I’m excited to be shining the light on a new novel coming out in September: Circus of the Vanishing Elephant by Tim Schooley.
It sounds so interesting and good! Thanks to the author and his publisher for reaching out to me.
HOW DO YOU MAKE AN ELEPHANT DISAPPEAR?
In 1974, the King Minos Circus is struggling to survive—until Christos “King” Minos unveils a dazzling new illusion: a vanishing elephant act starring Henrietta, the animal he loves more fiercely than he can admit.
But when Henrietta disappears during a parade, the trick becomes something far more dangerous.
Suspicion falls on Minos’s estranged daughter, Randi—an activist who has vowed to free the circus elephants—and on Ainge, the circus’s newest clown, a young man still haunted by his father’s rejection after learning he is gay. Minos feels betrayed by both and vows to recover Henrietta and bring those responsible to justice.
But are Randi and Ainge the villains Minos imagines? Their journey across the American West—through small towns, roadside shows, and shifting loyalties—forces them all to confront hard questions about family, freedom, and who truly belongs to whom.
Because in the end, the fate of Henrietta may not belong to the circus at all.
“Tim Schooley draws on his own experience as a Ringling Bros. clown to craft a vivid, propulsive novel about loyalty, spectacle, and the cost of holding on too tight. Historical fiction with real sawdust under its nails.”
— CITY BOOK REVIEW
“Set in the 1970s, the story follows a struggling circus after a beloved elephant mysteriously vanishes, setting off a journey filled with family conflict, loyalty, and questions about what freedom truly means. While the mystery keeps the pages turning, it’s really the relationships between the characters that make this story shine.
“Henrietta quickly became the heart of the novel, and I found myself completely invested in what would happen to her. The emotional depth caught me off guard, and I appreciated that the story explored difficult topics with compassion without ever feeling heavy-handed.
If you’re looking for a character-driven story with a unique premise, memorable characters, and plenty of heart, this is definitely worth picking up. A quick, engaging read that stayed with me long after I finished.”
–SECOND CHAPTER BOOKS
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About the Author:
Tim Schooley brings firsthand expertise and authenticity to the story. A former Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus clown, he later became an appellate lawyer and law professor, teaching at UC Davis Law School and serving as managing attorney of the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District. He is deeply involved in the Sacramento literary community, serving as Co-Chair of the Sacramento Book Festival and on the board of the Sacramento branch of the California Writers Club.
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