On the eve of the twentieth century, Mary Mallon emigrated from Ireland at age fifteen to make her way in New York City. With a deft eye and generous spirit, Keane explores the disappointments and unexpected consolations of midlife, the many forms forgiveness can take, the complicated intimacy of small-town living, and what it means to be a family.Mary Beth Keane, named one of the 5 Under 35 by the National Book Foundation, has written a spectacularly bold and intriguing novel about the woman known as 'Typhoid Mary,' the first person in America identified as a healthy carrier of Typhoid Fever. Like Malcolm, she feels her youth beginning to slip away and wonders how to reshape her future.Īward-winning author Mary Beth Keane’s new novel takes place over the course of one week when Malcolm learns shocking news about Jess, a patron of the bar goes missing, and a blizzard hits the town of Gillam, trapping everyone in place. After years of trying for a baby, she is facing the idea that motherhood may not be in the cards for her. His smart and confident wife, Jess, has devoted herself to her law career. He sees unquantifiable magic and potential in the Half Moon and hopes to transform it into a bigger success, but struggles to stay afloat. When his boss finally retires, Malcolm stretches to buy the place.

Malcolm Gephardt, handsome and gregarious longtime bartender at the Half Moon, has always dreamed of owning a bar. “ I adored this compelling, touching, exquisitely crafted story about a marriage in crisis.” -Liane Moriarty, New York Times bestselling author of Big Little Liesįrom the bestselling author of Ask Again, Yes, a masterful novel about a couple in a small town who must navigate the complexities of marriage, family, and longing. Named a Most Anticipated Book of the Year by Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, BookPage, LitHub and more Ask Again, Yes has been sold in twenty-two languages. She is the author of The Walking People, Fever, and Ask Again, Yes-a New York Times bestseller and a Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Summer Reads Pick. Guggenheim fellowship for fiction writing, and has received citations from the National Book Foundation, PEN America, and the Hemingway Society. Mary Beth Keane attended Barnard College and the University of Virginia, where she received an MFA. Join us in-store on Thursday, May 11th at 6:00 pm, or on Facebook Live here. Her newest book, The Half Moon, is a masterful novel about a couple in a small town who must navigate the complexities of marriage, family, and longing. Watermark Books & Café is excited to host an event with Mary Beth Keane, author of The Half Moon! Mary Beth Keane's books have consistently been favorites of both Watermark staff and customers.

Fever by Mary Beth Keane