Ruthy Mason

A skin-crawling debut that peels back the veil from the institution of marriage and exposes the rot underneath. For fans of NIGHTBITCH and OUR WIVES UNDER THE SEA.

Bea, a promising young archaeologist, has just gotten engaged. It should be the most exciting time of her life, but she can't shake the feeling that something is wrong. She can't stop thinking about a more daring version of herself who always imagined breaking with convention--an elopement, a brightly colored dress, an open marriage. However, as plans for the big day solidify, Bea begins to see the appeal of a big white dress, a huge reception, and a life with just one man. But as she begins to sort through bridesmaid dresses and look at venues, she notices her skin is flaking and sagging, and her hair is beginning to fall out in clumps. Her engagement ring, an unusual family heirloom from her fianc , is getting tighter and tighter. Something is crawling under her skin. Someone is watching her from the shadows . . .