Niccolo Would Like a Word: A Novel - Couverture souple

Graham, Jan

Couverture souple

ISBN 13 : 9798994253014

Editeur : Cantankerous Books, 2026

Synopsis

Twisty psychological suspense set in Provincetown, featuring two old friends confronting secrets from the past, a cat with an agenda, and an unhinged plan for revenge.

Kirkus Reviews: Our verdict: Get It
Reedsy Discovery: 5-star, Must Read.

Shannon, a middle-aged artist with a chaotic past, feels blunted by years of psychiatric medications. So she switches to magic mushrooms instead. Suddenly her cat Niccolo is talking to her, urging her to do what she’s always dreamed of: to get even with the smug, predatory author responsible for her sister’s death thirty years ago.

Allison, Shannon’s best friend back in high school, was a shy, closeted outcast, grateful for Shannon’s empathy and protection, but totally unaware of how important she was to Shannon. Now grown dispirited after a series of losses, she comes to life again when Shannon arrives in Provincetown, even finding the courage to pursue a woman she'd been pining for. But Allison has no idea what Shannon is planning, or what crises both women will face as Shannon’s grip on reality grows more tenuous and Niccolo coaxes her ever closer to committing murder.

It’s a darkly comic novel, full of secrets and surprising twists. Yet it’s also about the healing power of love, friendship, and community. With an eccentric cast of characters, an awkward lesbian romance, and the vibrant, artsy, queer energy of Provincetown, there is plenty of warmth, humor, and celebration.

Kirkus Reviews:
“A satisfying examination of grief, mental illness, and the impact of buried secrets…bolstered by a series of unexpected twists that are sure to keep readers on their toes. One of the novel’s greatest strengths is the way in which it recontextualizes events with new revelations that never feel unearned.” Our verdict: Get it.

Reedsy Discovery:
“An artistic and emotionally charged novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy stories about the healing power of community.” Five star “Must read.”

Some readers' reactions:
Goodreads Reviewers:
“A taut, compelling psychological novel...Incredibly deft story-telling.”

“The characters are well developed, the pace is crisp, the psychology fascinating.”

“A compelling psychological mystery/thriller with a clever overlay of an insightful, talking cat.”

“The writing is wonderfully accessible, fun, authentic. I loved it.”

Amazon Reviewers:
"Shannon is one of the more original protagonists in recent literary fiction. Warm, unreliable, funny, and heartbreaking in equal measure."

"This needs to be on your fiction book club list for this year"

“I read this novel in one sitting and finished hoping to find another by this author.”

“Quirky, approachable, and easy to sink into.”

“Great storytelling. Compelling to the end due to strong character development and excellent pacing.”

“This book had twists right to the very last sentence.”

“A delightful page-turner.”

“One of those books that I did not want the story to end.”

“The writing is crisp, witty, and full of personality.”

“This great tale weaves mystery and friendship, drugs and sex, revenge and finding oneself, against the backdrop of gorgeous and gay Provincetown.”

“The author's characters were believable and unique.”

“It kept me guessing until the end. My kind of read! You’ll get invested in the characters and find the book hard to put down once you start it.”

“A page-turner filled with humor, depth, and compassion.”

“A delightful romp with timely topics and a twist.”

“The twists and turns keep you engaged and guessing.”

"More twists than the mountain roads of the Appalachians."

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

Jan has a professional background in psychology, and is fascinated by the contradictions between what people think they want for themselves, and what would actually be best for them. She likes complicated female protagonists, both straight and gay, and writes fiction that is not easily categorized.Jan and her wife have been dividing their time between Provincetown MA, Valencia, Spain, and San Diego, CA.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Cantankerous Books
• Date d'édition: 2026
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 13: 9798994253014
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 292
• Coordonnées du fabricant: Manufactured by Amazon on behalf of the author; https://www.amazon.fr/hz/contact-us; ; c/o Amazon Media EU S.à.r.l., 38 Avenue John F. Kennedy; Luxembourg; L-1855; Luxembourg