Category: Entertainment News

‘The Descent: Part 2’ Finally Gets a 4K Steelbook Release in the U.S.

The Descent: Part 2 will be available on 4K for the first time in the U.S. Photo: Lionsgate Limited, used with permission.

For physical media collectors and horror enthusiasts alike, the depths are calling once again.

Lionsgate has officially announced that The Descent: Part 2 is making its way to 4K Ultra HD for the very first time in the United States. This claustrophobic 2009 sequel is getting a gorgeous, limited-edition Steelbook release on August 11, 2026. Featuring terrifyingly vibrant custom artwork designed by the talented Matt Ryan Tobin, this is a must-have addition to your horror shelf. (EG PR, 2026)

Return to the Cave: The Story

Picking up immediately where the bone-chilling events of the first film left off, The Descent: Part 2 follows Sarah Carter (Shauna Macdonald). Dazed, covered in blood, and completely speechless, she emerges alone from the Appalachian cave system.

When authorities force her back underground to help a rescue team search for her missing friends, Sarah’s fractured memories begin to resurface—and with them, the realization of what truly lurks in the pitch black. Worse yet, the team is about to encounter a new, even more viciously feral tribe of deformed “crawlers.”

Release Details & Technical Specs

This limited release is packed with premium technical details, bringing the movie’s dark, atmospheric dread to life with gorgeous Dolby Vision HDR and crushing 5.1 surround sound.

FeatureSpecification
U.S. Release DateAugust 11, 2026
Format16×9 (2.35:1) Dolby Vision Presentation
AudioEnglish 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio™
SubtitlesEnglish SDH
Run Time94 minutes
RatingR (Strong bloody horror violence, grisly images, terror, and language)

The Cast & Crew

  • Directed by: Jon Harris
  • Written by: James McCarthy, J Blakeson, James Watkins
  • Produced by: Christian Colson, Ivana Mackinnon
  • Starring: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, Douglas Hodge, Krysten Cummings, Gavan O’Herlihy, Josh Dallas, and Anna Skellern

Special Features Guide

The 4K + Blu-ray + Digital combo pack comes loaded with both brand-new exclusive content and classic legacy special features that take you deeper into the filmmaking process.

🎬 Lionsgate Limited New Extras

  • Flashback on The Descent: Part 2 – Shauna Macdonald: An exclusive retrospective interview with the lead actress.
  • Flashback on The Descent: Part 2 – Krysten Cummings: A brand-new look back with co-star Krysten Cummings.

💀 Legacy Special Features

  • Audio Commentary: Featuring Director Jon Harris alongside actors Shauna Macdonald, Krysten Cummings, and Anna Skellern.
  • The Making of The Descent: Part 2: Deeper & Darker
  • The Genesis (Behind-the-scenes featurette)
  • Deleted Scenes: Complete with optional director commentary.
  • EPK B-Roll & Interview Clips
  • Production Design & Storyboard Galleries
  • U.S. & International Trailers

Note on regional playback: The 4K UHD disc is entirely region-free and plays worldwide, while the included standard Blu-ray disc is locked to Region A (North America).

The Descent: Part 2 4K Steelbook is available for pre-order now. Will you be descending back into the darkness this August?

Photo: Lionsgate Limited

Carly Simon Returns with New Album ‘Comes In Waves’ and Lead Single ‘Howl’

‘Comes In Waves’ is Carly Simon’s first album of original songs since 2008. Photo: Sally Taylor, used with permission.

Carly Simon Announces First Album of Original Songs Since 2008: ‘Comes In Waves’

Legendary singer-songwriter Carly Simon is officially returning with Comes In Waves, her first album of original material since 2008. Set to arrive on August 14, the 12-track album was written and recorded primarily at her Martha’s Vineyard home, bringing together a body of work that feels both deeply personal and quietly expansive. (Miller PR, 2026)

Six decades after her solo debut, Simon’s voice remains unmistakable: emotionally precise, literate, and unguarded. Rather than looking back with simple nostalgia, Comes In Waves is anchored in clarity, exploring the complex emotional terrain of love, memory, family, and self-reckoning.

