Bookwild - Big Hair and Big Secrets: May Cobb's All The Little Houses

Episode Date: February 6, 2026

This week, Gare and I chat with May Cobb about her new, messy thriller All the Little Houses! She shares the inspiration for the story, how she managed multiple POVs, and what it was like on the set of The Hunting Wives.All the Little Houses SynopsisIt's the mid-1980s in the tiny town of Longview, Texas. Nellie Anderson, the beautiful daughter of the Anderson family dynasty, has burst onto the scene. She always gets what she wants. What she can't get for herself… well, that's what her mother is for. Because Charleigh Andersen, blond, beautiful, and ruthlessly cunning, remembers all too well having to claw her way to the top. When she was coming of age on the poor side of East Texas, she was a loser, an outcast, humiliated, and shunned by the in-crowd, whose approval she'd so desperately thirsted for. When a prairie-kissed family moves to town, all trad wife, woodworking dad, wholesome daughter vibes, Charleigh's entire self-made social empire threatens to crumble. Who will be left standing when the dust settles? Check Out Author Social Media PackagesCheck out the Bookwild Community on PatreonCheck Out My Stories Are My Religion SubstackGet Bookwild MerchFollow @imbookwild on InstagramOther Co-hosts On Instagram:Gare Billings @gareindeedreadsSteph Lauer @books.in.badgerlandHalley Sutton @halleysutton25Brian Watson @readingwithbrianMacKenzie Green @missusa2mba 

This week, Gare and I got to talk with the May Cobb about her newest thriller, All the Little Houses. It was a very fun conversation, as you can imagine, with the two of us with her. But here's what the book is about. It's the mid-1980s in the tiny town of Longview, Texas. Nellie Anderson, the beautiful daughter of the Anderson family dynasty, has burst onto the scene. She always gets what she wants. What she can't get for herself, well, that's what her mother is.

for because Charlie Anderson, blonde, beautiful, and relentlessly cunning, remembers all too well having to claw her way to the top. When she was coming of age on the poor side of East Texas, she was a loser and outcast, humiliated and shunned by the in crowd, whose approval she'd so desperately thirsted for. When a prairie-kissed family moves to town, all tradwife, woodworking dad, wholesome daughter vibes. Charlie's entire self-made social empire threatens to crumble. Who will be left standing when the dust settles? If you read the Hunting Wives, if you watched the Hunting Wives, if you did both, if you loved either version, you are going to love the madness and the chaos of all the little houses. It is so fun and we did get to talk a little bit about being on set for the Hunting Wives.

So there's just a little bit of everything in this conversation. I think you guys are really going to enjoy this episode and the book. So that being said, let's hear from May. I'm with Gare and we are with May Cobb to talk about her newest crazy people doing crazy stuff thriller, all the little houses. If you're on YouTube, you can look at Gare or May's screen because they have versions of it, but I listen to it. So mine's on my phone.

But yeah, I am so excited to talk to you about this one, May. Thank you for having me on y'all know how much I love talking to y'all. So this is like such a love you. Love y'all. Yeah. I'm super excited. I had to. So before we totally get into your newest book, we have not talked to you since the Hunting Wires premiered on Netflix.

Yeah. So I don't know how much you can say about anything, but really quickly, what was that experience like? And it got renewed for a second season, right? Yes. it seriously was like the most fun roller coaster ride at an amusement park I've ever been out in my life. I knew when I saw the early mixes in the spring that like this show's going to go bonkers because they had done such a great job with it. And so when it moved to Netflix and then it came out and then it hit number one, I mean, I was just so surprised and also so happy because they really, did make an addictive fun show. And I'm, I'm super grateful that it landed with the creative team

that it did because, wow, they just really, they just really hit it out of the park. So it's just been bonkers in the best possible way. I bet. And see, they're filming season two as we speak. It's exciting. I had so many friends who like aren't readers who were like posting about it. And I would talk with them and I'd be like yeah I know the author and they're like what and I was like you can go listen to us talk about her other books here yeah I did too yeah I have like a we do I work remotely so we have like a lunch once a week that I go to for like our work meeting but we just eat lunch and like kind of talk about whatever we have to and people were talking about it at my lunch about like how wild and crazy the show is and I was like

I am I'm friends with the author that wrote that book and they're like no you're not and I was like I could literally text or FaceTime her right now and like pull your name up on my phone I'm like this is not just an Instagram DM like I could call her right now and I will one day you're going to get like a random call because I'm like then they're like oh my god Gary you're famous and I was like they're like you know celebrities so even the people I work with who are not readers know that you, May Cobb, are a big time celebrity. Yes.

I am not a celebrity, but I'm happy to be on the bandwagon with the hunting lines. Yeah. You are a celebrity. Did I see that you and your mom got to kind of have like a cameo moment, too? Or was it just you? I can remember. It was super fun. Rebecca Cutter, the showrunner, is just the freaking best.

We're friends and everything, and she's just been so lovely from the minute everything started. and so inclusive of me. And I mentioned to her, you know, mom and I are going to pop out. And she was like, we're literally, you know, in the Uber heading to the airport. She's like, oh, we all should be in it. Are you up for that? And I was like, well, absolutely. Mom, we're going to.

And she was like, oh, okay, cool. So it was just so much fun to, like, sit in the hair and make up trailer with mom. Yeah. With the wardrobe and then get to, you know, not only watch the scene, but be in it, you know, very background, but still we were like right there. Yeah. Such a cool experience. And I'm just really glad that she, you know, it's once in a lifetime stuff. So I was like, I don't know.

