I have been keeping this one under wraps for a while. Only a select few have had a sneak peek (you know who you are). Set in 1983, Gertrude follows a young woman raised in a government psychic research facility in Texas.

This novel will be a scifi/horror mash-up of Carrie/Stranger Things meets Walking Dead/Swan Song vibe mixed with The Exorcist. I dont want to give too much away yet, but here is a sneak peek at the cover and a small excerpt.

Here is a brief excerpt og GERTRUDE your perusal:

A television gets its picture from a signal,” Hawthorne said, placing his hand atop the large console TV set across from Gertrude. On the screen a cartoon rabbit was singing opera. “Cut off that signal and -” He pulled the wire connecting the antenna to the set and the screen went to snow. “-it no longer works.”

Hawthorne looked at her, insuring that she was paying attention. Gertrude nodded to show him that she understood. She rarely spoke to him because he gave her the creeps. He always presumed she was stupid or something.

Hawthorne nodded. He plugged the antenna in once again and his hand went to the illuminated dial next to the screen. He flipped the switch and a blank and white cowboy wearing a sheriff’s badge came into view. “Control that signal and it plays what you want it to. The human brain is not that different. If you send the right signal, you can make a person submit to your will, understand?”

“Why?” she asked.

“Why?” Hawthorne asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Why would you have to do such a thing?”

“Sometimes, people cannot be trusted to be left to their own devices.”

Gertrude broke eye contact, returning her gaze to the television. She focused on the dial again. The channel flickered back to the cartoons. She smiled.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Hawthorne smiling too. “Once again,” Hawthorne encouraged her. Gertrude enjoyed pretending it was a struggle to use her abilities. When they thought she was having a hard time, they would reward her more when she produced a positive outcome.

“Can I see Mama tonight?”

Hawthorne looked down at her through his thick glasses. There was no empathy in his eyes. ‘Mama nights’ were usually restricted to once a week. She saw that Hawthorne seemed irritated with her request. He declined to answer.

“Once more, Gertrude,” he said.

She took a deep breath. The channel changed again in quick succession, landing back on the cartoon in the blink of an eye. Hawthorne seemed pleased. “I will request for you to be allowed to visit Mama early.” He exited the room without another word. She did not bother thanking him. She knew it was the least he could do for her.

Hopefully this project will be complete late 2025. Stay tuned for updates.