Tag: Psychological Fiction

Writing Through Grief: Matteo B. Bianchi’s Unforgettable Novel of Love and Loss

‘The Life of Those Left Behind’ is the new novel by Matteo B. Bianchi. Photo: Other Press.

“The Life of Those Left Behind”: Matteo B. Bianchi’s Devastating and Luminous Novel of Grief

In “The Life of Those Left Behind: A Novel,” acclaimed Italian author Matteo B. Bianchi delivers a profoundly intimate meditation on grief, love, and the transformative power of storytelling. Set to be released in English on May 27, 2025 by Other Press, this luminous novel is a raw and moving testimony born from personal tragedy. (Other Press, 2025)

A Story Born from Loss

When Bianchi published his debut novel in 1999—a fierce, coming-of-age portrait of a gay boy in 1980s Milan—his life was shadowed by unbearable loss. Just months earlier, S., the man he had loved and lived with for seven years, had taken his own life in the apartment they once shared. Matteo was the one who found him.

From that harrowing moment, Bianchi describes being trapped in a “dark labyrinth”—a psychological and emotional whirlpool of grief, confusion, guilt, and sorrow that haunts those left behind after a loved one’s suicide. He becomes the unwilling protagonist in a tragedy that feels both intimately unique and universally unfathomable.

Writing Through the Pain

In the midst of this devastation, the writer within Bianchi begins to take notes—not as a project, but as a reflex, a lifeline. At first, they are broken fragments: raw nerves on the page, splinters of memory and emotion. Over time, those fragments evolve into a heartfelt and unfiltered conversation with S.—a record of pain, love, memory, and the slow, uncertain path back toward life.

“The Life of Those Left Behind” is the result of two decades of healing and reflection. It’s a novel both radical and vulnerable, both deeply personal and resonant with universal truths. In his journey through trauma, Bianchi joins a literary lineage of authors who have wrestled with loss on the page—writers like Joan Didion (“The Year of Magical Thinking”), Ocean Vuong (“On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous”), and Lidia Yuknavich (“The Chronology of Water”).

A Novel That Redeems Grief

This book is not only an account of what it means to survive, but also a testament to how writing can redeem and reframe even the most unspeakable pain. It is a powerful reminder that while grief may never fully release its grip, art can help us find light inside its darkest corners.

About the Author

Matteo B. Bianchi, born in Milan in 1966, is a novelist, editor, and screenwriter. His previous works include “Generations of Love” and “Maria Accanto,” both celebrated for their emotional depth and cultural insight.

About the Translator

Michael F. Moore is an award-winning translator known for his masterful renditions of Italian literature. His recent work includes “The Betrothed” by Alessandro Manzoni, and he has translated works by Alberto Moravia, Primo Levi, and Mario Desiati. In 2024, Moore was honored with the Thornton Wilder Prize for Translation. He holds a PhD in Italian from NYU and has served as an interpreter and staff member at the United Nations.

📖 Don’t Miss This Unforgettable Story

“The Life of Those Left Behind” is a novel that will stay with you long after the final page. Pre-order your copy today and be among the first to experience this powerful journey through love, loss, and healing.

👉 Pre-order now from Other Press

Advance Praise for Matteo B. Bianchi (The Life of Those Left Behind):

***One of FRESH FICTION’s Not To Miss June 2025 Titles***

“With The Life of Those Left Behind, Matteo B. Bianchi, one of Italy’s finest writers, attains new heights of intimacy, acuity, and eloquence. A chronicle of a loved one’s suicide—what led up to it and what followed it—the novel is also a testament to human endurance and compassion, fallibility and wisdom. A necessary book.”
—David Leavitt, author of Shelter in Place

“Haunting and haunted. As beautiful as it is devastating. The Life of Those Left Behind is one of those rare books to capture the brutal nature of grief and loss while soaring as a stunning work of literature. Matteo B. Bianchi serves as both traveler and guide into a terrifying underworld we never expect to enter. It’s an indelible meditation on suicide, precision-tuned to break your heart.”
—Christopher Bollen, author of Havoc

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Debut Spotlight: Franziska Gänsler’s ‘Eternal Summer’ Explores Climate and Connection

‘Eternal Summer’ by Franziska Gänsler. Photo: Barnes & Noble

New Release: “Eternal Summer” by Franziska Gänsler

Available Tuesday, May 6, 2025 (Other Press)

This week brings an unsettling and mesmerizing work of climate fiction from debut author Franziska Gänsler. “Eternal Summer: A Novel” is set in a once-idyllic German spa town now devastated by climate change. Perfect for fans of Jenny Hval, Julia Armfield, and Olga Tokarczuk, this haunting novel explores themes of trust, abuse, and solidarity through the evolving relationship between two women.