You know. So it was fun. It was a fun. That was very fun. That must have been such an amazing experience for like your mom too, because I'm sure she's incredibly proud of you and like all of your success. And for her to like find herself on the set of a TV show that is only how. happening because of her daughter must have been like an incredible moment for her too. It really was. I mean, she's, she is, she's so proud. She loves the show. Um, you know,

the idea for the book came from her. So it's hunting wives. Yeah. Oh my gosh. That's crazy. I know, I know. I mean, she had told me and I don't, we don't have to like get all into this because I know we're going to about little houses. But yeah, she told me about in high school, the rich boys invited her out to something called the hunting party one night and they would sit on their like big cars and shoot it like small game and I was like that could go wrong so many ways and then that's kind of had the idea that like okay let me make it a female club and set it in press the day and so yeah she gets he gets all the credit that's amazing I love that so much mom I know I think she's getting the thriller fest with me that's that's exciting

Oh, that's cool. That's really exciting. If you're watching on video, May came on wearing her Thriller Fest hat. And you might be able to tell that I still don't know if I'm wearing this correctly, but we're wearing our matching Thriller Fest hats for fun. Because why not? Well, I can't want it better. I don't know.

I think you're both rocking it pretty while. I'm not going to lie. Well, with all the little houses, there's a lot of stuff going on. on. It's, it's Texas again. And the 1980s, then we have kind of, uh, even more old school family going on. But what, what was the idea for this one or what was like that inspiration moment? Yeah, it really was, um, okay, back when I was on Twitter in the 1800s, one day, I tweeted out Little House on the Prairie, but Make It Horror, because I grew up watching that show. You're too young to have, like, been to like.

I watched it and I read the whole series too. Oh, my gosh. Oh, that's amazing. Yeah. And then my friend Riley Sager tweeted back and he's like, I'd watch the hell out of that. And so it kind of became a joke between us. Oh. And I wrote a couple more books.

And then I was like, you know, I do want to do that. but I don't know how to write horror, so I'm going to make it my soapy murder mystery. And at the time I was reading Girls in Their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier, which we'll know and I just love that book.

I'm obsessed with that book. It's on my bedside table right over there. I pick it up, I don't know, every other week and just flip to a passage. I love her black comedy. Yes, she is so funny. Yeah, it's like, you know,

Heather's, but on. horses and and I love the ensemble cast and so I was like what I kind of want to do next so it was a real inspo for me that book yeah Heather's is one of my favorite movies in the entire world okay isn't it the best ever oh my god like it is so I'm obsessed with black comedies yeah yeah but like heathers and the War the Roses are my two favorite black comedies we know we love War the Roses oh god we were just watching it last night right I did I did I did watch it last night. Oh my God.

Yeah. I saw your movie. You were teaching Murphy the good stuff. I was like Murphy, you have to watch. He was very happy that the dog lived. So, you know, because every time the dog barked, he was like, oh, my God, what's happening? But, yeah, I love. I also love that book by Eliza Jane Brazier.

She's got a really black and pink cover, too. Yes. Yes. It's amazing. So good. Murphy. Do you have a question, Gere? No.

Oh, okay. I thought for me, I was like, I was like thinking of one and then I was like, you open your mouth. So I was like, you go ahead. Okay. So we were both doing that. One of the things I always wonder when there's like a really big cast and this one is like also multiple points of view too. I don't know why I just suddenly acted like our audience would know what POV was. but for some reason I did.

I need reminding. I'm like, huh? I have four B or bees. I'm like, okay, I wrote the book two years ago. I have no idea what it was. Well, do you remember what, like, how do you know how many people, like how many points of view you want to write or like, how do you know when you're like, yes, this is the cast of people.

This is the amount that I need. That was tricky because I have, I think the most I've done before is. three in My Summer Darling's. And so I was like, but I think I had decided on Jane, Nellie, Charlie, and then Jackson was going to

kind of be the Greek chorus, kind of the only one in any kind of moral compass and kind of just like a peripheral voice that would weigh in and then I just fell in love with him and then he kind of took over. Yeah. Your character. So

it's really about who I'm hearing in my head. I did have a moment where I thought we should have heard from one of the others and then I was like, nope, I think that's enough. So yeah. Yeah. She's kind of instinctual and like who's coming to you at the time. Yeah. That makes sense.

Yeah. I love Jackson so much. I have such a crush on him. I'm like going to go to Texas and try to find him. Because this is my. this is my favorite cast of yours yet. Oh my God, thank you. Like, I don't, there's something that like, even if their personalities, like, it just seemed like you really like, dug into this like snarky side of like every character, but they weren't all snarky in the same way.

So with like the multiple POV and like even like Jackson was like a little snarky, like I laughed so much when I was reading his point of view. but like they were all snarky and they're like different ways but I was like you really encapsulated a time in the 80s when like before like cancel culture before like all these other people just did not give a flying fuck what they said

and like you captured it like so well like they were like big hair big attitude like just I do not care what I say and like that is the black comedy in this for somebody who like you who likes black comedies was like 10 out of 10. It was so good, especially for like a thriller.

I feel like it's really hard to like balance comedy with like keeping your reader interested and like having your reveals and different twists. And like the way that you balanced it was like absolutely incredible. Thank you so much, Gair. That means a lot to me because I really was trying to lean into like the campiness. And I just wanted to have fun more than anything. And then, yes, remind people that there's murder, that there is a body drop. But really, it's about the banana dafferies and the backstabbing.

