The Extraordinary Florence Stoker | Karen Brooks

Join bestselling Tasmanian author, Karen Brooks, for the launch of her latest novel, The Extraordinary Florence Stoker.

Enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival and light snacks, before hearing from Karen and her publisher Jo Mackay about the extraordinary life of Florence Stoker. A woman once maligned by history is brought to vivid life in a compellingly realised story which charts the life of the beautiful 19th century muse and brilliant social powerhouse. In spite of her many gifts, Florence’s life was overshadowed by one of the most abiding and terrifying of contemporary culture's monsters, the vampire Dracula - her own husband's creation.

Doors will open at 6.00pm for welcome drinks and the talk will start at 7.00pm.

Event attendees will also receive a $5 discount voucher to spend on Karen’s book, only valid at the event.

About the book
Dublin, 1878. When the witty and beautiful Florence Balcombe marries up-and-coming theatre impresario and putative novelist Bram Stoker, and her dazzling literary salons make her the darling of the literary, theatre and art worlds in London, no-one is surprised. So what if she came from humble beginnings and her prior engagement to Oscar Wilde was inexplicably broken off, she was always exceptional. Besides, none of that matters now she moves in exalted circles and Bram is managing the Lyceum for Henry Irving, the leading actor of his generation.

But appearances can be deceptive. Bram is in thrall to the tyrannical narcissist Henry, who is draining the life from him, and his distance from his marriage bed is noticeable. Dear friend Oscar is in court for gross indecency and Florence is afraid - for her family, of the secret she keeps and of the visions of a monstrous fanged demon that haunts her by day and night.

But Florence will fight for her family and rid herself of the threats - both real and phantom - that plague her, even if it threatens her own sanity.

After all, no ordinary monster can confound the extraordinary Florence Stoker.

Karen Brooks is the author of seventeen books, an academic of more than twenty years' experience, a newspaper columnist and social commentator, and has appeared regularly on national TV and radio. Before turning to academia, she was an army officer for five years, and prior to that dabbled in acting. She lives in Hobart, Tasmania, in a beautiful stone house with its own marvellous history. When she's not writing, she's helping her husband Stephen in his brewstillery, Captain Bligh's, or cooking for family and friends, travelling, cuddling and walking her dog, Bounty, or curled up with a great book and dreaming of more stories.

Jo Mackay is Head of Publishing at HQ, HarperCollins. She has worked in publishing for 30 years. She is an innovative publisher of bestselling, award-winning authors such as Karen Brooks, Tricia Stringer, Tea Cooper, Angie Faye Martin, Victoria Purman and Penelope Janu.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Join Karen and Jo at the Peacock Theatre - Salamanca Arts Centre.