It's 1945. The war is over and Matt McCartan is mustered out of the army just in time to attend his father's funeral. Matt and his father always had an estranged relationship and because of that Matt knows almost nothing about his father's life and childhood. While going through his father's papers he discovers a single clue that might shed light on who his father was: a faded envelope with a return address of Ballyturan, Ireland. Seeking further information, he composes a letter to the village priest asking if he, or someone in the village, knew his father. The priest doesn't respond, but a...

Back in 1973 Johnny Carson made a joke about a toilet paper shortage. The next morning many of his 20 million viewers rushed out to their local supermarkets and cleared the shelves of toilet paper. And of course we all know about Oprah's legendary power to turn obscure books into overnight best sellers and unknown people into media stars. Talk show hosts like Johnny Carson and Oprah inspire almost religious fervor in their audiences. Television is indeed a powerful medium. As the novel opens, Krystal is the hottest talk show host on TV. She has it all-fame, a successful clothing and perfume...