20 Captivating Shondaland Book Club Picks You Won't Be Able To Put Down

See How They Fall by Rachel Paris (April 29, 2025)

Skye thought marrying into the rich Turner family was a dream come true, but years later, she’s stuck in a world of secrets, trying to maintain a facade of normalcy for her daughter, Tilly. That fragile facade comes crashing down when the family patriarch, Sir Campbell Turner, dies unexpectedly, and an unknown heir shows up to claim his fortune. The Turners invite the newcomer to a weekend retreat at their stunning seaside estate, but what starts as a tense gathering quickly turns deadly. By the end of the night, one person is dead, and another is fighting for their life.

The Ten Worst People in New York by Matt Plass (March 18, 2025)

The Ten Worst People in New York are dying one by one, and no one knows why. After a series of suspicious deaths — including a corrupt councilor and a real estate mogul — FBI Agent Alex Bedford is sure foul play is involved. Meanwhile, British filmmaker Jacob Felle arrives in the city to reconnect with his estranged sister but soon becomes a prime suspect in the case. As the two race to uncover the truth, they must confront their darkest fears and work together to stop the next death. This book is a thrilling ride full of twists, mystery, and murder.

One in Four by Lucinda Berry (May 13, 2025)

A reality show about former child stars battling addiction spirals into chaos when a murder rocks the set, and therapist Dr. Laurel Harlow is thrust into the investigation. Amidst a mansion full of narcissistic stars, Laurel must navigate their secrets and her own buried past to find the killer. With each patient hiding something, Laurel races against time to uncover the truth — and face the demons she’s kept hidden. The stakes couldn’t be higher in this gripping tale of deception and suspense.

Marguerite by the Lake by Mary Dixie Carter (May 20, 2025)

When lifestyle icon Marguerite Gray tragically falls to her death from a cliff, Phoenix, her young gardener, is thrust into a web of lies and danger. The affair between Phoenix and Geoffrey, Marguerite’s husband, began after Phoenix saved his life from a falling tree during a storm, igniting a forbidden attraction. But with Marguerite's sudden death, Phoenix becomes entangled in a growing mystery. As Detective Hanna and Marguerite’s sharp-eyed daughter close in on the truth, Phoenix must confront the consequences of her actions, navigating a dangerous path of deception and betrayal that could destroy everything she’s worked for.

The Close-Up by Pip Drysdale

Imagine writing a thriller, only to have the most violent scenes reenacted against you by the stalker of your old flame. That’s Zoe Ann Weiss’s nightmare come true in The Close-Up. After reconnecting with her ex-situationship, Zach — the bartender turned famous actor — Zoe’s life takes a dark turn as Zach’s stalker begins mirroring the chilling events from her book. As the violent reenactments escalate, Zoe finds herself trapped in a twisted game where the lines between fiction and reality blur, and her life is on the line. Can she survive the horrors she wrote, or will the stalker make her story all too real?

The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz (May 20, 2025)

Abby travels to Isla Colel, the tropical paradise where her fiancée, Eszter, tragically died, hoping to find closure. But what she uncovers instead is a web of secrets, lies, and danger lurking beneath the island’s idyllic surface. As Abby befriends a group of expats, she learns one of them knows the truth about Eszter’s death — only for that person to mysteriously disappear. Determined to uncover the truth, Abby dives deeper into the island’s haunting past, but the closer she gets to the killer, the more she realizes she might be the next victim.

Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon (July 8, 2025)

A siblings reunion at a luxurious desert resort takes a dark turn when a woman is found murdered, forcing them to confront a tragic past they’ve tried to forget. Once inseparable, Frida and Gabriel have grown distant after a life-altering trauma, but their bond is tested once again when their shared history in a fanatical cult comes back to haunt them. As the investigation unfolds and secrets from their past emerge, they must grapple with what they’ve hidden from each other — and themselves. With tension building between present and past timelines, Our Last Resort is a heart-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until the shocking end.

They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall

Miriam Macy is thrilled when she receives a surprise invitation to a luxurious private island off the coast of Mexico, joining six strangers for what’s promised to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, once they arrive, the group discovers they've been lured there under false pretenses, each person hiding a dark secret. With limited cell service and miles of ocean separating them from the outside world, strange accidents begin to unfold, and suspicions grow. As tension builds and danger closes in, Miriam realizes no one is safe — and one by one they all fall down.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger

Maverick Dillan, the charismatic daredevil, invites contestants to Falcao Island for the ultimate game of hide-and-seek — but no one expects it to turn deadly. What starts as a thrilling social media stunt quickly escalates into a life-or-death struggle for survival as a storm rages and a lethal threat stalks the players. Adele, a determined single mother, is caught up in the game, unaware that it has morphed into something far more sinister than anyone could have imagined. As the pressure mounts and the danger escalates, Adele must maneuver through the perilous island and stay alive — before time runs out.

