленьких желаний, ты не смог бы спрятаться от смертной тоски по чуду — и так никогда бы и не понял, о чем тоскуешь.» Отрывок из книги: Фрай, Макс. "Темная сторона." К чему я это пишу: ну, во-первых, сейчас дождь, самое время пофилософствовать, а во-вторых, есть известная формула психического здоровья: создавать больше, чем потреблять. Чудеса - это то, что мы делаем сами. Те самые крутые вещи, которыми мы гордимся. Те, кто хочет делать классные вещи - снимает "Миллионера из трущоб" (ну, к примеру) за копейки или нет, но качественно и самозабвенно. Те, кто просто хочет заработать - что-то типа "Человек-паук 3". "Миллионер" пройдет через года, и мы по прежнему им будем восхищаться. А "Человек-паук"...насколько я могу судить по себе, мне моя работа, которая нравится самой и другим дает гораздо больше, чем та, за которую хорошо заплатили, но она "не радует". Конечно, мы стараемся делать все так, чтобы никогда не было мучительно стыдно. И иногда просто не позволим себе делать некоторые вещи. Но деньги быстро потратятся, а вот хорошо сделанная работа будет поднимать настроение, веру в себя и дарить тепло в душе всегда. И наше кредо: "Делать свое дело и делать его хорошо".

A post shared by Kristina Makeeva↟Kotleta↟Timon (@hobopeeba) on

B+C: What’s your latest Instagram obsession?

EBM: I adore Hobopeeba (@hobopeeba) and Elie Saab (@eliesaabworld) for ethereal eye candy and escapism. Dylan O’Donnell (@dylan_odonnell_) and Meredith Toering (@meredithtoering) of the Morningstar Foundation for a pure shot of love, perspective, and the sweetest little warrior faces.

B+C: Can you name a book that you think deserves a little more love + recognition?

EBM: I thought Corrie Wang’s The Takedown was really smart, thought-provoking, and entertaining, and I just started reading The Secret of a Heart Noteby Stacey Lee. The story is whimsical and I’m finding the writing to be absolutely beautiful.

B+C: What’s next on your to-read pile?

EMB: Tracey Neithercott’s upcoming Gray Wolf Island, Leah Henderson’s middle-grade novel One Shadow on the Wall, and Leigh Bardugo’s Wonder Woman: Warbringer.

B+C: What advice do you have for aspiring creative ladies?

EMB: I just want to encourage you to persevere! Almost everyone I’ve met who is seeing success in a creative field right now overcame a lot of doubt, obstacles, and rejections first. I am so glad that I didn’t throw in the towel, even though there were days when I wondered if I should. It can help to celebrate every little milestone along the way, no matter how small. And finally, cheer other people’s success too! Even in the moments when that might feel difficult, if you share in their happiness, you’ll ultimately feel happier too — and on that joyful day when it’s your turn to celebrate, I promise it will come back around.

Got an author you’d like to see interviewed? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know!

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1923 season 2 premieres on Paramount+ February 23, and Michelle Randolph (who plays Elizabeth Dutton in the cast) is "so excited" for you to watch the new episodes — and she's been keeping up with all your fan theories!

"There are some crazy ones. I feel like the biggest fan theory thing is the family tree," she tells Brit + Co exclusively. "I've seen many different family trees and so it's like, 'OK, which one's accurate?' I actually drew my own at one point."

Here's what Michelle Randolph had to say about 1923 season 2, and the Dutton family tree, in Brit + Co's exclusive 1923 interview.

Michelle Randolph teases '1923' season 2 finally gives us answers to the Dutton family tree.

By the end of season 2, Michelle Randolph says "we might be able to fill in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree, which is a very hot topic for internet users! "I had to make my own [family tree] because all of the ones I saw on the internet were like — every single one was different. I was like 'I'm confused.'"

The Dutton family is made up of incredible cast members like Brandon Sklenar, Harrison Ford, and Helen Mirren, and Michelle reveals that the cast are just as close as their characters.

"There's a giant group chat called Giddy Up, which started during cowboy camp of season one," she says. "A cute little name, and I think I mean we all were on location in Montana and all in the same hotel, and we would get dinners after [filming], so I think even though our characters are very different and in different story lines like we all really did bond, which was really helpful to have each other throughout the chaos of of shooting a show."

The actress also says Elizabeth would connect with her 'Landman' character Ainsley.

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

And if you're a tried and true Taylor Sheridan fan, you've probably picked up on the fact that Michelle isn't just in 1923 — she also has a starring role as Ainsley Norris in Landman! But would Elizabeth and Ainsley get along if they met in an alternate universe?

