New Book! The Lost Carnival

Finally, two years in the making, a new book. Ever had a near-death experience? Tell me about it.*

THE LOST CARNIVAL

NOVELLA & STORIES

Two years ago, I ventured down a rabbit hole and began to explore near-death experiences. I have a morbid curiosity I can’t seem to shake. The result of my two-year odyssey is this new book. If it sounds odd or intriguing or a good way to kill time, I invite you to follow me down the rabbit hole.

Book description

The Lost Carnival is a new take on an old tale — to be or not. It weaves together a novella and four stories that tell of lost love, life and death, and the limbo in between.

The book begins where my novel A Killer Story left off a few years ago. Teddy Murphy is back. As are his bad habits. His marriage with Kate is on the skids after he visits a brothel in Butte.

In the title novella, we meet another Murphy: Rex. Whether related to Teddy Murphy we know not. Rex crashes into a tree skiing, is buried upside down in a tree well. Alone. A dead man. Until the tail of his ski is seen and he’s dug up. During his rescue, he has a transcendent experience, a glorious vision of a country fair and carnival where loved ones, ancestors, friends (dead and alive) are gathered. It’s the afterlife, he’s convinced. Overwhelmed, he wants to return there, is distraught he was saved.

Rex spirals into a deep depression. He buys a gun, unsure whether to use it. In limbo, he makes a pilgrimage back to the scene of his near-death incident. Along the way, he asks people if they’ve ever had a near-death experience. Hears some incredible accounts and takes notes for a book he may write.

At Red Lodge Mountain, he locates the tree well. Takes the gun from his pack. Looks up, sees a hot air balloon hovering. Squinting at the sun, gun in hand, he decides whether to be or not, and where.

The Lost Carnival
Published by Tiny Road Books
ISBN# 9798235284586
Book cover design: Jessie Stenehjem

Other books

This latest release joins others you may enjoy, more or less, including a crime noir novel (A Killer Story), a book of short stories (The Broken World), and a poetry collection (Goodbye Yellowstone Road). The latter two were finalists in the High Plains Book Awards. I’ve also collaborated with the fantabulous artist, Karen Wippich, on two art books — one on the pandemic, one on driving for Uber.

As for more hype, my writing has appeared in Montana Quarterly, Bel Esprit, The Atlantic (City Lab), Unbroken Journal, Distinctly Montana and elsewhere.

Most of my books are available at online outlets including Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. Or order at your handy local bookstore with the ISBN number.

I’m SO grateful for your reading and support, you have no idea!

I still ski, but steer clear of trees. I’m not crazy. Be careful out there.

* For the record, I’ve never had a near-death experience. But I’ve had several close calls and they were enough.