January 6, 2026 @ 6pm
Step into the haunting canals of Venice Beach with internationally bestselling author Amy Meyerson, as she joins us for an intimate evening of suspense, storytelling, and connection at the Chicago Literary Salon—in conversation with acclaimed author Christi Clancy.
In her gripping new novel, The Water Lies, Meyerson unravels a chilling mystery through the dual perspectives of two mothers—one grieving her adult daughter, the other raising a child who may have witnessed her death. What begins as a toddler’s outburst in a coffee shop unspools into a harrowing investigation, a story of maternal instinct, buried secrets, and the quiet menace lurking behind idyllic facades.
As Tessa and Barb forge an unlikely bond in their pursuit of the truth, The Water Lies invites readers to question what we’re willing to see—and what we choose to ignore.
Your evening includes:
A signed hardcover copy of The Water Lies
A thoughtfully curated menu by Nic + Juniors, featuring:
A welcome cocktail
Heavy hors d'oeuvres
A riveting conversation with Amy Meyerson exploring memory, motherhood, and the secrets that surface when we trust our intuition
Printed conversation prompts designed to foster meaningful dialogue—no prior reading required
Whether you're drawn to tightly plotted thrillers, layered emotional storytelling, or simply crave a beautifully executed evening out, this salon promises to leave you questioning what lies beneath the surface.
Seating is extremely limited. Reserve your seat today.
About The Water Lies:
Internationally bestselling author Amy Meyerson takes readers on a harrowing journey where two mothers—one of a woman who drowned and the other of a toddler who might know what happened to her—are the only ones searching for the truth.
Heavily pregnant with her second child, Tessa Irons has enough on her mind without her toddler throwing tantrums at the local coffee shop. The boy is inconsolable, shouting “Gigi!” to a woman Tessa’s never seen before—and never will again. The next morning, the woman’s body is dredged up from the canal outside the Ironses’ posh Venice Beach home, and Tessa’s gut tells her it’s no coincidence.
Barb Geller refuses to believe that her daughter’s death was just some drunken accident. She heads to California for answers, where she crosses paths with Tessa. Together they hunt for the truth, certain they’ll find a connection between their children.
But the police don’t believe them. Tessa’s husband dismisses her worries as pregnancy jitters, and even though people are always watching along the canals, no one saw a thing. Tessa and Barb only have each other, their intuition, and the creeping sense of danger that grows with every shocking revelation.
About Amy Meyerson:
Amy Meyerson is the acclaimed author of the internationally bestselling The Bookshop of Yesterdays, The Imperfects, and The Love Scribe. Her books have been translated into eleven languages and are frequently chosen for best-of lists, including lists from Good Morning America, Publishers Weekly, The Christian Science Monitor, Library Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Texas Library Association’s Lariat List, among others. Meyerson completed her graduate work in creative writing at the University of Southern California, where she now teaches in the writing department. Her new novel The Water Lies--her first work of psychological suspense--will be published on January 1, 2026 from Thomas & Mercer.