Want to hear a ghost story?….and discuss a new book? Join Michael Nethercott at Byrd's Books!

Byrd’s Books welcomes Michael Nethercott for a fun late afternoon of “ghost stories, both traditional and (presumably) true — from my sprawling, spooky Irish family”…..and an author talk on his new release, The Séance Society on Saturday October 26th at 4p.m.!

The Tale:

It’s 1956, and Lee Plunkett has taken over the family business as a private investigator despite his reluctance to follow in his father’s footsteps. When murder intrudes on a group of ghost seekers, Lee is asked to solve the case by a cop on the verge of retirement. At the urging of his perpetual fiancée Audrey, Lee enlists the help of Mr. O’Nelligan, a scholarly Irishman with a keen eye for solving mysteries. The duo is drawn into a murder investigation involving the “Spectricator,” a machine designed to communicate with the dead. Soon, Plunkett and O’Nelligan are knee-deep in a suspect pool that includes a surly medium, a former speakeasy queen, a mysterious Spanish widow, and a whole slew of eccentric servants. Engaging, charming, and smart, The Séance Society by Michael Nethercott is a fresh take on the traditional mystery genre for readers who love original characters, witty dialogue, and a great whodunit.

“Mad-cap and mid-century—what a treat! You’ll love the reluctant-detective Plunkett and the endearing Mr. O’Nelligan. Clever, quirky and completely charming—this engaging and original mystery is quite a treasure.”—Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha, Anthony and MacavIty winning author ofThe Other Woman

“A unique ‘Watson’ and a nicely captured 1950s atmosphere. It will be enjoyed by lovers of the well-plotted and well-written mystery.” —John Curran, Agatha Award-winning author of Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks

“A detective duo delightfully reminiscent of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. Beautifully written. A winner!” —Jane Cleland, award-winning author of All Dolled Up for Murder

About the author:  

My mother’s parents were off-the-boat Irish from County Kerry, while my father’s ancestry drew from both Ireland and Italy. I, being the sum of that, consider myself Irish-American, with a fistful of Italian for flavor.

I count myself as a New Englander, despite the fact that I spent my first seven years in New York State. I grew up in Connecticut, spent a good chunk of my twenties in Massachusetts, lived one summer in Maine, one winter in New Hampshire, and eventually settled in Vermont. There I met my wife and co-authored my daughter and son. 

My path through life has been a somewhat curvy, nonconventional one. At different points (not necessarily in order) I’ve been a performing clown, storyteller, actor, backpacking traveler, house-dad, organizer of theatrical events, door-to-door fundraiser, and co-owner of a cooperative natural food restaurant. I also spent a couple summers with my kids touring as a family act, offering shows at numerous Vermont libraries. And from time to time, I’ve organized personalized adventures for individuals, rites of passages in a sense, involving theatrics, introspection, and physical challenges (kind of hard to explain.) I have a life-long love of history, literature and supernatural tales; themes which tend to keep popping up in my work.

In the midst of this hodgepodge, there has been one constant: writing. Over the years, in addition to The Séance Society, I’ve put my hand to different genres and forms and have appeared in various national periodicals. Like many a writer, I also have a cache of works still seeking publication including a juvenile novel, a volume of children’s poetry,  and two screenplays, one concerning a mysterious troupe of performers, the other an historic drama about the abolitionist John Brown. Additionally, I’ve conducted writer’s workshops in various forums, and have led prison workshops for the PEN American Center,  a program which encourages inmates to write and share poetry and prose.

I’ve no doubt done other things in my life, but who can keep track of it all?

To hold a spot, or pre-order a book please call the store: 203-730-2973 or email Events@ByrdsBooks.com