When Iris inherits her grandfather’s hotel in Bad Heim, the town is still a bustling wellness retreat. But as climate change tightens its grip, summers stretch endlessly, scorching heat and forest fires fill the skies with ash and smoke, and guests become scarce. One day, a young mother and her small daughter arrive, seemingly out of nowhere. Iris senses something is off. Is the woman in need of help—or could she pose a threat?

Gänsler vividly conjures the suffocating atmosphere: the sting of ash on skin, the oppressive heat, and the ever-present scent of smoke. “Eternal Summer” is a powerful, immersive novel that captures the intersection of personal trauma and global catastrophe. It’s an intense and timely debut that lingers long after the last page.

About the Author

Franziska Gänsler was born in Augsburg, Germany in 1987. She studied art and English in Berlin, Vienna, and Augsburg. In 2020, she was shortlisted for the Blogbuster Prize and was a finalist at Berlin’s 28th Open Mike competition. Gänsler currently lives in Augsburg and Berlin. “Eternal Summer” is her first novel.

About the Translator

Imogen Taylor studied French and German at New College, Oxford, and the Humboldt University in Berlin. She has translated works by Sascha Arango, Dirk Kurbjuweit, and Melanie Raabe. In March 2016, she received the Goethe-Institut Award for New Translations.

Advance Praise for Franziska Gänsler (Eternal Summer):

“I loved this book. Exploring the unsettling tension between individual lives and the collective upheaval of the climate crisis, it questions what we owe one another. Its haunting is subtle, slow and flickering from page to page until it catches. The two women stayed with me for days afterward.”
—Sarah S. Grossman, author of “A Fire So Wild”

“Gänsler’s language is calm and unerring. Parallel to the fatal consequences of the climate crisis, she also narrates the story of women.”
—DER SPIEGEL

“A feminist climate-fiction novel that gets under the skin in many different ways.”
—BERLINER ZEITUNG

The Power of Reflection: My Review of ‘Lost in Thought’ by Deborah Serra

‘Lost in Thought’ is the inspiring new novel by Deborah Serra. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Deborah Serra is a recipient of the Hawthornden Literary Fellowship, a semifinalist for the Faulkner-Wisdom Creative Writing Award, and nominated for the O. Henry Prize. She has been published in literary magazines and is an editor with the ethics and short story magazine, After Dinner Conversation. Serra is the author of the thriller, “Primal,” and the humorous travel memoir, “2 Broads Abroad.” Her latest book is “Lost in Thought,” a novel about unconscious decision making and the illusion of free will.

“Lost in Thought” – Ilana works at Lyric Opera House and is in a committed relationship with Adam, a neuroscientist, for the last 3 years. They live in a cozy Greenwich Village apartment where they often share meals with friends as they engage in stimulating conversations. She’s adopted, and the questions inside of her are growing insistent including who would she be if she’d grown up in her birth home? Is she truly who she thinks she is? Has she ever freely chosen anything at all? Are these questions in part due to Adam’s research on how people make their decisions. It could also be suppressed grief from the death of her adoptive mother. Her inner dialogue is affecting her daily life: “Her thoughts were loud and they drowned out her words.”

When Ilana learns that her birth mother Fiona Shannon owns a pub in Albany, she figures what harm could there be in casually dropping by for a drink? To see, just to see. What begins as curiosity about her choices evolves into a traumatic shift in her world. She loses control of her life and then chaos breaks out.

Review:
The story begins as Ilana is taking the elevator to her office in the 12th floor. A germaphobe by nature, it intensified by Covid and it shows in every part of her life. She’s the production manager at the opera house and the job requires a sense of authority. To everyone around her, she seems calm and confident, but it’s only a front. She was raised to act confident regardless of her situation, and in her line of work, emotions are a sign of defeat and she refuses to show any weaknesses.

Her adoptive mother died of Covid months ago after being on a ventilator for months. She wasn’t allowed to visit her in person and she helplessly watched her die through her iPad. This experience still haunts her and is slowly chipping away at her confidence and total belief system. She desperately wants to know more about her birth family, if she has any of their traits, physical or otherwise. Her best friend and ex-boyfriend William tries to convince her that her personality is the sum of her experiences, which sets forth the nature vs nurture debate. That impulsive trip to see Fiona and her husband Shea O’Holleran will change her life in ways she never saw coming.

