The Empress of Cooke County: A Novel

“Get ready to laugh! Elizabeth Bass Parman is a true Southern storyteller. I couldn't have loved it more.” -Fannie Flagg, New York Times bestselling author

Posey Jarvis knows she's the rightful empress of Cooke County . . . She just needs to make everyone else realize it too.

Thirty-eight-year-old Posey Jarvis is the self-appointed “empress” of rural Spark in Cooke County, Tennessee. She spends her days following every word about her idol and look-alike Jackie Kennedy, avoiding her stalwart husband Vern, and struggling to control her newly defiant daughter Callie Jane-all while sneaking nips of gin. When Posey unexpectedly inherits a derelict mansion from her quirky old aunt Milbrey, she finagles her way into hosting her high school's twentieth reunion there. She cares nothing about seeing her classmates, but she cares deeply about seeing the love of her life, a man who dumped her nineteen years ago. Possums are nesting in the parlor and the stench of cat urine permeates the sunroom, but she must be ready for the big day, even if she has to do the work herself.

Eighteen-year-old Callie Jane finds herself accidentally engaged and is panicking about her fast-approaching wedding. She's also had enough of her domineering mother. Even though she loves her father, the idea of working at his emporium for the rest of her life just makes her . . . so sad. She longs to escape from her mother, her job, her upcoming wedding, and the creepy Peeping Tom terrorizing the town. She dreams of leaving everything she's ever known in her rearview mirror and starting over in California. But when her life has been mapped out for her from birth, how can she break free?

Set in a gossipy small town during the turbulent 1960s and full of Southern charm and unforgettable characters, The Empress of Cooke County is a novel about found family, what it means to be loved, and how being true to yourself can have life-altering consequences.

  • Southern women's fiction
  • Stand-alone novel
  • Book length: approximately 82,000 words
  • Includes discussion questions for book clubs
"1144322621"
The Empress of Cooke County: A Novel

“Get ready to laugh! Elizabeth Bass Parman is a true Southern storyteller. I couldn't have loved it more.” -Fannie Flagg, New York Times bestselling author

Posey Jarvis knows she's the rightful empress of Cooke County . . . She just needs to make everyone else realize it too.

Thirty-eight-year-old Posey Jarvis is the self-appointed “empress” of rural Spark in Cooke County, Tennessee. She spends her days following every word about her idol and look-alike Jackie Kennedy, avoiding her stalwart husband Vern, and struggling to control her newly defiant daughter Callie Jane-all while sneaking nips of gin. When Posey unexpectedly inherits a derelict mansion from her quirky old aunt Milbrey, she finagles her way into hosting her high school's twentieth reunion there. She cares nothing about seeing her classmates, but she cares deeply about seeing the love of her life, a man who dumped her nineteen years ago. Possums are nesting in the parlor and the stench of cat urine permeates the sunroom, but she must be ready for the big day, even if she has to do the work herself.

Eighteen-year-old Callie Jane finds herself accidentally engaged and is panicking about her fast-approaching wedding. She's also had enough of her domineering mother. Even though she loves her father, the idea of working at his emporium for the rest of her life just makes her . . . so sad. She longs to escape from her mother, her job, her upcoming wedding, and the creepy Peeping Tom terrorizing the town. She dreams of leaving everything she's ever known in her rearview mirror and starting over in California. But when her life has been mapped out for her from birth, how can she break free?

Set in a gossipy small town during the turbulent 1960s and full of Southern charm and unforgettable characters, The Empress of Cooke County is a novel about found family, what it means to be loved, and how being true to yourself can have life-altering consequences.

  • Southern women's fiction
  • Stand-alone novel
  • Book length: approximately 82,000 words
  • Includes discussion questions for book clubs
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The Empress of Cooke County: A Novel

The Empress of Cooke County: A Novel

by Elizabeth Bass Parman

Narrated by Brittany Pressley

Unabridged

The Empress of Cooke County: A Novel

The Empress of Cooke County: A Novel

by Elizabeth Bass Parman

Narrated by Brittany Pressley

Unabridged

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Overview

“Get ready to laugh! Elizabeth Bass Parman is a true Southern storyteller. I couldn't have loved it more.” -Fannie Flagg, New York Times bestselling author

Posey Jarvis knows she's the rightful empress of Cooke County . . . She just needs to make everyone else realize it too.

