Author Pam Avery is set to release her new novel, The Other Side of Tanner, worldwide on October 1. The book is a sequel to her critically acclaimed debut, The Tanner Side of Town, and shifts the focus to Tanner Fox, the daughter of Lucy Tanner and Hunter Fox. Now in her early 50s, Tanner is a successful attorney and fixer who manages crises for politicians and celebrities, but her own life is far from stable. The novel's release is significant because it continues a multigenerational family saga that has resonated with readers, exploring how the past shapes the present and how individuals grapple with personal and professional contradictions.
At the heart of Tanner's personal turmoil is a five-year affair with married U.S. Senator Cary Lancaster. Despite understanding the political fallout such a relationship could cause, Tanner finds herself emotionally entangled with a man whose promises have kept her waiting. This storyline underscores the novel's exploration of the clash between professional competence and personal vulnerability, a theme that Avery says made Tanner a fascinating character to write. "Tanner Fox is smart, accomplished, tough and very good at managing other people's crises," Avery said. "Yet beneath all that confidence is someone struggling to manage her own life."
The novel also delves into a dangerous investigation that begins in Kings County, Georgia, and stretches to Chicago and Florida. Tanner becomes involved in uncovering the past of Bill Braxton, a small-time criminal with mobster ambitions. As she digs deeper, she uncovers connections to the Andrews family that make the case deeply personal for those closest to her. This investigation adds suspense and twists, but Avery emphasizes that the story is about more than solving a mystery. "It's about the choices people make, the secrets they keep, the consequences that follow and the people who stand beside them when life becomes complicated," she said. "At its heart, this is still a story about family."
Readers of the first novel will encounter familiar characters decades later, including Lucy Tanner, Hunter Fox, and Hank Tanner, now a Georgia district attorney. New characters include recovering surgeon David Harrington, who runs a farm helping men rebuild their lives after addiction, and retired Chicago police officer Leo Flynn. The novel also explores the Tanner family's roots in the North Georgia mountains, examining what happens when a new generation inherits both the strength of their ancestors and unfinished business from the past. Avery notes that the setting is almost another character, shaping the family's identity and sense of belonging.
The release of The Other Side of Tanner matters because it offers a contemporary take on timeless themes: love, dependency, identity, and the possibility of second chances. Through Tanner's journey, Avery explores the contradiction of a woman trained to manage chaos who cannot always control her own. "Life rarely gives us perfect people making perfect decisions," Avery said. "We make mistakes, we carry things from our past, we love people we probably shouldn't, and sometimes we get another chance to decide who we want to be." The novel is published by Shades Creek Press, LLC, and is poised to captivate both returning fans and new readers with its blend of mystery, family drama, and emotional depth.
