Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Waiting on Wednesday: The Broken Teaglass










Jill at Breaking the Spine hosts Waiting on Wednesday.






Title: The Broken Teaglass
Author: Emily Arsenault
Pub. Date: Sept. 29, 2009

Product Description (Amazon)

The dusty files of a venerable dictionary publisher . . . a hidden cache of coded clues . . . a story written by a phantom author . . . an unsolved murder in a gritty urban park–all collide memorably in Emily Arsenault’s magnificent debut, at once a teasing literary puzzle, an ingenious suspense novel, and an exploration of definitions: of words, of who we are, and of the stories we choose to define us.

In the maze of cubicles at Samuelson Company, editors toil away in silence, studying the English language, poring over new expressions and freshly coined words–all in preparation for the next new edition of the Samuelson Dictionary. Among them is editorial assistant Billy Webb, just out of college, struggling to stay awake and appear competent. But there are a few distractions. His intriguing coworker Mona Minot may or may not be flirting with him. And he’s starting to sense something suspicious going on beneath this company’s academic facade.

Mona has just made a startling discovery: a trove of puzzling citations, all taken from the same book, The Broken Teaglass. Billy and Mona soon learn that no such book exists. And the quotations from it are far too long, twisting, and bizarre for any dictionary. They read like a confessional, coyly hinting at a hidden identity, a secret liaison, a crime. As Billy and Mona ransack the office files, a chilling story begins to emerge: a story about a lonely young woman, a long-unsolved mystery, a moment of shattering violence. And as they piece together its fragments, the puzzle begins to take on bigger personal meaning for both of them, compelling them to redefine their notions of themselves and each other.

Charged with wit and intelligence, set against a sweetly cautious love story, The Broken Teaglass is a tale that will delight lovers of words, lovers of mysteries, and fans of smart, funny, brilliantly inventive fiction.


What's your pick this week?

17 comments:

  1. What an unusual storyline - I liked that it is linked to the love of words.

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  2. This one sounds fantastic! On the list it goes...thanks!

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  3. Um, yes please! Late September, you say? I am going to be on this like white on rice. :)

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  4. Oh, this one looks good! I hadn't heard of this one, but I am going to be looking out for it.

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  5. This looks like an intriguing book. thanks for posting about it.

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  6. This one sounds really great!!!

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  7. Thank you for stopping by my blog. I added you to my blogroll and I will come again:)

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  8. Ooh, this looks interesting...thanks for the review!

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  9. Hi Diane,
    This sounds like an awesome book. I'll have to check this one out. Thanks for stopping by my place. Have a great day!!

    Sherrie

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  10. This sounds really really interesting ... and the cover is amazing! I love it. I'm anxious to see what you think!

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  11. Sounds great. I've ordered my copy now based on your review and am looking forward getting into it.

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  12. O.K. This one is going on my wish list! Love the cover, too!

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  13. Hey,
    this book sounds just great. Just went on top of my tbr pile.
    I’ve got a surprise for you at my Blog
    Have a nice weekend,
    Susi

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  14. I like the sound of a a teasing literary puzzle. Putting this on my wishlist now!

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  15. Sounds great- can't wait to read your review!

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