Author Karen Winn’s first novel, “Our Little World,” was an acclaimed coming-of-age story. Now, this Beacon Hill local brings her storytelling to the backdrop of her beloved neighborhood. Her second novel, “The Society,” comes out this January and is a highly-anticipated thriller centered around the Knox, a rumored elite Boston social club.
We’re excited to host the book launch party at The Vilna, both because Winn and her family have had a long history at The Vilna, and because we are told that our historic building is featured in the book! I was excited to learn more, so I took the opportunity to ask Winn a few questions about the book.
How might we expect to see The Vilna show up? Is there a kvell-worthy Jewish scene?
“The Society” is a twisty tale of two women who become darkly intertwined with a secret society in the heart of Beacon Hill. There’s Vivian, a 44-year-old who seems to have it all: beauty, wealth, and an antiques shop. But when her carefully curated life begins to unravel and financial pressures mount, she sets out to uncover her family’s rumored fortune tied to the Knox society, aided by her friend Rachel, a genealogist at The Vilna Shul. The deeper she delves, the more danger closes in.
Then there’s Taylor, a 25-year-old nurse eager to leave behind her humble North Carolina roots. When the glamorous Vivian lands in her ER after a suspicious fall, Taylor is immediately captivated. But then Vivian abruptly disappears without a trace, sending Taylor on a search for answers that pulls her into the Knox itself—as their newest employee. The further Taylor ventures into the Knox’s world of unimaginable wealth and dark history, the more the mystery surrounding Vivian deepens. And, yes, Taylor does cross paths with Rachel, The Vilna Shul genealogist! Ultimately, the women will discover that more so than money or status, secrets are this society’s true currency.
What inspired you to write this book?
I was drawn to the atmospheric setting of Beacon Hill, with its red-brick buildings, charming cobblestone streets, and gaslit lamps. This neighborhood just exudes history and mystery, making it the perfect backdrop for an exclusive secret society. As a creative person, it’s hard not to get swept up in the fictional possibilities while walking these streets each day!
How did you do your research for it?
I love that your website says: “Told in multiple timelines and point of views—including that of the Knox red-brick townhouse itself—The Society is a dark and twisty tale set amid the deceptively charming cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill.” Being at The Vilna, I often feel like the space is a character and that it has a point of view. How did you come to think about the buildings in this way? As I was writing from the two women’s perspectives—both outsiders to the Knox society—I realized I needed an insider’s point of view. Who better than the building itself? Literally, if these walls could talk! It felt fitting, especially since events from the Knox’s 19th-century past bleed into the present-day storyline. Want to feel like you’re in the book? Join us for a special launch party at The Vilna on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m., in collaboration with Beacon Hill Books. Karen Winn will be in conversation with author and current Vilna board member Jennifer Blecher.
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