In 2005, John Burns, a clairvoyant therapist, provides a reading for a lonely South Florida healthcare manager named Sophia Deming. At fifty-four, Sophia is miserable with work, regret, and failed ambitions. She leaves the reading, disappointed with Burns’s forecast and worries that the way to an authentic life is a hopeless dream.

From the shores of his cottage on Prince Edward Island, Burns channels Sophia for a period of two years and tells the story of her existential quest. Sophia’s journey begins when she finds her dead mother’s play, The Antiquity, in the family cottage in Peterborough, Ontario. Its main character, Russell Durnin, a biomedical scientist, finds the missing link to his research among the paranormal inhabitants of a futuristic prison.

As an ambitious production of the performance develops in Toronto, Sophia encounters a series of misfortunes back home in Florida that mirror those of Durnin and that force her to confront her darkest fears. On opening night of the play, as her mother’s portrait is unveiled upon the stage, Sophia discovers the secret of her emotional captivity.

In 2005, John Burns, a clairvoyant therapist, provides a reading for a lonely South Florida healthcare manager named Sophia Deming. At fifty-four, Sophia is miserable with work, regret, and failed ambitions. She leaves the reading, disappointed with Burns’s forecast and worries that the way to an authentic life is a hopeless dream.

From the shores of his cottage on Prince Edward Island, Burns channels Sophia for a period of two years and tells the story of her existential quest. Sophia’s journey begins when she finds her dead mother’s play, The Antiquity, in the family cottage in Peterborough, Ontario. Its main character, Russell Durnin, a biomedical scientist, finds the missing link to his research among the paranormal inhabitants of a futuristic prison.

As an ambitious production of the performance develops in Toronto, Sophia encounters a series of misfortunes back home in Florida that mirror those of Durnin and that force her to confront her darkest fears. On opening night of the play, as her mother’s portrait is unveiled upon the stage, Sophia discovers the secret of her emotional captivity.

In 2005, John Burns, a clairvoyant therapist, provides a reading for a lonely South Florida healthcare manager named Sophia Deming. At fifty-four, Sophia is miserable with work, regret, and failed ambitions. She leaves the reading, disappointed with Burns’s forecast and worries that the way to an authentic life is a hopeless dream.

From the shores of his cottage on Prince Edward Island, Burns channels Sophia for a period of two years and tells the story of her existential quest. Sophia’s journey begins when she finds her dead mother’s play, The Antiquity, in the family cottage in Peterborough, Ontario. Its main character, Russell Durnin, a biomedical scientist, finds the missing link to his research among the paranormal inhabitants of a futuristic prison.

As an ambitious production of the performance develops in Toronto, Sophia encounters a series of misfortunes back home in Florida that mirror those of Durnin and that force her to confront her darkest fears. On opening night of the play, as her mother’s portrait is unveiled upon the stage, Sophia discovers the secret of her emotional captivity.

The building’s newest tenant scared and intrigued Maggie. On the night she met Clark, she had no idea how much he would change her world. Clark was immediately curious and attracted to his new neighbor. Would his decision to move closer to family change his life in ways he could not even imagine? Are Maggie and Clark ready for the future? Are they ready for each other? Would her friend’s final gift bring all the pieces together and show them the path to happiness?

“A Friend’s Last Gift is a thoughtfully written debut novel with authentic and charming characters. Tracy Whipple’s book is a sensitive and warm story that will be instantly relatable to readers.”
— Janeen Alves, CPA, MBT

“Amazed that this is Ms. Whipple's first novel! Lively, entertaining, fun—a wonderful, feel good escape. I cannot wait to hear what happens in the sequel!”
—Laura Erdman-Luntz, yoga educator, life coach, author of Awaken to Joy

“Tracy’s prose sets a wonderful stage; her descriptions take you directly into the scene. You taste, smell, feel, hear, and see what is happening.”
—Susanne W., national board certified high school educator, presidential awardee for excellence in teaching

The building’s newest tenant scared and intrigued Maggie. On the night she met Clark, she had no idea how much he would change her world. Clark was immediately curious and attracted to his new neighbor. Would his decision to move closer to family change his life in ways he could not even imagine? Are Maggie and Clark ready for the future? Are they ready for each other? Would her friend’s final gift bring all the pieces together and show them the path to happiness?

“A Friend’s Last Gift is a thoughtfully written debut novel with authentic and charming characters. Tracy Whipple’s book is a sensitive and warm story that will be instantly relatable to readers.”
— Janeen Alves, CPA, MBT

“Amazed that this is Ms. Whipple's first novel! Lively, entertaining, fun—a wonderful, feel good escape. I cannot wait to hear what happens in the sequel!”
—Laura Erdman-Luntz, yoga educator, life coach, author of Awaken to Joy

“Tracy’s prose sets a wonderful stage; her descriptions take you directly into the scene. You taste, smell, feel, hear, and see what is happening.”
—Susanne W., national board certified high school educator, presidential awardee for excellence in teaching