157: Chat with Ilona Bannister

Meagan's Book Club Podcast · Aug 25, 2026 · 43m

This week, I’m joined by bestselling author Ilona Bannister, author of the psychological thriller Five, which became a sensation after its release in May. Ilona and I talk about the winding, often difficult journey to becoming a traditionally published author—including navigating the challenges of publishing during COVID and the unwavering support from her husband that helped her keep going.

We also dive into Five and what makes its characters so compelling. At the heart of the story is the way we judge people without ever really knowing what’s happening beneath the surface, and Ilona shares…