And the hairspray. And the hairsprit. And in every room, you know, of every interior, you know, surface, you know, whatever. And I don't know. I love the 80s. So that was super fun to get to, like, go back in time. Yeah. did you choose the 80s for any of like the reasons he was just saying or were you just like

this is happening in the 80s in my mind? I think it is what Gare was getting at and also like that was like the anti-helicopter parenting, you know, your parents were at work and they were like get out of the house. Nobody, you know, I mean, yes, our parents like cared about us and stuff, but it was just so much wilder and freer back then and there was no internet, no Snapchat. And so I definitely, you know, wanted to get in that space where like me and my friends would be in the woods, you know, at 15, you know, at a keg party and just how it's almost spooky, but also like really fun because again, the hairspray. And so, and then also I feel like people that grew up in the 80s watched all the little houses. So I kind of wanted to tap into that nostalgia of the show. Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. I feel like even the people that didn't watch it, though, like, you're kind of, like, introducing them to a different time. Like, I remember it being on, but I've always had the taste that I have now, even as a child. So, like, The War of Roses has been my favorite movie since I was, like, five years old. And, like, I didn't know what was going on, but I knew that I loved it. And, like, this husband and wife are, like, literally being the shit out of each other. And I was, like, this is cinema.

And, but, like, there's, like, something about, like, the way that you like took all of this. And I feel like it's got to be like a little bit easier to write a book in like the 80s because of like technology is so advanced now. Like I think it's actually harder to like commit a crime now than it would have been in the 80s. Because like all like this easy TV. Like even my friend like I share my location with one friend. She's like you never know like what you're going to get up to.

And so she's like I just need to make sure. But like she'll be like, oh like what are you getting at top? Bell or like, oh, are you at your hair appointment? Because she can see where I am. And I'm like, I could never hide a body without you knowing. Yeah. That is so true. So true. And you also need a t-shirt that says, Where the Roses has been my favorite show since I'm five years old. Like, I do. I need to make you one. I'm proud. I told my friend about it last night. He's like a few years younger than I am and he was like well where do you stream it and I was like you don't stream it like you have to like buy it because it's not like it's on Netflix I was like I had the VHS I had the DVD

and now I have it on Apple like I have like went through like every media format with this movie you can think of I love it oh my God it's the best was so something that kind of stuck out to me when I was listening to listening to it. Is the, so it's like in the 80s, but we also have this family coming in who basically, their lifestyle is what is really similar to Little House on the Prairie.

But as I was listening, I was like, of course it was reminding me of like tradwife stuff nowadays since that's like the time period that they're even hearkening back. to basically. But I was like, of course that means there were people doing it in the 1980. There are probably there are probably people who've been doing it like all across time. It's just it got a name because of social media, basically. But did you like any research for

all the things that that like family did and all the potions the mom had and stuff like that? Or like where did that come from for you? Yeah, it actually came from, I have a really good friend who has like 20 acre wildlife habitat outside of Austin. And she's definitely not a trad wife, but she is so phenomenal. She like she's a beekeeper. They make their own honey, candles. They have like they make kombucha.

Like she makes potions. And she's just one of those people that's like super in touch with the natural world in a way that I would aspire to be, but just can never. And she was kind of the inspiration, right? I mean, for Abigail. And then so I started thinking about it like with her as inspo. And then I kind of stumbled on the whole Tradwife thing on Instagram. And I was like, what in the hell is this?

And then I was obsessed. And couldn't get enough. So yeah, that's kind of where that came from, that whole, you know. And it's just. And wow. Yeah, there's so much I could say about. the whole tradwife thing. I was mentioning tradwife because I'm reading a book actually that's very much about that.

And Tyler was like, what does that mean? And I was like, oh. So then I was like trying to explain it to him. He was like, so is it a good thing or is it a bad thing? And I was like, you see the thing is like if a woman wants to do it and it's not like performative. It's just like what she likes to do. Go for it. I was like the things it's associated with is like women staging it and like pretending to like do things that they aren't actually really doing.

So it sounds like your friend is like she's just doing it because she like likes keeping bees. She actually, yeah, she's so phenomenal. And so yeah, that's why it's kind of hard to comment on because people like her and people like her that are. artist about it and then you have the more performative. And so it's the thing where you know some of those tradwives on Instagram, they probably walk across like the pasture and then they check into their like 5,000 square foot whatever house. Yes. No house. And then the other house is totally staged. And they've had helped turning the butter and making the sound whatever the hell they're doing. So it's just, it really is interesting. And then of course, you know, there's all,

you know, all the politics behind like, oh, I want to wear a dress now. And all that gets like, you know, so anyway, that's, yeah. That's how I was like just trying to explain the complexities of it. Where I'm like, again, if you like wearing that, go for it. But I think there are a lot of women just wearing it when they're recording. So yes, or because they, they've got the sponsorship and they send them the dresses. and yes, everyone needs to do what they want. And I don't feel like I'm,

I think there's people who have studied it more than I have that can like speak about it so much more eloquently than me. I just kind of got fascinated by it. And so I wanted to kind of have like a little character that's like that's like that. But there's also something else going on with that family that we won't reveal. But are they as wholesome as? they are pretending to be. Right. You're going to have to read to find out. Oh my God. Did you, so this one, it's going to be a duology or is it possibly more than two books? And then like my kind of follow-up question was, did you know that going into it or did you surprise yourself with your cliffhanger?

I did sort of design it to be two books. Okay. Nice. I don't know if I did it from the beginning, But definitely, like, at least by the midpoint, I was like, okay, there is a lot more story of this to tell. And unless this is going to be an 800-page book, I need to think about this as two books. I am not a thousand percent sure about the plans beyond the duology. So I'll just say for now it's duology. And then we never know, you know, what's, because the first one just came out. So we'll have to see, like, you know, the reception and all that. But yeah, I'm glad that I was able to write a sequel and that the publisher's excited about it.

