Calumet Editions

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The French House

At the University of Wisconsin’s French House—meant to simulate study abroad—tragedy keeps striking. For freshman Simone Duchamps, an American of French descent, it’s her first true home—until bohemian dreams curdle into hierarchy and segregation. When a resident is found dead, Simone fears she’s unraveling like her mother did, linking the investigation to family hauntings and rumors of psychedelic mind-control research. A twisty, ambiguous thriller about suggestion, simulation, and reality.

Atmospheric and haunting

—Gregory Lee Renz

Description

Designed to offer a simulated experience of studying abroad, the French House at the University of Wisconsin instead repeatedly falls victim to tragedy. But for college freshman Simone Duchamps, an American of French descent, the residence provides her first niche. Finally, a place where she belongs. But the illusion slowly dispels as her hopes for bohemian values are sullied by social hierarchy and segregation. When one of the residents is found dead, Simone fears she’s going mad, just as her mother once had. Throughout police investigation she draws connections to everything—from her family’s plagued history to the rumors The French House was once used for mind control research via psychedelic drugs. With twists and ambiguities, The French House explores the concept of life imitating art through the power of suggestion and ultimately asks—what is a simulation and what is reality.

Product Details

PublishedJanuary 25, 2023
ImprintCalumet Editions
LanguageEnglish
Print length294
ISBN-13978-1959770114
Dimensions6 x 0.74 x 9 inches

Atmospheric and haunting. The French House will leave you questioning your memories and wanting to discuss its twists long after reading.

—International Award-Winning Author, Gregory Lee Renz

Spellbinding. This novel is an important thesis on segregation, mind control, and our existential need to fit in. An absolutely stunning debut.

—Jean-Christophe Born, French film and opera star

Courtney Lochner’s The French House is a spellbinding and exhilarating literary thriller that begins as a coming-of-age story and turns into an innovative psychedelic mystery driven by psilocybin mushrooms and mind control. Feed your head.

Indie Reader

The French House is thrilling and suspenseful, filled with unpredictable characters and plot twists. Each question answered seems to bring forth a new mystery for readers to discover and see where they end up. Between murder and social hierarchy climbing, readers will have a steady source of action and entertainment to keep them hooked till the last page.

Literary Titan

In this haunting debut, Lochner presents the perfect blend of dark academia and psychological thriller. Francophones will especially enjoy the multitude of French references, both cultural and otherwise, throughout the novel. While the dialogue at times feels stilted, Lochner’s writing shines with her atmospheric and vivid descriptions.

—Laura M, Verified review on Amazon

I loved The French House. So enigmatic, emotion-invoking dark, and puzzling with every turn of a page. Beautifully written gem of fiction, filled with sensory verbiage and such a pleaser for any francophone with its richness in French references. Nothing, it turns out, is what it seems. Astounding resolution to a dynamic and thrilling plot.

—Oxicoco, Verified review on Amazon