Wednesday, July 22, 6:30-8pm, this on-line event requires advance registration

Each summer, the Thurber House lawn plays host to a series of outdoor literary picnics and readings with authors who have an Ohio connection. While this year’s picnics might look a little different, join us for this long-running tradition of good friends and great books!

Jess Montgomery showcases her skills as a storyteller in The Hollows, a powerful, big-hearted and exquisitely written follow-up to her highly acclaimed debut The Widows.

The scene is Ohio in 1926. For many years, the railroad track in Moonvale Tunnel has been used as a shortcut through the Appalachian hills. When an elderly woman is killed walking along the tracks, the brakeman tells tales of seeing a ghostly female figure dressed all in white. Newly elected Sheriff Lily Ross is called on to the case to dispel the myths. With the help of her friends, Lily follows the woman’s trail to The Hollows, a notorious asylum, and they begin to expose dark secrets long-hidden by time and the mountains.

Jess Montgomery is the award-winning author of the Kinship Historical Mysteries, including The Widows and The Hollows. Under her given name, she is a newspaper columnist, focusing on the literary life, authors, and events of her native Dayton, Ohio for the Dayton Daily News. She was the John E. Nance Writer in Residence at Thurber House in 2014.

Picnicking begins at 6:30pm. We may be meeting on Zoom for this event, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t picnic! Grab a meal and drop in to the Zoom event early to picnic on the “lawn” with us. We’ll be rolling photos of the Thurber House lawn as you catch up with friends. The program begins at 6:45pm. You will have the opportunity to ask the author questions after the event and to purchase a book.

General admission: $10 per person.

Tickets: thurberhouse.org/literary-picnics

Hosted by Thurber House.