Secrets, Lies, and Deadly Consequences: Thrillers

Thrillers ask us to consider the darkness in others—and in ourselves. Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores keep readers in suspense until the end with Perfect Life. Five years ago, Este Walker reinvented herself among Florida’s elite . . . until her past begins to close in on her. When her husband is implicated in a murder, Este must unravel a web of lies and deception. Tara Goedjen’s new book, Please Enjoy Your Stay, will keep readers up all night turning pages. Mia returns to the Austrian castle where her cousin was murdered ten years earlier, determined to discover whether she helped convict the wrong man. As she investigates, Mia begins to question both her family and herself. These thriller writers will talk about family loyalty, writing about the rich and glamorous, and building tension in this pulse-pounding session. 

Purchase your book from Eagle Eye, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the festival.

This event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required, and seating is first come, first served. Signing information: Signing time: 11:15 AM

Signing location: First Baptist Church – Front Lawn

About the Authors

Tara Goedjen has worked all over the world, from Europe to the island of Guam. A recovering academic, she holds an MFA and a PhD, and was an editor for a publishing house in Sydney, Australia, for several years. These days Tara splits her time between the moody Pacific Northwest and sunny Atlanta. Please Enjoy Your Stay is Tara’s adult debut; she is also the author of two YA novels.

Meredith Lavender has spent more than two decades working as a television writer. She served as showrunner/executive producer on Max’s The Flight Attendant and as executive producer on Nashville (ABC), among other shows. Currently, she’s in development on multiple TV projects and adaptations. She joins us with her book with coauthor Kendall Shores, Perfect Life.

Prior to becoming an author, Kendall Shores spent years leading corporate communications for tech companies and nonprofit organizations, including Mailchimp and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Now, she prefers writing the kinds of stories she used to daydream about between deadlines. She joins us with her book with coauthor Meredith Lavender, Perfect Life.

About the Moderator

Brittany Smith is the founder and co-owner of The Book Bird, an independent bookstore, café, and wine bar she runs alongside her business partner, Amie Waltzer. Brittany opened The Book Bird in 2024 with a vision of bringing community, stories, and memorable events together under one roof. When Amie came aboard, the two set off Thelma and Louise style to bring that dream to life.

Brittany grew up in Southern California before moving to Athens, Georgia, to attend the University of Georgia. A student-athlete, she graduated with a degree in Sociology and two NCAA titles. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Health Sciences.

When she isn’t at the bookstore, you can usually find her in her car - driving, working, or sneaking in a few pages of reading while shuttling her kids to and from soccer practices. She lives in Avondale Estates with her husband and their three handsome sons.