Bookworm

Imagine if Patricia Highsmith had writtenThe Secret Life of Walter Mittyand instead of heroic daydreams she gave her protagonist murderous onesthat would beBookworm. Robin Yeatmans story is subversive, surprising, and satisfying in a way that only the best comic noir can be.Claire Oshetsky, author ofChouette

A wickedly funny debut novela black comedy with a generous heart that explores the power of imagination and readingabout a woman who tries to use fiction to find her way to happiness.

Victoria is unhappily married to an ambitious and controlling lawyer consumed with his career. Burdened with overbearing in-laws, a boring dead-end job she cant seem to leave, and a best friend who doesnt seem to understand her, Victoria finds solace from the daily grind in her beloved books and the stories she makes up in her head. One day, in a favorite caf, she notices an attractive man reading the same talked-about bestselling novel that she is reading. A woman yearning for her own happy ending, Victoria is sure its fate. The handsome book lover must be her soul mate.

Theres only one small problem. Victoria is already married. Frustrated, and desperate to change her life, Victoria retreats to the dark places in her mind and thinks back to all the stories shes ever read in hopes of finding a solution. She begins to fantasize about nocturnal trysts with caf man, and imaginative ways (poisoned pickles were an inspired choice in Jane SmileysA Thousand Acres) of getting rid of the dread husband.

Its all just harmless fantasy born of Victorias fevered imagination and her bo