This combination of women’s literature and literary fiction is a compelling exploration of the subconscious mind and how unconscious processes shape our decisions, often without our awareness. The novel invites readers into the life of Ilana, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery after realizing that much of what she believed to be her free will was, in fact, influenced by external forces and internal biases. Serra cleverly examines the illusion of choice, presenting a narrative that challenges the notion that we are fully in control of our actions.

The writing is introspective and open, combining scientific concepts with philosophical musings in a way that’s thought-provoking yet not overly dense. The novel’s pacing keeps readers engaged, blending character-driven drama with intellectual inquiry. As Ilana confronts the complexities of the human mind, the book raises important questions about responsibility, autonomy, and the nature of free will. With highly descriptive language, the action flows easily through the pages: “The industrial breezes from cars and buses and subway vents blew hot into her face, grabbed her silk skirt, and whipped the loose strands of her hair.”

Overall, “Lost in Thought” is a stimulating read that challenges perceptions and invites reflection on the unseen forces that guide our choices. It explores the themes of family, identity, love, and friendship. By making abstract ideas concrete, it offers a relatable and human story while tackling deep philosophical themes. Readers are left questioning their own thought processes and the extent to which they truly have control over their lives. It is recommended for readers who enjoy intellectual literary fiction that features smart and relatable characters.

“Now, her mind was relentlessly chewing. It was thrilling but like a horror film. She asked herself why she was going down the dark basement stairs.”

*The author received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Truth, Lies, and the Deep Blue Hour: A Gripping Psychological Thriller by Peter Stamm

‘In a Deep Blue Hour: A Novel’ is the new novel by Peter Stamm. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Psychological thrillers are some of my favorite books. They go into the inner workings of characters’ minds, exploring their thoughts, emotions, and motivations. This genre often blurs the line between reality and perception, creating complex, unpredictable narratives that challenge readers’ understanding of truth. The appeal lies in the deep emotional engagement it fosters, inviting readers to confront their own psychological experiences and question the nature of identity, memory, and consciousness. By emphasizing internal conflict, psychological thrillers offer a more intimate, introspective experience compared to traditional plot-driven stories. This immersive exploration of the human psyche resonates with readers seeking to understand themselves and the complexities of human behavior.

From Other Press, the latest addition to acclaimed Swiss author Peter Stamm’s impressive body of work, “In a Deep Blue Hour: A Novel” will be released on March 18, 2025. It is available for pre-order. (Other Press, 2024)

“In a Deep Blue Hour: A Novel” – A documentary filmmaker uncovers the secrets of an enigmatic author in this subtly enthralling novel from “one of Europe’s most exciting writers” – (New York Times Book Review).

For days, documentary filmmaker Andrea and her team have been waiting for Richard Wechsler in his Swiss hometown. During their first shoots in Paris, the famous writer had not wanted to reveal much about himself, and now the whole film threatens to fail.

In the narrow streets and alleys of the village, Andrea searches for traces of Wechsler’s life, contrary to their agreement. But it is not until she starts reading his books again that she discovers a clue to a childhood sweetheart who might still be living there. An old love who influenced his whole life, but whom no one ever knew about.

Written with Stamm’s trademark subtlety and devastating precision, “In a Deep Blue Hour: A Novel” is a captivating work of psychological fiction perfect for lovers of Jon Fosse’s “Septology,” Jenny Erpenbeck’s “Kairos,” and Stamm’s previous work. In this elusive novel, Stamm explores the meeting point between reality and fiction. I hope to stay in touch with you about possibilities for it.

Peter Stamm is the author of the novels “The Archive of Feelings,” “The Sweet Indifference of the World,” “To the Back of Beyond,” “All Days Are Night,” “Seven Years,” “On a Day Like This,” “Unformed Landscape,” and “Agnes,” and the short-story collections “It’s Getting Dark,” “We’re Flying,” and “In Strange Gardens and Other Stories.” His award-winning books have been translated into more than forty languages. For his entire body of work and his accomplishments in fiction, he was short-listed for the Man Booker International Prize in 2013, and in 2014 he won the prestigious Friedrich Hölderlin Prize. He lives in Switzerland.

About the Translator: Michael Hofmann has translated the work of Gottfried Benn, Hans Fallada, Franz Kafka, Joseph Roth, and many others. In 2012 he was awarded the Thornton Wilder Prize for Translation by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His “One Lark, One Horse: Poems” was published in 2019, “Where Have You Been? Selected Essays” in 2014, and “Selected Poems” in 2009. He lives in Florida and London.

