Newsletter for website 7/19/25
Coming Soon: The Double Edge – A Debut Thriller Served Hot with Samantha’s Penne alla Vodka…
Justice can sometimes have a Double Edge. Let me introduce Samantha who will show us how.
Dear Reader,
What if the person your father trusted most turned out to be your greatest enemy?
At 26, Samantha thought she knew the truth about her father’s death. A gifted teacher with a quiet life in Manhattan, she was raised on stories of dignity, loyalty, and trust. But when she discovers that her enigmatic Iranian-American godfather, Bahman—a family friend and charismatic entrepreneur—secretly orchestrated her father’s downfall, the foundations of her world crack.
Determined to expose him, Samantha trades her idealism for cunning, enlisting a reclusive father and son whose mastery of digital subterfuge opens doors to secrets long buried. But revenge is never clean. As Samantha steps deeper into the shadows Bahman once used to destroy her father, she must confront how far she’s willing to go—and who she’s willing to become.
Taut, morally complex, and elegantly written, The Double Edge is a literary psychological thriller that cuts deep into the ethics of justice, the scars of betrayal, and the legacy of power.
Coming at the end of the first quarter, this debut novel promises to keep you turning pages late into the night.
For readers who love Gone Girl, The Secret History, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Samantha’s story will resonate: she’s smart, brave, and imperfect—a heroine walking the knife-edge between righteousness and obsession.
While you wait for The Double Edge, why not get to know Samantha a little better? Like any good New Yorker, she finds solace in her kitchen. Her favorite dish to prepare after a long day of teaching—or plotting revenge—is a creamy, comforting Penne alla Vodka.
Here’s her recipe:
Samantha’s Penne alla Vodka
(Serves 4)
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oz pancetta sautéed separately and placed on a paper towel to absorb extra fat
- 1/2 cup (120ml) vodka
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1/3 cup (80g) tomato paste
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese, to serve
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat
Instructions
- Cook the penne in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the vodka and simmer for 2-3 minutes to let the alcohol cook off.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, letting it caramelize slightly to deepen the flavor.
- Stir in the pancetta.
- Reduce heat to low, stir in the cream, and simmer gently until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened (about 5 minutes).
- Toss in the cooked penne and stir to coat the pasta in the sauce. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately with plenty of parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
This is Samantha’s go-to comfort food—creamy, a little fiery, and as unapologetically bold as she becomes.
Ready to Join Samantha’s Journey?
The Double Edge will be available everywhere books are sold at the end of the first quarter. Pre-order information and exclusive launch events will be announced soon.
Make sure you’re on the list to be the first to receive updates, sneak peeks, and bonus content—including another one of Samantha’s favorite recipes and an annotated chapter from the author.
Justice has a double edge. Samantha’s story will cut deep.
Until then, enjoy your penne… and remember, revenge is a dish best served carefully.
With anticipation,
Katherine D’Arcy
Author of The Double Edge