Pre-save Comes In Waves

A Striking Reintroduction: “Howl”

Serving as the album’s opening track and lead single, “Howl” captures the emotional depth Simon continues to explore. Co-written and produced with platinum- and gold-certified producer David Spencer, the track pairs Simon’s signature vocals with a lyric that moves from the sting of betrayal toward the peace of forgiveness.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the single, Simon shares:

“‘Howl’ lives in that space between betrayal and forgiveness, where anger has to be voiced before it can be released. It’s about letting the frustration out so it doesn’t sit and simmer. The song begins in anger, but it moves toward forgiveness, and speaks to any situation where trust has been broken.”

Themes of Healing and “Slowly”

The album’s title is drawn from “Slowly,” a song centered on patience, return, and emotional renewal. In the track, feelings rise and recede like the tide—a concept that serves as the emotional anchor for the entire record. Across these 12 tracks, love, grief, anger, memory, and healing all arrive in waves, moving with their own natural force and timing.

Rather than trying to recreate her past hits, Comes In Waves continues the honest, vulnerable conversation Simon has shared with her audience for decades.

A Close Circle of Collaborators

This record was brought to life alongside a tight-knit circle of family, friends, and longtime creative partners:

  • John Forté: Features on the album posthumously, following his passing earlier this year.
  • Ben Taylor (Son): Contributed throughout the project as a singer, musician, producer, and songwriter.
  • Sally Taylor (Daughter): Contributed vocals and created the single’s cover artwork.

Comes In Waves track list

  1. Howl
  2. Maybe I Never Loved You
  3. Peaches
  4. Love Has No Ending
  5. Mother Of Pearl
  6. Slowly
  7. Four In The Morning
  8. The More I Look For You
  9. Love The Way I Do
  10. The Father Daughter Dance
  11. Share the End
  12. Do It Anyway

About Carly Simon

For those who need a quick refresher on the incredible legacy of this trailblazing artist:

  • A Trailblazing Career: Emerging in the early 1970s, Carly Simon helped redefine pop music as an intimate, emotionally intelligent form of storytelling.
  • The EGOT-Adjacent Legend: Her catalog includes generation-defining hits like “You’re So Vain,” “Anticipation,” and “Let the River Run.” The latter earned her an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy, making her the first female artist to win all three as both a performer and composer.
  • Accolades: Simon is a five-time Grammy winner (with 19 additional nominations) and an inductee into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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Elin Hilderbrand’s ‘The Five-Star Weekend’ Is Now a Peacock Series

The best-selling novel is now a limited series on Peacock. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book to Series: Elin Hilderbrand’s “The Five-Star Weekend” Hits Peacock

Elin Hilderbrand’s beloved summer read is officially jumping from the page to the screen, The highly anticipated adaptation of The Five-Star Weekend has officially arrived as an eight-episode limited series on Peacock.

Whether you are a longtime resident of Hilderbrand’s fictionalized Nantucket or a newcomer looking for your next dramatic binge-watch, here is everything you need to know about the book’s premise and the star-studded new series.

📖 The Book Synopsis

Hollis Shaw’s life seems picture-perfect. She’s the creator of the popular food blog Hungry with Hollis and is married to Matthew, a dreamy heart surgeon. But after she and Matthew get into a heated argument one snowy morning, he leaves for the airport and is tragically killed in a car accident. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

In the wake of the tragedy, the cracks in Hollis’s perfect life—including a strained marriage and a complicated relationship with her daughter, Caroline—grow deeper.

Seeking comfort and a fresh start, Hollis decides to host her own “Five-Star Weekend” on Nantucket. The concept? One woman organizes a trip inviting one best friend from each distinct phase of her life: her teenage years, her twenties, her thirties, and midlife.

But this getaway doesn’t turn out to be a joyful, breezy Hallmark movie…

🎬 Meet the Cast & Characters

The Peacock adaptation features a powerhouse ensemble cast to bring Hollis’s inner circle to life. Here is who is playing who in the eight-episode series:

CharacterPhase of LifePlayed ByThe Drama They Bring
Hollis ShawThe HostJennifer Garner (also Executive Producer)A grieving food influencer trying to piece her life back together six months after her husband’s death.
TatumTeenage YearsChloë SevignyHollis’s childhood best friend. Her husband stirs the pot by inviting Hollis’s first love, Jack Finigan, to the island.
Dru-AnnThe TwentiesRegina HallHollis’s UNC Chapel Hill college roommate. Now a prominent Chicago sports agent, her career is on the line after a major social media misunderstanding.
BrookeThe ThirtiesD’Arcy CardenHollis’s adulthood pal who has just discovered her husband is having yet another inappropriate workplace relationship.
GigiMidlife / PresentGemma ChanA mysterious internet stranger who connected with Hollis through her blog. She embodies unusual grace but harbors major secrets.

