Author Karen Brown lives and teaches in south Florida. But her native Connecticut roots are prominently captured in her just-published novel, "The Longings of Wayward Girls" (Washington Square Press).

Twenty years ago, in the fictional town of Wintonbury - loosely based on Bloomfield? - Sadie and her best friend play a seemingly harmless prank on a neighborhood girl. Shortly thereafter, the girl disappears and is never heard from again.

As an adult, Sadie still lives in her hometown, happily married and with kids of her own. When a forgotten boy from the old neighborhood suddenly shows back up, the horrible events of that long-ago summer start to sneak back into Sadie's consciousness.

Brown is getting terrific advance reviews for the book, and she will be guest of honor at a luncheon/signing on Wednesday in Mystic's Bank Square Books.

- RICK KOSTER

Karen Brown luncheon, noon Wednesday, Bank Square Books, 53 West Main St., Mystic; $15 includes paperback copy of the book as well as lunch; (860) 536-3795, banksquarebooks.com.