And it's called All the Little Secrets. I'm allowed to share the title. So that's really fun. I just finished edits on it. So it's definitely again. And I can't wait for y'all. Oh, my God, I'm so excited. This is like my Super Bowl.

I have never I was actually like texting Miss May Cobb in the middle of reading all the little houses and I was like I need the second book like I need it now. I don't even know what's going to happen in the end of this but like I have just been

like dying for any secrets or little nuggets of information on this book because I am completely obsessed and I'm so excited for the sequel. That was the most fun text. ever. I can't believe I'm getting this live feedback from Gare as he's saying. Like, it's so

gratifying. It's like, okay, you know. No, I think it's your best book yet. Like, thank you. We've had so many conversations with you throughout your writing career. And I feel like one of the things that's been consistent is like every time you finish a book and we talk about it and it's out in the world and we're excited. You always say like, this was the book that almost killed me. Like, this was like so stressful. And like, you know, like I had a hard time with this or this. But like when I was reading this, it was just so wild and fun and crazy and entertaining and snarky. And like, like you said earlier when we were talking, like I think as a reader, you can tell that this is the book that you had the most fun with. I really did. I have not had this much fun with the book since the honey wives. I just, it was like,

I was in a place where I was just, I wasn't really thinking about external stuff. I was just really letting myself be in that unhinged world. Yeah. Yeah, it's so good. There's like, I feel like with every single one of your books, there's like an element that sticks out. You know, like, with the hunting wives, it was like a little darker and like definitely like twistier. And then with like my summer darlings, it was like a thriller, but it was really sexy. and you continue and you continue and you took every element that stood out with all of your other books

and like threw them in a blender and gave us all the little houses like everything that's really stood out with every single book of yours like you've elevated and put it all into one world with this one so can that be your blurb for me? I love that. Thank you. I'll do one shot of tequila and I'll come up with something better if you want. I love it. I'll do a shop with you.

We will in Montreal. It's five o'clock where you are, Gare. So I think it's time. I don't have any tequila. I don't either. We know you and your mom obviously get along wonderfully. But the other thing I noticed, you do like to have complicated relationships between mothers and daughters.

Is there something that intrigues you about that? dynamic. Yeah, I think for this one, I feel like in my other books, I've been more, you know, focused on female friendships and friend groups. So I did want to get more into the nuclear family. And I think, I think some Southern moms, there's so much pressure that they put on their children. It's universal. It's not just in the South. But I don't know. I, I, I don't know. I really did want to lean into that Charlie trying to mold her daughter and the consequences that come of that pressure because Nellie's already a hot mess.

There's really no controlling or molding. It's just her wildest behavior. And yet her mother sort of Charlie sees like, she feels like her success hinges on Nellie's success. but Nellie's never really successful. And so I just, I just had a lot of fun with that loop back and forth between the two of them.

And then the parallel with Jane and Abigail and their own fraught relationship was super fun. Yeah. I just love that family dynamics. Oh my God, there's so much fun. So messy.

And in a small, smallish town too. Makes it even, even more mercy since everyone has secrets. Yes. Bless their hearts. There's also like a lot of toxicity between like husbands and wives in this one. And was it like harder or easier for you to write like the nuclear dynamic between a husband and a wife compared to like the mother and daughter or did you feel like they were like equally balanced. You know, I do think it might have been a little harder at times.

Like, I know that there were certain scenes with Alexander and Charlie that I was really trying to dig harder to hit the right notes. I don't want to spoil anything. Ethan, okay, he was just a fucking blast to write, you know? He's so bad. And, but look, you kind of can't take your eye. off of him because a you don't want to and be you can't trust them so that was fun that relationship was fun to sort of write um between those two and it was you know it's through jane's

pov so that's kind of that was interesting to me because jane in a lot of ways is already an adult because of how she grew up and so is nelly so when i first wrote the book it was called nelly Oh, wow. Yeah, because it just, I was like, okay, it's going to be kind of like carry and more, more. And then I realized, no, it's not what you do. But it was still, but I wanted the teens to still be very adult. And then my brilliant editor, Shana, was like, how about all the little houses? And I'm like, well, that you are just a genius.

And how brilliant is that? And she's totally saved the day. I mean, I'm obsessed with the title. And, um, and this one. way far away from your question, Gare. But yeah, anytime there's friction in a relationship, that's my favorite thing to write. Like, it doesn't matter

like, you know, who it is. Like, if I can find that friction and that tenseness between people, that's where I really like to let the characters run wild, you know, with. Yeah. You really have a knack for, not that it's, I'm not saying

if it is or isn't in this one, but when there's something explosive that happens between two characters, you are so good at laying this like foundation with these little like breadcrumbs to build up to like what could be that explosive moment. I think that's something I've always admired about your storytelling is like you see something and you're like, oh, I'd be pissed. But you know what I mean? Like you're reading this book and you're like, I would be, I would kill him or I would kill her. And then like when something happens and there's like a big argument or like the shit hits the

fan, you're like, we were building up to that. But it's like done in such like a clever, sneaky way at times because like sometimes you're like these two are going to go out of it like it's going to be bad or then like other times you're like oh i did not expect that fight but now i can kind of see how it happened yeah i agree it's kind of like life right like yeah arguing about this and other like oxen't wait to tell that person off about the i don't know anyway yeah living vicariously through your stories like to keep all the negativity on the page and my real life is just he's just cute this

from somebody who's drawn to toxicity in their real life I admire it in your work because I'm like this is spot on entertains me in person you all are too much fun in case she's laughing so hard she's coughing I am the kind of bookish nerd who has those problems. Oh, so I loved the audiobook and Malin Ackerman narrates one of the POVs.