“In a Deep Blue Hour: A Novel” by Peter Stamm • Translated by Michael Hofmann
Other Press Trade Paperback Original
On-Sale Date: March 18, 2025 • Price: $17.99

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Therese Bohman’s ‘Andromeda: A Novel’ – A Story of Power and a Changing World

‘Andromeda: A Novel’ is the new novel by critically acclaimed Swedish author Therese Bohman. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Therese Bohman grew up outside of Norrköping and now lives in Stockholm. Her debut novel“Drowned” received critical acclaim both in Sweden and internationally and was selected as an Oprah Winfrey Summer Read. Her second novel “The Other Woman” was short- listed for the Nordic Council Prize and Swedish Radio’s Fiction Prize, while her third novel “Eventide” was short-listed for Sweden’s most prestigious literary award, the August Prize. Bohman is an arts journalist who regularly contributes to one of Sweden’s largest newspapers, Expressen, and to the magazine Tidningen Vi. (Other Press, 2024)

The latest novel from critically acclaimed Swedish author Therese Bohman, “Andromeda: A Novel,” is a sharp and insightful tale of power and a changing world.

“Andromeda” – In this ambitious novel, a young woman working her way up at a storied Stockholm publisher develops an ambiguous, shifting relationship with her boss. A shrewd study about the tension between tradition and modernity, and expectations and reality, “Andromeda” offers a fresh perspective from a fierce voice and will be released on January 14, 2025. It is available for pre-order.

The publishing house is anchored like a ship along Stockholm’s main street, a large, bright building with an impressive rooftop terrace. The facade is a grid of wood and granite; flags with a cursive R sway in the wind. R as in Rydéns. A young woman starts as an intern at this venerated institution, and over many years gains more and more responsibility for its authors and books. All under the supervision of Gunnar, publishing director of the most prestigious imprint behind the finest literature, Andromeda. Over time their work relationship transforms into something neither of them can truly define. Perhaps built on mutual trust? Or is it something else?

Perfect for fans of the complex relationship dynamics and the explorations of female agency in Coco Mellors’s “Cleopatra and Frankenstein” and Julia May Jonas’s “Vladimir,” “Andromeda” is sure to linger in the minds of longtime lovers of Bohman’s work and new readers alike. It is translated by Marlaine Delargy.

Marlaine Delargy has translated novels by John Ajvide Lindqvist, Kristina Ohlsson, and Helene Tursten, as well as “The Unit” by Ninni Holmqvist and Therese Bohman’s “Drowned.” She lives in England.

“Elegant and captivating, Andromeda plumbs the depths of the tantalizingly ambiguous relationship between college-aged Sofie and her middle-aged boss, Gunnar. Both characters (understandably) deride the overused phrase ‘balance of power,’ and yet the novel does indeed offer a fresh and provocative subversion of that familiar narrative—it was thrilling to watch their electric, profound connection unfold. As their worldviews intertwine, the novel delves into the ways literature shapes our lives, our desires and disappointments. I inhaled this book and will be thinking about it for a while.”
—Caitlin Barasch, author of A Novel Obsession

“Andromeda is the best kind of company—a book I kept longing to return to, full of ideas and emotion.”
—Julia May Jonas, author of Vladimir

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Reflections on Reality: How ‘Lost in Thought’ Challenges Our Perceptions

‘Lost in Thought’ is Deborah Serra’s new book. Photo: Amazon

Literary fiction explores the complexities of the human experience, often prioritizing character development and thematic depth over plot-driven narratives. The themes are often identity, society, and morality, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives. Another noteworthy work of literary fiction coming out next month is “Lost in Thought” by Deborah Serra. It is available for pre-order on Amazon.

“Lost in Thought” dares us to question our unconscious decisions and ask: Does your mind wander? Where does it go without you? (Meryl Moss Media, 2024)

Deborah Serra was a recipient of the Hawthornden Literary Fellowship and a semifinalist for the Faulkner-Wisdom Creative Writing Award. She has been published in several literary magazines and is an editor with the ethics and short story magazine After Dinner Conversation. She has been nominated for the O. Henry Prize. Deborah has two previously published books, “Primal” (a thriller) and “2 Broads Abroad” (a humorous travel memoir). On assignment, she has written ten TV films and numerous episodes and spent two years on staff. She has worked for Showtime, CBS, NBC, Sony, Fox, and Lifetime. Her new book “Lost in Thought” will be out October 22, 2024.