📺 From Page to Screen

The Five-Star Weekend is a surprising and captivating story about friendship, love, and self-discovery. It promises to be a weekend like no other.

Fans of the book can expect plenty of beautiful Nantucket backdrops, delicious food blog aesthetics, and juicy, decades-spanning secrets.

All eight episodes are streaming now on Peacock.

Are you planning to read the book first, or are you diving straight into the binge-watch? Let me know in the comments below!

What’s Happening at The Faust Hotel: Free Live Music & New Brunch Menus

The Faust Hotel in New Braunfels hosts recurring music series across the Magnolia Patio. Photo: The Faust Hotel, used with permission.

Live Music & New Menus: What’s Happening at The Faust Hotel This July

Exciting news out of historic downtown New Braunfels! This month, The Faust Hotel, the city’s newly renovated landmark destination, launched a recurring, free live music series on the Magnolia Patio, the hotel’s lush outdoor lounge. (The Faust Hotel, 2026)

Gather your friends, grab a craft cocktail, and enjoy light bites under the stars. Here is everything you need to know about what’s coming up at The Faust.

🎶 Live Music on the Magnolia Patio

  • When: Thursday through Saturday, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Where: The Magnolia Patio at The Faust Hotel
  • Cost: Free admission!

This month’s diverse lineup spans everything from pop-country fusion and Americana to R&B and soul. Line-up subject to change. Here is the upcoming schedule so you can plan your weekends:

Upcoming Shows

DateArtistGenre & Vibe
Thursday, July 9Bru TunesVersatile South Texas musician specializing in violin and guitar.
Friday, July 10Nate GuthrieCentral Texas Americana singer, guitar picker, and mandolin player.
Saturday, July 11Guy VincentRising San Antonio country artist performing soulful southern tunes.
Thursday, July 16Soul SessionsHigh-energy R&B, soul, and funk music group.
Friday, July 17Kristen ForemanTalented Nashville vocalist rising fast in the country music scene.
Saturday, July 18Lacy BrinsonSan Antonio country vocalist known for versatile sets and empowering themes.
Thursday, July 23Mariana & MarciaGenre-bending duo performing jazz, pop, boleros, and bossa nova.
Friday, July 24MC & the MystyxFemale-fronted band delivering a powerful blend of blues, rock, and Americana.
Saturday, July 25Elysha LeMasterLocal New Braunfels favorite performing an eclectic blend of pop, rock, and country.
Thursday, July 30Tiffany DawnFour-piece cover band playing nostalgic country, Latin, jazz, and rock favorites.
Friday, July 31Austin GilliamSkilled guitarist and singer blurring the lines between rock and country.

🍽️ New Lunch & Weekend Brunch at Wilhelm & Werner

The music isn’t the only thing fresh at the hotel. Wilhelm & Werner, the hotel’s signature Texas-style brasserie, has just introduced highly anticipated lunch and brunch services focusing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Elevated Midweek Lunch

  • When: Tuesday through Friday | 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
  • The Vibe: An elevated yet approachable dining experience in a relaxed, historic setting. Perfect for business lunches or a leisurely midday escape.
  • Menu Highlights: Tuna Niçoise, Fried Gulf Fish Sandwich, and a rotating soup of the day.

Texas-Style Weekend Brunch

  • When: Saturday & Sunday | 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
  • The Vibe: A warm, inviting weekend atmosphere featuring refined takes on classic comfort foods and perfectly paired morning sips.
  • Menu Highlights: Duck Confit Hash, Caprese Benedict, and a crowd-favorite Cinnamon Roll Pancake Flight.

Planning to Dine? While walk-ins are always welcome, they highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time on OpenTable to secure your table.