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

When Mila del Angél is invited by the mysterious J.R. Alastor to host a writing retreat for a group of thriller authors at a private island estate; she thinks it’s the perfect opportunity for revenge against a fellow writer. But what begins as a week of games and writerly tropes soon turns deadly when one of the guests is murdered — and it’s not the victim Mila had planned. Trapped on the island with a storm cutting off all escape, Mila must navigate a deadly web of deceit and misdirection. As the body count rises, she must outwit a killer who knows literally every trick in the book.

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

Bestselling author Eleanor Dash is ready to finish her Italian book tour and finally write the death of her main character, Connor Smith, in her Vacation Mysteries series. But when someone attempts to kill the real Connor — a charming but frustrating con man she can’t seem to shake off — Eleanor is pulled into a real-life mystery. Surrounded by literary rivals, obsessive fans, and an unexpected ex, Eleanor must sift through lies, betrayals, and old wounds to uncover who’s behind the crime. As the tour takes an unexpected turn, Eleanor realizes she may be the only one who can stop a killer from striking again.

Saltwater by Katy Hays

Thirty years after Sarah Lingate’s mysterious death on the cliffs of Capri, the Lingate family returns to their villa to find a shocking discovery: the necklace Sarah was wearing the night she died. As the family gathers around, tensions rise and they are pushed to a breaking point. Helen, Sarah’s daughter, sees this as an opportunity to finally escape the suffocating control of her family, enlisting the help of Lorna Moreno, a trusted family assistant. But when Lorna disappears and the investigation into Sarah’s death is reopened, it becomes clear: someone in the family is hiding a deadly truth. As the Lingates’ carefully constructed facades crumble, Helen must confront the horrifying reality that the murderer has always been one of them — and not everyone will make it off the island alive.

What is Only Murders in the Building season 5 about?

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Plot

We finally got our first details about Only Murders season 5 — and we're going in a direction I totally didn't expect. When Sofia visits Mabel and Charles in the season 4 ending, and asks them to find her missing husband, she's disappointed when they turn her down. And since Téa Leoni just joined the season 5 cast, it looks like she's not taking no for an answer.

“I think she’s the great tease at the end of the finale and a little bit of an intriguing bump forward,” co-creator John Hoffman says in an interview with Deadline. “She’s an extension of the little news report in Episode 9 that Mabel makes note of at the hospital. [Sofia] is the wife of the Dry Cleaning King of Brooklyn, and maybe a couple of dry cleaning outlets in Manhattan, as well, we may come to know...It’s a world opened up potentially that we haven’t talked about too much yet in New York, so she holds a lot of intrigue.”

New York's underground is a wild space that we haven't really seen on Only Murders yet so I know we're in for one very interesting season — because if this show is going to go there, they're going to go there.

Executive producer Dan Fogelman told The Wrapwe can look forward to “another big fun mystery the writers have been cooking up," while Hoffman has gone on the record saying the new episodes will “hit on some very current things going on within New York, specifically very relevant things that are happening in the city right now.”

When is Only Murders in the Building season 5 coming out?

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Release Date

According to The Wrap, Only Murders is looking to begin production on season 5 in March of 2025. Considering we've had a new season over the last four years (with season 1 in 2021, season 2 in 2022, season 3 in 2023, and season 4 in 2024), we're expecting to see season 5 in 2025. Stay tuned for the official Only Murders in the Building season 5 release date.

Who's in Only Murders in the Building season 5?

Only Murders in the Building Season 5 Cast

The cast of Only Murders in the Building includes Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin. Téa Leoni will also return as Sofia Caccimelio, whose husband Nicky has gone missing.

According to Dan Fogelman, “we can expect more big guest stars that’ll probably be announced sooner rather than later,” he tells The Wrap.

Season 3 featured Ashley Park, Paul Rudd, Meryl Streep, and Jesse Williams, while season 4 stars Streep, Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, Kumail Nanjiani, Desmin Borges, Siena Werber, Lilian Rebelo, and Molly Shannon.

"I am so grateful that I have been surrounded by human beings that make me better, challenge me, remind me day after day that every moment is a gift," Selena Gomez says about working with Martin and Short. "That’s my pure joy. I thank god for the era I’m in. It’s been the best yet."