“Lost in Thought” – Ilana has an enviable job as production manager at the Lyric Opera House, a committed relationship, a cozy Greenwich Village apartment, wonderful friends, and the satisfying feeling of accomplishment. But the questions growing insistent inside her are about to shift the trajectory of her life.

Are Ilana’s questions due to her scientist boyfriend’s research on how people make their decisions, or is she suffering suppressed grief from the death of her mother? Adopted as an infant, she becomes curious about who she would be if she’d grown up with her birth family. Is she truly who she thinks she is? Has she ever freely chosen anything at all?

When Ilana learns that her birth mom owns an Irish pub upstate, well, what could be the harm of stopping in for a drink? Entering the pub has surprising consequences. She’s knocked over in a brawl, and so what begins as curiosity about her origins, evolves into a traumatic shift in her world. After the dust settles, something new takes its place. Something unexpected. Something that looks a lot like freedom.

“Lost in Thought will take you on a fascinating journey between your heart and your mind, your conscious and your unconscious. You won’t stop thinking about what it means for you. What you do next with your own life is up to you…or is it?” —Lawrence Kasanoff, Film Producer True Lies, President, Threshold Entertainment, Production Manager, Platoon, Dirty Dancing

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Forthcoming new horror thriller release: Blackwater Lane

Blackwater Lane will be released in theaters, digital, and On Demand on June 21, 2024. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

This week, the trailer for Lionsgate’s new horror/thriller “Blackwater Lane” was released. The movie is directed by Jeff Celentano, written by Elizabeth Fowler and stars Minka Kelly, Maggie Grace, Dermot Mulroney, Alan Calton, and Natalie Simpson. (Cinematic Red, PR, 2024)

Based on the successful The New York Times bestselling book “The Breakdown” by B.A. Paris, after witnessing a grisly tragedy, Cass is visited by a ghostly presence and starts to question her sanity. As these otherworldly experiences intensify, she is driven closer to the brink until she begins to assemble the pieces of a horrific plot against her.

Blackwater Lane will be released in theaters and digital/On Demand on June 21, 2024.

Rating: PG-13
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Runtime: 108 mins.

Book synopsis: “The Breakdown”

If you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust?

Cass is having a hard time since the night she saw the car in the woods. It was on the winding rural road, in the middle of a downpour, and a woman was sitting inside—the woman who was killed. She’s been trying to put the crime out of her mind; what could she have done, really? It’s a dangerous road to be on in the middle of a storm, and she probably would have been hurt herself if she’d stopped. Not only that, her husband would be furious if he knew she’d broken her promise not to take that shortcut home.

But since then, she’s been forgetting every little thing. Where she left the car; if she took her pills; even the alarm code. The only thing she can’t forget is that woman, the woman she might have saved, and the terrible nagging guilt; and the silent calls she’s receiving, or the feeling that someone’s watching her. (Amazon, 2024)

‘The Breakdown’ by B.A. Paris. Photo: Amazon

New book release: ‘Flashback: Lolita’ by P.M. Richter

‘Flashback: Lolita’ is the new novel by P.M. Richter. Photo: Amazon

Crime fiction centers around crimes, criminals, police, and the investigations that surround them. The mystery and suspense is what makes these novels so fascinating to read. Today’s new book release is one such novel: “Flashback: Lolita” by P.M. Richter. If you like mystery, crime, and psychological thrillers with a female lead character, check out this new novel. Buy your copy today; it is available on Amazon.

P.M. Richter is an author living in West Hollywood California. She has a degree in Psychology from Northridge State University. She has worked as a property manager for Nansay, Corp. a multi-national corporation and has been a dance teacher for Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire Dance Studios. She loves reading, writing, and making covers for her books. Her new book “Flashback: Lolita (Abuse, Mafia Wife, Prison)” is a flashback on Lolita’s life and book 3 in the Deadly Fun Series. The series includes “Deadly Fun” and “Precious and Deadly.” (Pamela M Richter, 2024)

“Flashback: Lolita” – A Cinderella Story? Yes, she has an evil, abusive mother and a terrible early life filled with physical abuse. Yes, she meets the handsome Mafia Prince in church of all places. They are madly in love and have a gorgeous fairytale wedding. They live in a beautiful mansion. Fabulously rich and young, they look forward to a wonderful life. Lolita loves being wife to the Mafia enforcer. She has everything she’s ever wanted and adores her husband. But Happily Ever After? I don’t think so.