Visit The Faust Hotel

📍 229 South Castell Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78130

About the Hotel:

Originally opened in 1929 and now part of the boutique hotel portfolio of Lark Hospitality, The Faust Hotel stands as a landmark destination blending timeless Texas charm with modern hospitality. It offers a welcoming retreat just steps from downtown New Braunfels and the scenic banks of the Comal River.

Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol Shares New Single ‘The Disappearing Man’ Ahead of New Album

Austin’s Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol. Photo: Chris Wilson, used with permission.

New Music: Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol Drop Melodic Sludge-Bomb “The Disappearing Man”

Austin’s favorite “doom wop” and heavy metal trio, Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, is back with a brand new single: “The Disappearing Man.” (US/THEM Group, 2026)

The track comes as a fresh taste of their highly anticipated forthcoming album, CA$H GRAB. Formed in 2017 by Boston-area transplants Leo Lydon (lead vocals/guitar) and Sean St. Germain (drums), alongside Georgia native Aaron Metzdorf (bass/backing vocals), the band has spent years perfecting a wildly unique sonic lane.

With “The Disappearing Man,” they showcase an absolute mastery of heavy, hook-filled riffs and rhythms couched in an earworm melody that would make Green Album-era Weezer jealous.

Loud, Lean, and Relentlessly Catchy

The new single doubles down on the band’s signature blend of crushing riffs and off-kilter melody. It’s loud, lean, and balancing sludgy heaviness with an infectious groove that refuses to let go.

Beneath the wall of fuzz lies an undeniable melodic instinct, proving the band can deliver massive hooks without sacrificing an ounce of raw power. It’s a confident preview of an album that promises to push their self-proclaimed “big dumb riffs” philosophy even further. If this single is any indication, CA$H GRAB is shaping up to be their strongest release yet.

The Album Update: While CA$H GRAB is still in production—with official release details dropping at a later date—you can already stream the phenomenal run of singles leading up to it: “The Disappearing Man,” “Bough Down,” and “Peaches.”

Catch Them on the Road

RBBP just wrapped up a massive, highly successful 6-week headlining tour across North America, packing out rooms with multiple sold-out shows alongside fellow Austin punk-metal trio American Sharks.

If you missed that run, you’re in luck. The band recently announced they will be hitting the road again for Fall 2026 supporting the legendary Death From Above 1979.

Check out the full list of live dates below and secure your spots early!

👉 GET TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS HERE

Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol: 2026 US Tour Dates

09/05 Cookeville, TN – Muddy Roots Music Festival
10/01 Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades *
10/02 Berkeley, CA – UC Theater *
10/03 Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre *
10/04 San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater *
10/06 Ventura, CA – Ventura Music Hall *
10/08 Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco *
10/09 Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory OC *
10/10 San Diego, CA – The Observatory San Diego *
10/11 Tempe, AZ – The Marquee *
10/13 Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre *

  • w/ Death From Above 1979
Single artwork.

A.A. Williams Releases New Album ‘Solstice’ via RPM Records

A.A. Williams’ new album Solstice is out now. Photo: another side, used with permission.

Cinematic Darkness & Radiant Renewal: A.A. Williams Releases ‘Solstice’

A.A. Williams steps into a new era. Out now via RPM, Solstice arrives as Williams’ most powerful and poetic work to date, an album shaped by extremes of light and darkness, weight and fragility, devastation and renewal. (another side, 2026)

Thunderous highs, intimate lows, and vivid emotional shifts unfold across a record that feels both deeply personal and cinematic in scale.

A Sonic World of Extremes

Long celebrated for her haunting vocals, immersive dynamics, and striking emotional clarity, Williams expands her sonic world with an album that moves like a ritual through changing seasons.

  • The Instrumentation: Guitars churn like gathering weather, while strings glow with a fragile warmth.
  • The Vocals: Her voice unfolds seamlessly from restrained intimacy into a commanding emotional force.

Solstice captures A.A. Williams at a major creative turning point. Inspired by years of global touring, acclaimed collaborations, and genre-defying reinterpretations, the album finds her fully embracing both vulnerability and power.

Balancing crushing heaviness with moments of startling beauty, Solstice invites listeners into a world where silence can feel as immense as sound itself. It’s intimate, dramatic, and quietly radiant; music for endings, beginnings, and the long road between the two.

