Thirteen new stories by this up-and-coming short story writer evoke the spirit of Mae West and other liberated women.

Come Up and See Me Sometime: Stories

Literature & Fiction

Krouse, Erika

Humor & Satire

Scribner

With Mae West as her ingenious guiding spirit, Erika Krouse introduces us to thirteen young, single, geographically and emotionally nomadic women looking for self-knowledge and trouble. "I like to sleep with other women's husbands," says the narrator of "The Husbands" by way of introduction; unfortunately, one of those husbands is her own sister's. In "Drugs and You," a lonely woman hits a heroin addict with her car and falls blindly in love. In "No Universe," Stephanie deals with her own infertility while watching her friend (who calls children "yard apes") grapple with an abortion and then a guilt-induced pregnancy. These smart, quick-witted women strive for the unflappable sass and strength of Mae West, but often fall prey to their own fear and isolation. Krouse's perfect comic timing acts as a tribute to her muse, Mae West, pop culture's original liberated woman, giving these stories their fresh, offbeat perspective. Potently witty, neurotic and nervy, the collection marks the arrival of an irresistible new voice in fiction.

United States

"The best story I've read in a long, long time." --Lacy Crawford, author of Notes on a Silencing "Krouse's vivid and original memoir is state of the art. Tell Me Everything is our new standard." --Charles D'Ambrosio, author of Loitering Part memoir and part literary true crime, Tell Me Everything is the mesmerizing story of a landmark sexual assault investigation and the female private investigator who helped crack it open. Erika Krouse has one of those faces. "I don't know why I'm telling you this," people say, spilling confessions. In fall 2002, Erika accepts a new contract job investigating lawsuits as a private investigator. The role seems perfect for her, but she quickly realizes she has no idea what she's doing. Then a lawyer named Grayson assigns her to investigate a sexual assault, a college student who was attacked by football players and recruits at a party a year earlier. Erika knows she should turn the assignment down. Her own history with sexual violence makes it all too personal. But she takes the job anyway, inspired by Grayson's conviction that he could help change things forever. And maybe she could, too. Over the next five years, Erika learns everything she can about P. I. technique, tracking down witnesses and investigating a culture of sexual assault and harassment ingrained in the university's football program. But as the investigation grows into a national scandal and a historic civil rights case, Erika finds herself increasingly consumed. When the case and her life both implode at the same time, Erika must figure out how to help win the case without losing herself.

Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private Investigation

Reference

Flatiron Books

From EDGAR-AWARD WINNING author Erika Krouse, a VISCERAL, DAZZLING collection of stories set across the globe about characters desperate for salvation "Far-ranging and visionary collection...A dozen little masterpieces of heart and longing and surprise." --ADAM JOHNSON "Save Me, Stranger is a book of parables--supernal and sinister. Disturbing but comforting. Read these stories with a buddy, because someone will have to scrape you off the floor." --LOUISE ERDRICH Erika Krouse's debut memoir, Tell Me Everything, was hailed by the New York Times Book Review as "lyrical, jarring, propulsive," and the Washington Post as "mesmerizing on every page." Now, with an electrifying new collection of stories, Save Me, Stranger, she further cements her reputation as an essential voice. From the coldest town on earth to a sex shop in Bangkok to a haunted bed-and-breakfast in the Rockies, we meet characters at hinge moments. A runaway fights for her future while driving an ice-cream truck in gang territory; a cleaning woman investigates the teenager who died in her stead; a terminal patient in Alaska discovers new life in helping others die. This collection explores the borderlands between humor and hurt, community and self, and hope and despair, redefining what it means to survive. Scalpel-sharp, unsparingly funny, and achingly wise, Krouse's expansive stories build to unforgettable emotional catharses, as these men and women must decide how far they are willing to go to save one another--and themselves.

Save Me, Stranger: Stories

Humor & Entertainment

Humor

A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice Part memoir and part literary true crime, Tell Me Everything is the mesmerizing story of a landmark sexual assault investigation and the female private investigator who helped crack it open. Erika Krouse has one of those faces. "I don't know why I'm telling you this," people say, spilling confessions. In fall 2002, Erika accepts a new contract job investigating lawsuits as a private investigator. The role seems perfect for her, but she quickly realizes she has no idea what she's doing. Then a lawyer named Grayson assigns her to investigate a sexual assault, a college student who was attacked by football players and recruits at a party a year earlier. Erika knows she should turn the assignment down. Her own history with sexual violence makes it all too personal. But she takes the job anyway, inspired by Grayson's conviction that he could help change things forever. And maybe she could, too. Over the next five years, Erika learns everything she can about P. I. technique, tracking down witnesses and investigating a culture of sexual assault and harassment ingrained in the university's football program. But as the investigation grows into a national scandal and a historic civil rights case that revolutionizes Title IX law, Erika finds herself increasingly consumed. When the case and her life both implode at the same time, Erika must figure out how to help win the case without losing herself.

Tell Me Everything

With Mae West as her ingenious guiding spirit, Erika Krouse introduces us to thirteen young, single, geographically and emotionally nomadic women looking for self-knowledge and trouble. "I like to sleep with other women's husbands," says the narrator of "The Husbands" by way of introduction; unfortunately, one of those husbands is her own sister's. In "Drugs and You," a lonely woman hits a heroin addict with her car and falls blindly in love. In "No Universe," Stephanie deals with her own infertility while watching her friend (who calls children "yard apes") grapple with an abortion and then a guilt-induced pregnancy. These smart, quick-witted women strive for the unflappable sass and strength of Mae West, but often fall prey to their own fear and isolation. Krouse's perfect comic timing acts as a tribute to her muse, Mae West, pop culture's original liberated woman, giving these stories their fresh, offbeat perspective. Potently witty, neurotic and nervy, the collection marks the arrival of an irresistible new voice in fiction.

Literary

"Nina was a thief, technically, although she never defined herself that way. Stealing was sponsorship. Fighting was the passion." Street-fighter Nina Black lives by her fists in Denver, stealing wallets and taking advantage of men who try to take advantage of her. This symbiosis is upended when one of her marks, a cop and MMA comeback contender, wants his wallet -- and his dignity -- back. Avoiding retribution is difficult enough alone, but it becomes impossible once Nina gets unexpected custody of an orphaned eight-year-old niece she didn't know existed, accompanied by her long-lost (and ever-vigilant) childhood flame, Isaac. When the situation implodes, only one person can help Nina earn back her life, and prepare her for the fight that might end it.

Contenders: A Novel

Rare Bird Books, A Vireo Book

Passe Me Voir Un de Ces

Contemporary

Gallimard]

Fight Girl

Blumenbar

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Krouse, Erika. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Krouse, Erika

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Krouse, Erika. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Come Up and See Me Sometime: Stories

Come Up and See Me Sometime: Stories

Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private Investigation

Save Me, Stranger: Stories

Tell Me Everything

Come Up and See Me Sometime: Stories

Contenders: A Novel

Passe Me Voir Un de Ces

Fight Girl