Like most bibliophiles, former journalist June Heller has read “the last novel,” a divisive literary bestseller by a virtual unknown. But when another novel is discovered, nearly identical from title to denouement, June is recruited to investigate. Her quest takes her into the heart of the Maine woods where she confronts madmen and masters alike.

Detective, Mystery,

June organizes a meeting between the authors to sleuth out the truth—Plagiarism? Collusion? Something sinister? Instead, as their shady pasts come to light, the men become allies and pit themselves against June’s suspicions. Then the authors disappear into the woods, one after the other.

June discovers the true author behind the book, but the damage is done: one author has fled back into the wilderness, while the other wanders off in search of a new voice. June’s own career, however, is poised to thrive, if only she can put the words to paper.

Maine, Alaska, Portland (OR)

No

Quest

Twist,,Philosophical Questions

Language/Profanity

Name: June Heller

Age: 35

Gender: Female

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Perseverance, Skillful, Aggressive, Blunt, Complex, Confident, Educated, Outspoken, Decisive, Lone Wolf,Aspiring,Aggressive,Confident,Decisive,Lone Wolf,Manipulative,Outspoken,Blunt

Name: Elliott Roux

Age: 35

Gender: Male

Role: Skeptic

Key Traits: Sarcastic, Underdog, Blunt, Complex, Desperate, Insecure,Underdog,Complex,Blunt,Secretive,Educated,Insecure,Unapologetic

Name: Maynard Gilliam

Age: 40

Gender: Male

Role: antagonist

Key Traits: Charming, Complex, Engaging, Lone Wolf, Masculine, Naive, Secretive, Adventurous,Masculine,Adventurous,Confident,Secretive,Lone Wolf,Complex,Modest

Name: Carol Cutty

Age: 65

Gender: Female

Role: Antagonist

Key Traits: Unapologetic, Blunt, Confident, Educated, Engaging, Manipulative, Outspoken

This would ideally be a film. It would require a modest budget with skilled actors. It could be an independent production.

Christopher X. Ryan lives in Helsinki, Finland, where he works as a writer, editor, and ghostwriter. Born on the island of Martha's Vineyard, he has an MFA from Naropa University's Jack Kerouac School in Boulder, Colorado. His work has been published in a wide variety of journals and magazines; his story DAY SHAPES earned second place in the 2019 Baltimore Review winter contest. He is represented by the Trentin Agency for his novel BOGORE. Chris can be found at TheWordPunk.com.

Age: 18-34,35-54

Target Gender: Universal

Information not completed

Status: No

No

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