This week in The Literary Lounge, Jennifer is joined by bestselling author Nina Simon to talk about her new novel, My Sister Is Going to Kill Me, a warmhearted whodunnit about two sisters whose annual trip takes them rafting through the Grand Canyon—with a murderer in their midst.

Nina and Jennifer discuss writing complicated family relationships, finding inspiration in the natural world, and balancing murder with plenty of heart and humor. Nina also shares how she builds and plots a mystery and opens up about her unexpected path to publishing—from writing a novel simply to make her mother smile to becoming a bestselling author with her debut, Mother-Daughter Murder Night, a Reese’s Book Club pick.

This episode is for mystery lovers and is full of writing advice and craft techniques for crafting a page-turning whodunnit that keeps readers guessing.

In This Episode

• Why Nina is drawn to writing strong women, wild places, and dead bodies
• Writing the love, tension, and complexity within family relationships
• The Grand Canyon: an ideal setting for murder
• Plotting whodunnits that keep readers guessing
• Writing without expectations
• Navigating the publishing journey

Meet Nina Simon
Nina Simon writes crime fiction about strong women. She is the New York Times-bestselling author of Mother-Daughter Murder Night. This big-hearted whodunnit was a Reese's Book Club pick, an Anthony Award winner, and a "best of 2023" selection for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CrimeReads, and Library Journal. Her second whodunit, My Sister Is Going to Kill Me, is out on August 18, 2026 from William Morrow Books.

Before turning to fiction, Nina wore many hats: NASA engineer, slam poet, game designer, museum director, and nonprofit CEO. Her work on community participation in museums, libraries, parks, and theaters has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, NPR, and the TEDx stage. Nina lives off-the-grid in the Santa Cruz Mountains and enjoys weird adventures in wild places.

Connect with Nina

Website

Instagram: @ninaksimon

Books & Authors Mentioned

• My Sister Is Going to Kill Me by Nina Simon
• Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon
• Sue Grafton
• Janet Evanovich
• Faye Kellerman

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The Literary Lounge

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Continue the conversation by subscribing to The Literary Lounge on Substack, delivered every Sunday and featuring:

• The Guest Book (extended guest Q&A)
• The Bookshop (a featured independent bookstore)
• Recommended reads
• Literary discoveries and behind-the-scenes updates

Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co

Jennifer Cash

Host, Creator, Producer & Editor of The Literary Lounge

Instagram: @readwithjennifer

What happens to our family stories if no one carries them forward?

This week in The Literary Lounge, Jennifer welcomes author Sharon Kurtzman to discuss her debut novel, The Lost Baker of Vienna, a work of historical fiction inspired by the experiences of her mother, aunt, and grandmother after surviving the Holocaust.

Jennifer and Sharon talk about preserving family stories before they’re lost, the lesser-known realities Jewish survivors faced after World War II, and how baking became a symbol of memory, resilience, and hope within the novel. Sharon also shares her remarkable 20-year journey to publication and why she believes the unpublished manuscripts that came before The Lost Baker of Vienna were all leading her to the story she was ultimately meant to tell.

In This Episode

• The true story that inspired The Lost Baker of Vienna
• Honoring the past through storytelling
• The aftermath of war and a lesser-known history
• Why preserving family stories matters
• Baking as a connection to memory and heritage
• Sharon's remarkable 20-year journey to publication

Meet Sharon Kurtzman

Sharon Kurtzman’s debut historical novel, The Lost Baker of Vienna, was published in August 2025 by Pamela Dorman Books/Viking and was inspired by the World War II and postwar experiences of her family. Her novel was a Book of the Month Add-on pick for August 2025, and it will be published in six languages and in over a dozen countries. Prior to becoming an author, Sharon has been an audience research analyst, television ad salesperson, publicist, food writer, the official escort to Danger Mouse at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and a judge at a Chicken Soup Cook-off. Sharon earned her MFA in Fiction from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University. She lives in North Carolina with her husband; they have two adult children.

Connect with Sharon

sharonkurtzman.com

Instagram @sharonkurtzman

Facebook

Substack

Purchase a copy of The Lost Baker of Vienna

STAY CONNECTED

The Literary Lounge

Follow and subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a new conversation.

Continue the conversation by subscribing to The Literary Lounge on Substack, delivered every Sunday and featuring:

• The Guest Book (extended guest Q&A)
• The Bookshop (a featured independent bookstore)
• Recommended reads
• Literary discoveries and behind-the-scenes updates

Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co

Jennifer Cash

Host, Creator, Producer & Editor of The Literary Lounge

Instagram: @readwithjennifer

One month into The Literary Lounge, host Jennifer Cash opens up to share the story behind the podcast. From a childhood shaped by reading to the winding road that led her to becoming a writer, she reflects on the books, people, and experiences that shaped her life. It’s an honest and vulnerable conversation about finding purpose, rediscovering old dreams, and how a life surrounded by books ultimately led to The Literary Lounge.

In This Episode

• Jennifer’s earliest memories of becoming a reader
• The books that shaped her early childhood
• How reading became both an escape and a source of comfort during a difficult season
• The teacher who made her question her future
• Writing her first manuscript after a challenging experience abroad
• Why she left a traditional career to pursue writing
• How books led her to a literary life
• The inspiration behind The Literary Lounge
• Why she hopes The Literary Lounge becomes a place for readers and writers to gather through a shared love of story

Meet Jennifer Cash

Jennifer Cash is the creator and host of The Literary Lounge, a podcast and Substack where readers and writers gather for thoughtful conversations about books, writing, publishing, and living a creative life. A lifelong reader and storyteller, Jennifer is passionate about building literary community while championing independent bookstores and emerging voices. Through her work, she explores the stories behind the stories, connecting readers with authors, booksellers, publishing professionals, and literary destinations. She is also the creator of the book-focused platform @ReadwithJennifer, where she shares book recommendations, bookstore discoveries, and a love of literary travel. Jennifer lives in North Carolina.

Books mentioned in this episode:

The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

Cam Jansen series by David A. Adler

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

STAY CONNECTED

The Literary Lounge

Follow and subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a new conversation.

Continue the conversation by subscribing to The Literary Lounge on Substack, delivered every Sunday and featuring:

• The Guest Book (extended guest Q&A)
• The Bookshop (a featured independent bookstore)
• Recommended reads
• Literary discoveries and behind-the-scenes updates

Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co

Jennifer Cash

Host, Creator, Producer & Editor of The Literary Lounge

Instagram: @readwithjennifer