About A.A. Williams

Making her debut live appearance at the prestigious Roadburn Festival in the Netherlands off the back of a self-titled EP, A.A. Williams has since toured across the globe with heavyweights like:

  • Cult of Luna
  • Explosions in the Sky
  • Russian Circles
  • Sleep Token
  • The Sisters of Mercy

Alongside these massive support slots, she has established herself as a formidable headline artist, including a landmark show at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Hall inside London’s Southbank Centre.

A Track Record of Critical Acclaim

Her standout festival appearances have dovetailed with two widely acclaimed album releases: 2020’s Forever Blue and 2022’s As The Moon Rests. Both records placed Williams at the forefront of a wave of artists taking textured, epic, and folk-rooted heavy music into progressive new directions. A live BBC session at the legendary Maida Vale Studios further bolstered her credentials.

Pushing Boundaries & Companion Pieces

Never one to rest on her laurels, Williams has continuously released innovative companion projects, including:

  • “Exit In Darkness”: A collaborative single with Japanese post-rock titans MONO.
  • Songs From Isolation (2020): A solo covers collection recorded during the pandemic lockdown that drew praise from icons like The Cure’s Robert Smith and Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan.
  • arco (2021): Perhaps her most impressive feat, where the multi-instrumentalist drew on her classical training to completely rework her debut EP from rock instrumentation into a stunning string ensemble.

Solstice is out now via RPM. Stream or purchase the album here.

Solstice track list:

  1. Poison
  2. Wolves
  3. Little By Little
  4. Hold It Together
  5. Outlines
  6. I’ve Seen Enough
  7. The Veil
  8. Just A Shadow
  9. It Won’t Rain Forever
  10. Breathe
  11. The Gentle Harm

New Immersive Space Exhibition ‘Smithsonian Starstruck’ Opens at Rivercenter

Explore stars, black holes, and galaxies in a fully immersive journey beyond Earth that brings the universe within reach like never before. Photo: Smithsonian Starstruck, used with permission.

The Universe Awaits: ‘Smithsonian Starstruck’ Immersive Experience Launching in San Antonio

The universe is officially within reach, Texas! San Antonio is about to become a major gateway to the cosmos with the arrival of Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience. (Smithsonian Starstruck, 2026)

Opening this week at The Shops at Rivercenter, this free-roam, interactive journey invites visitors to witness the birth and death of stars, explore distant galaxies, and come face-to-face with a black hole, all without ever leaving downtown San Antonio.

Here is everything you need to know about this upcoming celestial adventure.

📅 Event Details at a Glance

FeatureDetails
Opening DateThursday, July 2, 2026
LocationThe Shops at Rivercenter, Lower Level (San Antonio, TX)
Duration~40 minutes
Recommended Age10+
TicketsAvailable now via the Fever app or website

Science Meets Magic: Built From Real Astronomical Data

Developed in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO)—a pioneering research center founded in 1890—Starstruck draws on decades of genuine astronomical research.

This isn’t just a standard digital exhibition. By translating complex scientific data into a fully immersive, walkable universe, the experience dissolves the boundary between the observer and the observed. Visitors will be able to touch, hear, and navigate the wonders of the cosmos using all of their senses.

🚀 Cosmic Travel Partners: During the journey, guests will travel alongside humanity’s most powerful space observatories, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), and the Chandra X‑ray Observatory.

🌟 Experience Highlights

What can you expect once you step inside? The journey breaks down into some truly breathtaking segments:

  • Launch from the Summit: The experience begins atop SAO’s Whipple Observatory, where a cosmic guide named Astro awaits to launch you into deep space.
  • A 3D Galactic Drift: Glide past thousands of galaxies, race through the Milky Way, and soar close to the Sun to witness its immense energy.
  • The Edge of Infinity: Encounter extreme exoplanets, stand beside a dying star, and walk right up to the edge of a supermassive black hole.

Celebrating Innovation & Human Accomplishment

Beyond the stunning visuals, Starstruck honors centuries of scientific curiosity. From the Big Bang to our modern solar system, the experience places you inside the story of discovery itself, reminding us that humans are not just observers of the cosmos, but an active part of it.

“This project demonstrates how immersive experiences can make complex scientific ideas more tangible and engaging. It’s exciting to see astronomical data translated into an experience that encourages curiosity and exploration.” — Randall Smith, Associate Director for Science at the Center for Astrophysics at SAO.

