Prelude to Hemlock is a black comedy that follows the fortunes of the young narrator, Jeffrey Edwards. A contrarian by nature and libertine by choice, Jeff is charming, caustic, fiercely intelligent...and fiercely self-destructive. Jeff writes lyrics for his sister Kim, a gifted rock musician, and as Kim's musical star rises, the siblings become entangled in events both comic and appalling. Along the way, Jeff contends with his pill-popping mother; his breezy and scheming father; and his dope-smoking friend, Tall Patty. As these characters intertwine and collide, Kim's career approaches the bright brink of success—even as she and Jeff approach the darkest brink of disaster. Jeff understands that "what the righteous really dread is a world with no sinners," but he and Kim cannot quite grasp the cost of truly living as they please.

This book is also in print.

BOSON BOOKS also offers Flunky and A Self-Made Monster by Steven Vivian. For an author bio, photo, and a sample read visit bosonbooks.com.