Ward Parker

The Teratologist Ward Parker

Beneath the glitter of Gilded Age Palm Beach, monsters lurk in the shadows...

In 1902, the world is full of new wonders, from telephones to motorcars. It's full of prejudice, too, particularly for people born with physical deformities. Dr. Frank Follett's mission is to study and help them. His specialty is called teratology, derived from the Greek word for "monster."

But he never expected to encounter real monsters.

Traumatized by his service in the Philippine-American War, he travels to the resort of Palm Beach, Florida, to recuperate. There, he is amazed by two patients who not only have physical challenges, but paranormal abilities as well. A young child, born without limbs, channels the spirit of Follett's late beloved wife. A wealthy young man, born with the appearance of a hairy monster, is also a telepath. Follett struggles to reconcile his scientific mind with the phenomena he encounters.

Then the limbless girl is kidnapped by a serial killer who has been striking each tourist season. And the young man becomes possessed by a malevolent entity and goes on a murderous rampage.

Follett and fellow tourist Mark Twain risk their lives to try to rescue the young girl and stop the monster's killing spree. The question remains: What is deadlier, supernatural monsters or those of the human kind? Find out in The Teratologist, the first in a series of historical thrillers immersed in horror.