The selection for One Book, One Island 2026 – “All That Smolders: A Mystery“ by James Sulzer
It comes with secrets, shadows, and a mystery you won’t want to solve alone.
A past he can’t escape. A secret that won’t stay buried. A murder that changes everything.
It’s 1980, and autumn descends on a tranquil island off the coast of New England. Locals prepare for winter in a place known more for its charm than its danger — until the body of a prominent lawyer is discovered, and the peace is shattered.
Enter Peter Christie, a once-promising journalist nursing the wounds of a failed marriage, a tarnished career, and a traumatic past. Hoping to start over, Peter joins the island’s small-town paper — only to find himself caught in the biggest story the island has ever seen.
As Peter investigates the murder, he becomes entangled in the lives of the islanders, including Haddie Danville, a passionate conservationist grieving the sudden loss of her grandfather. But when secrets and suspicion begin to swirl, Peter’s new life—and his relationship with Haddie — are put at risk.
To solve the case and find redemption, Peter must navigate a web of old grudges, hidden legacies, and dangerous lies. But the truth may come at a cost — and someone will stop at nothing to protect what smolders beneath the surface.
Set against the haunting beauty of a New England island, All That Smolders is a masterfully written mystery of love, loss, and the search for second chances.
James Sulzer lives in Nantucket, Massachusetts. A graduate of Yale University, where he was a Yale National Scholar, he is the author of six novels — three for adults and three for middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12).
His novels for adults include a novel about Emily Dickinson, THE VOICE AT THE DOOR, a novel about the poet John Keats, WRIT IN WATER (Fuze Publishing), and the novel NANTUCKET DAYBREAK (Walker and Co.).
He has also written a trilogy of novels for children, THE CARD PEOPLE (Fuze Publishing). A former commercial scalloper, he taught elementary and middle school students for 30 years and has produced countless “sonic id’s” for Public Radio.
OBOI 2026 EVENTS
MARCH 2
Free copies of All That Smolders will be available at the Nantucket Atheneum, the Inquirer and Mirror, and the Whaling Museum.
MARCH 29 | 3 – 6 PM
3-4 PM: Book Discussion
Join us for a lively conversation about All That Smolders, moderated by Inquirer and Mirror Executive Editor, Josh Balling. Author James Sulzer will be in attendance to share insights and answer questions.
4:15-4:45 PM: Page to Stage
Excerpts from All That Smolders featuring Local Actors
Reading 1: “In Which: Peter Goes Scalloping”. p. 41-43, Peter Christie, Haddie, Dorothy Douglas
Reading 2: “In Which: Clues Are Disputed”. p. 149-150, Peter Christie, Det. McGuane
Reading 3: “In Which: Jokes Are Made & A Death Discussed”. p. 175-177, Peter Christie, Bob Brown, Steph Sylvan
Reading 4: “In Which: Poetry Is Mentioned”. p. 194-196, Peter Christie, Anthony Dyer
Reading 5: “In Which: A Family Is Reunited”. p. 244-246, Peter Christie, Quentin Douglas Luna Douglas, Dorothy Douglas
CAST
Sean Allen – Peter Christie, Director
Mark Drew – Det. McGuane, Quentin Douglas
James Grieder – Bob Brown, Anthony Dyer
Morgan Jones – Haddie, Luna Douglas, Steph Sylvan
Ashley Twiggs – Dorothy Douglas
5-6 PM: Trivia Game
Test your knowledge with a fun and engaging trivia game inspired by the book. Play with a team or tackle the questions solo. Prizes awarded to top winners!
A very special thank you to The Inquirer and Mirror and the Whaling Museum for distributing books.
*Snacks and Refreshments will be served.
APRIL 4 | 5:30 – 8 PM
- Murder Mystery Night — Visit nantucketatheneum.org to buy tickets.
During the entire month of March, keep an eye open for cozy pop-up reading nooks across the island.
Selections
2024
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store (James McBride)
2023
The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness (Sy Montgomery)
2022
The Midnight Library (Haig)
2021
The Yellow House (Broom)
2020
The Overstory (Powers)
2019
The Monk of Mokha (Eggers)
2018
TransAtlantic (McCann)
2017
Elephant Company (Constantine Croke)
2016
The Invention of Wings (Monk Kidd)
2015
Enrique’s Journey (Nazario)
2014
To Kill A Mockingbird (Lee)
2013
The Red Garden (Hoffman)
2012
The Maltese Falcon (Hammett)
2011
The Postmistress (Blake)
2010
Coal Black Horse (Olmstead)
2009
American Chica (Arana)
Seedfolks (Fleischman)
Abuela (Dorros)
2008
The Old Man and the Sea (Hemingway)
The Young Man and the Sea (Philbrick)
Island Boy (Cooney)
2007
The Kiterunner (Hosseini)
The Breadwinner (Ellis)
The Librarian of Basra (Winter)
Support for One Book, One Island
The program is made possible by funding from the Tupancy-Harris Foundation and the Hale Family Foundation, together with financial and staff support from:
Nantucket Atheneum
Mitchell’s Book Corner
Nantucket Historical Association
The Inquirer and Mirror
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Please consider supporting One Book, One Island Program. To donate, or for more information, please contact Leslie Malcolm, Nantucket Atheneum, 508 228 1110
