An affair. A marriage. Accidental encounters. A secret spying mission masquerading as research for a short story on desire. This is the rich ground from which The Darren Effect springs, carrying us through the complexities, tragedies, and unanticipated triumphs of love and loss.

The Darren Effect is a miraculous novel, in which the characters coalesce and crisscross in awkward, surprising, and hilarious ways. Damaged by grief and circumstance, Heather, Isabella, Darren, and Benny offer each other heartbreak, love, and redemption at a time when all previous points of reference have vanished.

Libby Creelman, originally from Massachusetts, now lives in St. John's, Newfoundland. She is the author of Walking in Paradise, a short story collection (Porcupine's Quill, 2000), which was shortlisted for the first annual Winterset Award for excellence in Newfoundland writing. Her short stories have been published in literary magazines across the country and have been selected for 99: Best Canadian Stories and two editions of The Journey Prize Anthology. Creelman is former Executive Director of the Writers' Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador and now works with the Culture Division of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

Libby Creelman's profile page

"Libby Creelman peoples her novel with fascinating varieties of injured souls. A tender, surprising, moving read."

Alan Cumyn

"A remarkably self-assured first novel."

<i>Quill & Quire</i>

"Intimate and arch, pepper-hot and coolly comic. ... Creelman's characters are convincing, damaged, insightful, odd, compassionate, and ever so slightly morally ashew — in other words, utterly compelling and true to life. You will love this novel."

Lisa Moore

"Creelman is a sophisticated writer in both form and content. Her prose is taut, clear and precise, and she is acutely observant. Details matter because she makes them matter. ... It has been a while since I have read a book that captures the nuances of domestic dysfunction as well as this one does, yet manages to end with such fierce hope."

<i>National Post</i>