grail cycle
Jan 18th, 2007 by Debra
The Mystery of Things is the first book in a planned series of Catholic, mythopoeic (Grail) and Shakespeare-themed mystery/thrillers called The Ashland Grail Cycle.
Though The Mystery of Things is set in Milwaukee, on the shores of Lake Michigan, the series moves to Ashland Oregon, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, with the second book of the series. (This site’s header picture was taken by the author in Ashland’s beautiful Lithia Park.)
The remaining books in the Grail Cycle will continue to tell the story of James Ireton and friends, as well as introduce significant new characters. Two books in the series will provide historical backstory and give some insight into James’ "vision" in The Mystery of Things. One of these historical novels is set in Napoleonic-era Geneva and the other in Nazi-occupied Vienna.
And, as the image on this page suggests, Mount Shasta, which is about an hour’s drive south of Ashland over the border in California, will play a role in the series. Precisely what, I don’t intend to say, but it promises to be exciting!.
The second book in The Ashland Grail Cycle will be published…well, when I can finish it-, I hope in 2009.
[...] Ashland Grail [...]
Hi Mrs. Murphy,
I want to thank you for your excellent novel “The Mystery of Things” which my book club has just completed reading. I know not who your target audience was — but can say that my book club, which is a motley collection of blue collar (me) and white collar Catholics, were bowled over by your book. We plan next week to have beers and discuss it at a local tavern. We all loved the story and are cheered by the knowledge that you are to publish another volume in the series in the coming year. Thank you so very much in sharing your vision with us.