All abuzz over author Nichole Bernier

Anyone who's ever written something more substantive than a grocery list has probably harbored one of those secret Big Publishing dreams. You know: Harry Potter, Scandinavian Babe With Dragon Tattoo, Vampire of the Month Club ...

Hold your breath and consider first-time novelist Nichole Bernier, whose just-out "The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D." is starting to make that underground rumble that often pre-dates massive success. What would you do if your best friend suddenly died and left you a lifetime of journals? That's the question Kate must ask herself - but it's only the first question. Because when she starts to read, a whole secret life and repercussions come to the surface.

Bernier appears today at a luncheon/Q&A hosted by Bank Square Books in Mystic.

- RICK KOSTER

Nichole Bernier Luncheon and Book Signing, noon-1:30 p.m. today, Bank Square Books, 53 West Main St., Mystic; $24 includes lunch and signed first-edition copy of the book, call in advance for reservation; (860) 536-3795, banksquarebooks.com