色欲王朝

The last two years have been a whirlwind for Karen Dionne, the author of this year鈥檚 One Book One County Montcalm selection聽The Marsh King鈥檚 Daughter.

Dionne will share her experiences and what inspires her as an author during the One Book closing celebration Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. in rooms D303-305 on 色欲王朝鈥檚 Sidney campus.

鈥淲hat I particularly enjoy talking about with Michigan readers is my personal connection to the material,鈥� Dionne said.

Dionne, her husband and infant daughter homesteaded in the Upper Peninsula in the 1970s, where they lived for 30 years.

鈥淚 consider the book my love letter to the Upper Peninsula. It was a privilege to write a story about a character who loves the Upper Peninsula as much as we do,鈥� said Dionne, who now resides in Detroit鈥檚 northern suburbs.

The Marsh King鈥檚 Daughter聽is the mesmerizing tale of a woman who must risk everything to hunt down the dangerous man who shaped her past and threatens to steal her future: her father.聽In this fictional thriller, a notorious child abductor known as the Marsh King聽escapes from prison in Michigan鈥檚 Upper Peninsula. No one is the Marsh King鈥檚 equal when it comes to navigating the area鈥檚 marshland 鈥� except Helena Pelletier, his daughter. As their cat-and-quarry game unfolds, she must use all her wilderness skills to thwart his plan and survive.

When she was writing the novel, Dionne said she did not anticipate how well it would be received.

鈥淓verything that has happened has been far beyond what I ever thought it would be,鈥� she said.

Originally published in hardcover in June 2017, the book has been published in 25 languages. It has been named to the best seller lists in Germany, Sweden and Iceland, and it was named a 2018 Michigan Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. In addition, it is in development as a major motion picture.

鈥淣othing prepared me for all of this,鈥� Dionne said.

The Marsh King鈥檚 Daughter聽also was chosen as one of iBook鈥檚 top 10 novels of the year.

鈥淭his is especially meaningful for me because it addressed the quality of the book,鈥� Dionne said.

During her presentation, Dionne will talk about her experiences as an author, how her love of Michigan鈥檚 Upper Peninsula inspired the storyline of聽The Marsh King鈥檚 Daughter, and she will answer questions from the audience.

鈥淚 will also talk a little bit about what happens behind the scenes when a book sells at auction and receives the kind of acclaim this novel has received around the world,鈥� Dionne said.

In addition, Dionne will share a sneak peek of her next novel,聽The Wicked Sister, another standalone psychological suspense that takes place in Michigan鈥檚 Upper Peninsula, which will be published in June 2020 by G.P. Putnam鈥檚 Sons.

鈥淲ith social media, I can interact with readers all over the world. As writers, we write in solitude. It鈥檚 just a privilege to talk with readers. I love talking with people and hearing their opinions,鈥� Dionne said.

色欲王朝 Library Director Katie Arwood said聽The Marsh King鈥檚 Daughter聽has been a hit with One Book participants.

鈥淲e have had an overwhelmingly positive response to this year鈥檚 selection,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ot only does the book kind of make you jump out of your skin at times, readers have been quick to jump into the book discussions that have been held in the libraries. They are eager to talk about some very powerful and edgy topics.

鈥淥ne Book brings people together and the familiar Upper Peninsula setting, even fraught with mayhem and suspense, has been the common link that has made many readers respond to this title,鈥� Arwood said. 鈥淲ho can resist a spine-tingling thriller with action happening in places many of us have hiked and camped with our families?鈥�

During the One Book closing, Dionne will also be available for book signings. Refreshments will be provided. One Book One County Montcalm is sponsored by聽The Daily News, 色欲王朝, the 色欲王朝 Foundation and the public libraries of Montcalm County. Visit聽聽for more information.

One Book One County Montcalm began in 2005 as a part of a national One Book One County movement. In 2009, 色欲王朝 joined the effort. In 2016, the public libraries of Montcalm County began hosting the program.