Lowcountry authors bring fresh voices to summer reading lists
From cold-case crime solving to therapeutic film analysis and sharply observed humor, this summer’s crop of new books by Lowcountry authors offers something for nearly every reader.
Whether you’re spending quiet mornings on the porch, beating the heat with an audiobook, or planning a vacation read, three newly released titles—and a fourth on the horizon—highlight the creative output of local writers with national appeal.
Homicide fiction meets island charm in new series
Hilton Head Island resident Brian Thiem, a retired Oakland Police Department lieutenant and longtime volunteer with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Team, is launching a new crime fiction series with The Mudflats Murder Club, publishing July 29th, 2025 by Severn River Publishing.
Set on fictional Spartina Island, the book introduces Sean Tanner, a widow and retired detective, adjusting to life in a quiet coastal retirement community. He soon finds himself drawn into the Mudflats Murder Club, a group of retired detectives, prosecutors, and forensic experts who are engrossed in solving the 38-year-old unsolved murder of Theresa Goldberg. When the quiet of the community is shattered when Sean’s neighbor, Nancy Russo, is found dead in her home the club jumps into the fray. When Sean and his cohorts uncover a shocking connection between Nancy’s murder and their long-standing cold case, everything they thought they knew goes up in flames.
• Publishing Date: July 29th, 2025
• Formats: eBook, Paperback, Audiobook
• ISBN: 9781648756283 (Paperback)
• Page Count: 354
• Publisher: Severn River Publishing
• Genre: Crime Thriller
• Website: www.brianthiem.com
Jaws as therapy? Local counselor offers cinematic insights
Bluffton therapist Michael Pecosh brings a unique perspective to one of cinema’s most iconic thrillers in his new book Jaws Therapy: A Counselor’s Insights on the Iconic Film. Released this summer to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the 1975 movie, Pecosh’s book analyzes Jaws through the lens of personal growth and psychological resilience.
“Though it may surprise many to hear it,” says Pecosh, “I believe that Jaws is one of the best therapy movies ever, too.” Mr. Pecosh believes that its popularity endures for many reasons. “It obviously is a compelling story and gripping adaptation of Peter Benchley’s original novel. Directed by Steven Spielberg, scored by John Williams and starring three legendary actors, it has everything a movie-lover could want. But I think the appeal is even broader: it speaks to us on levels both subtle and heroic.”
• Formats: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
• Genre: Self-help / Film Studies / Psychology
• Website: www.jawstherapy.com
Satirical essays from Hilton Head author hit familiar nerves
Longtime Hilton Head resident Frank Lazarus shifts from mystery writing to social satire in his new release, Is Anything All Right? Observations of a Misanthrope, a collection of irreverent essays drawn from two decades of his blog, A Blog About Nothing.
In his unique and irreverent style, Lazarus covers a wide range of things, people, and businesses that confuse, annoy, and piss him off, including: Ordering a Donut at ‘Dunkin, Why Would Anyone Own a Pet, The Top Ten Reasons for Dating Frank Lazarus, What to Wear to Your Own Funeral, Sitzpinkling, Why Do People Go Fishing, Why Do We Bother Praying, and I Might Have to Kill My Cleaning Woman.
• Formats: Paperback, eBook
• Genre: Humor / Essays / Satire
• Available at: Amazon
New release: practical tools for managing teams and leading organizations
Now available from Routledge, Dr. Richard G. Hammes’ new book The Management Puzzle Solved: Hiring, Developing, Managing, Leading offers a complete toolkit for business leaders and HR professionals.
Drawing on decades of consulting experience across industries, Hammes presents a structured, easy-to-follow guide that includes original frameworks, practical forms, and field-tested techniques to build effective teams and retain top talent.
This comprehensive manual is ideal for managers, consultants, HR practitioners, and business educators seeking reliable methods for improving organizational performance and employee development.
• Publishing Date: June 24th, 2025
• Formats: Hardback, Paperback, eBook
• ISBN: 9781041028710 (Paperback)
• Page Count: 298
• Publisher: Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group)
• Genre: Business / Leadership / Human Resource Management
• Book Website: routledge.com
