Ann Garvin Pivots to Suspense with New Novel “Tell Two Friends ”— See the Cover! (Exclusive)

**Ann Garvin’s ‘Tell Two Friends’: A Dive into Suspense and Small-Town Intrigue**

Acclaimed author Ann Garvin is set to release her latest novel, *Tell Two Friends*, on 8 September 2026, marking her inaugural venture into the suspense genre. The book, published by Lake Union Publishing, explores the unsettling journey of a woman whose seemingly innocent correspondence with an incarcerated individual evolves into a chilling obsession across decades.

The narrative follows Jane Baye, a college student during the 1990s who begins a pen pal relationship with a woman serving time in prison. However, an unexpected twist occurs thirty years later when Jane learns that her pen pal was not who she believed. Instead, the letters had been crafted by a man who has since become fixated on her life. This man soon moves in next door to Jane, ready to execute a decades-long scheme that threatens her very existence.

In crafting this story, Garvin aims to combine the surreal elements of small-town life with the darker themes of big-city menace. “Leaning into the absurdity of small-town life colliding with big-city danger was incredibly fun,” she remarked. With this novel, Garvin looks to deliver an experience steeped in suspense while also maintaining her characteristic wit and humour.

Beyond the central plot, *Tell Two Friends* delves into Jane’s personal struggles. As she grapples with the repercussions of a local scandal, Jane finds herself not only facing the perils posed by her obsessive neighbour but also fighting to reclaim her agency amidst a web of small-town intrigue and personal dilemmas.

Garvin, widely known for her previous works *Bummer Camp* and *There’s No Coming Back From This*, describes *Tell Two Friends* as a departure from her usual style. “I wanted to write about a woman in a life-or-death situation who must save the day without any special survival skills, relying only on her sense of humour, a dog, and a clever teenage niece who lives with her,” she shared.

The story unfolds through a gripping narrative that is as much about Jane’s internal conflicts as it is about the external threats she faces. The excerpt shared by *People* captures a pivotal moment in Jane’s college life as she receives jarring news from her pen pal. “He doesn’t want me to write to him anymore,” she relays to her friends, highlighting the sudden shift from an active engagement to sudden rejection, a theme that resonates throughout the book.

Growing up in a family with a strong postal tradition, Jane’s relationship with mail and the written word is notably significant. Her father, who worked in the postal service, instilled in her a deep appreciation for communication, believing in its power to forge connections. This background sets the stage for Jane’s heartfelt correspondence, making the eventual betrayal all the more poignant.

Garvin’s depiction of Jane’s steadfastness in maintaining her friendships through writing illustrates the importance of connection, particularly in the face of adversity. Readers witness how Jane’s commitment to reaching out to others shapes her understanding of trust and vulnerability—an aspect that will likely resonate with anyone familiar with the complexities of human relationships.

As anticipation builds for *Tell Two Friends*, Garvin’s shift into suspense promises an engaging read that maintains the qualities her fans cherish while exploring new thematic territory. Available for preorder wherever books are sold, this novel is sure to captivate audiences eager for a blend of heartfelt storytelling and nail-biting suspense.

Ann Garvin’s *Tell Two Friends* paves the way for a gripping exploration of obsession and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of small-town dynamics. With its rich characterization and intricate plot, readers are poised for an enthralling journey that challenges notions of trust and the impact of the past on the present. As Jane’s story unfolds, one must wonder how far the threads of connection can reach and at what cost they may come.