And for anyone who didn't know, she's in the hunting wives as well. So was that like, was that pure coincidence or was it like since you knew her she was interested? because I want her to narrate more audio books now. I know she's so sensational and terrific. That was my genius publisher's idea. They were like, what do you think? And I was like, oh, my gosh, I love this idea.

That's so wonderful. And then you just never know with people's schedules because they were geared up to shoot to start on season two of hunting lives. And so I was so just like thrilled and bold over when they actually. actually got her and I was and I was so grateful. I was so grateful for her saying yes and so grateful to source books. Again, they're geniuses for having the vision to, you know, to do that. So I mean, what a cool like crossover.

Yeah. Yeah. They're a great publisher. They're amazing. They're so. As like a reader and like a bookstagramer, like they've been absolutely amazing to work with too. So I think that you, I'm happy that you're in good hands. There's so great. They're so great. Everyone there. It's just, it's been such a great experience.

And I'm just super excited about the future. And yeah, the launch has been so much fun. You know, I just got off like a big tour and that was so great. Even with the winter storm everywhere. I don't know how you'll live in those climates that, like, how do you? you do it seriously i could not i wouldn't make it i really wouldn't you so you have so have so many layers and i was just bitching about this this is why it's forefront of my mind my dogs need like two they're in here w a lk's a day and so then like you just get like we just have feet of snow everywhere still because it hasn't been warm enough to melt so you just like go through so many so much more clothing so annoying that was the thing i had like two giant suitcases

And I mean, it's like, okay, I'm not Madonna. Like, why do I? I'm not 30 city tour, but it was all the winter stuff, you know? Because my bones will shatter in the cold. My body hates the cold. I'm very much like want to sit in my novel at the boathouse when it's hot as hell out. And I want to use a frozen drink. And that's about, that's the only coolness that I like.

I don't, I'll jump in the lake. I don't want the snow can. can stay away. Like the older I get anyway, I was just like, this is, this is intense. Yeah, it's wild. Ashley said she had to actually, well, Ashley Winsdead for everyone. She said she had to rent a coat because she did. She's like, I'm from Texas. Like, I am not prepared for this. It's true. I went to R.E.I. Like, they were sold out and Austin Ariad just doesn't have much. and thank God my brilliant husband was like okay you're gonna your um my friend Hannah Morrissey actually said this is what you need so he's like you're going to that website and you're going to have it shipped to your your hotel in New York because that's smart you need this and and it all worked out I was like calling every day did it make it and anyway yes you have to have the right here it's really really it's really wild so the snow is exotic to me anymore I know it's pretty but it's not like I don't need it. It's not a hallmark movie.

It's not. It's not. It's gross. Like it's pretty the day it falls. And then it's just gross. Yeah. Yeah. And driving in it is a nightmare sometimes. I can't imagine. Yeah. Yeah. It's terrible. Yeah. Was it like negative in New York when you were there? I'm assuming. It was, I think it was like, it wasn't too bad. It was like maybe like, I think the coldest was like 18, but it could be. feels like three. And I'm not, you know, ready. Yeah. No one's ready for that.

No. It's just ridiculous. But it was my first night there. I got there Saturday. And then it was like the snow fell that night. And I don't think New York was quieter than my house in Austin. And I slept like nine hours straight. Like when I woke up, I thought maybe I was dead because I was like, how was it 9.30 in the morning?

How did I sleep? that was like really pretty and it was great that I actually wasn't dead I never said ever ever I was like wow this is wild and then I had the similar experience with thriller fest because like even right now one of my dogs is on the ground starting to whine at me it was the first time like I hadn't traveled in my adult life and I remember walking in I'm like literally no one can ask anything of me right now it's so quick why yet? Like, this is such a different life. Sometimes sometimes hotels just hit like that. They do. Yeah. It was amazing. Yeah. And there's somebody else that makes your bed for you.

Oh yeah. You know, and like, I mean, crisp sheets. Yeah. That's the best, you know. Yeah. There's something about like running around a city like all day and like just being completely busy and then like going back to your hotel and taking like a really hot shower and getting in like cold sheets that like you'll knock you right out. It's the best. Are you a nighttime shower? Me? I mean, this is totally off, off, but yeah. I used to be a strict morning shower person.

Yeah. But like, as I've gotten older, I'm just like a little strange. Like, I used to be a winter person. Uh-huh. But the older I get, and now that I have pots, which was like a nice little blessing in my late 30s, I'm like, okay, winters are like a lot more rough for me. Like I get cold easier.

Like I just feel crappier in the winter. So with that, like I am like a no outdoor clothes on the bed kind of person. So like when I get in my bed, I want to be like nice and crisp and clean. So like then I would take a shower at night and then I'd wake up and take a shower in the morning and I'd be like, if I'm just sleeping in my bed, in my clean bed with a clean body. Why do I need to take a shower first thing in the morning? I work from home. Yeah.

You know, I work from home. So, like, I just have eventually turned into a night shower person. I love that. Everyone's different. Yeah. Now, like, if the three of us were going out, like, if we were like, let's meet for lunch and, like, have a day together, I would take a shower in the morning. Oh, okay. You know, and then, like, another shower at night before I went into bed.

but like if I'm just like hanging out and I only slept for like seven hours in my bed, I'm turning into a night shower person. One shower a day is all we need and I am a night shower person too. The morning is too assaulting as it is. So one extra thing. I love that. I guess I work out in the morning so that's kind of part of it. Oh, yeah.