Bringing Starstruck to San Antonio marks the latest addition to Fever’s growing worldwide portfolio of cultural experiences, aiming to make science and art completely accessible through cutting-edge technology.

♿ Commitment to Accessibility

Developed in close collaboration with the Smithsonian Office of Visitor Accessibility, Starstruck has been thoughtfully designed to ensure a welcoming experience for everyone. Accessibility features include:

  • Captions and visual descriptions
  • Wheelchair-optimized viewing pathways
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Complimentary companion access
  • Monthly low-sensory days alongside a fully trained staff

About the Organizers

About the Smithsonian

Since 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has been the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. It consists of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, and various research facilities housing roughly 157 million objects and specimens.

About the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO)

As part of the largest astrophysics research center in the world, SAO has been a pioneer in space exploration since 1890. Today, they perform groundbreaking research and operate multiple satellites, including NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Minor Planet Center tracking solar system asteroids.

Ready to explore deep space? Head over to Fever to secure your tickets for opening week!

Photo: Smithsonian Starstruck

From Book to Screen: Harlan Coben’s New Netflix Series ‘I Will Find You’

Harlan Coben’s ‘I Will Find You.’ Photo: Barnes & Noble

From Page to Screen: Harlan Coben’s ‘I Will Find You’ Comes to Netflix

Few authors have mastered the art of suspense like Harlan Coben. His novels captivate readers with intricate plots, unexpected twists, and relatable characters whose ordinary lives are suddenly turned upside down. Each story keeps readers guessing until the final pages, making his books nearly impossible to put down.

That same storytelling brilliance has translated seamlessly to the screen, with numerous Netflix adaptations becoming massive international hits. Series like Fool Me Once, Stay Close, and The Stranger have introduced Coben’s gripping mysteries to an even wider audience. Whether on the page or on the screen, Harlan Coben consistently delivers edge-of-your-seat entertainment.

The latest adaptation to join this thriller lineup is I Will Find You, an eight-episode limited series that premiered on Netflix on June 18, 2026.

📺 The Series: ‘I Will Find You’

Based on Coben’s #1 New York Times bestselling novel, I Will Find You follows David Burroughs, an innocent father serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison for the murder of his own son, Matthew.

Five years into his sentence, David receives shocking word from his sister-in-law, Rachel, that Matthew may actually be alive. To uncover the truth, he must embark on a high-stakes mission that leads him out of prison and into a dangerous world of deceit and despair.

🎭 Meet the Cast

ActorRole
Sam WorthingtonDavid Burroughs
Britt LowerRachel Mills
Milo VentimigliaHayden Payne
Logan BrowningSarah Greer
Chi McBrideMax Williams
Madeleine StoweGertrude Payne

📖 The Book Synopsis

For those who want to dive into the source material, here is the official setup for this breathtaking thriller:

David Burroughs was once a devoted father to his three-year-old son, Matthew, living a dream life just a short drive away from the working-class suburb where he and his wife, Cheryl, first fell in love. Until one fateful night, David woke to discover Matthew had been murdered while David was asleep just down the hall. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

Half a decade later, David’s been wrongly accused and convicted of the crime. Grieving and wracked with guilt, he didn’t have the will to fight the system, leaving the world to move on without him.

Then, Cheryl’s younger sister, Rachel, makes a surprise appearance during visiting hours. She brings a strange photograph, and in the background—just barely in frame—is a boy bearing an eerie resemblance to David’s son. David knows it instantly: Matthew is still alive.

Determined to achieve the impossible, David plans a harrowing prison escape to save his son, clear his own name, and discover the real story of what happened. But with his life on the line and the FBI following his every move, can he evade capture long enough to reveal the shocking truth?

✍️ About the Author

Harlan Coben is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in 46 languages and have topped bestseller lists in more than a dozen countries. His celebrated Myron Bolitar series has earned him the prestigious Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards.

Coben is also the creator and executive producer of numerous television shows. Beyond Netflix hits like Missing You, Fool Me Once, The Innocent, and The Woods, he is the creative force behind Amazon Prime’s Shelter and Lazarus. With Run Away and I Will Find You anchoring his latest screen adaptations, Coben has plenty more thrilling projects in the works.

