Andrea Mara on Such a Nice Girl: When Friendship and Motherhood Collide
In this episode bestselling author Andrea Mara joins me to talk about her gripping new thriller Such a Nice Girl, released today. We get into the story behind the book, which begins the morning after a glamorous wedding when two mothers wake to find their daughters missing. What follows is a tense and emotional unravelling of friendship, trust, and the quiet fears that sit beneath family life.
Andrea shares what inspired the novel and how she builds that sense of unease that keeps readers turning pages. We also talk about her writing process, the balance between character and plot and how much she loves to come up with great red herrings.
Of course, no episode of Best Book Forward is complete without book recommendations. Here are the books that have shaped Andrea. You’ll find links to buy below:
Books by Andrea:
Andrea’s Book Choices:
The Jackson Brodie Series by Kate Atkinson
The Chimney Sweeper Boy by Barbara Vine
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Margot's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Other Books Mentioned
On Writing by Stephen King
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson
Small Mercies by Denis Lehane
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
I’ll be back next week with another author conversation, and I’d love for you to join me for that too.
In the meantime, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Best Book Forward, and don’t forget to tell your friends. It really helps new listeners discover the show.
See you tomorrow, and happy listening.
Listen & Subscribe Now:
https://best-book-forward.captivate.fm/listen
To stay in touch with Best Book Forward news please follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward or visit my website: https://bestbookforward.org/
Andrea Mara on Such a Nice Girl: When Friendship and Motherhood Collide
In this episode bestselling author Andrea Mara joins me to talk about her gripping new thriller Such a Nice Girl, released today. We get into the story behind the book, which begins the morning after a glamorous wedding when two mothers wake to find their daughters missing. What follows is a tense and emotional unravelling of friendship, trust, and the quiet fears that sit beneath family life.
Andrea shares what inspired the novel and how she builds that sense of unease that keeps readers turning pages. We also talk about her writing process, the balance between character and plot, and the journey to becoming a bestselling thriller author. It is a really fascinating look at how a story comes together and what drives her to keep writing darker, more complex narratives.
What we talk about:
- The inspiration behind Such a Nice Girl
- Why stories about motherhood and friendship resonate so deeply
- Building suspense through character and everyday fears
- Andrea’s writing process and how her ideas develop
- Her journey to becoming a bestselling author
Books that shaped Andrea
Of course, no episode of Best Book Forward is complete without book recommendations. Here are the books that have shaped Andrea. You’ll find links to buy below:
I’ll be back next week with another author conversation, and I’d love for you to join me for that too.
In the meantime, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Best Book Forward, and don’t forget to tell your friends. It really helps new listeners discover the show.
See you tomorrow, and happy listening.
Listen & Subscribe Now:
https://best-book-forward.captivate.fm/listen
To stay in touch with Best Book Forward news please follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward or visit my website: https://bestbookforward.org/