All the fairy tales and romance stories end with “And They Lived Happily Ever After.” What really happens after the ‘Ever After?’ Could it be tragic? Well, yeah.

When the Prince is gone forever, murdered. When political forces targeting the Mafia cause a miscarriage of justice. When you’re thrown into a maximum-security women’s prison. Then it’s just a matter of survival.

Clashing steel gates. Your room is big and scary. The food is awful. Working daily in the laundry, like a real Cinderella, is hot and exhausting. The nights are filled with inmates screaming and crying.

The guards are mostly okay, making sure the prisoners follow strict prison rules. Except one, who has it in for Lolita. A real nasty character who came from a rival Mafia gang in Chicago. He is determined she will suffer. Maybe never leave the prison alive.

Drones fly over the prison gates, delivering contraband, poison pills, and weapons. There are strip searches for hidden drugs. Fights break out between inmates. Rival gangs clash in warfare. Drugs are rampant. Can Lolita survive?

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Photo: Amazon

New book release: ‘The Family Bones’ by Elle Marr

‘The Family Bones’ is the new suspense thriller from Elle Marr. Photo: Amazon

Elle Marr is the #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of “Strangers We Know,” “Lies We Bury,” and “The Missing Sister.” Originally from Sacramento, she graduated from UC San Diego before moving to France, where she earned a master’s degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris. In her terrifying new novel “The Family Bones,” a young woman plunges into her family’s shadowy legacy. (Amazon, 2023)

“The Family Bones” – What makes a psychopath? Psychology student Olivia Eriksen’s family is notorious among true-crime buffs. Faced with a legacy of psychopathy that spans generations, Olivia has spent much of her academic life trying to answer one chilling question: Nature or nurture? Although she has kept a safe distance from her blood relatives for years, Olivia agrees to attend a weekend reunion. After all, her fiancé is eager to meet his future in-laws, and the gathering may give her a chance to interview her elusive grandfather about the family traits.

But nothing is ever peaceful among the Eriksens for long. Olivia’s favorite cousin is found dead in a nearby lake. Then another family member disappears. As a violent storm isolates the group further, Olivia’s fears rise faster than the river and an uninvited guest is about to join the party. True-crime podcaster Birdie Tan has uncovered a disturbing mystery in her latest investigation—and she is following it right to the Eriksens’ mountain resort. There is a deadly twist in the family plot that even Olivia does not see coming.

New book release: ‘Into The Fog of Charon’ by Mark Pennell

‘Into The Fog of Charon’ is Mark Pennell’s debut historical fiction novel. Photo: Mark Pennell, used with permission.

Mark Pennell is a native of North Carolina with deep family roots that date back to the 1700s. He is an avid reader of US history, the works of Edger Allen Poe, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Ann Rice, and a fan of the drawings from the morbid mind of Charles Addams. “Into The Fog of Charon” is his debut novel, the inspiration which came to him in a dream that he had over a period of three nights back in 1986. Since life has a way of taking you down other roads, such as marriage, kids, and life in general, the manuscript laid forgotten in a box on the top self of a closet. Fast forward to May 2020 and the COVID 19 lockdown. With extra time on his hands, he searched for something to do and remembered the manuscript from all those years ago. Once he found the old composition notebook that contained the manuscript, he began to read the mere seventy-five pages when he realized that it needed a rewrite. Keeping to the original story, he worked on it off and on for a year and a half, until he was happy with the new manuscript. With the help of a dear friend who helped him with editing, he felt it was time to give it to the public. He has already started the next book in the Charon trilogy as the adventures of Jim, Danielle, Quincy, and Kim continue. “Into The Fog of Charon” is a historical fiction novel that centers around teenagers Jimmy Black and Quincy Miller. It is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. (Mark Pennell, 2023)

“Into The Fog of Charon” –  Eighteen-year-old Jimmy Black and his best friend Quincy Miller are the MVPs in a historic, small-town basketball game against the Lancers of Loganville in North Carolina. Their sights are set on winning the game and hanging out with friends before they head off to college in the fall. Danielle Davis and her fellow cheerleaders watch the clock tick down to the final point.

One minute they are sweating on the court, and the next, they are in a desolate world, helpless in a large-scale alien invasion. The only clues are an old CD, a newspaper article, and a mysterious letter. With the help of Kim Fox, the four friends have to think fast and work together to navigate their new reality. Will they be able to unravel the unbelievable events that took place in 1945 in time to save the world?

“So, let us not be blind to our differences—but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.” – John F. Kennedy

Author Mark Pennell. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

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