Author Karen Winn will release her latest novel, The Society, on January 20, 2024, exploring the intersection of history and intrigue in Boston’s Beacon Hill. The narrative follows Vivian Lawrence, a member of Boston’s elite, as she investigates a hidden organization known as the Knox Society after losing her family fortune.
Set against the backdrop of Beacon Hill, the story intertwines real locations with fictional elements. Winn, a resident of the neighborhood, explained, “Living in this area… it’s easy to get swept up in fictional possibilities while walking the streets each day.” The setting serves as a perfect stage for a narrative centered on power and privilege.
Unraveling Secrets and Mysteries
As Lawrence delves deeper into her family’s past, she experiences a suspicious fall that lands her in the emergency room. There, she captures the attention of nurse Taylor Adams. Following Lawrence’s mysterious disappearance, Adams takes on a job at the Knox Society to uncover the truth behind her patient’s vanishing. Throughout her investigation, she begins to uncover dark secrets surrounding the organization.
Winn’s novel features several real locations in Beacon Hill, including Mt. Vernon Street and the renowned Cheers bar. The character of Lawrence owns a store called Storied Antiques, inspired by an actual store in the area, Fabled Antiques. To immerse herself in the local atmosphere, Winn interviewed the store’s owner to gain insights into running such a business.
Real Inspirations Behind Fiction
The premise of The Society draws inspiration from the Boston Athenaeum, a historic membership library. During a visit, Winn encountered a portrait of Thomas Handasyd Perkins, a Boston merchant whose wealth largely stemmed from the opium trade. This discovery prompted her to imagine a secret society rooted in similar historical contexts, set against a contemporary backdrop.
Winn’s personal experiences also influenced her writing. As a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania, she was a member of a secret society. Additionally, Adams works at Massachusetts General Hospital, where Winn herself was once an ICU nurse. Now focusing on her writing, she occasionally consults in healthcare.
In anticipation of her book’s release, Winn launched a TikTok account, @theknoxsociety, designed to reflect the allure of the fictional society. The account features aesthetically pleasing videos of Beacon Hill that hint at hidden mysteries within the neighborhood. Some posts encourage viewers to explore the area, while others playfully highlight the neighborhood’s quirks, such as the local rats’ “expensive taste.”
Winn noted, “I feel like people are very intrigued by Beacon Hill itself, as opposed to this idea that it’s a secret society [supposedly posting the videos].” Curious followers can find a link to the book’s page on the Penguin Random House website through the account.
The official launch for The Society will take place on January 22, 2024, at The Vilna Shul synagogue, a location featured in the novel. Winn will discuss her work in conversation with fellow author Jennifer Ende Blecher. The event runs from 19:00 to 21:00 and is free to attend, though registration is required.
For more information, visit vilnashul.org. Readers can expect a thrilling exploration of history, mystery, and the complexities of privilege in Winn’s latest offering.
