Who Anna Quindlen is

The bestselling author won a Pulitzer Prize in 1992 for her New York Times columns. Her recent novels include After Annie and More Than Enough.

A Glasgow crime thriller

Field of Blood follows journalist Paddy Meehan in 1981 Glasgow. When a toddler is murdered, the only suspect is her fiancé's 11-year-old cousin.

Why Quindlen loves Denise Mina

As a former newspaper copy girl, Quindlen connects with Paddy's attempts to climb the ladder at a Glasgow daily while investigating a brutal murder.

“I buy anything Mina writes, but as a former newspaper copy girl I'm particularly fond of her novels about Paddy Meehan”

Ann Patchett's family masterpiece

Commonwealth spans 50 years, starting when a man kisses another man's wife at a christening party. The reckless moment destroys two families and creates a new one.

Better than Bel Canto

Quindlen calls Commonwealth a pitch-perfect look at the messiness of family life among six stepsiblings. Most fans thought Patchett could never top her 2001 award-winner.

“Most Patchett fans, and they are legion, probably suspected she could never beat Bel Canto”

An 18th-century London tale

Slammerkin follows Mary Saunders, whose fascination with a red ribbon leads her to become a prostitute. The novel has a plot twist no one sees coming.

Before Room became famous

Emma Donoghue wrote Slammerkin long before her bestseller Room. Quindlen calls it a wonderful read for anyone who loves English doorstop novels.

“It's a wonderful read for anyone who loves English doorstop novels”

A drug queen's revenge

Babs Dionne controls the drug flow in Waterville, Maine. When her youngest daughter is found dead, the entire town seeks shelter from her wrath.

Quindlen's highest praise

For Ron Currie's multiperspective crime novel, Quindlen uses just two words: genius and blown away.

“There's only one word for this novel. Genius. Blown away.”