Stockholm, 1791: politics, passion, magic, murder
Revolution and unrest are boiling up on the continent of Europe, but Sweden seems immune. All is well in the capitol city of Stockholm or so it seems to Emil Larsson, a self-satisfied bureaucrat in the Office of Customs and Excise and a true man of the Town – drinker, card shark, and contented bachelor. That is until Mrs. Sofia Sparrow, fortune-teller and proprietor of an exclusive gaming parlor, shares a vision of a golden path that will lead Emil to love and connection.
Mrs. Sparrow lays an Octavo for him, a spread of eight cards that augur the eight individuals
who can help him realize this vision–if he can find them. But as Emil eagerly searches for his eight,
he comes to the startling realization that finding them is no longer just a game of the heart,
but crucial to foiling the assassination of King Gustav III and pulling his country back
from the crumbling precipice of rebellion and chaos.
Historical fiction set in the far north during the turbulence of the late 18th century,
The Stockholm Octavo portrays a world of intrigue, betrayal and love infused with
cartomancy, folding fans, and the inevitability of fate.
New York Times Editor's Choice. Amazon Editor's Choice. Kirkus Best Fiction 2012.
Starred reviews: Kirkus, Library Journal, Booklist and Publisher's Weekly.
Other titles
1789
visions of Angels
ornaments
A collection for ages 12-17 that explores a turbulent time in the western world. My piece on King Gustav III is included. Starred reviews in Publisher's Weekly
and Kirkus.
ornaments
visions of Angels
ornaments
Illustrated short stories about the memories that holiday ornaments hold, written when my children were small and with them in mind.
visions of Angels
visions of Angels
visions of Angels
More design, research and concept project than writing, but I love this book and my co-author Nelson Bloncourt, who has gone on to author two delightful children's books of his own. Heavenly!
NEW work
miss hall's last costume
miss hall's last costume
miss hall's last costume
Miss Hall’s Last Costume is a black comedy set in present time. Margaret Hall, 78 year-old retired professor of theatrical costume, is chosen as a trial patient for the Cardinal Longevity Clinic — a process that may reverse her physiological age by 20 years and add an equal amount to her life span. Success means escape from her court-or
Miss Hall’s Last Costume is a black comedy set in present time. Margaret Hall, 78 year-old retired professor of theatrical costume, is chosen as a trial patient for the Cardinal Longevity Clinic — a process that may reverse her physiological age by 20 years and add an equal amount to her life span. Success means escape from her court-ordered “incarceration” in Cape Tides — a Senior living community she loathes — but the inclusion of a memory protocol enhanced by psychedelics proves you can’t escape your past. By trial’s end, the story takes a turn into obsession, greed, betrayal, murder, costumes, love, and a way forward — just not the one Miss Hall expected.
COMPLETE MS
meeting Martha
miss hall's last costume
miss hall's last costume
Meeting Martha, set in the late 1980s, follows ex-pat Anna Larsson, whose settled life is upended when her husband’s former girlfriend — NYC theatre artist Martha Quincy—transforms Anna’s “script” via the contents of her closet with superb results, except when it comes to her marriage. When Anna’s husband announces a three-month trip, An
Meeting Martha, set in the late 1980s, follows ex-pat Anna Larsson, whose settled life is upended when her husband’s former girlfriend — NYC theatre artist Martha Quincy—transforms Anna’s “script” via the contents of her closet with superb results, except when it comes to her marriage. When Anna’s husband announces a three-month trip, Anna arranges a sabbatical in New York to complete Martha’s process, using a class on the emerging digital workplace as an excuse. Administrative errors land her in “Getting Started with Greetings.” The results? Disastrous, hilarious, miraculous. (Meeting Martha features 60 illustrations — a return to my visual arts roots.)
COMPLETE MS
midtown
miss hall's last costume
midtown
Midtown is set in the near future after the island of Manhattan, ravaged by superstorms and infrastructure collapse, has become the Manhattan National Monument, a wildly popular park, closed to permanent residents but open to courageous tourists six months per year. Therese (Tree) Andrews, 19, an architecture student, is awarded a covete
Midtown is set in the near future after the island of Manhattan, ravaged by superstorms and infrastructure collapse, has become the Manhattan National Monument, a wildly popular park, closed to permanent residents but open to courageous tourists six months per year. Therese (Tree) Andrews, 19, an architecture student, is awarded a coveted internship at the park. Tree anticipates an exciting, rewarding season filled with adventure and maybe romance. What she doesn’t foresee is the intense battle over the future of the island that she joins as player and pawn, risking her future to solve a secret architectural puzzle holding the key to a new New York.
WORK IN PROGRESS