At a glance
Contemporary fiction
The Messy Lives of Book People
Liv Green cleans houses to support her family while privately dreaming of becoming a writer. Her favorite client is Essie Starling, a reclusive bestselling novelist whose guarded life fascinates the readers who know almost nothing about her. After Essie's sudden death, Liv receives the astonishing request that she complete the author's unfinished final book. Warm and mystery-tinged, this novel suits readers who enjoy books about writers, hidden manuscripts, complicated creative ambition, domestic workers with overlooked talents, and stories asking what an author owes her family, her audience, and the person entrusted with her ending.
Orange-Vanilla Root Beer + Chapterhouse Amber Ale
Choose your bookseller
Find the Book
Print retailers offer a search when an exact edition is unavailable. Kindle links open a specific edition. Audiobook links may open an edition or a search.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Book Bartender earns from qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org links also earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. Your price is not affected. Read the full affiliate disclosure.
No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
Death and bereavement; grief; family secrets; deception and identity concerns; difficult family relationships; romantic content; emotional distress.
Alcohol-Free Pour
Orange-Vanilla Root Beer
Vanilla softens the spice of root beer, while a splash of orange keeps every sip lively.
What you'll need
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.How to mix it
- Fill a tall glass with ice. Add syrup and citrus, top with root beer or sarsaparilla, and stir gently.
- Garnish: Citrus wedge.
- Glassware: Highball glass.
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Highball glass ↗Cocktail Pour · 21+
Chapterhouse Amber Ale
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
A mellow, malty pour suits an evening of clues and clever sleuthing.
How to mix it
- Pour into a clean pint glass and serve at the appropriate cool serving temperature.
- Garnish: None.
- Glassware: Pint glass.
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Pint glass ↗Set up the bar cart
Shop the Barware
Find the glasses and tools for your next pour.