"That would be a fun thing to witness. I think they would," she says. "They're very different, but the similarities between them is they're both young women who are finding their place in this world and I think that they both actually look at the world through very bright eyes and have a lot of hope, which is an interesting correlation between the two of them. I think Elizabeth has gone through so much more than Ainsley obviously, so there might be a difference there, but I think they would get along."

Check out the 8 Compelling Historical Fiction Books To Read While You Wait For 1923 Season 2 and read our interview with Julia Schlaepfer where she teases the Spencer and Alex's future.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Saturday Night Live just had a 50th anniversary celebration to remember, but despite some iconic callbacks and celebrity cameos, one moment everyone's talking about didn't really have to do with the sketches at all: Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's appearance.

During a Q&A with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, Ryan Reynolds stood up to ask a question, with Blake Lively sitting right beside him. After the SNL icons asked him how he was, the Deadpool actor joked, "Great. Why, what have you heard?" And while the audience laughed at the inferred reference to the ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, sources are saying others aren't so happy with the couple's appearance.

Here's what people are saying about Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's appearance on the SNL50 special.

Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively "have no regrets" about their SNL50 special appearance.

Following the special, SNL's cue card guy Wally Feresten told Fifi, Fev and Nick that Ryan “had a different line in rehearsal and he pitched that to replace it. That was his idea."

"We wouldn’t want to do anything too controversial unless they were in on it.”

But according to a Page Six source, Ryan didn't actually come up with that joke. “The opening joke was pitched by SNL and never changed,” they said. “The follow-up joke was rewritten in rehearsal.” So who's really behind the joke? For now, no one (except Ryan) knows.

While the moment with Ryan Reynolds got some laughs, another insider reveals that, "People in Hollywood think Blake and Ryan attending the SNL 50th anniversary show was not a good look," and that it might have been a good idea for the couple to "have sat this one out.”

But even though the appearance got some mixed reviews, another source promises they "have no regrets about making an appearance at the show,” and that they “were two of the last people to leave Studio 8H."

"Blake was initially hesitant to attend the SNL 50th anniversary show but ultimately she’s glad she attended and had a really nice time,” the second source continues. “They’re glad they showed up because they have nothing to hide and no reason not to.”

The SNL50 special, and the brief look at Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, came after Blake and Justin Baldoni filed lawsuits against one another — Blake against Justin for alleged sexual harassment and Justin against Blake, Ryan, and the New York Times for defamation.

"It’s very plausible that Justin’s legal team will use this public outing to defend him,” according to the Page Six source. “Justin is taking this lawsuit in all seriousness and isn’t making a public mockery out of it."

Recently, Justin Baldoni published a website with an Amended Complaint and It Ends With Us timeline, but according to First Amendment lawyer Kevin Goldberg, the website is "unnecessary."

"I think it's unusual and I'm not sure it's appropriate once you have already filed a defamation lawsuit," he tells Forbes. "Legally speaking, it's not going to be, itself, relevant as evidence. It could be introduced in evidence but there's no need for it."

"The reason we have very strict standards for anyone who is trying to win a defamation lawsuit — and in particular, a celebrity who is trying to win a defamation lawsuit is they can do things like this," Kevin continues. "Use a website and PR team to restore their reputation, they don't need to use the courts to restore their reputation. So why did he do both is my big question. It seems like his real goal is not to win the lawsuit but restore his good name, just, generally in the public view."

What did you think about Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds' appearance on the SNL50 special? Read up on 10 Weird Moments You Missed From Viral Justin Baldoni & Blake Lively Set Video for more.

Lauren Graham's new TV show on Tubi, The Z-Suite, follows an advertising CEO named Monica, and her faithful friend Doug (Nico Santos), who get cancelled, fired, and replaced by a whole new Gen Z social media team after an ad campaign gone wrong. So naturally, when I sit down with the two stars in New York City, I have to ask what their most-used app is.

"I think mine is probably a New York Times games and cooking," Lauren Graham tells Brit + Co exclusively. "I'm new to Instagram and I'm still working it out."

And when it comes to Gen Z slang, "I 'sus' every now and then," Nico says. "I still don't get cheugy."

"Somebody my age the other night said they liked my 'fit,' and I was like, 'Hold on,'" Lauren jokes. "I'm one of those boring people who still will write out entire words in a text because it's just is offensive to me to shorten everything until I'm not even sure what I'm doing."

Yes, Lauren Graham is truly as funny as you'd hope in real life, and The Z-Suite is the perfect way to show off that humor.

Keep reading to see why Lauren Graham's The Z-Suite is the ultimate winter comfort watch — and how Lorelai Gilmore would fit into the picture.

Lauren Graham & Nico Santos say 'The Z-Suite' is the perfect winter TV show.

