Community Corner

Author Gordon McAlpine Appearing Sunday at Laguna Beach Books

The writer will read, speak and sign books at the free event at Laguna Beach Books on Sunday.

Editor's note: The following story was submitted by Laguna Beach Books.

Laguna Beach Books is pleased to welcome Gordon McAlpine, author of The Tell-Tale Start. Gordon will read an excerpt from his book, answer questions, and sign copies on Sunday at 2 p.m. There is no charge for this event, and it is intended for kids and their parents as the book is for readers between the ages of 8 and 12.  

Meet Edgar and Allan Poe -- twelve-year-old identical twins, the great-great-great-great-grandnephews of Edgar Allan Poe. They look and act so much alike that they're almost one mischievous, prank-playing boy in two bodies. When their beloved black cat, Roderick Usher, is kidnapped and transported to the Midwest, Edgar and Allan convince their guardians that it's time for a road trip. Along the way, mayhem and mystery ensue, as well as deeper questions: What is the boys' telepathic connection? Is Edgar Allan Poe himself reaching out to them from the Great Beyond? And why has a mad scientist been spying on the Poe family for years?

With a mix of literary humor, mystery, a little quantum physics, and fun extras like fortune cookie messages, letters in code, license plate clues -- and playful illustrations thoughout -- this series opener is a perfect choice for smart, funny tweens who love the Time Warp Trio, Roald Dahl, and Lemony Snicket.

About Gordon McAlpine:

Gordon McAlpine has been described by Publisher’s Weekly as “a gifted stylist, with clean, clear and muscular prose.” A native Californian, he attended the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of California, Irvine. Mr. McAlpine has published short stories and book reviews in journals and anthologies both in the USA and abroad. His short story “The Happiest Place” appears in the Akashic Press anthology, Orange County Noir. He has chaired and taught creative writing in the Master of Fine Arts Program at Chapman University as well as fiction writing classes at UCLA and UC Irvine. He is a member of the Author’s Guild and PEN, and he is president of the board of directors of the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation. He lives with his wife Julie in Southern California.

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