Will there be an Only Murders in the Building season 5?

Yes, Only Murders in the Building has been renewed for season 5! On September 4, Variety confirmed the next installment will have 10 episodes, just like the seasons before it. The latest season premiered on Hulu August 27, and will last until October 29 (just in time to try out an Only Murders Halloween costume!)

Just like the season 3 ending set up season 4, we'll have to wait for the October finale to figure out what kind of mayhem Mabel, Oliver, and Charles will get into next season. "We hope you like it!" Selena Gomez says in the Only Murders in the Building account's announcement, while Martin Short adds, "How exciting is that?"

"We're so exciting to be coming back," Steve Martin says. We're excited too!!

1. Soap Carving

Soap carving was once an accessible hobby that allowed people of all ages and skill levels to create intricate designs from simple bars of soap. Armed with basic carving tools like knives, you were able to transform an everyday object into a work of art, like a delicate flower or animal.

This pastime not only offered a creative outlet but also culminated in a functional home decor item. Yet, as new crafting materials like plastics became more widely available, soap carving faded from popularity.

2. Quilting Bees

These social gatherings brought women together and provided a chance for friends and neighbors to collaborate on large quilting projects. They turned an often solitary task into a communal experience filled with laughter and conversation.

So, the resulting quilts were viewed as deeply sentimental, not just due to the joint effort but also because they often incorporated fabrics from old clothing or keepsakes.

Then, the rise of industrialization and the availability of cheap, mass-produced bedding caused quilting bees to become much more rare.

3. Macrame

Another popular craft was macrame, which involved knotting ropes or cords into intricate, decorative patterns. You could use various knotting techniques to create unique pieces, from plant hangers to wall hangings.

This hobby helped add bohemian flair to homes and allowed for endless creative possibilities. It also became a symbol of the 1960s and 1970s counterculture.

4. Drive-In Movies

Long before the rise of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, going to the drive-in movie theater was a favorite weekend tradition for many. It was a unique (and social) way to enjoy films under the stars.

People would pack into their cars, bring along snacks and drinks, and settle in to watch the latest movies on a big outdoor screen. Not only did this pastime force you to actually go somewhere to see a new film, as opposed to laying in your bed at home, but it also provided a lively and nostalgic atmosphere.

5. Rock Tumbling

This hands-on activity allowed people to turn their rough stones into shiny and smooth gems. Hobbyists would get outside, gather cool-looking rocks in nature, place them in a tumbler filled with abrasive grit, and allow the machine to rotate for a couple of weeks.

Over time, the friction and grinding would smooth the surfaces, revealing the natural beauty hidden beneath each stone's rough exterior. It was relaxing and rewarding and encouraged Boomers to have patience and appreciate the world around them.

6. Going Dancing

Walk into any major club today, and you probably won't see a lot of dancing (at least in the traditional sense). Modern venues feature mostly EDM shows now, with attendees bouncing or fist-bumping away. But back in the day, local ballrooms, sock hops, and even discos were really "happening."

Dance floors were filled with singles and couples swinging and jiving away to everything from jazz and rock 'n' roll to even pop hits. Going dancing got people out, moving, and enjoying each other's company. It's time to bring real dancing back to today's nightlife scene.

7. Model Rockets

During the 1960s, building and launching model rockets was a thrilling hobby that captured the attention of people, both young and old. Enthusiasts would carefully assemble small rockets using materials like molded plastic, cardboard, paper, and tubing, then laugh them into the sky.

Aside from being exciting, this activity was also educational, sparking interest in science and engineering.

8. Sand Art

Sand art was another go-to hobby in the '60s, with people layering or arranging colorful sand into intricate patterns inside glass containers.

You could really get creative with colors, textures, and shapes. Not to mention, sand art was pretty accessible and became a fun way to make decorative pieces for the home.

9. Plant Pressing

This timeless hobby involved collecting plants, flowers, and leaves before carefully pressing them between sheets of paper to preserve their form and color. It allowed people to explore nature and learn about the diverse plant life in their local area.

The best part? The pressed plants could be used for a range of creative purposes, from making beautiful flower arrangements to decorating cards.

10. Pinball Arcades

If you want to play a game with your friends today, you might turn on your PlayStation or Xbox, plop in front of your TV, and throw on a headset. However, boomers got to experience the excitement of playing in real life at pinball arcades.

By actually going to the arcade, they enjoyed face-to-face socialization in an interactive and immersive environment. There were bright lights, cool sounds, and competition to beat high scores that actually got adrenaline pumping.