"It's a fun world. It's easy viewing in a fun, comforting way," Lauren says of the new series, which premiered on Tubi February 6. "It's speaking to a moment in our culture, but without kind of taking a side or being too militant about it. We haven't kind of seen these generations interact, and I don't know, it's fun."

"It's a comedy for everybody certainly, but if you look at our cast, it's I think one of the most diverse casts you'll see out there, which I think is really important," Nico says. "We're telling the story through this lens and just sort of giving the other people a chance to tell their story as well."

And working behind the scenes created a "creative and fun" environment for the cast.

Tubi

Gilmore Girls fans have been wanting more from Lauren Graham ever since the GG finale, her 6-season hit Parenthood, and the Gilmore Girls: Year in the Life Netflix revival came in quick succession. Despite the fact she's found TV gold multiple times, Lauren admits choosing the perfect project is "probably less of a science than people think."

"There's so much that goes into what kind of job you're looking for versus what kind of job comes to you," she says. "I try to think in terms of, is this something I feel I can add to, like can I bring something that maybe is not on the page? And then is this far enough away, because in TV especially, you tend to get offered what you've already done, and so for this to even have a little bit of stretch, which I think it does, was really just a fun opportunity."

"For me it's all about the comedy in the scripts," Nico Santos adds. "That's my background and if I don't laugh reading a script, then I'm like, I'm not gonna do it."

"That is a huge part of it too," Lauren agrees. "Who the creator is and, in speaking to Katie [O’Brien], Nico knew her already, but I just thought this is someone I want to spend my days with, and that's really probably the most important decision, or a piece of the decision is, does this seem like it's going to be creative and fun?"

And one of Lauren's favorite parts of bringing the character of Monica to life was fleshing her out beyond the stereotypical "mean" boss archetype. "You know, the sort of like a tough older boss — I hate saying older, but I relative to the rest of everybody, yes!" she laughs. "I just wanted there to be kind of a reason behind her drive and a heart there, even though it is a pretty broad comedy. We talked about that and tried to find those moments where she's softer."

"There are moments that aren't really grounded and very sort of ridiculous, but it's also very important to infuse that sort of craziness with being grounded," Nico says. "So I think it's creating that balance and that's what makes the character so likable, I think."

Lauren Graham also loved the community aspect of filming 'The Z-Suite.'

Tubi

With the Gen Z, virtual workplace of it all, there will be some The Z-Suite viewers who have never worked in an office, including myself (and Lauren apparently). But seeing all the characters together creates a community that I totally didn't expect when I sat down to watch.

"Any opportunity to be with the community and be working and be back to anything resembling normal is a real gift," Lauren says. "It was fun too, it's like playing in a new kind of place, and I found after a little initial awkwardness that I really could walk into my office and take charge and that was like a new kind of a channel to walk into."

"I just like being a part of an ensemble," Nico says. "On my previous job with Superstore, it's like ensemble comedy and we did that for so long. So that's an environment where I really thrive, so I love it."

And in the spirit of past projects, I can't help but ask how they think Crazy Rich Asians' Oliver and Gilmore Girls' Lorelai would fit into the picture?

"Lorelai would not do well," Lauren Graham says. "She would be bored by the world of the office and I think would relate way more to the Gen Z people cause in her mind, she's always kind of one of the kids. But the office culture, she'd bring them coffee and then leave."

"Oliver would be a client," Nico Santos says. "He'll come to the ad agency with some asks."

You can stream the first two episodes of The Z-Suite on Tubi now! Check out Lauren Graham's First Instagram Post Is The Perfect Lorelai Gilmore Throwback for more Lauren love!

You read that correctly: Tom Brady and Irina Shayk (yes, Bradley Cooper's ex-wife) may be back together. Despite the fact we thought the former pro-football player and Gisele Bündchen were endgame, we discovered some good things don't last forever. But the heartbreak didn't seem to matter once Tom found model Irina Shayk — at least until they broke up for a while.

Imagine everyone's surprise now that the two are allegedly dating again. It's like the tale of the two exes who can't leave each other alone no matter how hard they try. Whether this is good or bad is TBD, but we're intrigued either way!

Here's what to know about Tom Brady & Irina Shayk's potentially rekindled relationship!

Victor Boyko/Getty Images

Page Sixreported Tom Brady and Irina Shayk are rumored to be dating again, per a source. The anonymous person said, "Tom and Irina have started dating each other again and are open to see where things go" which seems extremely vague.

Adding more ambiguity to the will-they-won't-they rumor mill? A second source revealedthat the former couple had "been talking on the phone" around the New Year — and were allegedly planning a trip together — according to Page Six. "Neither one is in a serious relationship right now, so why not take a trip.”

