The Fourth House

“Secrets and lies, Rev. Secrets and lies. This strange little burg is full of them.” Both men paused for a moment of quiet contemplation. Finally, Jordan summed up his feelings in a question. “Rev, when a person chooses to lead a double life, how does one tell which is the double and which is the life?”

Rev stared into the steering wheel. “I’m supposed to know the answers to those kinds of questions, aren’t I?”

“It’s okay. It’s probably like a philosophy exam. There really is no right answer. Just answers. All of them right; all of them wrong.”

THE FOURTH HOUSE is a sweeping love story with Oscar Wilde-type plot twists that will keep you riveted to each and every page.

Set against the desolate backdrop of a small Pennsylvania coal mining town that has all but closed up shop, THE FOURTH HOUSE deals with the issues of escape, ambition, secrets, lies, forgiveness, sexual mores, and coming home again in an insightful, yet humorous fashion.

THE FOURTH HOUSE tells the tale of a young Philadelphia urologist who returns to his small, quirky hometown and falls in love with the girl next door, who had been like a kid sister to him when they grew up together. But instead of family celebrations upon the announcement of their engagement, both families – best friends forever – suddenly treat the impending marriage as something that must be stopped at all cost. But why?

THE FOURTH HOUSE, by Kerry Zukus, has been honored as a finalist for the James Jones First Novel Fellowship. It is presented to an American author who has not previously published a novel. The award is intended to honor the spirit of unblinking honesty, determination, and insight into modern culture exemplified by the late James Jones, author of From Here to Eternity and other prose narratives of distinction.

THE FOURTH HOUSE has been wonderfully and lovingly edited by the illustrious Carole Baron, who has edited and continues to edit many well-known authors, including Judy Blume (Summer Sisters), Danielle Steel, Thomas Harris, Maeve Binchy, Harlan Coben, John Lescroart, and Tracy Chevalier. Mrs. Baron has also edited many first time authors, whose initial outings became international best-sellers, including Jean Auel (Clan of the Cave Bear), Nicholas Evans (The Horse Whisperer) and Hari Kunzru (The Impressionist).

Author Kerry Zukus recently signed a landmark publishing deal with Bookspan, a division of Doubleday Entertainment and owned by Bertelsmann AG (owner of Random House, the world’s largest book publisher). THE FOURTH HOUSE will initially be available ONLY through the Book of the Month Club®, as well as the Doubleday Book Club®, and The Literary Guild®. While the Book of the Month Club®, America’s leading book club since 1923, has always featured books from the world’s leading authors, this past year Bookspan, its parent company, announced that instead of relying only upon current best sellers, it would begin signing newer voices to exclusive contracts on its new imprint, Madison Park Press. These new books would be released first to club members only, and then to the public at large. THE FOURTH HOUSE, by Kerry Zukus, is scheduled to be the first debut novel ever released in this fashion.