And I'm a sweaty girl. so that's impressive but i get that i do understand that it is because like sometimes i um if i'm you don't even know all the details sometimes i do like absent salt bass at night and it is nice just being like warm and yeah totally i'm with you i'm with you guys well now we know now now everybody knows our shower preferences yeah we're very important yeah it is thriller yeah somehow the shower thing

about the time of day and I should incorporate it somehow yeah I like that I like that a lot so with all the little secrets

mischievous question I do I do with all the little secrets that you just finished edits on you don't have to say what they were but were there parts of the story

because this is the first time that you're going to have a sequel yeah so were there parts of the story that like when you were writing the sequel were there like some parts that you had a harder time writing than you would have if you just started off a new story or did you feel like you fell right back into that world and things were just coming like naturally

there were definite that's a great question I did have to be mindful that there might be new readers that haven't read the first book, obviously, and I wanted it to operate where you could just pick up this book and read it without having to read the first one. But there were definite, like, notes from, again, my brilliant editor, who was Shana, who was like, okay, flagging things that I don't think a new reader would know this, let's, you know, flesh this out some more or, you know, phrase it differently. So that was super helpful to have her eyes on it too because, you know, it is my first time. And I, yeah, so that was, it was tricky for sure. I definitely had to learn.

Okay. Because you don't want to over explain. And this is what happened before and make it super tricky and stop the flow. But you definitely don't want something to just be lost because they haven't maybe read the first one. Or they read the first one. and it's been a year. Right. I have to refresh it for myself, you know?

I'm like, yeah. I don't do it often because I feel like they, like, especially with like a sequel or a series, they usually do little reminders like that, but I actually am really looking forward to revisiting all the little houses before all little secrets come out, because I'm definitely going to read it again. I'll stop it. I might do the audio book. That's what I was going to say.

This is another one of those moments. Because I'm really excited for. for Malin to be narrating. Did she narrate Charlie? Yeah. She could almost, I feel like she would be a really good Charlie too if they adapted this. Mm-hmm. Like, pretty sure she's busy, so busy with the hunting wives, but I mean, yeah, she would be just unbelievable.

She would be really good. Yeah. She's so, I mean, y'all know you saw the honey wives. Uh-huh. She, no, she's, I've been a huge fan of her for a really long time. and she would be really good. It's almost like she could be like your Sarah Paulson to like your Ryan Murphy. You know, like all of the books that you would like all of your books that are adapted,

like she could be like, you know, and I'm in some sort of role. I mean, I would love it obviously. Yeah. Me too. There's a movie called Final Girls that she's in. And it's like a horror comedy, but it's like about this girl. actually Tessa Farmiga, who was in American Horror Story, plays Malin's daughter.

Oh, wow. I need to see this. Yeah, it's so good. And this isn't a spoil. I won't spoil anything, but basically Malin is this, like, 80s horror actress who's, like, having a hard time with her career because she's only known for being, like, the hot blonde girl in the horror movies of, like, the 80s. And she dies.

And they have, like, a tribute in the movie theater. for her and something happens in the movie theater and her daughter and all of her friends find themselves in one of her movies. Oh, wow. And she's trying to like save her mom from like not dying in the movie. And Malin is, Malin's incredible in it. That sounds amazing. I need to watch that immediately. It is so fun. It's funny as hell. Nina Dobre is in it. And Malin is just incredible. I love it. I love it. Yeah. Yeah. So she's definitely somebody that I could see. being in like all of your adaptations because I think that all of your books would do so well well you're the best thank you I love it so much and it's like kind of funny because

there's like I think that you're the one author that you could take all of your books and do like a movie guide with like very like you know like my summer darlings if you love that watch the witches of Eastwick you know and like with this one it's like Little House on the Prairie dynasty meets murder. You know? And I just think that would be so much fun to have like all of your books adapted. We're manifesting. We're trying to manifest it together.

Yeah. Are there, are there any like movies or TV shows that like you think, oh, like that would be really good for like a plot device? in a book that you'd want to write? You mean like a TV show that's out now? Even one from, even if it was like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or something. Oh my gosh, that's such a good question.

I know I'll have a good answer. So let me circle back to that and think about it for a second. Okay. Yeah. I love that. I love that question. Well, good because I have a follow up. Lay up.

You have, like, so many really interesting tropes in all of your thrillers. And, like, at the core, there's always, like, a murder mystery, which is always fun to read. But has there been a trope and a thriller that, like, you haven't explored yet that you want to in the future? I am just always kind of obsessed with, what is it called? Like, the doppelganger thing when someone's a doppelganger. I know it's been done so well and I don't know that I could pull it off and I don't know why I would but like

what's the Tana French novel? Is it the likeness? The likeness? Yeah. Obsessed with that. She's so good. I love Tana French. Oh my God, right?

I know. The queen and I don't know. I feel like it's really creepy when somebody looks like somebody else. Mm-hmm. you know, where you think you recognize somebody and, but that's not who it is. Yeah, that, but I know there's, I know, like, I would love to do, I don't know, I still, I don't think I've ever done, listen to me like, forgetting the books I've written.

I don't think I've done like travel, kind of closed circle. That might be super fun. I mean, I feel like that's been done and it's been done so well. So I'm always trying to think of a way for me to keep something fresh, you know, because, I mean, the thriller author community is so incredible. I'm always like, I'm going to try to keep up with y'all because you just killed that trope and you just killed that trope like in the best way, you know. So it's, yeah, it's, hmm, I don't. don't know. I That's a good question. You can tell what I'm on like stumbling around it.