Have you started watching I Will Find You on Netflix yet, or are you planning to read the book first? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Smirk Announces New Album ‘Speculative Fiction,’ Shares New Single ‘Abide’

New album Speculative Fiction out July 3 via Smoking Room. Photo: another side

Track Premiere: Smirk Shares Melancholic New Single & Video “Abide” Ahead of New Album

Smirk has released the melancholic single and video “Abide” ahead of his highly anticipated new album, Speculative Fiction, due out July 3 on Smoking Room. Pre-order/pre-save here. (another side, 2026)

The indie-leaning track feels like a lost B-side from Surfer Rosa-era Pixies mixed with the twang of Gun Club and a solo straight out of the J Mascis playbook. Lyrically, the track slides right into the album’s overarching theme: abandoning longstanding ties for a fresh start and a new future on the horizon.

“‘Abide’ is based on an old British hymn that I reworked to be about the looming end of a long friendship. It’s about that slow drift where nothing really happens, but you can feel it fading and you aren’t trying to fix it.” — Nick Vicario, Smirk Mastermind

Unrest in the Suburbs: Facing the Past

Growing old sucks, but there comes a point in life when it becomes a necessity to ignore the pull to constantly wild out.

“When this band started in LA, it was a crazy time in my life,” Vicario admits. “I was crashing cars, doing drugs—I was doing horrible things and destroying my life.”

On Speculative Fiction, Vicario deals with a new twist on an age-old theme for punk rock: unrest in the suburbs. Instead of youthful rebellion, this version of unrest deals with looking back on past indiscretions and dealing with their repercussions—the disruption of the old life, settling into the new, and the reflection that comes with it. These thoughtful lyrics and themes, when paired with Vicario’s guitar-pop confection, make for a unique juxtaposition.

“When I was writing ‘Speculative Fiction’, a lot of that dealt with the ‘old me’ and some of the crazy life choices I made while abusing substances. So while the record is partially about the ‘old me,’ it’s also very much about putting them in my current world and the new set of problems that come from that.”

From Portland Hardcore to Solo Vision

Vicario has a deep history with punk rock. Growing up in Portland, Oregon, in the early 2000s, he was ingrained in the legendary scene that birthed Poison Idea and Wipers. He began playing in bands at an early age, hobnobbing with members of Tragedy and Criminal Damage in cover bands and even on the gridiron. At just 12 years old, his first band, The Diskords, were the toast of the Maximum Rock ‘n’ Roll illuminati, leading to several releases and having The Exploding Hearts take them under their wing.

His musical journey spans an impressive array of genres and projects:

  • Hardcore & Indie Pop: Playing in hardcore bands like Cower eventually led him to the indie pop outfit Wild Ones, who released two records across eight years (the latter landing on Topshelf Records).
  • Collaborations & Touring: Stints with Public Eye, Cemento, Crisis Man, and others, alongside touring with Surfer Blood and Dreamdecay.
  • The Birth of Smirk: Vicario eventually decided to focus his energies on his solo project, Smirk, dropping a self-titled album in 2021 and Material in 2022.

A New Sonic Blueprint

On Speculative Fiction, Vicario is restarting both personally and musically. Smirk is slowing things down, taking a more measured, power-pop approach that strays away from the speedy punk marking earlier releases. The result is decidedly more mid-paced, reflecting the works of Big Star and The Paul Collins Beat as much as early Stiff Records releases, all filtered through the DIY spirit of Guided by Voices.

Written entirely by Vicario, Speculative Fiction is Smirk’s third full-length album. To round out the record, he called upon a stellar cast of old friends and live bandmates, including:

  • Ross Farrar (Ceremony)
  • Max Smadja (RIXE)
  • Ryan Mangione-Smith (Advertisement)
  • Current members of Smirk’s live lineup (who play in Hotline TNT, Poison Ruin, and Pardoner)

Production Credits

  • Recording: Mainly recorded in Vicario’s home studio, with additional tracks captured by Ian Rose at Daisy Chain Studios in Brooklyn.
  • Mixing: Handled for the bulk of the record by Andy Oswald.

Life Imitates Art

With Speculative Fiction, life imitates art. Smirk slows things down, retools, and gets meticulous—making deliberate decisions with respect to songwriting, approach, and collaboration to execute a new vision.

