Miss Treadway and the Field of Stars

Set in swingin’ and sometimes savage 1960s London, Emmerson’s first novel is enigmatic and breathtaking. American actress Iolanthe Green leaves the theater one evening and disappears. Discouraged by the lack of procedural concern on the part of the police, Anna Treadway, Iolanthe’s dresser, emboldens herself to search for Iolanthe on her own. She’s joined by Aloysius, an accountant from Jamaica. Anna’s need for understanding takes her far from London’s underbelly of seedy jazz clubs and the violent secrets of the color divide. She crosses the countryside searching for answers, not just about Iolanthe’s disappearance but about Anna’s own past and her future. Eloquent and understated, this is a simple and languid portrait of diverse characters and their interconnections. Each character has a singular story that unfolds throughout the search, encompassing hidden fears, long-buried secrets, and personal truths. Readers will be immersed throughout. [em](Feb.) [/em]