No, I think that you, I don't know. I just think that there's nothing that you can't tackle, but like I could see you killing like 80s, 90s dark academia. Oh, yeah. You know what I mean? Like, I'm reading, we were never friends by Kara Ruda right now. And it's like these. women who are sorority sisters are reuniting as like adults but like I'm just like thinking about it as I was reading it and you know getting ready to hop on here to talk to you tonight I was like God

I could see you doing like snarky sorority girls in like the 80s or 90s and just like yes you don't get a lot of them in Texas either I feel like there's not tons of dark academia in I love this idea. I'm glad you're, I'm glad that you're giving me ideas. And what was that, what's that thing that was trending? Is it like the, is it the Bama Rush? Yeah. Or what was like, it was like all over TikTok and it's like the, the girls like, like, like, brand names and money and pledging for sororities and like all of that. Yeah. Yeah, Alabama's Rush Stephen. Yeah. I think there's a documentary on Huluana. I think there is.

I'll send it to you. I'll send it to you. I'm so popular on TikTok during right before the pandemic, I think. That would be fun. I was involved. Like, it was all over my algorithm on TikTok and I was like watching the videos like every night for like three or four hours.

And then I watched the document. No, like I was like obsessed. It was like so addictive and they're like so snarky and you could tell like, just like knew who was like going to like. you know, get into their sorority. And yeah, it was really, really fun. That sounds really interesting. I am willing to definitely, okay, you're going to have to text me.

Yeah, I'll send it to you. I also think you would do really good with like 80s, like serial killer. Well, that would be so much fun. Like, you could, because, like, your books are very fun and they're juicy and they're like, like when you go dark, you know how to like go dark that it's like very shocking. And I just like, I feel like there's like, I don't know, like almost like a Ted Bundy-esque serial killer and like Texas and like, you know, in the 80s or 90s, like people weren't really as afraid of that as they are now because like everybody almost thought that they were invincible.

I love that because I grew up watching like 80s horror, you know? and so that's definitely very near and dear to me. Me too. That could be so fun. Yeah. Yeah. I think you would have a really, it's almost like, oh, God, Kate, what's the movie? The third one with Mia Gough in the X trilogy.

Oh, Maxine, right? Maxine. Yeah. Yeah. Like Maxine in Texas. I love, I love that, I love that trilogy. Yeah. Yeah.

Me too. Me too. Love Mia Goss. Yes. But like the comedy of like slumber party massacre. Yes. Which is like one of my comfort movies. Gare has the best comfort watch.

It's so, it's such a fun, like ridiculous movie. I'm just like, oh my God, this is the best. Oh my God, I love it. Yeah. I like that this turned into like basically Gare's requests from you. I'm open for requests. I love it. I have.

and more books and so I am all about the inspo because because like that's my gift. We were also because he asked or I did when we both did that's what it was both of us ended up asking Ashley if there was like a genre she wanted to write in and then she was saying like she's always wanted to with fantasy and then I basically put my request in for like dark a dark academia fantasy and I was like like I was like I'm not trying to push it on you but like Lee Bardugo vibes and she was like oh my gosh but the first book I wrote was essentially like ninth house but it just didn't get picked up so well Gare and I are just on a streak of telling authors requesting stuff from them. They love to request and I love and I would love that yeah

oh my god I know well you have so much fun I feel like I don't know like the 80s and like early 90s is just like such a fun time to like read a thriller during because like there wasn't like you said like you said earlier like there's not as much like electronics and like internet and all of that and like there's almost like a vulnerability with that yeah and I like and I feel like even in all the little houses like there was a lot of vulnerability without that with a lot of your characters yeah and like they could get away with things. Yes, it's, true. And I don't know because

hold on, I just got to show you this because I think it's so interesting. I'm going to knock everything off my bookshelf. But the cover is very, it's a little like a little like all the little houses. That's my, that's my phone. Yeah.

This is an 80, this is eight, set in the 80s. It's my satanic panic. But anyway, I just thought it was so interesting. I was like, yeah. That's crazy. I have that. That's amazing. I was like, this is so, so yeah, I love like the muted colors of the 80s.

It was just creepy. It was definitely creepy in my hometown. We did have a lot of like missing children and like one town over and just a lot of creepy shit going down. So it was, yeah. So I'm all about that, like era of me too. Yeah, yeah. Oh my God. It's so, like, scary, but it's also like, you kind of think back and you're like, how the fuck did I survive? Yeah, for sure. Absolutely. Like, I used to, my poor mother, I used to run and hide in the circular clothing racks. Oh, yeah. Until my mother would panic. And then I'd come out and act like I was looking for her. Like, she's the one that took off.

Oh, that's terrible. And I was like, how do you? did you and like literally like I was born in 87 so like this was happening when like at the peak of when children were being abducted like everywhere in the entire world and I would just like yeah or I would um poor cares mom I know poor Kathy poor Kathy I take very good care of her now though I take her out to lunch every Saturday and you do buy her all the stuff but um no I used to we used to do like movie nights on Saturdays with my parents and then they would be like okay you have to go to bed like it's time for like the adults to watch like America's Most Wanted. Yeah. And they would watch Tales from the Crypt.

And I wasn't allowed to, but I would sneak down and watch it through the banister. I just love that image of you. And like America's Most Wanted like Tales from the Crypt I was like, okay, this is amazing. I love this, which is probably what brought my, like, horror movie show, like, obsession to life. But, like, America's Most Wanted scared the shit out of me. Because it was, like, kid in small town, kid in small town, kid in small town, kid in small town. And, like, even now, like, there are so many, like, documentaries and podcasts and, like, all of these things, like, on Twitter where, like, it's like, this is an unsolved case from, like, 1990. and like a kid was on their bike and just never came home.

