The Rosalyn Letters

Epistolary novel & narrative poetry

Experimental writing

2015—2022

Poe’s "The Raven" meets Nancy Drew’s dream diary

A dark, metaphysical mystery thriller for dreamers, everyday philosophers, and poets at heart

What would happen if you dreamed about a violent, supernatural transgression and the next day learned that some version of it had come true? The Rosalyn Letters is an epistolary thriller that keeps you guessing: what is real, what is imagined, and which is worth abiding?

It’s April of 1997 in Erie, Pennsylvania, and an unsolved crime has just shattered Rosalyn’s life. To cope with her heartache, she begins writing a series of private letters to Nova in her journal, where she confides a shameful secret about the night before it happened. In her anguish, Rosalyn recounts the recent dreams that still haunt her, recording them as poems, just as her grandmother had taught her as a young girl. But after she moves to New York City and her letters progress, Rosalyn begins to realize that her dreams are delivering her a series of clues that might be giving her the answers no one else could.

On one level, The Rosalyn Letters is both a suspenseful crime mystery and the introspective story of a young woman’s struggle with great personal loss. But on another level, it’s a coming-of-age story—a meditation on the meaning of the past, present, and future, and the universe of truth perhaps just outside our immediate understanding, but never outside our reach.

“... riveting, dreamlike ... A sympathetic, tormented sister narrates this enigmatic but gripping mystery.”

—Kirkus Reviews

"...author S. Blake unwraps each layer of the mystery at a clever pace until a maddeningly perfect conclusion."

—INDIEREADER

"A captivating story that illuminates our own personal philosophical inquiry, leaving us with deeper questions we should all be asking ourselves."

—Mile in New York, NY

"Different from anything I have read before—a bundle of personal struggle, poetry, dark suspense, and inspiration all in one."

—Beth in Estero, FL

"A gorgeous manuscript—I spent the weekend immersed in [S. Blake’s] incredible voice, which is lyrical and distinct and wonderfully sophisticated. [S. Blake has] managed something really innovative with this novel’s structure, and it unfolds so beautifully."

—Danya in Seattle, Wa

“Wow. Just wow… So many words spoke directly into my soul.”

—Lea in Richmond, VA

“I absolutely loved it! One of a kind! When is the sequel coming?!”

—Ashley in Chicago, IL

"...a wonderfully woven, intertwined tapestry of rich and robust tones and colors. Completely engrossing!!"

—Andy in Richmond, VA

"I DEVOURED this book in one Saturday, during a very rainy spring NYC day. Literally couldn't put it down! ...Great characters and worldbuilding leads to an edge of your seat supernatural thriller! There's drama, magic, comedy, horror, and romance all in one tale. It feels like Stephen King meets Silence of the Lambs meets The Blair Witch Project, and I mean that in all of the best ways."

—Bryan in New York, NY

"A captivating mystery told in letters and poems, capturing perspectives and details that bring depth and vibrancy to compliment its dark and chilling plot. The Rosalyn Letters will leave you reflecting on your own dreams, and craving a sequel."

—Sydney in Los angeles, CA

Chapter Teasers

Story Preview

1. Dead Moon

Rosalyn confides in Nova about her struggles following a heinous crime and confesses a shameful secret about the night before it happened.

2. The Tortoise and the Cobra

In the wake of her sorrow, Rosalyn drifts back into memories and stories from her childhood, and grapples with a strange impulse delivered in the form of a dream.

3. One Song

Rosalyn confronts Detective Singer for more answers and comes face to face with the horrific details of the crime. Soon after, a mystical experience opens her perspective.

4. The Door with the Face

Left to her thoughts, Rosalyn reminisces about the future she and Nova had once imagined for themselves and starts to revise her understanding of reality as she considers leaving Erie.

5. Two Lions

Rosalyn writes Nova from New York City where she has decided to move without so much as a plan or a place to stay. All she knows is where she needs to be the next morning.

6. A Ghost's Song

Rosalyn finds her new home by following a mysterious tip that seems too good to be true and tries to make sense of the strange new ways her reality and her dreams seem to be converging.

7. Past House

Without a way to support herself, Rosalyn takes a new job at an eccentric private library run by three sisters. Here she meets Asher, and she is immediately drawn to both him and his past.

8. The Laws of Physics

Rosalyn explores the reasons behind her newfound interest in Asher. Despite her new distractions, Rosalyn’s thoughts return to Detective Singer and she wonders where things stand with the investigation.

9. The Egret

Asher and Rosalyn leave New York on a whim. While away, Rosalyn has a disturbing dream which seems to deliver a pivotal clue about the crime that destroyed her life.

10. Memento Mori

Tension builds between Asher and Rosalyn as they become closer, even as Rosalyn continues to keep what happened back in Erie a secret. At the same time she seems to be gathering more clues about what took place that fateful night.

11. Everything You Need to Know

In Asher’s company, Rosalyn’s dreams grow more vivid and disturbing. Could she somehow have access to details that not even Detective Singer could possibly know?

12. Tooth Collector

Rosalyn becomes obsessed with analyzing her clues, using her workplace as her own personal research facility. Is her new preoccupation driving her and Asher apart? Her dreams are only becoming more wild.

13. The Removable Leg

Trapped between her dream world and reality, Rosalyn begins to distance herself from Asher. One night she wanders New York City and accidentally falls asleep on a bench. When she awakes she is one step closer.

14. The Workshop

Asher confronts Rosalyn about her behavior and disappears without an explanation. Things get worse as an uninvited guest comes asking for Rosalyn, but Rosalyn is too busy with a new shocking realization.

15. Poacher's Prize

Rosalyn hatches a far-fetched plan to find out if her hypothesis is true, but in order to pull it off, she’ll need help from someone she can trust.

16. Another Nova

Rosalyn makes a trip to a secluded compound deep in the woods of New Jersey in search of reconnaissance. But just as quickly as things have come together, they seem to be falling apart with a discovery that changes everything.

17. Battlecry

In a moment of clarity, Rosalyn comes to terms with what she knows she must do, even when it’s the most terrifying outcome she could imagine.