The Story People

A small-town bookstore. A buried past. Stories that refuse to stay silent. In rain-soaked New Holden, Indiana, Palermo's Books is more than a store--it's a place where memories linger, grief settles deep, and something unseen moves quietly between the shelves. Ben Palermo never planned to stay. The family bookstore carries too much: his parents' loss, his uncle's legacy, and a life he left behind in Chicago. Still, the shop hums with life--Bible studies, curious regulars, and whispers of "Story People" who wander the aisles after dark. When Rosemary returns home to care for her grandmother, she expects a pause--not a reunion with the boy who once anchored her world... or the silence that followed when his letters stopped. As old wounds surface and small-town expectations press in, their lives intertwine again in unexpected ways. With gentle humor, memorable characters, and a touch of the uncanny, The Story People explores what it means to carry the past--and what it takes to finally move forward. Inside this thoughtful Christian novel, you'll find: - A vivid small-town setting where community comforts--and confines - A richly drawn cast navigating grief, calling, creativity, and second chances - A unique blend of literary realism and quiet mystery through the "Story People" - A moving look at legacy, belonging, and the stories that shape us Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven fiction with emotional depth, subtle faith themes, and a hint of wonder, The Story People invites you to consider how God may be at work in the places you feel most stuck--and how a single story can change everything.