The Empress of Cooke County

A Novel

By: Elizabeth Bass Parman

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

"I couldn't have loved it more." --Fannie Flagg, New York Times bestselling author

"Sizzling small-town life in the American South with its secret history, vivid characters, and juicy dramas." --Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author

Featuring two strong women, mother-daughter tension, beauty parlor gossip, and one shocking turn of events, The Empress of Cooke County will transport you to a small town in the 1960s with the one woman determined to rule it all. Perfect for fans of Fried Green Tomatoes.

Thirty-eight-year-old Posey Jarvis is the self-appointed "empress" of rural Spark in Cooke County, Tennessee. She spends her days following every word about her idol and look-alike Jackie Kennedy, avoiding her stalwart husband Vern, and struggling to control her newly defiant daughter Callie Jane--all while sneaking nips of gin. When Posey unexpectedly inherits a derelict mansion from her quirky old aunt Milbrey, she finagles her way into hosting her high school's twentieth reunion there. She cares nothing about seeing her classmates, but she cares deeply about seeing the love of her life, a man who dumped her nineteen years ago. Possums are nesting in the parlor and the stench of cat urine permeates the sunroom, but she must be ready for the big day, even if she has to do the work herself.

Eighteen-year-old Callie Jane finds herself accidentally engaged and is panicking about her fast-approaching wedding. She's also had enough of her domineering mother. Even though she loves her father, the idea of working at his emporium for the rest of her life just makes her . . . so sad. She longs to escape from her mother, her job, her upcoming wedding, and the creepy Peeping Tom terrorizing the town. She dreams of leaving everything she's ever known in her rearview mirror and starting over in California. But when her life has been mapped out for her from birth, how can she break free?

Set in a gossipy small town during the turbulent 1960s and full of charm and unforgettable characters, The Empress of Cooke County is a novel about found family, what it means to be loved, and how being true to yourself can have life-altering consequences.

Critic reviews

'As someone who often fantasizes about a simpler way of life, stepping back in time to Queen Bee Posey Jarvis's colorful world was a slice of literary heaven. A delightful 1960s southern charmer on every level. What a stunning, poignant debut.'

'First-time novelist Parman delivers a twisted tale of small-town drama. Fans of gothic tales or Southern novels will enjoy this.'

'Funny, fast-moving, suspenseful, with unforgettable and deeply drawn characters, THE EMPRESS OF COOKE COUNTYwill rivet readers.'

'Get ready to laugh! Elizabeth Bass Parman is a true Southern storyteller. I couldn't have loved THE EMPRESS OF COOKE COUNTY more.'

'Parman superbly teases out the good and bad sides of people . . . This novel effectively combines very human foibles, hilarious circumstances, and honest yearnings of the heart with page-turning endings. Highly recommended.'

'THE EMPRESS OF COOKE COUNTY gives you a juicy taste of small-town Southern life at its best! Be prepared to laugh out loud as you race through pages full of secrets, high drama, and an unpredictable ending!'

'With humor and heart, the novel explores themes of family, self-discovery, and the challenges of staying true to oneself. Perfect for book clubs, the story is complemented by discussion questions that dive deeper into its rich characters and Southern charm.'

'You won't simply read THE EMPRESS OF COOKE COUNTY, you will fall into a world we all long for: sizzling small-town life in the American south with its secret history, vivid characters, and juicy dramas. If the complicated JEZEBEL and the feisty women of STEEL MAGNOLIAS had a baby, it might be Posey Jarvis. Put on a pot of coffee, cut yourself a wedge of chess pie and dive in.'

A strong debut, and not the last I'll read by her.

Brittany Pressley does it again as narrator. The author is also excellent in writing style and cast of characters. I much prefer the daughter to the mother. Having been born in Memphis, this novel is a special one to me.

Surprise ending

Great characters that couldn’t stop listening to it. She had the southern theme perfect! The narrator was also excellent and could provide great voices.

Wonderful characters and descriptions of the places where the story took place

I thought the narrator was excellent. I am from Tennessee and it really registered with me the accuracy of the descriptions of our great state.

Captivating and Hilarious

" The Empress of Cooke County" is chock full of unforgettable characters and surprising plot-twists. The dialogue is sharp and spot-on. Elizabeth Bass Parman is a fresh new voice on the scene. I love this fast-paced novel ...a great choice for a book club or beach read. The narration is perfection. Looking forward to more from this author for her next page-turner.

Easy to follow

Engaging narration. Easy to follow storyline and flow. Never got bored. One of the better audiobooks I have so far, and it was even on sale at the time.