I know. Yeah. And I'm like, there's like something about that era that was just like so terrifying, but like also so interesting now. So that's what just made me think of it with like all the little houses because like your characters find themselves in like a lot of dangerous situations that they don't think are dangerous. But like a lot of them, I'm like, you could have had a friend that new year location. right totally and all I can think about now is um little gear at the banister

I know like that is the best and that has to be put into some sort of story I know I wish your parents like caught you and took a picture of it yeah I think eventually they just gave in because like I remember being like little and like watching America's Most Wanted and like staying like fighting to stay up till 10 o'clock for tales from the crypt and like they were just like like, you know, like, what can we do? Like, there are so many worse things he could be doing. He just wants to watch Where the Roses and Tails from the Cremt. Just fucking let him at this point.

They're like, past the popcorn. Yeah, they're just like, all right, whatever. Just, you know, at this point, we might as well just give in because I was very stubborn even back then. Yeah. I think you were. Kate, and what were you watching that you weren't supposed to watch? Well, nothing. I was actually scared of my parents, but I can add a story from Tyler, who is like the third child, the third boy.

And so, and there's a 10 year age gap between him and then the next, the next brother. So he, I have stories of like watching, watching like veggie tales. And to be fair, Little House on the Prairie, that was allowed. I was allowed to watch PBS. So I was watching that. But Tyler, like I told my stories of like that. And he's like, yeah, I was like watching The Sopranos with my head and my brothers. And I'm like, like, when you were like, Ted, he's like, no, probably.

I was like five. I was like, okay. So I'll steal Tyler's fun story for that one. That's really. That's good. But I did. I remember watching so much Little House on the Prairie because PBS just played it all the time. It was literally on every second of every day.

And I would just sit there until my legs cramped like from all my parents TV because I watched it with them. Yeah. Just like, yeah, it was amazing. Yeah. Yeah. I did love it. I think Kyle Richards. Kyle Richards was in Little House on the Prairie.

Yes. She's like one of the like younger, younger girls. Oh my God. I didn't know that. I knew her from like Halloween. Yeah. Because she's like the daughter or the daughter, the little kid that Jamie Lee Curtis based is in Halloween.

Yes. I think this was like right before that. I think my wholesome, like the wholesome thing that I watched was like, oh my God, saved by the bell. Okay, that's wholesome. Yeah. Saved by the bell is like my wholesome thing that I would like watch every morning when I was like getting ready for school. Yeah.

I love that. On like TV, on like a TV with the with the curved screen that like made all the staticy sounds. Mm-hmm. Yep. Yep. And it had like three buttons. And like wood around it. Yeah.

Yeah, yeah. That's like, who was it? I don't know, there was someone, someone Gen Z I saw on TikTok, and they're like, TVs used to be like wooden. You're like, yep. Yeah. And heavy, and heavy is all hell. And really heavy.

Heavy is all hell. You could see like this much of your movie and it was like 180 pounds. It's so true. Oh my God, almighty. Yeah. My grandparents' TV was literally like a piece of furniture. I don't. Yeah.

TV the whole time because there's no way anyone could have moved it, you know? Yeah. It's like as heavy as like a, I don't know, like a, like a fire safe that you're going to store like, you know, CIA. Yeah. It's bizarre. Last from the past, y'all. Yeah. Oh my God.

I know. Now they're like, they're like, get the new half inch wide flat screen. Yeah. Yeah. Or watch it like, watch it on your MacBook. That's like this. thin and it's like perfect definition. Oh my gosh. I have been yeah I've actually been watching tell me lies on my iPad so that I can use my massage gun and consume my TV show. That's another

idea. Yeah. Tell me lies could be a make hot buck. Oh totally. Okay. That's like that's like way half praise. Thank you. Oh yeah. You just have to kill off like one or two of them. Yes. I I love it. That's like, that's the biggest compliment. Thank you. Yes. For anyone who does love her books, you should be watching Tell Me Lies. And if you like, tell me lies and you need more books, you should go read all for books. All of them. Yeah. Yeah. 100%. Do you have, do you, I don't know how much reading time you have. Do you have any books you read recently that you loved? Um, I mean, I think my favorite, favorite, favorite, recent read was Rachel Harrison's Play Nice.

Love obsessed with that book. So great, so fun, so smart, as you know, all of Rachel's books are. I, let's see, I do a lot of reading for blurbs. I'm trying to think of one that I can, I did get to read Ashley's Hot Girl Murder Club. We are so excited for that. Yes, I am. At best. And yeah, so Rachel, Ashley, yeah, and I had to take kind of a break from reading to catch up on some TV.

And so let's see. Oh, my God, I loved his and hers. Have you all gotten to watch that yet? So good. Yes. So good. I watched Tessa Thompson. Yeah.

Me too. So good. I think everybody, there's something for everybody in this book. I mean, for our very mystery thriller, heavy audience. And yeah, it's available now. People can go go get it in whatever format. I loved the audiobook. So if you're an audiobook, girly, I approve the audio.

Yeah. Do you have anything you want to add here? Yeah. I don't care when you're listening to. this episode. If you are listening to it at a later date and all the little secrets is out, you're pre-ordering it, you're picking it up at your bookstore. I do not want to hear that you are the person that is just going to pick up this book without reading all the little houses. Even though our amazing queen, May Cobb is putting in reminders and Easter eggs and things like

that for people who have read all the little houses, you do not want to miss out on this book. So the fact that you are getting two of them just means that you have to read both. And that is my TED talk. I love it. Thank you so much. It's always such a blast. So much fun. I love it.

So much fun.