Authors Interviewing Characters: Jessica Strawser
ABOUT THE LAST CARETAKER
A woman in search of a new beginning is put to the test in ways she never imagined in an empowering and provocative page-turner by the author of Not That I Could Tell.
Katie’s divorce was, in a word, humiliating. So when her friend Bess offers a fresh start—a resident caretaking job at a nature preserve—Katie accepts. No matter that she’s not exactly a “nature person.” How hard can it be?
But from day one, something feels off. Katie’s new farmhouse looks as if the last caretaker barely moved out at all. When a frantic, terrified woman arrives late at night, expecting a safe place to hide, it’s clear caretaking involves way more than Katie bargained for.
Suddenly, Katie is no longer sure who she can trust: the brooding groundskeeper, the daily regulars—hikers, dog walkers, bird-watchers, photographers—even Bess.
As Katie digs deeper for clues in what the last caretaker left behind, she must discover courage she never knew she had—and decide how much she’ll risk to do the right thing.
JESSICA STRAWSER INTERVIEWS THE NEW CARETAKER
Jessica: Katie, thanks for taking time out of your day to speak with me. I can only imagine moving to a new state and starting a new job at the same time isn’t easy!
Katie: It is kind of a lot, but the friend who recommended me for this job has been very understanding about my learning curve. Everyone has been totally great. I mean, almost everyone. Mostly great.
Jessica: What made you want to live on a nature reserve? You must have a deep love for the outdoors. I wish I could be that comfortable on my own out here!
Katie: Um. Well, they needed a new resident caretaker on short notice, and I guess I was just… fortunate to be in a position to help.
Jessica: I see. So you took this job as a favor to a friend?
Katie: [Laughs nervously.] I wouldn’t say that. If anything, it was the other way around.
Jessica: What were you doing before this?
Katie: Running a web design business. With my hus—my ex-husband. In Pittsburgh.
Jessica: Uh-huh. And how many acres did you two have?
Katie: I’m sorry?
Jessica: According to this trail map I got at your gatehouse, you are now overseeing 927 of outer Cincinnati’s finest acres. How many did you have in Pittsburgh?
Katie: I think it was maybe … around … 0.2?
Jessica: Oh. Well, I guess you had a garden? Pets? I met your new barn cat on my way in, by the way. Generous little guy. He brought me a field mouse.
Katie: Like I said, there’s a learning curve here, but I’m learning.
Jessica: Good for you. Honestly, I love nature as much as the next person, but I don’t know if I could stand being so alone all the time.
Katie: You’d be surprised. I’m not alone as much as you’d think. Speaking of, you didn’t happen to ever meet The Last Caretaker, did you? Grace Dunbar was her name. Is. Is her name.
Jessica: No, sorry. Why do you ask?
Katie. No reason. It’s just that she’s a hard woman to get in touch with. It would be nice to ask her a few questions, that’s all.
Jessica: Looking for some insider caretaking survival tips, huh?
Katie: Something like that.
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Category: Contemporary Women Writers, On Writing
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