Natalie Jacobsen for Ghost Train at People’s Book

Set in 1877 Kyoto during the early years of the Meiji “Restoration” Era, samurai daughter Maru Hosokawa is thrust into a life opposite how she grew up. Her father has surrendered his sword with other samurai, assimilating into a role as a civilian merchant. As his work takes him further and further from home, she is left to find work of her own to help rebuild the family wealth — and protect herself, “just in case,” her father says. But during the summer festivals, ghosts begin appearing before Maru. Unsure of where to turn or who to trust, Maru fends for herself, facing an abusive employer, unreliable friends, and insecurity at home. In the search for answers, a kitsune offers to help in exchange for Maru’s aid in confronting a demon rampaging Kyoto at night. As summer passes on, more ghosts appear, plagues sweep through the city, and a stench of blood in the streets, and rumors of a samurai rebellion obscure reality, driving Maru to make a choice against all instincts, to save herself, her father — and Kyoto. Inspired by true historical events and based on myths of yokai, this story began taking shape first in 2010. With guidance by historians both in Japan and the US, subject matter experts in geisha, kimono, and samurai life, and countless beta readers and supporters, Natalie Jacobsen has carefully crafted this historical fantasy to reflect 19th century life during the tumultuous, society-altering leadership of Emperor Meiji… just with a few more ghosts.

Natalie Jacobsen began writing fiction in high school, opening doors to hone her craft in creative writing programs locally and overseas; in college she turned her interest in storytelling into journalistic endeavors. After graduating, she wrote and photographed for magazines, television and music studios in Japan for years, fostering her love of mythology, history, and untold stories. In Virginia, she reported on civil rights and defended journalists’ rights in court.

Diana Parsell is a nonfiction writer and author in the Washington, D.C., area. As a former journalist and science writer she spent years looking for good stories. She stumbled onto a great one while living and working in Southeast Asia. An 1897 travelogue on Java inspired her to write the first-ever biography of its author in Eliza Scidmore: The Trailblazing Journalist Behind Washington’s Cherry Trees.

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This is an in-person event. Seated capacity of People’s Book is 50 patrons. Accessible seating is always available.