Where did Cordell go?

A mysterious airplane lands behind Cordell and Marla Bechard’s house. Cordell steps out to investigate, and as Marla watches from the window, he climbs aboard – and it takes off.

That’s the opening of Night is a Shadow Cast By the World, the epic and entertaining new novel by Brian Panhuyzen, author of the critically-acclaimed short story collection The Death of the Moon.

Marla is left grappling with a question – was Cordell kidnapped, or did he leave willingly? The answer may be buried at Bechard’s Books, Cordell’s eccentric bookstore, a creaky, captivating shop packed to the rafters with books old and new, and serving as a hub for the town’s idiosyncratic bibliophiles. As she assumes management of the store – a task that includes overseeing Cordell’s awkward and hilarious assistant Daniel – she encounters puzzles she will be forced to solve if she is to understand not only what has happened to Cordell, but the very nature of his love for her.

Cordell meanwhile finds himself aboard on old DC-3 airliner named Lucky Duck, piloted by Tessa Kwinter, a swashbuckling Amelia Earhart-inspired grandma. He will learn that his involvement in an apparently harmless political intrigue has labelled him a terrorist and put his life – and Marla’s – in grave danger. Dragged through a series of harrowing adventures across the globe, Cordell will make his way to the land of Marla’s origin.

Separated by oceans and continents, Cordell and Marla will discover more about each other than they ever did while living in the same house, secrets that will ultimately strengthen their love.

But will they be reunited?

Night is a Shadow Cast By the World is an absorbing, funny, insightful novel about books, travel, aviation, music, and the nature of love and marriage.

Night is a Shadow Cast By the World – on sale now.

 

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