On February 21st, we celebrate the birthdays of two prolific authors who each have their own passionate fanbases: David Foster Wallace and Chuck Palahniuk. They couldn’t be more different, but people love them all the same. We celebrate them this Saturday, and all the authors below who are releasing new books today.
Sip, Splash & Murder by Lynn Joseph (Mermaid Bay Wine Mystery Series)
Mermaid Bay’s Beach and Board Festival promises fun in the sun, but Noelle Knight would rather pair wine than paddleboard in a charity race. Determined not to embarrass herself, she focuses on keeping her wine shop shining during the festivities. Trouble arrives in the form of influencer Lily Lancaster, whose livestreams mock local traditions and stir up resentment across town. When Lily is found dead on the shore, the celebration turns into a crime scene and suspicion falls on nearly everyone, including Noelle’s mischievous cat, Cabby.
With races underway and gossip spreading faster than the tide, Noelle juggles wine tastings and interrogations while searching for the truth. Her fisherman boyfriend Finn helps steady her nerves, but danger lurks close to home. In Sip, Splash and Murder by Lynn Joseph, sunlit beaches hide dark secrets, and solving the case may be the only way to keep Mermaid Bay from sinking into chaos.
A Bitter End by Poppy Bridgeman (The EB Eats Diner Mysteries Series)
A notorious food critic arrives in town, and panic spreads through Nueva Vida’s culinary scene in A Bitter End by Poppy Bridgeman. Known for destroying reputations with ruthless reviews, the critic never leaves the restaurant alive. Poisoned by a bitter compound hidden in a flawless tasting menu, the murder points to someone with expert skill in the kitchen. With chefs turning on each other and her friend Alistair under suspicion, Eliza investigates rivalries, grudges, and shattered careers. In a world where reputations mean everything, she uncovers just how far someone will go to protect or avenge their place at the table.
Plants and Playtime by Hazel Rockwood (Steamy Towers Series)
A front desk job at Steamy Towers turns unexpectedly complicated in Plants and Playtime by Hazel Rockwood. What starts as an awkward first meeting soon leads to playful arguments, plant shopping, and growing attraction between one woman and two irresistibly handsome men. She never imagined either of them would want her, let alone both, but their attention makes her feel seen in ways she never expected. As chemistry builds and doubts linger, she must decide if she can trust what she feels and take a chance on an unconventional kind of love.
Here is a list of all of the new books releasing today:
New Book Releases for February 21st, 2026
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vince is the Entertainment Editor at Book Notification. His first book was Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss, and his passion for reading took off from there. He'll read just about anything, but can usually be found re-reading his favorite Pynchon novels and Seattle Mariners box scores.