THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER LABOR DAY. 

Join local author Karin Gertsch as she discusses her new novel, Five Wishes. Learn what Karin sees in our neighborhoods that inspires her to write...

Essex resident and author Karin M. Gertsch has just released a charming debut novel about a family living in a small New England town. The husband, Delbert MacInnes, was born and raised in Hamlet and is content to remain grounded, while his wife, Matilda, has been itching to make her Five Wishes come true. Over the years her wish list was amended several times—her patience is wearing thin.

Though Matilda’s garden is alive and flourishing with color and variety, she feels stuck. Her best hours are when her grown daughters Mel and Lyn have time to visit. Whenever Matilda mentions to Delbert about going somewhere, he replies: “All I have to do is look out another window if I want to see a different view.” When an unexpected event happens, Matilda learns that Delbert has kept a secret from her for decades. But, then, she’s never shared her precious secret with him.

About ten years ago the germ for Five Wishes was embedded in Gertsch’s sub-conscience. It nagged at her to develop a story around an older woman frustrated by unfulfilled dreams. Gertsch wanted to show that even though someone is no longer young—dreams can still come true—all that is needed is a catalyst.

Five Wishes takes the reader on journeys from Hamlet to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, then overseas to an ancient castle in Scotland, before venturing back to the cozy Cape Cod-style home at Five Cedar Street, where a freshly-brewed cup of Darjeeling tea is waiting at the breakfast table.

The release date for Five Wishes, published by Atmosphere Press, is June 13, 2023. Price $18.95.

ISBN: 978-1-63988-791-0. Five Wishes is available directly from the publisher, your favorite independent bookstore, and wherever books are sold. Book sellers can order directly from Ingram.

About the Author: Karin Gertsch is the author of Cape Ann & Vicinity: A Guide for Residents and Visitors, as well as Flora Has an Adventure, a children’s book for ages 3-8. The author is currently working on her second novel as well as a series of Flora stories for children.