Jane Gershovich/Getty Images

Prior to this, Tom Brady and Irina Shayk only dated for a short time before closing their door on their relationship. TMZ exclusively reported they'd chosen to amicably break up because things simply "fizzled out." According to an earlier Page Six article, the sexy couple were no longer spotted together at different events which raised eyebrows about their dating status.

It's safe to say that Tom Brady & Irina Shayk's "relationship" may have been more of a "situationship" because they were first linked after paparazzi spotted the latter being picked up from Hotel Bel-Air by Brady last summer (via Page Six). The eager photographers must've camped out at Tom's house overnight because they also spotted the two leaving his home the next morning. One can only assumed what happened, but it seems like they reportedly had a date shortly after that (via Page Six).

Beatriz Velasco/Getty Images

The former couple have yet to make public comments about if they're dating or not — they could just be having fun! If either way is the case, we wish them all the luck in the world!

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1923 is back! After two years of wondering how Alex and Spencer would find each other after their separation, if Jacob and Cara would survive the attempt to steal their ranch, and if Teonna would make it to safety, the 1923 season 2 premiere is answering some of our biggest questions. Although actress Michelle Randolph told me we might have to wait until the end of the season to see whether the show "fills in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree, we're already getting plenty of info.

Here's everything you missed in the 1923 season 2 premiere, "The Killing Season."

In the '1923' season 2 premiere, Jacob & Cara Dutton are protecting their ranch.

Right at the beginning of the episode, we get a beautiful look at Montana and the Yellowstone ranch, with Cara Dutton revealing via narration they've sold everything except 4 bulls and 100 heifers to pay off some of the money they owe Whitfield — and that it's up to Spencer to rebuild everything they've lost.

Jacob and Jack leave the ranch for a hearing — and come face-to-face with a mountain lion on the porch. However, the lion races off before Jacob can kill it, and after Cara jokes it's comforting Jacob now has something to worry about, Jacob tells her he's "always worried, honey" and gives her a kiss. I am simply obsessed with them!! (I also need them both to make it to the end of the series, I'm so serious).

The mountain lion doesn't last for long, however, after it returns, almost attacks Elizabeth, and gets shot by Cara.

In town, Jacob (and us) learn Zane and Alice's marriage has been rendered void after they were attacked & arrested for miscegenation last season — and that Whitfield is behind everything...to literally no one's surprise.

Whitfield's still thinking about the Duttons himself, talking about how Jacob might be strong and mighty like a bear, but enough bee stings can lead to the bear's death ("Death by a Thousand Cuts" anyone?). He finds reassurance in the knowledge the trial is another metaphorical bee sting for Jacob Dutton to, well, bear.

Banner Creighton's also preparing for the trial, and tells his wife that after a lifetime of struggle, Whitfield's new provision means their son has a future. "I'll lay with the devil to give him that," he says. Chills me to my very core.

Teonna Rainwater is still on the run.

Father Renaud and his men are still on the hunt for Teonna. Unfortunately I do mean that very literally because they attack a Comanche village in their pursuit, but Teonna, thank goodness, is safe with her father and Pete, the latter of whom she finally starts a romantic relationship with.

But right when they're starting to get ~cozy~ (if you catch my drift), they notice a horseback rider — and learn from him that they're in Texas (don't worry, the horseback rider isn't Father Renaud).

And Spencer & Alex are fighting to get back to each other.

Spencer's latest sea voyage is a lot less relaxing than we saw at the end of season 1; he's working in the bottom of a ship, where he becomes friends with Luca after defending the younger man from a rapist and saving him from jumping into the ocean. And, okay, we're only one episode in and they've already formed a really sweet bond that I hope continues through the whole season — maybe Luca can come back to the ranch!

Our favorite Dutton hero now has two missions: get back to his family and find Alex. So, to get some money and get it quick, Spencer starts a couple of one-on-one fights while Luca collects bets. Of course, Spencer wins. (Duh).

Meanwhile, back in England, Alex is still mourning her separation from Spencer. And when Jennifer visits her, Alex reveals she's desperate to get to Montana is because she's actually pregnant with Spencer's child. WHAT! I need 5-7 business days to process this information! Who knows, maybe Alex and Spencer are ancestors of John Dutton? (Beth definitely shares Alex and Spencer's grit and spunk, hello). Alex ropes Jennifer into selling her jewelry to book passage to America...even if that passage ends up being in the thieves and beggars class.

Whew! I can't wait to tune in next week to see what the future has in store for the Duttons.

What time does 1923 air?

New episodes of 1923 season 2 airs on Paramount+ at 12 AM EST/9PM EST.

See our interview with Julia Schlaepfer for more — and read up on The 1923 Season 1 Ending, Deaths, & Betrayals, Explained for a refresher.

This post has been updated.