Thirty-eight-year-old Posey Jarvis is the self-appointed “empress” of rural Spark in Cooke County, Tennessee. She spends her days following every word about her idol and look-alike Jackie Kennedy, avoiding her stalwart husband Vern, and struggling to control her newly defiant daughter Callie Jane-all while sneaking nips of gin. When Posey unexpectedly inherits a derelict mansion from her quirky old aunt Milbrey, she finagles her way into hosting her high school's twentieth reunion there. She cares nothing about seeing her classmates, but she cares deeply about seeing the love of her life, a man who dumped her nineteen years ago. Possums are nesting in the parlor and the stench of cat urine permeates the sunroom, but she must be ready for the big day, even if she has to do the work herself.

Eighteen-year-old Callie Jane finds herself accidentally engaged and is panicking about her fast-approaching wedding. She's also had enough of her domineering mother. Even though she loves her father, the idea of working at his emporium for the rest of her life just makes her . . . so sad. She longs to escape from her mother, her job, her upcoming wedding, and the creepy Peeping Tom terrorizing the town. She dreams of leaving everything she's ever known in her rearview mirror and starting over in California. But when her life has been mapped out for her from birth, how can she break free?

Set in a gossipy small town during the turbulent 1960s and full of Southern charm and unforgettable characters, The Empress of Cooke County is a novel about found family, what it means to be loved, and how being true to yourself can have life-altering consequences.

  • Southern women's fiction
  • Stand-alone novel
  • Book length: approximately 82,000 words
  • Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Editorial Reviews

New York Times bestselling author of THE GOOD LEFT Adriana Trigiani

'You won't simply read THE EMPRESS OF COOKE COUNTY, you will fall into a world we all long for: sizzling small-town life in the American south with its secret history, vivid characters, and juicy dramas. If the complicated JEZEBEL and the feisty women of STEEL MAGNOLIAS had a baby, it might be Posey Jarvis. Put on a pot of coffee, cut yourself a wedge of chess pie and dive in.'

#1 bestselling author of DON'T FORGET ME and THE Rea Frey

'As someone who often fantasizes about a simpler way of life, stepping back in time to Queen Bee Posey Jarvis's colorful world was a slice of literary heaven. A delightful 1960s southern charmer on every level. What a stunning, poignant debut.'

New York Times bestselling author Fannie Flagg

'Get ready to laugh! Elizabeth Bass Parman is a true Southern storyteller. I couldn't have loved THE EMPRESS OF COOKE COUNTY more.'

bestselling author of WHISTLIN' DIXIE IN A NOR'E Lisa Patton

'THE EMPRESS OF COOKE COUNTY gives you a juicy taste of small-town Southern life at its best! Be prepared to laugh out loud as you race through pages full of secrets, high drama, and an unpredictable ending!'

New York Times bestselling author Lee Smith

'Funny, fast-moving, suspenseful, with unforgettable and deeply drawn characters, THE EMPRESS OF COOKE COUNTY will rivet readers.'

Library Journal

06/01/2024

DEBUT Welcome to Spark, TN, in the mid-1960s, where Posey Jarvis has lived all her life. She's been married to Vern for 20 of her 38 years, and the couple reside in the house Vern grew up in. Vern and their daughter Callie Jane have been under Posey's thumb the whole time, but things are changing. Posey inherits her aunt's large, dilapidated home, which she believes is the key to her ascension into her rightful place as social leader of Cooke County. Once she makes a big social splash, Posey is sure she'll attain all her dreams—social status, respect, and the love of C.J. Ryan, her obsession of 20 years. Meanwhile, Vern is busy running the Emporium with Callie Jane, who just wants to break free of the town and her mother. Neither is willing to fall into line with Posey's expectations any longer. Things come to a boiling point after Posey, while hosting her high school reunion at her inherited home, comes face to face with the realities that she has always drowned with her secret stash of gin. VERDICT First-time novelist Parham delivers a twisted tale of small-town drama. Fans of gothic tales or Southern novels will enjoy this.—Sandy Knowles

Product Details

BN ID: 2940160335223
Publisher: Harper Muse
Publication date: 09/03/2024
Edition description: Unabridged
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