The final result is a refined, focused, and less chaotic approach to punk with an eye on pop-sensibility. It perfectly mirrors Vicario’s new lifestyle: outside of the fast lane and behind a white picket fence.

Smirk’s new album Speculative Fiction arrives July 3 via Smoking Room. Stream the new single “Abide” now.

Speculative Fiction tracklist:

01 – Greetings
02 – Victimry
03 – Cheap Greed
04 – Going Off To Die
05 – Sistine Junk
06 – Dog Years
07 – I Shall Be Released
08 – Perfect World
09 – Abide
10 – Ritual Torture
11 – Interlude
12 – Shit Song
13 – Crime Pays

Photo: Emily Vicario

Austin’s Barrett’s Coffee Featured in PBS Documentary: Catch the Screening This June

Community hot spot Barrett’s Coffee announces June events. Photo: Barrett’s Coffee.

Coffee, Comedy, and Community: What’s Happening at Barrett’s Too This June

Austin’s own community-oriented local roaster, Barrett’s Coffee, has an incredible lineup of events coming to their second location, Barrett’s Too, this month. From star-studded documentary screenings to World Cup watch parties, there is something for everyone in the neighborhood. (Juice Consulting, 2026)

Here is everything you need to know about what’s brewing this June.

☕ Featured Event: “COFFEE The Universal Language” Screening

When: June 25 at 8:00 PM

Where: Barrett’s Too (103 N Loop Blvd E.)

Special Thanks: Sponsored by Oatly

Barrett’s Coffee is thrilled to host a special screening of the documentary series “COFFEE The Universal Language,” streaming on PBS and Tubi.

In this second season, viewers travel through eight cities across the U.S., and their very own owner, Travis Kizer, was selected to represent the city of Austin. To celebrate the screening of Travis’s episode, they will be serving a special collaborative oat-milk-based frozen beverage for one night only. Don’t miss it!

⚽ Catch the World Cup at Barrett’s Too

From now through July 19

Looking for the perfect spot to catch the soccer matches this summer? Barrett’s Too is hosting family-friendly watch parties for the World Cup games. Bring the whole crew, all ages are welcome.

  • Soccer-related events
  • Food and drink specials
  • Community watch parties for every big match

📅 Weekly Programming (June & Beyond)

Make them a part of your weekly routine. Stop by for these regular events happening every single week:

  • Mondays (7:00 PM): Geeks Who Drink Trivia — Free for all ages.
  • Wednesdays, Fridays, & Saturdays (5:00 PM – 10:00 PM): MilkMade Ice Cream Truck onsite.
  • Thursday Mornings (7:00 AM): Workouts with Erica Nix — Payment required. Sign up through her website or pay on-site.
  • Thursdays (4:00 PM to Close): J. Marie Tarot Readings.

🎉 Special June Events Lineup

Mark your calendars for these limited-time community events:

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Movie Screening: Elvira Mistress of the Dark

  • When: June 24 at 7:00 PM
  • Featuring: Bloody Rose Boutique, Queeriosities, & Sarah Froelich
  • Special Guest: A performance by Dednamez

🎙️ DEI Comedy Showcase

  • When: June 26 from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • What: A night of incredible local laughs and community connection.

About Barrett’s Coffee

Barrett’s has been a proud part of the Austin coffee community for almost a decade. While their first cafe location opened nine years ago in 2017, the team has been roasting coffee locally since the mid-1990s. Owner Travis Kizer has decades of experience sourcing and roasting beans, building strong connections in both the local and global coffee community since 1992.

The original North Lamar location (713 W St. Johns Ave.) is still home to their daily roasting and packaging activities. They recently expanded their offerings to a second location, Barrett’s Too, which features a full bar and kitchen alongside their house-roasted coffee.

Sourcing Responsibly & Giving Back

Barrett’s purchases directly from farms and brokers located across Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, and Ethiopia. They specifically source fair trade, organic certified, and women-produced coffees that help give back, funding local K-12 schools, women’s programs, recycling initiatives, and computer labs.

They also love sustainable innovation. Check out their newly launched Bubbs Seltzer. They are one of only four companies in the country to offer this reusable, sustainable siphon-bottled seltzer, delivered for free right to your doorstep.